TCOMD NEWSLETTER

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEAlan Sterling, President

Carole Warshaw, Exec. VPDr. Rachel Solomon, VPLinda Sterling, Secretary

Judi Posner, Assistant SecretaryBarbara Watkins, Treasurer

MANAGING COMMITTEESKen Attermann, Ways and Means

Gerri Rosenthal, FacilitiesCarole Warshaw, Social Affairs

Linda Sterling, Good and WelfareDayvin Sterling, Youth Programming

Charles Fantl, Esq., Legal AffairsCarolyn Mersel, Outreach

Rabbi Solomon, Adult EducationRobb Seltzer, Cemetery Committee

Rabbi Chaim G.Z. Solomon, Ph.D.

The Traditional Congregation ofMount Dora

2223 Wolf Ridge LaneMount Dora, FL 32757

or Post Office Box 575

Mount Dora, FL 32756

352.735.4774www.tcomd.orginfo@tcomd.org

It is now early in the New Year and our schedules may be getting back to routine or hectic, as the

case may be. Or perhaps we have made a resolution to change the routine and the hectic. But, while we contemplate our resolutions for change, we must also keep in mind the blessings we and our families have in America to choose our lives as Jews. Just last month we reveled in finding Hanukkah time to be spent with others. For eight days we indulged our children, if not ourselves, with gifts. At one time it was “just” gelt; now it is “something more.” Almost, as if it is an attempt to keep up with the “Christmas spirit.”

However, Hanukkah should be a counterpoint to Christmas and not a part of Christmas or a competitor. In truth, Hanukkah is really about the pres-ervation of the Jewish homeland and the Jewish way of life. Hanukkah is a cel-ebration of Jews overcoming assimilation and not becoming secularized. Thus, if we really resolve to think of our Jewish family, we need to take the time, not just at Hanukkah, but all year long, not to secularize with indulgence but to pro-

vide enrichment to protect our familial heritage. Blessings do not necessarily come easily.

One of the blessings that we have worked for and can surely count is the creation of and the community accep-tance of our Traditional Congregation. A strong TCOMD will go a great way to keep Lake County area Jews from being swallowed up by the “Christmas spirit” and secularization American style.

Need I repeat myself? Blessings do not necessarily come easy. Thus, I ask you to find whatever way possible to support our Congregation. While our new Congregation certainly needs dues-paying members and donations, it may be that the “something more” is more important to maintain our Jewish Lake County identity and Jewish heritage. That “something more” can be your taking an active role in the Congrega-tion. Please consider becoming a board member or committee chair or mem-ber. Elections and appointment will take place shortly. Please, get involved now. Make it a resolution!

A Message from the President

A lan S t e r l i n g

Winter/Spring 2010

ENTER OUR “NAME THIS NEWSLETTER” CONTEST

PLEASE SEND ALL OF YOUR SUGGESTIONS TO info@tcomd.org

Person who submits the chosen name will win a $36 gift certificate to alljudaica.com

Okay so you guys like my peanut butter cookies. Because I like all of you I will share the recipe.

2 ½ cups flour

½ teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 cup shortening ( I use one stick of regular Crisco)

1 cup organic peanut butter

1cup organic sugar

1 cup packed organic brown sugar

1 teaspoon organic vanilla

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon organic honey

Preheat oven to 375 F. Sift together flour, salt and baking powder. Set aside. Cream shortening, peanut butter, sugars, vanilla and eggs. Then add honey. Stir in flour mixture and roll cookie dough into small balls. Flatten in a crosswise pattern with a fork. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Makes 40-50 cookies.

I will also give you my tort recipe which is soooo easy but looks (and tastes) like it took a long time to make.

1 cup sugar

½ cup margarine

1 cup unbleached flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

Pinch salt

1 teaspoon vanilla or lemon extract

2 eggs

Fruit of choice this could be 24 pitted purple plum halves, 2 pints blueberries or six pears or apples skinned and cut into thin wedges.

Mix the flour, baking powder and sugar. Then add the rest of the nonfruit ingredients. Spoon batter into a 9-inch pan. It will be sticky so I grease the pan prior. Place the fruit on top of the batter. If using plums place them skin side up. If using apples or pears arrange the wedges upright in a circular pattern covering all the dough. Bake at 350 F for 1 hour.

Like the Bob Dylan song, “the times they are a changing.” Isn’t that the truth? As I am sitting here writing this, waiting to have my first child, I can’t help but wonder how different things will be. Will the kid sleep the night? Will I go insane? Will I drive my husband insane? Will my cats survive the experience? Do I buy “green” diapers? All these thoughts pop into my consciousness.

