HineniA Congregation Brith Shalom Publication

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

2013

CBS member Neal Rosen was featured as one of the stand up comedians at February 2013’s Kibbitz Comedy Club: An Evening of Erev Purim Comic Relief at Congregation Brith Shalom.

Rabbi Ranon Teller gets

PIED at the comedy-

themed erev Purim family

service!

CBS member

Dan Cohan and his

children, Jacob (3) and Myra

(5).

Nava Teller and her friend Rachel Lovitt costumed as the best selling condiments in the country!

Check out more photos from Purim and other CBS programs on our Facebook page!

CBS member

Shira Moses, her son, Avi (11), and his friend Sam

Goldman, costumed

to the nines and ready

to celebrate Purim!

Dear Members,

This is my last submission to the eHineni as President of Brith Shalom.

I have been truly blessed to have served in this role for our community. It has been a tremendous time in our history, and I am lucky to have followed such capable leaders as our immediate past presidents, Ron Moses and Maxine Goodman, as well as many others who served before them. To have been included in this company is really astonishing to me personally.

This has been a time of great change for our shul. We have been focusing on growing our membership, engaging our members, and improving our fi nancial model. You have only to look to the tremendous growth in our Religious School enrollment to know that our future is in our children. I want them to have the same benefi ts o f being a member of this community as my own children and my own family and friends have had for over 50 years.

Many people, including your board, volunteers, professional staff, and administrative staff, have worked countless hours to improve our activities and initiatives; still, we have many areas that need continued vigilance. I have tried to encourage our leadership to think more strategically in order to plan for our future. As I discussed in my Yom Kippur appeal, it is critical that we execute our “Building Bridges to Secure our Future” campaign. If I have one regret, it is that I was not able to create more momentum for this cause.

In order to secure the future of our sacred institution, we have to build an endowment through a combination of legacy giving, bequests, and donations. We also need to adjust our annual giving to be more in line with our budgeted expenditures.

Now is the time for all of us to step up and ask how we can help, how we can make a difference, how we can be the generation with the foresight to ensure a legacy so that CBS will survive for the next 50 years. Our synagogue community is a special group that strives to nourish each of our Jewish journeys and engage each member in meaningful ways. I look forward to watching as the next group of leaders continues to lead us from strength to strength.

Thank you for your support and encouragement. I look forward to the next chapter of my own personal Jewish journey, and I look forward to sharing it with my friends at the best shul in Texas, Congregation Brith Shalom.

Sincerely,

Milton S. Mosk, IIIPresident, 2011-2013

A Message from

Milton Mosk, IIICBS Board President

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A Message from

Rabbi Ranon Teller

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Jewish Community 2.0

March 11, 2013Jerusalem, Israel

This morning I met with Rabbi Donniel Hartman, the son and legacy of Rabbi David Hartman, founder of the Shalom Hartman Institute. I discovered a fellow traveler on my journey toward a Jewish community energized through the power of pluralism—Jewish Community 2.0.

For the past week, I have been on the Houston Federation Mission to Israel, living in a model pluralistic community and experiencing the immense power of unity. We have participants affi liated (and unaffi liated!) across the denominational spectrum. We have congregational rabbis from Orthodox, Reform, and Conservative shuls. We are succeeding in creating a joyful, meaningful, vibrant, open, Jewish experience, and when pluralism works, God’s spirit shines bright. To be sure, the power of the Land of Israel may be central to the success of this mission, but that’s not the whole story. Its success is also a result of community collaboration. The participants become a microcosm for a collaborative, pluralistic community—Jewish Community 2.0.

Here’s the essential Jewish Community 2.0 philosophy: Judaism belongs to all of Israel. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel taught that no religion has a monopoly on holiness. Inspired by Rabbi Heschel’s eternal soul, we can deduce that no one denomination has a monopoly on holiness! The Torah was given to us in the desert because God wanted the Torah to belong to all of us. If God had given us the Torah in the Land of Israel, Revelation would have taken place in the territory of a single tribe. God couldn’t allow that to happen. The Torah can express itself only in a pluralistic environment fi lled with openness, humility, love, and respect.

The Jewish community of Houston is ripe for transformation. We are blessed with stable leadership and a history of positive community relationships. It’s time to parlay those relationships into a collaborative project to eliminate redundancy and allow our respective strengths to have an even greater impact. Be strong, be strong, and let us strengthen each other.

Rabbi Ranon Teller

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Thank you!to all of our fabulous CBS volunteers - past and present! We are

constantly impressed by the spirit, dedication, and kindness of our volunteers, who are always just a phone call or email away. We could not do the work we do, or even begin to strive towards new ideas, programs,

and growth in our community, without each and every one of you. Whether you lend a hand during High Holy Days, participate in Mitzvah

Day, serve on the Chesed Committee, proofread our publications, pass out snacks to religious school students, deliver mishloach manot during Purim, share your talents with us for programs and events, donate a few hours of your time in the offi ce during busy periods, or even bring the offi ce staff treats, you are more help than you know. It is only through your support

that our synagogue can move forward, one mitzvah at a time.

Sincerely,

CBS Offi ce Staff

Following the publication of the current issue of the eHineni (the April-July edition), the eHineni will be published in August, November, and February. The next issue will appear in early August. In order to make this publication as successful as possible, we need content from individuals and affi liates. We are hopeful that you will be a part of that process by submitting your stories, articles, bulletins, announcements, events, programs, photos, advertisements, etc., to be used in upcoming issues of the Hineni. If you have an idea for an article or would like a particular CBS program highlighted, please review the “Submission Guidelines” below:

Thank you in advance for taking part in the new eHineni. If you have any questions regarding the submission guidelines or what type of content to submit, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you!

Jess FaermanProgram & Communications CoordinatorCongregation Brith Shalomprograms@brithshalom.org

• Articles should be no more than 1000 words.• Images should be submitted in a jpeg or png format.• The due date for submissions for the August edition will be day 10 of the previous month (July 10).• The due date for submissions for the August, November, and February editions will be day 10 of the month prior to publication (unless this falls on Shabbat, in which case the deadline will be on day 9 of the month prior to publication).• All submissions should be sent to Jess Faerman, at programs@brithshalom.org.

eHineni Content Submission

Advertising in the eHineniWe are pleased to announce that we are now accepting paid advertisements for the eHineni. To advertise a company, organization, or event, please refer to the content submission guidelines on the previous page. Advertisement costs are as follows:

¼ page ad: $30½ page ad: $50full page ad: $95

A subscription for one year of advertisements (i.e., three eHineni publications) will earn you a10% discount on the total cost of the advertisement.

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Vardi Named SURA Distinguished Scientist 2/27/2013

Washington, DC – The Southeastern Universities Research Association announced that Moshe Y. Vardi, Rice University’s Karen Ostrum George Distinguished Service Professor in Computational Engineering, will receive SURA’s 2013 Distinguished Scientist Award. The award honors a research scientist whose extraordinary work fulfi lls the SURA mission of “fostering excellence in scientifi c research.”

Vardi, who also serves as Director of Rice’s Ken Kennedy Institute for Information Technology, will be presented the award and its $10,000 honorarium on April 4 at the SURA Board of Trustees meeting at the University of Maryland.

“SURA looks forward to celebrating the extraordinary work of this researcher, whose career places him among the best in his fi eld,” said Charles W. Steger, President of Virginia Tech and Chair of the SURA Council of Presidents and Executive Committee. “As one of the top 40 cited computer scientists, Dr. Vardi’s contributions to the fi eld have enabled greater science to occur, which distinguishes him for this prestigious award.”

