Messages from the Mountain, October/November 2009

Number 606 October-November 2009/Tishrei-Cheshvan 5770

Prospective Members’ Gathering, November 8 — page 11

Temple is delighted to welcome one of the best‐known contemporary Jewish musicians, Rick Recht, to El Paso. He will perform at Temple on Monday, November 16, at 7 pm. Recht’s high‐energy, interactive family concert will appeal to all ages and features a lot of singing, clapping and jumping from the audience. He will feature hit songs from his newly released live album Rick Recht Band Alive: The Hope. School‐age kids from the El Paso Jewish community, our adult choir, and other local talent will join Rick on stage. The concert is free and open to the public. “One of the things I love about Jewish music is that you can bring together little kids, teens, their parents and their grandparents in the same setting and create a type of musical magic that excites everyone all at once,” said Rick Recht. “I look at these community gatherings as an incredible opportunity to get inside each and every person and help them to get loose, open up and connect with each other in a really positive, Jewish way.” Rick Recht is the top‐touring performer in Jewish music today, staging more than

125 concerts each year from coast to coast. Recht’s musical contributions mark the birth of a unique blend of pop, radio‐friendly music in Hebrew and English based on Jewish text and themes of social responsibility. Recht is known for his powerful, interactive performances that have earned him a strong, loyal national fan base of all ages. Recht has become an icon for Jewish youth in the United States, elevating the medium of Jewish music as a powerful and effective tool for developing Jewish pride and identity among the masses. We look forward to seeing you on November 16 at 7 pm!

Rick Recht — Monday, November 16

Rick Recht. Photo, Suzy Gorman, St. Louis, MO.

Page 2 October-November 2009/Tishrei-Cheshvan 5770 Messages from the Mountain

Worship Schedule November 6-7

Parashat Vayera Friday, November 6

Candlelighting, 4:55 pm Oneg Shabbat, 5:45 pm Family Shabbat Service, 6:15 pm With participation from Noar

Saturday, November 7 Torah Study, 9:30 am Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 am

November 13-14 Parashat Chayei Sara Friday, November 13

Candlelighting, 4:50 pm B’nai Shabbat Service, 5:15 pm Oneg Shabbat, 5:45 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:15 pm A Blessing for our New Members

Saturday, November 14 Torah Study, 9:30 am Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 am A Charter for Compassion

November 20-21 Parashat Toldot

Friday, November 20 Candlelighting, 4:47 pm Oneg Shabbat, 5:45 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:15 pm Saturday, November 21 Torah Study, 9:30 am Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 am

November 27-28 Parashat Vayetzei

Friday, November 27 Candlelighting, 4:44 pm Oneg Shabbat, 5:45 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:15 pm Saturday, November 28 Torah Study, 9:30 am Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 am

December 4-5 Parashat Vayishlach Friday, December 4

Candlelighting, 4:44 pm Oneg Shabbat, 5:45 pm Family Shabbat Service, 6:15 pm Camp Shabbat,

with participation from mini-MSTY Saturday, December 5 Torah Study, 9:30 am Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 am

December 11-12 Parashat Vayishlach Friday, December 11

Candlelighting, 4:45 pm Oneg Shabbat, 5:45 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:15 pm WRJ Chanukah Dinner to follow

Saturday, December 12 Torah Study, 9:30 am Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 am


Each year at this time I think about my teacher, Dr. Jacob Rader Marcus, who died on November 14, 1995. I had the privilege of learning American Jewish History from him, part of a chain of rabbinical students who did so stretching back for many decades. When Dr. Marcus died at the age of 99, American Jewish historians lost their “dean,” and my seminary community lost a link to its earliest days. There’s a story they tell about Marcus that I find particularly moving. It’s recounted in the book, Telling Tales out of School, a series of reminiscences by HUC‐JIR alumni. It seems that, on a 1956 petition related to the burgeoning Civil Rights movement, “most of the faculty added their signatures to the statement — but not until they had carefully scrutinized the other signatures.” But… There was one notable exception. Dr. Jacob R. Marcus was, if memory does not mislead, on his way from a class when he was asked if he would sign the anti‐segregationist statement. “Tell me what it says,” and he listened patiently as it was read to him. “Yes, I’ll sign that,” he said — and did so at once, on the back of the document, since room was lacking elsewhere. It was only after he scribbled his signature that he paused to read the other names (Telling Tales, p. 118). When I’m asked to embrace a cause or lend my name to a letter or petition, I try to keep Dr. Marcus’s example in mind. It’s easy to jump into line behind this group or that group, to put my name on a list after many others have done so. It’s harder — much harder — to evaluate a cause solely on its own merits, and say “yes,” come what may. This story came to mind when I was forwarded a link to a project called the Charter for Compassion (www.charterforcompassion.org). On November 12, the “charter” will be revealed, and on the Sabbath

following, congregations of many different faiths will join together to explore what their religious teachings have to say about it.

I love the idea, and my instinct upon learning of it was to ask, “Who’s behind it? “What Jewish organizations have signed on? Is it ‘kosher’?” Then I asked myself, WWJRMD: What Would Jacob Rader Marcus Do? Is the cause just? Can anything bad really come of devoting a sermon to the idea that hen, hesed and rachamim (“grace, kindness, and compassion”) are good things, and are central to our faith and other faiths, too? Do I really need to know if my colleagues are on board before I decide to spend a morning focused on the Charter for Compassion? And so, I invite you to join me on November 14 (Dr. Marcus’s fourteenth yahrzeit, by the Gregorian calendar) for a morning devoted to compassion. At our Shabbat Morning Torah Study (9:30 am) and at our Shabbat Morning Service (10:30 am), we’ll explore the charter, and our own tradition’s teachings on the theme. Marcus taught us that American Jewry, knowing freedom and acceptance unprecedented in our people’s history, was able to live out an open and tolerant Judaism in ways our ancestors in harsher political climates could not even imagine. How fitting to spend his yahrzeit learning about compassion and love. Rabbi Bach

From the Rabbi’s Study...


