A BI-MONTHLY TBI PUBLICATION
MARCH / APRIL 2016
A MESSAGE FROM OUR RABBI . . .
I’m getting ready to board a plane for Israel as I write this bulletin article. Back home in Fresno, we’re busy with
preparations for this year’s Purim spiel, so my thoughts have mingled.
I’ve been thinking back to Purim in Israel. First of all, one of my favorite aspects of Israel applies… we don’t have to
explain Judaism. Have you ever tried to briefly explain Purim to people who have no idea what it is? As I’ve been
wandering around Fresno searching for various accoutrement to decorate our set this year, I find myself trying to
explain and not finding a quick way to make sense of this fun tradition.
In Israel, Purim is not simply a given, it’s a massive party.
Several of us attended UC Santa Barbara where Halloween is a crowd of thousands and
thousands. Now imagine parties just as big all throughout the country. Purim in Israel is
huge and every bakery sells hamantashen!
Even while I’m in Israel, we’ll be working on this year’s Purim production and you can all
be a part. We’re bringing in an instructor for a series of line dancing lessons at the temple
and we hope you’ll take advantage of this opportunity. During our Purim evening, everyone will be invited to
dance along.
This year our musical theme is a Redneck Country Western Purim. The music is great fun so mark your calendars
for April 2nd, dust off your boots and come on out!
Purim on Ben Yehuda Street in Jerusalem, 1987
Board of Directors
Rick Winer
Rabbi
Steve Negin
President
JD Heberger
Treasurer
David Sicherman
Past President
Ellie Rabin
FYGBI President
Robert A. Seigel
Rabbi Emeritus
Nooshin Julian
V,P. Membership
Karen Podolsky
Secretary
Gary Greenberg
Brotherhood Rep
Amy Schmidt
Sisterhood Rep
DIRECTORS
Roberta Bavin
Marni Cotter
Rob Futoran
Elizabeth Kassel
Marianne Kast
Hanna Krebs
Ron Truly
Anthony Valtierra
Please note
The temple office is now closed on Mondays
Looking for invitations for your B'nai
Mitzvah?
Did you know the Sisterhood Gift Shop sells
invitations at wholesale plus $50? Contact Sarah
Davis at (253) 347-1474 for more information.
Sisterhood proceeds go to Camperships!!!!!
SAVE
MONEY
A WORD FROM OUR PRESIDENT………….
Random End of the Year Thoughts…
I was sad to hear about the recent passing of Sol Kaufman. Sol was the
oldest congregant at Temple Beth Israel and was emblematic of a
generation who settled in Fresno and immersed themselves into the
community. Many other families did this as well during the 1940s, 50s,
60s, 70s, and 80s. Not only did they get involved in the greater Fresno
community, they also made temple part of their everyday life.
We are at a critical crossroads in the future of our temple. This time I’m not talking about our
finances, which are in better condition than they were a year ago. I’m talking about
congregational involvement. There are too few of us in temple leadership who are called upon
over and over again to head up projects and committees.
As I looked around the room at a recent Board of Directors meeting, it struck me that there is
only one board member under the age of 40 and only a couple under 50. We need to have the
next generation become involved in temple leadership so they can take over in the future.
There are board and committee positions that need to be filled. We are in the process of
setting the budget and determining the programs for next year. Staff is already doing more
than they should. Being involved does take some time and effort but the rewards are well
worth it. It will be tragic to not be able to provide services because no one is willing to step up.
Please contact e if you have an interest. We can talk about the various openings and fit them
to your interests. I’m sure that the legacy that Sol Kaufman and all those from his generation
would be pleased that Temple Beth Israel is carried on.
