Chanukah Party

What fun we had tonight playing dreidl, making cookies and gelt bags, singing songs and eating latkes. Happy Chanukah everyone.

Why such a big deal about Chanukah?

Shalom,

I was sent this great letter to Chanukah from Shavuos. It kind of puts the holiday in perspective. Enjoy!

Dear Chanukah,

Hi. My name is Shavuos. Some people call me Shavuot. Many have never heard of me at all. I'm a pretty quiet holiday, so this outrageous letter is really not my style. But honestly, things have just gone too far.

Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I'm a REAL holiday. A Biblical one. I don't like to flaunt my pedigree, but people just have to know these things. Like, the type of holiday you don't drive on. You make kiddush on. Y'know?

Chanukah, I mean, we can be friends and all. I like you. Your latkes rock and you sure know how to throw a party. Your theme is beautiful and your prayers amazingly contemporary and relevant. You're a lot of fun and we actually have a lot in common. Dairy foods and all. But in some ways, we are so opposite. I'm a summer kind of thing and you're a winter kind of thing. I'm really short and you're... not. Is that any reason to show off?

I'm not really sure why you need to hang out in the middle of the mall decorated with gifts, starting from like November. Really?? I think you've been hanging out with Christmas a little too much. Not that you asked, but you guys have nothing in common! Why are you always trying to upstage him? I know you share a birthday(sometimes). You're not even related. Your themes are different, your customs are different. Lose the gifts, okay? It's so not you. You've always been a gelt kind of guy. That means money - cash. When did you become such a follower?

If anyone should be in the middle of the mall (which we shouldn't) it should be us. The threesome. The Three Major Holidays. No, I'm not trying to show off, but you seem to have forgotten your place. Me, Pesach (Passover) and Sukkot. Yep, it's always been the three of us - no offense.

So why don't you get out of the mall and do your job: fighting Jewish ignorance and apathy, and introducing people to us? It would suit you well. Oh, and by the way? Figure out how to spell your name, because it's becoming awfully confusing.

Looking forward to seeing you soon,

Shavuos
the forgotten holiday

Great Brisket Bake-off

Several years ago I started what has come to be known as the GREAT BRISKET BAKE-OFF. Like many things gastronomically Jewish, this event centers around a holiday, Chanukah. Why brisket? Why not?

And so, a tradition was born. Except for 2 years ago when we ran out of brisket, there's always been plenty of food. the problem was, people cooked a 2-3 lb. brisket -- for those of you veteran brisket makers, you know that after shrinkage, a brisket that size barely feeds 4 people. So if you're making a brisket, make a big one!

And if you don't want to make a brisket, we can always use other items -- latkes, kasha, stuffed cabbage, salads, drinks, desserts, vegetables-- in other words, anything you'd bring to a pot luck.

Start celebrating Chanukah early and come to the GBBO! Starts at 6:00

FYI - there is a Family/Tot Shabbat starting before at 5:30; for those desiring a more traditional service, stay after the GBBO for a regular service at 7:30

November Goings-on

Shalom Chaveirim:

Now that the Chaggim/Holidays are over, things are quieting down. NOT! November is another busy month around here so let me tell you what’s going on**.

• 11^th – Family/Tot Shabbat. Our first one of the season. If have a young ‘un or know someone with one (or two or more), this lively, family friendly service begins at 5:30, goes for half an hour and then we have a yummy dinner together. This year we are trying something new after the service and during the dinner. We are having some of our older students serve as buddies to our younger students so that during the dinner hour when the parents are schmoozing, the kids will be supervised and engaged in activities. Dinner is $5/pp or $15/family.

• 13^th – talk about a busy day! From 9:30-2:00 Sisterhood is running a mini-Mah Jongg-a-thon. If you’ve always wanted to learn to play, now’s your chance. If you know how to play, now’s your chance to play more! It is pot luck and there is a $10 fee if you are not a Sisterhood member (free to members).

• Then at 2:00 Temple Sinai is participating in the 2^nd annual Global Day of Jewish Learning. Jews from all over the world are gathering in synagogues, schools, and other arenas to study together our texts.

• That evening from 7:00-9:00 at the Fleming Museum the group, We Stand with Israel, is showing the film “Defiance” for free, the 2^nd in its Holocaust series of films.

