May 2010 Bulletin.indd - Touro Synagogue

TOURO SYNAGOGUE 

May 2010 - Iyar/ Sivan 5770 Volume 181, Issue 8 

Is This Your Torah? 

RABBI ALEXIS BERK 

As the school year winds down and the summer heats up, we encounter a beautiful Jewish 

holiday called Shavuot. Because of its timing, I fear that Shavuot sometimes gets tucked 

under other secular events, lost in the end of the year shuffle. 

Yes, there’s Confirmation to remind us that Shavuot is here. But, there is no reference to 

Confirmation in any traditional Shavuot observance. Confirmation is great – you should come. 

But, also, there is … Shavuot itself. 

A Farewell to Cantor Tiep 

Shavuot commemorates the giving – and receiving – of Torah, from God to our people. 

This relational act, symbolized by the peak experience of Mt. Sinai, is a pivotal part of 

our covenant. There is an ancient story that tells that our people actually overslept on the 

morning that Torah was given in the wilderness. Moses had to wake them up – God was 

waiting! And, now, in order to rectify that slip up, we spend the whole night in study and preparation for Shavuot 

morning. This ritual night study is called Tikkun Leil Shavuot. 

This year, we will continue our festival practice with our Erev Shavuot experience – “Eat, Think, and Be Holy.” 

There will be study, sumptuous food, and a spiritual acceptance of Torah in the sanctuary to cap off the evening. 

If you missed it last year, feel warmly invited to participate this year. If it’s not something you’ve ever tried before, 

why not try it this year? All post-B’nei Mitzvah age people welcome. Bring your teens. Bring your parents. Bring a 

dairy dish to share. 

The Torah is yours. Will you embrace it? Who knows, Shavuot may become your new favorite Jewish holiday! 

See you there. 

TIKKUN LEIL SHAVUOT 

Warmly, 

Eat, Think, and Be Holy 

Rabbi Alexis Berk 

EREV SHAVUOT, 

Tuesday May 18 ~ 7:00-10:00 P.M. 

See p.2 for details 

HAL M. SHEPARD, PRESIDENT 

It is hard to believe that Cantor Tiep has already been here for three years. It seems that we just met 

him and his delightful wife Michelle. And yet so much has happened since they came into our lives. 

We have watched, listened, and even learned as Billy settled in and made Touro Synagogue his home. 

We shared in the excitement and love that he brought to the Bima. As he developed as a Cantor 

– growing in confidence, ability and strength – he brought us with him to greater heights of Jewish 

spirituality. 

Cantor Billy has had many successes while here at Touro. He stepped into Jazz Fest Shabbat with 

authority, and brought us and our guests from New Orleans and around the world new perspectives on music and 

Judaism. He has taught and trained many a B’nai Mitzvah, instilling confidence in them and their parents as they 

prepared for their day of leading the congregation in prayer and study. Cantor Tiep has been a sustaining force in the 

new TnT group – Twenties and Thirties – which has brought an excitement and vitality to this group of congregants. 

There was even talk of the Billy Tiep Dancers? 

We were also fortunate to get to know Michelle – a delight for us all. Michelle we came to know as always sweet and 

always with a kind word. A good friend to those who meet her. And then came Zachary, who brought a smile to our 

faces as we watched him grow, and then walk, and then run! 

We will certainly miss them as they end their stay in New Orleans. We know Cantor Tiep will be successful at his new 

pulpit in San Diego. But we hope we will see them all again. And soon. (Remember Mardi Gras!) 

Thank you Billy, Michelle, and Zachary for all that you brought into our lives and into our hearts. 

Hal M. Shepard, President 

1

Music and More 

So it’s true how we say farewell in Hebrew, l’hit-ra’ot. It’s see you soon, never goodbye. 

Cantor Billy Tiep 

CANTOR BILLY TIEP 

It will Never be Goodbye! 

This has been the hardest article to write since I arrived at Touro Synagogue. Well honestly, every 

article is hard to write! I loathe the 10th of the month and the bulletin deadline. Leigh is a stickler 

for the deadline that I have blatantly ignored. Why? 

A lack of happenings… NO 

A lack of interest…NO 

And certainly not a lack of caring. 

Maybe it’s a lack of creativity in my writing? Oh, how I wish to sing the bulletin! Now that’s creative! 

But this article trumps them all -- I hate goodbyes. I don’t like that I have disappointed friends, co-workers, and the 

Touro community with our decision to leave New Orleans. That’s not my style. And so I am left writing this one last 

article with trepidation, sorrow, deep gratitude and love for Touro Synagogue and its members. 

The Touro community has warmly embraced Michelle, Zachary and me. We are so grateful for the love you have 

shown us, which has been parlayed into us loving this community. From the choir to religious school, and from TnT 

to the Jazz Fest Shabbat Committee, I have loved and enjoyed creating meaningful Jewish moments with you. We 

have learned from each other, laughed with each other and loved each other, which I will never forget. Thank you! 

I am so appreciative for the amazing people who run this wonderful synagogue. Hal Shepard and the Board, Rabbi 

Berk, Eileen Hamilton, Leigh Goodman, Anthony, Arlean, Donna, Mona and Ulysses, it has truly been a pleasure 

working with you and for you. You have given me an unbelievable amount of support and allowed me to become 

more confident in my skills as a cantor. Thank you! 

Michelle, Zachary and I have enjoyed some wonderful moments here in New Orleans and we plan to return very 

soon. 

A Fond Farewell to Cantor Tiep 

He loves the New Orleans Saints, 

He loves Mardi Gras, 

He loves his family and his dogs, 

He loves his students, 

He, apparently, loves to dress up! 

He loves teaching students the 

Torah and leading services. 

... And we love him! 

We’ll miss you, Billy. 

Come and tell Cantor Tiep 

goodbye – 

FRIDAY, JUNE 11TH. 

6:00 PM 

Stay for a Special Oneg Shabbat 

and join with us as we wish 

Billy, Michelle and Zachary 

happiness, peace, 

personal fulfillment, 

and much joy in their future. 

