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Friday, Dec. 3 Shabbat of Chanukah

6:00 p.m. Chanukah Dinner & Candlelighting 7:00 p.m. Special Family Service for Chanukah Torah Reading: Mikketz,

Gen. 41:1 – 44:17 Friday, Dec. 10

6:45 p.m. KIDZ Shabbat 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Eve Service Torah Reading: Vayigash, Gen. 44:18 – 47:27 Friday, Dec. 17

7:30 p.m. Shabbat Eve Service Torah Reading: Vayechi, Gen. 47:28 – 50:26 Saturday, Dec. 18

10:00 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service and Torah Study Friday, Dec. 24

7:30 p.m. Shabbat Eve Service Torah Reading: Shemot, Exodus. 1:1 – 6:1 Friday, Dec. 31 Happy (Other) New Year! 6:00 p.m. Early Shabbat Eve Service Torah Reading: Vaeira, Ex. 6:2 – 9:35 Friday, Jan. 7, 2011

6:45 p.m. KIDZ Shabbat 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Eve Service Torah Reading: Bo, Ex. 10:1 – 13:16 * Childcare available. Please contact the Temple office for details.

DECEMBER WORSHIP SERVICES

TREE OF LIFE CONGREGATION COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA

“KOL T.O.L.” — THE “VOICE OF THE TREE OF LIFE”

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

DECEMBER 2010 / KISLEV - TEVET, 5771

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Temple News 2

From the Rabbi 3

Religious School 4 & 5

Youth News 6

Brotherhood Report 7

Chanukah Is Here! 8 & 9

Sisterhood Report 10

Yahrzeits & Bimah Flowers 13

Contributions 14

Calendar of Events 15

Community News 12

Member News 11

HAPPY CHANUKAH!

We wish everyone a very happy

and enjoyable Chanukah!

May your candles burn bright during

this Festival of Light!

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TREE OF LIFE “BUCKS BACK” FUNDRAISING PROGRAM

Next Order Deadlines: Monday, December 6th and Monday, December 13th Deadline for orders paid with check (made out to TOL): Noon on Monday

Deadline for PrestoPay orders: Anytime Monday

Contact person: Debra Stombler, H: 333-0023 or Stombler@sc.rr.com

Earn money for TOL by purchasing

retailer’s cards for your

everyday needs!

Percentage paid to TOL varies by retailer.

See on-line retailer list or paper copy

outside temple office for details.

Here’s how to check it out or to join and start shopping… • Go to www.shopwithscrip.com

• Go to the green “Family Sign Up” box • Create an account

• Click ‘I accept’ to accept terms and conditions • Enter the enrollment code for TOL: ELLL34F52L571 (the code is case sensitive)

• Click ‘Join’ • Start shopping for gifts or for yourself!

GREEN TEAM UPDATE

Contact the Green Team at greenteam@tolsc.org

TREE OF LIFE WILL RECEIVE

GREEN CONGREGATION RECOGNITION

In 2009 Tree of Life was selected to be one of seven congregations in the Columbia area to participate in a pilot “Green Congregations” program sponsored by the City of Columbia Climate Protection Action Campaign. We have successfully completed the first year of the program, which encourages environmentally-sound practices and sustainability, and will be formally recognized in January 2011. SOME BENEFITS OF RECYCLING:

Recycling supports 37,400 jobs in SC and creates $69 million state tax revenue.

ADULT HEBREW CLASSES

“Introductory Hebrew” and “Beyond Beginners” with Risa Strauss will continue to meet on Wednesday evenings: December 8 & 15 and January 5, 12, & 19. Please contact Risa for more information.

TREE OF LIFE BEIT MIDRASH FOR LIFE LONG LEARNING

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FROM THE RABBI

HAPPY CHANUKAH!

By Rabbi Daniel M. Sherman

Chanukah is certainly a special time of year for us. Though a holiday of lesser religious significance (it can’t compete with the High Holy Days or Pass-over, Shavuot, or Sukkot), Chanukah – which cele-brates our right to freedom of religion – is perhaps the most eagerly-anticipated holiday, especially for our kids. One of the outstanding features of this eight-day Festival of Lights is that the observance of the holiday centers around the home. In that spirit, I would like to offer this prayer for families and individuals to read at home while light-ing the Chanukah candles and celebrating this fes-tive time. The prayer comes from our siddur, The Gates of Prayer (p. 397):

With grateful hearts we remember Your pro-

tection, O God, when tyrants sought to destroy Your

people and to uproot the religion of Israel. We take

pride in the valor of the Maccabees, their faith in

You, their devotion to Your law which inspired

them to deeds of heroism. We commemorate the

rededication of Your sanctuary, the consecration of

its altar to Your worship, and celebrate the rekin-

dling of the Menorah, whose rays shone forth out of

the encircling darkness as the symbol of Your pres-

ence and the beacon light of Your truth for all the

world.

Be with us now – with us and our children.

Make us strong to do Your will. Help us to under-

stand and proclaim the truth, that not by might and

not by power, but by Your spirit alone can we pre-

vail. Grant to each person and every nation the

blessings of liberty, justice, and peace. Let injustice

and oppression cease, and hatred, cruelty, and

wrong pass away, so that all human beings may

unite to worship You in love and devotion.

Bless, O God, these Chanukah lights, that

they may shed their radiance into our homes and

our lives. May they kindle within us the flame of

faith and zeal, that, like the Maccabees of old, we

battle fiercely for Your cause. Then shall we be

worthy of Your love and Your blessing, O God, our

Shield and our Protector. Amen.

Chanukah can be a beautiful holiday. Included within the news-letter you will find the Chanukah blessings, traditional Chanukah recipes, the rules for dreidel, Chanukah song lyrics, and more to help you enhance your Chanukah cele-brations and make your holiday even brighter.