October Birthdays

October Anniversaries

October 1 Marian Given Charley Tennen October 2 Madeline Bass Erin Ley Lee Nadler October 3 E. Lee Rosenthal October 4 Angela Feldt October 5 Raquel Aldama William Burman Joan Cherno Nancy Heydemann Michelle Tennen October 6 Susan Jaffee October 7 Jay Druxman Jon Sonnen David Velasco *

October 8 Katelyn Ivey Mark Peyton Andrew Rosen October 10 Stephen Feinberg * Sheldon Gopin October 11 Daniel Blumenfeld * Joani Schonberg * October 12 Al Bleiberg Christine Ponsford Lee Schwartz * October 13 Karen Herman Anne Hollander October 14 Tom Given Robert May Susan Weiss *

October 15 Marion Garmel Allison Given Howard Goldberg * Richard Scherotter October 16 Frances Fleischer Ellen Nazarian * Lori Shapiro October 17 Lisa Nadler Ruth Robinson Dr. David Schecter * October 18 Megan Harris * Steven Miner October 19 Harriet Geller Shelly Mansfield * October 20 Ben Bellman * Vivian Blaugrund Michael Jaffee

October 21 Meredith Heins Hayley Nadler Sandra Nadler Elliot Rotwein October 22 Wendy Axelrod Cory Bargemann Tom Goldfarb Nanci Maddux October 23 Andrew Goldberg Sydney Goldberg George Lippman * Beverly Litt October 24 Jeanne Moye October 25 Halle Lauterbach Sara Mansfield * Ethan Reiter Susan Simon Janna Wallen

October 26 Mona Goldberg Gil Kimmelman Mildred Marcus Lettie Velasco October 27 Hannah Blumenfeld Elisa Gluck Sallie Gulbas Jacob Horn Seth Krasne October 28 Cynthia Bass Benjamin Levin Jenny Meyer * James Schwartz October 29 Ben Marcus October 30 Darilyn Blumenfeld Eric Colvard Ashley Eger David Wolfe October 31 Joan Eftis Bruce Gopin

October 1 Roberto & Reyna Assael October 3 Michael & Hilary Benjamin * October 5 David & Shelly Mansfield October 17 Dick & Jean Scherotter *

October 18 David & Laura Cohen Chet & Jan Frame Steve Rosenberg & Chloe Perkins‐ Rosenberg Debbi & Miguel Trejo David & Tina Wolfe October 24 Bob & Melanie Blumenfeld Tibor & Ann Schaechner *

October 31 Scott & Mandy Blumenfeld


November Birthdays

November Anniversaries

November 1 Larry Bach Ralph Garcia * Manuel Schydlower November 2 Patricia Belbel * Rona Dictor Alyssa Goldman Brian Karch Carina Ramirez * Shelby Robalin November 3 Jordyn McCoy Cindy Metrikin Erin Reiter November 4 Or Belkin Keith Myers Teri Rosen

November 5 Leor Goldstein Lorraine Holaschutz Richard Krasne Leah Levy * Ronald Marcus Meredith Rotwein * Scott Stein November 6 Bryan Schonberg November 7 Cliff Eisenberg November 8 Macy Gluck Roberto Assael November 9 A. Bert Blackburn Sylvia Delgado Scott Feldt Aaron Goldfarb Mia Papa * Rochelle Saks *

November 10 Lauren Blumenfeld Laura Brannon‐Rosales Iris Burnham November 11 Daniel Metrikin Erin Schrier Richard Zehden November 12 Elise Ehrlich Dana Frank Liza Karch Mark Post Charles Yates November 13 David Karp November 14 Frances Lerner Kris Mickenberg

November 15 Margie Landau Phillip Lauterbach Myrtle Rubin * Stuart Schwartz * November 16 Adam Frank November 18 Chantal Assael Jay Gladstein * Nicole Assael November 19 Jo Burman Jackson Burton Buddy Schwartz November 20 Benjamin Colvard Harrison Gaman * Deborah Robalin November 21 John Eger Henry Geller

November 22 Corey Fruithandler John Shecter November 23 Channah Kimmelman November 25 Maria Klein November 26 Marcia Dahlberg Novermber 28 Jewel Reinhardt Albert Schwartz * November 29 Michelle Assael David Kern * Douglas Schwartz November 30 Ada Marcus

November 1 Abe & Annette Goldberg Howard & Mona Goldberg Mark & Joyce Post November 6 Chantal Assael & Carlos Fernandez * November 7 Ed & Jacqui Babenco Steven & Ellen Wilson November 8 Paul & Ellen Gulbas November 10 Alan & Rebecca Krasne

November 12 Douglas & Emma Schwartz Charles & Carmen Yates November 14 Fifi Heller‐Kaim & Boris Kaim * November 15 Leon & Judy Feldt November 17 Manny & Laura Corral * November 18 John & Nicki Meehan

November 22 Tricia & Chris Holderman November 23 Monica & Carlos Escobar * November 25 Hy & Marilyn Silverstein November 27 Henry & Harriet Geller David & Jeryl Marcus Bob & Elaine Prensky Jon & Tobi Purvin November 28 Eddie & Susie Goldman


Hamakom Y’nachem—May God Bring Comfort... to friends and family on the death of Harold Soule. to Ellen Wilson on the death of her aunt, Miriam Cooper. to Karl Friedman on the death of his wife, Jane. Mazel Tov! Congratulations... to parents Carry Jacobson Couch and Charles Couch, grandmother Ruth Ellen Jacobson, and great‐grandmother Mildred Marcus on the birth of Stella Jordan Couch. to grandparents Marty and Bonnie Colton on the Bat Mitzvah of Raychel Delaney. to parents Scott and Maghy Katz, and grandparents Richard and Bonnie Katz and Harrell and Louise Rice, on the birth of Andrew Josh Katz on September 8. to Chantal Assael and Carlos Fernandez, parents, Roberto and Reyna Assael, grandparents, and Nicole Assael and Michelle Assael, aunts, on the birth of Chantal Fernandez. to Julian Horwitz on the birth of his granddaughter, Ma’Ayan, parents are Russell and Helene Horwitz. And the marriage of his son, Lawrence to Courtney Reed on September 13, 2009 in Staten Island, New York. Julian is the grandparent. Welcome New Members!