2

Celebrating Shabbat & Shavuot 

TODD JACOB HAMILTON 

will become a Bar Mitzvah Saturday, May 8 

Becoming a Bar Mitzvah 

means that I am an adult 

member of this and all Jewish 

communities. This is a proud 

day for me and my family. 

I am supporting T.R.E.E 

(Teaching Responsible Earth 

Education) as my mitzvah 

project. I want to help the 

mission of their organization by 

giving of my time and efforts. 

They are an organization that 

teaches students about the values of the planet and the 

environment. 

TODD IS ENROLLED IN THE EDIE AND PAUL ROSENBLUM 

GIFT OF ISRAEL EXPERIENCE AND IS A B’NAI MAIMONIDES 

FUND HOLDER WITH THE JEF. 

TODD IS THE SON OF EILEEN AND LARRY HAMILTON; 

BROTHER OF PJ HAMILTON; GRANDSON OF SUSAN AND 

ROBERT FLEMMING, AND THE LATE ALAN ARSHT; AND THE 

LATE HATTIE AND MARVIN HAMILTON. 

SAMUEL AXELROD SCHAEFER 

will become a Bar Mitzvah Saturday, May 15 

To me becoming a Bar 

Mitzvah means I have to 

start relying more on myself 

than going to my parents 

when something happens. 

It also means that I should 

study and work harder on 

achieving my goals. For my 

mitzvah project I created a 

sculpture about the Holocaust 

that was shown at the JCC 

Yom Hashoah Program. I 

think that started me towards my goals, because I 

made and designed the sculpture. I only had adult 

supervision on areas I was unsure of and areas that 

required adults to do. After that experience I think I 

am ready for my big day. 

SAMUEL IS THE SON OF FOOFIE AND DARRAH SCHAEFER; 

BROTHER OF LILY SCHAEFER; GRANDSON OF TIKI AND 

ARTHUR AXELROD AND FRANCES MCCALL AND THE LATE 

EVERETT GORDON SCHAEFER, JR. 

Tot Shabbat 

MAY 15 , 9:30 AM 

Shushan Assembly 

OUR THEME: 

SHAVUOT & THE 10 COMMANDMENTS 

TOT SHABBAT IS GEARED TOWARDS 

KIDS UNDER 4 

ACCOMPANIED BY THEIR PARENTS 

MAKE THE STUDY OF TORAH A 

DAILY DISCIPLINE 

April 25 - May 1: Emor 

Leviticus 21:1-24:23 

Ezekiel 44:15-31 

May 2 - 8: B’har-B’chukotai 

Leviticus 25:1-27:34 

Jeremiah 16:19-17:14 

May 9 - 15: B’midbar 

Numbers 1:1-4:20 

Hosea 2:1-22 

May 16 - 22: Naso 

Numbers 4:21-7:89 

Judges 13:2-25 

May 23 - May 29: B’haalot’cha 

Numbers 8:1-12:16 

Zechariah 2:14-4:7 

May 30 - June 5: Sh’lach L’cha 

Numbers 13:1-15:41 

Joshua 2:1-24 

Torah Study is an ongoing series held at 9am 

every Shabbat morning, 52 weeks a year. 

Now is the time to begin it is never too late. 

Go to urj.org/torah to find resources. 

TORAH STUDY CONTINUES 

UNINTERRUPTED 

at Touro Synagogue: June-July-August 

Every Saturday 9:00 am 

MAY BIRTHDAY Bl.ESSING 

FRIDAY, MAY 7 

The blessing will be during Shabbat 

Evening Services for all birthdays 

in the month of May. 

PRE-BAR/BAT MITZVAH STUDENTS 

If you have a son or daughter who 

is just one year away from their Bar or 

Bat Mitzvah, please have them join us: 

MAY 22, 9:45-10:30 am 

Shabbat 

C lub 

CELEBRATE SHAVUOT ~ MAY 18 & 19 

Tikkun Leil Shavuot 

Erev Shavuot, Tuesday May 18, 7:00 pm 

Join us as we celebrate the giving of Torah – for ourselves and for 

one another. 

Please RSVP with your name and covered dish contribution to 

Arlean at 895-4843 or afermanis@tourosynagogue.com. 

TIKKUN LEIL SHAVUOT 

Eat, Think, and Be Holy 

EREV SHAVUOT, TUESDAY MAY 18 

7:00-10:00 P.M. 

Food for the body, mind, and spirit! 

7:00 pm – Potluck Dairy Dinner 

8:00 pm – Study of Torah 

9:30 pm – Sacred Moment of Torah in the Sanctuary 

Shavuot Festival Service with Yizkor 

Wednesday May 19, 10:30 am 

Please join us as we celebrate Shavuot on Wednesday May 19 at 

10:30 am. The celebration will include a Yizkor/Memorial service. 

If you have names you would like read during the service please 

submit them to Arlean by calling the office at 895-4843 or emailing 

Arlean at: afermanis@tourosynagogue.com. 

3

Jazz Fest Shabbat involves the whole community coming together to celebrate Jewish life New Orleans’ style. We cannot 

thank everybody enough, but we’ll try. Thanks to: Cantor Billy Tiep for pulling together an amazing evening; Edgar Riley 

for the sound; the Touro Synagogue Adult Choir; music director Terry Maddox and his wife Rebecca; the Religious School 

student choir, our talented musicians Josh Gouzy and Adam Matasar; The Panorama Jazz Band; the Loyola Jazz Combo; the 

Sophie B. Wright Marching Band; Jimmy Glickman and the New Orleans Music Exchange; and Barry Little for what is sure 

to be an exceptional recording. 

Many wonderful people worked behind the scenes before, during and after this special night. Many thanks to The Jazz Fest 

Shabbat Committee, chaired by Lauren Greenberg and David Hammer. Thanks also to Julie Grant Meyer, Pam Friedler, 

Susan and Lou Good, Hal Shepard, David Bernstein, and the Touro Synagogue Brotherhood. A special thank you to Mia 

McGuire for creating such a beautiful tuxedo once again. We also thank: Rabbi Alexis Berk, Eileen Hamilton and Leigh 

Goodman; support staff Arlean, Donna, Mona, Ulysses and Anthony for keeping us all on track and helping with every 

detail; and our ushers for helping to welcome our guests. And last, but by no means least, thanks to all of the patrons who 

supported and continue to support the Jazz Fest Shabbat program. 