I hope you will also join us at Temple on the Shabbat of Chanukah, December 3. We will begin at 6:00 p.m. with candlelighting – please bring your own chanukiyah and candles. A special thank you goes to our TOL Brotherhood for once again provid-

ing dinner, featuring their famously fried latkes. Our special Family Service will begin at 7:00 p.m. (please note the earlier start time).

CHAG SAMEACH – Have a very happy Chanukah!

For more information about

Chanukah observances, traditions, and

history, don’t forget to check out the

Union for Reform Judaism website at

www.urj.org. And while you’re at it,

please remember to check regularly the

new and improved TOL website

(www.tolsc.org). It is being regularly up-

dated and has important information for

our congregants and visitors.

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FROM THE RELIGIOUS SCHOOL DIRECTOR

SAYING AND GIVING THANKS

By Risa Strauss

If we conducted a poll of five “average” children at Temple and asked, “Quick, tell us what is your favorite Jewish holiday and why,” almost all (if not all) would say,

“Chanukah because … we get presents!” Now maybe some adults are groaning, throwing

their hands up and saying “Oy gevalt! How did we raise such greedy and selfish kids?” I suppose one could look at it that way, but I would like to “present” another per-spective.

Once upon a time, long before Hallmark, Party City and Adam Sandler, Chanukah was a simple holiday celebrated without much hoopla or fanfare. Many of us who identify as baby boomers grew up in the age when you had to get up from the couch to change the channel and still remember life before the electric chanukiyah. Perhaps it was the memory of the image of lonely Chanu-kah candles melting down the branches of rickety cha-

nukiyot perched on aluminum foil sitting in the kitchen sink that propelled the movers and groovers of our gen-eration to want more.

I don’t know exactly what truly escalated the role that Chanukah plays in our lives today. But whatever the reason, “the Festival of Lights” has evolved into a joyous holiday with gift giving, dreidel playing, parties, music, decorations and myriads of brisket and latke recipes. Most importantly, though, Chanukah has become a cele-bration of freedom. And this enthusiasm for our freedom is what makes our gift giving all the more necessary and life affirming.

On Chanukah we are able to give and to receive because we are “free.” Had the Maccabees not tri-umphed over the cruelty of Antiochus, we would have been forced into adopting the Hellenistic way of life, and we would not have been free. As slaves in Egypt, we were not free. As Holocaust victims, we were not free. Any individual who is enslaved in this world – who does not have the capacity to reach out and give – is not free. The overwhelming message of the story of Chanukah is to protect all peoples’ right to religious, cultural, and per-sonal freedoms.

To be free means to be able to love and to give and to receive. So it is not a coincidence then that on Chanukah it is pure joy for us as Jews to share our free-

dom with others in the form of gifts, parties, food and song. It makes sense that our children, who are growing up in an age when poverty, slavery, genocide and war are but one click away, need our gifts, our bounty to let them know that it’s all going to be okay.

In Israel, it is quite common for one to name their child Shai (which means gift), or Matan (present), or Natan (one who gives). Daily living in Israel is in-tense and children are precious. Preserving their lives, as well as their childhoods, is paramount. That we can pro-vide our children with the joys of childhood is a blessing that we all share as a Jewish people.

In the movie “Kung-Fu Panda” an animated film, Master Oogway (a large tortoise) says, “The past is his-tory, the future is a mystery. But today is a gift, and that’s why it is called ‘the present.’” As Jews in 21st century America, we live in a wonderful era of tolerance and lib-erty. Our freedoms permit us to give and to receive at will, and this we should never take for granted. In our Religious School this Chanukah, please join us in the following programming that helps us to share with others in our community and in Israel:

1. Jewish National Fund “Blue Box” collection to plant trees in Israel, now through January 23, 2011.

2. “Giving to Make a Difference” – our annual holiday support of adopted area families without homes currently living in the Family Shelter in Columbia, now through Dec. 12.

3. Waterford Senior Living Facility: Chanukah Party for Jewish residents and their friends on Dec. 5 at 4 p.m., and daily Chanukah candle lighting with Temple and Waterford residents together at the Waterford.

4. Pancake Breakfast on Sunday morning, Dec. 12, sponsored by the Brotherhood with special guests TOL members Jon and Jessica Artz. Jon is the director of the Family Shelter, and Jessica works for numerous environ-mental programs in the Columbia area including the Gill Creek Project.

To the Religious School staff, the Religious School Board, and my entire TOL family: Chag Chanukah

Samayach – have a joyous Chanukah and a very happy and safe New Year. Oh, and if you are looking for pre-sents, our Sisterhood Gift Shop run by Donna Magaro has a wonderful selection.

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RELIGIOUS SCHOOL NEWS

Chanukah comes “early” this year, if you believe

that all winter holidays should coincide with each other

and with winter school breaks. Chanukah comes right

on schedule, however, if you embrace the concept of the

Jewish calendar. Just in case Chanukah has crept up a

little too quickly for you, though, here are “Eight

Chanukah Talking Points” to help jumpstart any

Chanukah celebration!

1. Chanukah is an eight-day Jewish holiday that begins on

the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev. Where it falls

on our calendar varies because the Hebrew calendar runs on

a lunar cycle. This year the first night of Chanukah is

Dec. 1. Chanukah is also known as the “Festival of Lights”

or “Festival of Rededication.”

2. Chanukah is the Hebrew word for “dedication” and

celebrates the triumph of Judah Maccabee and his small

band of followers (the Maccabees) over the forces of the

Syrian King Antiochus more than 2,000 years ago.

3. Chanukah commemorates and champions the right to

religious freedom and cultural diversity. As a festival of

liberty, it celebrates the religious freedom of people every-

where.