Vardi is the author or co-author of more than 400 articles in the area of logic and computation, and has co-authored two books, Reasoning About Knowledge, and Finite Model Theory and Its Applications. Based on the “h-index,” a metric that measures both the productivity and impact of scholarly works, Vardi – with an h-index of 80 – ranks in the top 40 researchers in his fi eld worldwide.

After earning his Bachelor of Science degree in physics and computer science from Bar-Ilan University in Israel, Vardi earned his Master of Science from The Weizmann Institute. His Ph.D. in computer science came from Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1981. His fi rst post-doctoral work was in the Department of Computer Science at Stanford University. After two stints as a scientist for IBM Research and continued work at Stanford, Vardi fi rst joined the faculty at Rice in 1993. He served as a consultant at Bell Labs and was a visiting faculty member at the Intel Design Center in Haifa, Israel. Following additional visiting professorships, he became director of the Ken Kennedy Institute at Rice in 2001. The institute brings together scholars with

CBS Member Honored in the Community

Moshe Vardi Receives Distinguished Scientist Award

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complementary expertise to solve complex challenges in the computing and IT research fi eld.Some of Vardi’s many other awards and honors include Outstanding Innovation Awards from IBM, the Presidential Award from the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), as well as ACM’s Edgar F. Codd Innovations Award – a top recognition for database-research accomplishments. He is a Guggenheim Fellow, ACM Fellow, a member on the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He holds honorary doctorates from the Saarland University in Germany and Orleans University in France. Vardi received a Pascal Medal from the European Academy of Sciences, the IEEE Computer Society Harry H. Goode Memorial Award, and the Distinguished Achievements Award from the European Association for Theoretical Computer Science.

“SURA not only is proud to honor Professor Vardi for his research accomplishments, but also for his talents as a lecturer and leader within the computer science community,” said Jerry P. Draayer, President and CEO of SURA.

The SURA Distinguished Scientist Award was established in 2006 to commemorate the organization’s 25th Anniversary. SURA’s Development & Relations Committee manages the solicitation, screening and selection of the recipient for this award from a SURA member institution. Dr. David Lee, Vice President for Research, University of Georgia, chairs of the selection committee. Each of SURA’s 62 member institutions was eligible to make a nomination for the Distinguished Scientist Award.

The award and honorarium will be presented to Dr. Vardi at a private reception in his honor on April 4 at University House in College Park, co-hosted by University of Maryland President Wallace Loh.

Additionally, SURA presents a Distinguished Friend of Science Award presented in conjunction with its Fall Board of Trustees meeting. Past honorees include U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander of Tennessee and John Warner of Virginia, as well as Norm Augustine, former Virginia Governor and U.S. Senator Charles Robb, and the Task Force for American Innovations. The 2011 recipient of that award was former White House science advisor and National Science Foundation director, Neal Lane – now at Rice University.

# # #

The Southeastern Universities Research Association (SURA) is a consortium of over 60 leading research institutions in the southern United States and the District of Columbia established in 1980 as a non-stock, nonprofi t corporation. SURA serves as an entity through which colleges, universities, and other organizations may cooperate with one another, and with government and industry in acquiring, developing, and using laboratories and other research facilities and in furthering knowledge and the application of that knowledge in the physical, biological, and other natural sciences and engineering. For more information, visit www.sura.org.

Original article: http://engineering.rice.edu/vardiSURA/

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Synagogue

Programs

&

Special

Shabbat

Services

JEWISH Y O G AApril 14April 21April 28May 5May 12

Congregation Brith Shalom is excited to offer a Jewish yoga classwith yoga instructor Shalom Isaacson. $36 for five weeks.

Registration is limited; RSVP by Wednesday, April 10, 4:00 pm.

Sundays9:45 am

www.brithshalom.org/yoga

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Life School

Enrich the Blessings of Your MarriageSunday, April 21, 10:30 am-12:00 pm

Join other married couples at Brith Shalom’sexclusive marriage enrichment workshop.

Psychologist Dr. Yael Avivi, Licensed Counselor & MarriageSpecialist Angela Koreth, and Rabbi Ranon Teller

will discuss common pitfalls and tips on strengtheningmarriage employing playful mind-reading exercises that

will shed light on couples’ strengths and areasfor enhancing their relationship.

Attendance is limited to the first 12 couples.Register for this powerful enrichment experience at

www.brithshalom.org/LifeSchool

Financial PeaceSunday, May 5, 10:30 am-12:00 pm

Details coming soon!

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WE’RE PLANNING A TEN-DAY TRIP THAT IS CUSTOM-DESIGNED FOR FAMILIES.

PACKED WITH MEMORIES TO LAST FOREVER! SWIM, DIG, HIKE, EAT, PLAY, LEARN

AND SHARE UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES. GET TO KNOW ISRAEL AND HER

PEOPLE. THE TRIP IS FUN, EXCITING, CASUAL, WARM AND WELCOMING.

IsraelFamily Trip to

Program highlights:Independence Hall – Where Israel’s Statehood was Formally Declared

Nachalat Benyamin Arts and Crafts Fair

Volunteering with Leket – Israel’s Farm to Table Food Bank

Western Wall Tunnel Tour

Sound and Light Show at the Tower of David Museum in the Old City

Masada and the Dead Sea

Archeology Dig at Beit Guvrin

Shabbat in Jerusalem

Partnership Program – Matches Visiting and Israeli Families

together for a shared activity

Updates on Current Issues Affecting Israel by Journalists/Educators

Land cost includes:Four Star Hotel Accommodations

All Land Transportation and Transfers in Israel

Two meals per day – Israeli buffet breakfast and lunch or dinner

All planned programs, tours, activities and admissions

Daily family-oriented recreational activities with free time options

Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center and Congregation Brith Shalom invite you to join us for a

Jonathan Fass713-729-3200, ext. 3257jfass@erjcchouston.org

Rabbi Ranon Teller713-667-9201rabbi.teller@brithshalom.org

For more information contact:

EVELYN RUBENSTEIN JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER5601 S. Braeswood | Houston, Texas 77096erjcchouston .org

Sunday, December 22 – Tuesday, December 31, 2013

$12,500 for 2 Adults and 2 Children + Airfair

Total Estimated Cost: $18,500

Prepare yourselves for a powerful experience in Jewish prayer. Our Sages teach that when a group of people prays together, God’s presence (the Shekhinah) dwells among them. The essence of the Friday Night Ruach service is intense congregational participation. This service is part of a new wave in Jewish prayer that began in New York, Los Angeles, and Jerusalem, where congregations like B’nai Jeshurun, Kehillat Shira Hadasha, the Library Minyan, and Yakar are tapping into the contemporary need to participate in song. We at Brith Shalom are seeking the spiritual power of a sanctuary fi lled with voices singing and swaying in unison! We need your voice. Come sing and feel God’s intimate presence, the Shekhinah. In order to help the congregation raise their voices in song, we set traditional liturgy to Chasidic and contemporary melodies accompanied by Shabbat-appropriate instrumentation. We also provide transliterations and sheet music and, on request, can distribute the melodies on CD. After a joyous, uplifting service, people look forward to meeting in the social hall for a delicious light supper. We shake hands, schmooze, and enjoy each other’s company. When we leave, it's with a smile and a feeling of being invigorated as we look forward to coming together once again for the next Friday Night Ruach.

Join us for an engaging musical service with instrumental accompaniment followed by a delicious dinner with your CBS family. All ages welcome!

To sponsor a dinner or to subscribe to the FNR series, contactGwen Richards at accounting@brithshalom.org or 713-667-9201 ext. 309.

