25th Anniversary special issue - Shir Tikvah

ברוכים הבאיםWELCOMING (BRUCHIM HA-BAIM) has always been part of the fabric of congregaat Shir Tikvah. Taking our cue from Abraham and Sarah rushing to greet the strangecontinually seeking new and more meaningful ways to make introductions and stayShir Tikvah Friday night services would not be complete withoutschmoozing around the oneg table. On this Shabbat evening in February2013, everyone had a nosh and lingered with friends old and new.?Did You Know?Soon after they joined Shir Tikvah in 1988, Cookie Montgomery’shusband, Peter (z”l, of blessed memory), was recruited to make thefirst set of congregational nametags because he was a “computer guy.”“It has always been a sincere message when board membersask for a chance to meet newcomers after services at Oneg.That is an essential part of Shir Tikvah.”Myra (Cookie) Montgomery, Oneg Captain Emerita4 | Shir Tikvah2013 President-elect Ray Levi greets congregants atthe High Holy Days.

tional lifers, we areconnected.“There’s alwaysbeen someonehere saying, ‘ShabbatShalom! Helloand how are you?’And if someonedoesn’t know yourname, they’ll ask ifyou want to put ona nametag, and ifyou’re sitting alonethey’ll ask you tosit with them.It’s so easy!”Susie McKitterickChris Bargeron greets Verna Lind.shirtikvah.net | 25 th Anniversary

Music Director David HRobert Rothstein, SumnBill Malandra, Jay BenaYoung congregants Tobias Tane and NoamNewman share a Torah moment with RabbiOffner in 1994 on the occasion of Shir Tikvah’smove from the St. Paul JCC to the new homeon 50th Street and Minnehaha Parkway.Names of foundingfamilies are stitched intoour Torah cover.ראשיתShir Tikvah’s FOUNDING (B’REISHIT) brought people together as“I have a vivid memory of discussing the mission statement with the early steeringgroup of visionaries at the Schlesingers’ house prior to the first public meeting inMarch or April of 1988. I felt we were engaging in something extraordinarily importantand life-changing.”Rabbi Cathy Nemiroff, Shir Tikvah President 1990-1993Rabbi Stacy K. OffnerFounding Rabbi Emerita, Served 1988-2008“What makes us proud of Shir Tikvah at 25? That’s easy.It’s the people. We were blessed at Shir Tikvah’s birth, withan extraordinary group of people who not only dreamt ofa synagogue that would be inclusive and diverse and liveout the Jewish dictates of justice, but we were blessed withpeople who made it happen. The fact is that every year ofthe 25 has been filled with people who continue to make thathappen. So the answer at 25 is the same as it was at 20 and at15 and at 5 and at inception. It’s the people. Mazel Tov to ShirTikvah on its 25th Anniversary.”

?Did You Know?Shir Tikvah’s first Torah was borrowed from Beth Jacob (later purchased in 1991).Two additional Torahs were gifted by Gary Gardner and Helen Kivnick in 2002.Continued from p. 82000 “Abraham,Michael & John” byHoward Orenstein2001 “Reflections” byCaryl G. Barnett2002 “The Wonder ofCreation” by SumnerRichman2003 “Affirmingour Connections: AReflection on ErevRosh HaShanah” byMichael Resnick2004 “Hineini,Hineini, Hineinu” byBarbra Wiener2005 “History andHope” by TomCytrom-Hyson2006 “To Be a Jew inthe 21st Century” byBruce Johnson2007 “There is NoPlace Like Home” byJay Erstling2008 “A Passionfor Life” by AlanWeinblatt2009 “Angels?” byMary Hartmann2010 “What is a GoodYear?” by ElaineFrankowski2011 “Soul Justice andthe Faith of Isaac” byDave Snyder2012 “ConversationsMatter: Make YourVoice Heard” by AnnKaner-Roth