4. Chanukah is celebrated for eight nights because, ac-

cording to tradition, oil was needed for the menorah (lamp)

in the Temple, which was supposed to burn throughout the

night every night. But the armies of Antiochus had

destroyed the Temple and the oil was spilled, leaving every-

one with the fear that there would not be enough oil to keep

the menorah lit. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days

until a fresh supply of oil could be obtained.

5. Modern day celebrations include the lighting of the

Chanukiah (a nine-branched menorah: one candle for each

night and a helper candle) and the saying of special bless-

ings. A regular menorah (symbol of Israel) has seven

branches.

6. The game of dreidel is played: a spinning top game

played with pennies, chocolate or even peanuts. The dreidel

will land on the letters nun, gimmel, hey or shin (standing

for “Nes Gadol Haya Sham – a great miracle happened

there”) and will win whatever is in the “pot.”

7. Chanukah is primarily a home festival, but is also

marked by community and synagogue celebrations. Gift

giving for each of the eight nights has become a common

practice that is also associated with the holiday.

8. Anything fried is traditionally eaten on Chanukah –

especially potato pancakes (latkes) and doughnuts.

There is a lot going on at Temple and in Religious

School during the first few weeks of December. Watch your

email for more information and reminders!

IMPORTANT TOL RS DATES IN DECEMBER

12/01-08: Light Chanukiyah with Waterford Residents at 6:30 p.m.

12/03: Annual Temple Chanukah Dinner at 6 p.m., followed by Family Service at 7 p.m.

12/05: RS at 9 a.m.; Chanukah Happening from 10 a.m.-noon with lunch; dismissal at 1 p.m.

Waterford Chanukah Celebration from 4-5:15 p.m.

12/08: Adult Beginners Hebrew at 7 p.m.; Beyond Beginners Hebrew at 8 p.m.

12/10: Kidz Shabbat at 6:45 p.m.; Childcare at 7:15 p.m.; Shabbat Services at 7:30 p.m.

12/11-12: TYG Area Lock-In for Grades 8-12

12/12: RS at 9 a.m. and Annual Pancake Breakfast

** Family Shelter “Giving to Make a Difference” Gifts need to be at Temple by this date

for delivery

12/15: Adult Beginners Hebrew at 6 p.m.; Beyond Beginners Hebrew at 6:45 p.m.

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YOUTH NEWS

COFTY is excited to announce that on Saturday evening, December 11 we will be hosting a “Lock-In” at Temple. Reform Jewish Temple youth from various congregations in the Carolinas will be attending. The all-night event will consist of fun activities and program-ming! The Lock-In will be for 8th – 12th graders. Look for updates on your email and Facebook!

COFTY would also like to thank the Brotherhood for inviting our youth group to participate in serving dinner on the night of November 6. We really enjoyed ourselves and learned a lot about customer service as well as what makes a great supper! Thank you for your support!

TYG NEWS

PLAN FOR AN INCREDIBLE

SUMMER OF 2011!

Believe it or not, it is not too early to begin thinking about a

Jewish summer sleep away camp for your child. Please keep in

mind these three Union for Reform Judaism Camps:

• URJ Camp Coleman in Cleveland, GA: our Southeast re-

gional camp for students in grades 3-10

• 6 Points Sports Academy in Greensboro, NC: a specialized

sports camp for Jewish kids in elementary and middle school

• Kutz Camp in Warwick, NY: NFTY’s national high school

leadership camp

All three camps offer an invaluable Jewish experience for our

youth. As a congregation, we are committed to helping provide our

children with this type of wonderful opportunity. Last year 14

TOL students attended a URJ camp. Financial aid is available! For

more information, please speak with Rabbi Sherman or Risa

Strauss.

TOL Religious School

Chanukah Happening

Sunday, December 05, 2010

For all children and their parents and friends!

Come and enjoy Chanukah candle lighting, games,

music (featuring the Four Fathers and Marvelous

Marvin Bienstock), skits, cookie decorating and

more. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. with a

Brotherhood sponsored latke and hot dog lunch.

Religious school begins at 9 a.m.

We will dismiss as usual at 1 p.m.

Please RSVP to Risa at Temple if your child

does not attend Religious School.

“And on the 25th day of Kislev…the sanctuary of God was dedi-

cated anew with song and music. Then Judah and his brothers

with all the people of Israel ordained that the days of the Dedi-

Join Tree of Life at a

“Chanukah Celebration” for all Waterford Senior Living

Community residents!

When: Sunday, December 5, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

What: A Chanukah party with potato pancakes, music, stories, candlelighting, dreidle and more! Come with your friends and share in this lovely tradition. (Coordinated by Temple mem-ber Eleanor Stein and the children and teachers of Grade 9.) In addition to our annual Chanukah party at the Water-ford, we are also or-ganizing a nightly candlelighting for the Jewish residents at the Waterford and their friends. We will be light-ing each evening from December 1-8 at 6:30 p.m. Please call Eleanor Stein at 800-7021 or email her at eleanorstein@gmail.com if you are interested in helping out with any of these mitzvah opportunities!

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TOL BROTHERHOOD REPORT

Join the Tree of Life Brotherhood. The Brotherhood is a support organization for the Temple and 100% of dues are used in supporting Temple activities. For more information about the Brotherhood, see Fulfillment of the Mission on the Brotherhood Web page. Come join us today! Dues are $18, but we are happy to accept more if so in-clined. You may send your check to the Tree of Life c/o Ed Hertz, and soon you will be able to pay your dues online. Look for more information in the near future. Mazel Tov to Hannah Amado, Joan Amado and Mary Helen Baum as cast members and crew of the play “An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein.” The play was a big success with 135 tickets sold, ap-proximately half of which were to people outside the Tree of Life Congregation. Thanks to all the Tree of Life members who came out and supported the play. The dinner theater was a big hit, and the bris-ket and vegetarian lasagna, prepared by Ed and Sandy Hertz, were all the rave. A special thanks to Ed Hertz, Brad Smith and David Carr for bringing the play to the Temple and their involvement in co-ordinating the play and dinner. Ed and Brad spent countless hours at the Temple while the theater group rehearsed. Watch the TOL Newsletter and website for information on future productions.

