Federation Star - January 2018

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26A Federation Star January 2018 A picture is worth a thousand words Rabbi Adam F. Miller Sometimes a picture really is worth a thousand words. Years ago, I was sent to visit a radiologist for an x-ray following an auto accident. At the doctor’s request, the technician took several x-rays of my shoulder and neck area. I was then sent back to the waiting room to wait for the results. A few minutes later, the technician returned to say that they needed to retake the pictures. When I asked why, she showed me the images from the first series. She explained that she neglected to remove my necklace prior to the x- ray. As a result, in addition to my bone structure, one immediately noticed that in the center of my chest was the image of a Jewish star. We retook the x-rays and, thankfully, I had not suffered any serious injury. But the image of that Jewish star on my chest remains in my mind to this day. To me, that picture was not a mistake – Judaism is at the center of my identity. I credit the strength of my Jewish identity to the experiences I had during my youth. My parents demonstrated by their actions the importance of one’s own Jewish identity. Although we moved several times, my parents always made joining a synagogue a priority. They encouraged me to participate in youth group activities, and I learned quickly that no matter where we lived, I always had a home in the Jewish community. Temple Shalom students have access to these types of experiences through our acclaimed preschool and religious school. Students develop their Jewish identities by learning from our experienced teachers. High school students remain engaged through Confirmation and BBYO activities. Additionally, we are thrilled to have so many of our young members who have participated in Jewish overnight camping. Thank you to our Sisterhood, Men’s Club, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples for enabling so many of our students to attend camp each summer. One of the most important lessons we can pass along to the next generation is that their Jewish identities do not end when religious school goes on vacation or when they leave the sanctuary after services. Jewish camping teaches our children that their Jewish identities remain important outside the walls of our synagogues and homes. Just as Jewish camping reinforces Jewish experiences beyond the walls of the synagogue, adult education provides the meaningful Jewish experiences that we need to go beyond the pediatric Judaism of our youth. Our perspectives change as we age, and we need to maintain our Jewish learning in order to retain a strong connection to our Jewish identities. Some education takes place in a formal classroom setting – such as the renowned Melton School for Adult Learning available at Temple Shalom. Other learning experiences occur when noted scholars come to teach in our community. At the end of this month, January 26-28, we will welcome Dr. Richard Elliott Friedman to Temple Shalom as our Scholar-in-Residence. Dr. Friedman authored Who Wrote the Bible, an eye-opening exploration of the origins behind our most sacred texts. In addition to traditional study and lectures, Temple Shalom now offers Wise Aging: Sacred Living. Developed by the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, the course centers around the book Wise Aging by Rabbi Rachel Cowan and Dr. Linda Thal. Participants explore their spirituality, reflect on evolving relationships, discover new meaning, and learn how to live mindfully. I was trained in this material, along with Missy Balsam, and we will be co-teaching the program. Missy is an exceptional yoga teacher, and will add gentle movement as part of the experience. Whether young or old, our Jewish identities cannot be linked or traced to a single moment in our lives. They are a compilation of our Jewish experiences – at home, at the synagogue, and in the community. The results of these experiences may not appear on an x- ray, but they will be imprinted on our hearts. Rabbi Adam Miller serves at Temple Shalom in Naples. Time Rabbi Mark Wm. Gross Early this month, we have a unique milestone on the calendar. January 3 marks the peak of the annual Quadrantid meteor shower, the terrestrial perihelion, and National Chocolate-Covered Cherry Day. That is, admittedly, an odd combination of ingredients for one calendar milestone. I can’t vouch for National Chocolate-Covered Cherry Day. It could be that the chocolate-covered cherry manufacturers have a powerful lobby in Washington, and created a “test-drive” day for romantically inclined men to taste-test possible love offerings six weeks before Valentine’s Day (only a theory). There’s no question, however, about the perihelion, that point in the earth’s elliptical orbit where we are closest to the sun. It happens at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning, January 3 by the decree of The One On High who, as our prayerbook put it, “ordered the