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Friday Night Ruach2012-2013

Celebrating the Spirit of Shabbatitt ngii thtt eh SpiSS rii ir ti ot f

October 19

October 19

November 30

mber 3 3000

January 18

uaarry 18

February 158

uary 15

March 15h 1 15

April 19i

May 17

Gourmet Shabbat Dinner Series

$20 per personRegister online:

www.brithshalom.org/gourmetdinnerseries

Friday, May 31, 7:30 pmRSVP by Monday, May 27

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THANK YOU for your generous contributions to

Kibbitz Comedy Club!

Photography by Lauren Singer

Linda Lighthill Flusberg & Successful Events, Inc.

Photography by Alan Silverblatt

Scott Chanin

& Spec’s Liquor

Debi Mishael & All Yadayim

Lena & Marc Malacoff

Debi Mishael & All Yadayim

Stephan Rubin

Comedy by: Matthew Broussard,

Andy Huggins, & Neal Rosen

Randall’s

Meyer Park

Nosher Catering

Brith Shalom Sisterhood

& Men’s Club

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Torah at Agora!Agora Bar & Coffeehouse

1712 Westheimer Houston, TX 77098

Come network and chill with CBS clergy and young professionals at our last Thursday of the month happy hour & coffee house social series!

Swing by Agora in Montrose to enjoy drinks on us, relax, mingle, and meet people you might not know! Contact Jess Faerman at

programs@brithshalom.org or 713-667-9201 for more info.

SAVE THE DATE:Spring 2013

Thursday, April 25Thursday, May 30

RSVP at www.brithshalom.org/lagbomerbash

PRE-REGISTERED ATTENDEES WILL RECEIVE:2 FREE DRINK TICKETS AT CHECK-INRAFFLE ENTRY TO WIN $30 @ SUR LA TABLE

RSVP att www.brithshalom.org/lagbomerbashwww brithshalom org/lagbomerbaswwww hhgbo erbar aabb mm bb hheeoo ssggww gg//ss oooommhhhhbb t .t. llllii aaaa rrrrbrithshalom.org/lai

Saturday, April 27, 9:00 pm-midnight

Houston Jewish Young Professionals

Second AnnualLag B’Omer Bash!

Khon’s wine.darts.coffee.art - Rooftop Starlight Lounge2808 Milam, Houston, 77006

Co-sponsored by: Congregations Brith Shalom, Beth Israel, Or Ami,Beth Yeshurun, Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism,Emanu El, Temple Sinai, & United Orthodox Synagogues

N OC O V E R ! Complimentary grub

provided byNosher Catering

(HKA)Live jazz byCory Wilson

Jazz Collective

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presents

A special Shabbatservice for kids

in grades K-2

p

A i l Sh bb

Kid Shul

Saturdays, 10:30-11:30 amSeptember 08September 22October 13October 27

November 24

December 08December 22

January 12January 26February 09

February 23March 23April 27May 11May 25

Youth Services

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Welcome to 2012-2013 Friday Night Mini Minyan: Join us this year for an AMAZING family experience!

Shabbat experience for children six years of age and younger One Friday evening a month Singing, dancing, and eating Engage your Shabbat spirit Meet young families Connect with your community Have fun!

If you’d like to help sponsor a Mini Minyan dinner in honor of your

child’s birthday or special family event, please send a check to the synagogue

made out to Mini Minyan or visit www.brithshalom.org and donate

through CBS Online.

November 9

December 7

January 11

February 8

April 12

May 10

Service

5:45 pm (dinner to follow)

www.brithshalom.org 19

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Religious School

&

Youth

Programming

Upcoming Bar Mitzvah

Mazel Tov!

Max Mendel

Kadima (grades 6-8)

Sunday, April 14, 2:15-4:15 pmFUNPLEX

13700 Beechnut (at Eldridge)Houston, TX 77083

$8.00 (includes admission & skate rental)

RSVP to Traylyn Evans: traylyn@brithshalom.orgaylyn Evans: traylyn@brithshalom.orgtoTrayl n Evans: trayl n@brithshalom.oVS Traylyn Evans: traylyn@brithshalom.orPR : i

(includes admission & skate rental)$8.00 (includes admission & skate rentalouston, TX 77083H

13700 Beechnut (at Eldridge)U XELPNF

ppay, ,y, 5:5:ayduS m141241lirAn - ::i

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BOWLING PARTY!Sunday, April 21, 2:00-4:00 pm

Palace Bowling Lanes4191 Bellaire Blvd.Houston, TX 77025

Machar (grades 3-5)

$3.75/gameRSVP to Traylyn Evans:traylyn@brithshalom.org

presents

Junior CongregationStudents in grade 4 will read

Torah for the first time!

Saturday, April 2710:30 am-12:00 pm

Parents and familyare invited! 23

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USY offers a wide range of programs for teens from Conservative synagogues across the city, across the region, and internationally. USYers learn a love of Judaism and Israel and develop

life-long friendships. This year, members of HouJew, the local USY chapter, have participated in regional and international conventions, Kadima Conventions (for grades 6-8), and many chapter events. USY is peer-led, with the USYers planning and implementing the activities.

In addition, USY offers life-changing summer programs in the United

States, Israel and Europe. Whether you are interested in USY on Wheels, which travels across the country, or USY Pilgrimage, USY has a summer program for you! For a full list of programs, visit http://www.usy.org/ For more information about USY locally, call 713-409-9814 or emailhoujews@gmail.com.

Promotionfor Students in Grade 7

Friday, May 10, 6:15 pm

$10 per adultRSVP to cantor.levine@brithshalom.org

Shabbat

Service

DinnerDin- and -

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Special 2012-2013 Video

Closing Awards Ceremony

Sunday, May 1211:15 am-12:00 pm

12:00 pm dismissal in honor of Mother’s Day

- and -

27

Gus Levy

Sunday, May 19

9:30 am-12:30 pm

Celebration of Israel Special Ceremonies Fun competitions

Awards for All Learning Cheering Ruach Building

Bringing together Jewish communities around the world, through:

This program was underwritten by the Gus Levy Memorial Endowment.Thanks to CBS Sisterhood for additional funding.

A Religious School end of the year program hosted by:

United

States

& Israel

28

Registration for next year's religious school has begun. Learn more about registering yourchildren online at www.brithshalom.org/rs.

Early Bird registration fees will beapplied from April 3-May 19.

Let your friends know now!

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Adult

Education

Department

Contact Rabbi Tellerfor more info:

rabbi.teller@brithshalom.org

www.brithshalom.org 31

Adult EdSpring 2013Mini Course

I. Where Did Hasidism Come From? What Was the Context for the Early Movement?

II. How Hasidic Thought Has Changed (And You Thought it Hadn’t)

III. Chabad Hasidim and the Role of the Movement in the Modern Age

RSVP requested but not required:cantor.levine@brithshalom.org

HasidismTaught by Rabbi Danny Horwitz

Wednesdays7:30 pm

April 10April 17April 24

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Real Life Torah

For Women

For Women

November 2December 7

January 11February 1

March 1April 5May 3

9:15-10:30 amCBS Board Room

34

35

October 13November 17December 15

Saturdays10:30-11:30 am

CBS Board Room

January 12

March 16

March 30

May 11

S t d

Jewish Prayer: A Challenge to Each of Uswith Cantor Mark Levine

Spirituality is the buzzword of the day, but what if prayer’s purpose hashigher significance than spiritual fulfillment? Abraham Joshua Heschel wrote:

We will explore the concept that prayer’s intent is to confront uscognitively. By struggling with our beliefs, we hope to emerge as betterhuman beings. With the Shabbat evening service as our guide, we will tackleissues addressed by the liturgy such as:

This is an on-going course, and it will benefit you most to attend all sessions;however, everyone is invited to attend individual sessions.