Sunday, Dec. 5 and 19 the next Brotherhood bicycle rides will leave at 9:30 from the Temple. The course will be from the Temple to Fort Jackson and back; we will ride approximately 20 to 30 miles at a 15 mph pace. All riders are welcome. It is recom-mended you contact David Carr if you are interested in riding so he can communicate any changes or up-dates.

Sunday, Jan. 23 Tree of Life will hold its an-nual Blood Drive from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. In 2010 there were 43 pints donated. Our goal for 2011 is 50. Please help us reach this goal. To be eligible to give, your last donation must have been prior to Nov. 21, 2010. At this time we are taking names of those interested in donating. If interested, please send an e-mail to BloodDrive@tolsc.org with your name, e-mail address, phone number and preferred donation time. We will be able to have four donors at a time with donation times on the hour, quarter past, half past, and quarter til the hour. In January we will begin to set the donation schedule. The schedule will be set based on preferred donation time in a first come first served basis – so get your name on the list early.

December 3 – Chair: Ilene King, Cheri Shapiro & Bradley Smith, Howard & Karyn Sheftman, Vladimir & Tat’Yana Shtessel, Jeff & Linda Silver, Jenny Savitz & Bradford Smith, Joseph & Terri Sobel

December 10 – Chair: Julie Strauss, Bethany & Steven Sorenson, David & Lora Stein, Linda & Jack Sterne, Debra & Jon Strombler, Lonnie & Steven Stout, Ned & Julie Strauss December 17 – Chair: Brad Smith, Deb & David Tedeschi, Lance & Barri Thompson, Svetlana Tsukhay & Anzhelika Jikhadze, Andy & Mindy Tucker, Joan Tucker, Travis & Lisa Wheeler December 24 – Chair: Kim Moses, Boris & Jane Veytskin, Andy & Jeanne Volin, Barbara & Frank Volin, Abe & Lois Wandersman, Richard & Nancy Wassermann, Teri & Shawn Youngstedt December 31 – Chair: Suzy Herzog, Todd & Heather Weiss, Howard Weiss, Pamela Weiss & Murray Mitchell, Dena & Rick Wessinger, Elisa & Paul Westfall, Hugh & Sara Wheeler Note: If you are unable to bake or purchase Oneg Shabbat refreshments you may donate $20.00. Homemade goods are always preferable. Checks need to be sent to the temple office two weeks prior to your Oneg Shabbat date. Thank you for your support.

ONEG SHABBAT HOSTS

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CHANUKAH 5771

Giving to Make a Difference

Please join the Tree of Life Religious School in helping families at the Family Shelter of Columbia enjoy a happy holiday season. Here is what to do in three easy steps: 1) Simply choose a family mem-ber or members card (one or more!) from the seven different families that we have adopted. 2) Write out info on the list near the display board (across from the Sanctuary) 3) Return by December 12 with a wrapped (generic winter wrap is fine) gift with adopted persons name attached.

Tzedakah is a commandment that all Jews share to provide for those in need. Thank you for sharing with others in our community during this winter season.

Questions? Please call

Jill Carr at 333-9101 or Risa at 787-2182

For more info about the Family Shelter of Columbia go to

www.columbiafamilyshelter.org THE GAME OF DREIDEL

The spinning game of dreidel has been popular for centuries.

The dreidel (“top”) has four sides, each with an imprinted Hebrew

letter. The letters on the dreidel stand for: “NEIS GADOL

HAYAH SHAM – A Great Miracle Happened There.” Begin the game by giving all players an equal number of pieces

(coins, candies, etc.). Each player must “ante

up” any time the pot in the middle is empty.

Players take turn spinning the dreidel until it

lands on:

NUN: “None” – get nothing

GIMMEL: “Get” – take the entire pot

HEY: “Half” – take half of the pot

SHIN: “Share” – put one in the pot

TREASURES FROM THE TREE

TOL’s Judaica Shop

Come see all the new and wonderful

items in the Judaica Shop. Special

displays and gifts for Chanukah are

available now: including chanukiyot

(Chanukah menorahs), candles, dreidels,

chocolate gelt, and more. Jewish Silly

Bands have arrived! It’s the best place in

Columbia to shop for Chanukah or for

any of your Judaica needs. Check out the

shop before Friday evening services and

on Sunday mornings. Stop by or call

Donna Magaro (781-9791) with

questions or to make an appointment!

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CHANUKAH 5771

TRADITIONAL POTATO PANCAKE RECIPE also known as Latkes (Yiddish) and Levivot (Hebrew) This is one of the most famous of Jewish foods and a spe-cialty of Chanukah. The latkes are served as an appetizer, as a side dish, and even for tea with a sprinkling of confectioners' sugar. They can be marvelous if properly prepared, just before eating. 2 lbs (1 kg) potatoes 2 large eggs Salt Oil for frying Peel and finely grate the potatoes. Put them straight into cold water, then drain and squeeze them as dry as you can by pressing them with your hands in a colander. This is to re-move the starchy liquid, which could make the latkes soggy. Beat the eggs lightly with salt, add to the potatoes, and stir well. Film the bottom of a frying pan with oil and heat. Take serving-spoonfuls, or as much as 1/4 cup (50 ml), of the mixture and drop into the hot oil. Flatten a little, and lower the heat so that the fritters cook through evenly. When one side is brown, turn over and brown the other. SERVES 6 Lift out and serve very hot. Latkes are often served with apple sauce, sour cream and even ketchup! VARIATION: You may add black pepper, chopped pars-ley, assorted chopped vegetables and/or finely chopped onion to the egg and potato mixture. For a really decadent meal, try eating corned beef sandwiched between 2 latkes with deli mustard! Adding 4 tablespoons of potato flour binds the pancakes into firmer, more compact cakes, easier to handle but not quite as lovely to eat. – — From The Book of Jewish Food (Knopf, Inc.) ROCK OF AGES / MAOZ TZUR

Mah-oz tzur ye-shu-a-ti,

le-chah nah-eh le-sha-bei-ach,

Ti-kon beit te-fi-la-ti,

ve-sham to-dah ne-za-bei-ach.

