February 2012 Bulletin - Congregation B'nai Amoona

February 2012 

Shevat - Adar 5772 

Established in 1882 

ON TU B’SHEVAT 

I would plant 

My wondrous ideas, 

My insightful contributions, 

My respect and gratitude, 

and a place in this world. 

I would plant my talent and hope, 

My hopeful decisions, 

My determination, 

My loves and hatred, 

and, of course, 

My dreams and my beliefs. 

~ Adam Cohen-Nowak 

What would you plant? 

See page 20 for ideas!

From Rabbi 

Carnie Shalom Rose 

AWAKENING TO THE POTENTIAL POWER OF THE DESERT 

“We set out from Chorev and traversed the entire vast and awful 

(OR) great and awesome desert that you all saw, along the road to 

the hill country of the Amorites, as the Lord our God commanded 

us.” Deuteronomy 1:19 

“Abba…Abba…you awake?” 

Truth is I’m a terrible sleeper. But whenever I can, I try to grab 

a Shabbes Shluf (nap). Somehow, luxuriating in the middle of 

the afternoon defines Oneg (delight), which is supposed to be 

an essential part of our Sabbath experience. Barely opening 

one eye, I looked up to see our 9 year-old, Lev (the most 

“covert” of our children), standing over me with a bewildered 

look on his face. “Abba, I get the Honey Cakes part – that’s for 

Rosh Hashanah. But Silence – that doesn’t sound too Jewish to 

me. What are you reading?” 

Inadvertently, I had dozed off while making my way through 

a beautiful little book, Silence and Honey Cakes: the Wisdom 

of the Desert, by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Reverend 

Rowan Williams. The volume, which was on loan from my 

teacher and friend, Dr. Alick Isaacs (who recently spoke at our 

St. Louis JCC’s outstanding Jewish Book Festival), is a work 

that shares some profound insights from the Desert Fathers 

and Mothers who resided in the Egyptian Desert between the 

3 rd and 5 th centuries CE. The reading was Alick’s first of several 

gentle (yet paradoxically jarring) nudges in the direction of 

helping me deconstruct and then reframe some unhealthy 

and counter-productive long-held and outdated assumptions 

about religious life and spiritual consciousness. 

Smiling softly, I confirmed for Lev that he was indeed correct. 

“The book isn’t a Jewish one, but it does teach some ideas 

that I’m pretty sure God wants all human beings to know - 

and there is a lot of wisdom in the world to be learned from 

people of other faiths. By the way, why do you think we have 

an Amidah (Silent Meditation) at every Service? Silence is 

a very Jewish concept.” “Okay Abba, but I have to say that I 

still like Honey Cake much more than Silence… Can I have a 

Shabbes snack now?” 

The Archbishop’s thought-provoking tome lead me on a 

historical and spiritual journey to the desert community of a 

group of monks and nuns who consciously located themselves 

outside the confines of the cities in an attempt to live in 

greater harmony with themselves, their fellow human beings 

and the Almighty. The book itself is divided into five sections 

and each chapter elegantly lays out – in sensitive and nuanced 

ways – the complexities of the life of the spirit. What emerges 

is a profound and remarkably contemporary reality. Religious 

consciousness is not a zero-sum game and it’s not an “either” – 

“or” proposition. It’s not “Silence” on the one hand or “Honey 

Cakes” on the other. Sometimes spiritual consequence can 

be found through isolation and deep introspection and at 

God’s Love 

B’nai Amoona Delivers 

other moments, it is only through acts of sharing selflessly – 

by means of generosity and magnanimity - that we discover 

the transcendent. Either way, it is the desert that somehow 

catalyses the opportunity for a fresh perspective. 

Of course, the notion of the desert as fertile soil for the 

soul is not new. After all, Moses our Teacher is called to his 

sacred vocation in the Desert – at the Bush that Burns but 

is not Consumed; the People of Israel is forged into a nation 

during its 40-year trek in the most barren of environments; 

the revelation of our Holy Torah takes place at the summit 

of Mount Sinai - in the midst of wilderness; and Elijah the 

Prophet gains renewed insight into the deepest dimensions of 

Divinity in the most arid and barren of regions. 

What emerges is a possible avenue for religious recalibration. 

Though the desert is a physical location, it is also a state of 

mind, a way of being. At times it can be foreboding and at times 

inviting; sometimes ominous and sometimes encouraging; 

awful and awesome; filled with vibrations – cacophonous and 

harmonious; resonating with overwhelming noise or bereft of 

any semblance of the audible. And as such, retreating to the 

desert is – in potential – a mighty resource for those seeking to 

revive, reinvent and re-imagine their truths, convictions and 

orthodoxies. A space which we enter as a means to reconsider 

the paths we have taken and the next steps on our journey. 

“It is no whim of history that the birth of the first monotheistic 

faith took place in a desert, or that it was followed there by 

the other two great religions, Christianity and Islam. The 

prophets of Israel repeatedly sought and found inspiration in 

the desert. Christian hermits fled to it to escape the pollution 

of the world and to commune with God, and in modern times 

the secular literature of the desert in the works of Doughty, 

Lawrence, Philby, Thomas, and many other famous travelers 

reveals the powerful influence it exerts on the minds and 

spirits of all who seek its mysteries.” 

Michael Evenari, Leslie Shanan, and Naphtali Tadmor, The 

Negev: The Challenge of a Desert (Cambridge: Harvard 

University Press, 1971), p. 9. 

Maybe at some point in the not too distant future, my 

clandestine child will find his way to the desert and 

come to appreciate the delectability of Silence as much 

as he enjoys the deliciousness of Honey Cake. And that 

will be a most scrumptious treat – for him and for me. 

Now back to my Judean Desert… 

Carnie 

Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose 

Rabbi Bernard Lipnick Senior Rabbinic Chair 

On Sabbatical in Jerusalem: October 2011 - August 2012 

RavRoseBA@aol.com 

Congregation B’nai Amoona Bulletin 

2 

February 2012

Rabbi Joe says... 

Over the past several months during which I have been 

serving as the Interim Senior Rabbi during Rabbi Rose’s 

year-long sabbatical, the question I am asked most 

frequently expresses concern for my welfare. “How are 

you holding up, Rabbi?” “Do you have any life, now 

that you have taken on this huge position?” “How are 

you handling all the pressure?” I respond in the same 

manner to each inquiry: “I am doing great! I am having 

the time of my life! I have never enjoyed being a rabbi 

more!” 

Why am I able to respond in this manner? First of all, 

I am truly enjoying this experience. During my own 

rabbinate, when I led congregations, I always chose 

smaller ones. For me, it was important to be able to be 

acquainted with every member of the community, to 

know some of that person’s history, both personal and 

spiritual, and to be able to be accessible to every member. 

I never wanted to be what I called a “corporate rabbi,” a 

CEO-type rabbi, who was “plugged into” numerous lifecycle 

ceremonies occurring over each week. Yet, here 

I am leading a congregation (for one-year only!) that is 

much larger than I ever envisioned during my career! 

What makes this experience easier for me? I am enjoying 

working with the dedicated professionals that comprise 

the staff of B’nai Amoona. It is wonderful to work with 

competent and caring individuals who work as a team 

to serve God and this congregation. It is a wonderful 

feeling to know that “the grand plan” we have discussed is 

worked in detail by each member of the staff knowing and 

doing his/her job and going beyond the requirements of 

his/her job description to accomplish it. Each one brings 

his/her own gifts, skills, talents and passion to the goal 

set forth of “connecting Jews to their Judaism” to which 

this congregation is dedicated. They have accepted me 

with open arms into their professional community and 

have helped me to figure out how to work with such a 

diverse and professional group of co-workers. 

I am enjoying the work as well. I retired from the 

rabbinate after twenty-nine years, not because I was 

burned out or did not enjoy the work, but I did so for 

the sake of my family. Though I can honestly say that 

I missed few, if any concerts, awards assemblies and no 

birthdays, graduations or other such once-in-a-lifetime 

events, there were many days when I was paying more 

attention to others’ children than to my own and to 

congregational matters more than to household ones. 

There were long days, even in smaller congregations, 

and nights spent away from the dinner table and from 

helping with homework, but the opportunity to provide 

access to Judaism for members of our congregations and 

communities was an honor and a privilege afforded to 

me. I have been given a true gift to be able to have done 

that once again as an adjunct rabbi for the past two years 

and as the Interim Senior Rabbi over the past months 

until Rabbi Rose’s return next August. 