Steve Negin
March - April Calendar
Mar 2
Hebrew School
Confirmation
Adult Education – Rabbi Laura
Adult Education – Rabbi Rick
Mar 3
Line Dancing
Mar 4
Shabbat Service with Potluck
Mar 6
Religious School
Mah Jong
Mar 9
Hebrew School
Confirmation
Adult Education – Rabbi Laura
Adult Education – Rabbi Rick
Mar 11
Spring Conclave
Shabbat Services
Mar 12
Torah Study
Learner’s Minyan
Film Series
Mar 13
Religious School
Purim Jr rehearsal
Mar 14
Purim Speil Rehearsal
Mar 16
Hebrew School
Confirmation
Adult Education – Rabbi Laura
Adult Education – Rabbi Rick
Mar 18
Shabbat Services
Mar 19
Torah Study
Mar 20
NO RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
Women’s Torah Study
Purim Jr rehearsal
Mar 21
Purim Speil Rehearsal
Mar 22
4th Tuesday
Mar 23
NO HEBREW SCHOOL
Mar 24
Line Dancing
Purim Speil Rehearsal
4:00pm
6:30pm
6:30pm
7:30pm
7:00pm
6:00pm
9:30am
9:30am
4:00pm
6:30pm
6:30pm
7:30pm
7:30pm
9:00am
10:30am
5:45pm
9:30am
1:30pm
7:00pm
4:00pm
6:30pm
6:30pm
7:30pm
7:30pm
9:00am
9:30am
1:30pm
7:00pm
1:00pm
7:00pm
8:00pm
Apr 1
Potluck
Purim Family Shabbat Service
Apr 2
Torah Study
Prim Speil
Apr 3
Religious School
Purim Speil Jr
Carnival
Apr 6
Hebrew School
Confirmation
Apr 8
Shabbat Servuces
Apr 9
Interfaith Scholar Weekend
Torah Study
Film Series
Apr 10
Religious School
Sisterhood to Hanford
Apr 13
Hebrew School
Confirmation
Apr 15
Potluck
Family Shabbat Service
Apr 16
Torah Study
2000 years – Israeli wine
Apr 17
Religious School Model Sedar
Apr 19
4th Tuesday Sedar
Apr 20
Hebrew School
Confirmation
Apr 22
Sisterhood Sedar
Apr 23
Torah Study
Apr 24
Religious School
Women’s Torah Study
Apr 27
Hebrew School
Confirmation
6:00pm
7:00pm
9:00am
5:00pm
9:30am
11:00am
12:00pm
4:00pm
6:30pm
7:30pm
8:30am
9:00am
5:45pm
9:30am
4:00pm
6:30pm
6:00pm
7:00pm
9:00am
7:30pm
9:30am
11:30am
4:00pm
6:30pm
5:30pm
9:00am
9:30am
9:30am
4:00pm
6:30pm
Mar 26
Torah Study
Mar 27
NO RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
Purim Jr rehearsal
Mar 28
Purim Speil Rehearsal
Mar 30
Hamantaschen baking
Hebrew School
Confirmation
Mar 31
Purim Speil Rehearsal
9:00am
Apr 29
Shabbat Services
Apr 30
Torah Study
7:30pm
9:00am
1:30pm
7:00pm
10:00am
4:00pm
6:30pm
7:00pm
2016 Purim Spiel!
“A Redneck, Country Music Megillah!”
Saturday, April 2, 2016
5pm Cocktails
6pm Dinner
7pm Show
Get your tickets now!
$40/each
$300/table of 8
Please RSVP to [email protected] or call 559-432-3600.
Grab your “Red Solo Cup” and “Duct Tape” and join us for an evening of
Country Music as we
tell the story of Esther “Redneck” style!
T emple Beth Israel Sisterhood
W omen of Reform Judaism
Stronger together, we are the collective voice
and presence of women in congregational life!
MARCH - APRIL 2016
February 26th was our annual Sisterhood Shabbat creative service, written and conducted by our
members. Thanks to those who volunteered for the service and/or brought items for the oneg. It is
events like this that bring us together and help us realize that we truly are “stronger together!”
As we move forward, our calendar for 2016 is filling up with social and holiday events, so please take
this opportunity to save the following dates.
Now is a good time to join or re-join, as your membership as well as your contributions to
Sisterhood’s Youth Fund, are tax-deductible. Unfortunately our memberships are down this
year and if we do not receive additional memberships, we may have to cut back on the amount
of camperships we offer. We are counting on you to help Sisterhood fund camperships. So
please make your check payable to “TBI Sisterhood” and drop it off or mail it to the Temple
address. If you would rather pay by credit card or have questions about membership, please
contact our Membership Coordinator, Cookie Fritz, 559-323-9220, [email protected].