Le-eit tah-chin mat-bei-ach,

mi-tzar ha-me-na-bei-ach.

Az eg-mor, be-shir miz-mor,

cha-nu-kat ha-miz-bei-ach. {2x}

Rock of Ages, let our song Praise Your saving power; You, amid the raging foes, Were our sheltering tower. Furious they assailed us, But Your arm availed us.

And Your word broke their sword, } When our own strength failed. } 2x

CHANUKAH RECIPES & SONGS

CHANUKAH DREIDLE SANDWICHES

This is a fun idea for school lunches. Using Chanukah cookie cutters or scissors, make your own dreidle sandwiches. These can be made with regu-lar bread or pita bread. Works great with peanut butter and jelly, cheese, deli meat, or even with chummus. Be as creative as you want. Children can help in making their lunch! Great for those kids who prefer “crust-less” sandwiches!

ISRAELI SALAD

This light Israeli salad adds a healthy touch to the not-so-healthy fried foods of Chanukah. It is also a reminder that the Chanukah story took place in Israel.

2 cucumbers, diced 4 tomatoes, diced 6 scallions, chopped 2 green peppers, diced Salt and pepper to taste Juice of 2 lemons 1/3 cup olive oil Combine vegetables in a bowl. Season to taste and add lemon juice and olive oil. (For a little more zing, add some chopped green olives.) Serves 8. – From In the Jewish Tradition by Judith B. Fellner

I HAVE A LITTLE DREIDEL

I have a little dreidel, I made it out of clay And when it’s dry and ready then dreidel I shall play

O dreidel, dreidel, dreidel I made it out of clay

O dreidel, dreidel, dreidel Now dreidel I shall play

It has a lovely body, with leg so short and thin

And when it gets all tired, it drops and then I win O dreidel, dreidel, dreidel …

My dreidel’s always playful, it loves to dance and spin A happy game of dreidel – come play, now let’s begin!

O dreidel, dreidel, dreidel …

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WRJ SHABBAT SERVICE REPS

Dec. 3 – Amanda Hamilton

Dec. 10 – Yuliana Zulunova

Dec. 17 – Marcia Geers

Dec. 24 – Cheri Alexander

Dec. 31 – Jeannie Rubin

SISTERHOOD REPORT

To the ladies of the Tree of Life Congregation: the TOL Sisterhood/Women of Reform Judaism would very much like you to become part of the Sisterhood. As a member, you will enjoy a 25% discount on any single item from the Temple gift shop, you will have an opportunity to become a part of many inter-esting and enjoyable projects, and make a lasting contribution to our community. We hope you will join our members listed below, and truly become our sister.

Linda Ackerman Cheri Alexander Melanie Baker Kim Bannister Carol Barnett Barbara Becker Sherry Blenner Eleanor Bornstein Rimma Brandin Deborah Brett Marguerite Brill Ethel Brody Jocelyn Burg Nancy Cartiff Dana Cason Rebecca Coffman Myrna Cohen Carolyn Conway Carla Davis Jackie Dickman Sandra Euster Belle Fields Irene Fields Roberta Friedland Daniela Friedman Bessie Garber

Terry Garber Ann Gaton Gaynell Gavin Marcia Geers Karen Goldenfield Annette Goldstein Lois Green Debbie Greenhouse Amanda Hamilton Beth Helman Ellen Helman Sandy Hertz Suzy Herzog Carolyn Hudson Yuliana Iskhakov Diane Kall Beverly Kaplan Lisa Kaplan Debra Katzman Cohn Ilene King Sheila King Marisa Kornblut Donna Magaro Ruth Marcus Beth Maris Joan McGee

Marcia Medway Diane Mellitz Annabelle Mischner Cheryl Nail Irina Plotkin Arline Polinsky Harriet Posner Kay Radin Shumei Richman Linda Rodgers Jeannie Rubin Karen Russ Adele Salzberg Amy Scully Linda Silver Renee Stevens Julie Strauss Risa Strauss Ronda Sullivan Aileen Sunshine Joan Tucker Jeanne Volin Lea Weiner Elsie Wolff

TOL SISTERHOOD BOOK CLUB

The dates and books for the January and February TOL Sisterhood Book Club are as follows: • January 11, 2011 7 – 9 p.m. Just Revenge by Alan Dershowitz • February 9, 2011 7 – 9 p.m. Homesick by Eskol Neva If you have any questions, please leave a mes-sage for Amanda Hamilton at the TOL office.

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MEMBER NEWS

MAZEL TOV TO

Jessica & Jonathan Artz, on the birth of their son Miles Ernest Artz on Nov. 8, 2010.

REFUAH SHLEIMA

Get well wishes to TOL members recently hospitalized or at home recovering: Hal Birch and

Harriet Tischler

HONOR ROLL

We salute and thank our wonderful volunteers!

