Volume 47, No. 7 — February 2013 — Shevat /Adar 5773
Snacks & Dessert served
Cost $10 in advance
$12 at the door
Kids under 12 are FREE
Saturday, February 23
CBM Style
Megillah Reading
Costumes, Dinner, Magician
See page 7 for additional information and dinner reservation form
Grand Event...see page 6
Men’s Club Man of the Year….see page 10
HOW YOU CAN REACH US
Telephone: (248) 788-0600
Fax: (248) 788-0604
School office: (248) 788-3600
email: [email protected]
on the web: www.bnaimoshe.org
Clergy
Rabbi Elliot Pachter ... [email protected]
Cantor Earl G. Berris [email protected]
Executive Director
Charles Berris ............. [email protected]
Director of Education
Gail Gales .................... [email protected]
Office ....................... [email protected]
[email protected]
President .........................................Dan Sperling
[email protected]
Vice Presidents ................................... Steve Fine
Steve Mondrow
Jon Isenberg
Treasurer ...........................................Joel Shayne
Secretary…………………..…..Cathleen Zepelin
(USPS 981-880) Published Monthly except July
POSTMASTER:
Send Address Changes to:
B’nai Moshe Bulletin
6800 Drake Road
West Bloomfield, MI 48322
Periodical Postage
Paid at Pontiac, MI 48343
March Bulletin Deadline
March Bulletin articles are due in the office on
Monday, February 4, 2013. Stories may be
delivered to the office, faxed to (248)788-0604,
or e-mailed to [email protected].
Photographs are encouraged to accompany
stories when appropriate. Late stories are subject
to inclusion on a case-by-case basis.
HAVE YOU VISITED
OUR WEBSITE?
www.bnaimoshe.org
Have you missed an issue?
Read it on our website
2
Thoughts From Our President
by Dan Sperling
Different Is Not Necessarily Bad
You might have noticed a Shabbat morning in late
December when there was no Michigan football
and yet I was not present on the bima.
In fact, there were no Sperlings, Shermans, or
Isenbergs anywhere to be found. We were
blessed to all be in Weston, Florida (a thriving
suburb just west of Ft. Lauderdale) for my niece’s
Bat Mitzvah. It was a great time as we visited with
our extended family… not to mention the fact that we were in warm
Florida and not in cold Michigan at the beginning of winter. As for
the Bat Mitzvah itself, needless to say, my niece knocked it out of
the park! She read torah like a maven and led many parts of the
service, both in Hebrew and in English.
The simcha was held at Temple Dor Dorim, where my sister and
her family have been members for years. The congregation is led
by Rabbi Norman Lipson, a very engaging person that seems to be
well liked by his congregants. His “partner in crime” on the bima
was Cantorial Soloist Allison Teisch, who played the keyboard and
sang for both the Friday night and Saturday morning services.
Overall, it was a great weekend and everyone had a great time.
I must admit, however, that I struggled a bit (as I always do) with
the religious parts of the weekend. Although my entire extended
family wore tallit throughout the service (as did my niece), there
were many Jewish participants that did not. While many parts of
the service were recognizable (such as the Barachu and the first
paragraph of the Shema), many more parts were missing, including
the Amida (which was replaced by a moment of silent prayer). And
finally, it was very hard for me to get used to being accompanied in
my Shabbat prayer by an electric keyboard, including as
background music during our silent prayer. While it was great to
spend a Shabbat evening and morning with extended family, I
definitely found myself missing B’nai Moshe.
That being said, I’ve actually come a long way. Back a few
years ago, when we were on the intense “Bar/Bat Mitzvah circuit”
with Josh and Jenna, I would sit during services at local Reform
Temples and complain non-stop… just ask Lisa. I’ve come to
realize, however, that just because it’s not right for me, doesn’t
mean it’s not right for them. Although we in the Conservative
Movement may not consider those practices to be “up to snuff,” I’d
rather see families getting involved in Judaism and becoming a
Bar/Bat Mitzvah at Temple than sitting home and shunning
Judaism all together. (Of course, I’d much rather see them
attending Conservative Movement congregations… but as the 20th
century prophet Mick Jagger famously said… “You can’t always
get what you want”!)