In preparation for Purim, Hamantaschen bakers are needed on Wednesday, March 30 in the kitchen
at TBI at 10:00 a.m. Please contact Sarah Davis, 253-347-1474, [email protected] if available.
On Sunday, April 3rd, Sisterhood will once again be selling Hamantaschen and the Deli Lunch for
Brotherhood’s Purim Carnival. Be sure to stop by for some great food and lots of fun for the kids and
grandkids! This event also helps raise funds for Camperships for our youth, so please come out and
show your support!
Also, April brings us to Passover, with the first-night community Seder sponsored by Sisterhood on
Friday, April 22nd. Reservations must be pre-paid and will be due by the final deadline of April 13th,
with discounted prices available through April 4th. See the Registration Form included in this Chai
Lights for more details.
Is your child attending an overnight Jewish Camp this summer? If so, April 1st is the deadline for your
child to submit a Campership Request Form which is included in this issue of Chai Lights.
You can help our Sisterhood stay strong and vibrant by participating when you can, helping with our
traditional events as well as making new events happen, and by sharing with your friends the joys of
bonding with other women through Sisterhood. We hope to see you at as many events as possible,
and we hope you bring a friend!
On behalf of the Sisterhood Leadership Council,
Aleta Wolfe
Temple Beth Israel Sisterhood
presents our annual community
Passover Seder
Friday, April 22, 2016 – 6:15 pm (After Services)
Temple Beth Israel Social Hall
Dinner prepared by Sisterhood
*****PRE-PAID RESERVATIONS REQUIRED*****
*DISCOUNTED PRICES AVAILABLE THROUGH APRIL 4TH *
***NO RESERVATIONS ACCEPTED AFTER APRIL 13TH***
PASSOVER SEDER RESERVATION FORM 2016
NAME _________________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________________________
PHONE __________________
EMAIL ADDRESS __________________________________________
RESERVED TABLES AVAILABLE FOR PARTIES OF 8 OR MORE
Number of Adults
______ @$40 ($30 if received before 4/5*) = $________
Number of Children (4-12) ______ @$25 ($20 if received before 4/5*) = $________
Children 3 and under
______ (no charge)
*EARLY DISCOUNT ENDS 4/4/16 AND NO RESERVATIONS ACCEPTED AFTER 4/13/16
TOTAL NUMBER IN PARTY: ________
TOTAL ENCLOSED: $__________
Make checks payable to TBI Sisterhood and MAIL TO ARRIVE BY THE DEADLINE to:
Temple Beth Israel -- Brotherhood & Sisterhood
Campership Request Form 2016 (DUE April 1, 2016 to TBI Office)
Name of Camper __________________________________
Session Name _________________________________
Name of Camp ____________________
Dates attending camp ___________________
Cost of session ______________ Amount requested __________ Other funds received ____________
If a first time camper, please apply for the “One Happy Camper Campership”
http://www.jewishcamp.org/one-happy-camper
Please check into availability of need based camperships through Camp Newman
http://campnewman.org/summer-camp/making-camp-affordable/
The future of our Jewish community depends on our educated and committed youth. It is the goal
of TBI Brotherhood and Sisterhood to raise funds for the youth of TBI in which the bulk of those
dollars are distributed through Camperships. This process is kept confidential between the
committee and the Rabbi of TBI. We encourage our Temple youth to get involved and strengthen
their Jewish identity, and URJ approved camps are a great way to do just that. Parental
involvement demonstrates role modeling for youth requesting camperships.
Requirements
1.
Financial need.
2.
Actual involvement in TBI (parents & children).
3.
Attending an approved Jewish camp strengthening Jewish identity.
4.
Completing and returning the Campership/Grant request form within the time frame.
5.
A letter from the child who received the Campership/Grant, on how attending a Jewish
camp / program impacted their life. (No names will be announced.) If no letter is received
we will keep this in mind when awarding next year’s funds.
6.
Parents should be members of Brotherhood and/or Sisterhood.
Considerations:
1.
Actual funds available.
2.
Total number of applicants.
3.
Financial need of family.
Please describe how your active participation at camp can strengthen your Jewish identity:
Please describe your and your family’s Jewish community involvement:
Please describe any other references or information you would like the committee to consider:
Names of parents of child requesting funds:
Address
Telephone
E-mail
4th Tuesday Events
March 22
Attention: Book Lovers!
