Dec. Bulletin 2011 for WEB.indd - Touro Synagogue

Touro Synagogue
December 2011 - Kislev/Tevet 5772 Volume 183, Issue 3
Chanukah Lights in the Midst of Winter Darkness
Chanukah, our Festival of Lights, comes at an auspicious time this year. The first night falls on December
20, and just two days later we experience the Winter Solstice, the darkest day of the year. As the days
get darker, our holiday provides more and more light with each candle.
Our festive lights are not only a source of comfort, but also a symbol of family, tradition and faith.
Just as the Chanukah lights are a reminder of the Maccabees and their commitment to their faith, so
are we called to be a “light to the nations,” (Isaiah 49:6) a shining symbol of our faith. The prophet
Isaiah calls us to be exemplars and models of virtue and ethical behavior, to live Torah in our day-today
lives.
As the days get shorter and darker, our Chanukah lights carry us through to the other side of the solstice, providing more and
more light with each candle.
Cantor Jamie Marx
New Member Shabbat
6:00 pm Friday, December 16
Come help us welcome any members who have joined
since our last New Member Shabbat in October 2010
If you have joined during this past year, we hope you will join us for Shabbat
Services on the 16th and allow us to welcome you and your families once again.
What is the Opposite of Fear?
I first encountered the word xenophobia in 1978 when Touro Synagogue introduced the new Union
prayerbook for the Days of Awe entitled Gates of Repentance . I was totally unfamiliar with the word
and had no idea what it meant. At first, I toyed with the possibility that some Rabbi had just made up a
word to have a sin starting with the letter X. After all, xylophone is clearly not a sin . Not content with
my husband’s confident explanation that xenophobia is the fear of photocopy machines, I consulted the
dictionary and found that xenophobia is the fear of foreigners or strangers.
Obviously, listening to the recent debates, a lot of presidential hopefuls seem to think that xenophobia
is a pretty popular concept in some swing states. Fortunately, not so at Touro Synagogue. At Touro we
delight in welcoming both newcomers to our community and visitors. Particularly since Katrina, we have
been blessed with plenty of both.
For the second Shabbat in November, our guests from New York so swelled our Friday night service that everyone was moved
from the chapel to the sanctuary. The week before it was standing room only with a great group visiting from California who
were here doing volunteer work in the Ninth Ward. They are but the most recent of the incredibly fine people who have for six
years now given of themselves to help rebuild our city. Virtually every week we are blessed with the presence of Sister Mary
Ann and her Xavier classes. And there is always a wonderful flow of family and friends here to celebrate weddings, Bar and Bat
Mitzvahs, births, and a variety of lifecycle events. And there are those who seek comfort in time of need.
New faces, be they the faces of Touro members or visitors or volunteers, all enrich the experience of being here. Please make an
effort to meet and greet the people you don’t know at services. You will usually be giving yourself a real treat.
Phyllis Alltmont , President
1

The Humble Beignet and the History of Chanukah
I remember being very excited to share beignets with someone new to New Orleans. Everyone had been
talking them up (as New Orleanians can sometimes do with their local stuff), and he was excited to try
them. After he tried them, he said, “They’re good. But, it’s just fried dough, really.”
WHAAAAAAAAAAT????
It is? You mean, it’s not the most unique, sumptuous, melt-in-your-mouth delicacy you’ve EVER TASTED?!?
It’s just fried dough?
Just like the donut.
Just like the funnel cake.
Just like the hush puppy.
Just like the Indian papadam.
Just like the tortilla chip.
Just like sufganiyot.
Check out this fun website about fried dough around the world: http://home.comcast.net/~osoono/ethnic-doughs.htm
Every year at Chanukah, we eat fried things. It’s just fried dough. But when it’s ours, it is different. And better. It has meaning,
and it is part of our history and our identity, and it is special. It just is. So, fry up your latke and sufganiyah till golden brown, crisp
and hot – top with your favorite stuff and celebrate your fantastic, universal, and unique Judaism!
Happy Chanukah,
Warmly,
Rabbi Alexis Berk
Lagniappe
FRUIT LATKES
INGREDIENTS
2 cups flour
½
teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 egg, beaten
2/3 cup orange juice
1 can pie-sliced apples or pineapple chunks
Oil for frying
Confectioner’s sugar
DIRECTIONS:
Sift together the dry ingredients. Add the egg and the orange juice. Beat well. Batter will be heavy. Add the well-drained fruit
of your choice. Drop by spoonfuls into deep oil at 3750. Fry until brown. Drain on paper toweling. Sprinkle with confectioner’s
sugar.
Serve hot.
Phillip Goodman, The Chanukah Anthology, 1992.
2

