VOLUME 58 EDITION 1

1 September 2015

17 Elul 5776

Congregation Sha’arai Shomayim Founded 1844

Springhill Avenue Temple

The Temple Bulletin

springhillavenuetemple.com

We are coming together as a caring, inclusive community united in a common commitment to Judaism and to

furthering our spiritual growth. We desire to do this recognizing that worship of God, study of Torah, caring for the

Jewish people and our community, are central to our being as a Reform Jewish congregation. With these principles

as our foundation and guided by a historic past, we anticipate our future, one of continual lifelong self-renewal.

RELIGIOUS SERVICES

Friday, September 4 6:00 p.m. Selichot Service Friday, September 11 6:00 p.m. Family Friendly “Meet the Rabbi”

Shabbat Evening Service *Sunday, September 13 7:00 p.m. Erev Rosh Hashanah Service *Monday, September 14 9:00 a.m. Rosh Hashanah Children’s Service

10:00 a.m. Rosh Hashanah Morning Service Friday, Setpember 18 6:00 p.m. Shabbat Evening Service *Sunday, September 20 9:00 a.m. Memorial Service

Springhill Avenue Temple Cemetery *Tuesday, September 22 7:00 p.m. Kol Nidre Service *Wednesday, September 23 9:00 a.m. Yom Kippur Children’s Service

10:00 a.m. Yom Kippur Morning Service Friday, September 25 6:00 p.m. Shabbat Evening Service

*Please note special times for services in bold.

The Temple offices will be closed on Monday, September 14th

in observance of Rosh Hashanah and

on Wednesday, September 23rd in observance of Yom Kippur.

Torah Selection:

Deuteronomy 26:1–29:8

Haftarah – Isaiah 60:1-22

ALL SHABBAT SERVICES ARE CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES.

PLEASE JOIN US IN WORSHIP

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FROM THE RABBI

osh Hashanah is almost upon us and

we all feel an obligation to go to

Temple to pray to God for the ability to

forgive and repent. These are difficult

skills and there are many understandings of

just how this can and should be done. We

know that we need to take time out to

reflect on the year that has past. There are all sorts of questions that float

through our minds. Were we disappointed

by something this past year that has caused

us great concern? Did we lose a loved one

that has left a gaping hole in our lives?

Did we do something bad that we know we

should not have done? Is there some other

action we took that we are not sure if it

was okay to do or not? Alternatively, has

something wonderful happened this past

year? Have we experienced great joy in

our own accomplishments or the

accomplishments of loved ones? Do we

have inspiring stories to tell? We want to answer all of these questions

on the High Holy Days, also referred to as

Yomaim Noraim, the Days of Terror or

more popularly the Days of Awe. But

when we think about the shortness of our

lives and the responsibility that we have to

make them the

best lives that we can possibly make them,

it is a terrible responsibility. We need to

focus, so that we can evaluate what we are

doing right and what we really need to do

better. So when we hear the shofar

sounding we are reminded that we need to

think a little deeper about what we are

doing – and not doing. We all know that when we swim out too

far the lifeguard will blow his whistle and

we are instantaneously awakened from our

reverie. We suddenly realize that we have

floated out into deeper water and need to

swim back before the sharks get you. That

is what the sounding of the shofar is meant

to accomplish. The deep water, the sharks,

and the lifeguard’s whistle, all stand for

different symbolic meanings depending on

each of our lives; but they all indicate that

some of the things we do are clearly

beneficial to ourselves and our society,

while others are more questionable.

Blessed are the people who both hear and

internalize the sound of the shofar and try

to take its message to heart for we walk by

the light of God. I want to wish everyone a happy and sweet

New Year and a successful period of

introspection, repentance, and renewal.

Shanah Tova!

Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan

Welcome Our Newest Members

William Baron Daryn Glassbrook Dianna Kubat

6355 McMurray Place South 214 Upham Street, #16B 901 Regents Drive East

Mobile, AL 36609 Mobile, AL 36607 Mobile, AL 36609

860-690-2558 413-346-3814 405-249-5369

R

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FROM OUR PRESIDENT

s we approach the end of summer, the

kids are back in school, the High

Holidays are upon us , and things are

getting busy around the Temple! Actually,

things are pretty busy around the Temple

already. Attendance at the services has

been great the last few weeks - and that is

in the summer! I am really optimistic to see

how things are "picking up" up at Sha’arai

Shomayim. I think this is a trend that will

continue. We have so much to be excited

about. First off, our new Rabbi has been very well

received by everyone. I personally enjoy

his services very much and he is a pleasure

to be around - nice job by the search

committee. We also have a beautifully

restored facility. Our Temple has always

been a beautiful facility and now, with the

updates and restoration from the tornado, I

would venture to say we have one of the

most beautiful Houses of Worship in the

city. Take advantage of being a member of

Alabama's oldest Jewish congregation.

The holidays are here. I urge everyone to

make a donation to the Annual Tribute

Fund. As you may or may not know, the

Tribute Fund is a budgeted item and we

need these donations to help pay for our

expenses. What are the chances of having

100% participation if YOU don't donate?

Let's do it. Let's make it a 100%! Please,

do what you can. In the coming months we will have

increased programming at the Temple. We

are going to have fun and educational

programs. Please join the many that are

already participating. I want to thank those that responded to my

committee letter. The response was very

good and those that have responded will be

hearing from us soon. If you didn't respond

you still have time to. Certainly there is

something on that list you may be interested

in. Take a look. See ya around the Temple!

Alan V Hirsch, President

Calling all Sisterhood Bakers!!

Please help make our New Year even sweeter by bringing in

baked goods for our annual Erev Rosh Hashanah Oneg Sunday,

September 13th. We welcome all baked goods, crackers and

dips, cheeses, breads, and fruit. You may either drop off after 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, September

13th or bring your goodies with you to Services. This event is highly anticipated by all of our members and we

thank you in advance for helping to continue this beautiful

Springhill Avenue Temple Sisterhood tradition.

A

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FROM OUR ARCHIVES

By Susan Thomas, Archivist

he Archives receives several requests

each year from families trying to locate

their Jewish ancestors. Sometimes, I am able

to help them find out more about their

relatives, based on Temple records and

documents. Other times, I am not as

successful. Recently, we experienced a

“success story” in matching up people with

information. In 2011, Leo Drum, cousin of our late Sam

Eichold, donated to the Archives five letters

he had purchased off of eBay. Four of these

were written in 1907 and were addressed to

Mrs. Emanuel (Augusta) Eichold,

congratulating her on the birth of her

daughter, Gabriella Eichold. The fifth was

written five years later and was addressed to

the child Gabriella, from a local physician,

Dr. C.H. Mastin. Mr. Drum explained that

Emanuel was a “third or fourth” cousin to his

family. He knew that the daughter Gabriella

grew up to marry Albert Ash of Birmingham

and that they had one child, a daughter. Mr.

Drum believed the daughter, as well as the

rest of the family, had since died. Recently, I was contacted by a woman from

Virginia, who is the daughter of Gabriella and

Albert Ash and the granddaughter of Augusta

and Emanuel Eichold. She is searching for

information on her grandparents. Although

her mother Gabriella left the Jewish faith, this

woman is trying to reconnect with her Jewish

heritage. In looking through our records for

information on her family, I came across the

letters donated by Mr. Drum. I contacted the woman from Virginia and told

her about the letters and shared with her other

information we have on her family. She was

extremely excited to know we had these links

to her family’s history. She had never met

Mr. Drum but looks forward to possibly

talking with him about their connections. She

laughed when I told her Mr. Drum had

thought she was deceased. I am currently in

the process of copying information on her

relatives to send her. In talking with her, she

shared more information about the family of

Emanuel and Augusta, which we did not

previously have. In connecting up with this

woman not only were we able to help her with

her research, she was able to help us gain

information about an early family of the

congregation. This was indeed an Archives

“success story!”