New Metaphors for GodThe Messiah

Evil in the WorldResurrection & Life After Death

Being a Chosen People

The true motivation for prayer is not, as it has been said,the sense of being at home in the universe, but rather,

the sense of NOT being at home in the universe.

Auxiliaries

& GroupsMen’s Club

Sisterhood

Hazak

36 Panoramic view of 3rd Annual Community-wide Kosher Chili Cookoff at the ERJCC. (March 2013) CBS Men’s Club represented the synagogue at this event.

Friendships are made here! Your Men’s Club has an active calendar aimed at developing programs for you! These programs will enrich the quality of Jewish life in your home and our community. Your participation will enhance your knowledge and appreciation of our Jewish heritage and traditions. More important, you will make lasting friendships and make a difference in our synagogue. Dues are only $36 per year! For more info or to join, contact: David Marbin, President, 770-316-4520.

Pictured left & below: CBS Men’s Club at our 3rd Annual Community-wide Kosher Chili Cookoff(March 2013)

We encourage all men (and women, too) to attend our monthly Sunday breakfast speaker series, which provides an opportunity for

CBS Men’s Club

Right: CBS Senior Men’s Group having itsmonthly breakfast. Contact Ed Chaika at ed.chaika@yahoo.com to get involved.

37

interactive participation on important topics presented by outstanding speakers. Our breakfast speaker events (10:00 am-12:30 pm) take place following the 9:00 am Sunday morning minyan. The programs cover a wide variety of topics of current, national, local, personal, and family interest. New members are always welcome and eat free! Upcoming dates are: April 13 & May 12.

Save the date:Men’s Club

Shabbat

April 19-20

38

Sisterhood Presidents’ Column

We are thrilled to share our many accomplishments and are looking forward to several exciting Sisterhood happenings!

Torah Fund

On the evening of Sunday, April 21, 2013, CBS Sisterhood will host Torah Fund, chaired by Dori Wind, Susan Marblestone, and Karen Lukin. Come hear our new Woman of Valor (the recipient of the Marcia Sheena Memorial Award) speak in the sanctuary, then enjoy dinner, all in the name of a worthy cause: Jewish Theological Seminary and other institutions responsible for training our Conservative rabbis, cantors, and educators. Please see the Torah Fund pin article elsewhere in this Hineni for details.

Don’t forget to check us out on Facebook! Search “Congregation Brith Shalom Sisterhood” and join the group!

Ways and Means/Cookbook Project

We’re offering multiple opportunities to support our major fundraiser for theyear, the Sisterhood Cookbook, which will be published in 2013. You can be acookbook sponsor, include a personal greeting or an ad for your business, or make a dedicationin honor or in memory of a loved one. It’s not too late to participate in the Cookbook Title Contest; the winner will receive special mention in the cookbook and a free copy. Contact Ways and Means VP Doreen Lerner doreenlerner@sbcglobal.net

Sisterhood Cookbook

Several volunteers are in the process of editing our fabulous cookbook. Proceeds from the Sisterhood Cookbook will help Sisterhood pay for Shabbatlunches for the congregation on those Shabbatot when there is no simcha.You can help with this worthy cause by: -Becoming a sponsor: gold - $360; silver - $180; bronze - $90-Including a personal greeting or a business ad: full page - $75; half page - $50; quarter page - $25-Making a dedication to honor or memorialize a loved one: up to four linesof text - $36; up to two lines of text - $18 (sponsorships include a dedication)-Participating in the cookbook title contest: if your entry wins, you will receivea mention in the cookbook as well as a free copy-Selling advance copies: a prize will be awarded to the woman who sells the greatest number of copies.

For these and other ways to get involved, please contact Ways and MeansVP Doreen Lerner doreenlerner@sbcglobal.net

Sisterhood Gift Shop:All New Inventory!

Have you been to the shop lately? The Sisterhood Gift Shop is Jewish Houston’s best kept Jewish shopping secret. We offer hundreds of unique gifts, cards, Judaica, art, and more at extremely affordable prices. Open Sundays, 9:00 am-12:30 pm; Wednesdays, 11:00 am-7:00 pm; Fridays, 11:00 am-1:00 pm; and by appointment. For more info, please contact Gift Shop manager Barbie Talisman at 713-922-9922.

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Sisterhood Study Group

Mondays9:30-11:00 am

New members are ALWAYS welcome! For

more information, please contact Marge Mayer at

margemayer8008@aol.com.

A special thank you to our Founding Mothers. Without your efforts, we would not be in the CBS sukkah together.

Pictured above from left to right: Lorraine Brown (Past President), Flo Slatko, and Elaine Merwin

Pictured above: fi rst row: Blanche Roubein, Aileen Zarin, Sherry Hager, Elaine Kellner; second row: Natalie Kravitz, Marge Mayer, Elaine Merwin, Lila Lerner, Velva G. Levine, Carole Sheldon, Cookie Portnoy, Shirley Katzin, Bonnie Edelstein, Flo Slatko, Debi Mishael, Lorraine Brown

Mishloach Manot

Thanks to chairs Becca Evans, Pascale Sharpe, and Dianne Zomper, for a very successful and meaningful project, and thanks to everyone who contributed to its fi nancial success. Special thanks also to the CBS staff for coordinating the deliveries!

Sisterhood Shabbat

Yasher Koach to Denise Mosk, Tracy Jakob, and all the participants in our fabulous Sisterhood Shabbat services! It was an inspiring weekend, with so many talented Sisterhood members leading services. The previous recipient of the Marcia Sheena Award, Elaine Kellner, announced the 2013 recipient, Belinda Denn. She will be honored at our Torah Fund event, April 21.

SEARCH Homeless Services

Sisterhood member Iris Fisherman leads this important interfaith, shul-wide project to help feed the homeless. CBS volunteers join others from Christ the King Lutheran Church in this endeavor on the third Wednesday morning of each month. Interested? Contact Iris at 713-667-1250 or iris.fi sherman@gmail.com.

B’shalom, Laurie Silverblattand Sherri Taxman,Sisterhood Co-Presidents

Belinda Denn To Be Honored as “Woman of Valor”

Belinda Denn has been named the Marcia Sheena Memorial Torah Fund “Woman of Valor” for 2013 by the Sisterhood of Congregation Brith Shalom. She will be honored Sunday evening, April 21.

This award is presented each year to a Sisterhood member who distinguishes herself by strong Jewish and moral values; active participation in Sisterhood, Congregation Brith Shalom and the community; the ability to work well with others to achieve a common goal; and is a woman who, by her lifestyle, exemplifi es the highest ideals of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism–the perpetuation of Judaism in the home, synagogue, and Israel.

A native Texan and longtime member of Congregation Brith Shalom, Belinda has served as President of the Sisterhood and has held numerous board and committee positions in Sisterhood and on the Brith Shalom board, as well as on

the Women’s League Regional Board. Her synagogue activities include being a past PTO vice-president, Purim Carnival chair, and Mitzvah day volunteer celebrating the holidays with U.S. veterans at MidTown Terrace. She is an active March of Dimes volunteer and a member of the UT McCombs Business School Alumni. Her important past Sisterhood positions include reorganizing the Brith Shalom kitchen to assure that it would function as a kosher kitchen for Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrations as well as for other shul functions. In 2011 she co-chaired the CBS Presidents’ Gala and was the recipient of the Shabbat Shuvah award in recognition of her commitment to Jewish life.