We joined this congregation because it was the most 

proximal to our home. We stayed because of the manner 

in which you all have opened your arms to welcome us. 

What makes this year especially enjoyable includes you, 

the membership of B’nai Amoona. You are generous 

with your feedback and with your appreciation, when it is 

deserved. You have accepted me into your lives at critical 

times in your lives: when you or a member of the family 

has been ill, when there has been a death, when new 

life has come into the world, when you have celebrated 

B’nai Mitzvah and weddings. You have trusted Hazzan 

Nathanson, Rabbi Kaiman and me with your lives. 

This year is my thirty-fifth as a rabbi. Over the years I 

have garnered much experience and learned a great deal 

about what a rabbi does and is. I continue to learn from 

the experiences that I am having with B’nai Amoona. I 

thank the excellent staff of dedicated professionals who 

fill the myriad important roles they do, and I thank you 

all for making this a fulfilling, meaningful and enjoyable 

experience. I look forward to your continued trust and 

to the opportunities that await over this year to connect 

you to your Judaism. “How am I doing?” you ask. I am 

having the time of my life! Thank you so much for caring 

and for asking! 

Rabbi Josef Davidson 

Interim Senior Rabbi 

314-576-9990 x105 

rabbijad@bnaiamoona.com 

February 2012 3 

Congregation B’nai Amoona Bulletin

A Note from Rabbi Kaiman 

Shalom B’nai Amoona! 

I recently took a delegation of Israelis from Yokniam-Meggido on a tour of our beautiful building. They marveled 

at the sheer size and number of areas we utilize for all of the wonderful things we do here. They were wowed by its 

beauty. In Israel, a building like ours is a rarity. 

I am proud of the design and architecture which helps us create and achieve sacred moments. I enjoy spending time 

in our Sukkah garden, Davening in our Chapel, feeling the awesome presence of God in our Sanctuary, learning in 

our Library, teaching Torah in our classrooms and our hallways. 

We have a great building, but we are not defined by these walls. We are defined by our incredible membership. We 

are a Kehillah Kedusha, a holy community. 

One of our members, Fred Levko, recently helped me to visualize this Kehillah Keduash. He discovered a way to 

input our membership directory into a map, so we could literally see where our holy community lives which happens 

to be all over St. Louis and surrounding areas; Creve Coeur, U City, Chesterfield, Clayton, Maryland Heights, 

Ballwin, St. Charles, Kirkwood, Wildwood, Florissant and O’Fallon. Even more beautiful than our building is that 

map of our holy community. 

There was a time in our people’s history where all organized Jewish life was centralized in one location, but not 

anymore. 

Jewish life can and should be lived everywhere. Two Mitzvot that certainly enrich Jewish life outside of the building 

are acts of Chesed, loving-kindness, and Hachnasat Orchim, welcoming guests. 

Once, as Rabbi Yochanan was walking amongst the ruins of our greatest building, the Temple, he burst into tears. 

He said, “Woe unto us that this place is ruined!” Rabbi Joshua replied to him, “My son, do not grieve, for we have 

another means of atonement that is just as effective.” What is it? It is deeds of loving-kindness, of which Scripture 

says, “I desire deeds of loving-kindness and not sacrifice.” (Avot deRabbi Natan, 4) 

Those of us who work in B’nai Amoona’s building want to help you have many opportunities to perform deeds of 

loving-kindness which is why we set up B’nai Amoona Cares, or Y’dei Ezra (lit. Helping Hands). We are reaching out 

to members in need and organizing our community to provide support. We take care of one another wherever our 

members are. If you have not yet signed up, please email bnaiamoonacares@gmail.com, and we will make sure you 

know how you can be helpful when a member of our community is in need. 

As for Hachansat Orchim, “Rabbi Judah said in the name of Rav: Receiving guests is more important than welcoming 

God’s presence, for Abraham turned away from God in order to receive guests.” (Shabbat 127a) 

I’d like to encourage all B’nai Amoona members to open your doors wide to receiving guests this year. I’d like for 

every member to invite another to their home for a Shabbat meal, to see our community engaged in learning all over 

St. Louis. If you are interested or have ideas on how we can make this happen, I’d like to invite you to my home to 

take the next step. Please be in touch with me at rabbikaiman@bnaiamoona.com. 


B’Ahava, with love, 

Ari 

Rabbi Ari Kaiman 

Assistant Rabbi 

314-576-9990 x136 

rabbikaiman@bnaiamoona.com 

4 February 2012

Cantorial Notes 

“The children of Israel shall build a sanctuary for me so that I may dwell among them.” This is God’s charge to Moses, 

but I think we mistakenly think the charge is, “They shall build a sanctuary for me so that I may dwell in it.” 

God requests this sanctuary so God’s Presence can dwell among us, not for God’s presence to dwell in solitude which 

is an important distinction. Our beautiful B’nai Amoona sanctuary was built so God could dwell among us. Of 

course, we must be present together in the sanctuary for this to be possible. We must be present for one another, in 

rejoicing, mourning and caring for each other Being present for our community and extending ourselves to those 

around us and to God invites God’s Presence into our sanctuary and into our lives. 

I am fortunate to have the chance in my life to try to bring God’s Presence to individuals and to the community 

through music. I spend time in my office and throughout the building singing with children, teens, and adults. I 

sing with families in hospitals, during times of their greatest joy and deepest sorrow What an honor it is for me 

to be a part of your lives. I have been the cantor at B’nai Amoona for over 8 years. And now, with your help and 

encouragement, I have earned the title Hazzan over years of study and a process of exams, both written and oral. I 

am most thankful to my family and to the B’nai Amoona community for offering their unwavering support each step 

of the way. And now, looking forward, I find my mission, to bring people to their community through music and to 

use music as a means of connecting the community and individuals with God’s Presence, remains as pertinent, as 

pressing a need as ever. 

As many of you have already experienced, the energy we create with a room filled 

with voices singing together is like no other. Maybe it is because through our song, 

God’s Presence is palpable. With Shabbat Shira (Shabbat of Song) approaching, we 

have the chance to celebrate Shabbat with renewed energy and spirit. This Shabbat 

Shira, Saturday morning, February 4, we will bring every voice together from the 

very beginning of the 9:00 am service. All are invited and welcome! Whenever I 

can begin my Shabbat morning singing the many beautiful melodies and harmonies 

contained in the first sections of the service, I come away refreshed and full of energy. 

I cannot wait to share this experience with all of you. 

We will hear various small groups leading from the Bimah but the most powerful, 

impactful part of the morning will be all of us sitting and singing together in the front and center sections of the 

congregation. 

“They shall build a sanctuary so that I may dwell among them.” Be present. Give God a home in which to dwell. Then 

God can dwell in you. 

Hazzan Sharon Nathanson 

314 576-9990 x104 

Sharon.nathanson@bnaiamoona.com 



Spice up your Friday night with 

B'nai Amoona's wildly popular in-house band, 

Harif! 

� 


Friday, February 3, at 6:00 pm 

Welcome Shabbat with a lively musical service 

followed by a traditional Shabbat dinner 

Andy & BelleAnne Curry 

Rabbi Joe Davidson 

Steve Elfanbaum 

Dan Friedman 

Cantor Sharon Nathanson 

Name ______________________________________ 

Email ______________________________________ 

Phone ______________________________________ Vegetarian meal 

available if ordered in 

# ______ Adults @ $14.00 each 

advance only. (#) _____ 

# ______ Children 3-8 @ $8.00 each 

# ______ Children 2 and under are complimentary 

$ ______ Total enclosed 

Please RSVP to Barbara Shechter by Tuesday, January 31. 

By mailing your check, with this tear-off to: 

B’nai Amoona, 324 S. Mason Road, St. Louis, MO 63141-8029 or pay 

online at www.bnaiamoona.com 

Future Dates: April 27 and June 15 


Upcoming Services 

February 4 Sedra B’shalach, Shabbat Shirah 

February 11 Sedra Yitro 

Men’s Club Shabbat 

February 18 Sedra Mishpatim, Shabbat Shekalim 

Bat Mitzvah of Sophia Cantor, 

Daughter of Brent & Andrea Cantor 

February 23, 24 Rosh Chodesh Adar 

February 25 Sedra Terumah 

Bat Mitzvah of Sara Berwald, 

Daughter of Bruce & Laurie Berwald 

The Office will be closed 

Monday, February 20, 

in observance of 

Presidents’ Day 

Greeters 

THEY’RE BACK! 