Office – Mary Helen Baum and Sandy Hertz Hospital Calls –Sandy Hertz

CONDOLENCES TO

Marguerite Brill and Alan & Susan Brill, on the loss of their sister and aunt Evelyn Shugar Brauer. Tom & Joan McGee, on the loss of Tom’s cousin Jan Hertwick. Ann & Marc Posner, on the loss of Marc’s sister Arlene Simons. Debbie Ritter and family, on the loss of her father Leon Ritter.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW TOL MEMBERS

William & Tirza Leader LA & Bruce Miller

Eric Mendel Dec. 1 Marilyn Barkan Dec. 4 Annabelle Bennett Dec. 4 Ned Strauss Dec. 4 Joan Amado Dec. 6 Samuel Selig Dec. 6 Benjamin Ginsberg Dec. 7 Anselle Reece Blackmon Dec. 8 Max Miller Dec. 8 Jeffrey Moses Dec. 8 Leeds Barroll Dec. 9 Sara Schwebel Dec. 9 Abigail Crawford Dec. 10 Brian Glavey Dec. 10 Karen Nisenbaum Beattie Dec. 10 David Bergmann Dec. 11 Neil Parks Dec. 11

Hannah Rapport Dec. 12 Janna Sherman Dec. 12 Harvey Helman Dec. 14 Joan Tucker Dec. 14 Steve Cohen Dec. 15 Andrew Beattie Dec. 16 Albert Cohen, Jr. Dec. 16 Belle Fields Dec. 17 Roberta Friedland Dec. 18 Walton Selig Dec. 18 Barb Levy Dec. 19 Pam Feuerstein Dec. 20 Keya Novinbakht Dec. 20 Irina Volynets Dec. 20 Roger Kuperman Dec. 21 Norma Higgins Dec. 22 Helga Cohen Dec. 23

Paul Feirstein Dec. 23 Lance Thompson Dec. 24 Irwin Boxt Dec. 25 Rabbi Leah Doberne-Schor Dec. 25 Judy Kalb Dec. 25 Hannah Amado Dec. 26 Lyle Browne Dec. 26 Ed Rothschild Dec. 26 Boris Veytskin Dec. 26 Violette Chartock Dec. 27 David Weiner Dec. 27 Nathaniel Cason Dec. 28 Bessie Garber Dec. 28 Marcia Medway Dec. 28 Jennifer King Dec. 30 Abby McConahay Dec. 30 Allen Alexander Dec. 31 Matthew Scully Dec. 31

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Barbara & Bill Rast Dec. 14 Cheryl & Allan Nail Dec. 18 Gwen & Sid Sasiene Dec. 19 Sandy & Ed Hertz Dec. 20 Janet & Michael Paul Dec. 21 Kay & Ira Radin Dec. 22

Arline & Jerry Polinsky Dec. 26 Cyndi & Greg Katz Dec. 27 Phyllis & Stephen Friedman Dec. 28 Morgan & Rabbi Daniel Sherman Dec. 28 Terry & Ron Garber Dec. 31

DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

New Jewish Student Chaplain appointed at USC

Mazal Tov to Rabbi Leah Doberne-Schor, who has been appointed as an Associate Chaplain at the University of

South Carolina. The Jewish Studies Program and the Hillel Student Organization at USC are extremely excited about

the immediate prospects for advancing Jewish student life on the Columbia campus. Rabbi Doberne-Schor is looking

forward to working with the Jewish students at the University of South Carolina.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

TUESDAYS WITH FRIENDS

Tuesday, December 7 11:30a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Chanukah Celebration

Come join us for a delicious lunch, some entertainment and education!

Great people! Great food! All for only $4 bucks!

This program is funded in part with a grant from the BJH Foundation for Senior Services and the Columbia Jew-

ish Federation.

Please RSVP to Beth Shalom Synagogue 782-2500.

DO YOU REMEMBER THE

HEYWARD STREET TEMPLE?

The Tree of Life Congregation’s second synagogue building,

now home of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia,

is located at 2701 Heyward Street. The custodian of our building

was and remains Mr. John Squire. On Sunday, December 5 at

11:00 a.m. there will be a special service at the UUCC in honor

of John Squire’s retirement. TOL members who remember John

are encouraged to attend and to share their memories. Please speak

with Rabbi Sherman for more details.

JFS NEEDS CHRISTMAS VOLUNTEERS

Help the staff of the Ronald McDonald House spend the Christmas holiday with their families and friends by volunteer-ing to watch the house. Volunteer shifts are available from 8:00 a.m. on Dec. 24 to 4:00 p.m. on Dec. 25. Youth are welcome to volunteer with parent supervision. Please contact Sarah Moran at 787-2023 ext. 220 or sarahm@jcccolumbia.org for more infor-mation or to sign up for a shift.

THE HOLOCAUST IN EUROPE

Educational Trip Planned

for the Summer of 2011 This guided tour of Berlin, Krakow, War-saw, and Prague is being put together by Co-lumbia College and sponsored by the South Carolina Council on the Holocaust. The dates for the trip are July 18-31, 2011, and the cost is $3,995. For more information, please con-tact Barbara Parker at 786-3785 or bparker@columbiasc.edu.

CAMP CHAVERIM – THE WINTER

CAMP EXPERIENCE

Swimming … Arts & Crafts … Sports & Games … So Much More

Katie & Irwin Kahn Jewish Community Center

December 20-23, 27-31

Pick the days that fit your schedule!

Ages 2 – 15 Members: $35/day Non-Members: $45/day

(sibling discounts available)

Joint Annual Meeting of the

Columbia Jewish Federation

& Jewish Community Center

Thursday, January 6, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.

Please join us for our Annual Meeting and participate in our Retirement Celebration for Executive Director Steve Terner. For more information, please call 787-2023.

