Dear Congregants,
Life is a journey of small steps, and every journey begins with a single step. Many of those
steps require courage and strength. With others we only need the desire to go forward and
enjoy something new. Know that with each step we enter a new experience. So, let us take
that step with faith in G-d, belief in ourselves and confidence in the loyalty, conviction and
hard work of our friends here at Temple Bet Emet. Ask yourselves the following questions:
Do I need to step forward with my family relationships, friendships or in spiritual life? Should I
open my heart to new ideas? Is it time for me to look at more creative avenues of self
expression? Shall I take a step forward toward finding new ways to learn and express myself
spiritually? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, let us take that step now.
With the inspiring thought about the journey of life in mind, be reminiscent that Passover
occurs in the month of Nissan. The Torah considers Nissan to be the first month of the Jewish
calendar. "It is first for you among the months of the year" (Exodus 12:27). Thus, Passover
is the first Holiday of the Jewish year. Every Holiday in the Jewish calendar represents a
certain spiritual energy mainly potent on that day--a specific opportunity or potential which
can be accessed most effectively on each Holiday throughout the cycle of the Jewish year.
This year, the first night of Passover beings on April 10th, 2017. As we gather at the Seder
table and retell the story of our liberation, think of the "bread of affliction" in broad terms.
Please consider those less fortunate and give them the gift of mitzvah. Victor and I wish all of
our Temple Bet Emet Family a Zissen Pesach.
Be'Shalom
Janet Seidel
FROM THE RABBI'S DESK
Rabbi Craig Rosenstein
Rabbi’s Article
Nissan-Iyar 5777 / April, 2017
Kind To All Kinds
By the time you read this, you should be well into your Passover celebrations. The Parsha
the week after Passover states, “These shall you abominate from among the birds, they
may not be eaten - they are an abomination: the Chassidah.” (Lev. 11:13) It is also stated
in the Haggadah, “You shall be kind to the stranger, for you were once strangers in a
strange land.”
Among the non-kosher birds is the chassidah - the stork. It is called chassidah because it
displays kindness (chessed) toward others of its species by sharing food with them.
According to the Ramban, the reason why the non-kosher birds are not kosher is because
of their cruel nature. If so, the chassidah should have been a kosher bird - after all, it
bestows kindness upon its companions! But it is not Kosher because it shows kindness
only to its own kind, not necessarily to other birds.
We were of course strangers in Egypt. Yet we left Egypt to a so-called Promised Land – but
land that was promised to us some 700 years earlier, and while in Egypt, completely
removed from Eretz Yisroayl for over 400 years. And in order to claim Israel, we would
have to conquer it from its indigenous peoples. Strangers.
Man finds it easy to love his fellow man if they are similar. If he learns in my school, if he
dresses like I do, then I love him and I'll try to assist him whenever the need arises. If he's
not like me, then I have no business with him and have no interest in helping him.
However, the kosher form of chessed is to bestow kindness equally on all people,
regardless of how similar they are to us.
As you recline in your seder this year, given all the debate going on in the world around us
on the subject of how kind we are to the stranger, reflect on just what that means for us
as a people: providing a welcome to a family from Mali, coming to the country for a
better education for their children, as they leave a country that has no desks for its
students; providing advanced medical care for a family from Syria who leaves a country
where there is no hospital in their town because it was destroyed in a bombing raid;
providing a home for a family that has been living in a refugee camp for the past couple of
years; providing a place for Buddhists from Afghanistan to worship in peace, because the
country they came from harbors religious fanatics that destroy 2200 year-old Buddhist
statues since they believe those statues to be idols, and therefore the people who worship
at the feet of these statues to be idolaters.
Even if admitting these people might bring some trouble on us – is it worth losing our
humanity, our joy, to keep them out?
Being kind to just your own kind is not kosher!
Hag S’mayakh-Hag HaMatzhot / Happy Pesakh
Hodesh Tov / A Good Month,
Rabbi Craig
A HEARTFELT THANK YOU FROM NAN BIRNBAUM: February 12, 2017
A Thank You to all of my Temple Family who have kept me in their prayers and thoughts during my
hospital stay, and after my return home. The phone calls, emails, and cards showing your caring
thoughts and love have given me the strength to continue my path to recovery and 'back to
normal' (whatever normal is). Both my daughter Sharon and son Michael were here for me both in
the hospital and upon my return home. They were a very important part in my recovery. Now
they have gone home to Greenville, SC and Tampa, FL, and I am able to function somewhat on my
own. No driving yet! Again, a huge thank you to everyone in my Temple Family.Hugs and Love to
all, Nan Birnbaum
NOTES TO CONGREGANTS
Friday Night Services
We have all become secularized over the last years. It then becomes our responsibility as Jews to
remember our religion as there are so few of us as compared to other religions.