Roberto and Reyna Assael and their daughter, Nicole We also welcome, and turn the spotlight on new member Sue Feldblum. The mother of Rabbi Larry Bach, Sue grew up on Long Island and lived in Albany, New York for over 40 years, where she was a member of Congregation Beth Emeth. She worked at Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield as a Senior Customer Service Representative and retired after 29 years of employment. Sue moved to El Paso in July to be near Larry and his family, and to avoid the harsh winters. We are delighted that Sue has become a member of the Temple family! Do you know someone who is new to town, new to Judaism, or interested in getting involved with a synagogue? Please help them be in touch with Susan Jaffee at 532-5959, or [email protected].


Belonging to a Temple Community…Priceless! We have welcomed many new members during the last year. They have made a personal commitment to a vital religious insti‐tution that nurtures Jews. Their membership has helped our congregation to thrive. Please join us on November 13st at 6:15 pm, when we honor and express gratitude to our newest members. They will be called to the bima for a special blessing during our Kabbalat Shabbat eve‐ning service. If you have questions, please contact Susan at 532.5959 or email her at [email protected].

Please remember to use your key tag each time you shop for groceries at Albertsons. All you need to do is have the card scanned when you check out. Temple will earn 1% of your shopping total each time you scan the card. If you have a card from another organization, you may scan more than one card and thereby benefit both organizations. If you need an additional key tag, contact the Temple office.

Did you notice the Temple grounds as you walked from the parking lot to the sanctuary during the High Holidays? Our landscape artistry is blossoming thanks to Cindy (Louis) Cohen and Bill Dahlberg. These two devoted gardeners spend countless hours at Temple each week pruning and planting, cultivating and creating sacred spaces for all to enjoy. Cindy and Bill followed in the footsteps of Dick Scherotter and Julian Borschow who dedicated many years to beautifying our landscaping. Dick and Julian have now passed the torch to two capable volunteers and we are extremely grateful for the enthusiasm of them all.

Getting Greener!


Shabbat Morning Torah Study, each Saturday at 9:30 am Each Saturday morning at 9:30, a lively group gathers in Zielonka Hall for an hour of text‐based study, usually rooted in the weekly Torah portion. Rabbi Bach draws upon traditional texts from various times and places, always with the goal of making our religion relevant for modern Jews.. Bagels with the fixing's are provided by the group, and delicious, Fair Trade coffee is provided by the Temple. We eat, we shmooze, we learn, and at 10:25 we wrap up so that those who choose may move to the service.

A Taste of Judaism, Tuesdays in November “A Taste of Judaism.” Many people have been introduced to Jewish thought through this six‐hour introduction, which we’ve offered to the general public a number of times over the years. We’re winding up but it’s not too late to join us. Tuesdays, November 10 and 17, at 7 pm in Zielonka Hall.

Lunch and Learn, one Tuesday each month through May Take the opportunity to learn with friends as our Lunch and Learn series kicks off another terrific season. Sessions will be held on Tuesdays from 11:45 am ‐1:00 pm beginning with a catered lunch. Chef Samantha Pittle‐Briseño will prepare

delicious comfort foods again this season. Session dates are: October 20, November 17, December 15, 2009; January 19, February 16, March 16 (date changed from last bulletin article), April 6 and May 4, 2010. Sessions are $10 each. Please send in your check if you want to prepay or call Buddy Schwartz at 532‐5959 or email him at [email protected] Coming this Spring… Rabbi Bach will be offering two classes in 2010 that pair him up with outstanding teachers from around the world. The first, “Leadership and Crisis,” is described more fully on the facing page. Rabbi Bach had the privilege of studying with many of the presenters in 2007, and is thrilled to be facilitating the conversations surrounding these presentations. Later in the spring, OLLI students will have the opportunity to learn with Amy‐Jill Levine, an outstanding bible scholar at Vanderbilt University. Her “Teaching Company” video sessions exploring the Book of Genesis will be presented over six weeks, and each 30‐minute lecture will be followed by a conversation facilitated by Rabbi Bach. OLLIites, look for your registration forms in the next few weeks.

Adult Learning with Rabbi Bach

Interested in celebrating an Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah? Give Rabbi Bach a call!


The Jewish Federation of El Paso is thrilled to announce that the new Hartman Institute Lec‐ture Series on DVD "Leadership and Crisis: Jewish Resources and Responses," a study program for adults with a thirst for substantive Jewish education will be presented in El Paso. Bringing the multi‐denominational Hartman In‐stitute’s world‐renowned faculty (hartman.org.il) to our community, this pro‐gram will enhance your knowledge and ability to respond to key questions facing the Jewish peo‐ple and contemporary society. 2009-2010 Study Theme and Scholars 1. Donniel Hartman: Introduction to the Series: Jewish Responses to Crisis 2. Micah Goodman: The Crisis of Destruction: The Biblical Prophet Jeremiah 3. Micah Goodman: Personal Crisis and Theo‐logical Audacity: The Book of Job 4. Micah Goodman: The Sages of the Talmud and the Crisis of Authority 5. Melilah Hellner‐Eshed: Individual and Collec‐tive Responses to Crisis: Zohar and Hasidut

6. Rachel Sabath Beit‐Halachmi: God After Auschwitz: Jewish Theological Responses 7. Donniel Hartman: Response to Crisis: Rees‐tablishing Moral Awareness 8. Donniel Hartman: Moving Beyond Crisis: Re‐claiming the Primacy of Ethics The program will meet for eight two hours ses‐sions on selected Monday evenings, beginning January 18. Rabbi Bach, an alumnus of the Hart‐man in Jerusalem, will serve as rabbinic facilita‐tor, guiding the conversations that follow each video lecture. Tuition is $36 per person and includes study texts, supplementary readings and havruta study guides and a one‐year Subscription to Sha‐lom Hartman Institute’s Havruta journal Students are expected to read some texts pro‐vided in advance, with the guidance of the Havruta Guides and then view the DVD lecture, followed by a discussion led by the local rabbi/educator. These have proved to be powerful tools for leadership development. Questions? Call Cheryl at the Federation 584. 4437.

