April Kolenu - online - Congregation Agudas Achim

Congregation Agudas Achim 

April 2010 

April dates to 

remember 

Friday, April 2 

Tot Shabbat 

Monday, April 5 

Office Closed 

Tuesday, April 6 

Office Closed 

Saturday, April 10 

° Junior Congregation 

° Shabbat Yeladim 

Sunday, April 11 

Yom Hashoah 


Scholastic Book Fair 

thru 4/19 


3 rd Grade Consecration 

Saturday, April 17 

Rachel West 

Bat Mitzvah 


HPS Family Fun Day 

Thursday, April 22 

Lifeline Screening 


No HPS 


Sisterhood Anniversary 

Tea 


° Executive Committee 

Meeting 

° Board of Trustees 

Meeting 

Tuesday, April 27 

Sisterhood General 

Meeting and Elections 

KOLENU 

KOLENU 

“Our Voice” 

Nisan - Iyar 5770 

The Conservative Jewish Congregation Serving San Antonio and Central Texas since 1889

May I Have A Word With You 

A Time of Trouble is a Time to Grow - Happy Birthday Israel 

Adversity can be the path of growth we need. I am writing my article during this time 

of deep sadness and concern for our people living in Israel and the future of the peace 

process. I want to think positively, I want to believe that the “fine piece of china” 

needs to be exposed to searing flame before it emerges shaped and beautiful. 

We all suffer losses of various degrees throughout life. We are going through one of 

the most difficult periods of suffering for our people. As painful as it is, the Jewish 

soul is also facing the opportunity to get in touch with the depths of God’s divinity in 

the universe, which gives hope and change in return. 

A known parable comes to mind. This is the parable of the two woodchoppers who had taken down a tree that 

was over one hundred years old. Looking at the growth rings to determine the tree’s age, the younger 

woodchopper noticed that there were five very narrow rings, concluding that there had been a five-year 

drought during which the tree had shown very little growth 

However, the other woodchopper, wiser perhaps, with a philosophical bent, had a different viewpoint. The dry 

years actually were the most significant in the tree’s history. Because of the drought, the tree had to force its 

roots down farther to get the water and minerals it needed. With a strengthened root system, it was able to 

grow faster and taller when conditions improved. 

Israel, and we, experience obstacles that seem to exclude the possibility of progressing further and succeeding 

in the peace negotiations. It is precisely at these times of trouble that we must grow inwardly. If we do, we 

will be amazed at how we can expand our horizons when the right conditions again prevail. 

Kohelet, the book of Ecclesiastes, says “It is better to go to a House of Mourning than to a House of Rejoicing, 

for in the House of Mourning, one is able to learn so much more.” Right now, we , as a people, are facing a 

House of Mourning and we shall learn from this experience. 

It has been proven that what finally makes people succeed in spite of the circumstances is not the drive for 

power or sex, but rather the power of finding meaning in one’s life. The search for meaning is the profound 

truth that has kept us alive. In the words of Nietzche: “If you have a why to live for, you can bear with any 

how.” 

Thousands of years ago we received that message of meaning. It accompanied us throughout our lives - 

Egypt, Babylonia, Germany, Russia and now terrorism. We will continue searching for meaning and 

continuing to be a light to the nations. 

Pesah Kasher V’Sameach - I wish you a happy and Kosher Passover. Hag Sameach. 

Rabbi Leonardo Bitran 

Page 2 Kolenu/April 2010

Kol Shira 

In the midst of the joyous celebration of the eight day festival of Pesach, we retell our 

story and “re-enact” our journey, as we moved from being an enslaved people to one 

that would become a free nation. Our history recalls this path through the use of the 

many unique symbols, foods, rituals and practices. Passover is an annual reminder 

that all facets of our communal existence have been guided and sanctified by the 

presence of God. This collective memory is so powerful that we do not limit our 

recalling of the Exodus from Egypt only to this time of year, for we constantly invoke 

this transformative experience each and every day in our liturgy! In the daily Morning 

Service we virtually relive the elation we felt at the shore of the Red Sea as we recite 

the extended Torah excerpt from the book of Exodus, Shirat Hayam [The Song of the 

Sea], as we acknowledge God’s imprint on our lives. And when we make Kiddush 

each Friday evening, as we raise our cup of wine, we affirm that Shabbat is “the first among our days of sacred 

assembly which recall the Exodus from Egypt.” The intensity of the Pesach experience is amplified through 

our meticulous preparation for the holiday, the cleaning of our homes, and the cleansing of our souls, as we 

prepare to begin again. 

Passover services continue this week on Saturday, April 3 with the special liturgy of Shabbat Chol Hamoed 

Pesach (the Intermediate Sabbath of Passover), including the hauntingly beautiful Cantillation of the Biblical 

love poetry Shir Hashirim [Song of Songs] (if you’ve never heard this special chant melody you are certainly 

in for a treat!). The last days of the Festival conclude with 7 th Day Pesach Morning Services on Monday, 

April 5 (when we read of the dramatic crossing of the Red Sea by our ancestors), and the final day of Pesach 

on Tuesday, April 6, when we will have the opportunity to recite Yizkor together in memory of our loved ones. 

Take the opportunity to celebrate with us as we re-affirm our transformation from B’nei Yisrael (The Children 

of Israel) to Am Yisrael (The People of Israel). 

And, there are a few special events and simchas to keep in mind in the coming weeks, each of which include 

the enthusiastic students of our Inda Posner Religious School: join us for Friday evening services on April 16 th 

for the 3 rd Grade Consecration; and, join us at Saturday morning services on May 1 st when our 6 th graders will 

read Torah for the first time! Finally, please join us on Tuesday evening, May 18 th for the Confirmation 

Service. May we as a community continue to celebrate from simcha to simcha, and go from strength to 

strength! 

B’Shalom, 

Hazzan Jeremy Lipton 

Searching for Siddurim 

Siddur Hadash, the prayer book that is used in the sanctuary on Shabbat, in the classrooms, and 

with Junior Congregation has been very popular. It appears that some of our Siddurim have 

grown legs and left the building. We need an additional two dozen Siddurim. Please let us 

know if you would be interested in donating one or more copies. 

Congregation Agudas Achim Page 3

Message From the Executive Director 

Every so often, I receive mail and phone inquiries about planning for a future event and I 

am certain that you too have received the same queries that are seeking personal 

information concerning life and health insurance, long term disability and funeral 

arrangements. It is not often that we are willing to sit and discuss an end of life event, 

yet we all know that that is inevitable. There are so many questions that need answers 

that too often we are just afraid to ask: If you have ever lived in more than one city, 

which one do you consider home or rather where do you wish to be buried? Have you 

selected a site? Are you waiting for a sale, or for a spouse to pass before you make a 

choice? Do you really want to be laid to rest with your spouse? And if so, which one? Have you made 

arrangements that will not impact upon your survivors? 

There is so much to think about and there never seems to be enough time. Decisions can be made that will 

eliminate the confusion that the living must contend with: The selection of a casket, should the service be in 

the synagogue or at the cemetery, or both, and who will attend, how will transportation be arranged and which 

mortuary needs to be used, have arrangements been made for family travel, and do family members have the 

financial resources to attend to every aspect? Have you selected a cemetery and a grave site? Even with a 

final resting place, the selection becomes important: What is the view, is it quiet, are there others around, are 

there trees, is there a brook or a stream, is there vehicle traffic, are there airplanes that fly overhead? To some, 

these questions appear trivial, but to many, they become extremely important. Having just returned from the 

North American Association of Synagogue Executive’s national convention, I was not surprised to hear of the 

difficulties that many of my peers experience when a member of the congregation passes. Too often, 

arrangements and planning have been put aside for a host of reasons and in the time of stress, decisions are 

being made while conforming to Jewish rituals and a very small window in time, and in some cases, the 

synagogue’s cemetery no longer has appropriate space. 

Congregation Agudas Achim does have space at Memorial Gardens and we are reviewing a re-platting of one 

of the sections. We also have a cemetery committee that reviews policy, grounds upkeep, fees and the usage 

of two cemeteries. 

I, like many, have not been willing to address a number of the above noted issues and am not certain why I 

hesitate, but I do realize that these questions need to be resolved. None of us really want to leave family 

members with the awesome task of decision making at a most uncomfortable time in their lives. This is not a 

lecture, it is merely a response to having had to address these issues with a number of families this past month 

and realizing, that any advanced planning that one can make, will help to alleviate a portion of the burden and 

sadness that others are left to deal with, and we do need to think of those that will be left with memories. 

Michael Linn 

Executive Director 

• Residential & Commercial 

Real Estate Services 

• Property Management 

MAIN STREET 

PROPERTIES® 

Michael Litofsky • Martin Litofsky • Melody Yancelson 

344-2200 

Se Habla Español 


President’s Remarks 

Wow, what an Enchanted Evening. Our Cantor’s concert and dessert reception celebrating 

120 years and honoring Beverly and Mike and Karen and Phil was, and is still the talk of the 

town. I didn’t think we could out do last year’s event, but we did. I have to thank a few 

people starting with our Hazzan, Jeremy Lipton. You guys and girl were amazing. The song 

selection, the voices, the jokes, the way you all were in perfect sync is simply just amazing. 

Thank you for giving us a night of entertainment that had Nielson ratings higher than the 

Academy Awards. 

Next I want to thank our Vice President of Fundraising Rhonda Gurinsky. You are fearless 

and the smoothest operator I have ever met. I encourage anyone and everyone that has not met you yet to go 

out of their way to meet you. It’s worth the effort. You did your synagogue proud. I also can’t forget your 

sidekick and husband Charlie and all his efforts in making this fundraiser a success for our synagogue. Both 

of you have always made Agudas Achim a priority in your life and it’s very much appreciated. I now need to 

mention our Rabbi, who along with Charlie became the fundraising team no one could say No to. Thanks 

Rabbi for going out of your way to call, meet, eat, and solicit all the money you did to make this fundraiser a 

resounding success. 

Next on the list are Mike and Judy Kelne. Enough can’t be said about you two, always there and ready to 

work hard for your synagogue. Our tribute book was the best ever and a keepsake item to remember our event 

by. I also want to thank Silvana and Kay for putting together the wonderful audio/visual presentation together. 

It was a beautiful tribute to the Birnbaum and Heintz’s and took a lot of time and effort to put together. Also 

our resident techy, Ira Miller for all his help and worry making sure everything worked properly in the 

Sanctuary. Can’t wait to see the video. 

You can’t have a successful event without food. Thank you Marinel Robbins and Sharon Charlip for 

transforming the Gurinsky Family Social Hall into one magical place to host the dessert reception in. The 

desserts and presentation were awesome right down to the ice sculptures. I didn’t think you could out do last 

year, but you all did. 

I also want to thank everyone else on the committee and our staff for all their help in making our Annual 

fundraiser a success. Without volunteers we could not have pulled this off. Thanks everyone. 

I hope everyone had a beautiful Pesach and enjoyed our second night Seder. Everything else seems to be 

running well. I am again happy to say that our committees are running smoothly and there are many plans in 

the works for our congregants to enjoy their synagogue by. As I have mentioned in previous articles, I 

encourage everyone to get involved with Agudas Achim. It’s a rewarding experience and the more of you that 

participate, the warmer and friendlier place our synagogue will be. I look forward to the future and wish 

everyone a happy, healthy spring. 

Robi Jalnos 

President 


Chai Lights 

Rachel West will be called to the 

Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on April 17, 

2010, at Congregation Agudas Achim. 

Rachel is the daughter of Lori and 

Richard West and sister to Kelly West. 

She is the granddaughter to Roberta 

Comes and Ann and Ron West, all from 

San Antonio. 

Rachel is an honor student at Churchill High School. 

Her passions are reading, journalism and baking 

pastries! 

A&M Charters Its First Jewish Sorority 

Mazel Tov to Texas A&M for chartering its first 

Jewish Sorority on campus. It will be affiliated 

with Zeta Beta Sigma. 

Please contact Becca Barenblat for additional 

information for your Jewish Aggie women. 210-249- 

1035. 

Bertie and Selig Frank Endowment Fund 

Through a generous donation, a new endowment has 

been created at Congregation Agudas Achim. The 

Bertie and Selig Frank Endowment Fund, created by 

lifelong Agudas Achim members Bertie and Selig 

Frank, has been established for the express purpose 

of sending teachers and students to Israel to learn 

about their heritage. Hopefully the knowledge and 

experience they gain there will be shared upon their 

return through programming, writing, film and other 

avenues. Procedures for applying for these funds are 

being developed. 

Feedback Wanted 

We have been sending electronic versions of the 

Kolenu to many of our members, mailing to others, 

and providing hard copies to those who visit the 

office. Please do let us know how this change has 

impacted you, positively and negatively. You may 

contact any staff member by telephone or through 

email info@agudas-achim.org. 

Congregation Agudas Achim welcomes the newest 

members of our synagogue family: 

Jessica and Joe Hernandez 

and son Hayden 

Charlotte Weiss 

Suzanne Wyker 

and children Eden and Olivia 

Welcome Committee 

Looking for a way to share some fun at Agudas?? 

Want to meet some new people?? Please join our 

Welcome Committee!! We will help welcome new 

members to Congregation Agudas Achim and reach 

out to new San Antonio residents looking for a 

wonderful Jewish Congregation!! 

Please contact Membership Vice President, Anne 

Marcovich if interested. 

annemarcovich@hotmail.com or 764-7999. 

The Welcome Mat Is Out! 

Do you know a Jewish family 

new to the San Antonio 

community or not yet affiliated 

with a congregation? If so, 

please contact Michael Linn at the synagogue office 

at 479-0307, or email to mike.linn@agudasachim.org. 

If possible, get their names and phone 

numbers so Michael can call, welcome them to San 

Antonio, and tell them about our wonderful 

congregation. 

Spread The Joy! 

Please contact us with your Mazel 

Tovs. We want to hear your good 

news and forward it on to your Agudas 

Achim family. We know the news is 

out there. 

Don’t force us to start making stuff up! 

Deadline is the 15th of every month! 

ALL submissions MUST be in writing! 


Goldie and Joe Tills Library Report 

Are you thirsty for knowledge? Hungry for a good read? Come 

satisfy your appetite at our Scholastic Book Fair Diner - All 

You Can Read! We’re serving up wonderful selections from 

our varied menu. The All You Can Read Diner will be open 

April 12 th -19 th , closed on Shabbat, April 17 th . 

Diner hours are as follows: 

Monday, April 12 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 

Tuesday, April 13 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

Wednesday, April 14 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 

Thursday, April 15 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

Friday, April 16 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

Sunday, April 18 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

Monday, April 19 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 

Come and fill up on books for summer reading! Your purchases help our Goldie & Joe Tills Library grow! 

Todah Rabbah to the following congregants who donated books: Gail Clover, Flora Garb, Andrew & Sherry 

Jacobson, Allan Nussbaum, and Don Zaike. Thank you to all of you who have sent in donations to the Goldie 

& Joe Tills Library Fund and the Bob Kboudi Children’s Book Fund. Your gifts are most appreciated! 