JAZZ FEST SHABBAT ~ 2010 

featuring 

Allen Toussaint 

with a surprise guest appearance by 

the Late Show’s PAUL SHAFFER 

4

JAZZ 

Richard Cahn 

Julie Grant Meyer 

Mia McGuire 

Lynell Zelenka 

R & B 

Phyllis and Jack Alltmont 

Aimee and Steven Bain 

Joy and Andrew Braun 

Gia and Noah Emerson 

Linda and Richard Friedman 

Cathy and Charles Glaser 

Shannie & Rabbi David Goldstein 

Carol Good 

Susan and Lou Good 

Juliet Greenberg 

Lucia and David Hammer 

Jill and Dave Israel 

Diane and Dennis Kahan 

Beverly Katz 

Celia Katz 

Betty and Ira Kohn 

Marilyn Kullman 

Ruth and Larry Kullman 

Valerie and Adam Marcus 

Doris and Bill Norman 

Gordon Nutik 

Naomi and Larry Orlansky 

Joyce and Sidney Pulitzer 

Leona Shlosman 

Julie and Scott Silbert 

Jacqueline Toledano 

Marjorie and Roy Weiner 

Nancy and David Willis 

Ellen and Marc Yellin 

Jan and Steven Yellin 

BLUES 

Adele Adatto 

Dr. and Mrs. Robert Applebaum 

Taylor Barry 

Jaymi, Mark and Sammy Baum 

Sherry and Joseph Felson 

Marty Goldstein & June Leopold 

Julie Grant Meyer 

Lisa Kullman Goff 

Lauren and David Greenberg 

Paula and Harvey Hoffman 

JAZZ FEST SHABBAT 

PATRONS 

Touro Synagogue presents 

19t h An nu al 

Frida y, A pri l 23, 2010 at 7:30pm 

ON THEPIANOWITH 

THEPANORAMAJAZZBAND 

THETOUROSYNAGOGUECHOIRS 

TERR Y D. MA DDOX, CONDUCTO R/ CHOIRDIRECTOR 

ANDCANTORWILLIAMTIEP 

BLUES continued 

Carole Jacobson 

Dr. Frannie Kronenberg 

Susan Leboff & Bruce Weiner 

Heidi Leffler 

Anne and Stanley Levy 

Sara Mayeux & Ernesto Montano 

Mia McGuire 

Marilynn and Tom Oelsner 

Rita Olmo 

Paula Picker 

Marcy Planer Murray 

Mordecai Potash 

Patricia Reardon & Richard Latner 

David Rubenstein 

Jane and Neil Soslow 

Jennie and Saul Schneider 

Phyllis and Jay Shames 

Robert Shepard 

Eric Simon 

Jan and Jeffrey Smith 

Lynn Stern 

Lois and Joey Sutton 

ZYDECO 

Ina and Richard Davis 

Pam Friedler 

Ana and Juan Gershanik 

Laura and Walter Levy 

Benjamin Sachs 

Kathy and Hal Shepard 

POP 

Michael Alltmont and Ava Brucato 

Jody and Gilbert Braunig 

Adrien Genet 

Kitty and George Greenberg 

Lisa and Mike Herman 

Teri and Jonathan Hunter 

Chris and Marc Kahn 

Alisse Kingsley 

Susan Krinsky 

Dashka Roth Lehmann & Larry Lehmann 

Andi and Terry Lestelle 

Sam Menszer 

Sue and Harold Singer 

Richard Swig 

Stacey Weinreb 

Bernard and Joyce Widofsky 

Jenny and Lee Zurik 

BLUES continued 

Amy Thomas 

Sheryl and Peter Title 

Mark Townsend 

Ellen Zakris & Peter Sather 

Joan and Lawrence Zaslow 

DONORS 

Diane Africk 

Paul Chirlian 

Dottie and John Clemmer 

Jay Handelman 

Byrde and Joseph Haspel 

Laurie and Ricky Rosenberg 

STUDENT 

Mara Goldberg 

James Rinando 

Rebecca Russell 

5

Religious School Pesach Model Seder 

March 28, 2010 

On April 11, our 8th and 9th graders presented their Jewish Holiday group projects to over 

eighty visitors from churches, schools, and colleges around the city. 

Congratulations for a job well done! 

8th & 9th Grade 

Jewish 

Holiday Fair 

April 11, 2010 

6

You Are 

Invited! 

L 

unch and 

Learn in May 

Explore Ethical 

Issues from Contemporary and 

Traditional Perspectives 

Touro’s popular LUNCH AND LEARN 

program continues to draw people 

interested in a good discussion. 

The Uptown session will be 

held Thursday, May 6 at Touro 

Synagogue. The Downtown session 

will meet on Thursday, May 13 at 

the office of Leon Rittenberg III, 

Baldwin Haspel Burke & Mayer, 

L.L.C., 2200 Energy Center, 1100 

Poydras Street. Bring your own 

lunch, but beverages are provided. 

Sessions begin at noon, newcomers 

are welcome. 

Contact Arlean (afermanis@tourosynagogue. 

com) to be placed on a reminder list. 

Please RSVP by May 3rd to the Synagogue Office, 895-4843 

or mona@tourosynagogue.com 

in order to facilitate lunch planning. 

L & L 

Upcoming Dates 

Uptown: 5/6 

Downtown: 5/13 

SUNDAY 

MAY 16 

5:30 - 7:45 pm 

END OF THE YEAR CELEBRATION 

& ANNUAL MEETING 

Come celebrate a year of 

life, laughter, and love at 

Touro Synagogue 

5:30 pm Grill Out and Hang Out 

~ Hot Dogs, Veggie Burgers, Salads 

~ Space Walk and Soft Drinks for Kids 

~ Beer and Courtyard Loveliness for Adults 

6:30 pm Annual Meeting 

~ Awards and Honors for Board Members 

and Adults 

~ Babysitting for Kids 

7:15 pm Desserts & Coffee 

7

Service and Social Action 

Sandra S. Barnett Caring & Mitzvah Award 

It is with great pleasure that we announce that the 2010 recipient of the Sandra 

S. Barnett Caring & Mitzvah Award will be Teri Hunter. This award is given in 

honor of Sandy Barnett, who for many years was the warm and compassionate 

face and voice of Touro for so many congregants. It is given “For consistent and 

continuous acts of compassion and generosity towards all who enter our doors.” 