• 17^th-20th – Think of this as a Taste of Israel stretch.
• On the 17^th Shai Bazac, the Israel Consul General of New England will be here at 7:00. Refreshments will be served.
• Then on the 18^th during services, two of our teens who went to Israel this summer courtesy of the Weisbein Scholarship Fund, will be here to talk about their experiences.
• On the 19^th at 7:30 we are thrilled to sponsor the Mattan Klein Jazz Flute Ensemble. The ensemble was established in early 2009, and combines 4 unique flute voices with an energetic acoustic rhythm section to produce one of the freshest World-Jazz combos performing worldwide today. Brazilian music is fused with Jazz, Middle Eastern and 70's fusion elements and they are all present in this one-of-a-kind musical mix, bringing the sounds of flute to new heights, and providing a new definition to the sonorities and acoustic possibilities known to the world of flute and World Music. Coffee and dessert; $18/pp; you can make your reservations at our website
• On the 20^th, from 3:00-4:30 at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, Ambassador Brad Gordon of AIPAC will speak about the "Gathering Storm: Israel and the Changing Middle East" – Refreshments will be served

FYI – Every Saturday morning from 9:00-10:00 Torah Study meets here to pore over the weekly Torah portion and on Wednesday mornings at 11:00 Prophet Study Group meets. It’s never too late to join in either of them.

**Note that the date of the Great Brisket Bake-off has been changed. It is now on DECEMBER 9^th immediately following the Family/Tot Shabbat. It is NOT on December 2^nd as indicated on the school calendar. Start digging out those brisket and latke recipes!!!

November

Now that the Chaggim/Holidays are over, things are quieting down.  NOT!  November is another busy month around here so let me tell you what’s going on**.

• 3^rd – Any family is welcome to come to this Bnai Mitzvah Informational meeting, particularly of interest to those whose child will have one in the next few years.  If you have not already received a copy of the Bnai Mitzvah Handbook, let me know.  Please read it before the meeting and come with any questions you have.  Meeting time 5:00-6:00

• 11^th – Family/Tot Shabbat.  Our first one of the season.  If have a young ‘un or know someone with one (or two or more), this lively, family friendly service begins at 5:30, goes for half an hour and then we have a yummy dinner together.  This year we are trying something new after the service and during the dinner.  We are having some of our older students serve as buddies to our younger students so that during the dinner hour when the parents are schmoozing, the kids will be supervised and engaged in activities.  Dinner is $5/pp or $15/family.

• 13^th – talk about a busy day!  From 9:30-2:00 Sisterhood is running a mini-Mah Jongg-a-thon.  If you’ve always wanted to learn to play, now’s your chance.  If you know how to play, now’s your to play more!  It is a pot luck and there is a $10 fee if you are not a Sisterhood member (free to members).

• Then at 2:00 Temple Sinai is participating in the 2^nd annual Global Day of Jewish Learning.  Jews from all over the world are gathering in synagogues, schools, and other arenas to study together our texts.

• That evening from 7:00-9:00 at the Fleming Museum the group, We Stand With Israel, is showing the film “Defiance” for free, the 2^nd in its Holocaust series of films.

• 17^th-20th – Think of this as a Taste of Israel stretch. 
• On the 17^th Shai Bazac, the Israel Consul General of New England will be here at 7:00. 
• Then on the 18^th during services, two of our teens who went to Israel this summer courtesy of the Weisbein Scholarship Fund, will be here to talk about their experiences. 
• On the 19^th at 7:30 we are thrilled to sponsor the Mattan Klein Jazz Flute Ensemble. The ensemble was established in early 2009, and combines 4 unique flute voices with an energetic acoustic rhythm section to produce one of the freshest World-Jazz combos performing worldwide today. Brazilian music is fused with Jazz, Middle Eastern and 70's fusion elements and they are all present in this one-of-a-kind musical mix, bringing the sounds of flute to new heights, and providing a new definition to the sonorities and acoustic possibilities known to the world of flute and World Music.  Coffee and dessert; $18/pp
• On the 20^th, from 3:00-4:30 at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, Ambassador Brad Gordon of AIPAC will speak about the "Gathering Storm: Israel and the Changing Middle East" – Refreshments will be served

FYI – Every Saturday morning from 9:00-10:00 Torah Study meets here to pore over the weekly Torah portion and on Wednesday mornings at 11:00 Prophet Study Group meets.  It’s never too late to join in either of them.

**Note that the date of the Great Brisket Bake-off has been changed.  It is now on DECEMBER 9^th immediately following the Family/Tot Shabbat.  It is NOT on December 2^nd as indicated on the school calendar.

Here's What's Going on

October - very busy month.

Sukkot begins on October 12th. We will have a short service that evening at 6:00 for the entire congregation.

