temple israel of highlands county 1305 temple israel drive ......dugma ishit / role-modeling we must...
TRANSCRIPT
Temple Israel of Highlands County
1305 Temple Israel Drive
Sebring, Florida 33870
863-382-7744 JUNE 2020 / 5780
Temple Israel is a Reform Temple that promotes the enduring and
fundamental principles of Judaism.
Through prayer, study and friendship we strive to enrich our lives
and ensure Jewish continuity in Highlands County.
Temple Israel’s Web Page www.templeisraelofhcfl.org
Congregational Board
Officers:
President:
Julia Ruden
Vice President:
Howard Salles
Secretary:
Bernice Snoll
Treasurer:
Cathy Blumenthal
Past President:
Herman Pintzow
Trustees:Phyllis Behrens
Karen delValle
Lois Lewis Gill
Narola Rosenberg
Sara Rosenbaum
Alan Wildstein
Officiating Cantor:
Cantor Riselle [email protected]: [email protected]*American Conference of Cantors Clergy Committed to Judaism and Jewish Music
Rabbi Emerita: Lorraine Rudenberg
Newsletter Staff:Michelle Herchick
Bulletin Board:Howard Salles
JUNE 2019 / 5779
In these past weeks, we, like others around the world, have spent a great deal of time and energy dealing
with the myriad of possible situations and decisions associated with the advent of COVID-19.
As we struggle to consider all of our options in this ever-changing environment, we strive to make
decisions using a Jewish values-based matrix that will help us to act in a consistent manner that is in line
with Jewish tradition and modern sensibility.
1. Pikuach Nefesh / Saving a Life
This is the most important Jewish value. Our sacred texts teach that we can forgo almost any
commandment or prohibition in order to preserve life.
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, our top priority must be the health and safety of all. Closing
our building and reshaping our services to be offered on Riselle Bain Jewish Cantor/Clergy Facebook
page has been done with the goal of ensuring everyone’s safety.
2. Al Tifrosh Min Ha Tzibbur / “Do Not Separate Oneself from the Community” (Mishnah, Avot 2:5)
Physically distancing – by having virtual services and canceling social events, hunkering down at home
can easily have the effect of isolating many of us from one another. We are lonely.
As such, we need to find as many ways as possible to ensure that that we stay in touch: calling each other
to say hello, how are you doing? – emails, communicating with each other even during our Shabbat
Service on Facebook via the chat button, Zoom with friends, Facetime, Skype, texting, even writing an
old-fashioned letter! Using this new technology has been a real learning experience for me, BUT how
fortunate we are to have it available to us during this time of self-quarantine. We are determined to do
everything we can to enable and sustain meaningful connections.
3. Simcha / Rejoicing
Even (and perhaps especially) in times of difficulty, it’s important that we look for ways to celebrate
Jewish life and life in general. This can be difficult when lifecycle events are canceled or postponed due
to health concerns and quarantines, but we are determined to do all that we can, within the constraints of
the reality of our situation, to help find and achieve moments of joy. Find a moment of rejoicing in each
day of life. For me, it has become photographing something beautiful each day when I go on my walk,
and then sharing that moment of beauty and rejoicing with a friend via email.
4. Nechama / Comforting the Afflicted
We continue to strive to be present for all who are in need in any way that we can – listening to a friend
on the phone with a sympathetic ear.
5. Tzimtzum / Narrowing Down or Contracting
In Jewish mystical tradition, prior to creation, God went through a process of contraction and self-
examination in order to make room for the world. Because God was everywhere and everything, there
was no space for anything else – hence the need to pull away.
Similarly, there are times when we need to contract our emotional, physical, and spiritual
needs in order to make room for others. In particular, we need to be sensitive to those in
our community who may be most affected by the virus – the most vulnerable among us.
We’ve seen multiple responses to this situation, some bringing out the worst in people.
On the other hand, we’ve also seen people coming together, looking for ways to help,
and self-sacrificing in order to ensure that the most affected are protected – perfect
examples of how we can make room for others in our midst.
6. Dugma Ishit / Role-Modeling
We must lead by example, and make every effort to demonstrate healthy behavior and
choices. We are not gathering in groups or at the synagogue. We are leading services,
congregational events, and functions from separate locations through the use of
technology until it is determined to be safe to come together again.
In this uncharted territory, the uncertainty and unease we all feel is normal for a situation
that is anything but normal. May we continue to work together as a kehillah kedosha, a
sacred community, to emerge strengthened and resolute – and may our values serve as
anchors in a sea of uncertainty.
With all good thoughts,
Cantor Riselle Bain
JUNE 2020/5780 Julia Ruden
Dear Friends and Family;
Sorry for being late with the newsletter again…
We are so lucky to have Facebook & internet technology to have our
Services online with Cantor Riselle. The Rabbinical and Cantoral
Associations have chosen to have High Holidays in September online
virtually (Facebook for us) because of Covid 19. I agree and therefore we
are starting to plan as such! Cantor Riselle is all over it!!
Thank you to our Board Members that remain year after year. All of you
amaze me with your continued efforts in the successful running of our
Temple. For those of you who work anonymously and endlessly - Thank
you Soooo MUCH!!
Another year begins and dues are due, an invoice is attached to this
newsletter, please mail your checks to the Temple if you have not done so
already.