Shalom Hartman Institute in El Paso “Leadership and Crisis”

As we go to press with this issue of Messages, we are able to announce our spring 2010 Scholar-in-Residence weekend. On April 9 and 10, we will be joined by Rabbi Jonathan Slater of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. Rabbi Slater is the author of Mindful Jewish Living: Compassionate Practice, and is a pioneer in the work of mining Hasidic texts for contemporary meaning.

Plan to be with us for dinner on Friday evening, a Kiddush luncheon on Saturday, and for the inspired teaching and worship that will be at the heart of the Shabbat.

This year, our spring scholar weekend is offered in memory of David Goodman, by his family.


If It’s the First Tuesday of the Month… It’s Time for WRJ! WRJ had a busy October with two events. Two dozen members attended WRJ’s fall cooking class and luncheon led by WRJ board member and professionally trained chef, Amissa Burton. The group prepared a gourmet vegetarian three‐course meal in the Temple kitchen and enjoyed the meal under the sukkah. The group’s 2009 membership drive wound up with a special new member welcome party at the home of Shari Schwartz on October 20. Nearly 30 of this year’s 190 members are new to WRJ or rejoining after being inactive. On the first Tuesday of the month, November 3, WRJ visited Congregation B’nai Zion to learn from Rabbi Rebecca Rosenthal about the meaning of the mikveh for today’s Jewish woman and to tour the mikveh facility. Thanks to the leadership of WRJ members Barbara Berliner and Elizabeth Goodman Levy, the "new" mikveh has been recently renovated and many WRJ members had not seen it.

It's already Hanukkah cookie time again! Volunteers are needed in the Temple Mount Sinai kitchen from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Sunday, November 15; Thursday, November 19; and Sunday, December 6. On December 1, the first Tuesday of the month, we’ll have a combination baking session and brown bag lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Lori Gaman's popular frosted sugar cookies will be for available for pickup on December 1 and December 6 for $8 per dozen. These cookies always sell out fast— please call the temple at 532‐5959 and place your order with Buddy Schwartz before November 30. We thank the following women who went above and beyond, joining WRJ at the “Ruth” ($90) or “Miriam” ($54) levels of membership: Miriam Level: Alanna Bach, Clarissa Colvard, Patricia Crawford, Marcia Dahlberg, Dori Fenenbock, Mimi Gladstein, Ellen Goodman, Fifi Heller‐Kaim, Susan Jaffee,


Do you know that you can honor or remember a loved one with a leaf or a stone on the Tree of Life? This beautiful work of art is displayed on the wall in the foyer at Temple just outside the Sanctuary. For a minimum donation of $300 for a leaf or $3,000 for a stone, the brass will be engraved according to your instructions and will remain on the Tree of Life forever. Your donation becomes part of the Foundation Trust and benefits Temple Mount Sinai in perpetuity. For more information, contact Sally Parke at the Temple office at 532‐5959.

Leaves and Stones on the Temple’s Tree of Life

Elaine Krasne, Judy Leonard, Honey Phelps, Mimi Pittle,, Tania Schwartz, and Sara Shiloff. Ruth Level: Susan Bargemann, Valerie Barnett, Deb Benedict, Barbara Berliner, Judy Blumenfeld, Laura Brannon, Olivia Chavez, Bonnie Colton, Linda Fruithandler, Lori Gaman, Cyd Goldfarb, Laura Goldman, Doris Goodman, Evelyn Goodman, Leba Hirsch, Maria Klein, Dawn Keim, Maria Klein, Rebecca Krasne, Amelia Krohn, Donna Leffman, Kyta Levitt, Elizabeth Goodman Levy, Randee

Mansfield, Susan May, Bita Mobbs, Becky Myers, Lisa Nadler, Jeri Nitzburg, Susan Novick, Ruth Oppenheim, Cathy Glenn Puschett, Charlotte Ramenofsky, Jane Rosen, Ann Rothstein, Nancy Rothschild, Ann Schaechner, Shari Schwartz, Kristine Shecter, Anne B. Spier, Anne F. Spier, Lettie Intebi Velasco, Sue Weiss, Tina Wolfe, and Barbara Yarber.

Curious About Membership? Perhaps you’ve wondered what Temple membership is all about—the cost and the benefits. Perhaps you’ve received several membership packets over the years and they are buried underneath the ‘to do’ pile. Perhaps you have a friend or family member you would like to encourage to join our congre‐gation. All of these are reasons to attend a Membership ‘Q’ and ‘A’, November 8th at 11:00 am in Zielonka Hall. You will learn the nuts and bolts of Temple affiliation and can feel free to ask questions.