celestial luminaries in their respective paths across the sky in accord with His Will.” The same holds for the Quadrantid meteor shower, which happens at the same time every year, although not forever. Due to periodic perturbations in the gravitational pull of Jupiter, earth will no longer pass through the orbital path of the Quadantrid in another thousand years. So you should see it while it’s there to be seen. The reason all this is significant at all, let alone Jewishly, is that time was the first thing God created in the opening chapter of Genesis. The declaration “let there be light” marked the formation not of luminosity, but rather of those alternating periods of dark and light the Creator named “night” and “day” – in other words, time. The creation of the sun, moon and stars was almost an afterthought, which according to Genesis happened on The Fourth Day. (For COMMENTARY that reason, when I served a synagogue across the state on the Atlantic coast, we used to hold a sunrise Shachrit on the beach every year on the Wednesday – The Fourth Day – of the week that the Creation story was the assigned Torah portion.) The Torah itself tells us that the Creator positioned the celestial lights in their appointed paths across the sky so that humanity could mark their apparent movement as an indicator by which to measure the passage of the days, months, seasons and years. For that reason, every good Jew is for practical purposes an amateur astronomer, Wretur watching the night sky and noting the swel relative position of the sun – higher or and lower in the sky – during the day as the prom seasons go by. of sti But while the exact moment of the liste Winter perihelion and the passage of York earth in its annual orbit through the debris left by long-ago comets is absolute, hello hello firm and fixed, there are certain subjective milestones in the calendar, as well. hard you And that’s where such synthetic occasions as National Chocolate-Covered as sa lunc Cherry Day come into it. Some are othe completely random, while others mark T a unique occasion we choose to commemorate, such as birthdays and wed- Ham mak ding anniversaries. And some become such ours by decree, as when Queen Esther promulgated Purim, and the Maccabees instituted Chanukah, Feast of the Dedication of the Altar. As such, we have occasion every day to realize that time, which we appear to experience in linear terms, is in C fact flowing around us in great circles positioning us at the corner of Right Com Now and Always – what our Chanukah On F candle-lighting blessing last month Shab called “in those days at this season.” 5:45 Or, as Thoreau put it in Walden: ner a “Time is but the stream I go a-fi shing ored in. I drink at it; but while I drink I see Clem the sandy bottom and detect how shal-Jewlow it is. Its thin current slides away, one but eternity remains.” To which I say: tions “Amen.” with Rabbi Mark Gross serves at the Jewish reser Congregation of Marco Island. Wom Coll Bake 25 fr are a span Opinions and letters printed in the Federation Star do not necessarily reflect those of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, its Board of Directors or staff, or its advertisers. Tributes Tributes require a minimum donation of $18. N Tributes to the Federation Campaign To: From: To: From: To: From: To: From: To: From: Linda Simon In honor of your generosity, hard work and dedication Barbara & Steve Suden Jane & Lester Friedberg In honor of your granddaughter’s Bat Mitzvah Susan & Arthur Sissman Lisa & Andy Lipman In honor of your granddaughter’s Bat Mitzvah Judy & Bob Sommerfeld Donald Feiman In memory of your wife, Len Feiman Phyllis & Michael Seaman Arlene & Samuel Shlesinger In memory of Elizabeth Shlesinger Pamela & Warren Krangel To: From: To: From: To: From: To: From: To: From: Linda & Larry Hyde In honor of your 50 th wedding anniversary Audrey & Harris Yett Vlad Agranovich & family In memory of Israel Agranovich Anita & Michael Siegal Mel Greenglass In honor of your birthday Debbie & Gary Kohler Carole & Wilbur Yellin In memory of your daughter, Claudia Betty & Les Schwartz Sue Shane In memory of Mort Shane Judy & Bob Sommerfeld Mae Riefberg To: From: To: From: To: From: To: From: To: From: Dr. Jacqueline Sallade In honor of your Mental Health Wisdom class Ellen Weisberg Robyn & Jeff Teplitzky In memory of Jamie Lichtman Deborah Smith Elissa Maier In memory of Norma Lieberman Deborah Smith Robbie & Joel Wise In honor of your friendship and hospitality Anna & Yale Levin Ilene & Gerry Blaz In honor of your hospitality Anna & Yale Levin To place a Tribute in the Federation Star in honor or memory of someone, please contact Julie Hartline at the Federation office at 239.263.4205 or jhartline@jewishnaples.org. Tributes require a minimum donation of $18. A note will be sent to the person you are honoring. Tributes help further the work of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. For a continuously updated community calendar, visit the Federation’s website at www.jewishnaples.org.