In all seriousness, I’ve realized that judging others with the
same “yardstick” that I use on myself gets me nowhere. People
may not always make the same choices I would, but that doesn’t
make them wrong (as long as they’re not harming me, themselves,
or others). I don’t expect others to judge me for my decisions… so
I vow not to do that to them. Okay… so let me have it! :)
See you in Shul!
A Word From Our Rabbi
by Rabbi Elliot Pachter
Celebrating Your Simcha
I am delighted to speak to you this month
about one fantastic Hebrew word — Simcha!
First, we are thrilled to announce the return
of Birthday Shabbat! All children, celebrating a
birthday from ages 1-18, are invited to be
honored at Shabbat morning services on the
second Saturday of each month. Near the end
of the service, all birthday celebrants will be
called to the bimah to receive a blessing from Cantor Berris and me,
and a birthday treat. We will serenade our celebrants with Yom
Huledet Sameach!
If you have a child, grandchild, other relative or friend celebrating
a 1st to 18th birthday in the month of February, please contact the
office to provide us with the child’s name and age, and please plan to
join us for Birthday Shabbat on Saturday, February 9.
Speaking of birthdays, we continue to send congratulatory letters
to synagogue members celebrating birthdays ending in a “0” or a “5,”
starting from the 70th birthday, and every year after age 90. We invite
these members to have their special birthdays recognized at a
Shabbat service.
We also send congratulatory letters to couples celebrating a
wedding anniversary, beginning with the 25th, then every five years
through the 60th, and every year thereafter. Again, we invite these
couples to have their special anniversaries acknowledged in the
synagogue on Shabbat.
While it is not a requirement to do so, we certainly encourage all
of you who are celebrating a birthday or anniversary to consider
sponsoring or co-sponsoring the Kiddush, especially if you are
expecting 10 or more guests. For more information about Kiddush,
you can contact the synagogue office. Kiddush is normally prepared
by our wonderful Sisterhood, but you also have the option of hiring
an approved Kosher caterer (if you are the sole sponsor for that
Shabbat).
We also welcome you to bring other s’machot (I bet you didn’t
know that this is the plural simcha) to our synagogue community. It
is such a delight to celebrate with you when your family has an aufruf
or baby naming. Please contact the office for the specific
requirements regarding aufruf and baby naming.
A highlight of the service for me is getting to announce all
birthdays and anniversaries (not just the ones ending in “0” or “5”) of
members in attendance. In addition, we love to list your “Mazal Tov”
events, however you define them, in our bulletin (see page 11),
weekly email, and Shabbat flyer. In this world filled with far too much
sadness — illness, terrorism, gun violence, destructive storms, etc.
— it is a true joy to be able to share in our members’ happy events.
Please also plan to use B’nai Moshe as the site of your
upcoming private family events — weddings, showers, brit milah, etc.
The office staff can help you plan a wonderful and memorable kosher
event. Our maintenance staff will treat you like royalty on the day of
your celebration.
When you think simcha, think B’nai Moshe!
A Word From Our Cantor
by Cantor Earl G. Berris
Don't Take Purim Seriously
A good laugh is always good for mind and the
soul, and more so, if it happens to be in tune with
the ongoing festival. Below are some jokes to get
you in the mood for Purim:
It's winter in Russia and the people are hungry.
The town council announces that meat will be
arriving so everyone gets in line to wait for the meat. After an hour of
waiting in the snow and the freezing cold, the town council announces
that there will be less meat coming then expected, and that all Jews
should go home. So, all the Jews leave the line. Another hour goes by
and, again, the town council announces there will be less than expected
food arriving, all non-communists can go home. All the non-communists
leave the line. Another hour, and the town council announces there will
be no food arriving, everybody go home. As one man trudges home
through the snow, he turns to his friend and says "you see, the Jews
always get to go home first!"
Yankele: "Look at that bunch of cows!"
Moshele: "Not bunch, herd!"
Yankele: "Herd what?"
Moshele: "Of cows."