A very special thanks goes to Ira Miller for installing sliders on the four stand-alone books shelves. We will 

now have more room in the library for book fairs, lectures, classes, and other events! 

B’Shalom and Happy Reading, 

Lynn Waghalter , Librarian 

http://tills-library.dyndns.org/InfoCentre/Library.do 

14602 Huebner Road (in HEB Center) 492-9463 

Boerne Stage Road (in HEB Center) 698-8466 

Babcock at Huebner (next to HEB) 690-9424 

Grissom at Culebra (in HEB Center) 684-0992 

Anita & David Kboudi 




Yom Hashoah - We Remember 

Those Who Bear Witness 

Our congregational family has had many members that survived the Holocaust. 

We honor them, along with our community’s other known survivors. 

Agudas Achim members are in bold. 

Luisa Adar* 

Christine Cohen 

Micheline Cohen 

Sam Cohen 

Binem Cukier 

Estera Cukier 

Oscar Ehrenberg* 

Fela Fenstermacher* 

Rudy Finder* 

George Fodor 

Ilona Fodor* 

Armin Fohlinger* 

Dorothy Goodfriend 

Martin Goodfriend* 

Eric Haas 

Ilona Haendel* 

Nathan Haendel* 

David Hopkowitz* 

Edith Hopkowitz* 

Margaret Hopkowitz 

Simon Hopkowitz* 

Susanne Jalnos 

Stephan Jalnos* 

Efraim Joffe* 

Lola Joffe* 

Rivka Ledor* 

Yitzhak Ledor* 

Anna Levit* 

Elias Levy* 

Ketty Levy* 

Joe Liebermann 

Roman Lubetzky* 

Nina Marcovich 

Max Mendlowitz* 

George Meyer 

Doba Morgan* 

Ilona Neuwirth* 

Liana Ornstein 

Hannah Pankowsky 

Ella Raboy* 

Anna Rado 

Felix Reif* 

Ruth Reif* 

Tibor Ritter 

Sylvia Rogal* 

Sam Rosenzweig* 

San Antonio Yom Hashoah Program 

Michelline Rothblut 

Edward Salomons 

William Samelson 

David Scharff* 

Golda Scharff* 

Emine Simon 

Gedalya Spizman* 

Regina Spizman* 

Edward Stern* 

Frieda Stern* 

Helen Suchowalski* 

Henry Suchowalski* 

Ella Weiss* 

Mike Weiss* 

Rose Williams 

Jack Wysoki* 

Ginette Yahiel 

William Yahiel 

Sam Zalcberg* 

Carol Znilek* 

Jack Znilek* 

Joe Zyskind 

*Of Blessed Memory 

The Community will observe Yom Hashoah, the Day of Remembrance, on Sunday, April 11, at 7:00 p.m. at 

Congregation Agudas Achim. The program, which will honor the memory of Jewish children who were killed during 

the Holocaust, will include a memorial service conducted by congregational rabbis and cantors. The guest speaker will 

be Rabbi Laszlo Berkowits, a child survivor. He is Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, Virginia. 

Yom Hashoah commemorates 

the lives and heroism of Jewish 

victims of the Holocaust 

during World War II. 

Yom Hashoah officially translates to “Remembrance Day for the Holocaust and Heroism,” 

but is often known as “Holocaust Remembrance Day” in English. It is an occasion to 

commemorate the lives and heroism of the six million Jews who died in the Holocaust 

between 1933 and 1945. Yom Hashoah is on the 27th day of Nisan. 

In Israel, it is a national memorial day. On the evening beforehand, there is a state 

ceremony at the Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Authority, Yad Vashem. At 10:00 a.m. 

on the day of Yom Hashoah, air-raid sirens are sounded and people stop what they are 

doing to think of and pay respect to those who died. Places of public entertainment are 

closed and flags on public buildings are flown at half-mast. 

In the United States, Holocaust Remembrance Day commemorates the lives of those who 

died as a result of the racial purity measures in German-controlled Europe during World 

War II and to remind the public of the terrible deeds that can be carried out when bigotry, 

hatred and indifference are regarded as normal. Observances are lead by the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, 

which was created by an act of Congress in 1980. 


Inda Posner Religious School 

April Calendar 

4, 5 - Passover (No School) 

10 - Junior Congregation 

Shalom Yeledim 

12 - EZ’s Restaurant Fundraiser 

16 - 3rd Grade Consecration 

25 - J-Serve (7-10th grades) 

May Calendar 

1 - 6th Grade Shabbat 

2 - Last Day of School/Picnic 

3 - EZ’s Restaurant Fundraiser 

18 - Confirmation Service 7pm 

18 - Confirmation 

Schedule: 

End of the School Year Lag B’Omer Picnic! 

Sunday, May 2, 2010 

Class - 9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. 

All School Program - 10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. for Parents and 

Students 

Family Picnic - 11:00 a.m. 

Sponsored By: 

IPRS PTO 

Agudas Achim Men’s Club 


Heintz Preschool 

Hop Hop On On Board Board the the Heintz Heintz Heintz Preschool Preschool Train! 

Train! 

All aboard for the best Jewish preschool education in San 

Antonio. Heintz Preschool is presently accepting children from 18 

months through four years old. Our comprehensive program is 

fully licensed and has one, two, three and five day a week class 

options. We’re now offering extended care three days a week, 

offering children enrichment afternoons with our wonderful staff! 

The extended program is full of fun and educational activities sure 

to stimulate both our children’s little bodies and minds. 

Heintz Preschool is dedicated to providing your child with an early childhood program that will have a 

positive impact upon your family’s Jewish identity development, Jewish ritual practice, synagogue 

affiliation and continuing Jewish education. Studies have shown that a Jewish preschool experience can 

enhance Jewish life for the children and their families. When children are exposed very young to 

holidays and Jewish concepts they grow up loving it. 

The philosophy of Heintz Preschool is to provide a warm, nurturing environment. Our low ratio of 

children to staff enables the teachers to focus on each child’s individual needs and interests. Our quality 

curriculum promotes a fun, positive and rewarding Jewish educational experience integrating Jewish 

values and culture. 

Whether motivated by Heintz Preschool’s Jewish content or our emphasis on language arts, music, 

movement, crafts and fine motor skills, graduates of Heintz Preschool are ready to enter Kindergarten 

with confidence! Our vibrant school fills quickly, so reserve your child’s spot today! For more 

information or to arrange a tour of Heintz Preschool, please contact Dena Hoenig Valdez at (210) 479- 

0429. 

April Upcoming Events 

1-6 Passover Break 

7 School Resumes 

18 Family Fun Day & Circus 

23 School Break - Battle of 

Flowers Parade 

Shabbat Tots 

April 9, 16, 30 




Congregation Agudas Achim April 2010 

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 

4 Nisan 20 

11 Nisan 27 

Yom Hashoah 

Yom Hashoah Program 

7:00 p.m. 

18 Iyar 4 


9:30 a.m. 

HPS Family Fun Day 

11:30 a.m. 

25 Iyar 11 

Sisterhood Anniversary 

Tea 1:00 p.m. 

5 Nisan 21 

Pesah 

Seventh Day Pesah 

Service 9:00 a.m. 

Office Closed 

12 Nisan 28 


10:00 a.m. 

Hebrew 1 6:15 p.m. 

Conversion Class 

7:15 p.m. 

19 Iyar 5 


10:00 a.m. 


Conversion Class 

7:15 p.m. 

