| |
 | Contact Info: |
Rosh Hodesh Nissan
1 Nissan 5764
March 23, 2004
This week, I am departing from the normal practice of commenting on the Torah portion, although we do start the Book of Leviticus this week. There will be many weeks to comment on Leviticus, however, and only this week to mark the beginning of the new year. What? Did I fall asleep and it’s Rosh Hashannah already? No, it’s still March and Pesach isn’t even here yet but in giving Moses instructions on marking the Exodus from Egypt, God beings Chapter 12 of Exodus with “This month shall mark for you the beginning of the months; it shall be the first of the months for you.”
There are a couple of interesting points to be made here. The first is the obvious one, that the month of Nissan (the month within which Passover falls) is the beginning of the Biblical year, that is, the festival calendar. Rosh Hashannah marks the beginning of the calendar year but Rosh Hashannah is the anniversary of Creation, as interpreted by the Rabbis. Passover is the anniversary of the Exodus, it marks the beginning of Jewish history. This loose band of Hebrew slaves becomes a nation through the Exodus and then the Revelation at Sinai. Passover marks the beginning of our unique history as a people; of our truly becoming a people. Rosh Hashannah is a new year for everyone, the anniversary of the Creation of all humankind. But, as God states, Nissan is the beginning of time for us, meaning we as Jews. It marks the beginning of Jewish time and of seeing our years through the prism of Jewish eyes.
The second point is that this is the first of months for us as individuals. It falls halfway in the year, six months since last Yom Kippur. It is a good time to review those promises we made last Yom Kippur to ourselves, our families, our friends, and our God. Where are we in the process we promised to begin last Yom Kippur and what promises do we now need to renew? Nissan provides another opportunity for us to make this the first of months for ourselves. Let us take this time to evaluate where we in our own personal history and to make this month the first month of the rest of our lives.
Rabbi Alan Freedman
Friday Night Shabbat Services
Rabbi Alan Freedman leads Shabbat Services each Friday night in the Community Hall of the DJCC. Cantorial Soloist Abby Gostein leads the congregation in prayer through music. Each service is followed by an Oneg.
Babysitting is now available for Shabbat evening services every Friday night (does not include Tot Shabbat service times). No need to make a reservation.
Saturday Morning Torah Service
Rabbi Freedman leads Torah Study and a Torah Service on the first and third Saturday of each month. In April, Torah Service/Torah Study will be held on Saturday, April 3rd and Saturday, April 17th in the library located on the 2nd floor of the Education Building of the DJCC. Torah Study begins at 10:00 a.m. with a Torah Service following at 11:00 a.m.
Upcoming Services
Friday, March 26
6:30 p.m. Congregational Dinner and Shabbat Service
Following a delicious brisket dinner (vegetarian and children's options will also be available) Rabbi Freedman and Abby Gostein will lead a family-friendly, interactive teaching service at the tables. RSVP to Rachel McNamara at rachelmcnamara@sbcglobal.net or 453-4662. Cost is $10 for adults. Free for children 12 and under. Make checks payable to Temple Beth Shalom Sisterhood and send to Rachel McNamara, 7713 Lazy Lane, Austin, TX 78757. Babysitting will be available.
Friday, April 2
6:30 p.m. Tot Shabbat
7:45 p.m. Shabbat ServiceSaturday April 3
10:00 a.m. Torah Study
11:00 a.m. Shabbat Morning Torah Service
Friday, April 9
7:45 p.m. B'rachot In Blue Jeans (a Shabbat Service in casual dress)
Friday April 16
6:30 p.m. Early Shabbat Service using Young Adult Liturgy
Saturday, April 17
10:00 a.m. Torah Study
11:00 a.m. Shabbat Morning Torah Service
Friday April 23
7:45 p.m. Shabbat Service
Friday, April 30
7:45 p.m. Our guest speaker will be Rabbi Laura Sheinkopf from Temple Emanu El in Houston. If you would like to participate in the service please contact Stephanie Puente at 418-9594 or spuente@aol.com. Please see additional information below in the SISTERHOOD section.
Shabbat Sing-Along!!
LOVE TO SING old favorite Jewish songs and learn new ones? Join Abby Gostein and the TBS community for a fun-filled SHABBAT SING-ALONG (only love of music is required)
Mar 26
The Shabbat Sing-Along previously scheduled for Mar. 26 will be integrated into the Congregational Dinner and Shabbat Service the same evening.
