Temple Beth Shalom Newsletter

Parasaha Shelach L'cha
Numbers (B'Mdbar), Chapters 13-15
23 Sivan 5764
June 11-12, 2004

This week's Torah portion concerns the story of the 12 spies. God instructed Moses to send one individual from each tribe into the Promised Land to scout the Land prior to having the Hebrews enter. Now, God did not say to scout the land to see if it was conquerable, rather God said to scout the land because the Hebrews were going to be given the land. Thus, when 10 of the 12 spies return and report that the land is unconquerable, that it is inhabited by giants, and the people believe these stories of doom; God is incensed because of the lack of faith shown by the people in God and God's ability to deliver the land to them. Only two spies, Joshua (who will eventually succeed Moses) and Caleb (from the tribe of Judah, which will emerge as the leading tribe) urge that the people maintain their faith in God's power to deliver the land. As a punishment for their lack of faith, God condemns that entire generation to wander in the wilderness for 40 years and decrees that none of them (except of Joshua and Caleb) are to enter the Promised Land.

The story is one of vision and faith, as is the story of Temple Beth Shalom. Unlike the ancient Hebrews who are condemned to wander in the wilderness, we have moved forward together with a common vision initiated by our founding families and personified by the leadership of Don and Dee Coplin. At the end of this month, after four years of service as presidents of our congregation, Dee and Don will be handing the mantle of leadership over to Lynne and Steve Gellman. Words can not express our gratitude to Don and Dee not only for their efforts but for their vision. They and the other leaders of our congregation have established a vision of a congregation that has emphasized community, worship, lifelong education and outreach to all. We have not strayed from that path and have, therefore, avoided aimless wandering in a congregational wilderness.

It is now time to enhance that vision and to move in other new and promising directions. In the coming months, Steve and Lynne, as well as your incoming Board, will articulate their own sense of our congregation's future, of how we as a congregation will reach our own Promised Land. The goals that will be set will be challenging and there will be some who may say that they can not be acheived. There will be setbacks and, at times, our faith will be challenged. But let the parable of the spies guide our way. Let us always be ready to move forward together in faith--faith in each other and faith in God. Only in this way will be able to reach the Promised Land of a fully realized Temple Beth Shalom; as together we continue to create our own unique Jewish home for ourselves and our children.

Rabbi Alan Freedman

Do you have questions that you would like to have Rabbi Freedman answer? Day or night, just e-mail asktherabbi@bethshalomaustion.org and he will answer your questions. The answers will first be printed in this message and on the website on the Rabbi's page, and then will be archived on our website for later reference. You may remain anonymous (provide an alias for yourself) or you may use your real name (but we probably will just print first names). Questions from all ages are welcome. For more, click the following link: http://www.bethshalomaustin.org/TBS/leadership/ask_rabbi.asp.

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 available for Shabbat evening services every Friday night (does not include Tot Shabbat service times). No need to make a reservation.

Saturday Morning Torah Study

Rabbi Freedman leads Shabbat Morning Torah Study twice each month. The next Torah Study session will be held on Saturday 19th in the library located on the 2nd floor of the Education Building of the DJCC. THERE WILL BE NO TORAH STUDY ON SATURDAY JUNE 12TH AS EARLIER STATED. Rabbi Friedman will be in Kerrville, Texas, leading services. All are welcome to attend, please call the temple office for more information.

Beginning Friday July 9th and running through August 27th, Erev Shabbat services will be held at 6:30 p.m. The Erev Shabbat service on the first Friday of each month will still be held at 7:45 p.m. (Tot Shabbat at 6:30 p.m.).

Upcoming Services

Friday June 11

7:15 - 7:45 P.M. Shabbat Sing-Along

7:45 P.M. Matan Shemot (the gift of name) and Erev Shabbat Service. Rabbi Freedman will lead a naming service in which members of our TBS community will receive their Hebrew names.

Friday June 18

6:30 P.M. Shabbat evening service using young people liturgy.

Friday June 25

7:15 - 7:45 P.M. Shabbat Sing-Along

7:45 P.M. Erev Shabbat Service. Shabbat evening service led by Lori Friedman and Joshua Levy.

