December 2008 Synagogue Etz Chayim, 7705 Bailey Cove Rd. Huntsville, AL 35803 Av 5769
Thanksgiving is right around the corner. As an observant Jew, this is probably my favorite secular holiday. For me, it has no other religious or pagan undertones like Halloween or Valentine’s Day. It also means that I can celebrate with which ever friends or family members that I want because everybody that I know “observes” Thanksgiving in some way. But, in thinking about the holiday this year, I have come to realize that I identify with it for another reason. It holds one of the same values as living a Jewish life - being thankful.
Jewish tradition teaches that one should recite 100 blessings a day. At first this seems really hard. But, there is a blessing for almost everything that we do, including using the rest room. The bracha that we say over the food that we eat depends upon where that food comes from. If it is an apple we say “borei pri ha-etz” (from the fruit of the tree) and if it is a potato we say “borei pri ha-adamah” (from the fruit of the earth). In this way, we increase our awareness of our bodies, of the food that we eat and where it comes from, and transform our daily mundane acts into daily holy acts.
In addition, the Sages ordained that "one should not derive benefit from this world without first reciting a blessing." In this way, we also recognize that "the world, and everything in it, belongs to God." (Psalms 24:1) This view allows us to realize the blessings that God has given us, that are not alone in this world, and that we are thankful for what we have been given.
I would like to suggest that you take the opportunity this Thanksgiving to think about the things for which you are truly thankful. And, through that process, perhaps decide on one new blessing that you want to incorporate into your daily practice.
Thanksgiving Sameach,
Rabbi Jill Levy
Rabbi Weekends:
· December 12, 13 & 14, 2008
· January 9, 10 & 11, 2009
· February 27, 28 & March 1, 2009
· April 3, 4 & 5, 2009
· May 15, 16 & 15, 2009
So this is the season to be thankful and I want to thank everyone that has sent notes, letters, donations & phone calls to me during the past couple of weeks. It is always hard to handle the passing of someone you love so dearly and often people just don’t know what to say or do. For me the acknowledgement that you are thinking of me and my family brings so much comfort.
At this moment, instead of being sad and paralyzed I cherish the moments I had withmy two fathers. Both taught me so much about life and the world in such different ways. Not many people have the opportunity to know two great father figures. I have a wonderful family where the word “step” has been removed from introductions. In a world with so much drama, that is a good thing.
As November comes to an end, I am looking forward to December and our next Rabbi Levy visit. Jennifer Johnson and I are planning a potluck on Friday night December 12th. This would be a great time for the younger kids to come and have some time with the Rabbi. If you would like to join us please contact me at .
Then it is the Chanukah Parté, which I love on 12/21. The latkes are fantastic but I like the anchovies on the salad bar even more. Bingo starts at 11 AM; lunch starts at 12:00 noon.
Can’t wait to see you all at Friday night services, if not sooner and one more thing…What do you all think about Obama choosing Rahm Emmanuel as is Chief of Staff??
Shalom,
Sandy, President
We are saddened to advise you that Dr. Pierre Secher, Father of Sandy Pepper and well-known Memphis educator and author, died Thursday, November 13, 2008 in Memphis. He had been struggling with heart and cancer problems.
Born in Vienna, Austria in 1924, Pierre emigrated to the United States in 1938. Earning a Ph.D. in political science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he began an academic career that spanned 54 years. He was awarded tenure and attained the rank of Full Professor at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio. He was tenured twice more: at Kansas State University and Memphis State University serving as department chair at both institutions. He retired and was named professor emeritus in 1991. He remained active in retirement, publishing two scholarly books and appearing in a major Hollywood movie.
Pierre was devoted to his family and was loved by three women: Janet, mother of Margaret Matthes (Gerald) and Josie Ballin (Steve); Elke, mother of Marine Captain Robert Secher who was killed in Iraq in 2006; and his beloved Lucy to whom he was married for 23 years, mother of Paula Salky (Randy), Barney Pepper (Jaycee) and Sandy Pepper (Fernando Cerezo). He was Opapa to eleven grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, November 14, 2008 at Levy-Cooper Chapel in Temple Israel Cemetery. The family requests that no flowers be sent. Donations may be made to the Etz Chayim Building Fund or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
May God comfort the entire Secher-Pepper family along with all the other mourners of Israel and Jerusalem.
Please join the Sisterhood. It is only $15.00 dues, and you can participate in all of the activities planned for this year! Send your check to Brenda Liles.