Lifecycle Events
JOSHUA HARRIS BALKIN
will become a Bar Mitzvah Saturday, December 3
Being a Bar Mitzvah means
many things. I will have
many more responsibilities,
but also many more privileges,
such as being able to read
from the Torah. Preparing
for my Bar Mitzvah has given
me a better understanding
of Judaism and what it
means to be a Jew. It also is allowing me to be
a leader in the community in efforts to help all of
New Orleans. For my Mitzvah Project, I will be
collecting canned goods for Second Harvest Food
Bank and volunteering there.
Annually, 262,800 people access emergency food
services through Second Harvest Food Bank of
Greater New Orleans and Acadiana. You can
assist me with this project by bringing a canned
good with you to the Synagogue on December 3rd.
JOSHUA IS THE SON OF ELLEN AND MARK BALKIN; BROTHER OF
ANDREW BALKIN; GRAND SON OF DR. & MRS. ERROL GENET
AND MRS. SUSANNE BALKIN & THE LATE HOWARD BALKIN.
Family
Touro the In
Mazel Tov To ...
...Vanessa Bridges and Dani Levine on
the occasion of their wedding.
...Betsy Kaston for being the recipient
of the 2011 Martin de Tours Award.
The Martin de Tours award, St. Martin’s
highest alumni honor, is named for the
patron saint of the school, Martin of Tours,
who exemplified the aspect of service that
is valued so highly at St. Martin’s Episcopal
School.
...Shelly Pick and Todd Olsen on the
occasion of their wedding.
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.
Annie Weiss and Peter Cook
Scholar in Residence
SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE
Ethan Bueno de Mesquita, Ph.D.
Dec. 9-11, 2011
FRIDAY NIGHT, DEC. 9TH
Oneg Shabbat Buffet and Lecture will follow 6:00pm Evening Services
“A Scientific Approach to Understanding the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict”
The long view: Is there hope for peace in our lifetimes?
SATURDAY MORNING TORAH STUDY, DEC. 10TH ~ 9:00 am
“The Economics of Religion”
Trying to understand the relationship between terrorism and religion.
Ethan Bueno de Mesquita, Ph.D.
SUNDAY MORNING BRUNCH AND LECTURE, DEC. 11TH ~ 9:15 am
“Counterterrorism, Counterinsurgency, and America”
Counterterrorism in the post-9/11 world
Ethan Bueno de Mesquita is a professor in the Harris School of Public Policy Studies at the University of Chicago, and co-director
of the Program on Political Institutions. He is an applied game theorist whose research focuses on political violence - terrorism
and insurgency - and on democratic accountability.
Bueno de Mesquita’s current research focuses on rebel tactics. Bueno de Mesquita previously taught in the department of
political science at Washington University in St. Louis, and was a Lady Davis Fellow in political science and visiting fellow in the
Center for the Study of Rationality at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
3

Ongoing Programs
TOURO SYNAGOGUE SISTERHOOD SPONSORS TWO ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
OPEN TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY: TEA AND TALMUD & PRAYER OF THE MONTH
JEWISH JOURNEYERS Saturday, December 3,
A vehicle to help those considering conversion to Judaism.
9:00am
Along with experiential moments, outside reading and some formal
learning, this program will help guide those who are seeking a home in
Judaism.
ACADEMY OF THE SOUL
Meditation, Yoga, and
Creative Prayer Interpretation
on a rotating basis
Sunday, December 4,
9:00 am ~ Meditation
TEA AND TALMUD Tuesday, December 13
Come share in the exploration of
some of the most beautiful, complex
teachings in Jewish tradition over a
delightful cup of afternoon tea.
at 2:00pm
Prayer of the Month
Discussion and debate, explanation and extrapolation.
Each session is independent and will look closely at one of the prayers
we experience regularly at Shabbat services. Bring your own lunch, soft
drink provided.
Thursday, December 15,
Noon.
TOURO HEBREW ACADEMY
Beginner, conversational, Torah chanting
and all levels in between
Hebrew Academy is held on Tuesday nights this Fall.
Tuesdays,
December 6, 13, 20
at 7:00pm
To participate in any of these programs, or for more information contact Arlean at 895-4843,
or afermanis@tourosynagogue.com.
4

