 |
Contact
Info: |
Parasha Hukkat
Numbers (B'midbar) Chapters 19-21
6
Tammuz 5764
June 25-26, 2004
In Austin, we enjoy air
conditioning. We know how tired and irritable one can get when left
outside for too long on a hot Austin summer day. So you can imagine how
Moses, Aaron and all of the remaining Hebrews feel after wandering for 40
years through the desert. Everyone's nerves are frayed. The people never
stop complaining about how great Egypt was even after having been gone for
39 years. Moses is at the end of his rope and Aaron is just exhausted as
well. Thus it is no surprise that Moses goes a little over the edge when
the people for the umpteenth time complain about a lack of water. Moses
and Aaron consult God on the issue and God says to order a rock to give
forth water in front of the entire community. So Moses gathers the
community and says, "Listen, you rebels, shall we get water for you out of
this rock?" He then strikes the rock twice (just as he did during a
previous incident) and water flows. Following this episode, however, God
tells Moses and Aaron that, like the rest of the Hebrews who came out of
Egypt, they will not be going into the Promised Land, for they have failed
to sanctify God before the community. Why?
Well, to start with,
Moses was not told to strike the rock, only to speak to it. It may seem a
little thing but it provides an important insight, particularly as Reform
Jews. While we are a Reform community, that does not mean that anything
goes. Being Reform means that we have greater latitude to select from
among various approaches to having a relationship with God but having a
relationship means reaching out to God in some way. As Reform Jews, we
have an obligation to seek out what is commanding on us in our tradition
and then diligently pursue it. Too many times I have heard people who, as
children, rarely went to temple or observed the festivals say that they
were raised really Reform. What they mean to say, however, is that their
family was non-observant. Really Reform means to explore Judaism in its
fullest dimensions and then, within a non-coercive community, develop
one's own Jewish lifestyle, philosophy and theology. It is only when we
hear and heed God's commanding voice in our own lives, however we may hear
that voice, that we will experience the spiritual fulfillment that is the
rightful inheritance of every Jew. To be a Reform Jew does not mean to
disregard God but rather to mine Judaism for new ways to enhance our
relationship with God.
We revel in the fact that God speaks
differently to different people but God does speak, if only we will
listen. If we want to reach the Promised Land of reaching our full
potential as Jews and human beings then we reject God's voice at our
peril. May each of us have the wisdom and will to search for that which is
commanding in our own lives and to respond to the voice of God within
us.
Lori and I will be on vacation next week, so we wish everyone a
happy and, most of all, safe Fourth of July!!
Rabbi Alan Freedman
|
Rabbi to host series of training sessions on "Caring for the Caregiver" Are you facing the daily challenge of providing ongoing care for
a parent, sibling or child either locally or long distance? You are
not alone. Beginning on Tuesday evening,
June 22 at 7 pm, a quarterly session will be held
consisting of information, mutual support and spiritual sustenance
for all those providing long term care for a loved one or friend.
Please come to receive the support of your community and to support
others in our community, for you are not alone. We will meet in the
second floor multipurpose room of the education building. For more
information, please call the temple
office. |
Back To Top 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 sessions will be held on Saturday July 10th and Saturday July 17th in the library located on the 2nd floor of the Education Building of the DJCC.
| 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 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.
Friday, July 2
5:30 p.m. - Tot Shabbat
7:45 p.m. - Erev Shabbat Shabbat service led by Abby Gostein.
Friday, July 9
6:30 p.m. - Erev Shabbat Shabbat service led by Rabbi Freedman
Friday, July 16
6:00 - 6:30 p.m. Shabbat Sing-Along
6:30 p.m. - Erev Shabbat Shabbat service led by Rabbi Freedman
Friday, July 23
6:30 p.m. - Erev Shabbat Shabbat service led by BJ and Allan Sonstein
Upcoming Friday Night Sing-Alongs
Friday, June 25, 7:15 p.m.-7:45 p.m.
Friday, July 16, 7:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.
Hope to see you there!
IMPORTANT FUTURE CONGREGATIONAL EVENTS
WANTED: SILENT AUCTION ITEMS
In conjunction with the TBS Benefit-Gala honoring Dee and Don Coplin, there will be a Silent Auction. Think about what you might contribute. Do you own or work for a business that might provide an item or a gift certificate? Are you in a profession that can donate a service? What about tickets that you won't be using for a UT game, the Opera, Ballet or Symphony? Or what about hosting another couple for an event to which you have 4 tickets and picking-up dinner for the group before the show? Do you have a condo or time-share you might want to share? So many possibilities....
Please phone Andie Allen (454-8403) or Lis Chozick (327-0996). We will be happy to provide the necessary forms and answer any questions. We need your help to make this important aspect of our fund raising a success!
HOLD THE DATE!
Temple Beth Shalom GalaGala Event Honoring Dee & Don Coplin
October 3, 2004
Driskill Hotel
2004 JCAA STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMUNITY-WIDE OPEN
FORUM
Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm - JCAA
Community Hall - Stage Side
The Greater Jewish Community of Austin is invited to come together to define the future it wants to create for itself. Be a part of this strategic planning process by participating in an open forum community conversation. Lend your voice to Austin's future, participate in the open forum.
For more information about the Strategic Planning Process and to get
involved:
1. Visit www.jcaaonline.org
and click the Strategic Planning link
2. Discuss the process with the
committee members listed on the website
3. Email Lori Teller at lateller@sbcglobal.net
TBS Board Encourages Congregants to Attend URJ
Southwest Council Convention
November 5 - 7, 2004, San Antonio
The URJ Southwest Council Regional Biennial Convention is fast
approaching. We want Temple Beth Shalom to have a strong presence with the
convention being "right in our backyard" a short drive down I-35 in San
Antonio. It will be held at the Doubletree Hotel on Loop 410 in San
Antonio on November 5-7. For more information please click this link,
call one of your TBS board members, or call the URJ toll-free at (888)
234-8242.