I hope everyone remains safe and enjoys their families and friends
responsibly over the Summer.
Prayers for all those who mourn or are sick!
May we continue to go from strength to strength!
Be thankful for everything, everyone, everyday – I am!
Thankxoxo you ALL for ALL you Dooooooo!!
B’Shalom,
Julia XOXOXOXXO
AnnouncementsJUNE 2020/ 5780
LUNCH BUNCH
The next Ladies Lunch
Bunch Group is on hiatus
until further notice.
Contact Renee Tepper
863-414-8811 or
תודה רבה - Thank You
Alan Wildstein for your
continued and generous
support for Alan Jay
Automotive for our
transportation to and from
Services! Please Contact
Cantor Riselle Bain 813-
600-8013 if you need
assistance to get to
services.
Happy Anniversary
Bruce Sherwood & Sara Rosenbaum 06/19
Cantor Riselle Bain & Michael Duncan 06/24
Millie & Bill Anderson 06/25
Nancy & Joe Rockhill 06/25
Denise & Lee Weisberger 06/30
June Yahrzeits
** Memorial Plaque in our Shul
Bonnie Ann Goergen Judith Abrams
Seymour Fields-Elias Martin Elias
George Albin** Leon Novich**
Sadie Bellin Theodore Romer**
Patricia G. Berzark** Elizabeth A. Rosen**
Helen C. Dallas Fannie Rosen**
Rose Frankel Betty Rosenbaum
Louis A. Frank Sarah Roth
Joseph Sewelson Fanny Erskine
Sydney Kaphan Robert Siegel
Walter Kessler Dorothy Silverman
Abe Kirtz** Lora Starr
Adele Kaman Matthew L. Steward**
William Mazen Mildred Wasoff
Arnold Neumann
Edward Laveen
Selma R. Neumann Dora Wolkove**
YAHRZEIT DONATIONS
Given by In Memory Of
Judy Albin Louis A. Frank, George Albin
Julia Ruden Arnold Neumann, Selma R. Neumann
Mary Ann Romer Judith Abrams, Theodore Romer
Howard Salles Solomon Salles, Rhoda Salles
JUNE 2019 DONATION CARDS(All donations go to our Temple.)
To send a birthday, anniversary, get well, sympathy or mazel
tov card contact Mary Ann Romer at [email protected].
Write “Temple card” in the email subject box.
Send your minimum $5.00 donation to Temple.
Anniversaries
By: Congregation, Julie Ruden, Howard Salles, Cathy Blumenthal, Herman & Becky
Pintzow, Cantor Riselle Bain
To: Herb & Kathleen Weiss, Robert & Roberta Goodman
Get Well:
By: Congregation, Julie Ruden, Howard Salles, Cathy Blumenthal, Herman & Becky
Pintzow, Cantor Riselle Bain
To: Annette Owens, wife of Shawn Owens, security guard
Celebrate any occasion while benefitting Israel and our temple. For only $18.00, plant a tree in Eretz Yisrael.Simply e-mail the donor and recipient information to: [email protected]
Mail your check to the temple, payable to Temple Israel.
TEMPLE ISRAEL
OF
HIGHLANDS COUNTY 1305 Temple Israel Drive
SEBRING, FL 33870
863-382-7744
www.templeisraelofhcfl.org
Please make check payable to
Temple Israel of Highlands County, FL
Dues payable upon receipt of
This invoice.
*If you are able to increase your dues, it
would be greatly appreciated!!
DUES $________
*DUES ENHANCEMENT $________
WOMAN’S CLUB DUES $________ ($15.00)
NEW YEAR’S
GREETINGS $________ ($18.00) 09/18/2020
SECURITY DONATIONS $________
TOTAL $________
NOTE: Special arrangements must be made with the President and/or Treasurer prior to the end of the first
quarter or by September 1, 2020.
INVOICE
ANNUAL DUES
June 1, 2020 - May 31, 2021
NAME:
MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES
FAMILY: $525.00
SINGLE: $325.00
Schedule of Services June 2020-May 2021
Friday June 5 – Parashat Nasso
Friday July 3 – Parashat Chukat
Friday August 7 – Parashat Eikev
Rosh Hashanah Friday evening September 18 – Saturday September 19
Yom Kippur Sunday evening September 27 – Monday September 28
Friday, October 9 – Sukkot
Friday October 23 – Parashat Noach
Friday November 6 – Kristallnacht (Actually November 9-10)
Friday November 20 – Parashat Toldot
Friday December 4 – Parashat Vayishlach
Friday December 18 – Our Chanukah Service on the last night of Chanukah
Friday January 8 – Parashat Shemot
Friday January 22 – Tu B’Shevat (Actually January 17)
Friday February 5 – Parashat Yitro
Sunday February 14 – Possible Concert
Friday February 26 – Purim
Friday March 12 – Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei
Saturday March 27 – Passover
Friday April 9 – Yom Hashoah Parashat Shmini
Friday April 23 – Parashat Acharei Mot-K’doshim
Friday May 14 – Shavuot
Friday May 28 – Parashat Beha’alotcha
Future Erev Shabbat Services
6:30 PM (subject to change)Future services will be held online with Cantor Riselle Bain via her
Facebook page. Go her cantor Facebook page to find the link: Riselle Bain
Jewish Cantor/Clergy
Cantor Bain’s Schedule: