FROM THE RABBI
DAVID A. SPEY
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
As we embark on the new year of 2014, I want to take a moment to wish everyone
a healthy, happy, and fulfilling new year that, in every way, is better than the last. My
dream would be that this wish could be achieved strictly through earnest desire and
prayer, but our tradition teaches that this is not the case. This dream and desire is
certainly achievable, but only when we work diligently with God to bring it to fruition.
So how can we make sure that our efforts and wishes are bear fruit?
Again, Jewish tradition has great guidance for us. First, while success may be
gained individually, success is much more likely and much more wide spread if we work
together as a community. When we work together as a community, it is possible to
ensure that the rising tide will raised all of our boats. But what does it mean to work as a
community. During December, we were inundated with requests for contributions to
charities, forcing us to decide which were worthy and in concert with our personal
priorities, which reflected the values of our families, and which were consistent with our
Jewish traditions. But money alone will not ensure that the tide of better times comes in
in a constructive way.
The tide that raises all ships is the tide of community, the tide of relationship, the
tide of the unity that is stated in our Shema. When we accept the teaches of Genesis, and
start viewing the faces of our fellow human beings as the face of God and that building
and nurturing relationships with other people as a spiritual endeavor which builds our
relationships with God, we create a true tide of community. Whether we give our time to
others by helping them learn a new skill, by helping another find employment or housing,
or simply speaking to someone who finds himself or herself isolated, building positive
interpersonal relationships is holy work that helps to raise us all.
Toward that end, in an effort to make myself more available, I am holding fixed
office hours for any and all to drop in and chat. For those who work in downtown Fort
Lauderdale, I will be available every Monday at Einstein Bagels on the Northwest corner
of Broward and Federal from 11-2. Join me for a chat while you have a bite for lunch.
On Tuesdays, I will be available from 4 to 7 at the synagogue; while your children study,
stop in and chat. For those who find that they have more flexibility in their schedules, I
will be in my study on Friday mornings from 9-12. Of course, I will continue to be
available to appointments in person or by phone; feel free to text or call me on my cell
phone (954-303-2269) to chat or arrange appointments. My desire is to do my part in
raising the tide of community, and I can use your help.
This year as we wish each happy and healthy new years, let us make personal
commitment to each other to help to ensure that this year will be better than last. May we
all work to hasten the day that this wish for a beautiful and peaceful world, devoid of all
problems and issues may become a reality. May we all have a fulfilling and elevating
new year.
CANTOR’S NOTES
Wendy Autenrieth
Welcome to 2014! With the secular new year, we begin our only fund raiser in
the religious school, our Passover candy sale. All of the religious school families will
receive an order form with information and there will also be a form in this Hakol
for the congregation at large. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact
me or Judy Diamond in the religious school office. If everyone in our congregation
would buy one unit of candy, the religious school would make a great deal of money
so please consider bringing a box of candy when you go to your Passover seder.
Thank you in advance.
If you missed the King David String Ensemble last month, you missed a beautiful
evening. The quartet, from the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, played some wellknown classical music as well as a Klezmer suite and Hebrew songs. Many thanks to
the Brickman-Harnick fund which allowed us to have this wonderful group on our
bima again.
Many of you contributed school supplies last summer to our ongoing collection.
We gave all the supplies to a teacher in one of the poorest elementary schools in
Broward County, the Tedder School. We received a beautiful letter from her as well
as letters from the students who benefitted from our efforts. Whatever supplies
were not used by her students, were given to other students in the school. Her
letter is on our bulletin board and I have the students’ letters in my office that I am
happy to share. Thanks to everyone who contributed money and supplies towards
this project.
As always, many thanks to Dor L’Dor for their time and effort throughout the
year. If you haven’t signed up, you still have a chance to be a part of a Purim Shpiel
based on the music of Fiddler on the Roof. Please let me know as soon as possible if
you would like to take part of this Purim extravaganza. FYI - Purim is Saturday
night, March 15, 2014.
B’Shir - In Song
President’s Corner
Nathan Werner
As we settle in to a new calendar year just a few points I want to make to our
congregation. Our membership numbers have held relatively steady the past year or so,
and we are growing slowly in the single and young family categories. Our school
registration is up about 10% over last year, and we need to continue this trend (although
at a more accelerated pace would be nice). So please, when you have a chance and you
are breaking bread or chatting with someone Jewish who you believe to be unaffiliated –
and that is the vast majority of Jews residing in Broward County – tell them of your
affiliation with Temple Bat Yam and what a warm and inviting congregation we have.
Invite them to one of our many events or Friday night Shabbat services (or Saturday
morning study and worship). As I’ve written before – we are all ambassadors for Temple
Bat Yam.
In December there were some memorable events at Temple Bat Yam. On Friday,
December 6th we had a Family Shabbat service with the King David Ensemble followed
the next evening by Sisterhood’s Cabaret Night which was attended by 120 people – so
kudos to Susan Maurer, Sophie Gold and Faye Rojchin and the rest of Sisterhood for all
their hard work, planning and success! For the Religious School parents we hosted a
Parents Café on Sunday the 15th with bagels, coffee and the like as a chance for the
parents to socialize with each other while their children were in class. The Rabbi held
both Intro to Judaism and Hebrew Text Study on Mondays and Tuesdays throughout the
month; and the Temple band – Dor l’ dor – accompanied the congregation with their
joyful noise on Friday night December 20th.
Now, in January (the start of the calendar year 2014) the pace does not slow down much
for those who stay active at Temple Bat Yam. Family Services will be held on Friday
night January 3rd & 17th starting at 7 PM; and the Temple band – Dor l’ dor – will play as
part of Shabbat services on Friday, January 31st at 8 PM. There will be a Tot Shabbat
service on Friday evening January 10th starting at 6:30 PM; and another Parents Café
brunch for Religious School parents on Sunday, January 26th beginning at 10:00 AM.
And please make sure to RSVP and come support our Annual Underwriters Party for the
Gala to be held this year on Saturday evening, January 25th at 7:00 PM at the Chart
House Restaurant on the Intracoastal Waterway located at 3000 NE 32 Ave in Ft.
Lauderdale. That should be a wonderful evening of food, drink and great conversation;
and it has become one of the most important fundraising events of the year for us.
Invitations have already gone out so please be generous with your donations when you
RSVP and then come out this this beautiful waterfront setting to eat, drink and schmooze.
See you there!
ADULT EDUCATION
Text Study (a.k.a. Bible Study)
Tuesday mornings, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
January 7, 14, 21, 28
No experience required. In this weekly discussion, Rabbi Spey will lead a
conversation based upon traditional text of our tradition from an ethical, moral,
theological and social perspective. This year’s focus text will be “Broken Tablets,
Restoring the Ten Commandments and Ourselves” Edited by Rabbi Rachel S. Mikva.
Introduction to Judaism
Mondays 5:00 p.m.
January 6, 13, 27
Temple Bat Yam's 16 session Introduction to Judaism with Rabbi David Spey is
intended for those interested in conversion to Judaism, intermarried couples
seeking to explore the Jewish components of their marriage and Jewish couples and
individuals wishing to expand their adult understanding of Jewish faith and the
Jewish heritage.
The class will meet Monday evenings at 5:00 p.m. Registration is $25.00 for
members and $75.00 for non-members.