SYNAGOGUES January 2018 Federation Star 27A Beth Tikvah update Phil Jason President Welcome back to all of our members and friends who have returned and continue returning from their northern homes and swelling the population at our services and events. We missed you, and we promise to keep you busy with a variety of stimulating events, many of which are listed below. Hello Chicago, hello New York, hello Toronto, hello Kansas City, hello New Jersey, hello Minnesota, and hello to everyone else. Though we work hard to keep in touch with you wherever you are, we know that there is nothing as satisfying as chatting after a Kiddush luncheon or after enjoying a lecture or other event together. Thanks to Roberta Miller, Sue Hammerman and Harvey Rosenthal for making our lead-off lecture of the season such a success. But most of all, thanks BETH TIKVAH www.bethtikvahnaples.org / 239-434-1818 to Jeff Margolis for a stimulating and information-packed exploration of Yiddish in America. Jeff has set the bar high. Our Naples Jewish Film Festival, in a few short years, has become a major event in the community calendar. This year, we once again return to the Sugden Community Theater. The schedule: each Sunday in March at 7:30 p.m. To be part of the goings on, go to http:// naplesjewishfilmfestival.org. Thanks to all of those who make this remarkable program possible: administrators, workers, sponsors, subscribers and our Federation. January 11 at 7:30 p.m. – “Roe v. Wade, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, and the Jewish Perspective,” a lecture by Neil Adelman. $10 per person donation requested for nonmembers. RSVP to bethtikvahnaples@aol.com. January 25 at 7:30 p.m – Dr. June Sochen and Joyce Schrager begin a 2-part series with “What You Need to Know to Be an Informed Citizen Today.” $15 per person requested from nonmembers. RSVP to bethtikvah naples@aol.com. January 26 “Eat and Learn” – Ron Agronin will speak on “Why the Jew?” He will explore the reasons for the Holocaust in Germany. Service begins at 6:15 p.m. Meal cost is $30 per person payable in advance. RSVP to shelleygoodman@ rogers.com. January 31 at 7:00 p.m. – “JEWISH JAZZ 2” with Steve Loew on clarinet and Daniel Weiser on piano. $30 per person includes refreshments. See additional information elsewhere in this issue. RSVP to shelleygoodman@ rogers.com. February 1 at 7:30 p.m. – Gerald Ziedenberg will speak on “When David Became Goliath: The Story of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Ascent to Supremacy.” $10 per person donation requested from nonmembers. RSVP to bethtikvahnaples@aol.com. Our Rosh Chodesh Women’s Study Group next meets on Sunday, January 14 at 10:00 a.m. The facilitator is Cipporrah Pintow, and the theme is “Lessons Learned.” For more information, email elainekamin@gmail.com. With the Jewish Book Festival in full swing, we will put our Book Discussion Group on hiatus through March and take full advantage of the festival’s events. Tu BiShvat or Tu B’Shevat or Tu B’Shvat (Hebrew: ו״ט ‏(‏‎טבשב is a minor Jewish holiday, occurring on the 15 th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat. It is also called “The New Year of the Trees” (Hebrew: הנשה שאר ‏,תונליאל Rosh HaShanah La’Ilanot). Tu BiShvat is one of four “New Years” mentioned in the Mishnah. This year it begins at sundown on Tuesday, January 30 and runs through the next day. Religious services schedule Friday services begin at 6:15 p.m.; Saturday services begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude with a Kiddush luncheon. Sunday 9:00 a.m. minyan through the winter and spring. We regularly convene Yahrzeit minyanim upon request. Please join us at any service. Our participatory worship services and most other events are held at 1459 Pine Ridge Road, just west of Mission Square Plaza. For more information, call 239.434.1818, email bethtikvah naples@aol.com or visit www.bethtik vahnaples.org. You can reach Rabbi Chorny directly at 239.537.5257. CHABAD JEWISH CENTER OF NAPLES www.chabadnaples.com / 239-262-4474 Chabad Jewish Center of Naples update Community Shabbat Celebration On Friday, January 12 we will welcome Shabbat with an inspirational service at 5:45 p.m. followed by a traditional dinner at the Chabad Center. We are honored to present a special guest speaker, Clement Soffer, who will address the Jewish Syrian Refugee Rescue. Everyone is welcome. Couvert: $36; reservations only. A special children’s program with babysitting service is available. For reservations call 239.262.4744. Women’s Circle Mega Challah Bake Collier County’s first Mega Challah Bake will be held on Thursday, January 25 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Whether you are a baking newbie or a pro, challah spans Jewish life for people of all ages. Come and bring your friends. All are welcome from age 9 up. Couvert: $18. Sponsorships available. Space is limited so reserve soon at 239.262.4744. Torah Inauguration Ceremony & Celebration On Sunday, February 4 from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. (yes, you will have time to run home and see the Super Bowl!), everyone is cordially invited to attend an historic moment, as a scribe begins to write our new community Torah. Thanks to the generosity of Patricia