Book Sale and Reviews
1 pm
TBI Social Hall
Join us for this annual event where you can pick up some worthwhile books for
a very small price.
We will present short reviews on some books you might like.
Please bring books of Jewish interest or recent popular books you no longer
want, so we can have a good selection for the sale.
April 19
Passover Seder
11:30 am
TBI Social Hall
This is the time of year we celebrate our people's exodus to freedom. Join your
Temple friends as we read the story of Passover, participate in the rituals, and
enjoy a delicious lunch.
We need your RSVP so we can be prepared! RSVP to Judy Haber at
[email protected] or (559) 431-2102.
For more information, please visit our website at fresnojewishfilm.org
REMEMBERING OUR LOVED ONES.
YAHRZEITS FOR THE WEEK OF.......
4-Mar
Howard Blumenthal
Irwin Greenberg
Carrie Jackman
Benjamin Kaplan
Benjamin Kaplan
Rose Karsh
Kelman Malley
Judge Leonard Meyers
Sadie Penn
Doralee Pevsner
Daniel Schreiber
Jeanette Seiden
Vera Tepperman
Albert Wasserman
Albert Wasserman
Milton Weiss
11-Mar
Gloria Alba
Judit Barak
Alan Blitz
Barbara Boro
Barbara Ann Levy Boro
Irene Einstein
Dr. Moosa Farivar
William Gluck
Don Harper
Shirley Resnick Hutner
Anna Lev
Lew Litzie
Harold Price
18-Mar
Tess Benzler
Rosamond Brody
Katherine Cate
Shifra Leah Cohen
Ely Gitelman
Dorothy Greensher
James Hanratty
Rita Lawrence
Calvin Lipston
Mernie Pierce
Dennis Ruskin
Albert Weinstein
Joseph Weiss
25-Mar
Albert Britz
Norman Cain
Laura Cooper
Herbert Goffstein
Stella II
Estelle Kass
Rose Kotler
Esther Levine
Morton C. Lynn
Haylay Malaya
Evon Mazin
Betty Rose
Samuel Shuster
Benjamin Joseph Sigel
Harold Stern
Harold I. Stern
Fred Tandrow
Tess Ziegler
1-Apr
Bernard Alpert
Noach Benninga
Ralph Eugene Brandon
Gary Hoffinger
Sonia Kirk
Robert Allen Rabens
Rebecca Richtel
Robert Siegel
Helen Jean Weil
Roberta Weinstein
8-Apr
Miriam Albin
Zev Beitchman
Jessie L. Epstein
Galena Gen
Ethyle Lea Karp
Herbert Levy
James Litman
Eleanor Marks
Rose M. Pollack
Morton Rothberg
Joseph Siprut
George A. Smith
Lionel Stone
15-Apr
Dr. Sidney Ames
Leon Boro
Leon Boro
Russell L. Fox
Vivienne Krongaus
Mamie Meyers
Jim Morris
Henry Shein
David Shuster
David Shuster
Abraham Siegel
22-Apr
Irene Baker
Hannah Benjamin
Sarah Markle Blitz
Millie Coppersmith
Nathan Coppersmith
Daryl Friedman
James Krebs
Igor Malley
Laya Malley
Karl Nagel
Anne Bycel Raphael
Boris Sacks
Aaron Smith
Henry Sorsky
29-Apr
RJ Alexander
Louis Brett
Joseph Crane
Gustav Einstein
Gary Epstein
Carolyn Fishman
Rose Geller
Max Kotler
Rose Lash
Charlene Rossman
Ruth Shaughness
Mabel Tandrow
Robert Wolfe
GENEROUS DONATIONS FROM OUR
FRIENDS....THANK YOU!!!