The award will be presented to Teri at the Annual Meeting on May 16th. 

Those who know Teri know that she can muster more energy about a project that 

excites her than most people. Fortunately for us, one such project was the Sophie 

B. Wright Charter School, and more importantly the students there. 

When we asked Teri to be our liaison to the school we never dreamed of the 

connections she would make and how valuable it would be to Touro Synagogue as 

we strove to expand our social action imprint on the city around us. 

Because of Teri and the love in her heart, what started as a small painting project has blossomed into a partnership 

involving tutoring, mentoring, teacher appreciation, advocacy, and, most importantly, friendships. 

Thank you Teri for opening our world and opening our hearts. 

Shepard H. Shushan Memorial Award 

This year the Shepard H. Shushan Award will be given to Dr. Bernard Jaffe. The 

Shepard H. Shushan Memorial Award is presented to someone who best exemplifies 

the extraordinary legacy of devotion of Shepard H. Shushan through significant 

achievement and dedication and loyalty to Touro Synagogue. 

Realizing that Touro Synagogue was without a cantor, as Cantor Seth Warner had left 

in December of 2006 and Cantor Billy Tiep was yet to come to Touro, Dr. Jaffe came to 

Rabbi Busch in the winter of 2007 and offered to help teach the B’nai Mitzvah students. 

Thirty-six students later and Dr. Jaffe is still coming in two afternoons a week to teach, 

train, mentor and befriend our B’nai Mitzvah students. Knowing the importance of 

understanding and not just memorizing, Dr. Jaffe explains the meaning of the prayers and how they fit into the 

Jewish religion and culture. 

Bernie feels that he gets more from the students than they get from him, but we know how lucky we are to have Dr. 

Jaffe as a member of Touro Synagogue. How fortunate our children are that he is willing to give so much of himself. 

SOCIAL ACTION 

OPEN MEETING 

Tuesday May 25 @ 6:00pm 

Social Action Meeting -- All Welcome 

All are welcome and encouraged to attend our next meeting on 

Tuesday, May 25 at 6:00 p.m. Touro members have been active in a number 

of different areas of social justice this year. Of course, there were our many 

projects at Sophie B. Wright, but what you may not know are the other areas 

in which members have been lending their time and expertise, such as the 

criminal justice initiative. And then there are the activities that go on every week without fanfare and without fail: 

the Desmond Project, the Food Drive, the Mitzvah and Caring Committee. 

Come hear about all that has happened this year, help us plan for year two in our partnership 

with SBW, and share your ideas and your expertise in any area of social concern. New and 

exciting roads will be explored. 

Making a difference in our community is inspiring and also humbling. Sometimes so little is needed and so much is 

achieved. Wonderful, new friendships have been forged over trays of food or cans of blue paint. Come and listen, 

come and share your ideas, or just come to offer your support. We are making a difference and it is exciting! Come 

find out why. 

8

Touro Religious School 

EILEEN HAMILTON, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION 

Ending the Year With a Sweet Celebration 

Our last day of religious school falls on Lag B’Omer. As usual, the holidays that come at the end 

of the year are often forgotten. Poor Lag B’Omer and Shavuot! This year we will have a fun 

breakfast-style picnic on Lag B’Omer. But what is Lag B’Omer anyway? The name comes from 

the letter lamed (numerically equal to 30), and the letter gimel (3). It’s the 33rd day of counting 

the Omer, the bundles of barley brought to the temple in early days from the time of Passover to 

Shavuot. The fiftieth day is Shavuot. During this solemn time of counting and worrying about 

crops, there were no joyous activities – no feasts, no weddings. But the 33rd day is the exception. 

Playfulness in the middle of the counting days. We are finishing a great school year with an awesome celebration: 

awards for attendance and participation, and a celebratory breakfast of Café Du Monde beignets, coffee, and chocolate 

milk. A Lag B’Omer not of the past, but one celebrating our unique culture in New Orleans. 

Please join us for Jewish learning and observance and for an end of our school year full of sweetness and celebration 

and gratitude. 

Eileen Hamilton, Director of Education 

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL CLOSING DAY 

& AWARDS CEREMONY 

SUNDAY, MAY 2ND 

9:00 am ~ Classes 

9:30 am ~ Awards 

Followed by a Lag B’Omer style Brunch Picnic 

in the Bowsky Garden 

with Cafe Du Monde coffee, beignets, 

and chocolate milk 

UPTOWN HEBREW 

END OF THE YEAR AWARDS 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 5 

Uptown Hebrew awards, 

special Hebrew name project, 

and extraordinary snack. 

ToSTY ~ Touro Synagogue Temple Youth 

CALLING ALL TEENAGERS, PARENTS, AND ALL WHO SUPPORT OUR YOUTH GROUP 

COME DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF YOUTH GROUP & CONCLAVE 2011 

Sunday, May 16, 10:00 am for Brunch 

Time to discuss the future of our temple youth group, our intent to host Spring Conclave 2011, and more. 

Make this meeting a high priority if you would like to see our youth program continue. 

It’s up to all of us to pull together, and we think our youth are worth it! 

To Parents of Our Graduating High School Seniors . . . 

A hearty Mazel Tov to your sons and daughters on their upcoming graduation! The synagogue 

would like to “feature” our graduates in our June/July bulletin so we can celebrate their success 

and keep up with them as they go off to college. 

If you did not receive a letter and form in the mail please contact Mona at 895-4843; mona@ 

tourosynagogue.com, and we will forward one to you. We need to hear from you no later than 

MAY 10, 2010 with the completed form and an OFFICIAL senior photo so we can ensure placement 

in the next bulletin. 

9


Notice of Annual Meeting 

The Annual Meeting of the Congregation will be held in the Forgotston Chapel of 

Touro Synagogue, 4238 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana, 

Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 5:30 pm. 