Religious School
http://www.tourosynagogue.com/education/religious-school/
True Grit May Be More Important Than Top Scores
What if Religious School was on the right track all along? What if what we are teaching, right here at
Touro Synagogue, is what your child really needs to succeed?
The joke goes ~ people will take religious school more seriously when religious school grades and
transcripts are sent to Harvard. But, isn’t this kind of true? Today’s parents and students are focused
on achievement to get into the best schools, and get the best jobs, and be successful, oh, and happy.
Parents plan pre-Pre-K on which schools will challenge their child the most, give their child the best
chances to flourish, and boost their IQ. And who could blame a parent for wanting the best and most possible for their child?
In The NY Times article “What if the Secret to Success is Failure?” (9/20/11) author Paul Tough writes about Dominic Randolph,
headmaster of the Riverdale School in NYC. A featured trendsetter in education, Randolph introduced “Character Traits” into
the school’s curriculum. He claims that these essential traits of mind and habit is what is missing in the school curriculum. He
goes on in fact, to say that these character traits are more important than AP courses.
So, should schools impart good character in addition to math, science, and even PE?
Luckily for us at Religious School, we can skip over the core subjects and focus right on the character part. We’ve been doing it
for years.
What is good character? Can it be taught in the classroom? Or is the sole responsibility in the family?
The truth of the matter is traits like bravery, citizenship, fairness, wisdom, integrity, humor, zest , appreciation of beauty, kindness
and gratitude have proven to make some students more successful in college than those who scored higher on standardized
tests. Those with persistence and optimism may even recover from a bad grade or a fight with their parents more quickly and
with resilience. Angela Duckworth, PhD, on Penn defined these characters as “grit” – the mission to dedication to achieve a task
to its end whatever obstacles may come in its way.
At religious school we do not give grades, or punitive consequences for attendance for example. We can’t. We do contact
parents for issues concerning poor behavior or too many missed Sundays – mainly because we care to touch base with you – to
make sure all is OK. We send home grade reports based on participation and try to give you some feedback on your child’s input
to their classes. We use what David Levin, co-founder of the KIPP network of charter schools describes in this article as a CPA
– Character Point Average vs. the usual GPA. We can tell a lot about your child’s character – moral character from the many
discussions that occur at religious school.
There is a lot more to this article and I hope you will get a chance to read it.
I am just really proud that we can have religious school. Because if we can provide children with added skills to negotiate
through the path of life and live happy meaningful lives because we have indeed imparted some really good character building,
then we, you, our teachers, our clergy, and me, should rest easier as your child’s teachers. Hooray for Jewish education!
Eileen Hamilton, Director of Education
JACOBS CAMP PRESENTATION
December 11, 9:00 am
Give the gift of summer camp this year for Hanukkah.
Plan ahead for the gift that keeps on giving.
Jacobs Camp is the best and most valuable gift
a parent can give to their child this Hanukkah.
Fun, friends, Jewish identity, growth, songs,
independence, and more come with this fabulous
experience.
FIRST YEAR SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE ~ $1,000.00.
Meet Assistant Director, Gary Brandt on December 11 to
ask your questions and sign up.
Light the First Candle
with us on Tuesday, December 20
Please join us on
Tuesday, December 20
at 6:30 pm
before Hebrew Academy, to light the first
candle of the Chanukiah and enjoy a small treat
of soofgniyot. Feel free to bring your own
Chanukiah if you wish.
5

Social Action
NO LGBTQ MEETING IN DECEMBER
NEXT MEETING IS JANUARY 17
7:00-9:00 PM
RAINBOW KIPPOT STILL AVAILABLE
Contact Dani Levine:
danielle.z.levine@
gmail.com or Lisa
Keleher: lisatreece@
yahoo.com
LGBTQ ~ Support, Education, and Advocacy
Social Action Meeting
OPEN MEETING
DECEMBER 8,
6:00 PM
This meeting is open to anyone interested in participating in any
aspect of Social Action at Touro, or just curious about what is
going on.
SBW Principal, Sharon Clark, will give a brief state of the school
update. And we will discuss how we engage our own youth in social
action .
Mitzvah & Caring
We continue to respond to the needs of our
members, from families with newborns, to those
struggling with a chronic
illness or a recent loss.
Contact either
Lauren Greenberg
(laurengreenberg@cox.net)
or Dianne Africk (dafrick@
ochsner.org), our Mitzvah
and Caring coordinators, if
you would like to be a part of
this mitzvah.
Touro
Cares
SOPHIE B. WRIGHT CHARTER SCHOOL
Sophie B. is still in need of College Application Mentors
You don’t have to be an expert; you will be working with the college guidance
counselor. What you need to be is interested
in supporting teenagers with the intimidating
and often overwhelming process of filling in
applications and writing essays.
Hours and time commitment are very flexible.
Contact Teri Hunter at: tlhunter22@gmail.com
Free food ~ a great motivator for growing teens!
And it is so easy for you to help. No
time commitment required, just a
donation of a $5 gift card – Subway and
Smoothie King are especially popular.
These gifts are used to reward and
encourage academic achievements.
Drop them off at the Synagogue; we’ll be
happy to pass them on.
gift
card
SOPHIE B. WRIGHT
PLATINUM GIFT CARD
FOR
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
INCENTIVE AWARDS
6