Belinda is dedicated to preserving her Jewish heritage and ensuring that it survives for future generations. She is active in numerous Jewish organizations, including the Houston Jewish Federation and its recent Collage event, for which Belinda was a table captain; Hadassah, where she is a Life Member and has held numerous positions at the group, chapter and regional levels, including past president of the Annie Leff Chapter; and the Torah Outreach Resource Center of Houston (TORCH), where she is a board member. Belinda and her husband, Scott Chanin, chaired the 13th Annual Houston TORCH Gala in 2011. She is an active member of the Sunday morning TORCH Mussar Study Group at CBS.

When Belinda is not busy with her philanthropic work, she is a devoted employee of Vaughan Nelson Investment Management, where she is the Manager of Portfolio in charge of portfolio accounting and client reporting. Belinda and Scott are the proud parents of a daughter, Lila.

The celebration for Belinda will be held April 21, 2013, at Congregation Brith Shalom, and the community is invited to participate in honoring her. Classical guitarist Marc Garvin will entertain, and a delicious kosher dairy reception will be featured. The Woman of Valor award is part of the annual Sisterhood Torah Fund campaign, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year by producing a special commemorative ceramic tzedekah box. For reservations, or more information about the event, contact Dori Wind, Sisterhood Vice President for Torah Fund, at 281-242-1762.

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The award in memory of dedicated congregant Marcia SheenaAs Sisterhood Vice President for Torah Fund, it is my special pleasure and privilege to announce the recipient of the Marcia Sheena Memorial Torah Fund “Woman of Valor” honoree for 2013.

Her husband tells me that this very impressive lady is a native Texan who-like most young girls -loved to twirl the batons. Apparently baton twirling is great training for adulthood because she continues to twirl several batons in the air and somehow to catch them all.

The fi rst baton she keeps in the air is that of being a loving and dedicated wife and mother. We all know she is a great baker, who loves to entertain and knows her way around the kitchen and how to keep it organized. The second baton our honoree twirls is that of a full-time job outside the home where she helps people prepare for a sustainable future. Her third baton is the numerous philanthropic activities our recipient somehow fi nds time to not only participate in, but also to lead: she is a life Member of Hadassah, having co-founded a chapter in the Houston area; she works with Jewish Federation of Houston and their

Collage program; and with TORCH, the Torah Outreach Resource Center Houston; and, of course, has held both CBS Board positions and Sisterhood Board positions, including being Sisterhood President.

Now, twirling three batons at the same time would make anyone tired, but this lady also fi nds the time to twirl many more: she participates in numerous study groups, both in her vocation and in her religion – you can fi nd her at Jewish study groups around the community. She also loves to celebrate the holidays at shul, especially on Purim, when she can “dress up with her blond wig”

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and entertain us all.

For all the numerous and wonderful things that you do, these roses are for you Belinda Denn, the 2013 Marcia Sheena Memorial Torah Fund Woman of Valor. Please join us on the bima. Our Torah Fund Event honoring Belinda will be held on Sunday, April 21. Look for your invitation coming soon and be sure to celebrate this momentous occasion with us. Thank you.

Dori Wind

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Congregation Brith Shalom’s Best Kept Secret!

Hazak is for you if you want to have fun, make new friends, learn about issues that affect seniors55 and over, visit places of interest, feel “younger than springtime”! At Passover we ask the fourquestions, but with Passover now over, here are the four most frequently asked questions about

Congregation Brith Shalom's best kept secret:

What does HAZAK mean? HAZAK means “strength.”

When and where does HAZAK meet? HAZAK meets one Sunday a month at CBSunless our programing takes us to another venue.

Is HAZAK for CBS members only? No, HAZAK is open to all seniors 55 and over.

What is the cost to join HAZAK? If you are a member of CBS, HAZAK dues are only $12 per year. If you are not a member of CBS, HAZAK dues are $18 per year.

HAZAK’S been there, done that...We’ve enjoyed a variety of guest speakers, films,

bus trips to museums, theater, restaurants, Mitzvah Day events, Hanukkah celebrations, and

more. Conversation and refreshments are part of all HAZAK programs.

For more information, contact Gail Issen: gail@expertwebs.com. To join HAZAK, visit www.brithshalom.org/hazak, download the

registration form, and mail the completed form with your check made out to HAZAK to:

5910 Wigton Dr. Houston, TX 77096

Join today!

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Conv e r s o s

Sunday April 14 2:00 pm

Amy Goldstein will present a fascinating lecture on

Secrets of the

RSVP to Paula Druckman at paulad778@att.net or (713) 723-1208 by April 10

HAZAK members: no charge; guests: $3.00

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In the Community

An Open Invitation to Congregants and Community Members: Be Part of The Conversation of the Century From the incomparable Rabbi Harold Kushner to the inspiring young teacher Rabbi Adam Greenwald, this October, Jews from all over will fl ock to a historic gathering in Baltimore, Maryland. There will be a Shabbaton fi lled with meaningful prayer, learning with celebrated scholars, workshops with visionary leaders, and performances by cutting-edge artists. The event is a once-in-a-century opportunity to talk over the biggest questions on your mind about inspiring Jewish meaning in your own life and in the lives of your family and community. It’s called the Conversation of the Century, hosted by the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism to mark its 100th anniversary, and the entire Jewish community is invited. You can come to any part or all of the event. On October 11-12, there will be a joyous Shabbaton, with renowned prayer leaders and exceptional scholars. On October 13-15, the days will be packed with stellar speakers, great performances, and of course, extraordinary conservations. You’ll bring home inspiration and ideas, new approaches to Jewish living, and new ways of creating a kehilla kedosha, a sacred community. Find continually updated information about speakers and programs and registration details at: www.uscj100.org. Make sure to join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

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Ride a camel in the Negev desert! | Climb Mount Masada.

Visit a Kibbutz. | Ride a train between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Eat delicious kosher Israeli food. | Celebrate with the Tel Aviv

Israeli Scouts with their Spirit of Israel performance.

Israel’s65th

It’s

Birthday!

For more information contact Nomi Barancik nbarancik@erjcchouston.org or 713-729-3200 ext. 3288

Join us for a community-wide Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration at the ERJCC

TUESDAY, APRIL 16 | 4:00 PM — 9:00 PM

“TASTE OF ISRAEL” PLATE $5.00: 4:00 PM — 7:30 PMTEL AVIV SCOUT SHOWS: 5:00 PM & 6:30 PM

FOLLOW ME DOCUMENTARY THE LIFE OF YONI NETANYAHU: 8:00 PM

With David D’or May 23, 2013

Acclaimed Israeli singer David D’or joins the Houston

Symphony for an evening of music recognizing the 65th

anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel.

Tickets: from $25

ISRAEL AT 65

houstonsymphony.org | (713) 224-7575

Official Airline Official Health Care Provider Official Television Partner

CBS Weekly eBulletin

Content for the eBulletin is due the Tuesday - eight days prior to an eBulletin publication.

Aliyot

If you would like the honor of an aliyah, please contact Cantor Rhodes atcantor.rhodes@brithshalom.org

ShabbatKiddush & Children

During the Shabbat kiddush, the sanctuary will be off-limits for unsupervised children. Please supervise your children and have fun in the social hall, library or playground! There are board games available in the multi-purpose room closet.