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November 5

Linda & Allan Ackerman, Rene Dunlop & family, and Natalie Solomon & family, in memory of Jean Helman & Nathan Helman Richard & Ellen Helman, in memory of Jean Helman Harvey & Beth Helman, in memory of Jean Helman Marcia Geers, in memory of Herbert Stern Ross Lynch, in memory of Bert Lynch & Shirley Lynch Jan Rivers, in memory of Arthur Park Aileen Sunshine, in memory of Min Swartz Ida Weisberg, in memory of Mollie Greenberg Howard Weiss, in memory of Nettie Weiss

November 12 Cindy & Joel Becker and Tiffany & Caleb Wood, in memory of James McCall Cathie Friebert & Allyson Belasco, in memory of Simon Belasco Karen, Mark, Aaron, & Cheryl Goldenfield, in memory of Pearl Atran Murray Politis, in memory of David Politis Sarra & Feliks Rabinovich & family, in memory of Volf Volfson The Reyner family, in memory of Alan Jay Reyner The Reyner family, in memory of Tobae Love Reyner The Reyner family, in memory of Jeffrey Love Reyner Gwen, Sid, & Matt Sasiene, in memory of Mary C. Hagenbuch Igor & Irina Volynets, in memory of Hilya Luchina Abe & Lois Wandersman, in memory of Hadassah Wandersman November 19 Meri Gergel and Richard & Belinda Gergel, in memory of Sam Friedman Revera Wayburn, in memory of Richard Wayburn

November 26

Karen, Mark, Aaron, & Cheryl Goldenfield, in memory of Rae Goldenfield Lewis & Maryann Lapine, in memory of Selma Lapine Stephen Merlin, in memory of Julia Merlin Ron Prinz, in memory of Erwin Prinz Gary & Joel Silverfield, in memory of Mildred Silverfield *name memorialized by a plaque in the sanctuary

BIMAH FLOWERS YAHRZEITS

December 3 – Jim Frea, Betty Lefkowitz*, Sarah Bazer-man*, Charles Reyner, Sr.*, Carol Barkan, Robert S. Fried-man, Joseph Harold Ginsberg, Sadye C. Green*, Pauline Karp Schulman, Claire Boxt*, Honey Halpern, Beatrice Perl Lindau*, Richard Herzog, Tillie W. Kaufman*, Viola W. Levenson, Jeannette Rosichan*, Roma Arov December 10 – Israel Merlin, Laura Zaidman*, Theodore Kole*, Max Krautler*, Ben Stern, Minnie Brown, Sam Cohen, Joseph Nifoussi, Giza Nisenholz, Sylvia Rosh, Louis Burger*, Joseph George Helman*, Clyde F. Quick, Mamie K. Tolochko*, Louis Kohn*, Sonya Rabinovich, Philip Turner, Sophie Goldblatt*, Herschel Hark*, Henry Hennig*, Libby Paul*, Jack Sullivan

December 17 – Lena W. Hennig*, Alfred Gabali, Ben Levin*, Russell Sheckler, Sheila Nudelman, Helen Spencer, Pauline Wheeler, Betty Lee Schlager, Louis Burns Simmons*, Julius Winter*, Jack Lapine*, Margaret Jill Coggeshall, Meyer Loeb* December 24 – Stanley Abrams*, Clara Blick, Rose Hafter, Arnold David Lutz*, Morris Rubenstein, Hyman Rubin, Sr., Georgianne Schwartz, Jacob Blick, Anna Chaves Halprin*, Yefim Khaim Krupnik, Eleanor Lerner Bush, Myron Bernard Kahn*, Albert Schwartz*, Alfred Brauer, Eugene Kreiselman, Stephen Mendel*, Sylvia Savitz*, Sarah Schwartz, Tzila Arov, Ida Read Savitz*, Abraham Schulman*, Solomon Lourie, Julie Nathanson

December 31 – Charles Bradford, Jr., Ina Chernoff, Murray King, Bertha M. Kole*, J.T. Pearlstine*, Rona Russ, Marian V. Waxelbaum*, Herbert Young, Morris Chernikoff, Rhea S. Wittenberg*, Zachary Moses Bazer-man*, David E. Cohn*, Jacob J. Freedman, David Moss, Goldie Slone, Helen Poole Womersley*, Hilde Brauer, Benjamin Dunay*, Julian Hennig, Jr.*, Abraham Nisen-holz, Sarah Plavin, Hugo Wolf Terner*, Nathan C. Bass*, Frances Berry, Isidore Circus*, Gertrude Coplan*, Louis Coplan*, Moe Finkelstein*, Joseph Groeschel*, Arthur Gross, Lillian Helman*, Benjamin King, Morris Sheftman*

THE BIG NOSH —- Tree of Life Congregation’s Jewish Cultural and Food Festival

Sunday, April 10, 2011 The BIG NOSH will be even bigger and better this year, as we build on last year’s success. Please plan on helping out and supporting TOL’s biggest event of the year. Lots of volunteer opportunities are available and needed. More de-tails to follow soon!

14

We gratefully acknowledge the following thoughtful donations:

General Fund

Barbara & Meyer Drucker, in honor of Myrna & Richard Cohen’s 40th wedding anniversary TOL Brotherhood TOL Sisterhood, in memory of Abdollah Novinbakht High Holy Day Fund

Howard & Hilary Levinson David & Debra Tedeschi Rabbi Marcus’s Discretionary Fund

Beth & Harvey Helman, get well wishes to Ruth Marcus Rabbi Sherman’s Discretionary Fund

Father William Anderson Beth & Greg Crawford, in memory of Goldie Langer Morris Beth & Harvey Helman, in memory of Ruth Bazerman Beth & Harvey Helman, in memory of Goldie Langer Morris Beth & Harvey Helman, in memory of Charlotte Steingold Beth & Harvey Helman, in memory of Iloean Shultz Kim Moses, in appreciation of High Holy Day honor