Friday night services reminds us of our Jewishness and helps us cement our relationship to our
religion and our Temple Bet Emet. Attending services on Friday evenings keeps our religious
awareness active and helps our temple’s establishment within the community. Participation in
service rituals sharpens our Jewish bonds and helps our temple maintain and exceed it goals. In
the weeks or months ahead, I will be contacting you for your participation and assistance.
Irv. Weintroub, Ritual Chairman
Article from Betty Pardo April 2017
SUPPORT YOUR TEMPLE
COME TO SERVICES
BRING FRIENDS
BUY TRIBUTES AND BOOKPLATES
PARTICIPATE IN TEMPLE ACTIVITIES
WITHOUT YOUR HELP WE WILL NOT SURVIVE
ATTENTION: CAREGIVERS
IF YOU ARE A CAREGIVER OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS, PLEASE JOIN US ON THE SECOND MONDAY
OF THE MONTH AT DESERT VISTA COMMUNITY CENTER, ROOM 4 AT 9:30 AM. THIS IS A SUPPORT
GROUP FOR CAREGIVERS
I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE. PLEASE CALL FAYE TO RSVP.
FAYE GOLDSTEIN 702-386-9996
Due to legal restrictions (HIPAA), hospitals and nursing homes are no longer permitted to
release the names of patients to the clergy. Please notify Rabbi Rosenstein at 499-2928
when a family member or friend is hospitalized or seriously ill so that the Rabbi or Temple
representative can contact the person or family.
MEMORIAL PLAQUES are available so that you can perpetually honor and
memorialize your loved ones. You can make a minimum donation of $36
and purchase a plaque which will be placed on Temple Bet Emet's beautiful
Memorial Board. The information needed for the plaque is:
Name:__________________________
____________________________ _______________________
Date of Birth
Date of Passing
Please print clearly and send to Temple Bet Emet, P.O. Box 371325,
Las Vegas, NV 89137-1325
TRIBUTE CARDS are a wonderful way of supporting Temple Bet
Emet by expressing and remembering a special occasion such
as a birthday, anniversary, a hearty Mazel Tov, get well, in
memory of, etc. Lita Duner--702-233-2269 will gladly take your
request and send out an acknowledgment of your donation.
Receiving an ALIYAH (being called upon to light the Shabbat candles, opening the Ark,
saying the blessing before and after the reading of the Torah, or reciting the Motzei or
Kiddush at the end of services) should also be a way of supporting our Temple by making a
donation for the honor of being called upon to partake in the services. Please participate
when our Ritual Vice President, Irv Weintroub, 702 869-2238: calls upon you.
PLACE A PERSONAL ADV WITH US
Why not send your thanks to your well wishers and your blessings
to your friends and family and make a donation to Temple Bet Emet
at the same time!
A three line Adv. costs $18 and would be a mitzvah.
BOOKPLATES FOR THE NEW SIDDURIM
With your generous contributions we were able to buy new prayer books for
the Temple which will be dedicated at the second service in November!
Now we are able to offer bookplates designed for Temple Bet Emet
that will honor your family and friends
These too will be $36 and we can start taking your orders
immediately.
You can e-mail the information or you can wait for our next
service where application forms will be available.
We have already sold 8 of the bookplates and are looking
forward to your honorees
Betty Pardo EMAIL: [email protected]
YAHRZEITS
The Board of Directors and the congregation would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and
deepest appreciation to JERRY AND JEANINE RAPPAPORT for being such wonderful Yahrzeit
Chairmen Their dedication, attention to detail, promptness and commitment to the job were so
very much valued.
LOIS DUNAISKY has kindly volunteered to take over this chairmanship. Volunteers are the life
blood of our Temple and we so appreciate Lois's offer to take on this momentous task. If you have
any questions or concerns about yahrzeits, please contact Lois at [email protected] or 702-6561707.