Hope to see you there!
Looking for TBS musicians because....
THE NEXT “SHABBAT SHIR SHALOM” DATE IS SET:
Fri, May 21, service to begin at 6:30 p.m., warm-up at 6 p.m.
Rehearsal dates are as follows:
Sun 4/4 3:30 p.m.
Sun 4/11 3:30 p.m.
Wed 4/21 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. (purposeful 1/2 hour overlap with Sisterhood Shabbat rehearsal)
Sun 5/2 3:30 p.m.
Wed 5/5 7:30 p.m.
Sun 5/16 3:30 p.m.
Wed 5/19 7:30 p.m.
All rehearsals should last approx. 1 hour.
Please RSVP to Abby at music@bethshalomaustin.org to let her know if and how you (or another member of you family) would like to be involved in the service.
Passover Seder Matching.
Each year we try to match up those members of our congregation who need a place to go for a Passover Seder, with those members who have room to invite a few more guests. If you are a Temple Beth Shalom member and have room at your Seder table for a few more, please contact Lisa in the Rabbi's office (735-8900 or admin@bethshalomaustin.org) to let her know how many extra places you have....and if you are a member in need of a home in which to celebrate Passover, also call Lisa and let her know.....we'll make every effort to make a match!
Dr Susannah Heschel to speak at Temple Beth Shalom - March 27th, 10AM Rabbi Freedman urges the congregation to attend this unique session that is being held for Beth Shalom. Concurrent with her visit to Austin under the auspices of the Jewish Studies Program at the University of Texas at Austin, Professor Susannah Heschel, world renowned scholar in the areas of modern Jewish thought, feminist theology and German Protestantism and Chair of Jewish Studies at Dartmouth College, will be at Temple Beth Shalom on Saturday, March 27th at 10am. Dr. Heschel will speak on Abraham Geiger and the Jewish Jesus at the JCAA/CAA Multi-Purpose room, bagels and coffee will be served. For more information, contact Ira Goodman at 418-1905, igoodman@austin.rr.com. |
Rabbi's Lunch Time Seminars
Please mark your calendar for the monthly lunch time seminars with the Rabbi: Second Wednesday of each month 12 Noon to 1:30PM at JCAA in the RabbiÆs office. The seminars are open to the community
Contact Ira Goodman by email or call 418-1905 for more information.
March 10 - What's So Kosher About Passover?
As the Passover season approaches, weÆll look at various food traditions associated with Passover. What is new at the Kosher Store? What are our options for preparing our households for Passover and what traditions/ceremonies can add to our Passover observance?
April 14 - Martin Buber
In this session, we will briefly explore the principals behind the work of this highly influential 20th century Jewish philosopher and activist. Buber concept of religion as relationships forms the basis for many of our theories about the role of religion in daily life today.
May- 12 -Shavuoth: The Unknown Festival
Of all of the Pilgrimage Festivals, Shavuoth is the least known and practiced. Come explore the history and traditions of this most interesting festival along with its opportunities for a fun a meaningful observance.
The Passover Experience
A three-session Passover course 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on March 17, 24, and 31. Topics will include:
Contact Ira Goodman by email or call 418-1905 for more information.
Mark your calendars for Sunday, April 25th-The Austin Jewish Community Mitzvah Day. This is an opportunity for us to give back to the great community in which we live and perform the commandment of Tzedakah-which is Hebrew for Justice. There will be many different projects available for which you can sign up.
Speaking of Tzedakah, please continue to pick up our Beth Shalom Tzedakah boxes at Friday night Shabbat services and at Sunday School. Please fill them with coins and bring them back full to Shabbat services or Sunday School, for a receipt and a new empty can. The funds collected by our congregants are used by the congregation for social action projects.
Want to get more involved with Shalomites? We hope you'll join us Friday, March 26th for an important planning meeting. We will be plotting out our programming for the coming year - tot shabbat, social gatherings, and other young families programming and leadership issues.
10 a.m. - Noon ** Kids welcome ** Dover Home 5708 Marilyn (off MoPac and 2222) ** ph. 453-3311
MARK YOUR CALENDARS and join us for our annual young families Passover Seder! Saturday, April 10 from 5-7 p.m. at the JCAA, we'll be hopping like frogs, singing with Abby, creating fun art and eating a seder no longer than your youngest ones will sit still for! For questions or to RSVP to tgoodmanbilbe@austin.rr.com or 693-8811.