Temple Beth Israel General Fund:
In honor of Laurie Leifer’s birthday from Karen & Bill Podolsky
In memory of Lillian Garfinkel from Dr. & Mrs. Herb Boro
Dor L’ Dor:
th
In honor of Roberta & Terry Bavin’s 40 anniversary from Amy Schmidt
Land and Building Fund:
Mazel Tov on forming your new partnership & the development of Rio Plaza from Marc Wilson & Lisa Merriman
In memory of Werner Lipton from Joan Lipton
In memory of Sam Platus from Maria Vargas
In memory of Armand Cohn from Maxine Cohn
th
In honor of Mel & Bettylee Wapner’s 60 wedding anniversary from Lenore Schreiber & Charles Figg
In memory of Maurine Williams from Rosanne & Richard Weinberg
In memory of Jeff Kast from Alfred & Carolyn Evans
In memory of Lewis Zimmerman from Cheryl & John Heberger
In memory of Farrell Gilliam from Leslie, Ron & Jon Truly
In memory of Sidney Sloter from Leslie, Ron & Jon Truly
In memory of Estrella & Ralph Truly from Leslie, Ron & Jon Truly
In memory of Esther Zalickson from Leslie, Ron & Jon Truly
In memory of Yetta & Nathan Zlotchower from Leslie, Ron & Jon Truly
For the speedy recovery of Ivonne Litman from Marc Wilson & Lisa Merriman and Linda & Rael Sacks
In memory of Phyllis Benveniste from Roger & Ivonne Litman
In memory of Corinne Pearlman from Joe & Bernice Levy
In memory of David Britz from Larry Blitz
In memory of Nettie Weinberg from Rosanne & Richard Weinberg
Mazel Tov on the baby naming of Juliette Isabella Stewart from Marc Wilson & Lisa Merriman and Cookie Fritz
th
In honor of Terry & Roberta’s 40 anniversary from Daniel & Doris Schick
For the speedy recovery of Roger Stewart from Ivonne & Roger Litman
In memory of Eddie Litman from Ivonne & Roger Litman
In memory of Sol Kaufman from Sandy Wilson
In honor of Laurie Leifer’s birthday from Cookie Fritz and Hanna Krebs
In memory of Ben Spaber from Sandy Wilson and Marc Wilson & Lisa Merriman
In memory of Evelyn Shein from Marc Wilson & Lisa Merriman and Sandy Wilson
In memory of Lillian Garfinkel from Linda & Rael Sacks
For the good health of Marc Wilson from Robbi & Gerald Alexander
For the speedy recovery of Robert Glassman from Cheryl & John Heberger
For the speedy recovery of Carla Brandon-Conway from Cheryl & John Heberger
Tribute and Memorial Fund:
th
In honor of Mel & Bettylee Wapner’s 60 wedding anniversary from Jack & Suzanne Benninga, Sharon Levy and Don & Ruth Bricker
In memory of Gisela Aronstein from Don & Ruth Bricker
In memory of Dorothy Crane from Irwin & Nancy Barg
In memory of Evelyn Berman from Suzanne & Jack Benninga
In memory of Larry Dixon from Bluma & Edward Felix
In memory of Susan Rosenstein from Mort & Donna Rosenstein
In memory of Evelyn Shein from Marianne & Martin Weil
In memory of Sol Kaufman from Marianne & Martin Weil
In memory of Lillian Garfinkel from Marianne & Martin Weil and Jack & Suzanne Benninga
In memory of Bernard Podolsky from Karen & Bill Podolsky
For the full recovery of Martin Britz from Jack & Suzanne Benninga
For the speedy recovery of Robert Glassman from Jack & Suzanne Benninga
Religious School Donation Fund:
In memory of Shirley Lawrence from Lesa Schwartz
th
In honor of Mel & Bettylee Wapner’s 60 wedding anniversary from Roger & Ivonne Litman
In memory of Larry Dixon from Roger & Ivonne Litman
In memory of Sherman Katz from Roger & Ivonne Litman
In honor of the birth of Lisa Sichermans’ first grandchild from Amy Schmidt
In memory of Clu Cotter from Marni, Ren & Jamie Cotter
In memory of Benjamin Waxman from Jeanna Francis
In memory of Margot Finkle from Bryne, Gia and Eenie Finkle
In memory of Seaman Raphael from David & Marilyn Britz
In honor of the naming of Juliette Stewart from Roger & Ivonne Litman
In memory of Phyllis Benveniste from Roger & Ivonne Litman
In memory of Rosa Tisnovsky from Dr. Zhornitskiy