B’NEI MITZVAHLeft: Eli Cooper at his Bar Mitzvah in2008. Below: Rabbi Latz blesses JoanCorbett Blinkinoff at the Adult B’neiMitzvah ceremony in 2012.Our inclusive ritual life makes for joyousLeft: RabbiOffner with EllenDinerstein at herBat Mitzvah in1993. Right: RabbiOffner blessesSadie Funk in 1998.BIRTHS“My favorite moment from both of my sons’ Bar Mitzvahs is the private moment in frontof the ark as a family with Rabbi Latz in quiet whispers with meaningful words. Such apowerful, intimate moment.” Jen Lewin12 | Shir Tikvah

שמחהCELEBRATIONS (SIMCHAS) together.Miriam Weinstein and Amy Ollendorf stand under the chuppah at theirwedding, with their daughters Rhea and Vita in 2004.WEDDINGSAbove: Jane Binder and Larry Silber hang amezuzah with baby Emily.?Did You Know?The B’nei Mitzvah class of5775/2014-2015 has a record of 28students enrolled.Shir Tikvah’s first Adult B’neiMitzvah class was in 2000.Michael Simon and Rabbi Michael Latz walk down the aisle with their daughters Noaand Liat at their 2012 wedding in Toronto.CONVERSIONSIn a welcoming response toincreasing numbers of adultschoosing to explore Judaism andthe possibility of conversion, ShirTikvah began the Derekh programin 2012 with grant support from theUnion for Reform Judaism. Derekh,which means “journey,” providessocial and educational supportfor participants new to creating aJewish life.“The conversion to Judaism is anexciting, challenging and spirituallyawakening derekh. But it can alsobe a lonely journey. It’s just youand God. In the Derekh group youinteract with others on their ownpaths to Judaism. You can shareyour feelings, fears and revelations.Sometimes you learn somethingyou can use, and sometimes yoursharing helps someone else.”Tony Nowickeshirtikvah.net | 25 th Anniversary

צדקActs of loving kindness and striving for socialJUSTICE (TZEDEK) are at the heart of Shir Tikvah.“Passion for social justice is at the root ofShir Tikvah. For 25 years, members have beeninvolved in activities focused on tikkun olam,the repair of our world. We have marched,lobbied, organized, protested, and acted onbehalf of civil rights for all. We will continueto move forward with our hearts and mindsdedicated to bringing healing, justice, andpeace to our world.”Barbra Wiener and Dan Higgs Matzner2013 Social Justice Committee Co-ChairsAbove: Tasya Kelen packsfood at Open Arms during aLifelong Learning event. Below:Young member Isaac Trockmanstands with blankets madeby Shir Tikvah members todonate to patients at MinnesotaChildren’s Hospital on theMartin Luther King Jr. Day ofService, an intergenerationalLifelong Learning program.Rabbi Stacy K. Offner was the first rabbi to serve as Senate chaplain in Minnesota. ShirTikvah members also serving the state legislature in 1999 included, to Rabbi Offner’sright: Sen. Allan Spear and Rep. Phyllis Kahn; back row: Sen. Deana Weiner, Rep.Howard Orenstein, Sen. Richard Cohen and Sen. Sandra Pappas. In 2013, Sen. Pappasserves as president of the state Senate.?Did You Know?In a 1990 Feed-a-thon, Shir Tikvah memberscaught fish to feed 200 homeless people andraised funds to support the Dorothy Day Center.In 2005, the congregation sponsored a Somalifamily resettling in the Twin Cities.Right: In 2001, STiFTY organized Dragfor Darfur, an evening of drag cabaretwith dancing and a silent auction, tosupport the Genocide InterventionNetwork. Then-STiFTY adviser TovaSularz’s mom Laura Lipkin reflectedon the event, “I can’t think of anothercongregation that would take that on. Itwas packed. Everybody came.A Genocide Intervention Action Groupstarted at Shir Tikvah after that.”14 | Shir Tikvah