Yankele: "Heard of cows? Of course I've heard of cows!!"
How about a few one liners:
No sense being pessimistic, it probably wouldn't work anyway!
In general, the art of government consists of taking as much money as
possible from one group of the citizens to give to the other. - Voltaire
(1764)
I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts - Will
Rogers
To write with a broken pencil is pointless.
A dentist and a manicurist married. They fought tooth and nail.
With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress.
This last one is in honor of my daughter Leore, who now lives in
Hollywood.
When the smog lifts in Los Angeles, U.C.L.A.
Don't forget, though Purim is a fun(ny) holiday, it's not just for kids and
they can't come if you don't. By the way, when shopping for a good
costume for your kids, don't forget to find one for yourself. Wearing a
disguise can make celebrating the holiday much more personal and
does increase the joy of those around you.
Chag Purim Sameach.
3
L.I.F.E. / Youth News
Bat Mitzvah
~~~~~~~~~~
Ruby Ruben
Ruby Jennifer Ruben
(Gilanah) of West Bloomfield,
Michigan will become a Bat
Mitzvah at B’nai Moshe on Saturday,
February 2, 2013.
Participating in the ceremony will be her
parents Bruce and Mindy Ruben and sisters
Dana and Marissa. Proud grandparents are
Jerald and Ann Ruben of West Bloomfield,
MI, and Sonia Freedman and Bill Lipper of
Chicago, IL.
Ruby is a student at Hillel Day School in
Farmington Hills. Her mitzvah projects
include Torah Circle at the Friendship Circle
in West Bloomfield.
Charach Gallery Seeks Your
Bat Mitzvah Photos For Exhibit
Time to search through your photo
collection and pull out those fabulous
Bat Mitzvah pictures. Whether
they’re candid, poised, beautiful or
cheesy, the Janice Charach Gallery
hopes to use these photographic memories
for an upcoming exhibit.
Please e-mail jpegs to [email protected]
or send photos to:
Janice Charach Gallery
6600 W. Maple Road,
West Bloomfield, MI 48332
All photos must be received by February
10. (Photos may be picked up at the end of
the exhibit.) To be part of the exhibit,
please make an $18 donation as all proceeds
will benefit the gallery.
4
Keep In Mind Start/Dismissal
Times For L.I.F.E. Students
We are so fortunate to have parents who are supportive
of their child's Jewish education and our L.I.F.E. program
objectives. However, as we return to the L.I.F.E. program
in 2013, I am asking that you intensify your efforts to
respect our start times so that your children and their
teachers are not continuously disrupted by late arrivals
during our educational hours. Students who are present
lose focus and teachers spend valuable time in repetition
due to interruptions caused by repeatedly tardy students.
I must also reiterate our dismissal policy. Drivers must
arrive promptly at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and at 11:45
a.m. (if you are not in the Main Sanctuary) on Shabbat
because children must not remain in the synagogue
unsupervised. L.I.F.E. staff and synagogue personnel do
not remain onsite to supervise students after dismissal.
Extra charges will be assessed for students who remain
more than five minutes beyond dismissal time.
Thanks so much for your cooperation.
Respectfully,
Gail Gales
Director of Education & Youth
Gold Leaves
In honor of
DOLORES AND HAROLD
GREENSPAN’S
th
60 Wedding Anniversary
With love,
From the Children
and Grandchildren
January 10, 2013
In honor of
MARION NUEMAN’S
90th Birthday
February 9, 2013
With love,
your son, Sheldon Nueman
Library News
Making OPALS Library Website Work For You
This month I would like to continue giving some instructions on using the new OPALS library website. First of all,
it has been brought to my attention that some people are having difficulty reaching the new website using the
address cbm.hl.scoolaid.net . I am not sure why some people are having this problem but, if you encounter it,
try this alternate address http://cbm.hl.scoolaid.net . Adding the prefix http:// should solve the problem.
Now let’s move on to something new. OPALS allows each person to register their own personal library
account. When you register, you set up your own private username and password for their account. After
registering your account, you can keep track of how many items you have out, what the titles are, and when
each item is due back at the library. It also allows you to place a reserve on an item that you want to read so it
can be held for you. I encourage all of you to register your account so you can make use of all these features.