Texas Comptroller Susan Combs Announces Every Chance Funds Awards October 20, 2009 Created earlier this year as the “Jobs and Education for Texans” (JET) Fund by the 81st Legislature, Every Chance Funds includes $5 million for student scholarships for tuition and fees at community and technical colleges split over two years; $10 million to support and expand existing nonprofit programs with proven success in training unemployed and underemployed workers for in‐demand jobs; and $10 million for startup funding in career and technical education programs, which the Comptroller will award later this year. The Career and Technical Scholarship Fund is providing tuition grants to 54 Texas community colleges and public technical institutes. Recipient schools will award scholarships to students enrolled in a training program for high‐demand occupations — such as engineering technology, welding, computer support and many others — where a certificate or an associate degree is a basic prerequisite. Students must also be permanent legal residents of the United States and able to demonstrate financial need. In addition to this year’s $2.5 million in awards, the Comptroller will distribute another $2.5 million for scholarships in fiscal 2011. The amount of JET scholarship funds available annually to each public community college or public technical institute is determined by a formula established by the Comptroller allocating 60 percent of the funds to certificate

programs and 40 percent to associate degrees. This year, each college received a proportionate share of the funding based on the number of degrees awarded in 2007‐08. The Comptroller’s list of high‐demand degree areas include computer, information sciences and support services; engineering technologies; science technologies; construction trades; mechanical and repair technologies; precision production; and health professions and related clinical sciences. The Career and Technical Scholarship Fund will help build a work force with the skills Texas employers need now and in the future. In her 2008 Texas Works report, Combs pointed out that the number of jobs requiring technical training, certification or an associate degree is outpacing the number of workers available to fill them, despite the fact that many pay above‐average salaries. The $10 million Launchpad Fund supports and expands existing nonprofit programs with a proven track record of good performance. Today, the Comptroller awarded $3.5 million of these funds to the following nonprofit organizations: * $500,000 — Project QUEST, Inc., San Antonio (Alamo Workforce Development Board District) * $500,000 — Project ARRIBA, El Paso (Upper Rio Grande) * $500,000 — Capital IDEA, Austin (Capital Area) * $500,000 — H.I.S. BridgeBuilders, Dallas (Continued on page 13)

Project Arriba, a jobs-training program supported by Border Interfaith, recently won a $500,000 grant from the State of Texas, matching local government investment. This grant is testament to the persistence and determination of Border Interfaith leaders.

From the press release announcing the award...


(Dallas) * $400,000 — Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement, Weslaco (Lower Rio Grande Valley) * $300,000 — Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement, Weslaco (Cameron County) * $300,000 — Liberty County Workforce Academy, Dayton (Gulf Coast) * $250,000 — Capital IDEA, Austin (Gulf Coast) * $250,000 — East Texas Literacy Council, Longview (East Texas)

Nonprofit organizations across the state feature programs that prepare low‐income students for careers in high‐demand technical occupations, such as welding, computer support, engineering technology, nursing and allied health professions. The 501(c)(3) organizations must be governed by boards that include community and business leaders and must assist low‐income students to prepare for, apply and enroll in public community colleges or technical schools in high‐demand occupation training programs.

(Continued from page 12)

You and your children are invited to welcome Shabbat at Temple Mt. Sinai during our special B’nai Shabbat services once a month. B’nai Shabbat is an experiential (touch, smell, see ...) Shabbat service conducted on the bimah in the main sanctuary. At the service we have candle lighting, singing with Rabbi Bach, and joyful praying. Our first B’nai Shabbat service in September had over fifty participants! B’nai Shabbat families are invited to join the rest of the congregation at 5:45 pm for our delicious oneg prepared by Simon Bir. Simon always serves snacks that the children enjoy. Following the oneg, childcare will be available. Parents are invited to enjoy an adult service beginning at 6:15 pm. Please join for B’nai Shabbat Services on Friday, November 13, at 5:15 pm in the main sanctuary. To RSVP for the services or for more information please contact Alanna Bach at 532‐5959 or [email protected].

B’nai Shabbat — November 13, 5:15 pm


With 94 students attending our Religious school, Torah CHAI lessons, Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Consecration, Simhat Torah and preparations for an all school Mitzvah Day (November 8th), teaching and learning are moving rapidly and successfully at Temple Mount Sinai’s Religious School. Our Morim (teachers) with the assistance of our Madrichim (teacher assistants) are busy creating and implementing interactive lessons for our students to enjoy learning and to plant the seeds that our Jewish lessons provide; those of Torah, Prayer, Lovingkindness, Jewish Holidays, Jews in America, Creating a Sense Shabbat, Jewish Life Cycles, Israel, World Religions (for 7th & 8th grade students) and Hebrew Programs for a life long of Jewish learning. Here are a few examples of Jewish learning in the classrooms:

Morah Carly Robalin and assistant Nate Benjamin are successfully engaging and teaching students a direct relationship between the People and the Land in the Torah (one of the main themes in the 4th grade CHAI curriculum) by providing students with a feel for the many different parts of Israel. Our 4th grade students are taking a virtual trip to Israel. They departed from their classroom to Israel on September 13th and will be visiting Gadna – the Israeli Army, a Kibbutz, a Bedouin tent, Massada, the Kotel – Western Wall and returning (classroom) by mid‐January. Morah Ellen Goodman and assistant Leah Gluck creatively engaged the 3rd grade students in learning about tochecha (rebuking or reprimanding) by staging a fight between Leah and another teaching assistant. The goal of the “fight” was to focus the students’ attention on the improper way of scolding another person as enumerated in the Torah and other Jewish texts. The students were given the opportunity to discuss special guidelines that have developed over the centuries to help people effectively practice tochecha without hurting or embarrassing the other person. Our 7th & 8th grade boys, lead by Sammy Holachutz, went on a field trip to Hal Marcus’s home, one of four “It’s A Guy Thing” sessions. In this year’s program “Jews With Cool Views,” our 7th & 8th grade boys have the opportunity to learn from and interact with key members in our Jewish community. The students will explore “How Judaism influences the work these “Jews With Cool Views” do, in their particular profession.” After their visit with Hal Marcus, the 7th & 8th grade boy’s feedback was: “Awesome”, “Inspirational” and “Well Worth Their Time.”

In the Religious School...