Upcoming Friday Night Sing-Alongs

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)

Friday, May 28 7:15-7:45Friday, June 11, 7:15 p.m.-7:45 p.m.
Friday, June 25, 7:15 p.m.-7:45 p.m.

Hope to see you there!

Matan Shemot Service (the gift of name service)

Do you not have a hebrew name? Would you like one? We are beginning to prepare for our Matan Shemot Service (the gift of name service) in which the Rabbi will be leading an adult naming service on June 11th. We would love to celebrate with you as you receive this special honor. If you are interested in receiving a hebrew name, please contact Lisa Goodman at 918-1423 or lisagoodman37@aol.com to discuss the easy process.

Shabbat Open House at Abby's!

FOR ALL BETH SHALOM MEMBERS: Abby, Michael, Daniel and Aaron Gostein invite you to another SHABBAT OPEN HOUSE at their home. All adults and children welcome!

Please celebrate Shabbat with us -- drop in for a few minutes or a few hours.
Saturday, June 19th
2:30pm-5:30pm
8111 Greenslope Drive
512-343-8434
gosteins@sbcglobal.net
R.S.V.P.'s appreciated but definitely not required

IMPORTANT FUTURE CONGREGATIONAL EVENTS

HOLD THE DATE!
Temple Beth Shalom Gala

Gala Event Honoring Dee & Don Coplin
October 3, 2004
Driskill Hotel

ADULT EDUCATION

The Rabbi will not hold a noon-time seminar in June and July. The Rabbi's next seminar will be held on August 31 at 7:30 - 9:00PM. The subject will be "Preparing your heart for the High Holy Days."

SHALOMITES (a Chavarah for families with children ages five and under)

Play with us Tuesday, June 15 @ Abby's house. Once a month we meet for a drop-in play group from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. This month we'll meet at Abby Gostein's (8111 Greenslope Dr.) Please RSVP to Abby at 343-8434 or gosteins@sbcglobal.net. Last minute drop-ins okay, too.

Up and coming fun and learning...A Summer Pool Party and Fall Torah Tots Registration are in the works. Watch your Temple emails and visit the web site for more details.

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

If you would like more information about joining Sisterhood, please contact our membership chair, Lisa Goodman, at 918-1423 or lisagoodman37@aol.com.

TRIBUTES

In honor of the birth of Cecilia Rose Bilbe
Ron and Barbara Klayman

In honor of Ira Goodman's birthday
Speedy recovery to Lydia Servetnick
In honor of the conversion of B.J. Sonstein
Audrey and Charles Wolchansky

In honor Carol Dochen's birthday
Sharon and Bobby Krumholz

In honor of Ira Goodman's special birthday
In honor of Carol Dochen's special birthday
In memory of Lil Klayman
Joan Edelstein & Ed Astrich

In honor of the wonderful job that Karyn Epstein, Patti Bridwell and
Simone Govindasamy did in running our religious school
In honor of Ira Goodman's special birthday
In honor of the birth of Cecilia Rose Bilbe
In honor of Paul Saper being elected as President of the JCAA
Lynne and Steve Gellman

In honor of the birth of Cecilia Rose Bilbe
Jeri and Paul Saper

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SIMCHAS

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Mazel Tov to the following Temple Beth Shalom adult members who are celebrating their birthdays and anniversaries for the week of June 6 - June 13.

Birthdays

June 8 Matthew Miller

June 11 Leonard Rodell

Anniversaries

June 10 Jim and Robin Anne

June 10 David and Rona Baizer

June 10 Ed and Linda Lilly

June 13 Michael and Rachel McNamara

Please contact admin@bethshalomaustin.org if you have any corrections or if you have been inadvertently left off the list.

Other Simchas

PARENTS OF GRADUATES, please send us names of your children who have just graduated from high school (including where they are going to college or other post-graduation plans) and college (including post graduation plans). These will be published in an upcoming Shalom Message e-newsletter.

Please contact newsletter@bethshalomaustin.org if you have any corrections or if you have major Simchas to be listed here.

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