VOLUNTEER COORDINATION COMMITTEE
TBS "Volunteer Central" Matches Willing Volunteers with Projects in Need of Help
Are you a willing volunteer in waiting? Are you a committee or event chairperson looking for a few good volunteers? If so, TBS has a new committee formally known as the "Volunteer Coordination Committee" that is the perfect resource for you! The Volunteer Coordination Committee matches willing volunteers with committee chairs and event chairs who need willing helpful volunteers to help them accomplish their goals. If you are either a volunteer or someone in need of a volunteer, please contact Joan Edelstein at 340-0330, or at RED42750@aol.com.
SISTERHOOD
Upcoming Sisterhood Events
Congregational Dinner – Friday March 26 at 6:30 p.m.
Mark your calendar for this evening of fun and learning. Following a delicious brisket dinner (vegetarian and children's options will also be available) Rabbi Freedman and Cantorial Soloist Abby Gostein will lead a family-friendly, interactive teaching service at the tables. RSVP to Rachel McNamara at rachelmcnamara@sbcglobal.net or 453-4662. Cost is $10 for adults. Free for children 12 and under. Make checks payable to "Temple Beth Shalom Sisterhood" and send to Rachel McNamara, 7713 Lazy Lane, Austin, TX 78757. Babysitting will be available.
Challah Baking - Sunday March 28
Back by popular request! And on a SUNDAY! at the home of Carol Dochen, 5010 North Rim Drive. Please RSVP to Barbara Mindlin at 346-6626 or bj@2mkt.com.
Sisterhood Shabbat - Friday April 30 at 7:45pm
Temple Beth Shalom will hold a very special Sisterhood Shabbat on Friday, April 30 at 7:45 pm in the Community Hall at the Dell Jewish Community Campus. The theme for the service will be "Choosing to Lead a Jewish Life".
The evening promises to be unique and meaningful and will focus on the personal importance of prayer and how it affects our life as jews. The guest speaker will be Rabbi Laura Sheinkopf, who serves as an Assistant Rabbi at Congregation Emanu El in Houston, TX.
Rabbi Sheinkopf will focus her talk on how the story of the Jewish people is built upon the struggles and the triumphs of individual lives. In the Torah we experience the trauma and the triumph of our Biblical ancestors as we see how their experiences illuminated the faith around which Jewish life revolves. In this age we too can integrate our personal experiences into our Jewish lives. Personal history is an important piece of the ongoing Jewish story. Rabbi Sheinkopf will demonstrate this by sharing her own path toward a Jewish life and to the rabbinate. Like each of our personal stories, it is one that is dignified and better understood in the context of Jewish history and Jewish life.
We hope you will join us for this special evening.
First Annual Mother's Day Israeli Rose Sale
Attention husbands, fathers and sons!! Order your roses now for Mother's Day and support Israeli families and Temple Beth Shalom Sisterhood. Roses will be available for pick up on Sunday May 9 at the JCC. We'll even send you a reminder to pick them up! Email susanmiller@austin.rr.com to place an order or obtain an order form. Last day to place your order is April 12.
The Story of the Israeli Roses
Moshav Sde Nitzan, in Negev, Israel, was established 30 years ago in the southwest corner of Israel, near the Gaza Strip and the Egyptian border. The population of the Moshav has grown from 27 to 74 families. However, the position of agriculture in Israel, and in the Moshav, has steadily declined over the years, leading to economic hardships. Many of the original members have left the Moshav. Others have abandoned agriculture as a significant source of their livelihood. Severe competition from African and South American flower growers has resulted in a long period of shrinking profits for Israeli flower growers. One Moshav family has begun exporting roses, grown in Moshav Sde Nitzan in the Negev, to the United States and are the only Israeli rose growers to offer this service. They have been growing roses and exporting them to Holland for nearly 30 years, which are then sold at the famous Dutch flower auctions. Identification with Israel has been a significant ! motive for people ordering flowers from Israel. In these days of strife there are great numbers of people, who are seeking a way to support Israeli businesses and identify with Israel. Purchasing "Roses from Israel" is a beautiful way to do this.
