Federation Star - March 2019

COMMUNITY FOCUS
New book about One
Family at Temple Shalom
For the past five years, Temple
Shalom of Naples has been engaged
in a Relational Judaism
initiative. This process is described in
a new book by Dr. Tussy Shnider, One
Congregation’s Journey of Change: A
Guide to Enriching Relationships in
Your Congregation. Dr. Shnider, one of
the co-chairs of the initiative, describes
the congregation’s experience as they
transitioned from a culture based on
programmatical thinking to a culture
based on the relationship of one member
to another, of member to temple, and
of member to Torah and God. When
Temple Shalom began this initiative, it
was a healthy and resilient
congregation with forwardthinking
professionals and
lay leaders who were open
to new ideas.
Relational Judaism,
implemented as One Family
at Temple Shalom, is a
way of thinking, a way of
doing things. Believing in
the value and sacredness of
relationships, many aspects
of life at Temple Shalom
have been, and continue to be, impacted.
From the first contact of a newcomer
to Temple Shalom through the years of
being a part of the temple family, the experience
of belonging is much more than
paying dues and “purchasing” the rights
of membership. Everyone who wishes to
be a part of the temple family determines
their own annual pledge which is called
L’Shalom. This pledge system and the
discontinuation of the building fund
have removed the financial barriers to
membership and participation. Developing
relationships – the connections of
members to each other and the members
to the temple – contributes to a sense of
ownership among those members that is
basic to a healthy organization.
The One Family Initiative includes
a variety of projects focused on Jewish
values (inclusion, respect, equality
and the sacredness
of relationships) and
on creating opportunities
for temple
members to connect
and engage with
each other and with
the temple. These
projects are the tools by which an environment
conducive to engagement and
connection is created. This cultural shift
has been transformational
at Temple Shalom as is
reflected in the increased
membership and the joyful
buzz when one enters
the building on Shabbat!
Dr. Shnider began
writing this book about
four years ago as she participated
in the development
of the One Family
projects. She has a background
of leadership in
Dr. Tussy Shnider
local, regional and national Reform
Jewish organizations and doctoral studies
in not-for-profit organization management
and Jewish Studies. Included
in the book is a foreword written by
Temple Shalom’s Rabbi Adam Miller.
The book is designed as a “how-to”
book to assist other congregations that
might want to embark on a Relational
Judaism process. It includes a readiness
checklist, samples of publicity articles
and letters to the congregation.
Her book is available on Amazon and
Barnes & Noble websites. Dr. Shnider
can be contacted at tshnider@theshni
dergroup.com.
March 2019 Federation Star
Temple Shalom events
open to the community
13
For more information on these events, call 239.455.3030.
Join the volunteer-led discussion of the
week’s Torah portion on the first Saturday
of each month. On March 2 the
portion is Vayachel. There will be a light
breakfast at 8:15 a.m. with discussion to
follow at 8:30 a.m. There is no charge
and all are welcome.
* * *
Rabbi James Perman, Temple Shalom’s
Rabbi Emeritus, returns to teach the
Sunday School for Adults on March 3.
This one-hour sessions begin at 10:00
a.m. Rabbi Perman will discuss “The
Shape of Judaism in 2019.” The Sunday
School for Adults began in 1993,
and is now in its 26 th year. Its purpose
is the presentation of timely topics of
Jewish interest for the congregation and
beyond. All are welcome, and there is
no charge.
* * *
Ellen Katz presents a retrospective of
the musical Jersey Boys on Sunday,
March 3 at 4:00 p.m. What launched
thses boys from the toughest section
of Newark into the Rock and Roll Hall
of Fame? Ellen Katz, a popular “edutainer,”
combines photos, videos, quotes
and lyrics to educate attendees about
the musical. All are welcome to this
free event. RSVPs are requested. Please
email Cantor Donna Azu at dazu@
naplestemple.org.
* * *
Beading for Betterment is a project of
Temple Shalom, designed to build on
our temple’s commitment to support
our greater community. Participants are
invited to bead necklaces that children
who attend the Guadalupe Center in Immokalee
will give as gifts. There will be
two sessions in March: Tuesday, March
5 and Wednesday, March 20. Both sessions
take place at 12:30 p.m. The fee
for these events is $18/person/event and
includes the materials. If you can bring
your own beads and materials, there is
no cost. Choose one or both sessions.
Please call the temple office to RSVP.
* * *
Join docent Ellaine Rosen for Fashioning
Art from Paper on Friday, March 15
at 10:00 a.m. at the Baker Museum/Artis
Naples. This is an informative tour of
Isabelle de Borchgrave’s exhibition of
dresses made from paper. For more information,
please visit www.artisnaples.
org. The tour is free to Baker Museum
members and offered to nonmembers
at a cost of $10 per person, payable at
the Museum. Reservations are a must.
Please call the temple office to reserve
your spot.
* * *
The Marvel and DC hero-themed Purim
Shpiel carnival and food truck celebration
begins at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday,
March 24.
* * *
Join us for Soulful Shabbat on Friday,
March 29 at 7:30 p.m. This musical
Shabbat service is conducted entirely in
song and accompanied by a professional
band. Everyone is invited to attend this
uplifting Shabbat evening service.
* * *
Why is this night different from all other
nights? Come find out at the Temple
Shalom second night of Passover Family
Seder on Saturday, April 20 at 6:00
p.m. Cost: members $60, nonmembers
$70, children 13 and under are free but
you must RSVP. See our ad below.
Send your letters
and comments to
fedstar18@gmail.com.
Celebrate Passover at Temple Shalom
2nd Night Family Seder
Saturday, April 20 at 6:00PM
Join us for the richness of tradition,
the warmth of community and
a delicious seder meal!
Temple Shalom
members - $60 each
Non-members - $70 each
Children 13 and under are free
but must RSVP
RSVP by Friday, April 5 with the form below to the address on the side.
Reservations may also be made with a credit card by calling the Temple Shalom office.
Name(s) _____________________________________________________ Phone __________________
Address ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Members ($60 each) _________ Non-members ($70 each) ________
Children 13 and under (Free - must RSVP) __________
A check for $
Or
_________ is enclosed. (Please make checks payable to Temple Shalom)
Please charge my credit card for $_________ Name on card ___________________________________
4630 Pine Ridge Road
Naples, FL 34119
239-455-3030
www.naplestemple.org
Card # _________________________________________ Exp.___________ CVC _________
Address (if different from above)_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________