monthly member newsletter of cbsw kislev from the rabbi’s ...resume on wednesday, january 9...
TRANSCRIPT
From the Rabbi’s Desk… RABBI MATTHEW BERGER
How Do You Spell Hanukkah? As you may be aware, there’s been quite a disagreement over the
years regarding the correct spelling of the Hebrew word חנוכהin English. Even the encyclopedic resource
Wikipedia acknowledges the issue of alternative spellings in their article. In case you were wondering, the
article is entitled “Hanukkah.” Which is how I spell it. But there are many other opinions. For instance, the
author Werner Weinberg entitled his book, How Do You Spell Chanukah?
One of the great things about the Hebrew language is the nuance and complexity of its root words. The root
word of Hanukkah is comprised of Hebrew letters: chet, nun, chaf. Yet there are multiple meanings of this
combination of letters. The most common definition of the root is “dedication.” As in the Maccabees rededi-
cating the Jerusalem Temple after their miraculous victory over the Greeks.
An alternative meaning of the root chet, nun, chaf is “to begin/initiate.” Professor Stefan Reif comments that
there is already a Hebrew word for “dedication,” which means to “consecrate for sacred use.” This is the
word kadosh, which has a different root altogether. As a proof text, he points to a verse in Deuteronomy
20:5, which says: “Is there anyone who has built a new house but has not dedicated it?” Here, Reif argues,
the word dedication means “to live in” a home or “initiate it.”
In modern Jewish life, there is a ritual entitled hanukkat ha-bayit or “dedication of the home.” This is where
you affix a mezuzah or scroll to a doorpost(s) and recite a special blessing. Yet there is no mention of this
ritual in biblical times. Rather, the only time the root chet, nun, chaf is used in antiquity is regarding the Mish-
kan or Beit HaMikdash, the “dwelling-place” of God. In the time of Moses, the Mishkan was a portable sanc-
tuary. From the time of David, the Beit HaMikdash was in a fixed location, the Temple in Jerusalem. Interest-
ingly, the root chet, nun, chaf can also mean “education” in modern Hebrew. So we have gone from
“dedication” to “initiation” to learning all within a single three letter root. Now you might ask, does this etymo-
logical discussion actually help us spell the Festival of Lights in any way? Probably not. The dilemma is simi-
lar to Ella Fitzgerald’s well-known verse, “you like potato and I like potahto.” But perhaps we have learned a
thing or two about the beauty of He-
brew and how rich our lashon ko-
desh, our “holy tongue” truly is.
Happy Hanukkah,
DECEMBER SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
Dec 1 Vayeishev 9:30 a.m. One Shabbat Minyan
Dec 7 Mikeitz 7:00 p.m. Hanukkah Shabbat
Dec 14 Vayigash 7:30 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat
Dec 21 Va-y'chi 7:30 p.m. College Shabbat
Dec 28 Sh'mot 7:30 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat
Monthly Member Newsletter of CBSW Kislev - Tevet 5779 / December 2018
I was working for a public relations agency
several years ago and one our clients was
the world’s largest retailer. They were try-
ing to expand into more diverse, urban ar-
eas throughout the U.S. but ran into stiff
opposition. It struck me why they were
having trouble as I walked with one of their
senior executives one December evening
through a store in Overland Park, Kansas,
where there is a thriving Jewish communi-
ty. The store was loaded with holiday
items – trees, wreaths, lights, Santa Claus,
etc. No menorahs insight. The executive
asked, “How are you spending Christmas
this year?” I didn’t even stop to think about
my response: “I’m Jewish. My family cele-
brates Hanukkah.”
I look back at what I said with both resolve
and regret. While it was a bit visceral, I
sent a message that she ought to be more
culturally sensitive, as should the company
as it seeks to expand into new areas.
However, I could have taken the time edu-
cate her about the significance of Hanuk-
kah.
Hanukkah offers one of the best opportuni-
ties for Jews to communicate who we are
but there are others through the year.
While a sad occasion, the “Solidarity
Shabbat” last month was one of those mo-
ments. We opened the doors to the syna-
gogue to welcome non-Jews in The Wood-
lands community to show what we stand
for. It was a wonderful gathering, with peo-
ple of many denominations, and through
our varied faiths we found that
are very similar, adhering to moral stric-
tures that guide our everyday lives.
Hanukkah, which begins at sundown De-
cember 2, is a time to share with our com-
munity. We welcome you to join us Friday,
December 7, at 5:30 p.m. for the annual
member celebration and services; on Sun-
day, December 9, at 1 p.m. for the Havurat
Nashim Hanukkah Party, and at 2:30 p.m.
that day is Social Action's Hanukkah Party
for the Jewish residents of one of The
Woodlands' assisted living facilities. De-
tails can be found on our web-
site, www.cbsw.org.