Adkins, who is dedicating the Torah to her daughters, the ceremony will be at Chabad and you will be able to dedicate a letter. Come and join in the festivities with music, dignitaries and refreshments. Annual Art Calendar If you have not yet received your free annual Jewish Calendar, please contact the office. Summer Camp Believe it or not, registration is now open for this year’s Summer Camp, and next year’s Preschool of the Arts and Hebrew School. Our space is limited. Don’t be disappointed. Register now! Men’s Club Men’s Club meets every Wednesday at the Chabad Center for learning, schmoozing and a lunch. Join us! Minyan We are so excited to announce a new minyan at the Chabad Center, Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m., Monday evenings at 5:15 p.m., and Thursday mornings at 8:00 a.m. Flying Challahs Here is your chance to bring a smile to someone’s face. If you know people who need a visit or just a little caring attention, your suggestion via a phone call will bring a freshly-baked challah flying to their doorstep. Weekly Services and Kids’ Program Join us every Shabbat at 10:00 a.m. for weekly uplifting services, and bring the kids to the incredible children’s program at 11:00 a.m. Kiddush and social gathering for the family follow services. NAPLES JEWISH CONGREGATION www.naplesjewishcongregation.org / 239-431-3858 Naples Jewish Congregation’s seasonal offerings Steve McCloskey President We at Naples Jewish Congregation are very excited that Rabbi Howard Herman will be with us as our rabbi through at least June 2018. He brings enthusiasm, intellect and inspiration to the bima and obviously relishes leading our congregation. As we plan for the future, Rabbi Herman has ideas and insights to impart, gleaned through his almost four decades as a pulpit rabbi. These will be invaluable in helping to inform our decision making as we seek to grow NJC and to enhance the NJC experience for our members. The new calendar year and the Naples “season” kicks off with our annual Men’s Club Shabbat service on Saturday, January 6 at 10:30 a.m., followed by a scrumptious Kiddush luncheon. Our annual Sisterhood Shabbat service follows on Friday, January 26 at 7:00 p.m. Our Sisterhood tours the Naples Botanical Garden on Tuesday, January 23 at 10:15 a.m. On Sunday, February 4, our Men’s Club will host a Super Bowl Party, a wonderful opportunity to socialize, no matter the teams squaring off in the big game. NJC will host its Fourth Annual Artist/Scholar-in-Residence Program, a community-wide event, on Thursday, February 15 and Friday, February 16 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples, where NJC holds its Shabbat services. Our Artistin-Residence is Julie Silver, one of the most celebrated and dynamic performers in the world of contemporary Jewish music today. She is a beloved singer and songwriter who has been captivating audiences for over 25 years. On Thursday, Julie will present a joyful, adult concert featuring an eclectic mix of well-known Jewish and not necessarily Jewish songs, jazz and Broadway standards, along with upbeat, engaging interludes sure to make for a unique experience. The evening concludes with an elegant wine and dessert reception. On Friday, Ms. Silver will join NJC for our Shabbat service and lead parts of it, singing and doing a sermon or message in song. Following the service, a delicious Oneg will be served. Look for the ad for this special event in this issue. Tickets can be purchased at the NJC website. Get them now because they will be selling fast, since Julie Silver is a mainstay of contemporary Judaism. NJC’s 7 th Annual Sisterhood Game Day will be held on Monday, March 5 at Cypress Woods Country Club. The games are only part of the attraction. Coffee, soft drinks and a fabulous buffet brunch get you in the mood for a full day of fun and games, competition and camaraderie. This special event sells out early every year, so reserve your place at the table now. Reservation information is available on NJC’s website, and look for the ad in this issue. Wednesday, March 14 is the date for the annual Men’s Club day at the ballpark. This year it’s the Minnesota Twins vs. the Boston Red Sox at the CenturyLink Sports Complex in Fort Myers. We close out March with two dates that are sure to please. On Friday, March 16, NJC, as one of the sponsors of the 3 rd Annual Collier County Jewish Book Festival, will feature Alan Zweibel, a five-time Emmy Award winner, for an afternoon of humor. March is ushered out with NJC’s Annual Seder on Friday, March 30 at 6:00 p.m. at Pelican Marsh Country Club. Please join us for a Shabbat service to witness firsthand the warm embrace of a congregation whose focus is on fostering relationships among its members. If you ever have any questions about NJC, you can call us and get on our email list. We will send you our Weekly Updates and our monthly newsletter. You can also visit our website. Or contact me at spmsbm@gmail.com or 724.747.3359. The Federation Star is a monthly nonprofit newspaper supported by generous readers, committed advertisers and the Jewish Federation of Collier County.
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Federation Star - January 2018

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