The General Sisterhood meeting was held on Monday, November 17th, 7 p.m. at the Synagogue. Everyone had a great time. The group made 20 beautiful, hand-painted jars, and filled them with candy, which will be donated to Hope Place as a community service project. Everyone was proud of this accomplishment. A big thanks Millie Rosenthal for planning the craft project! The Gift Shop was also opened that evening for Pre-Chanukah purchases.
The Sisterhood will be helping with Help Line Gift Wrapping at Parkway City Mall on the 23 and 24 of December. Please call Millie Rosenthal at 882-9417, if you have time to donate.
The Latke Party plans are underway for December 21st. Please mark your calendars. This is always a huge success. Keep saving those White Elephant items for the event on Feb 7th. We welcome new or like new items. No clothing. More details to follow.
Ted Roberts will be our Guest Speaker at our January meeting and will speak on Judaism. More information to follow.
Lots of fun things are in store this year. Please come out and join us!
Shalom,
Sue Paddock
Etz Chayim Sisterhood President
MEN’S CLUB /Next Meeting Date: Latke Party, December 21, 2008 at the Synagogue
CHANUKAH Is just around the corner, Sunday, December 21st LATKE PARTY. Sisterhood is sponsoring the Latkes and all the trimmings, and Men’s Club is sponsoring the Bingo games and prizes. ALSO calling all men for Latke graters at 8AM. Bingo will start at 11AM and lunch at 12 PM. Please make your plans accordingly
SIMCHA & MEMORIAL PLAQUES: $50.00 & $75.00 RESPECTIVELY. Please contact Joe Sacks for further information at 883-1889.
Wishing all good health & happiness for the New Year!!! Joe
December 19, 2008– Deadline to register eCYBERMISSION Teams for 2009 competition eCYBERMISSION is a web-based competition for 6th-9th grade students that provides student teams the opportunity to compete for generous savings bond awards. Parents can serve as team sponsors–go to www.ecyber-mission.com for more information about this great learning opportunity!
January, 2009 – GEMS Program Applications accepted GEMS is a one week summer program for students in 8th–12th grades that has been designed to broaden students’ interest in science, engineering and mathematics. Please apply at this address: www.usaeop.com/programs/GEMS/
General Fund
From: Carolyn & Bob Palermo
To: Sandy Pepper & Family – In Memory of Sandy’s father.
From: Pam Thompson
To: Sandy Pepper & Family In Memory of Sandy’s father.
Building Fund
From: Janet & Morris Schindler
To: Sandy Pepper and family – In Memory of Sandy’s father, we are thinking about you.
To: Lisa Kleiner – we hope for your mother’s speedy recovery.
From: Millie & Max Rosenthal
To: Sandy Pepper – Our thoughts are with you. May all your good memories help to ease your pain.
To: Lisa Kleiner – May our words of wishing good health for your mother help her have a speedy recovery.
From: Sandra Wiederecht
To: Sandy Pepper and Family – In Memory of Sandy’s father.
From: Lucy & Charlie Fisher
To: Sandy Pepper & Family – In Memory of Sandy’s father.
From: Harriet & Joe Sacks
To: Sandy Pepper and Family – Our deepest sympathy on the death of Sandy’s father.
To: Lisa Kleiner – Wishing your mother a speedy recovery.
From: Diana & Howard Polin
To: Sandy Pepper and Family – You have our deepest sympathy. We have heard of your father’s accomplishments and regret not having known him.
From: June & Kenneth Lash & Family
To: Sandy Pepper and Family – With deepest sympathy on the loss of your father.
From: Eidele Sainker
To: Sandy Pepper & Family – In Memory of Sandy’s father.
From: Miriam Ludmer
In Honor of the high Holidays
From: Jennifer & Michael Johnson
To: Sandy Pepper & Family – In Memory of Sandy’s father.
High Holiday Donations to The Building Fund
Sandra Wiederecht
Miry & Richard Trudeau
Debra Leites & Phala Dunning
Eidele Sainker
Miriam Ludmer
Shirley & Ted Roberts
Pam Thompson
Outdoor Lighting Fund
In Memory of Gertrude and Perry Schlein by their daughters, Natha Hancock and Robin Slomka and their families.
Kitchen Fund
From: Etz Chayim Sisterhood
To: Sandy Pepper – To let you know we are thinking about you at this time. With deepest sympathy on the loss of your father.
From: Diana & Howard Polin
To: Diana Savrin & Family – In Memory of Florence, beloved sister to you and Mike. May memories of earlier years bring you and your family comfort.
Remember the food pantry on your Oneg. First Stop needs personal hygiene items. Bring a few cans of food when possible.
Be sure to visit our website for the latest news…
TUhttp://www.etzchayim-hsv.orgUT
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WHATS A MILLIGRAM ??For a $5.00 per message donation Millie Rosenthal will send a handwritten message from you to acknowledge a Simcha or loss. These donations will also appear in the Shofar. Help your synagogue, send a Milligram. Call or e-mail Millie.