MAZEL TOV! to Nancy and Charlie Brown on the birth of their twin

grandsons, Emmett and Grayson.

Jewish Family Services of Mobile From time to time, we all develop life situations that we need some help

with. Talking out problems often helps. JFS provides you with

information, assistance and direction. If you or someone you know needs assistance, please contact Laura

Golovin-Greer at 251 219-8699 or 228 219- 0035. The Rabbis are also

available to help you. All contacts are confidential.

T

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From Our Sisterhood & Men’s Club

By Iris Ginsberg, Sisterhood President and

Nate Ginsberg, Men’s Club President The Men’s Club and Sisterhood “Opening Brunch” was a great success. A big “thank you” to

everyone who attended and a special thanks to Chef Mike Periera and Chef Nate Ginsberg for

the great salami and eggs - it was a real treat! We are obtaining quotes regarding the painting of the Temple’s bathrooms, which are expected

by September 1st and hopefully they will be painted before the High Holy Days. The Men’s Club is in need of ushers for the High Holy Day services. So, if you are interested in

volunteering, please give Nate Ginsberg a call at 776-7866. Additionally, the Men’s Club is planning a Sukkot picnic. Chefs Ginsberg and Pereira will be

cooking up hot dogs with all the trimmings on Friday, October 2nd with the Family Sukkot to be

setup outside. Also on the agenda, the Men’s Club and Sisterhood are planning the Scholar-in-Residence

Program dinner for October 9th, more details will follow.

Separate announcements will be sent out to the congregation as we get closer to the actual event

dates.

2015 - 5776 New Year’s Greetings

Due to the early arrival of Emmett and Grayson, Nancy and Charlie Brown’s

twin grandsons, the New Year’s Greetings

will be published in the October Temple Bulletin.

Again, Mazel Tov and congratulations to the proud grandparents,

Nancy and Charlie Brown!

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The Fran and Paul Brown Scholar-In-Residence

presents

Amy-Jill Levine

University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies

E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of New Testament Studies

Professor of Jewish Studies

Vanderbilt Divinity School and College of Arts and Sciences.

Lecture at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, October 9, 2015

Springhill Avenue Temple

followed by a very special oneg

The Shabbat Evening Service will begin at 7:00 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW

YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS THIS!

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Babysitting Schedule - 2015 High Holy Day

We encourage families to be together for High Holy Day services, but if you have little ones that

need babysitting, we’ll help out! We will provide babysitting services for children, ages 3 – 9,

who are potty-trained. Bring the snacks and we will provide the juice!

Rosh Hashanah Service Time Babysitting Hours

Sunday, September 13 7:00 p.m. 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Saturday, September 14 9:00 a.m. Children’s Service

10:00 a.m. Regular Service 9:30 a.m. until end

of services Yom Kippur Service Time Babysitting Hours

Tuesday, September 22 7:00 p.m. 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 23 9:00 a.m. Children’s Service

10:00 a.m. Regular Service 9:30 a.m. until end

of services

2:30 p.m. Concluding Service 2:00 p.m. until end

of services

It is IMPERATIVE that you call to reserve a spot for your child. If no reservations are

made, there will be no babysitter on site. Please do not just drop off your child without

making a reservation. We need to have an appropriate number of babysitters on hand and

the space to ensure the safety and comfort of your children. Please call 478-0415 to RSVP.

Thank you!

OUR BEST WISHES FOR A HEALTHY

AND SWEET NEW YEAR!

The Temple Gift Shop has a great selection of apple and honey plates for

Rosh Hashanah, plus many gifts for all life cycle events.

Our prices are competitive and your Temple benefits by your support.

Amy Friedlander and Deborah Sack

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YAHRZEIT

It is a true Mitzvah to honor those whose memory we hold dear by

attending services on the Shabbat Yahrzeit (year’s time),

joining your congregation in reciting Kaddish,

and the giving of charity in their memory.