26 Iyar 12 

Executive Committee 

Meeting 6:00 p.m. 

Board of Trustees 

Meeting 7:30 p.m. 

6 Nisan 22 

Pesah 

Eighth Day Pesah 

Service 9:00 a.m. 

Office Closed 

13 Nisan 29 


10:00 a.m. 

Shabbat is a Verb 

12:00 p.m. 

20 Iyar 6 

Shabbat is a Verb 

12:00 p.m. 

27 Iyar 13 

Sisterhood General 

Meeting and Elections 

9:45 a.m. 

7 Nisan 23 


14 Nisan 30 


10:00 a.m. 


21 Iyar 7 


28 Iyar 14 

1 Nisan 17 

8 Nisan 24 

15 Iyar 1 


10:00 a.m. 

22 Iyar 8 

Life Line Screening 

8:00 a.m. 

29 Iyar 15 

2 Nisan 18 

Tot Shabbat 6:00 p.m. 

Services 7:00 p.m. 

7:35 p.m. 

9 Nisan 25 

Shabbat Tots 9:15 a.m. 


7:39 p.m. 

16 Iyar 2 



10:00 a.m. 

3rd Grade Consecration 

Dinner 6:00 p.m. 


7:43 p.m. 

23 Iyar 9 

No HPS 


7:47 p.m. 

30 Iyar 16 


7:51 p.m. 

3 Nisan 19 

Morning Services 

9:00 a.m. 

8:35 p.m. 

10 Nisan 26 

Services 9:00 a.m. 

Junior Congregation/ 

Shabbat Yeladim 

10:30 a.m. 

8:39 p.m. 

17 Iyar 3 


Rachel West Bat Mitzvah 

8:43 p.m. 

24 Iyar 10 


Pesah 

Shmini 

Tazria- 

Metzora 

Achrei Mot- 

Kedoshim 

8:48 p.m.

Congregation Agudas Achim May 2010 

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 

2 Iyar 18 

Lag B’Omer 

IPRS Picnic 

9 Iyar 25 

16 Sivan 3 

23 Sivan 10 

Sisterhood Follies 

3:00 p.m. 

30 

Sivan 

17 

3 Iyar 19 

10 Iyar 26 

17 Sivan 4 

24 Sivan 11 

Executive Committee 

Meeting 6:00 

p.m. 

Board of 

Trustees 

Meeting 

7:30 

p.m. 

31 

Sivan 

18 

Memorial 

Day 

Office Closed 

4 Iyar 20 

11 Iyar 27 

Sisterhood Book Review 

and Board Installation 

10:00 a.m. 

18 Sivan 5 

Office Closes 4:00 p.m. 

IPRS Confirmation 

Service 7:00 p.m. 

25 Sivan 12 

Sisterhood Board 

Meeting 9:45 a.m. 

5 Iyar 21 

HPS Muffins with Mom 

9:15 a.m. 

12 Iyar 28 

19 Sivan 6 

Shavuot 

Office Closed 

No HPS 

26 Sivan 13 

6 Iyar 22 

HPS Muffins with Mom 

9:15 a.m. 

13 Iyar 29 

20 Sivan 7 

Shavuot 

Office Closed 

No HPS 

27 Sivan 14 

7 Iyar 23 


Tot Shabbat 6:00 p.m. 


7:56 p.m. 

14 Sivan 1 


HPS Art Show and 

Shabbat Dinner 

5:30 p.m. 


8:00 p.m. 

21 Sivan 8 


8:04 p.m. 

28 Sivan 15 


8:09 p.m. 

1 Iyar 17 

Morning Services 

9:00 a.m. 

6 th Grade Service 

8:52 p.m. 

8 Iyar 24 


8:56 p.m. 

15 Sivan 2 


9:01 p.m. 

22 Sivan 9 


8:48 p.m. 

29 Sivan 16 


Emor 

Behar- 

Bechukotai 

Bamidbar 

Nasso 

Beha’alotcha 

9:09 p.m.

Sisterhood Anniversary Tea 

Agudas Achim Sisterhood Anniversary Tea Honors Two Special Women 

Rosh Chodesh Adar 

Congregation Agudas Achim is proud to be honoring Barbara Argo and Helen Kerman at 

our Annual Anniversary Tea. This event will be held on Sunday, April 25, 2010, 1:00 

p.m. - 3:00 p.m. in the Gurinsky Family Social Hall. 

Fabulous foods, terrific entertainment and memorable speeches are always a welcomed 

hallmark of the Tea. Everyone is invited to join us as we honor these women who have 

given so much of themselves, not only to our sisterhood, but to so many other worthwhile 

organizations. 


Hazzan’s Book Review 


Men’s Club 

Fiesta Parades 

Be sure to put on your calendar to have the Friday (day) and Saturday (evening) off for 

the Battle of Flowers and Fiesta Flambeau parades, April 23 and 24, 2010 to help usher 

parade seats for our one fundraiser of the year. If you are able to volunteer, please contact 

Andy Jacobson at 573-8207. Go to http://www.fiesta-sa.org/ to see what other cool events 

you can attend with your time off! 

Habitat for Humanity 

April 11th will be the Habitat for Humanity build with Temple Beth-El. 

More details to follow but SAVE the date. 

Jewish Family Service Mother’s Day Luncheon 

Reesa Pullen and 

Shari Pulman 

JFS Mother’s Day Luncheon – L’dor Va-dor 

Wednesday, May 5 

Jewish Family Service’s annual Mother’s Day Luncheon will take place this year on 

Wednesday, May 5, 2010, at 11:00 a.m., at Congregation Rodfei Sholom, 3003 

Sholom Boulevard. You won’t want to miss it! This year, the honorees will be 

mothers and daughters – L’dor Va-dor – generation to generation: Millie Ehrenberg 

and Laura Ehrenberg-Chesler; Reesa Pullen and Shari Pulman; and Hannah Ross and 

Sharon Stern. All should have received their invitations in the mail, so please send 

back your reply card as soon as possible, in order to secure your place. 

At 11:00 a.m., bidding begins at the Silent Auction with a fabulous selection from 

which to choose. A dairy lunch begins at 12:00 noon. Individual tickets for this 

luncheon are $50 each; tributes are available for print in the program at $18 each; and 

quarter-page on up to full-page ads are also available. Consider a tribute to one or 

more of the honorees with an ad or sponsorship. Call 302-6921 for further 

information. 

Raffle tickets are available for a beautiful Americus Diamond Circle Pendant, 

valued at $2,500. Tickets may be purchased for a mere $10 each or $25 for 3. 

Contact a JFS Board member or call the JFS office at 302-6921 to purchase some 

today! 

All proceeds from this event benefit Jewish Family Service, and will help the 

agency continue their work in the San Antonio and surrounding communitites. 

Hana Ross and 

Sharon Stern 


USY 

USY would like to thank everyone who donated their Chametz to our food drive. All donations went towards a 

great cause. 

Now let’s Spring forward with some fun upcoming events in the USY world for April & May: 

Ice Skating and Coldstone Creamery: April 10th 

USY will be heading to Northwoods Ice Skating Center for some fun skating in the spring. 

This event will start immediately following havdallah at Agudas Achim on Saturday, 

April 10th. Please be on time! We will be skating until close at 9:30pm and then heading to 

Coldstone creamery for dessert. The cost for this event is $18 for USY members, $20 for 

non-members (this includes your admission, rental skates, locker, ice cream and 

transportation). In order to reserve your spot, please send your cash or check (made out to 

SAUSY) to the office at Agudas Achim prior to this event. 