Fireside 

Chats 

Join the Klei Kodesh and our Director of 

Congregational Learning, in their homes 

or at the synagogue, for an evening of 

learning. 

Make your reservations for one, several or 

for all four of the upcoming Fireside Chats. 

Feb. 8 Jennifer Newfeld 

Feb. 15 Cantor Sharon Nathanson 

Feb. 22 Rabbi Josef Davidson 

Feb. 29 Rabbi Ari Kaiman 

There are a limited number of seats available 

for each one, so reserve yours now! Contact 

Mimi Wachsman at 314-576-9990 x131. 

Shalom Chaverim! It’s almost Tu B’Shevat, which means Purim, Pesach, and Springtime are fast approaching. What 

a wonderful time of the year. What a wonderful time to spend another Shabbat with your Congregational family and 

be welcomed into our services by one of our magnificent Greeters. 

We take pride in assisting you and appreciate your cooperation when we ask for your patience during the times in 

our service when we ask you to wait in the back for a few moments respecting others and not immediately walk to a 

seat. Each and every person experiences Shabbat services in their own spiritual way and we try to allow that to take 

place with minimal disruption. When we do this, it is for everyone’s benefit. 

Beth Saltzman 

Greeters' Chair 

314-993-5964 

bpsaltzman50@yahoo.com 



Lessons Learned from our Director of Congregational Learning 

We are all looking for ways to add meaning to our lives, spend more time with those we love and create and cherish 

special family moments. Holidays times are perfect, they are all about ritual. Holiday rituals dictate what we eat, what 

we wear, whose house we visit, what prayers we say. Holidays are built in moments in the calendar when our life 

becomes more than average. Think back to your memories of Passover, Chanukah or Rosh Hashanah. You probably 

can conjure up several right away. Now think back to how many February memories you have, or Tuesday memories. 

I’m guessing it took you longer to even figure out what a February or Tuesday memory even is, much less come up 

with one. Unless your birthday, anniversary, or other special event occurred in the month of February, I am guessing 

you don’t have a lot of special February moments. That’s because what really happens in the month of February or on 

your average Tuesday? Certainly not a lot of ritual. 

How you could take the time, not a lot of time, just a few minutes each day, to build the same level of meaning into 

your February, into your families’ daily life as you do into each holiday?. Judaism, according to Rabbi Abraham 

Joshua Heschel, is a religion of time aiming at the sanctification of time. “Unlike the space-minded man to whom 

time is unvaried, iterative, homogeneous, to whom all hours are alike, quality-less, empty shells, the Bible senses 

the diversified character of time. There are no two hours alike. Every hour is unique and the only one given at the 

moment, exclusive and endlessly precious. Judaism teaches us to be attached to holiness in time, to be attached to 

sacred events, to learn how to consecrate sanctuaries that emerge from the magnificent stream of a year.” 

Here are a few rituals that help us to consecrate time, to appreciate the uniqueness of each moment, to slow down for 

a moment, to appreciate the world around us and those we love. 

1. Develop a Jewish nighttime or morning ritual. Say the Shema with your child. If they are a little older add the 

V’ahvta. At the end of the Shema, share what you are thankful for that evening and share your hopes for the 

next day. Or take this same ritual and apply it to the morning with the Modeh Ani or with one of the Morning 

Blessings. If you house is especially crazy in the morning, you may want to pause with your child for a few 

minutes to savor the morning. 

2. Prayers for everything. There are prayers for everything, why not add some into your day. There is a belief that 

we should say 100 blessings each and every day. How can you add one more blessing into your day? Blessings 

are not prayers; they are simply one sentence thank-yous for the miraculous things happening around us each 

day. Think about the things that excite your child and add blessings to those activities. If your child loves nature, 

how about a blessing said for the creation of God’s world when you go to a park or play in the backyard? Is your 

child fascinated with everything that happens in the bathroom? There is a blessing thanking God for the working 

of all our openings. If your child is obsessed with their friends, why not a blessing over the people in our lives. 

Clothes? There is a blessing for that. Did they do well on a big test or school project, share the Shechanyu. Saying 

a blessing over these everyday things will help your family slow down, even for a moment, and savor life. 

3. Food, it’s an easy one. It is so easy to forget to be mindful about our eating. Between the shopping, preparing, 

cooking it’s time consuming. However, food is so easy to be thankful for. When we don’t have access to it, even 

for a few hours, we are quickly reminded about how much we need it. Add a moment of thanks to your meals. 

This can be before or after, there are prayers for both. Or maybe consider the type, or the amount, of food you 

eat as a Jewish value. Share these values with your children in a conversation around the dinner table. Discuss 

how your family makes Jewish decisions concerning your food. 

4. Shabbat. Shabbat is filled with special moments in time. The entire purpose of Shabbat is to create a separation, 

a difference between the work week and the Shabbat. Here are a few places to start. Candle lighting, it only takes 



Lessons Learned continued... 

a few moments to light the candles and say the blessing. Maybe you want to add in some thanks for the week 

you just finished. There is a tradition to give Tzdekah right before Shabbat begins, you could make it your family 

tradition to give Tzdekah each Friday and then discuss where your charity should go, who do you think needs 

your help and support. Or take a few minutes and say the blessing over each child. This blessing offers you the 

opportunity to take a private moment to tell your child why you love them, what you are proud of them for. 

There are so many more rituals Judaism offers to help make everyday a sacred moment in time. The beauty of so 

many of them is that they can be quickly and easily incorporated into the daily craziness of our lives. Pick one, take 

two minutes, and elevate the ordinary to the level of uniqueness, specialness and a moment to create a February 

memory. 

Jennifer Newfeld 

Director of Congregational Learning 

314-576-9990 x116 

jennifer@bnaiamoona.com 

See pages 12 &13 for a great deal! 



The Flat Stanley Program 

St. Louis and Israeli students have connected through 

the remarkable Flat Stanley Program. This opportunity 

has allowed our students to engage in a cultural 

exchange with their peers in Israel! Flat Stanley began 

as a series of books by Jeff Brown. In the books, a boy 

named Stanley, is accidentally flattened and journeys 

around the world by mail. Moved by the stories a teacher 

in London, England started the Flat Stanley Project 

with his third grade class in 1995. The program is a penpal 

activity; Flat Stanley comes alive through their photos 

and inspires creative writing. 

Congregation B’nai Amoona has the pleasure of participating 

in the Flat Stanley Project for 2011-2012 school 

year. Our second and fifth grade classes at Pardes started 

the Flat Stanley Project with the Arazim school in 

our sister city in Yokneam-Meggido, Israel building a 

bridge between St. Louis and Yokneam-Megiddo students 

sharing their language, customs, and everyday 

life experiences through Flat Stanley and his adventures 

with our students. The goals of the program are to connect 

our students in a cultural exchange, to learn about 

Israeli and American Jewish life through the activities 

4 Pardes Shabbat 

5 World Wide Wrap for students and families in 

Grades 4 & 9, 8:45-10:30 am 

Pardes Parent Coffee,11:00 am - Noon 

19 No Pardes, Presidents’ Day weekend 

25 Pardes Shabbat 

26 B’nai Mitzvah Workshop for 6th graders and 

their Families, 9:00 am 

Roshanim (3-5 year olds) 10:30 am 

Klei Kodesh Seminar 

(Grades 11 & 12), 5:30 pm 


Pardes News 

Pardes February Calendar 

of Flat Stanley, and to engage students’ families in the 

implementation of Flat Stanley’s activities outside of our 

congregational school. Our students, parents and teachers 

worked hard after the High Holy Days to take expressive 

photos with their Flat Stanleys. In Pardes they 

compiled class photos and wrote welcoming notes to 

their new friends in Israel. In December, our first care 

packages to the Arazim School were sent filled with mementos 

of St. Louis and our Jewish community. 

Check out the Flat Stanley bulletin board the the Tober 

Lobby to see some great photos! 