September 4

Irving Jacob Buchman, Martin Dreyfus,

Amelia Loeb, David Conrad, Nell Schoonderbeek,

Fanny S. Fuller

September 11

Samuel Brown, Sarah Altman, Lillian Cherkes Paper,

Esther Devora Friedlander, Ruth Lamensdorf,

Arthur Angstreich, Sue O’desky, Henry Jake Stern,

Alvin Miller, Dolores Schatten, Henry Gaggstatter

September 18

Jennie Nussbaum, Samuel Nussbaum, Samuel Friedman,

Jacob Koffler, David Friedlander

September 25

Julius Marx, Ruth Brown, Dora Levine,

Robert Nathan Handmacher, Gus Small, Adolph Rubel,

Nathan Friedlander

October 2

Dorys Seelig, Ida Kelsey,

David Levine, Joshua Marcus,

Leonard Seiken, Elaine Homonoff Sokol,

Naomi Homonoff Stern, Gizella Keller,

Leon Mishkin, Bessie Friedlander,

Marie Silberstein Herman

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2015 - 5776 ROSH HASHANAH HOME SERVICE

On Monday, September 14th, the Holy Day table should hold two candles, a cup of wine, two

round challahs (baked especially for the New Year), a sliced apple and a dish of honey.

Before lighting the candles, the following blessing is read:

With the setting of this evening’s sun, united with Jews of every place and time, we proclaim a

New Year of hope. Lord of the universe, let Your light and Your truth come forth to lead us.

These flames we kindle are a symbol of Your eternal flame; may they open our eyes to the good

we must do, moving us to work for harmony and peace, and so making the world bright with

Your presence.

Boruch Atah Adonoy Eloheynu Melach Haolam Asher Kid’shanu B’mitzvotav V’tsivanu L’hadlik

Ner Shel Yom Tov.

Blessed is the Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, by whose Mitzvot we are hallowed, who

commands us to kindle the lights of Yom Tov.

Boruch Atah Adonoy Eloheynu Melech Haolam

She-he-che-yanu V’kiycmanu V’higiyanu Lazman Hazeh.

Blessed art Thou O Lord, our God, King of the universe, who has kept us alive, preserved us,

and enabled us to reach this season.

The following blessing for the wine is recited:

Boruch Atah Adonoy Eloheynu Melech Haolam Borey Piree Hagafen.

Blessed art Thou O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has created the fruit of the vine.

ALL PARTAKE OF THE WINE

One of the children dips a slice of apple in honey and says:

Boruch Atah Adonoy Eloheynu Melech Haolam Borey Piree Haeyts.

Blessed art Thou O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has created the fruit of the tree.

ALL PARTAKE OF THE FRUIT AND HONEY

Another reads: “May it be Thy will, O Lord, our God, and God of our fathers, to renew us a

sweet, happy and pleasant year.”

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YOM KIPPUR HOME SERVICE

Yom Kippur, which begins Wednesday, September 23rd, is the one religious occasion which is

observed almost entirely in the Temple. However, the meal which precedes the fast (Yom

Kippur Eve) is meant to be a spiritual experience for the entire family.

MEMORIAL LIGHT

It is customary to light a memorial light before we kindle the Yom Kippur candles.

Holy day candles are kindled and the following blessings are recited

Baruch Atah Adonay Eloheynu Melech Haolam

Asher Kidshanu B’mitzvotav V’tzivanu L’hadlik

Ner Shel ShabbatVeshel Yom Ha-Kippurim.

Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by thy laws and

commanded us to kindle the lights of Shabbat and Yom Kippur.

Baruch Atah Adonoy Eloheynu Melech Haolam

She-he-che-yanu V’kiyemanu V’higiyanu Lazman Hazeh.

Blessed art Thou O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has kept us alive, preserved us, and

enabled us to reach this season.