The season of giving may be associated
with Hanukkah but it’s a good approach to
take all year long within our CBSW family.
We are looking for members to host onegs
following Friday night services. The oneg
is a very important part of coming togeth-
er, and we consider it one of the most im-
portant pillars of building our community.
Please CLICK HERE for details.
Another of our important community
events is the art auction fundraiser sched-
uled for March 2, 2019. The auction is
open to the public and promises to be an
exciting event. The committee is looking
for help in multiple areas. To get involved,
email thewoodlands.art.auction.2019@gm
ail.com
Wishing you a warm and wonderful
Hanukkah.
From the Vice President Eric Moses
The health of our children and faculty members is of utmost concern. If your child is ill or has had a fever in the last 24 hours, please keep your child at home.
We thank the parents who remember to give us advance notice of their child’s absence. We expect all students to be present at each study session. Our teachers prepare their lessons in advance and appreciate a call or e-mail if your child will be ab-sent (even last minute).
Please remember that school starts on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. and on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. sharp. Late arrivals can be disruptive, so we greatly ap-preciate when our students arrive on time.
Calendar reminders: Saturday, December 1 – 9:00 a.m. - Twiggy Montgomery Food Pantry
Sunday, December 2 - 9:30 a.m. - Religious School Classes Pre K-2nd grade - Mr. Mike monthly Sing Along session 10:00 a.m. – Adult Ed session, “Hungry Neighbors” Jay Hamburger, the “Egg Man” 12:15 p.m. - Youth committee meeting
Wednesday, December 5 5:30 p.m. - Hebrew School Classes: grades 3 – 7
Friday, December 7 CBSW family for Chanukah Shabbat celebration 5:30 p.m. - Come and social 5:45 p.m. - Pre K- 4th grade class performances 6:00 p.m. - Menorah (Chanukiyot) lighting fol- lowed by a festive dinner, hosted by CBSW 7:00 p.m. – FNL Shabbat Service with Band fol lowed by Chanukah themed Oneg (Latkes and Do nuts) 8:00 p.m. - WoodSY/Twiggy Hanukkah Party
Sunday, December 9 9:30 a.m. - Religious School Classes 11:10 a.m. - Rabbi Berger visits 1st grade 11:35 a.m. - Rabbi Berger visits 2nd grade 2:30 p.m. - Grades 7, 8, and 9 Holiday Mitzvah project with Senior Citizens at the Forum with CBSW Social Actioni Committee
Wednesday, December 12 5:30 p.m. - Hebrew School Classes: grades 3 – 7
Sunday, December 16 9:30 a.m. - Religious School Classes November / December birthday celebration 12:15 p.m. - Girl Scout Meeting, kindergarten - third grade
Wed., December 19 thru Sun., January 6 Winter Break - NO Religious School. Classes resume on Wednesday, January 9
Friday, December 21 5:30 p.m. - College Shabbat Dinner at Torchy’s Tacos, 4747 Research Forest Drive
Sunday, December 2 - 9:30 a.m. - Religious School
Chanukah Party at The Forum - With the help of CBSW Social Action Committee, our 7th, 8th and 9th grade classes will hold a Hanukkah party and celebra-tion at one of The Woodlands’ assisted living facili-ties for their senior Jewish residents. What a wonder-ful Mitzvah!
CBSW Chanukah is in The Air - Friday December 7th: All ages – Join the CBSW family for Hanukkah Shabbat celebration and candle lighting. We will social-ize and enjoy the performances of our younger chil-dren, Shabbat and candle lighting, dinner, FNL Service followed by Hanukkah themed Oneg with donuts, latkes, and dreidel games. We encourage each child/family to create a Hanukkah Menorah (Chanukiya) from Legos. We will hold an exhibition display. See evening’s schedule under Calendar Reminders.
One Shabbat Minyan - We encourage Hebrew school students and their parents to attend our monthly One Shabbat Minyan service at 9:30 a.m. on select Satur-days. This one-hour service includes most of the pray-ers that our students will lead during their bar or bat mitzvah, and is followed by brunch in the Social Hall. It's a very supportive group that welcomes participa-tion by our students. Here are the upcoming dates: 12/1, 1/12, 2/2, 3/30, 4/6, 5/18, 6/8, 7/6, 8/3.
Tzedakah - Thank you to all the students who give so generously each week. Please have your child place their donation in the Tzedakah box located at the en-trance to the sanctuary.
Todah Rabbah - Thank You! - Parents, thank you for allowing us to educate your children and nurture in them the skills, beliefs and emotional attachments which will enable them to integrate the values of Torah, Avodah, and Gemilut Chasadim – Jewish learning, wor-ship, and the doing of good deeds – into their lives.