Jessica Rosenblit 

Assistant Principal of Pardes 

314-576-9990 x322 

jessica@bnaiamoona.com 

Mazel Tov 

Our Upcoming B’nai Mitzvah 

February 18, 2012 

Sophia Cantor, 

Daughter of 

Brent & Andrea Cantor 

February 25, 2012 

Sara Berwald 

Daughter of 

Bruce & Laurie Berwald 


COME JOIN THE BAUSY BUNCH! 

There are those moments in your life you will cherish forever. I experienced one of those recently at a USY Board 

Meeting as we were involved in a series of conversations about future programs. Jackie Lueg came in to the lounge 

and told us there was an accident on Ladue Road and they needed 8 people to help make the evening Minyan. The 

“regular” Minyanaires were stuck in the traffic and wouldn’t make it in time. I watched our USY’ers react, without 

hesitation, and join the Minyan. They understood their responsibility and immediately did what was right. 

They came back when the Minyan was over and continued with the meeting. It is a true privilege to have the 

opportunity to work with them each week. 

This year, we instituted a new direction for our board. We did not assign specific people to specific positions. In 

the past, USY was led by a President and Vice Presidents with specific titles such as: Religious Vice President, 

Communications Vice President, Social Action Vice President, etc. We decided to not only think outside the box but 

blow up the box. We elected qualified officers, not officers who needed a specific portfolio. The advantages of this 

new platform are numerous. It gives our USY’ers the best of all worlds! It gives board members the opportunity to 

sign up to lead programs they are passionate about. A board member might decide to sign up to plan a social action 

program, a membership program, or a Friday evening service. They are not limited to a specific function but rather 

finding programs they find meaningful. 

The results are pretty exciting to see. USY’ers are stepping up to the plate and planning some innovative and new 

programs. Our membership is embracing them and enjoying every Wednesday night. 

No system is perfect but this system seems to make sense. We have received calls from other USY chapters in the 

region asking about the model and the successes and challenges that come with change. 

It is wonderful to learn from these great teenagers each week. Our seniors are hearing from colleges about early 

decision admissions and sharing the news with us. 

If your child is not involved, it’s never too late. We encourage you to have them attend one program and experience 

B’nai Amoona USY. 

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Purim Carnival next month! 

BAUSY UPCOMING EVENTS 

YOGA NIGHT 

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 7:00-8:30PM 

WINTER SHABBATON 

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3-5 

SATO COOKING NIGHT 


CITY WIDE SCAVENGER HUNT 

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 8:00-11:00PM 

HAMANTASHEN MAKING 


Andrew Schwebel 

Director of Experiential Education 

314-576-9990 x108 

andy@bnaiamoona.com 




Welcome to the wonderful world of Camp Ramot Amoona, the place where 

Judaism comes to life through a variety of activities. We create a positive 

environment that challenges the body, enriches the mind and releases the 

Jewish spirit. Campers return again and again to Ramot Amoona because of 

its dynamic and diverse programming. We truly have something for everyone! 

We know that families are looking for a great summer experience that meets 

the needs of summer childcare and enrichment while also accommodating for 

family vacations. You can pick sessions that work for your family’s summer 

experiences: Choose: a two, four, six or an eight week summer session. 

We have the awesome responsibility of creating a community of friends who 

will journey together to create life long memories. Our camp theme this year, “You and I will change the world!”, 

will give us the opportunity to teach about our obligations concerning community, Tikun Olam “repairing the 

world”, care of animals, people who might seem different and bullying. 

Camp Orientation is Sunday, June 10 from 1:00 to 2:30 pm. The magic begins on June 11, the first day of camp at 

9:15am. Camp ends at 3:15pm Monday through Friday. We also offer extended day opportunities for those who 

need it. 

Camp Ramot Amoona is a summer experience that gives our campers the opportunity to live Judaism and make 

great friends. Please don’t hesitate to contact us in the Camp Office. I can’t wait to welcome all of our campers for 

a wonderful and exciting summer! 

םלועה תא הנשנ התאו ינא 

You and I will change the world! 

Camp Ramot Amoona 

Andrew Schwebel 

Director of Experiential Learning 

314-576-9990 x108 

andy@bnaiamoona.com 

My name is Paige Krug and I am an active member of BAUSY, B’nai Amoona’s USY chapter. 

This summer I am going on the 5 ½ week Israel/Poland excursion, otherwise know as USY 

Pilgrimage. I have been dreaming about going on this trip since I was little, after hearing 

about it from my dad and cousins. I feel so privileged that I get to experience two of the most 

amazing places in the world with my Jewish friends and community. 

There are two departure dates and space is still available on both. It is open to all 10 th - 12 th graders. This is a once in 

a lifetime experience and I would love it if your son, daughter, grandchild, niece or nephew would join me on this 

fantastic adventure. 

There are many other USY summer program opportunities, in the U.S. and abroad. My sister, 

Rachel and her friends are going on USY on Wheels, East, a four week bus adventure, up and 

down the east coast. 

For more information and to sign up, please visit the USY website at: 

www.usy.org/escape/israel/poland/. 




What Do Young Children Know? 

I am amazed daily at what a one- or two-year-old child knows, even if not quite yet able to express it clearly. But 

give those children another year and here is what happens, as reported by one of our ECC preschool teachers: 

“The children were walking into the classroom when one stopped in the doorway to kiss the Mezuzah. The next 

child in line also kissed the Mezuzah but pointed out that the first had done it incorrectly. A heated “discussion” 

ensued as to the correct way to kiss the Mezuzah--kiss the hand first or touch the Mezuzah first. Each child was sure 

[she was] correct…not wanting to create a victor or make one feel bad, I told them that the important thing was that 

kissing the Mezuzah should remind them of God and that God wants us to be kind to each other. That was enough 

to satisfy the kids, but I was struck by the realization that I had just witnessed a 3 year old and a 4 year old having a 

religious debate.” 

Every minute preschoolers are acquiring information and values. By the time a child is four, those values are well 

entrenched, so it is critical to start from the very beginning showing and telling babies about Jewish life, modeling 

kind, caring ways to behave toward others and expecting them to try to follow your lead. 

Bring a baby to Tefillat Lev on the first and third Shabbat mornings of each month, as well as an older preschooler, 

so the baby can begin to know the sounds of Hebrew prayer and feel the joy of being part of community. Show and 

tell your child how and why you visit a relative in a nursing home, kiss the Torah, say Shema, give Tzedakkah. Often 

we provide pablum when they want to chew—so give them Jewish ideas on which to gnaw, and you too will be part 

of amazing discussions with people you may have thought were too young for such ideas. 

UPCOMING EVENTS: 

Tefillat Lev - February. 4 and 18 

10:30-11:30 am in the Chapel 

Babysitting available before and after 

Building Together - Every Tuesday in February 

4:00-5:00 pm in the Activity Room 

Free for 1-6 year olds with an adult; $10 for children only (by reservation, eccsec@bnaiamoona.com) 

Camp B’nai Ami - June 11-August 3, 

Eight 1-week sessions; 2-5 days per week 

For children 22 months through Pre-K; 

Summer Buddies for adult and child 10-23 months, Tuesdays, 9:30-11:00 am 

For more information visit our website, www.bnaiamoona.com, or contact the Early Childhood Office at 

314-576-3688. 


Cheryl Whatley 

Director of Early Childhood 

314-576-9990 x127 

Cheryl@bnaiamoona.com 


The Young Family Shabbat Services & Dinner Program is geared toward children 

through second grade & their families. 

Next Adventure: Friday, Feb. 10, 2012 at 6:00 pm! 

Led by Cantor Nathanson and the “Shabbat Adventure Band!” 

To keep this program affordable, we need volunteers to help with food prep, set up & 

clean up. To volunteer, please contact: 

Howie Morse @ howard_morse@hotmail.com or Jeff Waldman @ jeffwaldman@sbcglobal.net 

Reservations necessary by Wednesday, Feb. 8! 

For more information, please contact Barbara Shechter at 314-576-9990 ext. 126, or grammy@bnaiamoona.com. 