Board of Trustees Nominating Committee Report 

Dear Congregant: 

In accordance with the by-laws of Touro Synagogue, the Nominating Committee for the 

Board of Trustees has made the following recommendations for the 2010 – 2011 year. We 

will submit the nominations for a vote at the Annual Congregational Meeting on May 16, 

2010 at 5:30pm. 

First Two-year term: 

Martin Goldstein 

Samantha Guichet 

Lisa Herman 

Julie Schwartz 

Additional Two-year term: 

Diane Africk 

David Hammer 

Chris Kahn 

Julie Koppman 

Jay Shames 

Thaia Pick 

Leon Rittenberg III 

Karen Turkish 

Nancy Willis 

Jennifer Zurik 

One-year unexpired term: 

Teri Hunter 

Sincerely, 

Walter E. Levy III 

Chairman 

Nominating Committee of the Touro Synagogue Board of Trustees 

10

You are cordially invited to attend 

CONFIRMATION 

Friday, May 14, 2010, 6:00 pm 

Yuval Caspi 

Daughter of Tali and Joseph Caspi 

Ryan Daniel Greenberg 

Son of Lauren and David Greenberg 

Brennan Sage Holstein 

Son of Elizabeth and Aaron Ahlquist 

Sissy Michelle Jacobs 

Daughter of Sharon G. Jacobs and Andrew S. Jacobs 

Rachel Michelle Markowitz 

Daughter of Janet and Ira Markowitz 

Peter Elias Moss III 

Son of Mary Ann and Peter Moss II 

Carlie Michelle Peters 

Daughter of Frannie R. Kronenberg 

and Edward S. Peters 

Sarah Isabelle Peters 

Daughter of Frannie R. Kronenberg 

and Edward S. Peters 

Jessica Lauren Richard 

Daughter of Lynn and Bill Richard 

Leon Hirsch Rittenberg IV 

Son of Heather and Leon H. Rittenberg III 

Hillary Suzanne Schulman 

Daughter of Dori H. and Jack H. Schulman 

Our service will include “L’DOR VADOR,” a special prayer 

from parents to students. 

An Oneg Shabbat will follow the service. 

mily 

Family 

Touro the In 

TOURO BROTHERHOOD 

Mazel Tov To ... 

Dr. Stephen Levine ~ for being 

honored at this year’s “Children’s 

Hospital Sugarplum Ball.” 

Frannie Rosenberg and Charles 

Buchtel ~ on their engagement. 

Frannie is the daughter of Laurie and 

Ricky Rosenberg and granddaughter of 

Esther Rosenberg. 

Cooking for the Desmond Project 

continues every Saturday evening 

Our commitment to the Desmond Project continues at Touro Synagogue 

EVERY Saturday, 4:30pm - 8:30pm. 

Following the preparation of food in Touro’s kitchen, we car-pool 

downtown to serve the meal at our new location in the empty lot next 

to the New Orleans Mission (corner of Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. and 

Calliope) at our new time, 6:45pm. Teens and adults welcome. 

Contact Brotherhood President Dan Checkman at: dpc47852@yahoo.com or 

(522-0971), or contact John Antonucci at antonucci_john@yahoo.com for 

more details. 

11

With Gratitude 

Sisterhood 

o “There are two kinds of gratitude: The sudden kind we feel for 

what we receive, and the larger kind we feel for what we give.” Edward Arlington Robinson 

TOURO SISTERHOOD 

The above quote defines my feelings as I come to the end 

of my term as Sisterhood President. The journey did not 

begin two years ago, though. It began when I was a child in 

this congregation, going to many of the functions planned 

by Sisterhood, and seeing my mother, my aunts and my 

mother’s friends being part of the Sisterhood culture. I 

did not understand the time, the compassion, the effort 

and the dedication it took from all of these women, because 

– it just happens! Today, I understand the dedication 

and am grateful for having been a part of the leadership 

of this organization and for having the opportunity to 

stand alongside so many incredible women. Thank you for 

allowing me this opportunity – to carry on old traditions 

and create new traditions, all while learning and listening. 

Many years ago during my first job review, my boss 

suggested that I improve upon my ability to delegate. It’s 

a bit tricky – you need to learn to accept others’ ideas and 

give them the needed space, time and ownership of needs. Today, thanks to Cantor Tiep, I’ve learned a better 

word and practice – it’s shepherding! Shepherding allows one to stand alongside others – something I hope I have 

accomplished with my Executive Committee and Sisterhood Board. 

Please join me in congratulating Stacey Weinreb as she begins her journey as Sisterhood President. Stacey, and her 

Executive Committee and Board, will be installed during our Installation and Closing Event on Sunday, May 16th at 

the Melting Pot on St. Charles Avenue from 3-5 pm – invitations to come (see box above). We hope you will join us in 

this celebration of our future leaders. 

Sisterhood has evolved each year in ways that reflect the times: more women working outside the home, conflicting 

schedules, lots of changes. One thing that has never changed, though, is the spirit of the women involved: we are 

stronger together. 

Lauren Greenberg, Sisterhood President 

TOURO SYNAGOGUE BOOK CLUB 

sponsored by Sisterhood 

THE HELP, BY KATHRYN STOCKETT 

TUESDAY, MAY 24TH, 10:30AM 

“[H]ow I loved to talk to Demetrie. I’d sit in my 

grandmother’s kitchen with her, listening to her stories and 

watching her mix up cakes and fry chicken. You felt loved when you tasted 

Demetrie’s caramel cake. I’m pretty sure I can say that no one in my family 

ever asked Demetrie what it felt like to be black in Mississippi working for 

our white family. I have wished, for many years, that I’d been old enough 

and thoughtful enough to ask Demetrie that question. She died when I was 

sixteen. I’ve spent years imagining what her answer would be. And that is 

why I wrote this book.” 

Kathryn Stockett. 

Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter has just returned home after 

graduating from Ole Miss. Aibileen is a black maid, a wise, regal 

woman raising her seventeenth white child. Minny, Aibileen’s 

best friend, is short, fat, and perhaps the sassiest woman in 

Mississippi. Seemingly as different from one another as can be, 

these women will nonetheless come together for a clandestine 

project that will put them all at risk. And why? Because 

they are suffocating within the lines that define their town 

and their times. And sometimes lines are made to be crossed. 