Kadima “Maccabiah” Convention: April 16-18th 

Attention all Kadimaniks in 6 th or 7 th grade: Are you interested in spending a fun weekend with your friends 

SWUSY style? If so, join us for Kadima “Maccabiah” Convention from April 16-18 in Dallas, TX!! This will 

be a weekend full of quirky competitions, unusual challenges, brain teasers, and amazing team building. It will 

also be a chance to hang out with some of the older kids in USY and see how amazing their conventions are! 

The cost is only $98!! Applications can be found on the respective Kadima page on our website at http:// 

sanantoniousy.weebly.com and are due by April 2 nd . All applications received after the due date will receive a 

$30 late fee, but at least you can still come! Transportation fees are not included in the application cost. Please 

contact Ali Mermelstein at 215-740-7126 or your Kadima Advisor for more information. 

J-Serve San Antonio: April 25th 

Join us on April 25, 2010 for J-Serve San Antonio. For those who do not know, J-Serve is a day of 

community service by the Jewish teens of San Antonio. Participants will meet at the JCC at 9am to select 

projects, volunteer at one of many locations, and return to the JCC by 3pm. Pre-registered participants will 

receive a free t-shirt and lunch. All who participate will be given a certificate for community service hours and 

may receive credit for religious school attendance. For more information, please contact Rachel at 302-6969. 

Register online at http://www.jserve.org/serve/register/step1/?project_name=J-Serve%20San%20Antonio!!! 

Israeli Themed Spaghetti Dinner - April 21 st at 6:00 p.m. 

Join us on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. immediately following religious 

school for our Israeli Themed Spaghetti Dinner. The cost for this event is $5 per person. 

We will have Israeli music, dancing, and lots more! Reserve your spot by sending in the 

slip below with your cash or check (made out to SAUSY) attached, to the office at 

Agudas Achim. Please RSVP by Wednesday, April 14, 2010. Sorry there will be no 

refunds! 

USY Spaghetti Dinner 

Name_________________________________________ Phone______________________ 

Number Attending: Adults__________ Children__________ Total $__________ 

**Check out our website at http://sanantoniousy.weebly.com for more 

upcoming event details!!!** 


Community News 

April Events/Programs at the JCC 

In Observance of Passover, the JCC will be CLOSED Monday, April 5. 

Senior Games of San Antonio - April 8 - 18 

Looking for a delightful volunteer opportunity? Come lend a hand at the Senior Games of San Antonio. Call 

302-6867. 

J-Serve - Sunday April 25 

Sign up your TEEN to participate in J-Serve – a nation-wide community service experience where youth will 

volunteer their time for one day to a local organization or initiative. Call Rachel Rustin at 302-6969 for more 

information or to sign up! 

Sheldon Vexler Theatre Presents 

RENT - April 29 - May 30 

Don’t miss your chance to see this Pulitzer Prize Winning favorite done “VEX” style! All we can say is: Get 

Your Tickets EARLY before they sell out in 525,600 seconds! Call 302-6835! 

Fore! The Kids JCC Golf Classic 

Friday, April 20 - 12:30 p.m. Tee 

If you enjoy a great game of golf and the great feeling of supporting an important cause, then this is the 

tournament for you. Join your friends and associates for a Friday of golf while you help support youth and 

inclusion programs at the JCC. Contact Carisa Heiss at 302-6866 for more information about sponsorships 

and entry levels! 

For more information, visit www.jccsanantonio.org or call 302-6820. 

San Antonio Hebrew Sheltering Society 

The San Antonio Hebrew Sheltering Society once again has money available for people needing monetary 

help to purchase food supplies for Pesah. Money given by the Society for that purpose is a gift. No repayment 

is required. 

To discuss receiving funds, contact the Society’s president, Dr. Morris Spector, at 734-0641. All inquiries are 

confidential. 

The Society, comprised of volunteers, has been in existence in San Antonio since the late 1920s. Although the 

Society was started to provide funds to shelter Jewish travelers who were in financial straits when they reached 

San Antonio, it is now able to provide money for other purposes. There are no strings attached to the funds 

given. 


We Celebrate Anniversaries...here's to many more years! 