Team Spirit ~ same banner, same energy, different cause!
FRONT ROW: Maddie Goff, Lindsey Bain, Ari Berk, Seth Berk
BACK ROW: Aimee Bain, Lisa Goff, Dan Checkman, Bob Berk, Lisa Herman, Suzy Ascuitto, Nancy Ross-Ascuitto,
Phyllis Alltmont, Gretchen Zalkind, Deanna Spence, Jack Alltmont
Touro Synagogue sponsored a Team at the Greater New Orleans Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Saturday, October 29. Love those caps!
If you want to find out about future sponsored events that Touro is participating in, contact Teri Hunter, tlhunter22@gmail.com.
A Blessing for all December Birthdays!
Friday, December 2nd
at the 6:00pm Shabbat Evening Services
Just come to services, no RSVP necessary
We’d love to wish you a Happy Birthday!
This month instead of our regular
Tot Shabbat
we have a very special
Tot and Pre-Kindergarten
Chanukah Party
during Religious School on Sunday
December 18.
We hope all our regular Tot Shabbat-ers
will be able to attend.
It is sure to be a super time with lots of
special goodies.
Tot & Pre-K
Chanukah Party
SUNDAY December 18
10:30 –11:30 am
SHABBAT CLUB
PRE BAR/BAT MITZVAH STUDENTS
December 17
January 7 & 28
If you have a son or daughter who is
just one year away from their Bar or Bat
Mitzvah, please have them join us at
9:45 am on the following Saturdays,
when they will assist the Rabbi and
Cantor in leading Morning Services.
Contact Arlean Fermanis for more
details: 895-4843
or: afermanis@tourosynagogue.com
7

TORAH STUDY @ TOURO
UNWRAPPING ANCIENT WISDOM
IN A POST-MODERN WORLD
Torah Study is held at 9:00am every
Shabbat morning, 52 weeks a year,
in the Mautner Learning Center.
It is never too late to start; Torah
resources and bagels provided.
PARASHOT
November 27 - December 3:
Vayeitzei
Genesis 28:10-32:3
Hosea 12:13-14:10
December 4 - 10: Vayishlach
Genesis 32:4-36:43
Hosea 11:7-12:12
December 11 - 17: Vayeishev
Genesis 37:1-40:23
Amos 2:6-3:8
December 18 - 24: Mikeitz
Genesis 41:1-44:17
Zechariah 4:1-7
December 25 - 31: Vayigash
Genesis 44:18-47:27
Ezekiel 37:15-28
Go to http://urj.org/torah for other
resources.
THE
BRAIDED
CANDLE
An Interfaith Couples
Chavurah
CHAVURAH - An Informal group which meets together
for study and celebration.
Comedy Night
at
La Nuit Comedy Club
Saturday, December 17
8:30 pm
If you would like more information about
The Braided Candle
or want to get on our email distribution list, please call or
email Sara Mayeux at 504-251-2961 or sara.mayeux@ubs.com
TOURO SYNAGOGUE
ADULT CHOIR
If you are interested in joining, feel
free to just show up on a Thursday
night or contact Cantor Marx with
any questions.
Thursdays at 7:30
December 1, 8, 15, & 22
CHOIR SHABBAT - DECEMBER 16
IN MEMORIAM
MAY THEIR MEMORIES BE FOR A BLESSING
Helen Conway Hayes
Mother of Mona Villarrubia
Myron Kasten
Husband of Sandra Kasten
“We do not die into the grave
but into the love of God.”
THANKS FOR OCTOBER SPONSORSHIPS
We thank these generous supporters
for their help in making Shabbat a wonderful
experience:
Pulpit Flowers
Ann and Steve Harris
Joyce and Sidney Pulitzer
Ruth and Larry Kullman
Vanessa Bridges and Dani Levine
Oneg Shabbat
Shelley Pick’s and Todd Olsen’s-
Great Aunt Betsy, Aunt Binker, Aunt Lisa,
Aunt Wendy, Uncle Bob & Uncle Mike
Nicki Manchester
8

Sisterhood
WRJ’s First 100 years...and Boy, Do We Look Good!
In celebration of the Centennial of Women of Reform Judaism (1913-2013), the WRJ Centennial celebrations will take place in
2013, beginning in January at the WRJ Leadership Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio and concluding in December at the 49th WRJ
Assembly in San Diego, California.
Our Sisterhood, along with our Sisters across North America, and throughout the world, will be participating in Centennial
Activities and events throughout the year.
This year gives us a chance to share our story with over 65,000 other members. We will have the opportunity to select a Touro
Sisterhood artifact to become part of the permanent WRJ Centennial Collection at the American Jewish Archives, share photos
and information from our Sisterhood with WRJ for potential use in video, historical writing, and the Centennial Journal. We will
also share our Sisterhood’s cookbook which will become part of the Cookbook Collection at HUC-JIR Cincinnati; at which time
one of our Sisterhood recipes may be featured in the WRJ Centennial Cookbook. I wonder how we lobby for “Mock Turtle Soup”
or “Kosher-style Gumbo” to be featured?
We will have the opportunity to participate in the WRJ Centennial Worldwide Shabbat, on March 1-2, 2013. Friday evening and
Saturday morning services will be provided by WRJ for a Shabbat that will be observed around the world. How awesome to be
part of something so far reaching!
This will be our chance to brag on our rich, diverse and active Sisterhood by providing the WRJ with important statistics such as
the total number of volunteer hours our Sisterhood has provided to our congregation and the community. I can only imagine the
global impact the combined hours of all Sisterhoods has had on
thwarting hunger, fighting for equality, championing education
and promoting Jewish causes.
During this exciting year we have been challenged to have our
Sisterhood members donate at least 100 hours performing
mitzvot during the Centennial. I know we, the membership
of Touro Synagogue Sisterhood, can beat if not double this
number.
Closer to home and on the horizon we ask you to mark your
calendars for our annual Chanukah Boutique which will be held
on December 11th. We offer Chanukah staples like Chanukiah, candles, gelt and dreidels along with beautiful ritual objects, art
and toys.
December 23rd marks our annual Chanukah Dinner. This year we present a Family Fun Night with interactive craft activities for
all ages. I can’t wait to see the masterpieces created by our members and their children.
In January, on the 28th, we will celebrate Havdalah and show the movie, Praying in Her Own Voice which will be followed by a
lay-led discussion about gender equality within our religion. I look forward to the start of this exciting Centennial year of activity,
growth, inclusion and Sisterhood with each of you.
Stacey Weinreb, Sisterhood President
SISTERHOOD
CHANUKAH BOUTIQUE
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11
10am-4pm
Friday, December 23
following 6:00pm Shabbat Evening Services
Chanukah Dinner and Family Fun
OPEN to the entire congregation
Dinner and fun will follow an abbreviated Shabbat service.
A hands-on, craft-focused, interactive, family-friendly evening.
See Page 10 for more details and ticket prices.
Sponsored by Sisterhood.
9