The Help is a timeless and universal story about the lines we 

abide by, and the ones we don’t. 

http://www.kathrynstockett.com 

Contact Marjorie Weiner (398-1669 or mgweiner@aol.com) 

to be put on the reminder list for Book Club 


Welcomes New Members 

Help us welcome the following families who have 

joined our congregation since our previous bulletin. 

Let us celebrate each of them for choosing to support 

Touro Synagogue. 

William Taylor Barry III 

Rachel Ida Billow 

Leah Foster 

Eve Lazovitz 

Justin Levy 

Chana Lewis 

Sara Lewis 

Aaron Novod and 

Kimberly Evans 

Stephen Palmer 

Lynn Weiss and daughters 

Leah and Caitlynn 

12

Pulpit Flowers 

& 

Oneg Shabbat 

Honor someone you love 

A unique and special way to honor or 

remember someone you love is to sponsor 

the Shabbat Pulpit Flowers and/or 

the Oneg Shabbat. 

Your name and the name of the honoree will 

be printed in the Shabbat Order of Service 

and announced to the congregation 

from the pulpit. 

If you would like to sponsor Shabbat Pulpit 

Flowers or an Oneg Shabbat 

please call Donna 

(895-4843) to arrange. 

Summer Union 

Worship 

JUNE 


4238 ST. CHARLES AVENUE, NEW ORLEANS 

(895-4843) 

Evening Service - 6:00 pm 

Morning Service - 10:30 am 

JULY 

CONGREGATION GATES OF PRAYER 

4000 WEST ESPLANADE AVENUE. METAIRIE 

(885-2600) 



AUGUST 

TEMPLE SINAI 

6227 ST CHARLES AVENUE, NEW ORLEANS 

(861-3693) 



THANKS FOR MARCH SPONSORSHIPS. 

We thank these generous supporters 

for their help in making Shabbat a 

wonderful experience: 

Pulpit Flowers 

Jay Handelman 

Family of Sara Baskind Smith 

Amy and Martin Thomas 

Nancy Ross-Ascuitto and Family 

Ellen and Stephen Manshel, and 

Julie Manshel 

George Dansker 

Claire Lovett 

Dinner Dessert 

Julie Grant and Michael D. Meyer 

Oneg Shabbat 

Maurya Kilroy and John Lovett 

Kiddush Luncheon 

Touro Synagogue Sisterhood 

Maurya Kilroy and John Lovett 

Choir Rehearsal Schedule 

Bring Your Voice, and Energy, and 

We Guarantee a Good Time. 

New Members always welcome. 

Thursdays 

7:30 - 9:00pm 

May 6, 13, 20, 27 

CHOIR SHABBAT 

May 21, 6:00 PM 

YAHRZEITS 

Perpetually enshrined on the Yahrzeit Tablets of Touro 

Synagogue are the following loved ones for whom 

Kaddish will be recited at Touro Synagogue for the 

month of MAY. 

FRIDAY, APRIL 30/SATURDAY, MAY 1 

Samuel Buckman, Harold Greer Goldenberg, Louis K. 

Good, Sr., Avram Charles Herman, Golda Brandt Hirsch, 

Melville Israel, Anna Sachs Kamin, Gerald David Katz, 

Robert Alexander “Bobby” Katz, Theodore Kline, Lt. Milton 

H. Latter, Anna Bonart Marcus, Henrietta “Tuddy” Meyers 

Mattise, Charlotte Taxman Millman, Donald R. Mintz, 

Walter B. Moses, Jr., Dr. Jacob W. Newman, Joseph Schoen, 

Louis Seidenbach, Helen Levy Smith, Hilda Gumbert 

Smith, Dan Steuer, Matilda Sonfield Weil, Henrietta Rosen 

Zilbermann. 

FRIDAY, MAY 7/SATURDAY, MAY 8 

Jennie A. Bennett, Maurice Blumenfeld, Estelle Friedman 

Gervis, Mrs. Isidore Manasses, Mrs. Beryl Alaynick Marchiz, 

Max U. Marcus, Max Marx, Sara Meyers, Peter E. Moss, 

Julian Opotowsky, Elkin Rubenstein, Louis Scherck, Barbara 

Borinsky Stiles, Abraham Ullman, Max Zelden. 


William Adler, Leon E. Ber, Samuel Edelstein, Ione 

Singerman Fellman, Joseph Frank, Dr. Abe Golden, Julius 

Goldman, Shirley Weil Greengus, Meyer Handelman, 

Bernard Hirsch Herman, Bertha K. Hochstein, Ruth 

Bennett Katz, Kate Friedlander Koppel, Goldie Philipson 

Steuer, Henry Weil, Samuel Julius Weiss, Joseph Zelden, 

Lucien Zilbermann. 


Mina Levy Bollag, Lena Miller Burk, Elizabeth Edelstein, 

Rose Kasdan Enelow, Arnold Falk, Annie Campbell Fishman, 

Harry H. Goldstein, Henry Hirsch, Dr. Morris William 

Levy, Alex Lith, Max Margolis, Byron Mayer, William 

Mayer, Bernard David Mintz, Mitchell P. Samuelson, Adele 

Schwartz, Morris B. Sontheimer, Percival Stern, David 

Bertram Young, Charles A. Zucker. 


Benjamin Abbot, Gary Steven Bennett, Ruth Mosberg 

Cohen, Isadore M. Enelow, Marguerite R. Falk, Florette 

Simon Geismar, Anna Kay Goldstein, Mrs. Norma 

Grosberg Grant, Joseph Theodore Heinemann, Karl Edward 

Heinemann, Augusta R. Hirsch, Dora Garritson Levy, 

Edna E. Levy, Minnie London Reiner, Dora Rubenstein, 

Constance Wolff Samuel, Caroline H. Thalsheimer, Eva S. 

Weil, Jonas Weill. 