You can also make your reservations online at www.bnaiamoona.com. List details in the comment box. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

Please complete this form & return with your check payable to B’nai Amoona to: 

Barbara Shechter, c/o Congregation B’nai Amoona, 324 S. Mason Road, St. Louis, MO 63141 

Family Name _________________________________________________________ 

Phone_________________________ Email_________________________________ 

#___________ @ $7.50 per person, age 8 & over #_________ Vegetarian Meals 

#___________ @ $5.00 per child(ren) age 3-7 

#___________ Children under 3 complimentary $__________ Total Enclosed 



Shalom friends, 

Sisterhood 

The ladies of Sisterhood are an amazing and diverse group—diverse in age, yes, but also in spirituality and Jewish 

education. Our broad sets of skills and strengths brought us together on January 21 st for a beautiful and meaningful 

Sisterhood Shabbat experience. I want to thank all the women who participated in the Service; the Klei Kodesh for 

their guidance and support; and offer a special Todah Rabbah to Sheryl Kalman, our VP of Education, who put 

her heart, knowledge, and thoughtful consideration into every aspect of the morning. This year’s theme of Hiddur 

Mitzvah, enhancing or beautifying a Mitzvah, came shining through. 

As you probably have noticed, the women of Sisterhood don’t sit still for long. If you haven’t received mail from us 

yet, you will soon—it’s time for Mitzvah! This event is key to our support of all the programs and activities we fund 

at Shul and throughout the community. Here’s a partial list of how we help: Hamantaschen for Purim; caramel 

apples for Simchat Torah; Shabbat babysitting; High Holy Day babysitting; subsidies for the Early Childhood Center, 

Pardes, camps, special needs, and USY; donations to the Jewish Food Pantry, Interfaith Conference, Jewish Book 

Festival and Jewish Film Festival, which enhance B’nai Amoona’s visibility in the community; Wednesday morning 

Adult Education class with the Klei Kodesh; Camp Ramah; and the Shomrei Torah Endowment. 

I hope this list didn’t bore you, but inspired you to support our efforts. This year Mitzvah is actually a “silent” event— 

you can stay home, put your feet up, enjoy a movie on TV—our hope is for everyone to help us support the Shul by 

contributing to our fund raising endeavor. We appreciate any amount you can give—every program and event we 

plan illustrates how a little bit from a lot of people can make big things happen! 

We look forward to many fun, inspiring, meaningful programs and events in the future. Please join us. 

B’Shalom, 

With 2011 behind us, we are looking forward to another prosperous 

year. We would like your suggestions for items you would like 

to see the shop stock. (Non-Judaica as well as Judaica.) 

We are always looking for volunteers. If you have a few extra hours 

each week or even month, we would be glad to put you to work. 

We could still use help on Tuesday evenings during Pardes. The Judaica shop is a FUN place to 

work, and we would love to have you join our staff. 

Please contact Charlene at 636-532-3024 if you would like to volunteer. 

Gail Feldstein, President 

636-537-0049 

Feldstein5@hotmail.com 

January 2011 16 


Shalom from the library, 

On the Shelves 

More New Books For The Library 

Children’s Books: 

Can Hens give Milk 

The Only One Club 

Fox Walked Alone 

A Mountain of Blintzes 

Adult books: 

The Pages In Between: A Holocaust Legacy of Two Families, One Home by Erin Einhorn 

The Arrogant Years: One Girl’s Search for Her Lost Youth, from Cairo to Brooklyn by Lucette Lagnado author of 

The Man In The White Sharkskin Suit 

Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs 

A Prophetic Peace: Judaism Religion and Politics by Alick Isaacs (Book Festival) 

The Emperor Of Lies by Steve Sem-Sandberg (Book Festival 

The library is always open. Please feel free to browse and then check out a book. Instructions are on the librarian’s 

desk. The librarian is available on Tuesday afternoons during school hours. 

Sisterhood Book Club 

Maxine Cohen, Librarian 

314-576-9990 x118 

librymax@bnaiamoona.com 

We the ladies of the “book” invite you to join us on the fourth Thursday of the month at 10:00 am in the Hieken 

Conference Room, to read, discuss or just listen to the book of the month. 

The Arrogant Years by Lucette Lagna ........................................................... February 23, 2012 

Miss Peregrine’s HomeFor Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs .................March 22, 2012 

Portrait of a Spy by Daniel Silva ............................................................................ April 25, 2012 



Minyan Matters And, that’s when it hit me, Minyan! Specifically Minyan 

Four weeks into the New Year and I’m wondering how 

many of us have kept our resolutions? 

This year I decided to commit to a New Year’s resolution 

that #1 I could keep and #2 was something I could measure 

for success. The obvious “diet” was out of the running. I 

mean seriously, it takes me less than a month into the New 

Year before realizing this might not have been the best 

choice to undertake. It usually happens around the same 

time Valentine’s Day candy appears on Walgreen’s shelves. 

I conducted a scientific survey among my friends asking 

what they were going to focus on this coming year. At the 

beginning of a new year the world is aglow in positive 

energy. That “can do” attitude is contagious, especially at 

the JCC. Beginning an exercise regime is very popular. 

But, just like my diet, by mid February, the gyms are less 

crowded. 

This got me to thinking about my own resolution and how 

I could get others to catch my positive energy and rock a 

resolution to last longer than 3 weeks. 


at B’nai Amoona. What a surprise! But seriously, it’s 

super easy. The commitment doesn’t involve sweating 

or heavy lifting (unless you call lifting and binding the 

Torah heavy) and you can still enjoy candy all year 

round without guilt. And, the best part, wait for it, it’s a 

win-win! You know how much I love a win-win. 

Forget about that resolution you made January first 

and start fresh in February by resolving to attend one 

Minyan a month. I bet you thought I’d say a week? I 

don’t want to set you up for failure. I’m confident your 

commitment to attend 11 Minyans this year will not 

only make you feel good about yourself, but it will 

be one new year’s resolution you will feel good about 

keeping. 

I hope to see you at the Minyan of your choice. 

The Jewish Food Pantry 

Needs Our Help 

For the month of February the Harvey Kornblum 

Jewish Food Pantry is looking for these specific 

items in order to provide well-balanced 

nourishment for the community in need: 

1. Pasta or Rice 

2. Beef Stew or Chili 

3. Hearty Soups 

4. Hot or Cold Cereals 

5. Canned Tuna Fish 

6. Canned Pastas with Meat 

7. Healthy Snacks of all Types 

8. Toilet Paper 

B’ Shalom, 

Sari Neudorf 

Minyan Chairperson 

314-283-6976 

Its4sari2c@aol.com 

Items should be brought to the shopping carts in 

the Tober Lobby. 


� 

PRESIDENTS’ 

DAY 

in the 

USA 

Let’s show our appreciation to 

the St. Louis County Police and 

Fire Departments! 

Sunday, February 19, 2012 

B’nai Amoona’s Social Action Committee will be honoring those fi re and police personnel serving on the 

police and fi re departments in St. Louis County on Presidents’ Day Weekend and we will be delivering 

cookies and other food items to the fi re and police stations on Sunday, February 19. 

We are looking for volunteers who would like to help with baking and/or buying baked goods and other 

foods items for Presidents’ Day Weekend. We will need volunteers who would like to deliver the baked 

goods and other food items on Sunday, February 19 to the fi re and police stations between 9:00 am and 

Noon. This can be a great family event and opportunity to visit the fi re and police stations. 

Be a part of our Congregation’s special “Thank You”! If you would like to volunteer to bake and/or buy baked 

goods and other food items and/or volunteer to deliver the goods to the fi re and police stations on Sunday 

morning, February 19, please e-mail Mark Dana at dana_mark@att.net with your name and address and 

what you would like to do to volunteer to make this a successful event. You may reach Mark on his cell at 

314-913-1894, or at his home address at 15243 Kempwood Drive, Chesterfi eld, MO 63017. 

Specifi c drop off sites will be determined soon and everyone will be notifi ed where you can drop off the 

cookies and other food items and/or pick them up for delivery. 

The committee members working on the Presidents’ Day Weekend 2012 are Mark Dana, Heidi Friedman, 

Elise Krug, Randi Schenberg, and Jeff Waldman. Phyllis Cantor is Chairperson of the B’nai Amoona Social 

Action Committee. 



The Special Occasions Wall - 

A Gift that Lives From Generation to Generation 

A beautiful opportunity to honor loved ones and friends of B’nai Amoona. 