I also think of my current situation with no small sense of irony. Here I am at the age of 42 having my first child, after completely giving up on the idea of having children. I am pregnant during a time when swine flu is running rampant - which is particularly risky if you are pregnant. My husband has a wedding to perform five days before the due date (the couple has been planning this for two years) and then there is the due date itself: 12/25. I can’t tell you how many times I have had to explain that this will not be a Christmas baby.

Some people would maintain that all of these weird, crazy events are coincidence, merely random acts. Others would maintain that there is no such thing as coincidence and that God is sending a message. But if this is so, what is he trying to tell me? And while we are at it: why is it so impor-tant to believe that God gives us messages?

I can only speak for myself, but I feel that when I see patterns of God in everyday occurrences I do not feel so alone. This is especially important to me right now emotionally as I contemplate the role of parenthood. I want to think that I will do a good job, that my child will grow up happy and well adjusted. But it does help to think that there is another force at work pushing me in the right direction.

As to the lesson, I think I have figured that out as well. Those of you who have been around me have learned that I am a control freak. I like things to go according to plan and will take great pains to plan and then go over the plans yet again. As a result, I micromanage every moment. I think the events surrounding the birth of our first child are a message saying “you are not in control. You can not anticipate every little thing.” Perhaps by letting things happen without planning each minute I will learn how to exist better in the world and be a better parent. This concept is very hard for me

to wrap my head around but one I will try to take to heart very seriously. Both the Rabbi and I look forward to our new arrival; we feel so

fortunate to be able to fill a hole that has been left open in our lives. We are also glad for God’s presence in the coming event as it is looked upon both with happiness and a sense of humor. We hope all of you will be able to share in our happiness and find many good things in the coming months. May you all find Ggod’s influence on your lives as beneficial and beautiful as we have.

Message from the Rebbitzen

Rachel and S. Benjamin Solomon

Recipies from the Rebbitzen’s K itchen

SHABBATH INFORMATION DATE CANDLE LIGHTING SHABBATH ENDS

Feb. 5th 5:50 pm 6:47 pm

Feb. 12th 5:56 pm 6:53 pm

Feb. 19th 6:01 pm 6:58 pm

Feb. 26th 6:06 pm 7:03 pm

Mar. 5th 6:11 pm 7:07 pm

Mar. 12th 6:15 pm 7:11 pm Mar. 19th 7:19 pm 8:15 pm

Mar. 26th 7:23 pm 8:19 pm

Apr. 2nd 7:27 pm 8:23 pm

Apr. 9th 7:30 pm 8:27 pm

Apr. 16th 7:35 pm 8:31 pm

Apr. 23rd 7:39 pm 8:35 pm

Apr. 30th 7:43 pm 8:40 pm

SERVICE TIMES

Please note all services are now at the National Deaf Academy unless specified otherwise.

Feb. 12th 6:30 pm Fri. Family Experience

Feb. 13th 9:00 am Sat. Shabbath Services

Feb. 26th 5:45 pm Regular Fri. Night Services

Feb. 27th 9:00 am Sat. Shabbath Service

7:30 pm Purim Party at Warshaw/Cohen Residence

Mar. 12th 6:30 pm Fri. Family Experience

Mar. 13th 9:00 am Sat. Shabbath Service

Mar. 26th 7:00 pm Regular Fri. Night Services

Mar. 27th 9:00 am Sat. Shabbath Service

Mar. 29th 7:30 pm First Night Seder Rabbi’s House

Mar. 30th 8:30 pm Second Night Seder Rabbi’s House

Apr. 9th 7:30 pm Fri. Family Experience

Apr. 10th 9:00 am Sat. Shabbath Service

Apr. 23rd 7:15 pm Kabbalath Shabbath Service

Apr. 24th 9:00 am Sat. Shabbath Service

IMPORTANT ADDRESSES & PHONE NUMBERS

National Deaf Academy - 19650 Hwy 441, Mount Dora

352.735.9500 Solomon Residence -

2223 Wolf Ridge Ln, Mount Dora352.735.4774

Warshaw/Cohen Residence - 335 N Clayton St, Mount Dora

352.205.0390

TCOMD GARAGE SALE FUNDRAISER AT THE SOLOMON RESIDENCE Thursday, February 11 from 8a to 3p and Friday February 12 from 8a to 12:30p