CONGREGANT OF THE YEAR AWARD
TEMPLE BET EMET PROUDLY PRESENTED ITS
CONGREGATION OF THE YEAR AWARD TO THE
CONGREGANT
WHOSE UNTIRING EFFORTS HAVE DONE SO MUCH
FOR
THE TEMPLE
ANITA COHEN
IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT WE PRESENT THIS YEAR'S CONGREGANT OF THE YEAR
AWARD TO A WOMAN WHO HAS GIFTED OUR TEMPLE WITH HER AMAZING ABILITIES AND
TREMENDOUS TALENTS. SHE MAY NOT BE AWARE OF IT, BUT THESE TREASURES SHE HAS
SHARED WITH US ARE BEYOND MEASURE.
OUR CONGREGANT OF THE YEAR HAS SERVED ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE AS THE ONEG SHABBAT RESERVATIONS CHAIRMAN--DOING A FANTASTIC JOB
IN GETTING SPONSORS FOR OUR ONEGS. THANKS TO ANITA WE ARE ABLE TO
SHARE IN OUR CONGREGANTS HAPPY AND SOMETIMES SAD OCCASIONS.
SHE CONTINUALLY VOLUNTEERS HER SERVICES WHENEVER AND WHEREVER NEEDED--SHE
CERTAINLY EXEMPLIFLIES THE WORD "VOLUNTEER". AT OUR SHABBAT SERVICES SHE HELPS
WITH THE SETTING UP AND CLEANING UP FOR THE ONEG SHABBAT AND ANITA
GRACIOUSLY DELIVERS THE COOKIES AND PASTRIES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN CONSUMED TO
OUR COMMUNITY FIRE STATION. THE TEMPLE BET EMET BOARD AND THE CONGREGATION
ARE SO PROUD AND HAPPY TO BESTOW THE HONOR OF CONGREGANT OFTHE YEAR TO
ANITA. WE ARE SO BLESSED TO HAVE HER AS SUCH A VALUABLE MEMBER OF OUR
CONGREGATION..
TEMPLE BET EMET CHOIR
Comfort Keepers provides home care for people who cannot care for themselves temporarily…
They cook , do light housework, bathe, feed and transport to Doctors, etc.
They are very reliable as I have had to use them They will also take you to hospitals and rehab ….
Betty Pardo
Comfort Keepers
Comforting in-Home Care
Comfort Keepers provides in-home care that makes a difference in the lives of Seniors and othe Adults. For more than a
decade, clients and their families have entrusted their
Care to us in hundreds of local communities. Whether we’re providing companionship or in-home safety solutions. We offer
the care and support that improves a Senior’s quality of life and enables independent living at home.
Living well encompasses many aspects that can be enhanced by in-home care. These aspects include mental, physical,
nutritional, and safety considerations. Through our interactive Caregiving system, our Caregivers, or , or Comfort Keepers,
interact with and engage Seniors- whether while cooking, playing cards, doing a puzzle or looking at old photos-to help them
maintain happy, independent lives.
I would like to recommend Sarah Lee Marks with
the following remarks:
Sarah was highly recommended to me by my auto
mechanic when I told him I was in the market for
a new car. Never having used a car broker before,
I found buying a car to be an exasperating
experience. Not so with Sarah--she made it a very
pleasurable--without any hassle nor having to
deal with obnoxious salespeople. Sarah also takes
care of everything with the DMV. Of most
importance, she is a lovely. most informative,
personable lady who will take care of all of your
car buying needs. Janet Seidel
Sean L, Dobranich, ChFC
Sean has been our financial advisor for the past twelve
years and has always been helpful
and mindful of our financial goals. Sean doesn't hesitate
to make house calls when necessary.
Sean attended the American College of Financial
Planning, and started his career at Merrill Lynch.
He then moved to Wells Fargo where we first met. He is
now a managing partner of a group of financial
advisors, Waddell & Reed. We honestly believe that
Sean would be a good choice if you are looking for
a financial advisor…. Bobbie & Bob Solomon
REACHING OUT TO OUR CONGREGANTS....