Family Events at Temple, Fall 2009 Temple Mt. Sinai families continue to focus on our many blessings and giving thanks through prayer and study. We found Sukkot a wonderful time to learn as families. Our fall family event, a Sukkot Extravaganza, was held on Sunday, October 4, and attended by twenty‐three families. These families learned about Sukkot by wandering the desert with “Moses,” shaking the lulav and etrog with Morah Ellen, and playing Sukkot Lingo at the Sukkah station. At the annual harvest station children harvested cans of food, learned about the rules for building a sukkah with Rabbi Jordana, and created model sukkot out of graham crackers and candies. Rabbi Bach used the Hashkiveinu prayer and songs by Jewish rock star Rick Recht to teach the families about the connection between Sukkot and peace at the third station. The kids greatly enjoyed playing percussion instruments along with Rabbi Bach’s guitar. The entire morning was packed with learning and fun about blessings and Sukkot. Temple Mount Sinai has additional family events planned for November and December. These events are open to the entire community. Monday, November 16 at 7 pm – Rick Recht Concert. Rick is a Jewish rock star who will wow kids and adults alike with energy, musicianship, and meaning. This free concert will be held at

Temple Mount Sinai. Sunday, December 13 – Chanukah Family Event, together with B’nai Zion’s Talmud Torah. Crafts, food, singing, games, and more. Look in your December Voice for more details. If you have any questions about these events please contact Alanna Bach at [email protected] or 532‐5959.

Mitzvah Day at Religious School, November 8, 9:30-noon A day for G’Milut Chasadim (Deeds Of Loving‐Kindness), filled with Mitzvah Projects and ending by inviting parents and grandparents to join us for a (Fundraising) Taco Lunch at 11:45 in Schwartz Hall. Please RSVP by contact‐ing Grace Bir at 532‐5959, Ext. 27 or via e‐mail [email protected], if you will be joining us for the Taco Lunch.


Gesher (bridge in Hebrew) is a hands‐on Jewish learning program run by Temple Mount Sinai for children from birth through four years and their parents. Our rich curriculum, designed by Alanna Bach, includes playtime with thematic toys, singing, movement, stories, craft projects, and thematic snacks. Gesher meets at Temple Mount Sinai in Schwartz Hall from 10 to 11 am approximately twice a month. Our late October classes met on Sunday, October 25, to learn “What’s Jewish about pumpkins and gourds.” Our November class will meet on Sunday, November 8, to learn “What’s Jewish about Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” During these classes we will listen to parts of the Goldilocks story in Hebrew and English and “Pumpkin Circle”, learn what it means to welcome guests (Hachnasat Orchim), decorate door knockers and gourd centerpieces for

our homes, sing and dance with Rabbi Bach, and enjoy yummy snacks of pumpkin bread (October) and vegetable soup (November). We hope your family will join us for a year of Jewish fun and learning. Gesher is funded in part by the Jewish Federation of El Paso and all families are welcome to attend. Please contact Alanna Bach at [email protected] or 532‐5959 for complete registration information.

Gesher Classes for Families with Young Children


Noar means youth in Hebrew. Noar is Temple Mount Sinai’s youth group for third, fourth, and fifth graders, advised by Alanna Bach. The goal of Noar is to bring Jewish youth together to socialize, learn, and explore being Jewish once a month. On Sunday, October 11, Noar took a hike up the mountain behind Temple Mount Sinai. Twelve students and seven parents blazed their way up the trail, led by Jack Bargemann. We stopped to play a game of “hunter” where a selected student tried to sneak up on another blindfolded student. Everyone learned how hard it is to walk without making a sound. When we reached our summit we paused to offer personal thanks and blessings. It was an invigorating and uplifting afternoon. On November 6, Noar students will help lead Kabbalat Shabbat services at Temple at 6:15 pm. After services, Noar families are invited to stay for a potluck dinner.

The rest of our events for the year include: a movie and mitzvah night on December 5, a UTEP basketball game on February 6, bowling at Fiesta Lanes on a Saturday in early Spring (TBD), and fun at the El Paso Museum of Art on April 25.

If your child is interested in attending any of these events please contact Alanna at [email protected] or 532‐5959. Noar is funded in part by the Jewish Federation of El Paso and open to all Jewish children in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades.

Noar Activities ‐ Fun all Around!


In late October, MSTY hosted a Leadership Training Institute (LTI), sponsored by the National Federation of Temple Youth. Over 70 people from the Southwestern Region came to El Paso and participated in leader‐ship skills development and networking. The following families hosted teens during the recent NFTY‐SW Leadership Training Institute: Hilary and Michael Benjamin; Amissa and Chris Burton; Stephanie Calvo; Greta and

Bob Duran; Elisa and Brion Gluck; Cyd and Tommy Goldfarb; Jackie and Mark Heins; Fifi Heller‐Kaim and Boris Kaim; Miriam and Avi Kotkowski; Tobi and Jon Purvin; Eve and Steve Riter; Shari and Stuart Schwartz; Lori and Steve Shapiro. THANK YOU for opening your hearts and your homes!

MSTY Hosts Leadership Training ‐ October 22‐25

In the coming months, Temple plans to move toward generating less paper and spending less on postage. We’ve already taken many steps to cut down on those costs, making extensive use of email in a number of areas of Temple life. Moving the monthly bulletin toward being an online publication (easily printed for those who choose) is the next step in this evolution. As we make this transition, we want to assure that we won’t leave anyone without their copy of Messages from the Mountain. People who would like to continue receiving a paper version in the mail will be able to do so. We do hope that

most of our members will choose to receive a paperless bulletin over time, as the cost savings to Temple will be significant. Please call or send Buddy an email ([email protected]) to let him know if you wish to receive Messages from the Mountain via email or continue receiving a hard copy in the mail. As this will start in November of this year, please let Buddy know as soon as possible.