The Special Occasions Wall, in the foyer of the Tober Building, is made up of lasting remembrances in the form 

of plates of brushed satin brass. The plates are mounted on the wall under a beautiful carved-wood collage. The 

collage depicts the history of Congregation B’nai Amoona and major life cycle events. 

Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to honor your family and friends. 

For details, contact: Barbara Shechter, 314-576-9990 x126, or Michael Samis, 314-576-9990 x106 

grammy@bnaiamoona.com michael@bnaiamoona.com 

“B’nai Amoona - Tree of Life Fund” 

Donor In Memory of 

B’nai Amoona Family ..................Helen Martin 

.............................................. Dr. Herman Turner 

Proceeds help populate the JNF Forest in Israel. 


In honor of 

Rosalie Chod’s 90th Birthday 

December 23, 2011 

Love, The Chod Family 

In honor of 

Vivian and Lawrence Waldman’s 

50th Anniversary 

August 13, 2011 

Love, Their Family & Friends 

In Memoriam 

A Double Mitzvah! Support Israel and B’nai Amoona 

Tree Planting Ideas: 

The Congregation extends 

heartfelt sympathy to the family of: 

Helen Martin 

Gideon ScHiller 

cHarlotte SinGMan 

BertHa SMitH 

SelMa coHen SuSMan 

dr. HerMan turner 

Honor a friend or loved one � Memorials � Births � Birthdays 

� Anniversaries � B’nai Mitzvah � Weddings � Retirements � 

Thank You � Celebrate Tu B’Shevat 

See page 22 for an order form! 


From Generation to Generation 

Mazel Tov to Adrienne & Alvin Sher, and Kathy & Glenn Davison, and Beth & Andy Mayer on the birth of 

their grandson, and nephew, Samuel Nash Miller, to parents Dara & Jon Miller of Skillman, New Jersey 

Mazel Tov to Karsten & Megan Kessler on the birth of their daughter, Pearl Kinneret Kessler 

Mazel Tov to Anne and Rick Mazur on the engagement of their son, David Mazur, to Alexis Farley, daughter 

of Fern Farley & Alfred Botto, of Ft Lee, NJ. 

Mazel Tov to Sylvia Holtzman on the engagement of her granddaughter, Sara Badler, daughter of Laurie & 

Larry Badler, to Tom Greany. 

Mazel Tov to Barry & Elaine Seeskin on the engagement of their son, Zachary Seeskin, to Lindsey Epstein, 

daughter of Rick & Reesa Epstein of Buffalo Grove, IL. 

Mazel Tov to Bob & Barbara Rosenfield on the engagement of their son, Joshua Rosenfield, to Michelle 

“Mickey” Librach, daughter of Mat & Phyllis Librach. 

Mazel Tov to Sandy & Gloria Spitzer on the engagement of their grandson, Rafi Spitzer, to Rachael Besser. 

Rafi is the son of Rabbi Miriam & Jeff Spitzer, and Rachael is the daughter of Marcus & Amy Besser. 

Mazel Tov to Brad & Jill Winters, and Arline (the late Marvin) Kalishman on the engagement of their son, 

and grandson, Jeff Winters, to Katie Goldenberg, daughter of Dr. Barry & Susan Goldenberg 

Mazel Tov to Shelley & Bruce Edwards and Harvey & Terry Hieken on the wedding of their daughter and 

granddaughter, Julie Schwartz to Frederic Rosenberg, son of Dr. Seligman & Phyllis Rosenberg of NY 

Mazel Tov to Marcia Evers Levy on receiving the Pillar Award from the Jewish Federation. Under Marcia’s 

leadership the Jewish Book Festival is recognized as the most successful festival of its kind in the country. She 

regularly serves as a consultant for festivals, fairs, organizations and venues across the country. 

Caring Committee 

Connecting Jews with Judaism from Generation to Generation 

Thank you to the Caring Committee who worked with the children at the B’nai Amoona Early Childhood Center 

who created beautiful Rosh Hashanah and Chanukah cards which are then delivered by our congregants to our 

members in nursing homes. The children enjoyed making the cards and the people in the nursing homes loved 

receiving them. 



Plant a Tree of Life 

A DOUBLE MITZVAH: Support Israel AND B’nai Amoona! 


Tree Planting Ideas: 

� Memorials 

� Births 

� Birthdays 

� Anniversaries 

� B’nai Mitzvah 

� Weddings 

� Retirements 

� Thank You 

This program supports critical projects . . . in Israel and at B’nai Amoona. 

Individual tree plantings are available for $18. 

Congregation B’nai Amoona - Jewish National Fund 

“Plant a Tree of Life” Project 

Name and phone number of Donor: _____________________________________________ 

Donor’s Address, City, State, Zip: _______________________________________________ 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

In Memory / Honor of: ________________________________________________________ 

Send Tree Certifi cate to: ______________________________________________________ 

Address, City, State, Zip: ______________________________________________________ 

__________________________________________________________________________ 

Please make checks payable to B’nai Amoona and mail to 

Congregation B’nai Amoona, 324 S. Mason Rd, St. Louis, MO 63141, Attn: Barbara Shechter, 

or pay online at www.bnaiamoona.com - $18 per tree 


� A Concert by Hazzan Nathanson 

� A weekend package at the Westin Hotel 

� Reserved parking spots at shul (good for 365 days) 

� A children’s sing along party with Rabbi Kaiman 

� A watercolor painting by Obbie Price 




Men’s Club 

We have three big events coming up on the Men’s Club calendar. First is the World Wide Wrap on Sunday, February 

4, 2012 where we will “spiritually” join with Conservative Jews throughout the world and “actually” join with our 

Religious School to wrap Tefillin in the Guller Chapel. We hope you too, will join us that morning for Minyan and 

put on your Tefillin. In case you forgot how, people will be on hand to help you, and we will have “cheat sheets” 

available as well. In case you can’t find yours, we will have some you can borrow.. As always, breakfast will follow. 

For more information, send an email to mensclub@bnaiamoona.com or look for Jay Englander or Frank “Hershey 

Bar” Keller when you are at Shul. 

Just a few days later on 2/11/12, is our annual Men’s Club Shabbat. All parts of the service will be led by the Men’s 

Club members and officers and we hope you will come. If you would like to participate or be a part of the service in 

English or Hebrew, please send an email to mensclub@bnaiamoona.com. 

Last, but most certainly not least, is our “Man of the Year” luncheon. This year we are pleased to honor Dr. Harvey 

Cantor for all of his years of service to our Shul and community. 

Dr. Cantor, M.D. is a third generation B’nai Amoona member and a Pediatric Neurologist. He is the son of Rose and 

Sol Cantor and the brother of Sandy Cantor and Marilyn Mishkin, all of blessed memory. He is the brother-in-law 

of Marvin Mishkin 

While Harvey was serving in the United States Army as a pediatrician, he met and married Fran Riemer. They have 

three children and eight spectacular grandchildren: Brent and Andrea Cantor, parents of Sophia (13) and Emma 

(10); Mark and Amy Cantor, parents of Eric (17), Samantha (15) and Zachary (7) and Rachel Cantor and Anup 

Malani, parents of Eitan (7), Uma (5) and Ronen (3). Harvey and Fran consider themselves extremely fortunate to 

have Fran’s mom, Dorothy Riemer, of San Antonio, Texas, now living in St. Louis. His greatest enjoyment comes 

from being with Fran and their entire Mishpachah. 

Harvey is a past president of B’nai Amoona as well as Jewish Family and Children’s Services, and was on the Board of 

Solomon Schechter Day School (now the Saul Mirowitz St. Louis Jewish Community Day School). He was a founder 

of The St. Louis Metropolitan Council for Developmental Disabilities, and chaired the first Professional Advisory 

Committees of Churchill Center & School, Miriam School, the St. Louis Regional Center and the St. Louis Epilepsy 

Foundation. 

Harvey attended Washington University in St. Louis for both his undergraduate and Medical School degrees during 

which time he served as a Boy Scout troop leader. He did his internship at Massachusetts General Hospital, his 

Pediatric residency at Stanford University and his Pediatric Neurology residency at the University of Kentucky. He 

chaired the Pediatric Neurology Department at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital before beginning his private 

practice, and continues to participate in teaching rounds twice a week. 