October 14th - the Membership and Marketing Committee is having a Harvest Dinner so watch the weekly Shofar Updates for details.

October 19th is Simchat Torah/Consecration. Once again we will have a festive service that evening at 6:00 for the entire congregation, this time followed by a Pot Luck dinner.

For all of you who have been putting off learning (or relearning) to read Hebrew, I am once again giving an Adult Crash Course in Hebrew reading beginning on October 26th at 5:00.

Weekly Torah Portion

Would you and your child like to learn about the Torah in a fun, understandable way? Tune in to the weekly 4-minute Godcast:
http://www.g-dcast.com/

Elana Valastro - Trip to Israel

I have just returned from an incredible trip to Israel where I participated in a two-week dance intensive at Kibbutz Ga’aton, home and birthplace of the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company.  The founder of the Company, Yehudit Arnon, is a survivor of the Holocaust who, when she was eighteen years old in the Auschwitz concentration camp, decided that if she survived she would forever dedicate her life to dance.  She came to live on the kibbutz a few years after her time in Auschwitz, and once there she taught dance to the children living on the kibbutz, including Rami Be’er, who now succeeds her as director and choreographer of the Company.  The contemporary style of the company is abstract, incredibly creative, and fascinating to watch.  The summer program that I attended attracts dancers from all over the world, including Israel, America, Canada, Italy, Poland, Holland, Hungary, and more.  I had an absolute blast meeting people at the intensive, and I made wonderful friends with whom I am still in touch and miss very much.  We lived in dorm-like rooms, and danced from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, taking ballet everyday, as well as modern, contemporary repertoire, Pilates, and floor bar.  The weather was incredibly warm and sunny every single day, and lots of sweating during dance class was a very normal occurrence.  After our dance day, we had a few hours to do whatever we wanted on the kibbutz – swim in the pool, hang out at the café, go to the supermarket, or just chill and nap back in our rooms.  After dinner we had an evening activity class, such as meditation, self-defense, massage, stretching, etc.  The schedule was exactly what I wanted – lots of dance, but also free time to be with friends in a less structured manner. 

The foreigners arrived a couple days before the Israelis, in order to give us a time to settle in and get used to everything.  On the first day of the program, we were taught about how kibbutz life nowadays is different than it was years ago.  One woman who had lived her whole life on the kibbutz spoke to us about how when she was a kid, raising the children was a communal job of many people on the kibbutz.  Now she says that in general, parents raise their own children instead.  We got to visit a kindergarten class on a Friday and participate in their preparations for Shabbat.  We sang songs with the children and listened to the teacher read them stories (in Hebrew).  On both Friday evenings that we were there for the program, we left the kibbutz to have Shabbat dinner with host families, the first weekend in Akko, and the second weekend in Jerusalem.  On the first Saturday of the program, we went to Rosh Hanikra, Akko, and Haifa.  On the second Friday, we went to the Old City in Jerusalem with a tour guide.  The next day I went to Ein Gedi with my host family, and we hiked to a waterfall and swam in the natural pools.  Traveling with Israeli families on the weekends was excellent; I especially enjoyed the opportunities it presented to bond with the other dancers and learn firsthand about Israeli culture.

At the end of the two-week program, my parents and sister joined me in Israel to see the concluding dance performance, and then we stayed in Jerusalem for a few days.  We were in a wonderful youth hostel on Jaffa Street, with easy access to the Old City.  Our family time abroad concluded with some traveling in Europe before arriving home in early August.  Overall, it was an extremely incredible trip, and I am grateful for every moment of it.  I am especially thankful to the Weisbein Fund for providing me with the opportunity to attend the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company intensive.  The program was absolutely perfect, and I learned so much about both dance and Israeli culture.  My trip to Israel was so much fun, and I definitely hope to return someday.              

Elana Valastro

           

August 2011

Shalom Chaveirim/Dear Friends,

School News:

With summer a little more than half over, can school start up be far away?

Just a few dates to keep in mind.  School starts this year on September 7^th for grades Ganeinu, 3, 4 & 5 and on September 8^th for grades 6 & 7 (Chai School starts October 6^th).

On Sunday, September 11^th, under the auspices of the Religious School and Social Action Committees, there will be another Hike for Hunger up Mount Philo.  This Temple-wide event last year was a terrific fund raiser for Hunger Free Vermont.  In fact, Temple Sinai raised more money for them than any other organization.  As with last year there will be a prize for most money raised (a mini-laptop!) and also a BBQ at the top.