Barbara and Jerry Friedson 

Elizabeth and Ervin Mendlovitz 

Norma and Rich Spitz 


Hilary and Neal Kavy 


Rachel Stern and Scott Pullen 


Bertie and Selig Frank 

April Birthdays 


Cookie Belinsky 

Oscar Guerrero 

Michael Ozer 

Sol Schnitzer 


Irene Blaess 

Aaron Kirkpatrick 

Marc Martinez 


Michael Archer 

Peter Ciment 

James Tawil 

Elsa Thompson 


Andrea Butler 

Eugene Goldman 

Pearl Gossen 

Tiffany Rosenberg 

Carole Wilson 


Bess Greenstein 

Andy Jacobson 


Alexander 

Marcovich 


James Day 

David Rabinowitz 

Stephen Saklad 


Fonda Gossen 

Philip Sacks 

Cory Weinberg 


Susan Bell 

Elissa Donzis 

Seth Frydberg 

Stephanie King 

Chelsea Loeffel 

Matthew Wolf 


Morris Bankler 

Eileen Bowman 

Ilanna Dinesman 

Matthew Loeffel 

Shari Markowitz 

Charles Schwartz 

Lisa Woo-Bloxberg 


Brad Barenblat 

Olimpia Berrios 

Ethan Cohen 

Louis Halfant 


Kimberly Gorelick 

Bess Henry 

Gert Myers 

Sandra Shaenfield 

Arnold Vogel 

Deanie Vogel 


Meredith and Cary Fox 


Fanya and Klimenty Grinshpan 


Gwenn and Scott Reep 


Peggy and Peter Ross 


Marilyn and Cal Lemmon 

Marcia Weiner 


Austin Abelow 

Samantha Atlas 

Hanna Cohen 

Tabitha Lauterstein 

Alison Sacks 

Marc Weinstein 


James Balasny 

Cameron Diamond 

Samantha Fogel 

Howard Nestel 


Eileen Lee 

Aaron Rabinowitz 


Samuel Serchay 

Michael 

Sovksamlane 

Dena Valdez 


Leah Fox 

Mark Gold 

Rachel Gurinsky 

Sherry Marton 

Eric Trakhtenbroit 

Sarah Zaltsman 


Alana Pearsall 


Carmen and Jay Saltzman 


Olimpia and José Berrios 


Judy and Race Fierman 

Jack Rosenblatt 

Julia Wilk 

Tamir Zaltsman 


Jaime Farji 

Jessie Glasser 

Marvin Hyman 

Rebekah Mata 


Ruben Barrera 

Gabriella Gross 

Jason Pulman 

Glenda Regenbaum 


Kayla Barshop 

Jennifer Bonnin 

Matteo Chauca 

Nicole Nestel 

Eduardo Raez 

Fannie Rae Shapiro 

James Tolleson 


Richard Alterman 

Matthew Kramer 


Heidi Becker 

Shifra Birnbaum 

Gary Koplin 

Marge Present 

Andrea Rodriguez 

Joel Rutstein 


Lainey Berkus 

Hannah Kavy 

Stephen Kramer 

Audrey Merin 

Zachary Spigel 


William Gresores 

Michael Kincaid 

Harold Reich 

Zachary Rosen 


David Goldberg 


Marilyn Dubrin 

Sabrina Epstein 

Brian Frydberg 

Allison Oakes 

Judy Sobre 


Rebecca Barenblat 


David Hauser 

Sylvia Kanter 

Sterling Neuman 

Fred Segal 

Samuel Silberman 


Yahrzeit . . . May their memories be for a blessing 

Our sincere condolences to the family of 

Susan Martinez 


Ruth Cohen 

Barbara Kobin 

Lillian Lehrman 

Regina Shweiki 


Dorothy Leverant 


Robert Clover 

Eva Kavy 

Emanuel Kulbersh 

Albert Maze 

Goldie Tills 

Carol Rosenblatt 


Hyman Becker 

Irving Golden 

Sam O’Krent 

Mary Rogal 

Sam B. Schwartz 

Florence Muriel Aaron 

Bikoff 

Milton Flaum 


Isaak Grinshpan 

Israel Horowitz 

Barbara I. Mazer 

Levi Topletz 


Rivka Ledor 

Moss Rosenthal 


David Bloom 

Florence Friedman 

Rosa Kravetsky 

Nelly Mony 

Ben Silberman 


Evelyn Friedman 

Rudolph Haar 


Maurice Grossman 

Joseph Hyman 


Fannie H. Label 

Jacobo Newman 

Ruth Waghalter 


Irving Isgur 

Evelyn Natkin 

Samuel Serchay 

Haviv Shweiki 


Lena Cohen 

Bertha Fox 

Carrol Meyer, Sr. 

Julius Rosofsky 

Rasila Rudow 

Anna Weiner 

Joe Wolfe 

Frances Kest 


Anne C. Horrell 


Seth Boyd 

Robert Steinbrecher 


Irving Frank 

Frances Friedman 

Molly Gilgus 

Nell Greenberg 

Eleanor Hoenig 

Julius N. Label 

Charles Meyer 

Minna Schmidt 


Abraham Vexler 

Arthur Weiner 


Grace Alexander 

Abe Efron 

Hortense Rabinowitz 

Marvin Mony 


Sandra Dickstein 

Wanda Hapes 

Florence Hyman 

Sora Korostyshevsky 

Noah Levy 

Clive Edmund McInnes 

Avigor Schechter 

Ruth Present 


Melvyn Alwais 

Sylvia Breit 

Jeanette Klein 

Meyer Z. Levis 

Samuel Pollack 

Ruby Smith 

Theodore Smith 

Albert Solomon 


Otto Heffler 

Daniel Reif 

Benjamin Seidenberg 


Ted O’Krent 

Dave Shaenfield 

Louis Kboudi 

Hyman Zerkel 

Louis Zweig 


Elaine Betty Frank 

Abraham Furman 

Sophie Miller Offit 

Carol Spigel 


Isaac Bankler 

Esther Kanter 

Anna Shor Schnitzer 

Joe Wilk 


Jacob Freedman 

Ben Tudzin 

John Sommella 


Frank Brenner 

Max Schmidt 


Max Goldman 

Beckie Sherman 

Beatrice Sterenberg 


Elias Heritch 

Jeanette Millican 

Joe Nadler 


Bimah Baskets/Flowers/Torah Fund Donations 

We would like to thank the following for their donations for food for the Battered Women’s Shelter, symbolized by the Bimah basket. 

Linda and Marvin Aboloff 

Margie and Joel Baseman 

Susan and Steven Butler 

Ana Caddess 

Sylvia Cohen 

Barbara and Michael Friedberg 

Carolyn and Howard Glick 

Shirley Kanter 

Cary and Jeff Kavy 

When observing a Yahrzeit, Simcha, or special occasion, please consider a donation to Sisterhood for Bimah baskets. 

Call Helen Kerman at 492-3802. 