BLESSING THE CHILDREN

It is a beautiful tradition before Kol Nidre for parents to bless their children by placing hands on

each one.

For sons, say - “May God make you a true and faithful son of Israel, as were Ephraim and

Menasseh, the sons of Joseph.”

For daughters, say - “May God make you a true and faithful daughter of Israel, as were our

mothers, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah.”

At that time, too, members of the family ask each other for forgiveness for the hurts done,

knowingly or unknowingly, during the year.

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CONTRIBUTIONS

In honor of the marriage of Ben & Jennifer Fetterman – Jean Fry Congratulations to Nancy &Charlie Brown on the birth of their twin grandson, Emmett and

Grayson – Iris & Nate Ginsberg A plaque has been placed in honor of Lynn Besen DeLuca’s 70th birthday – Francine Stern

and Adam Millman In honor of Elaine & Ron Berman’s anniversary – Mary Ann Friedlander In honor of Sandra & Harvey Gandler’s anniversary – Harriet & William Kahn In honor of the Berkins’ 55th anniversary – Harriet & William Kahn In honor of Amy & Jack Friedlander’s anniversary – Mary Ann Friedlander In honor of Suzy & Craig Ginsberg’s anniversary – Mary Ann Friedlander A speedy recovery for Mark Opatow – David Rose Donation to the Archives Fund – Gwendolyn Arthur In memory of Lois Johnston – Felicia & Tom Johnston, Tina & David Johnston and Mark

Johnston In memory of Frances Hyman – Marian & Mark Berkin In memory of Helen Small – Mary Ann Friedlander, Mr. & Mrs. Alan Franco,

Jenny & Gary Rich, Cindy & Phil Magnes, Ellie & Cole Appelman In memory of Violet Hirsch – Mary Ann Friedlander, Mr. & Mrs. Alan B. Young, Max Franco,

Mr & Mrs. Alan Franco, Eli, Paul, Leslie, and Justin Franco, Brian Franco, Renie & Bob Topper,

Ellie & Cole Appelman In memory of Paul Brown - Sue Brown In memory of Benjamin Gold – Priscilla Gold-Darby In memory of Arnold Heart – Judi & Paul Bergman In memory of Anna Berkower – Phylllis Stern In memory of Ruby Stern – Phyllis Stern In memory of Anne Bergman – Judi & Paul Bergman In memory of George Wagenheim – Iris & Albert Klein In memory of J.B. Friedlander – Emily & Harold Fink In memory of Anne Teles Fink Aratchofsky – Emily & Harold Fink In memory of ReubenKamil – Emily & Harold Fink

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September Birthdays and Anniversaries

Happy Birthday To ...

1 Jacob Holberg 12 Lila Sack

2 Benjamin Frenkel 13 Madelyn Blayre Friedlander

4 Jon Fusco 18 Cindy Magnes

4 Mona Loeser 19 Brad Barkin

5 Sam Feibelman, Jr. 19 Jordan Barkin

5 Matthew Weinstein 19 Bill Denson

5 Buzzy Zivitz 22 William Kahn

6 Craig Ginsberg 22 Megan Moore

7 Iris Klein 23 Amanda Miller

8 Richard Frank 23 Adrian Pereira

9 Steven Hirsch 25 Samuel Eberlein

10 Aaron Ayers 25 Lisa Rosenfeld

10 Pat Bloom 26 Mary Ann Friedlander

10 Howard Silverman 27 Terry Harris

11 Barbara Paper 27 Evan Klein

11 Keith Spain 28 Randy Fry

12 Michael David Gardberg 28 Meredith Hoffman

12 Iris Ginsberg 28 Sandra Nadas

12 Brandon Miller 29 Alton Sack

12 Fran Passero

Happy Anniversary To ... 1 Sandy & Ralph Holberg

2 Susan & Jeff Friedman

4 Sandra & Harvey Gandler

7 Deborah & Alton Sack

12 Julie & Randy Kogon

29 Diane Garden-Monheit & Michael Monheit

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October Birthdays and Anniversaries

Happy Birthday To ...