As we do every year, we will be joining with the Men’s Club from Shaare Zedek to honor our respective Men of the 

Year. This year’s luncheon will be at Shaare Zedek on Sunday, March 4, 2012. I hope you will join us as we honor 

Harvey for his many years of service and dedication to B’nai Amoona. Tickets will be available from Barbara 

Shechter, at Shaare Zedek, or via the B’nai Amoona website. 

B’Shalom 

Creighton Cohn, President 

mensclub@bnaiamoona.com 


‘ 

It s a Wrap! 

The response from our members giving of their time and gifts 

allowed B'nai Amoona to distribute many gifts to Jewish Family 

Children's Service, Carver House, Circle of Concern and to some 

children in Haiti. On Sun. December 18 we came together to 

do the Christmas wrapping for Carver House. A special thanks 

to Morah Jan Baron's Pardes Chet class who brought gifts and 

helped wrap. They also filled large bags with the wrapped toys 

and schlepped them to the van. The gifts were then delivered to 

Carver House. The many gifts were appreciated by the children. 

Todah Rabah to all!!! See you next year. 

2011 Men's Club & Social Action Gift Collection & Wrap 

JTS Chancellor Arnold Eisen Launches Blog to Dialogue 

With Conservative Jews Around the World 

Chancellor Arnold M. Eisen’s newest blog, On My Mind: Arnie Eisen, presents essays on topics important to 

Judaism, the Conservative Movement, the vital religious center of North American Jewry, and the Jewish 

community worldwide. According to the chancellor, his new blog “captures my intent: I want to share—as 

personally as I can—ideas, thoughts, imaginings, dreams, and frustrations and to get your response. I invite you 

to become a partner in a new community discussion.” The initial essays for On My Mind: Arnie Eisen involved hot 

topics, including the military (the chancellor’s visit to West Point) and Israel (his thoughts about those controversial 

video ads from the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption calling Israelis in the Diaspora back to Israel), along with the 

chancellor’s responses to readers’ comments. Don’t miss your opportunity to enter the ongoing conversation in, 

about, and for the Jewish community. 

For more information about On My Mind: Arnie Eisen or to support JTS, please contact Nadine Sasson Cohen at 

(312)606-9086 or nacohen@jtsa.edu. 



In Tribute... The Congregation acknowledges with thanks the following contribtions: 