"Research has shown that people who volunteer often live longer"--Allen Klein
Please consider being a part of these committees:
ONEG SHABBAT, Shopping for the 1st and 3rd Friday services. Please contact Janet, Email: seidel6cox.net
Phone # (702) 240-3719
ONEG SHABBAT, Chair person & Kitchen Elves needed, table preparation and clearing table. Please contact
Janet, Email: seidel6cox.net Phone # (702) 240-3719
"Those who can ....do, Those who can do more....Volunteer"
SPECIAL EVENTS, Theater parties, museums, plays, etc. Please contact: Nan Birnbaum, Email:
[email protected] Phone # (702) 258-9256
FUND RAISING, Please contact Betty Pardo, Email: [email protected] Phone #(702) 228-8648
MINYON/BEREAVEMENT, Chairperson needed. Please contact: Janet, Email: seidel6cox.net Phone # (702)
240-3719 …
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN JOINING THESE GROUPS. WE WOULD ALSO LIKE SUGGESTIONS FOR OTHER
GROUPS:
Rabbi's Discussion Group, meets 2nd Sunday 7:30 PM, hosted by congregants in their homes. Rabbi Craig and
host choose topic and Rabbi Craig leads our "perky" group. Guest list now available. Contact Idele Kaplan,
Email: [email protected] Phone #(702) 806-0821
Chavurot, we presently have 4 Chavurah groups. Organizing new groups now. A wonderful way to meet new
friends "away from our traditional services". Please contact: Maureen Sigal, Email: [email protected] Phone #
(702) 685-6431 or Idele Kaplan, Email: [email protected] Phone #(702) 806-0821
Idele Kaplan, 2nd Vice President, Membership
YOUR PURCHASE THRU AMAZON CAN BENEFIT TEMPLE BET EMET
You now have a chance to make money for Temple Bet Emet without leaving your house!
Every time you make a purchase thru Amazon, you can make money for the Temple with just the click of a button.
Here is how this works:
Go into the Temple Website at tbelv.org. Find the Amazon icon and click on it. It will take you to the Amazon 'start
screen' as if you had gone directly to Amazon. Make your purchases as you normally would. Going to Amazon thru
the Temple website does not increase any prices. The Temple will automatically receive a small fee. Can it get any
easier?
If you have any questions or concerns, please e-mail Betty Pardo at [email protected]
To Congregants
COMING ATTRACTION....soon at your local TEMPLE BET EMET....a new CHAVURAH will be organized. Ah, you
ask...What does CHAVURAH mean?
The word CHAVURAH comes from the Hebrew word "Chaver" meaning FRIEND. The CHAVURAH is a group of
individuals or couples who get together on a regular basis to celebrate Jewish life, usually once a month.
Ah, you ask....What is the advantage of a Chavurah?
Getting to know people in a congregation can be intimidating for some.
A CHAVURAH is a terrific way to get connected with your Temple community, essentially creating a small community
within the larger one.And, because you are the BEST congregation in Las Vegas and because friendship (and breaking
bread together) is most important to us, we are asking you to view our website: WWW.TBELV.ORG , down load the
questionnaire, fill it out and either mail it back or bring it to services.
If you are unable to down load the questionnaire, get in touch with us and we will see that you get a copy.
Ah, did we tell you that we already have a congregant who has volunteered to be the coordinator? We don't want to
let this congregant slip away, so...let's hear from you ASAP.
Idele Kaplan Ph. or Text (702) 806-0821 Email: [email protected]
Maureen Sigal Ph. (702) 685-6431 Email: [email protected]..