Registration is quick and easy. It only takes a minute.
BUT YOU MUST KNOW YOUR LIBRARY BARCODE NUMBER TO DO IT. Your barcode number is the unique 4 digit
number that has been assigned to each library patron. Every member of a family has their own library barcode
number. To get your barcode number, you can call the synagogue and ask for it. When I am not there, the
office will take the message and get it to me. I will then send you your number either by email, or by phone. The
other way to get your barcode number is to look at your Shabbat Friendly Patron Card which is in the patron box
on the Shabbat friendly cart which is in the Klein Chapel. Your barcode number is found on your card.
Once you have your number, just follow these directions to register your account:
Open the OPALS website.
Look in the upper right hand corner of the screen and CLICK on “Register Account.”
A Registration Window will open up with a box that says “User ID/ Barcode.”
ENTER your barcode number in the box. CLICK “OK.”
The system will then display a window with your name as it is recorded in the database.
If this is a correct match, CLICK “NEXT.”
A new window opens.
ENTER your email address. (This is not mandatory, but is helpful for the Library to send out notification when
holds become available and reminders to return overdue items.)
ENTER a username and password of your own choice. Remember the username and password you use for
your account! You will need it to login to your account in the future.
CLICK “OK.”
After registering your account you can login to your personal information at any time while you are visiting the
site. You must be logged in to place a reserve on an item.
TO LOGIN: Click on the “Login” button found in the upper right hand corner of every screen (right next to the
Register Account button). A window will open; enter your username and password and then, Click Login.
-By Sherry Wasserman
DON’T FORGET TO LOOK FOR THESE NEW BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY
The Lawgiver
Herman Wouk
Mossad
Michael
Bar-Zohar
Aleppo Codex
Matti Friedman
Seventh Gate Telegraph Avenue
Richard Zimler Michael Chabon
El Illuminado:
A graphic novel
Ilan Stavans
5
Synagogue News
CALLING ALL GRANDPARENTS!...CALLING ALL GRANDCHILDREN!...
B’NAI MOSHE PRESENTS
THE GRANDPARENT (SPECIAL PERSON)
GRANDCHILD DINNER DANCE
Music and fun provided by
Bruce Weberman’s
Club Elite
Entertainment
B’nai Moshe invites you and
someone GRAND to B’nai Moshe
for dinner and to dance the
night away
THE GRAND EVENT
Sunday, March 10
5 pm to 8:30pm
Souvenir Memory Photos
will be taken by
Lemus Photography
Starting at 5 p.m.
Dinner catered by
Jewel Kosher Catering
will be served at 5:30 p.m.
Adults: Member $18
Non-Member $20
Children (6 – 12): Member $10
Non-Member $12
Children 5 and under are free
Grandparent/Special Person/Grandchild Dinner Dance
Reservations must be paid in advance by March 1
Return to B’nai Moshe, 6800 Drake Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322
Name:___________________________________________ Phone:_____________________
Number of: Adults_______ Children (Ages 6-12):_____ Children (5 & Under)_____
Total Enclosed: ___________ Check No. _______________
For credit card users (Visa, MasterCard and Discover only) complete the following:
Total Amount: $________ Credit Card No.: ______________________ Expiration Date: ______
Address: _________________________________ Zip Code: ____________
6
Synagogue News/Purim
Saturday, February 23
CBM Style
Megillah Reading
Costumes, Dinner, Magician
ADULTS
5:45 P.M. Mincha/Maariv
6:15 P.M. Dinner (No Charge) by Reservation for Individuals & Families
6:57 p.m. Havdalah
7:00 p.m. Megillah Reading(with Stand-up Comedy intervals)
KIDS
6:30 p.m. Kid Costume Parade (with Prizes) during Dinner
6:45 p.m. Magician
Kids will join Megillah Reading in Progress
PURIM EXTRAVAGANZA Dinner Reservation
Please R.S.V.P. by Monday, February 18
We encourage a family donation of $10 toward dinner costs and a contribution to the
Jewish Housing Authority. (Please make checks payable to Congregation B’nai Moshe)
Name:__________________________________________________
# Adults_____ # Children (0-11years)_____
Check #________
Cold Cuts_____ Vegetarian_____
Purim is Coming!