Help us Keep in Touch

Due to privacy rules, hospitals are no longer able to provide Brith Shalom with a list of Jewish patients. Please contact Cherye-Ann DeLong at 713-667-9201or exec.asst@brithshalom.org when you know of one of our members in the hospital. Please be sure to include the following: • Your name• The name of the patient/their signifi cant other• The name of the hospital & room number• Date admitted, if known

Services Information

Daily MinyanMonday - Friday 7:00 am

Sunday 9:00 am(Chapel)

Shabbat ServicesFriday Services

6:15 pm(Sanctuary)

Saturday Services9:30 am

(Sanctuary)Saturday Minyan

7:00 am

12 Apr 7:2919 Apr 7:3326 Apr 7:37 3 May 7:4210 May 7:4614 May 7:4917 May 7:5124 May 7:5531 May 7:59 7 Jun 8:0214 Jun 8:0521 Jun 8:0728 Jun 8:08 5 Jul 8:0812 Jul 8:0719 Jul 8:0526 Jul 8:01 2 Aug 7:56 9 Aug 7:5116 Aug 7:4423 Aug 7:3730 Aug 7:29 4 Sep 7:23

Candle Lighting Bellaire, TX

Hebrew Year 5773

*Havdalah times occur on Saturday, one hour later than

Shabbat candle lighting time

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Welcome,New Members!Rachel & Harry Weber

Erica (Farber) & David BuchalterRosalie Berg

Orly & Yoel Kluk

April

Anniversaries

May

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4 Allan Levine & Rachel Dvoretzky 4 Irvin & Vivien Saron 4 Malcolm & Leslie Slatko 5 Richard & Vicki Klein

6 Robert & Beverly Pickelner 9 Adam & Karen Plager 9 Harvey & Judith Rosenstock 13 Terry & Shifra Gardner 14 Fred & Anna Dorin 14 Stuart & Jean Lerner 14 Michael & Nina Zilkha 17 John & Michele Foley 17 Martin & Bettina Siegel 18 Eddie & Carmen Katz 18 Alan & Janet Winters 19 Ronnie & Helene Sheena 22 Richard & Amy Jaffe 23 Glenn & Roselle Kammerman 23 Sam & Anna Roitenberg

24 Michael Wolf & Paula Krisko 24 Michael & Lisa Yifrach 24 Jerry & Aileen Zarin 25 Benjamin Holliday & Yael Avivi 25 Uzi & Micki Halevy 25 Seth & Karen Lerner 25 Oliver & Alisa Max 26 Peter & Sharon Loftspring 26 Charles Wiese & Janice Rubin 27 Jason & Rebecca Herschkowitz 27 Brian & Diana Kaplan 27 Allen & Dianna Milewicz

27 Schlomo & Carmen Vaknin 28 Douglas & Stephanie Kleiner 28 Bob & Laura Rosenberg 29 Steven & Maxine Goodman 29 Robert & Susan Schlein 30 Matthew & Shelley Stein 30 Gary & Kim Taylor 31 Larry & Lisa Estes 31 Ben & Cookie Portnoy

7 Walter & Elaine Heller 11 Charles & Sally Pehr 20 David & Julie Pomerantz 20 Andrew & Sandra Remson

23 Stephen Katz & Jacquie Lappin 28 Barry & Nomi Barancik 28 Jordan & Devinah Finn 28 Allen & Chava White

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June1 Samuel & Dana Little 2 Harvey & Marcia Resnick 2 Robert & Narumi Rose 3 Eitan & Abigail Eliezer 4 Asher Aremband & Marcia Katz 5 Jack & Elinor Goldberg 5 Perry & Marcy Hamburger 8 Alvin & Bonnie Edelstein 8 Ira & Linda Levine 8 Bradley & Meredith Segal 9 Daniel & Patti Altman 9 Peter & Phyllis Gingiss 9 William & Sarah Tillis 10 Kurt & Ilana Lothman 11 Daniel & Vivian Lederman 11 Hans & Marge Mayer 11 Milton & Denise Mosk 11 Todd & Michelle Wasserman 12 Lawrence & Joan Katz 13 Dan & Mel Glina 14 Jeffrey & Lori Actor 14 Steven & Debra Cohen 15 Nachum & Dita Dafny 15 Jay & Joan Golub 15 Steve & Michelle Lieberson 17 David & Orna Feinstein 17 Alan & Iris Fisherman 18 Brent & Hilary Kamin 18 Lawrence Waldman & Deborah Schloss 19 Manuel & Blanca Cheskes 19 William & Claire Reingold 19 Stephan & Lori Rubin 20 Gabriel & Cynthia Aisenberg

20 Issy & Miri Boim 20 Keith & Amanda Wolf 21 Steven & Wendy Lerman 21 Hy & Shirley Warshaw 22 Charles Rouah & Jennifer Rothfl eisch 22 Bill & Jane Starr 22 Cyril & Mignon Wolf 23 Steve & Jennifer Friedman 24 Stephen Baker & Paula Eisenstein Baker 25 Bobby & Eve Lapin 25 Glenn & Lisa Lowenstein 25 Joseph & Roslyn Markman 25 Jacob & Merle Tal 27 Richard & Andrea Brody 27 Steven & Barbara Goldstein 28 Howard & Joan Lang 28 Jack & Sondra Laves 28 Daniel Pickelner & Dikal Biton 29 Sam & Edith Edelheit 29 Eric & Deborah Lipman 30 Fred & Patsy Sklar

July1 Barry & Melissa Noskeau 1 Ian & Jacqueline Sack 2 Bruce & Linda Levy 2 Richard & Lisa Rhodes 3 Traylyn & Becca Evans 3 Paul & Judi Scott 3 David & Stacy Weiner 4 George & Sheila Engelhart 4 Dave O’Brien & Renee Waghalter 5 Kevin Obermeyer & Sari Altman 5 Jeff & Nicki Nachenberg 6 Uriel & Iris Mushin 9 Eric & Amelia Kleiman 12 Mark & Valerie Katz 13 Ronald Klein & Joyce Helfman 13 Scott & Randi Sonenshein 15 Mitchell & Karen Lukin 16 Eden & Phyllis Wenig 23 Jack & Michele Joseph 23 Stanley & Diane Novy 27 Henry & Elizabeth Peterman 28 John & Michelle McGill 31 David & Ann Ronn

BirthdaysApril

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1 Mark Picus 1 William Tillis 2 Glenn Kammerman 2 Kevin Obermeyer 2 Russell Weidman 3 Jason Wintz 5 Mario Jason 5 Susan Kammerman 5 Jane Starr 6 Dan Glina 6 Rachel Hartman 7 David Bach 7 Tomer Cohen 7 Sally Jacobs 7 Barbara Mendel 7 Deborah Schloss 8 Jarred Slater 10 Robert Graubard 10 Belinda Reingold 11 Robert Eigler 11 Eitan Eliezer 11 Elaine Kellner 11 Neal Rosen 11 Jacobo Varon 12 Bob Goodmark 12 Robin Irwin 12 Stuart Lerner 12 Claire Reingold 12 Leonard Rolnick 14 Ruby Getz 14 Barbara Horowitz 14 Ronald Klein