YAHRZEITS 

DONOR IN MEMORY OF 

Pam, Howard, Alyssa, Joni & 

Lindsay Appelman ..... Fred Krachmalnick 

Stewart Axelbaum ........ Martin Axelbaum 

......................................... Minnie Axelbaum 

............................................ Annie Rothman 

Esther & Robert Banashek 

.............................................. Phillip Berman 

.............................................Julius Banashek 

Evelyn Berger ........................ Harry Berger 

Ted Berger................................ Ethel Berger 

Fay Berwald .......................... Irvin Berwald 

Marlene & Henry Diamant 

............................................ Regina Diamant 

Renee & Harvey Dobkin 

.................................... Margaret Markowitz 

Erica & Jeffrey Drazen ............ Yale Drazen 

Judye Dubelman ............. Stanley Feinberg 

............................................ Symee Feinberg 

Beverly Einstein ................... Ralph Kaplan 

.................................................. Ted Einstein 

............................................... Freida Kaplan 

..................................................... Rose Smith 

Sheila & Richard Flom ........... Esther Flom 

Marilyn & Sam Fox ..................... Irwin Fox 

Beverly Friedman ....................... Ida Siegel 

Bettie Gershman ............ Samuel Rabushka 

Lanie & Milton Goldenberg 

........................................... Sam Goldenberg 

Edward Greenberg ........... Joan Greenberg 

.................................................. Sylvia Siegel 

Milene & Joseph Halperin .......... Mimi Tal 

Siegmund Halpern ............. Zelig Waltuch 

Marcia Handler ................... Lister Handler 

Rochelle Harris ...................... Lester Harris 

................................................ Morris Harris 

................................................. Celia Kraines 

Lisa Hellman ......................... Lou Hellman 

Michael Hess ...................... M. Henry Hess 

Terry & Harvey Hieken .... Emanuel Lazar 

Wilma Hollander ............ Henrietta Cohen 

Gail & Richard Klein .... Martin Axelbaum 

Leonard Landsbaum ....Hilda Landsbaum 

Janet & Adrian Levin ....... Esther Fishman 

......................................... Pauline Schneider 

............................................. Jerome Brodkin 

.......................................... Florence Brodkin 

Kenneth Levin ..................... Thomas Levin 

Carole & Zachary Mann ...........Ada Mann 

Goldee Miller ......................... Sam Grodsky 

Margie & Syd Pessen ....... Harold Franklin 

Betty & Stan Peters ............. Sadie Chervitz 

........................................... Isadore Chervitz 

Sarah & Ervin Rodin......... Mor Rothmann 

Barbara Spitzer Rosenberg & 

David Rosenberg .................. Louis Spitzer 


Ellen Schapiro & Gerald Axelbaum 

......................................... Martin Axelbaum 

Gerry & Joe Schenberg 

........................................... Henrietta Cohen 

Elaine & Barry Seeskin 

Barbara & Harry Shechter 

................................................ Sam Shechter 

Frank Taterka ..................... Hans Hermann 

.................................................... Bertha Thal 

......................................... Lilly Thal Taterka 

Charlotte & Harry Teicher .... Philip Leavy 

Marilyn & Chaim Zimbalist 

......................................... Edith Goldenberg 

GENERAL FUND 


The Following Contributions 

Have Been Made in Memory of 

Stuart Sagel 

Leslie & Ron Becker 

Marla & Gary Goldstein 

Shirley & Gary Madden 

Merle Noll 

Judi & Ken Rotskoff 

Errol Copilevitz ............... Harry Kauffman 

Mark Dana ............................ Fred Radman 

........................................... Harry Kauffman 

................................................... Morris Alex 

.................................................... Sidney Jick 

............................................... Melvin Heller 

Bonnie & Steve Davis ......... Carol Kimmel 

..................................... Esther Goldenhersh 

..................... Sue & Dave Halpern’s Father 

........................................ Norton Greenberg 

.................. Caroline & Adam Sky’s Father 

................... Linda & Phil Horwitz’s Father 


......................................... Pauline Chelemer 

.................................................... Sidney Jick 

Joan & Joe Hoffman ............. Fred Radman 

Betty Lueg ........................ Harry Kauffman 

Marlene & Marvin Rosengarten 


Elaine & Barry Seeskin ........... Stuart Segal 

Cookie Simon ............................ Sidney Jick 

Diane & Sam Valencia ............. Sidney Jick 

DONOR IN HONOR OF 

Mark Dana 

........................ Birth of Elena Sofia Frankel 

.............. Birth of Seamus Frederick Hogan 

Karen Eddinger 

.............. Susie & Art Shevitz’s Renewal of 

Wedding Vows 

Amy & Denny Feit 

............... Ken Rotskoff’s Speedy Recovery 

Julie & Lenny Frankel 

........................ Ed Balk’s Speedy Recovery 

Sylvia Gidlow & Family 

................. Maureen Goldstein’s continued 

Improvement & Good Health 


........................... Lori Wishne receiving the 

Fred Goldstein Memorial 

Service Award 

Susan & Barry Hapner 

............................. Birth of Maayan Kaiman 

Lisa Hellman & Family 

.............. David Kantor being named Chief 

of Staff at Des Peres Hospital 

Mickey & Bernie Izsak 

......... Susie & Art Shevitz Renewing Their 

Wedding Vows 

Cheryl Perl ..... Birth of Sasha Renee Traub 

Marlene & Marvin Rosengarten 

......... Benjamin Ezra Canter’s Bar Mitzvah 


Marilyn & Les Rosen 


Cookie Simon 


........................... Lori Wishne receiving the 

Fred Goldstein Memorial 

Service Award 

Alvin Werner .......... Edith Price’s Birthday 

PEARL ALEX FAMILY 

EDUCATION ENDOWMENT 

FUND 


Fred Blumenthal ..................... Morris Alex 

SETH CHARLSON CAMP RAMOT 

AMOONA SCHOLARSHIP FUND 


Lou & Jeff Farb ..................... Morrie Young 

Bea & Bob Grossman ........... Morrie Young 


Nancy & Alan Charlson 

............................. Sharon Cohen’s Birthday 

........... Birth of Bobbi & Larry Potashnick’s 

Grandson, Andres 

Nancy & Alan Charlson 

............ Tom Schweizer’s Speedy Recovery 

....... Carol & Steve Latz’s 45 th Anniversary 

KAREN CHOD CAMP 

ASSISTANCE MEMORIAL FUND 


Soldan Class of June 1940 Reunion 

Committee & Esther Katz 

...................................... Esther Goldenhersh 




Have Been Made in Honor of 

Rosalie Chod’s 90 th Birthday 

Nancy & Ronnie Chod 

David & Susie Gitt 

Lauren Taney, Bradley, Andy & 

Jeffrey Chod 

Hadassah & Sanford Lebman 

Karen & Ronnie Polishuk 

Rosalie Franklin 

.................... Jerry Zafft’s Speedy Recovery 

Marcia & Hesh Lyons 


EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER 

FUND 


Anne & Rick Mazur ............ Dorothy Brafa 


Pam & Howard Appelman & Family 


Anne & Rick Mazur 


MORRIS A. FUNK MEMORIAL 

SCHOLARSHIP FUND 


Susan Barad ............................ Albert Barad 

JONATHAN GOLDBERG RAMOT 

AMOONA MEMORIAL FUND 


Linda & Phil Dembo ................. Gary Cook 

........................................ Norton Greenberg 

Michael Kohn ............................ Gary Cook 


Linda & Phil Dembo 

....... Eleanor Glick’s Great-Granddaughter 

SAMMY GOLDMAN KABBALAT 

SHABBAT MUSIC FUND 


Miriam Dennis ..................... Ben Goldman 


Pearl Eisenberg 

............... My Grandson, Jonathan Gordon 

becoming a Lawyer after passing the 

Bar Exam in San Diego, CA 

Judy & Lester Goldman 

.............. Barry Hapner’s Speedy Recovery 

DAVID GREENSTEIN EARLY 

CHILDHOOD CENTER 

MEMORIAL FUND 


Jim Greenstein & Lori Linder 

......................................... David Greenstein 


Janet, Barry, Jen & Amanda Lutz 

.................. Len Fingold’s Special Birthday 

ENID GREENSTEIN INNOVATIVE 

EDUCATIONAL METHODS FUND 


Jim Greenstein & Lori Linder 

............................................ Enid Greenstein 

MORRIS AND FANNIE JICK 

KALLAH FUND 



Have Been Made in Memory of 

Sidney Jick 

Kathy & Steve Becker 

Beverly Blitz & Leonard Karoll 

Greta Camel 

Rosalie Franklin 

Dolores Grollman 

Eva & Godofredo Herzog 

Dolores Kling 

Susan & Fred Levko 

Janet, Barry, Jen & Amanda Lutz 

Edie & Les Perlmutter 

BEN KESSLER HIDDUR FUND 


Dorothy Kessler ........................ Ben Kessler 

SANDRA SHEINBEIN KOSHNER 

MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP 

FUND 


Sharon Kirsch & Ed Rosen 

.......................... Sandra Sheinbein Koshner 

LEWIN SENIOR 

TRANSPORTATION FUND 


Phyllis Goldberg .............. Harry Kauffman 

LIBRARY FUND 


Maxine & Wally Cohen 


Doreen Karoll & Steve Quatrano 

.................................................Rose Kronick 

Faith Waxman & Jeffrey Greenberg 

.................................... Janet Kramer Esrock 


Maxine & Wally Cohen 


RABBI BERNARD LIPNICK 

FOUNDATION FOR THE 

CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT 


Mark Dana 


HAZZAN LEON AND MICHAL 

LISSEK MUSIC ENDOWMENT 

FUND 


Beverly Blitz ......................... Sophie Cohen 

PRAYER BOOK FUND 


Lillian Gaylor ................. Bernice Mamroth 

Pearl Schwartz ............... Bernice Mamroth 

Esther Zalta .................... Bernice Mamroth 

ARMIN AND MELAN PRICE 

LANDSCAPE FUND 


Edie & Obbie Price ................. Mayer Price 

................................................... Shirley Katz 

JACOB AND EDITH SHEINBEIN 

TORAH CARE FUND 


Sharon Kirsch & Ed Rosen 


Eunice & John Reichman & Family 

....................................................... Noah Salz 

SISTERHOOD WOMEN OF 

VALOR ENDOWMENT FUND 


Amy & Eric Wallerstein 


NATHAN AND BELLE STOLIAR 

CANDY FUND 


Eunice & John Reichman 


TRADITIONS ON WHEELS� 

FUND 


The Rosman Family .............. Alan Reiman 

GARY AND PHYLLIS TRAUB 

CAMP SCHOLARSHIP FUND 


Phyllis & Gary Traub ...... Milton Goldfarb 


Mark Dana 

......................... Birth of Sasha Renee Traub 

Marcia & Hesh Lyons 


Sheryl & Larry Zigler 


USY SCHOLARSHIP FUND 


Leonard Karoll ................. Abraham Karoll 



A special note from the Rabbis and Cantor: 

Though we do not publish the names of those who make contributions to our Discretionary Funds (as a way to protect 

their request for anonymity), we deeply appreciate your continued thoughtfulness and generosity. Todah Rabbah & 

may you continue to be blessed from On-High. 

VISHINANTAM LEVANECHA 

ENDOWMENT FUND 


Faith & Bruce Waxman ....... Fred Radman 

............................................... Philip Scissors 

The Schuval Family ................ Arthur Blau 


Cindy & David Schuval 

............ Engagement of Zachary Seeskin to 

Lindsey Epstein 

......... Engagement of Joshua Rosenfield to 

Michelle “Mickey” Librach 

.................... Engagement of Rafi Spitzer to 

Rachael Besser 

Faith & Bruce Waxman 

........................ Birth of Elana Sofia Frankel 

..................................... Birth of Noah Samis 

MARSHA BRIN WOLFF 

ENDOWMENT FUND 


Elaine & William Wolff 

.................. Ruth Guller & Chad Leftwich’s 

Engagement 

............... Herman Gellman’s 90 th Birthday 

.................. David Kalishman for receiving 

Outstanding Scholarship 

......... Katie Goldenberg & Jeffrey Winters’ 

Engagement 

......................... Ed Balk’s Speedy Recovery 

....................... Milton Hieken receiving the 

St. Andrews Remarkable Ageless 

Award 


Congregation B’nai Amoona 

324 South Mason Road 

St. Louis, MO 63141-8029 

314-576-9990 · FAX 314-576-9994 

www.bnaiamoona.com 

STAFF 

Carnie Shalom Rose ................Rabbi Bernard Lipnick Senior Rabbinic Chair 

Josef A. Davidson ................................................................... Interim Senior Rabbi 

Ari Kaiman ...........................................................................................Assistant Rabbi 

Barry R. Friedman ................................................................................Adjunct Rabbi 

Sharon Nathanson ............................................................................................Hazzan 

Bernard Lipnick (Z”L) ....................................................................... Rabbi Emeritus 

Leon S. Lissek .................................................................................... Cantor Emeritus 

Michael Samis ...............................................................................Executive Director 

Jennifer Newfeld ........................................................ Director of Cong. Learning 

Andy Schwebel ......................................................Dir. of Experiential Education 

Cheryl Whatley...........................................................Director of Early Childhood 

Jessica Rosenblit .....................................................Assistant Principal of Pardes 

Betsy Enger................................................................................................ Mashgichah 

Cindy Schuval & Vickie Shuchart ................................................ Bulletin Editors 

OFFICERS 

Marc Lapp ........................................................................................................President 

Rick Abrams........................................................................................... Vice President 

Carl Greenberg .................................................................................... Vice President 

David Kantor ........................................................................................ Vice President 

Cindy Schuval ....................................................................................... Vice President 

Barry Seeskin ........................................................................................ Vice President 

Jeff Weis ................................................................................................... VicePresident 

Holly Elfanbaum ............................................................................................Secretary 

Michael Goldberg ......................................................................................... Treasurer 

AUXILIARY PRESIDENTS 

Gail Feldstein ...............................................................................................Sisterhood 

Creighton Cohn ..........................................................................................Men’s Club 

Andy Dalin ..................................................................................................................USY

February 2012 Bulletin - Congregation B'nai Amoona

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?