Longtime member and social activist Henry Lippman joined Shir Tikvah at the Minnesota State Capitolin May 2013 to celebrate legalization of same-sex marriage. He advocates for many social justice causes:anti-war, pro-environment, pro-choice, PRIDE and more.SOME COMMUNITYPARTNERSHIPSFareShare MNOpen UAIDS Interfaith Councilof MNJewish Family and Children’sService of MplsScience Museum JudaicaExhibitsMinneapolis JewishFederationSt. Paul Jewish FederationSt. Paul JCCSabes JCCCentral American Dairy(labor reform)Coalition of ImmokaleeWorkersFeed-a-thon/Dorothy DayCenterBlood MobilesUnion for Reform JudaismMazonFeminists in FaithMetro Interfaith CouncilJewish Community ActionJCA’s Postville Immigrants’and Workers’ RightsHabitat for HumanityAIDS WalkTwin Cities DomesticViolence Task ForceAliveness ProjectMinnesota Jewish TheatreMN Historical SocietyJewish Historical Society ofthe Upper MidwestAvodah b’Yachad (interfaithneighborhoods)Minneapolis Institute of ArtsRimon: Minnesota JewishArts CouncilMN Center for Book Arts/Women of the BookOpen ArmsBrian Coyle CenterFamilies TogetherArea SynagoguesMikvah Association of St. PaulMinnesota Council ofChurches Refugee ServicesHeadwaters FundWorld Without GenocideJewish Healing ProgramNorthside CommunityReinvestment CoalitionUniversity of Minnesota

Rabbi Melissa B. SimonDirector of Lifelong Learning, Installed 2010“To me, Shir Tikvah represents the future of Judaism—a community where everyone is welcome and valued, where westrive to make the world a better place, and where we engage inlife-changing lifelong learning. I knew the second I read aboutShir Tikvah that this was the community I wanted to serve asa rabbi. I have been inspired by the Shir Tikvah community,whether in quiet conversation, in communal prayer, marchingtogether, or engaged in learning. Looking ahead, I am excited tobuild, innovate, and create together.”EXCERPTS FROMOUR VISIONFOR LIFELONGLEARNING…Lifelong learners ofevery age…Holy conversationsabout Torah…Concepts of God,Judaism, IsraelRETREATSWhat Does it Mean to be aJew? (1994)Where is God? (1994)The Mosaic of JewishIdentity (1996)Searching for the Spirit withour Bodies (1997)Jewish Rituals of Love andLoss (1999)Jews in a Non-Jewish World(2000)Caring for our Aging LovedOnes (2005)Shabbat Retreat (2010)Nesiya (2012)Derekh (2013)16 | Shir TikvahPenny Schumacher, pictured here at an early consecration ceremony, wasShir Tikvah’s first education director (1996-2005). As the lead architect ofour Sunday school and Hebrew programs, she was always most proud ofShir Tikvah’s teenagers, who almost all stayed on after confirmation tohelp as madrichim (assistants) in the classrooms.“I remember 20 years ago coming to Shir Tikvah for classes inpreparation for my adult B’nei Mitzvah. I was pregnant for the firstsessions, and the week after Robbie’s birth, I came to class with anewborn in my arms. It was powerful chanting Torah, nursing mybaby, and feeling the chain of tradition through the generations.”Caroline SchultzLAY-LED AND CLERGY-LED CLASSESBook ClubTorah StudyExploring Liberal Judaism:God, Torah & IsraelJewish Practice & Belief(first taught October1989)Jewish FeministTheology (1991)Birthing Rituals (1991)Co-Existence in theMiddle East (1991)Healing our Jewish PastWorkshop (1995)Personal Self Defense &Safety (1995)Israel at 50 (1997)Midrash: WritingBetween the Lines(1997)Downtown Torah StudyGroup at HennepinCounty Courthouse(1997)Struggling to be HumanDuring the Holocaust(1997)The Female Hero inJewish Folktales (1998)Jewish Magic &Superstition (1998)?Did You Know?Shir Tikvah added sexeducation to its 7th-gradecurriculum in 2002.The program focuses onvalues, provides Jewishbackground (with aShir Tikvah spin), andgives youth real answersto their questions onsexuality. The programhas since expanded toadd parent education,and programs for 9thgradersand STiFTY.Confirmation class of 199Abramson, Merissa GosmYiddish: An Intro to theMother Tongue (1998)Jewish Meditation (1998)Creating Your OwnEthical Will (1998)Yiddish Lider (1998)Jewish Genealogy (1998)Ghetto Fighters &Partisans (1999)Practicing Judaism at