Speedy Recovery to 

Rabbi Chaim Block by 

Marguerite Lerer 

Dr. James Franco by 

Barbara and Ronnie Argo 

Emi Jacobs by Michele and 

Jerry Leverant 

Marvin Jalnos by Helen 

Isgur 

Leanore Kavy by Tevia and 

Joel Friedman, Helen Isgur, 

Susanne Jalnos, Marguerite 

Lerer, Bernice Mazer 

Dr. Lew Levitan by Marilyn 

and Jerry Karren 

Bernice Mazer by Gert 

Myers 

Sandy Weingart by Barbara 

and Ronnie Argo, Jean and 

Arnie Eisenstot, Meredith and 

Cary Fox, Tevia and Joel 

Friedman, Helen Isgur, Esther 

Jacobs, Susanne Jalnos, Jean 

and Harold Karren, Marilyn 

and Jerry Karren, Marguerite 

Lerer, Nina Marcovich, 

Bernice Mazer, Suzan and 

Max Mendlovitz, Gert Myers, 

Joanne and Don Zaike 

In Honor of 

Barbara Argo, on being 

honored at Sisterhood’s 

Anniversary Tea, by Mitzi 

and Jack Efron, Tevia and 

Joel Friedman 

Sarah Aronstein, Happy 

Birthday, by Bernice Mazer, 

Gaby and Alex Scharlack 

Helen Kerman 

Sandy and Fred Kline 

Alexandra and Edward Kuperman 

Kay and Hazzan Jeremy Lipton 

Bernice Mazer 

Suzan and Max Mendlovitz 

Eva Olian 

Pat Kalmans and Michael Ozer 

Rachel Rosenberg-Peden and Ron Peden 

Beverly and Mike 

Birnbaum, congratulations 

on being honored at Agudas 

Achim’s celebration of 120 

years, by Barbara and Ronnie 

Argo, Jean and Harold Karren 

Rabbi Leonardo Bitran, in 

gratefulness for the safety of 

his family in Chile, by 

Bernice Mazer, Sandy and 

Mel Weingart, Dorothy Jo 

and Bob Weiss 

Mitzi Efron, Happy Birthday, 

by Tevia and Joel Friedman, 

Babs Schnitzer, Joanne and 

Don Zaike 

Selig Frank, on his 90 th 

birthday. Good luck and good 

health, by Bernice Mazer 

Karen Heintz, and in honor 

and memory of, Phil Heintz, 

congratulations on being 

honored at Agudas Achim’s 

celebration of 120 years, by 

Barbara and Ronnie Argo, 

Jean and Harold Karren 

Harold Karren, Happy 

Birthday, by Tevia and Joel 

Friedman, Marguerite Lerer 

Jean Karren, Happy 



Leanore and Mike Kavy, 

Happy Anniversary, by Helen 

Isgur, Marguerite Lerer 

Helen Kerman, on being 

honored at Sisterhood’s 

Anniversary Tea, by Mitzi 

and Jack Efron, Tevia and 

Joel Friedman 

Torah Fund Donations 

Helen Kerman, Happy 



Michael Linn, Happy 



Pat Linn, Happy Birthday, by 

Tevia and Joel Friedman, 


Hazzan Jeremy Lipton, on 

his cantorial concert. Good 

luck and congratulations, by 

Jean and Harold Karren, 

Bernice Mazer 

Minna and Gerald Maze, 

Happy 50 th anniversary, by 

Leah Maze and Family, 

Fannie Rae Shapiro 

Michael Robbins, Happy 

Birthday, by Marguerite Lerer 

Ruth Posner, Happy 

Birthday, Marguerite Lerer, 


Jean Schlesinger, Happy 



Sandy and Bernard 

Shaenfield, Happy 

Anniversary, by Tevia and 

Joel Friedman, Marguerite 

Lerer, Gert Myers 

Dorothy Jo and Bob Weiss, 

Happy Anniversary, by 


Gaye Winakur, Happy 

Birthday, by Marguerite Lerer 

Linda Wilk, Happy Birthday, 

by Tevia and Joel Friedman, 


Merle Polunsky 

Marinel and Michael Robbins 

Blanche and Martin Rubin 

Beverly and Charles Siegel 

Sherie and Anatole Trakhtenbroit 

Sandy and Mel Weingart 

Esther and Harold Vexler 

Dr. Andrew Zinn, on his 

promotion to Full Professor at 

Southwestern Medical 

School, by Bernice Mazer 

In Loving Memory of 

Jennie Mae Becher by Sandy 

and Fred Kline 

Aaron Cohen by Bernice 

Mazer, Sandy and Mel 

Weingart 

Charlotte Fagan Dal by 

Sandy and Fred Kline 

Norm Dollinger by Phyliss 

and Steve Cole 

Toby Gossen by Jean and 

Arnold Eisenstot, Sara Lee 

Gurinsky, Jean and Harold 

Karren, Leanore and Mike 

Kavy, Sandy and Fred Kline, 

Michele and Jerry Leverant, 

Leah Maze, Bernice Mazer, 

Babs Schnitzer, Rudi and 

Irving Schweitzer, Fannie Rae 

Shapiro, Sheila Weiner, 

Dorothy Jo and Bob Weiss, 

Joanne and Don Zaike 

Alex Halff by Sandy and Mel 

Weingart 

Ilona Haendel by Sandy and 

Mel Weingart 

Joseph Hertz by Helen Isgur 


Tributes 

We have been known to make an error or two, so if you think your contribution should have been listed differently, please let the office know, and 

we will correct it in the next bulletin. 

RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY 

FUND 


Phyllis Brooks by Pam and Sid 

Gold 


Aaron Cohen, beloved uncle, by 

Sally Scharff, Matthew, Samantha 

and Sheena 

Aaron Cohen, my special and 

brilliant brother-in-law, by Shirley 

Tudzin 

Esther Mazur Mazer, beloved 

mother, by Carolyn Devin 

Larry Mazer, beloved brother, by 

Carolyn Devin 

CANTOR’S DISCRETIONARY 

FUND 

In Honor of 

Beverly and Mike Birnbaum, 

being honored, by Shirley Tudzin 

Selig Frank, on his 90 th birthday, 

by Shirley Tudzin 

Hazzan Lipton, on a beautiful 

evening celebrating 120 years, by 

Madeline and Charles Cytrin, Pat 

Kalmans and Michael Ozer 

Hazzan Lipton, for all his help 

preparing Stan for his second Bar 

Mitzvah, by Lynn and Stan 

Waghalter 


Aaron Cohen, beloved brother-inlaw, 

by Shirley Tudzin 

ALEXANDER YOUTH FUND 


Si Alexander by Ana Pechenik 

ALWAIS SCHOOL FUND 

BAR AND BAT MITZVAH 

PLAQUE FUND 

BUILDING FUND 


Toby Gossen by Sharon and 

Harry Abelow 

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN 

Many thanks for these gracious contributions to Congregation Agudas Achim 

CEMETERY GARDEN CLUB 

CHORALE FUND 

COHEN MUSIC FUND 

CLARENCE F. FREEMAN 

TRUST 

ETZ HAYIM PRAYER BOOK 

FUND 

ELAINE AND IRVING FRANK 

EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT 

FUND 

BERTIE AND SELIG FRANK 

ENDOWMENT FUND 

In Honor of 

Selig Frank, godfather of Neal 

Kavy, on his 90 th birthday, by Ruth 

Cohen, Hilary and Neal Kavy, 

Jennie and Stanley Schoenbaum 


Aaron Cohen by Bertie and Selig 

Frank 

FUTURE SECURITY FUND 

GENERAL FUND 


Mitzi Efron by Charlotte Sue and 


In Honor of 

Ruth Posner, on her birthday, by 

Eileen and Robi Jalnos 


Yetta and Joseph Beeber, 

beloved parents, by Arlene 

Melancon 

Aaron Cohen by Gloria and 

Gerald Silber 

Toby Gossen by Charlotte Sue 

and Richard Alterman 

Ilona Haendel by Thea and 

Mervyn Bloom, Carolyn and Clay 

Epstein, Eileen and Robi Jalnos 

Alex Halff by Charlotte Sue and 


Henry Jacobs by Emi and Marvin 

Jacobs 

Charles Kulick by Roz and Allen 

Pullen 

Claude Sonsino by Rabbi 

Leonardo Bitran 

GLADYS AND MINNIE 

GREENBERG KITCHEN FUND 

TO REPLENISH THE ROSS 

FAMILY KITCHEN 

HEINTZ PRESCHOOL FUND 

In Honor of 

Beverly and Mike Birnbaum by 

Alice and Rick Thorner 

Karen Heintz by Alice and Rick 

Thorner 


Sarah Cohen by Sylvia Cohen 

Ilona Haendel by Madeline and 

Charles Cytrin 

Phil Heintz by Sandy and Fred 

Kline 

Sarah Heintz, on her yahrzeit, by 

Karen Heintz 

Lisa Schwartz, greatgrandmother 

of Lily Marcovich, by 


SAM HYMAN PRAYER BOOK 

FUND 

RUTH RUTSTEIN POSNER AND 

NATHAN POSNER RELIGIOUS 

SCHOOL FUND 


Klavdiya Liberzon by Wendy 

Harmon 

JACK AND KITTY KADISH 

MINYAN BREAKFAST FUND 


Abraham Halpin, beloved 

grandfather, by Carolyn and Bryan 

McKinley 

BERNARD AND SYLVIA 

KANTER FUND 

BOB KBOUDI CHILDREN’S 

BOOK FUND 

L’DOR VA-DOR ENDOWMENT 

FUND 

ANNA AND SAMUEL MEADOWS 

SCHOLARSHIP FUND 

MEMORIAL GARDENS 

In Honor of 

Selig Frank, on his 90 th birthday, 

by Clarice Seeman 


Bertha Franklin, beloved mother, 

on her yahrzeit, by Clarice 

Seeman 

Norman Seeman, beloved 

husband, on his yahrzeit, by 

Clarice Seeman 

MINYAN FUND 


Esther Mazur Mazer, beloved 

mother-in-law, by Bernice Mazer 

Larry Mazer, beloved husband, by 

Bernice Mazer 

Albert I. Shaenfield, beloved 

brother, by Marion and Sid 

Shaenfield 

Estelle Shaenfield, beloved 

mother, by Marion and Sid 

Shaenfield 

GERTRUDE MYERS FAMILY 

ENDOWMENT FUND 

ONEG AND KIDDUSH FUND 


Sandy Weingart by Sandi and 

Marc Schnall 

In Honor of 

Leanore and Mike Kavy, on their 

60 th anniversary, by Hilary and 

Neal Kavy 

Ruth Posner, on her birthday, by 

Sandi and Marc Schnall 


Sam Goldberg by Helen Isgur 

Morris Isgur by Helen Isgur 

PALMETTO STREET 

HISTORICAL CEMETERY 

RESTORATION FUND 


Irvin Balasny, beloved father, by 

Ruth and Jim Balasny 

Joseph Kalish, beloved father, by 

Ruth and Jim Balasny 

Oscar Kelfer, beloved husband 

and father of Stanley Kelfer, Ilene 

Kelfer, Michael Kelfer and Max 

Kelfer, by Ruth Kelfer-Balasny and 

Jim Balasny 

RUTH AND FELIX REIF 

BUILDING AND SECURITY 

FUND 


Ruth Reif by Rose Williams 

Samuel Serchay by Rose 

Williams 

ROSENMAN CEMETERY 

FUND 

ROSS FAMILY KITCHEN 

IMPROVEMENT FUND 


Toby Gossen by the Stahl Family 

Ilona Haendel by the Stahl Family 

Lillian Lehrman, beloved motherin-law, 

on her yahrzeit, by Frances 

Lehrman 

RUTH RUTSTEIN POSNER AND 

BARBARA AND ERICA 

RUTSTEIN CAMP RAMAH FUND 

MAX AND SERENE LOWY 

SCHMIDT SCHOLARSHIP FUND 

SYNAGOGUE BEAUTIFICATION 

FUND 

SYNAGOGUE ENDOWMENT 

FUND 

GOLDIE AND JOE TILLS 

LIBRARY FUND 


Joe Tills, beloved father, on his 

yahrzeit, by Barbara Spigel 


Tributes 

TORAH RESTORATION AND 

REPAIR 

TOT SHABBAT FUND 

FANNIE UDINSKI CHILDREN’S 

FUND 

USY FUND 

VEXLER FLOWER FUND 

WEINGART YOUTH CAMP AND 

TRAVEL FUND 


Sandy Weingart by Shirley 

Kanter, Helen Kerman 

YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES FUND 

FYI 

Donations made to the synagogue 

will be acknowledged as follows: 