1 Flo Kessler 18 Gregory Borak

1 Susan Passman 19 Harvey Switzkey

2 Connor Jack Furman 20 Michael Brown

4 Nancy Brown 20 Hedy Fox

4 Randy Fink 20 Tonia Silverstein

4 Katie Frank 21 Ellie Appelman

4 Nancy Hoffman 23 Megan Denson

4 Michael Monheit 23 Debbie Frank

5 Gary Fishbein 24 Ellen Fishbein

6 Jeffrey Friedman 24 Ceresa Frenkel

6 Sandy Holberg 25 Elaine Berman

7 Gerald Friedlander 26 Monica Klein

9 Daniel Fetterman 27 Phyllis Feibelman

9 Robin Mayer 27 Jenny Rich

10 Patti Grandquist 30 Jason Berman

12 Nell Ennis 30 Jonathan Friedlander

14 Andrew Kahn 30 Nancy Hill

15 Richard Williams 30 Murray Mutchnick

16 Christine Clolinger 31 Marc Loeb

17 Harryl Friedlander 31 Sandra Passman

Happy Anniversary To ...

8 Karen & Hari Singh

10 Carrie & Marc Friduss

12 Bonnie & George Kidd

16 Elizabeth & Fred Miller

26 Liz & Randy Fry

26 Nancy Pierce & Barry Silverman

27 Christine & Jeff Conrad

28 Michelle & Jerry Dobbins

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Shabbat Services – July 17, 2015

Reverand Milton Saffold and Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan

On the advent of the recent release of Harper Lee’s new novel, Go Set A Watchman, which continues the story of Atticus Finch, the lawyer hero of To Kill a Mockingbird, the Temple invited Pastor Milton Saffold to speak at the

Shabbat Service on Friday, July 17th His topic was “Racial Reconciliation”.

This is the first in a series of interesting speakers to be invited to our Shabbat

services to talk on topics of contemporary interest. An Oneg will follow service.

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Dana Evan Kaplan, Interim Rabbi Jerry Silverstein, Second Vice-President

Alan Hirsch, President Aaron Solomon, Treasurer

J. Michael Pereira, First Vice-President Maure Sternberg, Secretary

CALENDAR Torah Study Wednesday 5:30 p.m. September 9 and 30

(no Torah Study on the 2nd, 16th or 23rd) Weekly Torah Saturday 10:00 a.m. September 12, 19, and 26)

(no Weekly Torah on the 5th) Hebrew School Sundays 8:30 a.m. September 20 and 27

(no Hebrew School on the 6th or 13th) Religious School Friday 5:00 p.m. September 11th

Sundays 9:45 a.m. September 20 and 27

(no Religious School on the 6th or 13th) Friday, September 4 6:00 p.m. Selichot Service Friday, September 11 6:00 p.m. Family Friendly “Meet the Rabbi”

Shabbat Evening Service *Sunday, September 13 7:00 p.m. Erev Rosh Hashanah Service *Monday, September 14 9:00 a.m. Rosh Hashanah Children’s Service

10:00 a.m. Rosh Hashanah Morning Service Friday, Setpember 18 6:00 p.m. Shabbat Evening Service *Sunday, September 20 9:00 a.m. Memorial Service

Springhill Avenue Temple Cemetery *Tuesday, September 22 7:00 p.m. Kol Nidre Service *Wednesday, September 23 9:00 a.m. Yom Kippur Children’s Service

10:00 a.m. Yom Kippur Morning Service Friday, September 25 6:00 p.m. Shabbat Evening Service

*Please note special times for services in bold.

THE TEMPLE BULLETIN (USPS-

966-900) is published monthly by

Springhill Avenue Temple,

1769 Springhill Avenue

Mobile, AL 36607.

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Alabama.” POSTMASTER:

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