Religious School Fund

TOL Sisterhood, in memory of Bernard Kline Sisterhood Courtesy Fund

Barry & Eleanor Bornstein, in loving memory of Larry Nadel’s father Frank & Melanie Baker, in honor of the investiture of Richard Gergel as a Federal Judge Frank & Melanie Baker, in memory of Goldie Langer Morris Sukkah Plaza Brick

Nancy Polinsky Johnson & family, in honor of Jerry Polinsky’s 80th birthday

Youth Activities Fund

Rob & Amy Scully, in memory of Goldie Langer Morris Rob, Amy, & Matthew Scully, Happy Birthday to Jerry Polinsky

CONTRIBUTIONS

On Friday, November 5, Richard Gergel was sworn into office as a United States District Judge for South Carolina in a beautiful and moving ceremony of investiture. The ceremony was for both of South Caro-lina’s newest Federal Judges, Richard and the Honor-able J. Michelle Childs. The oath of office was admin-istered by Senior U.S. District Judge, the Honorable Matthew J. Perry, Jr. at the Matthew J. Perry, Jr. United States Courthouse. The courthouse was filled with lo-cal and state leaders and dignitaries. Participating in the ceremony were U.S. Representative James Clyburn as well as the Chief Justice of the South Carolina Su-preme Court, the Honorable Jean H. Toal. Richard and Belinda Gergel were so pleased and honored to have their family present, including Meri Gergel, their sons

Richie & Joseph Gergel, as well as Richard’s siblings and extended family. Also in attendance were many TOL members to support Richard on this historic day. Rabbi Daniel Sherman offered the benediction to con-clude the ceremony. The office of U.S. District Judge is one of the most prestigious in the country and carries a lifetime appointment. We are very proud of Richard – who grew up at the Tree of Life, has twice served as president of the congregation, and co-wrote with Belinda the history of TOL – and wish him all the best in his new position. We know he will do an out-standing job and will work hard to fulfill the challenge of our Torah: “justice, justice shall you pursue.”

MAZAL TOV TO THE HONORABLE RICHARD M. GERGEL!

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Chanukah

begins at sundown

2 Chanukah 3 Chanukah

6:00pm Dinner

7:00pm Shabbat Service

4 Chanukah

5 Chanukah

9:30am Brotherhood Bicycle Ride

6 Chanukah

Bucks Back Order Deadline

7 Chanukah

7:00pm Sisterhood

Board Meeting

8 Chanukah

7:00pm

Introduction to Hebrew 8:00pm

Beyond Beginners

9 10 6:45pm

KIDZ Shabbat

7:30pm Shabbat Service

11 TYG Lock-In

12 TYG Lock-In

9:00am

RS Pancake Breakfast

11:00am

Brotherhood Board Meeting

13

Bucks Back

Order Deadline

14 15 6:00pm

Introduction to Hebrew 6:45pm

Beyond Beginners

6:30pm

Executive Board

7:30pm Board of Directors

16 17 7:30pm

Shabbat Service

18 10:00am

Shabbat Morning Service &

Torah Study

19 9:30am

Brotherhood Bicycle Ride

20 21 22 23 24 7:30pm

Shabbat Service

25

26 27 28 29 30 31 6:00pm

Shabbat Service (Temple Office Closed)

December 2010

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DIRECTORY

COMMITTEE CHAIRS Endowment………………………………….…Ned Strauss Finance………………………………...………..Peter Kline Fundraising…………………………...……….Scott Kaplan House & Ground………………..………..…G. Todd Weiss Membership…………………...……………...Laney Cohen Outreach…………………………………....Debra Tedeschi Religious School Board……………………..….Kim Moses Ritual…………………………….……….....Richard Cohen Social Action…………………………………….Ilene King Temple Youth Group……………………….…..Bill Strauss AFFILIATES

Brotherhood President………………………….Brad Smith Sisterhood President..………..………...….Linda Ackerman COFTY President……………………………..Jessica Volin TOL NEWSLETTER

Design...…..……………………………….Morgan Sherman Proofreader……..………………..…………....Marc Rapport TEMPLE STAFF Office Manager……………………………...Linda Frederico Custodian………………..…………..….....Demitris Gilmore TEMPLE MUSICIANS Music Director……………………...…...…Sharon Witherell Music Director Emeritus………………......…Jackie McNeill

TREE OF LIFE CONGREGATION Established 1896

6719 North Trenholm Road Columbia, SC 29206

Office: (803) 787-2182 Fax: (803) 787-0309

Website: www.tolsc.org Email: tolcong@bellsouth.net

Office Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Friday 8:30 am – 4 p.m.

Closed daily 12 noon – 1 p.m.

RABBI Daniel M. Sherman rabbisherman@bellsouth.net RABBI EMERITUS Sanford T. Marcus, D.D. Risa Strauss, RELIGIOUS SCHOOL DIRECTOR risatol@bellsouth.net

OFFICERS

PRESIDENT………….…………………………….…….Jeff Selig jhselig@bellsouth.net 1ST VICE PRESIDENT…………..………………...Debra Tedeschi 2ND VICE PRESIDENT….………………..…….Annette Goldstein TREASURER………………………..………....….....Paul Westfall SECRETARY…………………………..…...….............Bill Strauss IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT………………….....Amy Scully

BOARD MEMBERS

Michelle Bowen Scott Kaplan David Carr Donna Magaro Laney Cohen Kim Moses Richard Cohen Arline Polinsky Richard H. Cohn Marc Rapport Deborah Greenhouse Julie Strauss LIFETIME BOARD MEMBERS Bernard Fleischman, Jr., Stephen Savitz, Howard Weiss

Tree of Life Congregation 6719 North Trenholm Road Columbia, SC 29206 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

COLUMBIA, SC

PERMIT #121