13

DONATIONS 

TOURO SYNAGOGUE FUND 

In Honor of: 

Sue and Arnie Fielkow 

By: Jeffrey Good 

Birthday of Betty Jean Weil 

By: Barbara and Joe Ross 

75th Birthday of Jay Handelman 

By: Harriet Handelman 

Barbara and Sanford Maslansky 

Engagement of Frannie Rosenberg to 

Charles Buchtel 

By: Ann and Steve Harris 

Torah Study Class 

By: Richard Jacobs 

Birthday of Julie Grant Meyer 

By: Laura and Walter Levy 

Bar Mitzvah of their grandson, 

Johnathan George Glickman 

By: Bonnie and Myron Glickman 

In Memory of: 

Monroe S. Samuels 

By: Barbara Samuels 

Lillian Widofsky 

By: Joyce and Bernard Widofsky 

Anne Bruder 

Stjepan Juttner 

By: Adrian Juttner 

Herman Rozans 

By: Marta and Mark Rozans 

Samuel Zurik, Sr. 

By: Ann and Steve Harris 

Lois and Joey Sutton 

Harry Goldstein 

By: Berne Black 

Eddy and Bill Rosen 

David Seelig 

By: Berne Black 

Alvin Cohen 

Ruth Cohen 

Rafi Lehmann 

By: Lois and Joey Sutton 

Mac Slimmer 

Norma Grant 

By: Julie Grant and Michael D. Meyer 

Franklin Latner 

By: Pat Reardon and Richard Latner 

Donations: 

By: Beverly Katz/Exterior Designs, Inc. 

The Ben Kestenbaum Foundation, Inc. 

BROTHERHOOD SUPPORT 

In Memory of: 

Helene Morales 

By: Vivian, Aliona, Laurie, Krissy, and 

Rob from The Waldorf Astoria, The 

Waldorf Towers, New York City, NY 

CARING SUPPORT 

In Memory of: 

Sarah Iker 

Charles Iker 

Sam Iker 

By: Dottie and John Clemmer 

CHOIR/MUSIC SUPPORT 

In Honor of: 


By: Cynthia and Robert Barrios 

Julie-Ann and Richard Wegmann 

In Memory of: 

Mac Slimmer 

By: Janice and Jeffrey Smith 

GIFT OF ISRAEL SUPPORT 

In Memory of: 

Lola Bernstein 

By: Phyllis and Joseph Bernstein 

JAZZ FEST SHABBAT SUPPORT 

In Honor of: 


By: Debbie and Robert Applebaum 

PRAYER BOOK SUPPORT 

In Honor of: 

Upcoming Bar Mitzvah of Todd Hamilton 

Bat Mitzvah of Helene Lovett 

Bat Mitzvah of Abigail Kahn 

B’nai Mitzvah of Molly and Ryan Greenberg 

By: Mia McGuire 

In Memory of: 

Carolyn Schwing Howard 

George Fermanis 

By: Mia McGuire 

Louis Pick 

By: His Family 

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL SUPPORT 

In Memory of: 


By: Georga and Leon Reiss 

SOCIAL ACTION SUPPORT 

In Honor of: 

Anne Levy being honored by the Jewish War 

Veterans 

By: Elinor and Ernie Cohen 

ADELAIDE BERGMAN MUSIC FUND 

In Memory of: 

Mina Bollag 

By: Babette Kesler 

BARBARA S. LOEB TIKKUN OLAM FUND 

In Honor of: 

Teri Hunter 

Ana and Juan Gershanik 

By: Diane Africk 

BUILDING PRESERVATION FUND 

In Memory of: 

Sam Zurik, Sr. 

By: Christie and Mitchell Mintz 

DEBRA VAN DER LINDEN SIDELNIK 

MEMORIAL FUND 

In Memory of: 

Rose Mansberg 

Maurice Katz 

Debra Van der Linden Sidelnik 

By: Elaine and Bernard Van der Linden 

DONALD MINTZ FUND 

In Honor of: 

Anniversary of Leona and Stan Shlosman 

By: Susan and Byron Kantrow 

JACKIE WOLFF SCHOLARSHIP FUND 

In Honor of: 

Birthday of Betty Jean Weil 

By: Jackie Toledano 

ROBERT KATZ AND ALICE M. KATZ 

SCHOLARSHIP FUND 

In Honor of: 

Laurie Rosenberg 

Rosanne Hirsch 

Naming of Jack William Helm 

By: Jan Katz 

In Memory of: 

Bobby Katz 

Samuel Zurik, Sr. 

Janis Berenson 

Ruth Cohen 

Henry Rosenfeld 

By: Jan Katz 

Donations: 

By: Jan Katz 

Alexa Katz 

SAVE OUR SANCTUARY CAMPAIGN 

In Honor of: 


By: Marjorie and Roy Weiner 

RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND 

In Honor of: 

Birthday Blessings 

By: Jennie and Saul Schneider 

In Memory of: 


By: Nancy Goldstein 

Andree Rosenblum 

By: Sidney Rosenblum 

Arnold Jack Ungar 

By: Peggy Bennett 

Milton Cohen 

Donations: 

By: The Ben Kestenbaum Foundation, Inc. 

Marcia and Ira Wagner 

IN MEMORIAM 

MAY THEIR MEMORIES BE FOR A BLESSING 

Arnold Jack Ungar 

cousin of Milton Cohen 

cousin of Peggy Bennett 

Mac Slimmer 

grandfather of Stacey Weinreb 

Harry Goodman Goldstein 

brother of Robert Goldstein 

14

1 TORAH STUDY 9:00 AM MAUTNER LEARNING CENTER 

SHABBAT MORNING SERVICE//Bar Mitzvah of Jonathan Wise Wilkins 10:30 AM FORGOTSTON CHAPEL 

2 RELIGIOUS SCHOOL IN SESSION /CLOSING DAY AND AWARDS 9:00 AM RELIGIOUS SCHOOL BUILDING 

BAGRUT IN SESSION 9:15 AM CONGREGATION GATES OF PRAYER 

5 UPTOWN HEBREW SCHOOL IN SESSION /CLOSING DAY AND AWARDS 4:00 PM TOURO SYNAGOGUE 

6 LUNCH & LEARN UPTOWN SESSION 12:00 PM MAUTNER LEARNING CENTER 

7 SHABBAT EVENING SERVICE/BIRTHDAY BLESSING 6:00 PM FORGOTSTON CHAPEL 

May Calendar of Events 

Calendar also available at www.tourosynagogue.com 


SHABBAT MORNING SERVICE /Bar Mitzvah of Todd Jacob Hamilton 10:30 AM MAIN SANCTUARY 