December Calendar 2008 /Date / Time / Event / Place
12/3 / 11:30 AM / Hadassah Luncheon / The Heritage Club
12/12 / 7:30 PM / Rabbi Weekend / EC
12/21 / 11:00 AM / Bingo / Latke Party / EC
12/21 / 4:39 PM / Chanukah Begins
12/23 / TBA / Sisterhood Wrapping / Parkway Mall
12/24 / TBA / Sisterhood Wrapping / Parkway Mall
Unless otherwise noted Shabbat Services are Friday night 7:30pm, Saturday 9:30am
YARTZEITTT /Nov 19 / Cheshvan 21 / William Polin*
Nov 20 / Cheshvan 22 / Morris Goldberg*
Nov 20 / Cheshvan 22 / Leon Treister*
Nov 20 / Cheshvan 22 / Sam Ginsburg*
Nov 23 / Cheshvan 25 / Dr. Abraham Feitelberg*
Nov 24 / Cheshvan 26 / Joan Zelickson*
Nov 26 / Cheshvan 28 / Rose Feitelberg*
Nov 27 / Cheshvan 29 / Samuel Belsky*
Nov 28 / Kislev 2 / Dr. Harold Isasac Goldman*
Dec 1 / Kislev 4 / Suzanne Ivy *
Dec 2 / Kislev 5 / Rose Soble*
Dec 2 / Kislev 5 / Abraham Belsky*
Dec 3 / Kislev 6 / Molly Levy Buchman
Dec 6 / Kislev 9 / Pauline Baron Kripke*
Dec 9 / Kislev 12 / Margareta Bernstein*
Dec-9 / Kislev 12 / Helene Kamisher*
Dec-10 / Kislev 13 / Gertrude S. Goldberger
Dec 14 / Kislev 17 / Irving Weinberger
Dec-15 / Kislev 18 / Lily Yedid
Dec 19 / Kislev 22 / Yetta Michaelson
Dec-24 / Kislev 27 / Moe Post
Dec-25 / Kislev 28 / David Amiel Wertheim*
Dec-26 / Kislev 29 / Rita Goldstein*
Dec-28 / Tevet 1 / Meyer Rodkin*
Dec-30 / Tevet 3 / Max Theodor Hoehne*
Dec-31 / Tevet 4 / Freida Makower*
ANNIVERSARIES /
Dec 23 / Dorothy and Bill Goldberg
Shabbat Onegs & Candle Lighting /
Fri, Dec 5, 2008 / Light Candles: 4:17 PM
Oneg: Burdeshaw
Shabbat, Dec 6, 2008 / Shabbat Ends: 5:16 PM
Parshah: Vayeitzei
Fri, Dec 12, 2008 / Light Candles: 4:18 PM
Oneg: Cerezo-Pepper
Shabbat, Dec 13, 2008 / Shabbat Ends: 5:18 PM
Parshah: Vayishlach
Fri, Dec 19, 2008 / Light Candles: 4:20 PM
Oneg: Harris
Shabbat, Dec 20, 2008 / Shabbat Ends: 5:20 PM
Parshah: Vayeishev
Fri, Dec 26, 2008 / Light Candles: 4:24 PM
Oneg: Hartman
Shabbat, Dec 27, 2008 / Shabbat Ends: 5:24 PM
Parshah: Mikeitz
TUhttp://www.chabad.org/calendar/candlelighting.aspUT
TUhttp://www.anshe.org/parsha.htmUT
BIRTHDAYS /Dec 1 / Zachary Opengart
Dec 4 / Joe Paddock
Dec 4 / Robert Burdeshaw
Dec 6 / Gabi Lapidus
Dec 12 / Nicole Sacks
Dec 13 / Joe Roberts
Dec 13 / Mikayla Lash
Dec 15 / Helen Sainker
Dec 16 / Sue Paddock
Dec 18 / Dennis Bulgatz
Dec 25 / Holly Kent
Dec 27 / Kaitlin Polin
Dec 28 / Phil Kirshstein
ETZ CHAYIM BOARD MEMBERS
/President / /
Sandy Pepper
Vice-President / /Jeff Yalowitz
Treasurer / /Michal Hall
Recording Secretary / /Sam Sainker
Corresponding Secretary / Holly KentTrustees / Brenda Liles
Larry Weinberger
Larisa Thomason
Sam Kleiner
Dennis Bulgatz
Mens Club Representative / Joe Sacks
Sisterhood Representative / Mille Rosenthal
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