If you need to reach Helen during Religious School and get voicemail on the CBSW office number, OR in case of an emergency, please call Helen’s cell 936-537-9620
Religious School HELEN RICHARD
Helen Richard Director of Lifelong Learning, Congregational
Engagement and Tenant Relations
CBSW ADULT EDUCATION
CBSW ADULT EDUCATION SERIES
Sunday, December 2, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
HUNGRY NEIGHBORS JAY HAMBURGER - “The Eggman”
This year, our congregation is focused on hunger.
Jay Hamburger, “The Egg Man”, has been an advocate and
activist in this arena for many years, personally arranging and
distributing food to Houston’s neediest. He will share with us
his story and the story of those he helps.
Come and be inspired.
CBSW ADULT EDUCATION
FALL SESSION
LINK TO FACEBOOK
Link to website
HERE
1 Cecilia Brenner
1 Hayden Johnson
2 Benjamin Goldstein
2 Jesse Goldstein
4 Shawnee Appel
4 Kathryn Kramer
4 Nathan Weisoly
4 Joshua Weisoly
4 Joel Goldenberg
4 Isaiah Fidler
6 Sonoma Hansen
7 Levi Russum
8 Ethan DeRienzis
9 Dean Kramer
10 Ron Maxfield
10 Howard Leff
10 Arlene Sachs
10 Emma Katz
11 Carin Solomon
11 Evelyn Kramer
11 Shannon Call
12 Ralph Stephenson
13 Justin Hausman
13 Mike Duchin
13 Joe Rodriguez
14 Blake Patton
14 Wally Riffle
14 Betheny Labone
15 Elian Salitra
15 Adam Seltzer
15 Miriam Leitko
16 Hannah Cassidy
16 Maura Shapiro
18 Benjamin Honea
18 Carl Wechter
19 Christine Winston
19 Ricky Schofield
20 Andy Ritter
20 Jonathon Bloom
21 Anastasia Russum
21 Yuri Russum
21 Marc Brumberger
21 Parker Johnson
22 Brian Andes
22 Lior Morris
22 Michelle Ward
23 Gretchen Sheirr
23 Stephen Seltzer
23 Chase Patton
24 Ben Morris
24 Jonathan Titter-Bell
25 Lisa Katz Johnson
26 Leo Zalcman
26 Terri Larson
27 Leigh Anne Treistman
27 Charles Miller
27 Heather Davis
27 Louis Feld
29 Alexa Winston
30 Kevin Glover
31 Joyce Hultgren
December Birthdays
2 Kimberly Ellen Barr Daughter of Judi Barr
2 Jeanne Muller Mother of Lisa Bourgeois
3 Frances Stutland Mother of Serena Davis
3 Gerald Zwillenberg Father of Gordon Zwillenberg
5 Anna Ellis Levine Mother of Sylvia Granit
6 Milton Forman Uncle of Rene Derewetzky
7 Eugenia Ottati Aunt of June Ottati
9 Helen Mahon Mother of Keith Mahon
10 Joseph Green Father of Judith Burch
10 Moises Zicer Father of Ester Patino
12 Israel Saxe Father of Alan Saxe
13 Michael Geber Husband of Beryl Geber
13 Isaac Geber Father-in-law of Beryl Geber
13 Werner Dannenbaum Father of Nathan Shapiro
15 Moshe Yehoshua Benjamin Yehuda Father of Berta Aizen
15 Milton Loeb Father of Jeri Dushkin
15 Miguel Schmulson Grandfather of Bret Leslie
15 Max Rosen Father of Stephen Rosen
15 Moshe Yehoshua Benjamin Yehuda Father of Jaime Schmulson
15 Miriam Dorfman Mother of Vickie Strong
17 Bertha C. Fenenbock Grandmother of Marian Schultz
17 Richard Wagner Father of Richard Wagner
December Yahrzeits
May the Memory of Our Loved Ones Be for Blessing
December Yahrzeits
May the Memory of Our Loved Ones Be for Blessing
19 Harvey Honig Father of Amy Ostrov
21 Harry Sachs Father of Sol Sachs
22 Jim Carter Husband of Laura Carter
22 Sharon Friedman Mother of Barry Friedman
22 Samuel Weiss Grandfather of Deborah Leiber
23 Milton Davidson Father of Marc Davidson
23 Sandy Treistman Mother of Steven Treistman
23 Charles Walters Father of Tim Walters
24 Salik Farber Father of Carina Farber
25 Joan Bojman Mother-in-law of Scott Cutler
25 Yvonne Farber Schwartz Aunt of Lisa Katz
26 Zelda Friedman Mother of Jerry Friedman
27 Solomon Appel Father of Steve Appel
27 Joseph Stern Father of Lisa Goldstein
27 Norma Esposito Grandmother of Lauren Esposito
27 Dennis Robinson Remembered by Jason Titter-Bell
28 Charles Brill Uncle of Roger Himelstein
28 Lillian Hartmann Braunstein Grandmother of Neil Platt
28 Manuel Franklin Whitfield Grandfather of Andy Thorson
29 Neil Stephen Rose Cousin of Rene Derewetzky
30 Paul Marcus Cousin of Steve Appel