ONEG SHABBAT SPONSORS April 2017
APRIL 7 2017
NAN BIRNBAUM IN HONOR OF HER BIRTHDAY
LEE AND JERRY NEMIROFF IN HONOR OF JERRY'S BIRTHDAY
APRIL 21
JANE AND RON SEELBACH IN HONOR OF THEIR 28TH ANNIVERSARY
PAT AND STUART PAUL IN HONOR OF THEIR 11TH ANNIVERSARY AND STUART'S
BIRTHDAY
ROBERTA SMITH IN HONOR OF HER BIRTHDAY
TRIBUTES
APRIL 2017 TRIBUTES
Tribute cards to:
To. Lola Rivera in Memory of her Beloved Father, Henry Gomez
From: Harvey & Idele Kaplan
Ruth Alexman
Cynthia & Stuart Sherman
Jane & Ronald Seelbach
Silver Bells Chavaroth
Sybil Greenberg
Cecile Schreiber
Rita Ivens
Maureen and Stan Sigal
GET WELL WISHES
To:
April 2017
Paula Greene
From: Sybil Greenberg
To:
Gene Gary
From: Sybil Greenberg
To:
Nan Birnbaum
From: Sybil Greenberg
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES April & May 2017
APRIL 2017
1—MICHAEL AND ARLENE MACK ANNIVERSARY
3—MERLE ROTH
6—NAN BIRNBAUM
6--GENE GARY
7—RUTH MINTZ
11—ALICE STAHL
13—SERGIO NACHT
13-- JUDY BARRETT
14—STAN AND MAUREEN SIGAL ANNIVERSARY
17—SHARON TEPLITZ
17—HARRIET FADEM
18—EVELYN GERSON
18—JERRY NEMIROFF
19—SANDRA FELDMAN
20—SHELLIE WILSON
20-- ELLIE THOMAS GLASS
21—RONALD/JANE SEELBACH ANNIVERSARY
22—MARILYN MILLER
23-- TAMI/GEORGE RIVERS ANNIVERSARY
29-- PAT PAUL
29-- STUART/PAT PAUL ANNIVERSARY
30—ROBERTA SMITH
MAY 2017
1— ARLENE MACK
10—RUDY RIVERA
12—SAVANNAH RIVERA
15—RUDY RIVERA JR
15-- JERRY AND KAYLA SCHWARTZ ANNIVERSARY.
19—IRWIN KALET
19-- SARA KOLETT
21—JUDI AND ROGER KLEIN ANNIVERSARY
22—TOM AND GLORIA BISHOP ANNIVERSARY
23-- GLORIA SEGAL
25—DR MARJORIE BROWNSTEIN
25—DAVID GREENE
26—RICHARD GOLD
27—HARVEY AND IDELE KAPLAN ANNIVERSARY
28—IRWIN AND SHARON KALET ANNIVERSARY
30—SIDNEY STURZA
31—FREDA GREENFIELD
31—MARGE FEINBLATT
YAHRZEIT DONATIONS-APRIL 2017
MEMBER
MARY ANN HARTMAN
ROBERT HARTMAN
LEE NEMIROFF
MERLE ROTH
MERLE ROTH
MURRAY SCHOFEL
BETTYE SHAFER
ALICE STAHL
OPAL STAR
IRVING WEINTROUB
IN MEMORY OF
DANIEL D'ANGIOLIN
ESTHER HARTMAN
ROSE BERMAN
RUTH KLAPMAN
HERMAN ROTH
FRAN SCHOFEL
ROSE ZAIDENBERG
LOUIS GOLDBLATT
IDA STAR
JACK WEINTROUB
RELATIONSHIP
FATHER
MOTHER
MOTHER
MOTHER
HUSBAND
WIFE
MOTHER
FATHER
MOTHER-IN-LAW
FATHER
YAHRZEITS For APRIL 2017
APRIL 2017 YAHRZEIT LIST
THE DIFFERENCES #7
The Italian says, "I'm thirsty. I must have wine."
The Frenchman says, "I'm thirsty. I must have cognac."
The Russian says, "I'm thirsty. I must have vodka."
The German says, "I'm thirsty. I must have beer."
The Mexican says, "I'm thirsty. I must have tequila."
The Jewish man says, "I'm thirsty. I must have diabetes."
TRADITION #8
During a service at an old synagogue in Eastern Europe , when the Shema
prayer was said, half the congregants stood up and half remained sitting. The
half that was seated started yelling at those standing to sit down, and the ones
standing yelled at the ones sitting to stand up.
The rabbi, though learned as he was in the Law and commentaries, didn't
know what to do. His congregation suggested that he consult a housebound
98-year-old man who was one of the original founders of their temple.
The rabbi hoped the elderly man would be able to tell him what the actual
temple tradition was, so he went to the nursing home with a representative of
each faction of the congregation. The one whose followers stood during
Shema said to the old man, "Is it the tradition to stand during this prayer?"
The old man answered, "No, that is not the tradition.“
The one whose followers sat, said, "Then it must be the tradition to sit during
Shema!“
The old man answered, "No, that is not the tradition."
Then the rabbi said to the old man, "But the members of the congregation
fight all the time, yelling at each other about whether they should sit or stand.“
The old man interrupted, exclaiming, "THAT is the tradition!"