Congratulations to Arlana & Roger Stewart on the naming of Elisheva from Amy Schmidt
In memory of Edith Felzer from Dr. & Mrs David Silverman
Congratulations to the Richtel Family on the birth of Oliver Vaughn from Amy Schmidt
In honor of Laurie Leifer’s birthday from Amy Schmidt
In memory of Sol Kaufman from Amy Schmidt
In memory of Fainna Tisnovsky from The Zhornitskiy Family
In appreciation for the astounding dinner FJDS parents, David & Robyn Sacks, Brent & Claudine Romans and Tricia & Shams Khwaja
provided from Robbi & Gerald Alexander
In memory of Lillian Garfinkel from Jenny & Jerry Mann
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund:
In honor of Rabbi Rick officiating the Honor of Commitment ceremony for SaraBeth & Victor from Terry & Roberta Bavin
In honor of Rabbi Rick for his time and the lovely baby naming service for our granddaughter from Roger & Arlana Stewart
Dan Rabin Shabbaton Fund:
In memory of Dan Rabin from The Alson Family and Maria Vargas
In memory of Clu Cotter from The Alson Family
th
In honor of Mel & Bettylee Wapner’s 60 wedding anniversary from The Alson Family
In memory of Evelyn Berman from The Alson Family
In memory of Sol Kaufman from The Alson Family
In memory of Evelyn Shein from The Alson Family
In memory of Lillian Garfinkel from The Alson Family
For the good health of Marc Wilson from Mark & Sindy Alson
Caring Committee Fund:
In memory of Larry Dixon from Bernard & Sylvia Silberman
In memory of our fathers Jack Borowick & Louis Silberman from Bernard & Sylvia Silberman
In memory of Isadore & Howard Gurss from Saretta Gurss
In memory of Leo Pritchett from Lulita Hoddle
In memory of Ellen Forman from Maxine Cohn
In honor of Juliette Stewart baby naming from Carol & Larry Miller, Rita Goldstone and Saretta Gurss and Fran & Stan Ziegler
In memory of Leslie Dehn from Marlene Dehn
In memory of Lulita Pritchett from Lulita Hoddle
In honor of Laurie Leifer’s Birthday from Pepper & Bob Kammen
In memory of Evelyn Shein from Marilyn Horwitz, Hanna Krebs
Russell L. Fox Camp Scholarship Fund:
th
In honor of Mel & Bettylee Wapner’s 60 wedding anniversary from David & Lisa Sicherman
In honor of the birth of Lisa & David Sicherman’s new grandson, Farrell Benjamin Gilliam from Terry & Frankie Fox and Jeri Buchman
Weil& Douglas Weil
In memory of Larry Dixon from Frankie & Terry Fox,
In memory of Larry Dixon from his Poker Buddies
For the good health of Roger Stewart from Terry & Frankie Fox
For the good health of Ivonne Litman from Terry & Frankie Fox
For the good health of Lauri Weiss from Terry & Frankie Fox
In memory of Evelyn Shein from Terry & Frankie Fox
In memory of Lillian Garfinkel from Terry & Frankie Fox and Jeri Buchman Weil& Douglas Weil
Cantor Loring Camp Scholarship:
In memory of Evelyn Shein from TBI Sisterhood
Jack and Lola Kader Holocaust Library:
THE MONUMENTS MEN, by R. Edsel, given for Patricia A. Kader on our anniversary from David Kader
A TRAIN IN WINTER, by C. Moorehead, on the first yahrzeit of Philip Levine from David Kader
th
SKY TINGED RED, by I. Eiger; given on the 96 anniversary of the birth of my mother from David Kader
THREE MINUTES IN POLAND, by G. Kurtz; given on the birthday of my brother, Philip Kader from David Kader
In memory of Arthur Strumwasser from Gina Strumwasser & Stewart Steinbach
K’Tanim Fund:
In memory of Alejandro Glusman from Maria Vargas
HHD Flower Fund:
In memory of Louis & Gerald Slater from Marie Slater
In memory of Barbara Kaplan from Anne Richtel
In honor of Laurie Leifer’s Birthday from Anne Richtel
In memory of Diane Zealear from Anne Richtel
Want to make an announcement in the
next edition of TBI Chai Lights?
All submissions are due to Sarah Davis,
Editor
at [email protected]
no later than April 15, 2016