TO THE GENERAL FUND:
In memory of Cele Gellman
Janet & Ben MarzIn memory of Milton and Helen Rosensweig
In memory of Dorothy Koen
Sarah Goldstein, Ron & Sandy GoldsteinIn memory of Roger Kuhn
Continued recovery to Jerry Leff
In honor of the birth of Kaitlyn Rose Cohan
In honor of Rabbi Freedman's special birthday
In honor of the 70th Wedding Anniversary of Ethel and Marty Schatz
Ron & Sandy Goldstein
TO THE GENERAL FUND:
In observance of the Yarzheit of Susan Bohart
Barbara & Sherwin RobinIn honor of the engagement of Lori Friedman and Joshua Levy
In honor of the birth of Kaitlyn Rose Cohan
Lydia and Harold Servetnick
Mazel Tov to the following Temple Beth Shalom adult members who are celebrating their birthdays and anniversaries for the weeks of March 22- March 28.
Birthdays
March 25 Marion Werner March 26 Dick Parker March 27 Helene Barnett
Anniversaries
March 22-28 No Anniversaries this week. Please contact admin@bethshalomaustin.org if you have any corrections or if you have been inadvertently left off the list.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE "J" and THE COMMUNITY
Austin Jewish Film Festival
Saturday March 27 - Saturday April 3The Jewish Community Association of Austin and Congregation Agudas Achim's AgudasArts are pleased to present the Second Annual Austin Jewish Film Festival, an exiting week of contemporary Jewish films accompanied by the insight of the visionary filmmakers, producers and actors who made them possible. All films will be shown at this year's Sponsoring Theatre, Arbor Cinema @ Great Hills , 9828 Great Hills Trail. Tickets are $7.50 each or $54.00 for a festival pass. For tickets or information call 735-8058.
Austin Jewish Academy Kindergarten Roundup
March 24, 8:30 - 9:30 AM
7300 Hart LaneAlready decided on another Kindergarten Program for your child? Join us anyway to hear about what you should expect form Kindergarten. Talk to experienced teachers and current Kindergarten Parents. Special Activities For The Kids. RSVP by March 17 to 735-8370, or jeri.saper@austinjewishacademy.org
Help put the FUN back in Fundraising with a night at Esther's FolliesBenefiting the Early Childhood Program of the JCAA
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Esther's Follies
525 East Sixth StreetGeneral Admission $30; Reserved Seating $50 (includes complimentary beverage). Hors d'oeuvres and dessert courtesy of The Texas Culinary Academy. Call 735-8100 to purchase tickets.
Austin Jewish Academy is seeking a certified, experienced teacher at the elementary level to begin in August 2004.
Please contact us if interested. Call Amy Kinkade, Principal at 735-8358 or email her at amy.kinkade@austinjewishacademy.org
JCAA Open House; Registration Fee Waiver
The JCAA is sponsoring an Open House on March 14, 2004 from 11 AM to 3 PM. Anyone who registers for Membership on the day of the Open House will have the registration fee waived. (A Savings of up to $150.) In addition to having a full fitness facility, outdoor pool, free weight area, and a double gymnasium; the J sponsors cultural arts, educational, and literary events for the whole family. Everyone is Welcome at the J! For more information, please contact Michele at michele.schwartz@jcaaonline.org or 735-8040.
KADIMA April Events
Sunday - 6p - 8p - April 4 -Progressive Dinner - Sunday - 6p - 8p - April 4 - Progressive Dinner - locations to be announced - for Kadima members only. Elections for next year's officer and board will also be held.
Sunday - 2p - 4p - April 25 -Swim Party at Rebecca Elam's home. Open invitation to all Jewish middle schoolers (regardless of congregation or affilitation) in 5th, 6th, and 7th grade to come check out the best middle school social group in town. Swim party location - Elam residence - 8113 Bottlebrush. 78750. 527-9830. For more information call Greg Yamin @ 458-2433 or Terry Milman @ 343-1797.
Back To Top
For more information about our congregation, please visit http://www.bethshalomaustin.org.
Contact info
Mailing Address:
Temple Beth Shalom
7300 Hart Lane
Austin, TX 78731
Physical Location of the Rabbi’s Office and Administrative Office
DJCC
7300 Hart Lane
Second Floor of the Educational Building
Phone
(512) 735-8900
Fax
735-8901General E-mail
admin@bethshalomaustin.org
Rabbi's contact info:
rabbifreedman@bethshalomaustin.org
If you would like to be removed from the Temple Beth Shalom e-mail list, please reply to this message and put REMOVE as the subject.