On Yom Kippur afternoon, nearly 20 teens joined Rabbi Bach, Stacy Berry and Alison Westermann on the bimah to lead the afternoon service. We used a new liturgy this year, combining the best songs, poems and prayers, and it was a beautiful service led beautifully. Thank you to all the teens who participated in the planning and coordination of this service! Our high school students just played host to a large group of teens and family from St. Jude’s Catholic Church on Sunday, October 4th at our Dine & Discuss session. Rabbi Jordana Chernow‐Reader, as our organizing intern, worked with teens Nate Benjamin, Cheyanne Mickenberg and Kaylen Duran to prepare our teens for this brilliant event. The evening began with dinner in the sukkah and a chance to meet each other informally. Once dinner & dessert (home‐made cookies and cheesecake, yum!) were finished, we moved inside for the rest of the program. We heard intriguing and passionate stories of immigration from our own congregants and

from St. Jude’s congregants, and then split up in to small groups to share all of our stories in more intimate settings. When we got back together, we realized we had even more stories to share, and so many things in common! At the end of the evening, Father Pablo Matta invited our teens and families to join his congregants for an event in late December, called Las Posadas. Watch your email for details! Thank you to the many people without whom this event would not have succeeded: Rabbi Jordana, Rabbi Bach, Nate Benjamin, Kaylen Duran, Cheyanne Mickenberg, all the families who brought food and anyone that might have been inadvertently missed. Thank you all so much! Dine and Discuss students joined the community for Yom Limmud on November 1, and will next gather together on November 15 at Temple.

B’nai Torah — Study and Friendship for Teens

Mini‐MSTY Learns Through the Holidays Mini‐MSTY had an active autumn! We first gath‐ered on Rosh Hashanah morning to lead the family service and we saw nearly 30 participants on the bimah for the Rosh Hashanah service – thank you to every single student who participated! You made the service so much fun for the younger chil‐dren, and I hope you enjoyed yourselves as well! A couple of weeks later, we gathered in our con‐gregational sukkah for lunch and a learning ses‐sion on homelessness – how to expand “Sukkat

Shalom” (a Sukkah/Home of Peace) over our fam‐ily, friends and acquaintances as well as people we don’t even know yet. The students had some great ideas, ranging from “sit with the new kid at school” to “donate some of our b’nai mitzvah money to help a homeless shelter.” Thanks to all for your participation and enthusiasm!


Rabbi Bach's Discretionary Fund: in appreciation of Rabbi Bach by Rhoberta & Arthur Leeser in appreciation of Rabbi Bach by Bob & Edi Brannon in appreciation of Rabbi Bach & Family by Sylvia P. Mirrop in appreciation of Rabbi Bach by Miriam Ries in appreciation of Rabbi Bach by David & Donna Leffman in appreciation of Rabbi Larry Bach by Paquita Litt in appreciation of Ellen Goodman by Paquita Litt in honor of Sara Mansfield's Special Birthday by Lola May, Ann Glen in memory of Rae Stein by Sara Mansfield in memory of David Goodman by Barbara Berliner in memory of Arline Yonack by Barbara Berliner, Sarita Heller, Abe & Annette Goldberg, Jean & Dick Scherotter, Bob & Jane Rosen in memory of David Goodman by Bud & Charlotte Ramenofsky in memory of Martha Goldberg by Bud & Charlotte Ramenofsky in memory of Bruce Litt by Bob & Jane Rosen, Greg & Susan Kligman, Molly Rosen in memory of David Weinstein by Bob & Jane Rosen in memory of David Goodman by Bob & Jane Rosen in memory of Martha Goldberg by Bob & Jane Rosen in memory of Miriam Refaely by Avi & Miriam Kotkowski speedy recovery to Mimi Lait by Tibor & Ann Schaechner speedy recovery to David Metrikin by Bud & Charlotte Ramenofsky speedy recovery to Randi Bard by Alan & Lynn Ames

speedy recovery to Helene Solomon by Norman & Cheryl Gordon

Paul I. Borschow Memorial Fund: in honor of Dorothy Borschow's Special Birthday by Abe & Annette Goldberg in memory of Bruce Litt by Bruce & Erline Gordon in memory of Arline Yonack by Bud & Charlotte Ramenofsky

Caring Community Fund: in honor of Dorothy Kovan's Special Birthday by Keith & Becky Myers in honor of Judy & Bernie Lauterbach's Special Anniversary by Edward & Evelyn Schwartz in honor of Sara Mansfield’s Special Birthday by Becky & Keith Myers in memory of Bruce Litt by Edward & Evelyn Schwartz, Larry & Joyce Anenberg in memory of Martha Goldberg by Edward & Evelyn Schwartz, Larry & Joyce Anenberg in memory of Vivienne Corn by Edward & Evelyn Schwartz in memory of Martha Goldberg by Ruth Braun in memory of Arline Yonack by Edward & Evelyn Schwartz, Larry & Joyce Anenberg in memory of Esther Vinikoff by Bill & Anne Spier, Marty & Bonnie Colton speedy recovery to Helene Solomon by Larry & Joyce Anenberg speedy recovery to Mimi Lait by Larry & Joyce Anenberg, Gershon & Barbara Ettinger, Edward & Evelyn Schwartz

Cemetery Fund: in honor of the birth of Andy & Leslie Heins’ grandson, Kayden by Jay & Mary Heins

in honor of Judy & Bernie Lauterbach's Special Anniversary by Jay & Mary Heins in honor of Bernie Lauterbach's Special Birthday by Jay & Mary Heins in memory of Arline Yonack by Jay & Mary Heins in memory of Martha Goldberg by Jay & Mary Heins in memory of Bruce Litt by Jay & Mary Heins, Arlene Ellenburg in memory of Arline Yonack by Norma Levenson in memory of Marcus Simon, Harriet Simon & Sidney Simon by Marion Garmel speedy recovery to Helene Solomon by Norman & Cheryl Gordon