SISTERHOOD CHANUKAH DINNER
Chanukah Family Service
December 23, 2011 at 6:00 pm
Dinner immediately follows services
CORKY’S BAR-B-Q AND LINDA’S GOURMET LATKES
Hands on, interactive, family-friendly Chanukah Crafting will follow dinner.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please return this form with your CHECK payable to
Touro Synagogue Sisterhood, BY DECEMBER 16, 2011
NAME:________________________________ PHONE NUMBER:_________________________
Please reserve the following number of seats at the CHANUKAH DINNER
#_______ADULTS @ $20.00 = $_____________
#_______CHILDREN UNDER 13 YEARS OF AGE @ $10.00 = $__________ for a final TOTAL of $___________
NOTE: You may call Touro (504-895-4843) to pay by credit card if you prefer, but an additional 3%
fee will be incurred.
ANY QUESTIONS CALL JOAN (504) 491-2420
10

Brotherhood
Nothing Went A-Rye at the Bread Baking!
Brotherhood raised rye bread in the synagogue kitchen at 7 pm, Nov. 9 as planned. There were only a few attendees but, heartwarmingly,
they were fresh faces - not the “usual suspects” who attend Brotherhood events. One of these fresh faces was
Theone Perloff, an accomplished professional pastry chef. “What are you doing here?” I asked, “You should be teaching this gig,
not I.” “I’ve never baked rye bread, and I’d like to learn,” she replied.
A few minutes later, she added the riposte: “It doesn’t look like you follow the recipe, or measure your ingredients very well.”
The two surprise bonuses for the evening were citrus fruit to take home AND we roasted chestnuts on an open fire - a rare
treat.
For December, we have 3 events planned:
• DECEMBER 6, Tuesday, 7:00 pm at the Synagogue - MOVIE NIGHT. The feature film is “Sunshine”, starring Ralph Fiennes,
Rachel Weisz and William Hurt. It is the story of four generations of descendants of Immanuel Sonnenschein, the creator of a
famous liqueur in Austria-Hungary (thankfully NOT the horrible-tasting Hungarian liqueur made by Zwack). The story follows
twentieth century Hungarian history, 2 wars, 2 revolutions and life under the Nazis and Communists. Most of it is filmed in
Budapest. Mature audiences only.
• DECEMBER 18, Sunday 6:00 pm - BROTHERHOOD BOARD MEETING at the New Orleans Hamburger & Seafood Company. We
need your help in mining for new ideas. Dan wants to continue the kitchen series, while I’d like to move outside: to low-budget,
high-adventure trips, including a 3-day float down the Buffalo River in Arkansas, a tour of Mt. Rushmore and the Black Hills from
Mystery Mountain Resort, a 4 - 60 mile bicycle tour of the Tammany Trace and so on. Ideas are welcome from everyone, including
non-members and those who may not physically attend this meeting. Vote at ajtnr@aol.com, 504-259-2031 or 504-913-0342.
• DECEMBER 21, Wednesday 7:00 pm at the Synagogue - LATKE COOKOFF. Click on the address or go to the Brotherhood Web
Page: http://www.tourosynagogue.com/community/brotherhood/.
• DECEMBER - Dues notices will be mailed out.
Adrian Bruder-Juttner, Brotherhood President
Are you tired of friends or family serving you lousy latkes every Chanukah?
Do you have a better latke recipe? Maybe even something truly unique? Well, here’s your chance to prove it …
Brotherhood Presents
THE GREAT LATKE FRY-OFF
Wednesday, December 21 ~ 7:00 pm
@ Touro Synagogue
OPEN TO ALL SYNAGOGUE MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
CONTESTANTS WILL COMPETE IN THREE CATEGORIES:
• Traditional Potato Latkes
• Alternative (Non-Potato) Latkes
• Condiments/Toppings
... And the rest of us will sample the output and vote for Touro’s best latkes!
Additional contest rules can be found on the Brotherhood page of the Touro Synagogue website. To sign up as a
contestant, please contact Dan Checkman at dpc47852@yahoo.com or (504)913-0342 before Monday, December 19.
And yes, there will be more food for the non-latke-eating crowd!
Adults (ages 13 and up) $15 (free for contestants); Children (12 and under) $10.
Reservations requested. Payment at the door accepted.
11