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)
It's Tot Shabbat with a summer twist! Join
us July 2, August 6 and September 3
at 5:30 P.M. (instead of 6:30 P.M.) for an early
evening of music, prayer and learning with Abby and Rabbi
Freedman. If you can, bring a picnic dinner to enjoy afterwards
at the playground.
Get to know other Shalomite families on the
second Tuesday of each month when we meet for
playtime. We alternate homes each month, so if you're
interested in hosting a playgroup, please contact Abby at gosteins@sbcglobal.net.
Suzanne and Daniel Albert invite you to join them at
their home on July 13 @ 9:30 a.m. You can call 331-9709
for directions.
More to come! Torah Tots
registration is coming...First class is August 15. And, watch for details
about our end-of-summer splash day.
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.
If you would like more information about joining Sisterhood, please contact our membership chair, Lisa Goodman, at 918-1423 or lisagoodman37@aol.com.
There are no tributes this week.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Mazel Tov to the following Temple Beth Shalom adult members who are celebrating their birthdays and anniversaries for the week of June 21- June 27.
Birthdays
June 21 Lee Stewart June 22 H. Pacey Laves June 22 Jill Silverstein June 24 Naida Cohn June 24 Harold Mindlin June 24 Jeri Saper
Anniversaries
June 19 Chris & Ann Fisher (Editor's Note: we are sorry to have missed this last week!) June 21 Merry and John Balis June 22 Randall and Robyn Goltzman June 23 Gary and Janet Wright June 27 George and Ellen Pollak Please contact admin@bethshalomaustin.org if you have any corrections or if you have been inadvertently left off the list.
Other Simchas
Andrew Dochen graduated from Anderson High School as a National Merit Finalist and has been accepted to Washington University in St. Louis.
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 upcoming Shalom Message e-newsletters.
Please contact newsletter@bethshalomaustin.org if you have any corrections or if you have major Simchas to be listed here.
The following Yarzheits are being observed by members of our congregation for the week of June 21-27. If you have Yarzheits that should be observed this week, but they are not listed here, they may not be listed in the congregation's computer database. Please contact Lisa at admin@bethshalomaustin.org for any additions or corrections.
|
Yarzheits | |
| June 21 | Ruth Wallerstein, Mother of Marcia Kohm |
| June 21 | Judith Kentor Heath, Daughter of David Kentor |
| June 22 | Meyer Jay Kuper, Grandfather of Adina Chirogianis |
| June 22 | Celia Dochen Saffer, Grandmother of Sandy Dochen |
| June 22 | Albert Shulman, Grandfather of Eric Cohan |
| June 24 | Saul Levin, Grandfather of Traci Grossfeld |
NEWS FROM AROUND THE "J" and THE COMMUNITY
Host Families Desperately Needed for JCC Maccabi
Games:
POWER the Games as a Host Family!
Homes are still needed for our visiting athletes. Experience the excitement of the JCC Maccabi Games by adding two or more athletes to your household for just five short days, August 1-6. You are needed. So register right now!
Host families are asked to:
* House two or more visiting athletes
from August 1-6, 2004.
* Provide breakfasts and two
dinners during the week.
* Provide safe transportation for the athletes
to the J and convenient drop-off areas once in the morning and to home at
night.
* Provide their guests with an evening of entertainment on Host
Family Night.
* Provide a Jewish household.
* Attend one of several
brief orientations prior to the Games.
How do I become a Host Family?
1. Visit http://www.austinmaccabi2004.org.
2. Select the "Be a Host Family" bubble.
3. Select "Click here to
submit a Host Family application." You will be directed to the National
JCC Maccabi Website.
4. Fill out the form.
Note: If you have already
registered as a volunteer, submit your login and password information so
you can access your profile. If you haven't yet registered as a volunteer
and wish to do so follow the steps above and use your host family login
and password information to access your profile.
5. After you submit,
the process of matching you with visiting athletes begins.
For more information on becoming a host family, contact host family chairpersons Arlene Maze at 345-8549 or Candy Goldstein at 346-4168.
Environmental scientist to discuss current environmental issue in Israel
On Tuesday, June 22nd, at 7PM, the JCAA Community Relations Council's Israel Task Force and the Mosaic Jewish Outdoor Club of Central Texas will host Dr. Eilon Schwartz, a leading Israeli Environmental Scientist and Educator for a free, public lecture entitled, "Israel's Environmental Successes amid the Backdrop of Political and Military Challenges Today." The lecture will be given on the Dell Jewish Community Campus, 7300 Hart Lane, room 150-D. For more information please contact alan.potash@jcaaonline.org.
Dr. Schwartz is the Executive Director of the Heschel Center
for Environmental Learning and Leadership in Israel, dedicated to
building a sustainable future for Israel rooted in environmental health
and social equity. For more information on the Heschel Center, please
visit their website at www.heschelcenter.org.
Florence Melton Adult Mini-School: Want Some Drama in Your Life?
Join the hundreds of current Florence Melton Adult Mini- School students on a trip through the drama, intrigue, mystery, intellectual challenges, spirituality, richness and continuity of Jewish life. You'll find stories of war and peace, family feuds, battles for revenge and for power, passion, romance and legal wrangling. Our ancestors have stories that could rival the best action adventures. And it's all in the name of our heritage as Jews. Try the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School. It's not rated PG, and it's not for kids.
Upcoming Information session: Wednesday, July 14, 7pm
New sessions begin September 2004.
Contact Aliza Orent at 735-8030 or
aliza.orent@jcaaonline.org
for more information.
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
735-8901
General 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.