השכלהEDUCATION (HASKALAH) at Shir Tikvahsupports learners as they grow in their studies.Left: Barry Epstein (third fromleft) pictured with the 2011consecration class, has taughtReligious School for 16 yearsand Hebrew School for four.Barry says, “My greatest joyis to see the kids excited andconnected to Judaism.”2: Tamara Brenner, Megan Kaplan, David Snyder, Charliean-Pappas, and Rabbi Offner.“Shir Tikvah gave us theability to raise our childrenin the Jewish faith.”Joel KnoepflerJudy Silver, education director from 2005 to 2010,developed the curricula and enhanced students’experiences with social justice projects, Israeli folkdancing and connections with Israel. She’s picturedwith husband Ian Silver, enthusiastic music leader,who got everyone singing — especially the kids.Home (1999)Counting the Omer (2000)Introduction to Talmud(2001)Jewish Practice & Belief(2001)Soulwork Group: IsraeliFolkdance (2001)Judaism and Islam(2002)The Trouble BetweenJewish Women & Men(2002)Torah Yoga (2002)Beginning HebrewHebrew 2Jewish Arts & CulturePotpourri (2003)Healing Inner Voices,Psalms, Prayer &Meditation (2003)Zohar: the Book ofRadiance, Book ofSplendor (2005)Lox & Learn (2005)Short Courses (2006)Responsa Class: EthicalControversies (2006)Funeral Home Visit(2006)Studio Tour of GailKatz James & PaulaPergament (2007)Panel on Aging (2009)Improv ActingWorkshop: Concepts ofMartin Buber (2009)On One Foot (2009)Bringing Pesach Home(2010)State of Israel: Guide forthe Perplexed (2010)Singing through theSiddur (2011)Beginning Hebrew: AlefIsn’t Enough (2012)Sights, Smells & Soundsof Passover (2013)Saying Kaddish: JewishDeath Rituals (2013)shirtikvah.net | 25 th Anniversary

ישראלShir Tikvah has explored ISRAEL (YISRAEL)on five tours—and counting.?DidYou Know?The next Israel trip is planned for June 2014.Above: David Kansan-Benanavcelebrated his Bar Mitzvah onthe 1998 Shir Tikvah trip to Israel.His father, Jay Benanav, says of thetrip: “Our family from the U.S. andIsrael and our Shir Tikvah familycommingled as David became BarMitzvah on Masada, a place that Jewsall over the world look to as a symbol ofstrength. Knowing that it was the firstShir Tikvah Bar Mitzvah on Masada andled by our beloved Rabbi Offner made ita truly remarkable event.”18 | Shir Tikvah

נוערSTiFTY (Shir Tikvah Federation of Temple Youth)YOUTH (NO’AR) grouptakes leadership to anew level.“This was the most energetic, passionate, big-hearted bunch of kids I had ever met. Their commitment to socialaction and inclusiveness was evident in all our activities.” Marla Eisenberg, First STiFTY advisor“STiFTY takes youth leadership to awhole new level. Each year for the past fiveyears, at least one STiFTY member hasbeen elected to the Northern RegionalBoard. This is a testament to the strongcommitment STiFTYites have forengaging synagogue youth in introspective,educational, and meaningful examinationsof their Jewish identities.”Jonah Rothstein, STiFTY past president?Did You Know?STiFTY participatesannually in “Night onthe Street,” an interfaithhomeless simulationand fundraiser toteach young peopleabout the challengesof homelessness in theTwin Cities. STiFTY alsosponsors an annual fooddrive, a latke dinner, anda children’s carnival.shirtikvah.net | 25 th Anniversary