20’S & 30’S TnT @ Touro
... and for ALL touro
members, and their
families ... an afternoon
of games and food
and lots of
family fun
ON
DECEMBER 25
Sponsored by TnT
25th
12

JewCCY
Spring Conclave at Touro ~ Have You Vounteered Yet?
JewCCY has had an amazing fall! It all began with the Invisible Children presentation, which deeply effected all who attended. We
are now starting to form a “Frontline Team” to start raising money for the organization. In November, we all met up at Temple
Sinai to watch The Breakfast Club and make our own waffles. It was a lot of fun.
Later in the month, there was a big Spring Conclave pow wow. It is hard to believe that Conclave is just 4 months away. JewCCY
is still looking for any and all volunteers that are interested in helping us make Spring Conclave a success. This year it will be at
Touro Synagogue from March 23rd-March 25th. Please contact Kiki or the Conclave chairs, Manya Gaver and Hillary Schulman to
get involved.
We then traveled as a group to Memphis for Fall Conclave. The theme was about the roots of Soul in Memphis and it was a lot of
fun. Coming up this month, we have a big Israel program planned in conjunction with BBYO (B’nai B’rith) and the shaliach visiting
New Orleans from Israel this year. The program will be Sunday December 4th at the Uptown JCC. Later in December members
of JewCCY from Temple Sinai will participate in their big Chanukah Bazaar, and then on December 18th JewCCY members are
invited to participate in a torch lighting ceremony in honor of the Maccabi games in Israel.
It will be an exciting month! Please visit our website, www.jewccy.org or ‘like’ us on facebook at www.facebook.com/. If you
have any questions, please email Kiki at JewCCY@gmail.com, or call at 504 912 5515. Thanks!
Kiki
Kiki Kamenetz, JewCCY Advisor
13