GAME DAY AT THE SOLOMONS - “ILLUMINATI” Sunday, February 21 at 3p

MINIATURE GOLFSaturday, March 6 - details to follow

MOVIE NIGHT AT WARSHAW/COHEN RESIDENCE - “KEEPING UP WITH THE STEINS”Sunday, March 14 at 6:30p

PASSOVER LECTURE AT THE MOUNT DORA W.T.BLAND PUBLIC LIBRARYThursday, March 25 at 4p

KARAOKE PARTY AT THE WARSHAW/COHEN RESIDENCESaturday, March 27 at 8p

SOCIAL EVENTS

check out our calendar at www.tcomd.org

At the

Bris

S. Benjamin Solomon withthe Grandmothers and the Parents

Jim Croson, Flo Warshaw, Marcia & Jeff Cooper, Larry & Judi Posner, Alyce Shelton and Don Mersel - a few of the many supporters who came to

TCOMD’s first major fundraiser. The brunch was held at Lake

Receptions, followed by a luxury bus ride to

the Bob Carr Auditorium

to see Itzhak Perlman with the Orlando Philharmonic.

Aliy

ah Eastwind Ballay was born on 10/12/ 09 to Tif any Kapner and Dan Ballay !!CONGRA

TULA

TIO

NS!

!Music Class at Hebrew School with Rachel Solomon, Grace Fantl, Robert Cohen

and students McKenza Sterling and Logan Sonne

Second Annual “Introduction

to Hanukkah”

Lecture

given by

Rabbi Solomon

at the W.T. Bland

Public Library

in Mount Dora

our advertisers appreciate your supportour advertisers appreciate your support

and to the following

Donors who have given so generously to TCOMD

since our last newsletter

Jeff & Marcia Cooper Mayor Melissa DeMarcoReta MilotaRonald RothWalter & Carolyn BrophyEdie GoldRobert BriskinFlo WarshawAlan & Linda Sterling Stuart & Elaine Sonne

Pam SingerAlyce SheltonKaren SalvatMarjorie & Pat MurrayMarcia & Bob MilkmanDon & Carolyn MerselAlan & Elisa KvaresKen & Tanya AttermannLowell CramerDeana Goldstein

THANK

YOU

to Karen Salvat, who has given a donation to TCOMD in honor of her father’s Yahrzeit. Her beloved father’s

name is Jack Wagoner.

to Alyce Shelton for a donation to TCOMD in honor of the birth of S. Benjamin Solomon.

to Mayor Melissa DeMarco for a donation in honor of S. Benjamin Solomon’s birth.

to the Lakeside Inn and Paula Briskn, Innkeeper, for the generosity extended to the TCOMD during the Bris of

S. Benjamin Solomon.

to Amy Anthony for sharing her Hanukkah at the Library photos with us.

to Lake Receptions for all their help with our first major fundraiser: The Itzhak Perlman Event

to the entire community from Rachel and the Rabbi for the love and support surrounding the birth of their son. Everyone has been wonderful.

a cookbook filled with delicious recipes contributed by the friends and members of the Congregation

Please send your favorite recipes by email (to info@tcomd.org) or by hard mail (to 2223 Wolf Ridge Lane, Mount Dora, 32757). We are looking for all kinds of

dishes - appetizers, main courses, vegetables, salads, desserts, beverages, ethnic fare (Chinese, Italian, Mexican, Indian, Thai, etc.), vegetarian, vegan and other special dietary requirement recipes.

And while we’re on the subject of food: Themed Shabbath dinners at the Rabbi’s house are in the planning stages. Francisco Vargas, Cantor for TCOMD, will be

preparing a cultural dining experience using foods from his native Puerto Rico. Do you have a favorite cuisine? A menu rich with exotic flavors? Let us know and it will be scheduled. Kitchen and food provided by the Solomons.

**Announcing a new fundraiser **TCOMD PRESENTS “A CULINARY COLLECTION”

Traditional Congregation of Mount Dora2223 Wolf Ridge LaneMount Dora, FL 32757

352.735.4774www.tcomd.orginfo@tcomd.org

TCOMD MISSION STATEMENT

We of the Traditional Congregation of Mount Dora are building a Jewish community in the tri-city area, a congregation at once a contributing part of the wider community, while providing opportunities for individuals to ex-press whatever is in their Jewish soul to express. Be their needs education, spiritual or social, we strive to provide an amiti venue. Our mission is to bring the greatest possible number of Jews close to their own open-minded,

traditional Jewish community. amiti - genuine, authentic