In the meantime, if you haven’t done so already, please register your child(ren) and send in the appropriate payments for Religious School.  I’m looking forward to seeing all your wonderful children again.

Adult Education News:

On July 10^th we started a film/lecture series, “The Beginnings of Judaism.”  As of this writing, we have had two very well attended sessions on two beautiful summer Sunday evenings.  There are two more sessions scheduled for the summer, August 7^th & 21^st.  As with the first two, the sessions begin at 5:00, after the first half hour lecture we take a break for refreshments, then watch the 2^nd lecture and following that, have a discussion.  If you are unable to be in attendance at any of the sessions but would like to join in, please speak with Craig about setting up a time here at Temple for you to watch the missed lectures.  By the end of August we will have seen eight of the 12 lectures in the series and we will conclude the series following the High Holidays, TBA.

This October I will once again be offering the Hebrew Crash Course for beginning Hebrew reading.  If you don’t know an aleph from a bet, this course is for you.  It’s given during Religious School hours on Wednesdays, which means if you have a child here in school, it’s a great time for you to learn to Hebrew along with him or her.

Enjoy the rest of your summer,

B’Shalom,

Judy Alexander

Director of Congregational Education

July 2011

Shalom Chaveirim/Dear Friends:

Summer has just begun, and I certainly want you to enjoy it, so I wanted to include a little information about having a Jewish summer.  

Though holidays are often thought of as festive, there are also sad holidays.  The saddest one is Tisha B’Av.  Literally the 9^th of the month of Av, Tishah B'Av refers to a traditional day of mourning the destruction of both ancient Temples in Jerusalem. In contrast to Orthodoxy, Reform Judaism has never assigned a central religious role to the ancient Temple. Therefore, mourning the destruction of the Temple in such an elaborate fashion did not seem meaningful. More recently, in Reform Judaism Tishah B'Av has been transformed into a day to remember many Jewish tragedies and travails that have occurred throughout history.  This year Tisha B’Av occurs on on Tuesday, August 9 (my birthday!)  To learn more about Tishah B'Av visit:  http://urj.org/holidays/tishabav/?syspage=article&item_id=21945

The month of Av is followed by the Hebrew month of Elul.  This is a month of reflection.  During this time, morning worship includes special penitential prayers and concludes with the blowing of the shofar as a reminder of the approaching season of atonement. In some communities, this is also a time to visit the graves of loved ones.  This month leads up to the Yamim Nora’im /High Holidays.  To learn more about the Yamim Nora’im, visit:

http://urj.org/holidays/highholidays/

Don’t forget that while traveling this summer you can still incorporate Judaism into your travels.  If you’re in a community that has a synagogue, find out when services are and attend them with your children, grandchildren or friends.  Bring along a pair of travel candlesticks and a Kiddush cup and light candles and make Kiddush on Friday nights.  And if you’re in a Jewish area, make a point of visiting a Jewish museum, Holocaust memorial, Kosher restaurant or JCC.

Have a wonderful summer and don’t forget that all Friday services are at 6:00 p.m.; the Temple is open, I’m around, so is the Rabbi, the Library is available for use and Torah Study group still meets on Saturday mornings at 9:00 a.m. and Prophet Group still meets on Wednesday mornings at 11:00 a.m.

Wherever your travels take you this summer, have a wonderful time.

L’Shalom,

Judy Alexander

Beginnings of Judaism Film Series - July 10th

The Beginnings of Judaism film series begins this Sunday, July 10^th from 5:00-7:00 at Temple Sinai  (with a BBQ this Sunday)
Renowned  Judaic Studies professor, Isaiah Gafni of Hebrew University leads this stimulating series.  There are 4 scheduled lectures this summer:  July 10, 24, August 7 & 21.  If you miss a lecture, you will be able to catch up.
These lectures are free and open to the public so tell all your friends.

 Because there’s a BBQ for the first lecture, please RSVP to me.
  directorjudy@templesinaivt.org

Hope you can join us here at Temple Sinai,

Aleinu Series Update

On Saturday June 4th over 50 folks came to the home of Natalie& Mitch Fleischman to hear Mitch's cousin, Eva Weiner, recount her family's experience escaping Nazi Germany on the St. Louis. This was part of the Temple's Aleinu series

Israel Scouts Performance & Community Dinner

 Israel Scouts

Friendship Caravan Performance
and
Community Dinner

Sponsored by Temple Sinai

Wednesday, June 29th, 6pm
at
Temple Sinai
500 Swift Street, South Burlington, Vermont 05403
Order Tickets Now

Cost $10 per person/$25 per family (3 people or more), $5 for children ages 6-18; Kids under 5 FREE

Advance tickets may be purchased with VISA/MC online Here. Cash only at the door the day of the performance.