14 Richard Whitman 14 Michael Yifrach 15 Al Feiveson 15 Holly Plost 16 Bob Gilbert 16 Michele Perchonok 17 Florence Diamond 17 Rachel Dvoretzky 17 Jessica Freedson 17 Mark Katz 17 Bradley Segal 18 Jon Biro 18 Fran Katzenellenbogen 18 Allen White 19 Adam Lourie 19 Elise Newman 20 Jordan Finn 20 Gracie Garcia 20 Jillian Roggen 21 Chris Brown 21 Steven Tesney 21 Sadie Urbach 21 Daniel Whitman 22 Daniel Lederman 22 Deborah Lipman 23 Gerald Falchook 23 Max Heffl er 23 Robert Rosenberg 24 Liz Aussenberg 24 Karen Bernstein 24 Laura Duchen 24 Alice Ginsburgh 24 Ellen Heffl er 24 Mitch Kreindler 24 Beverly Pickelner 25 Terry Gardner 25 Ady Geda 25 Karen Lukin 25 Mignon Wolf 27 Marcelo Kreindel 28 Yael Avivi 28 Devinah Finn 29 Ira Levine 30 Aaron Howard 30 Allan Levine 30 Sue Resnick

May

1 Ray Eagle 1 Salomon Lahana 1 Melissa Magenheim 2 George Engelhart 2 Peter Turrin 3 Marge Mayer 4 Andrew Hagen 4 Jill Schwartz-Gomez 4 Celine Stetzer 5 Adam Halpern 5 Sonia Horowitz 5 Ellen Seaton 5 Mary Wolinsky 6 Sari Altman 6 Alan Gerger 8 Joseph Altman 10 Leslie Axel 10 Steven Lerman 10 Mendel Nock 10 Stephen Robbins 11 Kamal Sheena 11 Karin Stronck 11 Gary Taylor 12 Harvey Resnick 12 David Wald 13 Karen Plager 14 Ellis Rushefsky 15 Blanca Cheskes 15 Matthew Coveler 15 Michele Joseph 15 Frances Rubin 18 Margaret Jelinek Lewis 18 Carolina Kopinsky 19 Brent Kamin 19 Marcia Zlotnick 20 Jeff Brown 20 Lindsay Derman 20 Bill Horwitz 20 Brandon Plost 21 Scott Chanin 21 Jerry Greenspan 21 Amy Judkowitz 22 Eva Engelhart 22 Nell Gottlieb 23 Antonia Caliboso 23 H. Todd Roggen 24 Harvey Rosenstock 25 Marcia Ant 25 Jonathan Cohen-Kurzrock 25 Phyllis Cohn 25 Veronica Jason 25 Craig Lira 26 Rhoda Goldberg

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26 Constance Karger 26 Harry Weber 27 Stuart Dobbs 27 Shelley Nadel 27 Saundra Turk 28 Justin DuPlessis 28 Everett Grossman 28 May Tillis 28 David Yellin 29 Joyce Golub 29 Henry Jakob 30 Ruth Eagle 30 Joey Rappaport 30 Lyn Rosenberg- Johnson 31 Natalie Kravetz 31 Rona Lesser 31 Nancy Picus

June1 Lilyan Feld 1 Tom Magzen 1 Pascale Sharpe 2 Michael Shaman 3 Elizabeth Ochoa 4 Jacquelyn Griffi n 5 Audrey Cohen 5 Tracy Gerger 5 Carol Goldberg 5 Stephen Katz 5 Barry Laves 5 Shahla Mezrahi 6 Jeff Kandle 6 Martin Siegel 7 Steve Hasson 7 Leon Levinson 9 Dikla Biton 9 Henry Peterman 10 Sarah Barr 10 David Heaton 10 Iris Mushin 11 Ornit Baruch 11 Edward Chaika 11 Perry Hamburger 13 Mindy Cohen 13 Lolly Friedman Miller 15 Barbara Goldstein 16 Judith Weidman 17 Miriam Feldman 17 Linda Levine 18 Jacobo Goldberg 18 Jane Holland 18 Renee Lockey 18 Elaine Spiegelman 18 Michael Zlotnick 19 Seth Lerner 19 Ilana Lothman 20 Debra Cohen 20 Jay Golub 21 Renee Stern 22 Allan Goldstein

22 Terri Singer 23 Janet Kaplan 23 Meredith Segal 24 Eli Bensky 24 Mark Katzenellenbogen 24 Bradley Sabloff 26 Sarah Hirschfi eld 26 Robert Katz 26 Kimberlee Taylor 27 Renee Wallace 28 Micah Hirschfi eld 28 Marshall Lerner 28 Blanche Roubein 29 Amy Jaffe 29 Steven Kaplan 29 Jean Levy 29 Kurt Lothman 30 Larry Aptekar 30 Benjamin Cohen

July1 Linda Marouni 2 Melissa Noskeau 2 Norma Trusch 4 Belinda Denn 4 Alyson Gershenson 4 Rabbi Howard Trusch 4 Moshe Vardi 5 Roselle Kammerman 5 Beverly Levinson 5 Glenn Lowenstein 5 Dianne Zomper 6 Helen Cohen 7 Tom Samuels 8 Gabriel Aisenberg 8 Helene Sheena 8 Elly Sokol 9 Howard Derman 9 Arline Guefen 9 Jerry Wische 10 Efrain Bleiberg 10 Carmen Katz 10 David Koller 10 Bobby Lapin 10 Gerald Sheldon 11 Fran Floersheimer 12 Sam Roitenberg 13 Michael Engelhart 13 Shira Levine 13 Nathan Starr 14 Shirley Furman 14 David Gerger 15 Rebecca Gonzales 16 Sarah Koller 16 Paula Krisko 17 Gary Bloch 17 David Levy 17 Robert Rose 18 Golda Baker 18 Michelle Lieberson

19 Benjamin Cohen-Kurzrock 19 Alan Fisherman 19 Carol Fisherman 19 Lisa Goldberg 19 Brian Kaplan 20 Troy Fiesinger 20 Stuart Miller 20 Diane Novy 20 Ray Reid 21 Beverly Ginsburg 21 Charlotte Goldberg 21 Margaret Kripke 21 Hanoch Sheinman 22 Jodi Buck 23 Samuel Little 23 Ronnie Sheena 24 Howard Feldman 24 Joyce Gilbert 24 Rebecca Herschkowitz 25 Mark Jason 25 Sewell Martin 25 Reva Stern 26 Milton Klein 27 Alexandra Corwin 27 Alisa Max 28 Sandra Weiner 29 Milton Mosk 29 Anthony Tomlinson 30 Jose Goldberger 31 Alvin Edelstein

Donations to Congregation Brith Shalom: December 2012-present

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Adult Education Fund Midge Wische

Axelrad Adult Education FundAlice & Steve Ginsburgh Dan Gordon Glori & Edward Chaika Judi & Paul Scott Shelia Levine

B’nei Mitzvah FundSaundra Turk

Brown/Steinberger Adult Education Fund Anna Steinberger Ronda Feinberg & Allan Goldstein

Cantor’s Discretionary FundBarbara & Stephen Robbins Bettina & Martin Siegel Deborah & Samuel Mishael Elaine Spiegelman Ellen Singer Eta Paransky Joe Epstein Judith & Harvey Rosenstock Lee Wunsch Marcia & Harvey Resnick Melanie & Neal Rosen Mrs. S Greenberg Sari Altman & Kevin Obermeyer

Chesed Fund Carol Seliger Deborah & Martin Segal Doreen & Marshall Lerner Elaine & Benjamin Patel Judith Greenberg Marilyn Svoboda & Aaron Howard Marty & Melvin Buck Rhoda Goldberg Shelia Levine

Choir FundBeverly & Leon Levinson

B’nei Mitzvah Tzedakah FundEdythe Greenberg Marilyn Svoboda & Aaron Howard

Endowment Fund Jeffrey & Lori Actor Leon & Beverly Levinson Ronda Feinberg & Allan Goldstein