DONATIONS
TOURO SYNAGOGUE FUND
In Gratitude for:
Touro Synagogue
By: Marianne and Todd Berner
Anna Leightman
In Honor of:
Special Birthday of Ruth Kullman
By: Susan and Lou Good
Julie Oreck and her family for their warm and
wonderful hospitality
By: Beth Schiff
Birth of Diane Africk’s granddaughter, Harper
Ruth Africk
By: Ana and Juan Gershanik
Joyce Pulitzer receiving the Jewish Federations of
North America Endowment Achievement Award
By: Ana and Juan Gershanik
In Memory of:
Kitty Greenberg
By: Eddy and Bill Rosen
Marian Fliegel
By: Sandra and Larry Shulman
Juliet Greenberg
Ed Planer
By: Julie and Marshall Oreck
Beryl Levy Gernsbacher
By: Adrien and Errol Genet
Clarence Samuel Maddox
Helen Conway Hayes
By: Susan and Lou Good
Elizabeth Bonfield
Joseph Bonfield
By: Adriana and Lloyd Bonfield
Morris Bart, Sr.
By: Ana and Juan Gershanik
Myron Kasten
By: Martin Goldstein and June Leopold
Gertie Goldstein
Gershon Goldstein
By: Martin Goldstein and Family
Donations:
By: Beverly Katz/Exterior Designs, Inc.
BABYSITTING SUPPORT
Donations:
By: Susan and Lou Good
CARING SUPPORT
In Memory of:
Sarah Iker
Charles Iker
By: Dottie and John Clemmer
Alfred Alaynick
By: Margery Kirschman
CHOIR MUSIC SUPPORT
In Memory of:
Clarence Samuel “Sam” Maddox
By: Joyce and Woody Widofsky
Phyllis and Jack Alltmont
Seymour Gabiner
Irving R. Warner
By: Joyce and Woody Widofsky
HEARING DEVICE SUPPORT
Donations:
By: Lois and Ralph Shepard
LIBRARY SUPPORT
In Memory of:
Jerome Schwam
By: Joyce and Woody Widofsky
ONEG SHABBAT SUPPORT
Donations:
By: Rickie and Gordon Nutik
SOCIAL ACTION SUPPORT
In Memory of:
Sarah Iker
Charles Iker
By: Dottie and John Clemmer
TORAH STUDY SUPPORT
In Honor of:
Naming of Asher and Blaise Schwam
By: Gretchen and David Zalkind
JACKIE WOLFF SCHOLARSHIP FUND
In Memory of:
Sylvia Band
Kitty Greenberg
Doris Feingerts
Hilda Blatt
Leone Marks
By: Frankie Wolff
KAREN J. (KITTY) GREENBERG
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
In Memory of:
Kitty Greenberg.
By: Betty and Donald Weil
Bobbie and Harry Hinman
Jeanne and Ed Daniels
Susan and Lou Good
Joyce and Woody Widofsky
Patti and Jack Lengsfield
Carol Good
Carol Wise
Paige Lemieux
Ana and Juan Gershanik
Sol Schulman
Marian Fliegel
Helen Conway Hayes
By: Janice and Jeffrey Smith
CANTOR’S DISCRETIONARY FUND
In Honor of:
Wedding of Vanessa Bridges and Dani Levine
By: Shelley Sturman
Mark Levine
In Memory of:
Lionel Wolf Fine
By: Family of Lionel Fine
Robert Allen Levy
By: Susan Morris and the Levy family
Marian Fliegel
By: Family of Marian Fliegel
RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND
In Appreciation of:
Honors given
By: Lisa nd Michael Herman
In Honor of:
Wedding of Vanessa Bridges and Dani Levine
By: Shelley Sturman
Mark Levine
Rabbi Alexis Berk being named one of New
Orleans’ “Under 40” Leading Citizens
By: Jay Handelman
Wedding of Shelley Pick and Todd Olsen
By: Jane and Clifton Goldner
In Memory of:
Lionel Wolf Fine
By: Family of Lionel Fine
Robert Allen Levy
By: Susan Morris and the Levy family
Myron Kasten
By: Family of Myron Kasten
Marian Fliegel
By: Family of Marian Fliegel
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
December.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2/SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3
Irving I. Adler, Adrian C. Benjamin, Sr., Evangeline
Katz Hochstein, Constance S. Kaufman, Brunette
Aaron Levy, Robert Aaron Levy, Eugene Maas,
Florette Geismar Margolis, Ray Handelman
Maslansky, Gertrude Levy Phillips, Abraham
Rosenberg, Inez Levy Rosenthal, William Harry
Shushan, Hermina Ochs Silverman, Maurice
Bernard Sontheimer, Dudley Udal Yoedicke, Dr.
Jay Zakris.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9/SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10
Pauline Adler, Harry H. Bear, Jeanette Meyer
Benjamin, Abe Berenson, Janis Schwartz Berenson,
Lillie Mansberg Block, Ruth Gottesman Cohen,
Helene Metzger Cymbal, Louis Aaron Glazer, Harry
Hyman, Herman Jeffer, Sarah Keller, William
Gordon Kesler, Jeanette Lith, Henry A. Maslansky,
Rosa Michaelis, David Tobias Pick, Ruth Ann Rabin,
Abraham Rosenberg, Cecelia Hilborn Scherck,
Helen Finger Singer, Charles L. Woldenberg, Mrs.
Florentine Hayem Zander, Jerome Zarowitz.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16/SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17
Julia Simon Aarons, Alfred Leon Alaynick, Harry
Bennett, Ida Kagan Berg, Ben Cohn, Norma
Tannenbaum Duff, Alfred Geismar, Helen Axinn
Goldstein, Harry Goodman, Emile Kahn Gruenberg,
Mary Heinemann, Selma Thalsheimer Huss, Louise
Goldman Kaplan, Boaz Kirstein, Mathilde Kahn
Leucht, Benjamin Louis Levy, Sr., Alvin Phillip
Lichtentag, Maurice A. Markley, Louis Max Ochs,
Bertha Lischkoff Sontheimer, Gertrude Schwarz
Stern, Jac Stich, Leonard M. Wolff.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23/SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24
Ruth Israelson Adiger, Dr. Samuel B. Fellman,
Elise Yarrut Fishman, Ernest S. Frank, Mrs. Leon
Frank, Joseph D. Freedman, Babette Cohn Golden,
Morris Keil, Dorothy Betty Sale Levy, Fanny Lob,
Albertine Marx, Esther Haspel Mayer, Fannye
Oesterman Meyers, Elkin Moses, Philip F. Phillips,
Adolph Louis Stiebel, Fannie Burgauer Ullman,
Ruth H. Weil, Douglas Norman Weinreb, William
Young.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30/SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31
Rose Rosenberg Blitman, Jan Leslie Brener,
Abraham L. Fishman, Ruthann Arzberger Francis,
Ronald Goldberg, Nathan Greenspan, Leonard R.
Hirsch, Irwin H. Isaacs, Jr., Julius Jacobs, Adolph
Jacobs, M.D., Isak M. Layman, Emile Levy, Charles
Maas, Cheryl Ann Mintz, Henry Newman, Morris
Reiner, Sylvia Green Rothstein, Helen Allenberg
Rubenstein, Morris Rubenstein, Marie Bertha Van
Os, Michael G. Weil.
14