Watch for your
Mishloach Manot Order Form
Participate in the fun of Sisterhood’s Annual Mishloach Manot Purim Package Project.
Fill out the form as soon as it arrives. This is a wonderful opportunity to:
Share the joy of Purim with fellow congregants, friends and family
Enrich the Purim celebration which begins the evening of February 23
Support Sisterhood and Congregation B’nai Moshe.
Men, women & teens, don’t miss out on your chance to be a part of our Purim box assembly line. Anyone who has
helped before will tell you how much fun we have. This year packing will begin at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, February 17.
Please contact Annette Kaufman at [email protected] or 248.661.6965 to assist with post card mailing,
shopping for the goodies or to join our Purim box assembly line.
7
Synagogue/ Mens’ Club
Get ready to wrap and roll on
Sunday, February 3
Shacharit Service will be at 9 a.m.
followed by a complimentary breakfast
breakfast reservations are mandatory
After breakfast, we will hear from Sam Ser, a news editor for the web-based The Times
of Israel, where he coordinates coverage of Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.
For most of 2000’s, he was a news editor and features writer for The Jerusalem Post, exploring issues
ranging from Israeli security to the Iranian nuclear threat and cultural issues to Israel’s economic growth.
__________________________
Please RSVP is mandatory so that we know how many to expect for breakfast.
Name: ______________________________________________________________________________
Number of attendees: ___________________________________________________
Mail to: Congregation B’nai Moshe, 6800 Drake Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322
or phone the shul office: (248) 788-0600 or email: [email protected]
Enjoy These Jewish Films
It’s cold outside, but at B’nai Moshe it’s
always warm and friendly. Come inside and enjoy these
entertaining and engaging films on the big screen.
NO COST ~ OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY
DOORS OPEN AT 7:30 PM
The Infidel
8 p.m. Sat. Feb. 16
Josh Appignanesi (Director), 2010, Not Rated, 105 min.
This tongue-in-cheek British comedy with a big-hearted
message looks at what makes a good man. Mahmud Nasir
(Omid Djalili Sex and the City 2) is a loving family man and
something of a relaxed Muslim. After his mother’s death,
Mahmud finds his birth certificate, which sends him into an
identity crisis. He turns to Lenny (Richard Schiff, The West
Wing), a drunken Jewish cabbie, whose crash course in Judaism
is more quirky than kosher.
Everything Is Illuminated 8:15 p.m. Sat. March 9
LievSchreiber (Director), 2006, Rated PG-13, 105 min.
Based on the Jonathan Safran Foer novel, Elijah Wood (Lord
of the Rings) stars as a young man searching for the woman
who saved his grandfather in a small Ukrainian town
obliterated by the Nazis. He hires the hip-hop loving Alex
(Eugene Hutz, leader of the gypsy-punk band Gogol Bordello)
and his surly grandfather (Boris Leskin, Men in Black) as tour
guides—only to discover they may be less than dependable.
Co-sponsored by the CBM Men’s Club
8
Help Wanted: Make a
Difference For Sisterhood
B’nai Moshe Sisterhood desperately seeks women
to work on all phases of preparing Kiddush. Whether
you like to shop, prepare food before the weekend,
or help out in the kitchen on Shabbat, there’s a
place for you. Just a few minutes of your time will be
appreciated.
In addition, the search is on for energetic women
eager to serve on the Sisterhood board. Joining the
Sisterhood board is a great way to make a difference
at B’nai Moshe and let your voice be heard.
Please contact Ruth Shayne at 248.489. 0783 if
you’re interested.
Sisterhood Kiddush Fund Contributions
The following donations were made to the Sisterhood
Kiddush Fund recently:
For Mi Sheberech said for daughter Sally Stein
by Phyllis and David Scherman
In Memory of Marty Sussman
by Phyllis and David Scherman
General contribution by Donald and Ellie Reimer