“I believe Shir Tikvah is evolving itsapproach to congregational giving.We’ve always been a generouscongregation; and, we’re gettingmore comfortable with our giving.As a congregation wrestling withtradition and innovation, we maykeep reinventing how and when(and how often!) we give. But,at our core, we are solid in ourcommitment to give because weappreciate all that Shir Tikvahbrings to our lives.We understand that part of buildinga strong community includes a solidfinancial foundation and that is whywe’ve embraced the Chazak L’Atidcapital campaign. We are movingfrom strength to strength—lookingforward to the next 25 years, andbeyond.”Luke WeisbergSimon Lewin was 4 when he found a dime in the OnegHall and wanted to offer it as tzedakah to Shir Tikvah.It became the first coin, later, in a wall-mountedtzedakah box presented by the Lewin family.Did You Know?Shir Tikvah livesits mission ofinclusiveness inmany ways. A fewexamples are a “notickets” open doorpolicy for the HighHoly Days, a “fairshare” dues policy,and scholarshipsavailable for lifelongreligious educationclasses. All arewelcome.נדיב ליבו2013 Development Committee Chair GENEROUS HEARTS (NADIV LIBO) abound.?Some Campaign SuccessesFirst capital campaign to buy building (1992)Shir L’Atid — $1.3 million (2003)Chazak L’Atid — $750,000 goal (2013)Who knew how much Shir Tikvahmembers would pay to purchase a pieceof the burlap curtains that used to hangin the sanctuary until 2000? This uniquecurtain auction was a huge success.One congregant even showed up to thePurim Ball wearing her curtain.Shaving Jeff Zuckerman’s beard was aclever fundraiser. Congregants raisedenough to meet the goal and watch hisbeard disappear.

בית כנסתOur SYNAGOGUE (BEIT K’NESSET) is our spiritual home.Below: The ner tamid (eternallight) was designed bycongregant Claude Riedel,working with the SanctuaryDesign Committee.It was dedicated on Dec. 11, 1998.Sanctuary upgrades over the years haveincluded the blue paint, new blinds andcarpet, the addition of the permanent ark,bimah table, new chairs, and installation ofthe ner tamid (eternal light).?Did You Know?Shir Tikvah purchased itsbuilding from the FirstUniversalist Church in 1994.The entire congregationceremonially marched theTorah from the St. Paul JCCto the new home on 50thStreet and Minnehaha Creek.shirtikvah.net | 25 th Anniversary

תדה רבהCongregant participation is key to Shir Tikvah’ssuccess, but we wouldn’t be anywhere withoutour staff. TODAH RABAH!Congregant Ellen Walthour, ExecutiveDirector John Humleker, andAdministrator Dianne Nieman (Cohn).Above:Custodian ArmondoVel-Villagrana.Above: 2013 staff members ClergyAssistant Jackie Fitzcollins and OfficeManager Sara Lahyani. Left:Staff partyin 2000. Seated are Rabbi Offner, Rabbi’sAssistant Lindsay Rosen Litman, andEducation Director Penny Schumacher.Standing are Administrator DianneNieman (Cohn), Music Director DavidHarris, STiFTY advisers Beckie Skeltonand Shep Harris, Custodian (nowReverend) Michele Morgan.Rabbi Sharon StiefelInterim Rabbi, 2008-09“Serving as Shir Tikvah’s interim rabbi from 2008- 2009 was a privilege. I feltenriched by every single member with whom I had the opportunity to interact.The extraordinary staff were gracious and helped guide me. Shir Tikvah has anenduring legacy of welcoming all with open arms. During the year oftransition in which I served Shir Tikvah, I learned how enriching that can be.”To all who have lovingly served our congregation in staff roles, including clergy,music directors, administrators, educators, office managers, assistants, andcustodians: Many thanks!22 | Shir Tikvah

Anniversary celebration weekend: May 24–25, 201325th Anniversary Celebration Committee:Jen Lewin, chair25th Anniversary Communications Team:Katy Campbell and Kathryn Klibanoff, co-chairs, with Gwendy Campbell,Bill Cooper, Sara Lahyani, Sarah Malakoff, Ruth Markowitz, and Laura SilverWith thanks to Chris Geller of Geller Images for providing his outstandingphotographs, and the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest fortheir archived photos.Shir Tikvah, a Progressive Reform Congregation1360 W Minnehaha Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55419office@shirtikvah.net | 612-822-1440Shir Tikvah appreciates the generous support of our vibrant community.givemn.razoo.com/story/Shir-Tikvah-Congregation