Group Rate Available for groups of 10 or more. 
Contact Judy Alexander for more information, (802) 862-5125.

  

About Israel Scouts:

Formed in 1995, the Friends of Israel Scouts, Inc. – Tzofim (FOIS) encompasses programs that began in the early 1960s.  These programs develop and maintain a connection between the Tzofim (Israel Scouts) movement in Israel and North American Jewry.   The Tzofim movement is the only youth movement in Israel that is both non-political and non-sectarian.  Both the Tzofim and FOIS recognize that Israel’s youth are her hope and future.

Our objectives are to:

·         Strengthen relationships between Israel and North American Jewry

·         Project Israel in a positive light

·         Promote brotherhood, tolerance and respect among people of all faiths

·         Form strong bonds of friendship between the Israeli youth and their American counterparts

Provide support for the Tzofim movement in Israel.

Adult Education - Summer Film Series & Barbeque

How did Judaism develop from its biblical roots to the highly developed system we know today? What has changed—and what has remained constant? The answers to these questions are relevant to all faiths, as well as to anyone seeking to broaden their understanding of ancient history—a past that is inexorably linked to the present.

The Adult Education Committee is excited to offer a Beginnings of Judaism film course starting Sunday, July 10^th along with an outdoor barbeque! 

Where:           Temple Sinai – Social Hall

When:             Sundays July 10^th, July 24^th, August 7^th, August 21^st

Time:              5 – 7 pm

Topics for July 10^th:  We will watch two, 30 minute lectures taught by Reknown Biblical scholar, Professor Isaiah M. Gafni of Hebrew University on The Beginnings of Judaism: Biblical Roots and New Challenges in the Late Biblical Period.

Mark your calendars for this interesting and fun event!

June 2011

Shalom Chaveirim/Dear Friends:

The month of June has a finality about it.  It’s the end of the school year.  Many students are graduating.  Children head off to camp; families head off on vacation.  Things quiet down considerably when school is out.  Before we head off in many different directions, I want to bring your attention to several June events here at Temple, most notably Confirmation, which occurs during the celebration of the Festival of Weeks, Shavuot, this year on June 7^th at 7:30 p.m.

At a time when our teens are busy with so many extra-curricular activities and getting ready for college, we have three teens who have made a concerted effort to attend Chai School and have personally chosen to be Confirmed.  We, as a congregation, should make every effort to come out and support these wonderful students who have been such an integral part of our Jewish community:  Brian Charash, Jenny Rehkugler and Charlie Sheppard.  Their parents as well deserve a lot of kavod/honor, for fostering in them by example a sense of commitment to our Temple community– all three families have been active members through teaching, class parenting, and/or worship attendance over the years: Lori & Bill Charash; Abby & Colin Rehkugler; Marjie & Mitch Sheppard.

Aleinu:  We began this “living room lecture series” about five years ago as an opportunity for adults to gather in the informal setting of someone’s home on a Saturday night and have an evening with an interesting speaker on a Jewish topic in a convivial atmosphere with other members of the Jewish community.  We gather for drinks and dessert, mark the end of the Sabbath with Havdallah and listen to a speaker.  This June 4^th we are gathering at the home of Natalie and Mitch Fleischman to hear the first-hand account of his cousin’s survival during the Holocaust on what has come to be known as the Voyage of the Damned.  There are details about this even elsewhere in the Shofar so I urge you to read about it and come to the Fleischman home for a pot-luck dinner.

Israel Scouts Friendship Caravan – These wonderful youngsters have been coming to Temple Sinai for more than a dozen years, spreading the message of Israel in an entertaining song and dance show.  People young and old have loved their shows.  Often times we have had them here during “finals” week; this year they will be here on June 29^th – school is long over.  I hope that before you disburse for the summer you will come out and support these wonderful teens.  As always, we need overnight host families.

Bnai Mitzvot – It’s always a simcha when one of our students is called to the Torah for the first time.  And it’s certainly a joy when the community shows up to support them in this effort.  We have two Bnai Mitzvot this June – Hana Kallen on June 4^th and Steven Levite on June 25^th.   I hope you will come to services and worship with our wonderful students and their families.

Don’t forget, Friday night services now start at 6:00 until September.

B’Shalom,

Judy Alexander