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Rabbi’s Message (cont. from page 1) help of the Cummings grant, the United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism and the Rabbinical Assembly are spearheading an effort to require a Hekhsher Tzedek, or an ethical kashrut certification, on kosher food. This certification would reflect a commitment not only to the laws of kashrut, but also to just business practices by kosher food companies. To earn the Hekhsher Tzedek, an employer would have to pay wages consistent with regional rates, provide employees with health care and vacation benefits, and offer safety training to workers in a language they understand, among other requirements. The Hekhsher Tzedek would supplement rather than replace existing kashrut certifications. The project was recently awarded a $50,000 one-year planning grant from the Nathan Cummings Foundation to roll out their new program. With the I recently had the pleasure of attending the biennial United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Convention in Orlando, Florida. I didn’t know what to expect as this would be my first convention that was not related to the brokerage industry, but the event was a memorable one. I came away with a new sense of respect for the future of the conservative movement, as well as a dose of enthusiasm for my role as TBS president. We were treated to a speech by JTS Chancellor Dr. Arnold Eisen, as well as a keynote presentation by Dr. Ron Wolfson titled “Envisioning the Synagogue of the 21st Century.” The convention also featured a very funny comedian we hope to one day have at TBS, as well as a Cantors’ concert with seven of the top Cantors from pulpits across the country. In addition to the various panels, TBS received a Hekhsher Tzedek certifications should have appeared on kosher foods as soon as Thanksgiving of 2008. A blog devoted to Hekhsher Tzedek, administered by Rabbi Morris Allen, the project director of Hekhsher Tzedek and spiritual leader of Beth Jacob Congregation in Minnesota, is accessible at http:// radbbimorrisallen2.blogspot.com/. Finally, Dr. King’s legacy in the Jewish community is evident in the current debate on climate change as well. One Jewish organization that strives for this is the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life, www.coejl.org. COEJL works to expand the contemporary understanding of such Jewish values as Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and Tzedek (justice) to include the protection of both people and other species from environmental degradation. They do this by representing 29 national Jewish organizations on environmental issues in Washington, D.C. and around the country. President’s Message January 2008 TEVET/SHEVAT 5768 Page 2 This is where Tu B’Shevat comes in. Tu B’Shevat is spoken about in the Talmud as a day when offerings of food were brought to the Temple to celebrate agricultural growth. It also was a time to recycle that growth by leaving portions of one’s harvest for the poor. It is a day in our tradition that asserts justice for the environment and for the people with whom we share the world. The three programs mentioned above are all terrific examples of contemporary Jews working in different ways to fulfill both the message of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the meaning of Tu B’Shevat. The succession of these two holidays this year amplifies their common challenge: to bridge our religious commitment with our sense of social justice. How do you meet this challenge? Rabbi Micah Peltz Solomon Schecter Award for a program designed by Marsha Axler. Yasher Koach. You might think the highlight of the convention for me was when my name was drawn for a raffle in which I won free roundtrip airline tickets to Eretz Yisrael assuring a trip to Israel for me sometime in the next two years (before the certificate expires), but I think I was most moved emotionally when everyone joined hands and sang at the end of the convention. Those of you who know me would not classify me as an emotional guy, but the feelings in the room will be something I will remember for many years to come. The next biennial convention will be held in Cherry Hill, and I hope many of our congregants will have the opportunity to attend. Save the date! It’s December 6-10, 2009. (Continued on page 11)
HAZAK/Senior Chaverim Thanks to everyone who made our November meeting such a success. We enjoyed an afternoon of Magic with Norman Rosen, as well as a delicious luncheon prepared by Florence Wallis and her committee. In January, we have two major events. On Tuesday, January 15, we will view and discuss a short film brought to our attention by the TBS librarian, Judy Brookover. It is called “In Our Hands.” We invite your input into the discussion and hope you relate to this outstanding movie. Our guest for our second event will be Bill Wine of KYW who will host Movie Night. This renowned film critic is sponsored by Sisterhood, Men’s Club and HAZAK on Sunday, January 27, at 7:30 pm. We look forward to seeing you. We are looking for a pianist and singers to participate in our Purim Katan Spiel in February. Please contact me to volunteer. Congratulations to our much beloved Rabbis Lindemann and Lewis who are being honored this month. B’Hatzlah! Hilda L. Isaacson, President hildamli@earthlink.net The 2007 Yizkor Book contained some errors. We sincerely regret any anxiety or discomfort these errors may have caused. They were made inadvertently. Family of Norman Hutz Remembered by Norman Hutz WHAT’S NEW IN THE MISHPOCHE? Speedy Recovery: ED RECHT HARRIET BAKER Mazel Tov to: MARILYN & HARRY CHESNICK on the birth of their grandchildren, DARIA and NICHOLAS CHESNICK ELLEN & DAVID SPITZ on the birth of their grandson, RYAN DANIEL TRANTAS Mazel Tov to our January B’nei Mitzvah: AMANDA HOROWITZ, daughter of IRA & LISA HOROWITZ MASON STEVENS, son of ERIC & CINDY STEVENS BRIAN STOMEL, son of STEVEN & ANDREA STOMEL Mazel Tov Correction to November 2007 B’nei Mitzvahs: JASON SALM, son of RANDI SALM and ALLEN SALM Condolences to: CHARLES GREENBERG on the death of his beloved mother, BLANCHE GREENBERG HOWARD WAXMAN on the death of his beloved mother, BEATRICE JUDY PLATT on the death of her beloved brother, LOWELL FISHMAN LINDA MARKOFF on the death of her beloved husband, MORTON Have an item? Please notify us at the TBS Office at 751-6663. From the Executive Director Convention Reflection Mark Fendrick and I just returned from the United Synagogue Biennial Convention. As with my other experiences at such conventions, I learned (or rather confirmed) two things I thought before I went: all synagogues have the same types of problems; and we at TBS do a lot of things very well compared to the population of synagogues as a whole. Some funny things happened as well. Mark and I were seated at dinner with the Hazzanim who were going to perform later that evening at the Cantors’ Concert which has become a fixture at these conventions. Seven acclaimed Hazzanim from around the country put on a concert of some formal Jewish music combined with a lot of “fun” types of musical skits. Alisa Pomerantz-Boro from Beth El asked for a vegetarian meal. There was a delay in bringing it out from the kitchen so that she received her platter about 30 minutes into the meal, at a point where the rest of us had pretty much finished. Anyway, she was eventually presented with a giant platter of steaming hot BEANS! The jokes around the table were pretty funny but will not be repeated here because this is a family publication! It was great to see these icons of the Cantorate exhibit their human sides. Dr. Ron Wolfson was a major highlight of the convention. He recently wrote a book called “The Spirituality of Welcoming: How to Transform Your Congregation into a Sacred Community.” The book is receiving major attention in the Conservative movement and I heartily recommend it to all of you. The TBS Board and staff are (Continued on page 11) January 2008 TEVET/SHEVAT 5768 Page 3
Page 1: Temple TEMPLE Talk TALK VOLUME XXVI
Page 8 and 9: From the Educational Director “Ho
Page 10 and 11: In a recent conversation with a con
Page 12 and 13: It’s a question I am often asked;
Page 14 and 15: WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR CONT
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