9 BAGRUT IN SESSION 9:15 AM CONGREGATION GATES OF PRAYER 

13 LUNCH & LEARN DOWNTOWN SESSION 12:00 PM 2200 ENERGY CENTRE, 1100 POYDRAS ST. 

14 

SHABBAT EVENING SERVICE/ 

CONFIRMATION AND L’DOR VADOR 

6:00 PM MAIN SANCTUARY 


TOT SHABBAT 9:30 AM SHUSHAN ASSEMBLY 

SHABBAT MORNING SERVICE/Bar Mitzvah of Samuel Axelrod Schaefer 10:30 AM MAIN SANCTUARY 

16 BAGRUT IN SESSION 9:15 AM CONGREGATION GATES OF PRAYER 

YOUTH GROUP PLANNING MEETING 

10:00 AM 

SISTERHOOD CLOSING EVENT @ THE MELTING POT 3:00 PM 1820 ST. CHARLES AVE. 

END OF THE YEAR CELEBRATION AND COOKOUT 

PLUS ANNUAL MEETING, AWARDS AND HONORS 

Babysitting provided 

5:30 PM 

BOWSKY GARDEN 

& FORGOTSTON CHAPEL 

DESSERT RECEPTION 7:15 PM GRANT MEYER GARDEN PAVILION 

18 EREV SHAVUOT/TIKKUN LEIL SHAVUOT POTLUCK DAIRY DINNER 7:00 PM GRANT MEYER GARDEN PAVILION 

19 

STUDY OF TORAH 8:00 PM FORGOTSTON CHAPEL 

SACRED MOMENT OF TORAH 9:30 PM MAIN SANCTUARY 

SHAVUOT 

Office closed until 1:00pm 

SHAVUOT FESTIVAL SERVICE WITH YIZKOR 10:30 AM FORGOTSTON CHAPEL 

21 SHABBAT EVENING SERVICE/CHOIR SHABBAT 6:00 PM FORGOTSTON CHAPEL 


SHABBAT CLUB 9:45 AM CHAPEL STUDY 

SHABBAT MORNING SERVICE 10:30 AM FORGOTSTON CHAPEL 

24 SISTERHOOD BOOK CLUB WILL DISCUSS: “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett 10:30 AM MAUTNER LEARNING CENTER 

25 SOCIAL ACTION - OPEN MEETING 6:00 PM SHUSHAN ASSEMBLY 

28 SHABBAT EVENING SERVICE 6:00 PM FORGOTSTON CHAPEL 


SHABBAT MORNING SERVICE 10:30 AM FORGOTSTON CHAPEL 

31 MEMORIAL DAY -- OFFICE CLOSED 

JUNE 

SUMMER UNION SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT TOURO SYNAGOGUE THROUGH THE MONTH OF JUNE 

4 SHABBAT EVENING SERVICE/SUMMER UNION SERVICE 6:00 PM FORGOTSTON CHAPEL 


SHABBAT MORNING SERVICE/SUMMER UNION SERVICE 10:30 AM FORGOTSTON CHAPEL 

BROTHERHOOD COOKS FOR THE DESMOND PROJECT 

EVERY SATURDAY, 4:30 PM IN THE TOURO KITCHEN AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER 

June 


4238 ST. CHARLES AVENUE, NEW ORLEANS 

(895-4843) 



SUMMER UNION SERVICES 

JULY 

CONGREGATION GATES OF PRAYER 

4000 WEST ESPLANADE AVENUE. METAIRIE 

(885-2600) 



AUGUST 

TEMPLE SINAI 

6227 ST CHARLES AVENUE, NEW ORLEANS 

(861-3693) 



15

FRIDAY, APRIL 30 

6:00 PM FORGOTSTON CHAPEL 

SATURDAY, MAY 1 

10:30 AM FORGOTSTON CHAPEL 

Bar Mitzvah of Jonathan Wise Wilkins 

FRIDAY, MAY 7 

6:00 PM FORGOTSTON CHAPEL 

Birthday Blessings 


10:30 AM MAIN SANCTUARY 

Bar Mitzvah of Todd Jacob Hamilton 

FRIDAY, MAY 14 

6:00 PM MAIN SANCTUARY 

Confirmation and L’Dor Vador 

SHABBAT SERVICES 

MAY 


10:30 AM MAIN SANCTUARY 

Bar Mitzvah of Samuel Axelrod Schaefer 

Friday, May 21 

6:00 pm Forgotston Chapel 

Choir Shabbat 

Satur day, May 22 

10:30 am Forgotston Chapel 

Friday, May 28 

6:00 pm Forgotston Chapel 

Satur day, May 29 

10:30 am Forgotston Chapel 

SUMMER SERVICES 

JUNE ~ Touro Synagogue 

JULY ~ Congregation Gates of Prayer 

AUGUST ~ Temple Sinai 

See p. 14 for details 

SAVE TREES and READ 

the Bulletin in COLOR 

HOW? 

Receive the 

TOURO BULLETIN 

by e-mail. 

Email to: bulletin@ 

tourosynagogue.com to 

get on the list. 

TORAH STUDY AT 9:00AM 

EVERY SATURDAY MORNING THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER 

MAUTNER LIBRARY 

Rabbi Alexis Berk 

Cantor William Tiep 

Rabbi Emeritus David Goldstein 

Cantor Emeritus Ralph H. Slifkin 

Hal M. Shepard, President 

Eileen A. Hamilton, 

Director of Education 

Leigh S. Goodman, 

Executive Director 

Terry Maddox, 

Music Director 

William D. Norman, Jr., 

Director of Endowment 

Non-Profit Org. 

U.S. Postage 

PAID 

New Orleans, LA 

Permit No. 412 


Founded in in 1828 

Touro Synagogue • 4238 St. Charles Avenue • New Orleans, La. 70115 • (504) 895-4843 

TSmail@tourosynagogue.com • www.tourosynagogue.com 

16

May 2010 Bulletin.indd - Touro Synagogue

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