SACHS MITZVAH FUND
Don & Marilyn Schlossberg - in Memory of Carole Bliskin, mother of Ellen Marcus
Kenn Ehman & Ellen Karas - in Memory of Carole Bliskin, mother of Ellen Marcus
Sol & Arlene Sachs - in memory of Charles & Sadye Horwitz, parents of Arlene Sachs
Sol & Arlene Sachs - in memory of Harry & Mildred Sachs, parents of Sol Sachs
Kenn Ehman & Ellen Karas - in memory of Evelyn Brahms, mother of Rabbi Brahms
Don & Marilyn Schlossberg – In memory of Marylou Hinzman, sister of Judy Wechter
EDUCATION FUND
Lisa Stein - In honor of B’nai Mitzvah tutor, Eli Abraham
MITZVAH COMMITTEE FUND
Robert & Vickie Strong - in memory of Sidney & Miriam Dorfman, parents of Vickie Strong
Robert & Vickie Strong – in Memory of Carole Bliskin, mother of Ellen Marcus
Robert & Vickie Strong – in memory of Evelyn Brahms, mother of Rabbi Brahms
Kenn Ehman & Ellen Karas - in memory of Marylou Hinzman, sister of Judy Wechter
CHOIR FUND
Jerry & Betty Friedman – In memory of Sidney Friedman, father of Jerry Friedman
BRAHMS EMERITUS FUND:
Charles & Dorothy Hirschberg - in memory of Evelyn Brahms, mother of Rabbi Brahms
Don & Marilyn Schlossberg - in memory of Evelyn Brahms, mother of Rabbi Brahms
Neil Platt - in memory of Evelyn Brahms, mother of Rabbi Brahms
Donations
One Shabbat Minyan
A reminder for those who are studying for their bar/bat mitzvahs, One Shabbat Minyan is a great time to practice. Join us, typically
the first Saturday each month (check the calendar) at 9:30 a.m. A light brunch will be served after the
9 Bruce & Soly Lachterman
17 Justin & Lisa Bourgeois
17 David & Jeannie Weisoly
17 Todd & Maribel Luft
19 Andy Thorson & Lauren Esposito
22 Samuel & Aadrey Glickson
23 Tim & Lynne Walters
27 Doug & Susan Kramer
30 Al & Suzy Hirshberg
December
CBSW ONEG If you haven’t signed up yet...
is one of the ACTS OF HOSPITALITY that we con-
gregants take on to help make community here
at CBSW. Indeed, the oneg is one of the most
important pillars of building our community.
Please CLICK HERE or contact the CBSW
Office for details, and to select your date(s)!
Providing oneg after services
Matthew L. Berger
Rabbi
Jan M. Brahms, D.D.
Rabbi Emeritus
Helen Richard
Director of Lifelong
Learning, Congregational
Engagement and Tenant
Relations
Jen Orozco
Office Administrator
Board of Directors
Temple Office:
5125 Shadowbend Place
The Woodlands, TX 77381
(281) 362-1100
Monday-Friday
9am - 1pm
Sh’ma is a monthly publication of
Congregation Beth Shalom of The Woodlands
5125 Shadowbend Place
The Woodlands, TX 77381
Information within this publication is intended for CBSW Members only. To have your name excluded
from Birthday, Anniversary and Yahrzeit listings, please email [email protected]
We sincerely regret any errors or omissions.
CLASSIFIEDS: Advertise in the Sh’ma! For advertising rates or submission of ads,
contact Richard Davis: 281.419.6393 or email to [email protected]
Readers, please take the opportunity to patronize the fine businesses that
support our temple through their advertising.
Time to get those ads in
DEAR CBSW MEMBERS:
CBSW is growing and our members are looking for vendors to provide needed services and goods. We are seeking advertisers for our mem-bership directory. If you have a business you'd like to promote to our members, or know of one who has served you well, let's talk advertising! In the past years, our advertisers have included dentists, doctors, lawyers, interior designers, in-surance agents, photographers, banks, pet train-ers, schools, and many more. Unlike an ad in a weekly newsletter, ads in our membership direc-tory remain in place for the entire year!
Our rates are the similar to last year: Membership Directory (printed once per year) with updates as needed. Full Page: $275 Half Page: $175
Please contact Richard Davis HERE. Thanks you!
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