$10.00 

Donation listed in bulletin 

and acknowledgement 

mailed to the recipient only. 

$18.00 

Donation listed in bulletin 

and acknowledgement 

mailed to the recipient and 

donor. 

ONE honoree’s 

name per donation 

Donations received after the 

15th of each month will be 

published in the following 

Kolenu. 

The Custom 

A young scholar from New York was invited to become Rabbi in a small old 

community in Chicago. On his very first Shabbat a hot debate erupted as to 

whether one should or should not stand during the reading of the Ten 

Commandments. Half the congregation stood during the reading and half the 

congregation remained seated. Those congregants standing were yelling at 

those sitting to stand up. Those congregants sitting were yelling at those 

standing to sit down. 

The next day, the Rabbi visited the oldest member of the community, 98-yearold 

Mr. Katz, in the nursing home. 

“Mr. Katz, I’m asking you, as the oldest member of the community,” said the 

Rabbi, “What is our synagogue’s custom during the reading of the Ten 

Commandments.” 

“Why do you ask?” asked Mr. Katz. 

“Yesterday we read the Ten Commandments. Half the congregation stood, 

half the congregation remained seated. Those standing started yelling at those 

seated to stand up. Those seated started yelling at those standing to sit down.” 

“That,” said Mr. Katz, “is our custom.” 


Oneg/Kiddush Sponsors 

Congregation Agudas Achim would like to thank 

the following for providing Oneg and Kiddush for 

your synagogue family: 

Hadassah 

Kiddush 

February 27 

Children and Grandchildren 

of 

Leo Swidler 

Kiddush 

in honor of 

Leo Swidler 

on his 91 st birthday 

March 6 

Tot Shabbat 

Service Times 

6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. 

Led by 

Silvana 

Bacman 

COME JOIN IN OUR 21 st 

YEAR OF SHABBAT JOY! 

Apr. 2 May 7 

(724-0147) if you would 

like to sponsor an Oneg 

in honor of your child! 

Contact Marinel Robbins 

All services are held 

in the Vexler Chapel 


The Back Page 

Bequests 

In loving memory of those caring 

individuals who remembered 

the Synagogue in their wills. 

Esther Alterman 

Charles Atkin 

Solis Berman 

Max and Ethel Borowsky 

Sam Briskman 

Joseph Chasan 

Norman Fink 

Cynthia and Sam Glasser 

Dr. Eugene Gold 

Phyllis Gordon 

Rose Jacobson 

Rosa Lee Katz 

Eva Kavy 

Elsa Lampert 

Isaac and Rivka Ledor 

Itta Lenowitz 

Stizzi and Israel Lewin 

Gertrude Mendel 

Sam Polunsky 

Nat Posner 

Thelma Preissman 

Minnie Pulman 

Odessa Ring 

Max Rosenman 

Shirley Rosofsky 

Leon Sachnowitz 

Berdie Scharlack Schwartz 

Leah Shapiro 

Israel and Esther Silber 

Greta Stat 

Joseph Steinfeld 

William Udinski 

Ruth Wilk 

Torah Fund Donation Information 

Sisterhood Torah Fund donations can be made by 

sending checks to Helen Isgur, 2900 Hunters Horn, 

San Antonio, Texas 78230. 

By Phone: Please contact Tevia Friedman at 490-3854 

or by email at teviafriedman@mac.com. Please call 

Monday through Thursday before 8:00 p.m. 

Your donation, sent either way, is always appreciated. 

Todah Rabbah for your continued support. 

THE KOLENU 

The newsletter for 


Rabbi Rabbi Leonardo Bitran 

rabbi.b@agudas-achim.org 

Cantor Hazzan Jeremy Lipton 

hazzan.jcl@agudas-achim.org 

Executive Director Michael Linn 

mike.linn@agudas-achim.org 

President Robi Jalnos 

VP Finance & Administration Randy Pulman 

VP Fundraising Rhonda Gurinsky 

VP Membership Anne Marcovich 

VP Education Sharon Charlip 

VP Ritual Cary Fox 

Secretary Barry Spigel 

Treasurer Kevin Epstein 

Inda Posner Religious School Karen Katims 

Education Director 

iprs@agudas-achim.org 

Heintz Preschool Director Dena Valdez 

preschool@agudas-achim.org 

Controller Mia Spigel 

m.spigel@agudas-achim.org 

Mashgiach Marinel Robbins 

kitchen@agudas-achim.org 

Men's Club President Greg Meyer 

mensclub@agudas-achim.org 

Sisterhood President Sandra Weingart 

Goldie & Joe Tills Library Lynn Waghalter 

Librarian 

tills.library@agudas-achim.org 

IPRS PTO President Sherry Jacobson 

USY Advisor Ali Mermelstein 

usy@agudas-achim.org 

USY President Tammy Mata 

Kadima Advisor Rachel Rustin 

kadima@agudas-achim.org 

Kadima President Bradley Tomes 

Halutzim Advisor Meg Grossman 

Editor Amy Levine 

kolenu@agudas-achim.org 



16550 Huebner Road 

San Antonio, TX 78248 

Address Service Requested 

POSTMASTER PLEASE RUSH 

DATED MATERIAL 

Candle Lighting Times 

for San Antonio 

April 2 7:35 p.m. 





May 7 7:56 p.m. 

May 14 8:00 p.m. 

May 21 8:04 p.m. 

May 28 8:09 p.m. 

Shabbat Ending Times 

For San Antonio 





May 1 8:52 p.m. 

May 8 8:56 p.m. 

May 15 9:01 p.m. 

May 22 9:05 p.m. 

May 29 9:09 p.m. 

Service Times 

Daily Minyan - 7:30 a.m. Monday - Friday in Vexler Chapel 

Evenings by contacting office 

9:00 a.m. Sunday in Vexler Chapel 

Shabbat Evening 7:00 p.m. Vexler Chapel 

Shabbat Morning 9:00 a.m. in Alterman Salkind Louis Sanctuary 

Administration Office 

479-0307 

Yahrzeits are read at EACH service 

Babysitting provided for birth through 2nd grade 

at all Shabbat Morning services. 

Administration Office Fax 

479-0295 


479-0429 

Synagogue Contact Information 

info@agudas-achim.org 

www.agudas-achim.org 

NON-PROFIT ORG. 

U.S. POSTAGE 

PAID 

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 

PERMIT NO. 57 

Inda Posner Religious School 

479-2689 

Rabbi Bitran’s Private Line 

479-0283

April Kolenu - online - Congregation Agudas Achim

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