Saturday Morning Minyan FundJoe Epstein

Friday Night Ruach Fund Claire & Joseph Altman Etna & Alan Goldsmith Laurie & Alan Silverblatt Marian Bell Rhoda Goldberg Sari Altman & Kevin Obermeyer Susan & Henry Wise

General Fund Alyse & Robert Caplan Anita & Robert Eigler Anna Steinberger Arlene & Moshe Even Audrey Winer Barbara Horowitz Belinda Denn & Scott Chanin Carole & Gerald Sheldon Carolyn Shulman & Gerald Falchook Cathy Tucker & Family CBS Sisterhood Eden & Phyllis Wenig Edith & Sam Edelheit Elinor & Jack Goldberg Elli & Tom Samuels Evelyn Wisenberg Fuad Sheena Gail & Milton Klein Harriet & Daniel Gershkowitz Harry Price Inez & Maurice Eskowitz Irene & Frank Shaw Jacquie Lappin &Stephen Katz Janice Rubin & Charles Wiese Joan & Lawrence Katz Kamal Sheena Kay Zeidman Lila Flanz Lorna Grenadier Lucy & Robert Graubard Mallory Robinson

Marcia & Michael Freedman Marcia & Michael Zlotnick Marla & Stewart Feldman Michelle & John McGill Miriam & Isidoro & Wiener Nancy & Mark Picus Pam Geyer & Moshe Vardi Patsy & Fred Sklar Paula Eisenstein Baker &Stephen Baker Phyllis & David Finger Rachel & Robert Davis Ray Wasserman Ronda Feinberg &Allan Goldstein Rozanne & Howard Rubin Ruth & Ray Eagle Sadie Urbach Sally & Charles Pehr Sarah Lascar Sari Altman & Kevin Obermeyer Sherri & Ian Taxman Shirley & Mac Katzin Susan & Howard Marblestone Susan & Leonard Kammerman Susan & Syd Waldman

Gerger Scholarship Fund Joan & Sigmund Friedland Ricki Gerger Robyn Helzner

Harriet Moser Memorial Music Fund Bernice Beckerman Doreen & Marshall Lerner Shelia Levine Sondra & Jack Laves

Kiddush Fund Carol & Seth Alberts Linda & Ira Levine Marjorie & Brett Marks Rhoda Goldberg Shira & Ron Moses Shirley & Mac Katzin Terry & Norman Buchalter

Library Fund Aileen & Jerald Zarin Debbie & Michael Darlow Elly & Louis Sokol Joyce Golub

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Judith & Russell Weidman Rhoda Goldberg Sally Jacobs

Mahzor Prayer Book FundBrian Stutt Daniel Whitman Florence Diamond Helen & Kenneth Lesartre Joan Wayne Judi & Paul Scott Patsy & Fred Sklar Ronda Feinberg & Allen Goldstein Shirley & Hy Warshaw Susan & Leonard Kammerman

Memorial Plaques Fund Selene & Earl Gorel

Men’s Club FundJennifer Rothfl eisch & Charles Rouah

Mini Minyan Fund Marty & Melvin Buck Sally Jacobs

Mishloach Manot Fund Sherry Hager Sidney & Ione Moran

Mitzvah Day Fund Jeffrey & Lori Actor

Rabbi’s Discretionary FundAlyson & David Ebro Arline & Ben Guefen Bettina & Martin Siegel Blanca & Manuel Cheskes Cynthia Stetzer Dan Gordon Ellen Singer Eve Avivi Flo Slatko Gail & Milton Klein Helen & Kenneth Lesartre Joan & Howard Lang Joan & Lawrence Katz Joann Singer Joe Epstein Joyce & Bob Gilbert Judith & Harvey Rosenstock Judy Landau Laura & David Duchen Lila Lerner Lori & Jeffrey Actor Marian Prager Marty & Melvin Buck

Melanie & Neal Rosen Michele & Jack Joseph Mimi & Michael Berkowitz Miriam Gerger Norri & Jason Leder Patricia Plettner Paula Bottecelli &Charles Koller Rivka Rachum Sandra & Andrew Cohen Sari Altman &Kevin Obermeyer Sharon & Peter Loftspring Shirley & Mac Katzin Susan & Randal Farber Tracy Robinson Vanesa Levi & Marcelo Kreindel Vivien & Irvin Saron Zoe & Don Danielson

Religious Article Fund Paul & Judi Scott

Religious School Donation Fund Deborah Schloss &Lawrence Waldman Sari Altman & Kevin Obermeyer

Rushefsky Scholarship FundEllis & Goldie Rushefsky

Sisterhood Fund Anita & Robert Eigler Arlene & Moshe Even Beverly & Leon Levinson Claire & Joseph Altman Cynthia Stetzer Deborah & Martin Segal Elli & Tom Samuels Eva & Michael Engelhart Frances Rubin & Bob Hurtte Helen & Kenneth Lesartre Joan & Sigmund Friedland Laura & David Duchen Marty & Melvin Buck Miriam & Isidoro Wiener Phyllis & Sheldon Kaufman Saundra Turk Stephanie & Marvin Beasley Susan & Leonard Kammerman

Synagogue Enhancement FundCharles Fedrid

Jean & Morton Levy Marty & Melvin Buck Velva & Fred Levine Torah Fund William & Jane Starr

Weekday Minyan Tzedakah FundCarol & Seth Alberts Diane & Stanley Novy Rhoda Goldberg Roslyn Hager & Alan Buck

Weiner/WallaceScholar-In-Residence Fund Deborah & Martin Segal Renee Wallace

Year of the Torah Project FundLeslie & Sanford Weiner

NOSHER SHABBAT MEAL SPECIAL FOR 4 PEOPLE

Chicken matzah ball soup Whole baked chicken (available with paprika or apricot flavor) Potato kugel California vegetable blend Marble cake (parve) Price: $24.99 Submit and guarantee your order no later than Wednesday night by phone or e-mail. Please understand that we are not a supermarket and therefore cannot prepare too many meals without an order ahead of time. We also bake fresh Challah bread every Thursday and Friday. Price is $4.50 per loaf.

Wednesday Night Dinner Special Homemade meat loaf Yellow rice Vegetable Price: $8.99 each You are welcome to dine in with us. We have plenty of room to seat over 80 people. If you are interested in a to-go order, please call ahead of time and we will have your meal ready for you. All of our other menu items are available all day until 8:00 pm. Thank you! NOSHER CATERING EVELYN RUBENSTEIN JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF HOUSTON 5601 S. Braeswood | Houston, Texas 77096 p 713.551.7209 ext. 3232 | f 713.551.7223 nosher@erjcchouston.org | erjcchouston.org

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Ciona Regev, LCSW and Reiki Practitioner

Is pleased to announce the opening of

KEREN OR REIKI TREATMENT & COUNSELINGReiki, a non-invasive modality that complements conventional treatments, can help

individuals return to balanced functioning on every level(physical, emotional, mental and spiritual) regardless of age or health issues.

Benefi ts include: alleviation of sleep diffi culties, pain relief,thought process clarifi cation, and stress relief

For appointments, call 713.498.0794 or visit: www.kerenorreiki.com

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Brith Shalom?Follow us!

www.facebook.com/BrithShalom

@BrithShalom

We LOVE you; please LIKE us!

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Pictured above: Rabbi Ranon Teller and CBS member Matt Stein, photographed by the Houston Chronicle for an article highlighting Houston’s FIRST Jewish Food Summit (January 2013) hosted by Congregation Brith Shalom. Check out more photos from the program on our Facebook page!