*Family Night of Games
– 3 pm OPEN TO ALL
Sponsored by TnT
25 *Religious School NOT
in session
26
Office
Closed -
Holiday
Observance
*Brotherhood Cooking for Desmond
Project – 5 pm
27 28*Uptown Hebrew
NOT in session – winter
break
29 NO Choir Rehearsal 30 *Shabbat Evening
Service – 6 pm
31 * Torah Study – 9 am
*Shabbat Morning Service
– 10:30 am
Sponsored by Sisterhood
*Pre-K and Tot Chanukah
Party
*Hebrew Academy
– 7 pm
* The Great Latke Fry-
Off – 7 pm
Open to all. Sponsored by
Brotherhood
* Chanukah Dinner &
Family Fun following
services
sponsored by Sisterhood
*Brotherhood Cooking for Desmond
Project – 5 pm
18 *Religious School with
Pre-K, 9th and
Confirmation – 9 am
19 20 *Chanukah Candle
Lighting – 6:30
21*Uptown Hebrew
NOT in session
22 *Choir Rehearsal
– 7:30 pm
23 *Shabbat Evening
Service/ Children’s Choir
– 6 pm
*Shabbat Morning Service
– 10:30 am
24 *Torah Study – 9 am
*TnT Tailgate Party
– 11:30 am
*Braided Candle Interfaith Event
– 8:30-11 pm
*Sisterhood Chanukah
Boutique – 10 am
*Brotherhood Cooking for Desmond
Project – 5 pm
(Jacobs Camp
Presentation) – 9 am
*Hebrew Academy
– 7 pm
*Choir Rehearsal
– 7:30 pm
11 * Religious School
(Kindergarten through 10 th )
12 13 *Tea & Talmud
– 2 pm
14*Uptown Hebrew
– 4 pm
15 * Prayer of the Month
– noon
16 *Shabbat Evening
Service/ Choir Shabbat/
New Member Shabbat
– 6 pm
*Shabbat Morning Service
– 10:30 am
*Shabbat Club – 9:45 am
17 *Torah Study – 9 am
*Choir Rehearsal
– 7:30 pm
*Scholar in Residence evening
event (TBD)
*Open Academy of the
Soul ( Meditation)
– 9am
*Brotherhood Movie
Night, “Sunshine”
– 7pm
*Shabbat Evening Service/
Scholar- in-Residence
– 6 pm
*Brotherhood Cooking for Desmond
Project – 5 pm
4 *Religious School with
Pre-K through 10 th
– 9 am
5 6 *Hebrew Academy
– 7pm
7*Uptown Hebrew
– 4 pm
8 * Social Action
Open Meeting for all
Social Action initiatives
– 6 pm
*Shabbat Morning Service
– 10:30 am
9 Scholar in Residence
Weekend Dec. 9-11
10 * Torah Study/Scholar-in-
Residence – 9 am
*Brotherhood Cooking for Desmond
Project – 5 pm
*Shabbat Morning Service
– 10:30 am
(Bar Mitzvah of Joshua Harris Balkin)
1 *Choir Rehearsal
– 7:30 pm
2 *Shabbat Evening
Service/ Birthday Blessings
– 6 pm
* Jewish Journeyers – 9 am
3 *Torah Study – 9 am
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
December 2011
15

SHABBAT SERVICES: DECEMBER 2011
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2
6:00 pm Forgotston Chapel
Birthday Blessings
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3
10:30 am Main Sanctuary
Bar Mitzvah of Joshua Harris Balkin
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9
6:00 pm Forgotston Chapel
Scholar in Residence
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10
10:30 am Forgotston Chapel
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16
6:00 pm Main Sanctuary
Choir Shabbat/New Member Shabbat
TORAH STUDY AT 9:00AM -EVERY SATURDAY MORNING
MAUTNER LEARNING CENTER
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17
10:30 am Forgotston Chapel
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23
6:00 pm Forgotston Chapel
Chanukah Songs from Touro’s
Children’s Choir
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24
10:30 am Forgotston Chapel
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30
6:00 pm Forgotston Chapel
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31
10:30 am Forgotston Chapel
Shabbaton
January 21, 2012
A Sabbath of Complete Rest
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
En d i n g w i t h s o u l f u l
Havdalah
with Rabbi Berk
see High Holy Day Bulletin or the
forthcoming January Bulletin
for more details.
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
New Orleans, LA
Permit No. 412
Rabbi Alexis Berk
Cantor Jamie Marx
Rabbi Emeritus David Goldstein
Cantor Emeritus Ralph H. Slifkin
Phyllis Alltmont
President
TOURO SYNAGOGUE
Founded in 1828
Original congregation
“Gates of Mercy”
North Rampart Street
(1828)
Eileen A. Hamilton
Director of Education
Terry D. Maddox MM
Music Director
William D. Norman, Jr.
Director of Endowment
Touro Synagogue • 4238 St. Charles Avenue • New Orleans, LA 70115
• (504) 895-4843 • TSmail@tourosynagogue.com • www.tourosynagogue.com
MEMBER OF UNION FOR
REFORM JUDAISM
16