Syd Dictor Memorial Fund: in memory of Carole Feldberg by Joe Feldberg Floyd Fierman Religious School Fund: in appreciation of Ellen Goodman by Kyle, Ethan, Lauren, Rebecca, Or, Ethan B., David, Daniel in memory of Esther Vinikoff by Ron & Judy Blumenfeld in memory of David Goodman by Ron & Judy Blumenfeld in memory of David Weinstein by Ron & Judy Blumenfeld in memory of Arline Yonack by Dorothy Borschow in memory of Bruce Litt by Ron & Judy Blumenfeld speedy recovery to Helene Solomon by Ron & Judy Blumenfeld

Friedman/Bloom/Rothstein Outdoor Chapel: in honor of Sara Mansfield's Special Birthday by Anne Hollander

Tributes — August 5 ‐ October 6


in honor of the engagement of Stuart & Shari Schwartz's son, Jason, by Phil & Ann Rothstein in honor of Phil & Ann Rothstein's Special Anniversary by Ruth Braun in honor of Ronnie Heller’s Special Birthday by Karl Friedman in memory of Martha Goldberg by Idell Rothstein in memory of Fay Kligman’s brother by Phil & Ann Rothstein General Donations Fund: in appreciation of Temple’s Yoga Class by Lynn & Ernest Polk in appreciation of Lee Schwartz by Jim Schwartz in appreciation of Temple Mt. Sinai by Gordon Mahon in appreciation of Temple Mt. Sinai by Douglas Waters in honor of Sherman & Sandy Levenson's Special Anniversary by Norma Levenson in honor of Judy & Bernie Lauterbach's Special Anniversary by Louis & Cindy Cohen in honor of Lee Schwartz’s Special Birthday by Ann & Tibor Schaechner in honor of Ken Given’s Special Birthday by Toni & Dick Harris in honor of Frances Blumenthal’s Birthday's by Bob & Edi Brannon in honor of Linda & Ross Fruithandler's Special Anniversary by Ruth Braun in honor of Phil & Ann Rothstein's Special Anniversary by Steve & Marlene Golden in honor of Amy Weiss' engagement by Steve & Marlene Golden in honor of Irma Oppenheim’s Special Birthday by Irene Oppenheimer in honor of Hannah Blumenfeld’s Bat Mitzvah by Irene Oppenheimer in honor of Sara Mansfield's Special Birthday by Anne Hollander, Martin Kern in memory of Bernard Axelrod by Neal & Evelyn Axelrod

in memory of David Goodman by Bob & Edi Brannon, Harrell & Louise Rice, Bill & Marcia Dahlberg, David & Susie Novick, Buddy Schwartz, Marlene & Steve Golden, Marian & Jim Daross, Irene Oppenheimer, Mildred Marcus, Marilyn & Hy Silverstein, Steve Feinberg, Bud & Charlotte Ramenofsky, Barbara Berliner, Bob & Jane Rosen in memory of Rae Stein by Sara Mansfield in memory of Martha Goldberg by Bud & Charlotte Ramenofsky, Bob & Jane Rosen in memory of David Weinstein by Bob & Jane Rosen in memory of Miriam Resaely by Avi & Miriam Kotkowski in memory of Arline Yonack by Bill & Miriam Goldfarb, Nat & Nanci Maddux, Irene Oppenheimer, Bruce & Erline Gordon, Hy & Marilyn Silverstein, Bob & Jane Snow, Lietzie Belford, Bill & Marcia Dahlberg, Arlene Ellenburg, Louis & Cindy Cohen, Harvey & Idelle Greenberg, Mark & Dori Fenenbock, Jim & Marian Daross, Amy & Clement Marcus, Paquita Litt, Barbara Berliner, Sarita Heller, Abe & Annette Goldberg, Dick & Jean Scherotter, Bob & Jane Rosen, Walter & Theresa Chayes, Susie & David Novick in memory of Bruce Litt by Hy & Marilyn Silverstein, Elizabeth & George McAlmon, Mary Yelderman, Mel & Arlene Levenson, Bill & Marcia Dahlberg, Huguenin Family, Steve & Marlene Golden, Ken & Barbara Given, Sam & Gayle Belford, Norma Levenson, Louis & Cindy Cohen, Mark & Dori Fenenbock, David Ketelhut, Bob & Edi Brannon, Abe & Annette Goldberg, Brenda & Herbert Ehrlich, Dick & Toni Harris, Jean & Richard Ziebol, Judy Ann & Larry Eichenbaum, Lisa Malooly, Amy & Clement Marcus, Evelyn Goodman, Larry Gladstone, Molly Rosen, Bob & Jane Rosen, Greg & Susan Kligman in memory of Robert Osterberg by Olga Osterberg

in memory of Martha Goldberg by Norma Levenson in memory of Esther Goldman by Estelle Goldman In memory of Anna Main by Anne Main Hollander in memory of Vivienne Corn by Lietzie Belford, Arlene Ellenburg, Bert Davidoff, Judy Leonard, Irma Oppenheim in memory of Irving & Soletta Schwartz by Bernie & Salli Harris in memory of Herbert Given by Paquita Litt in memory of Charlotte Mann by Paquita Litt, Pam & Howard Erlanger in memory of James Given by Paquita Litt in memory of Dr. Jack A. Bernard by Sylvan & Margie Landau in memory of Ida Weiss by Arthur E. Weiss in memory of Arthur Rivkin by Rosilyn Rivkin in memory of Max Blumenthal by Sister Blumenthal in memory of Mary Karsch by Sara Mansfield in memory of Edgar Schnadig Jr. & Ruth Jean Schnadig by Isabel O. Schnadig in memory of Millie Feldberg by Joseph Feldberg speedy recovery to Jay Mendeloff by Norma Levenson, Jim & Marian Daross, Steve & Marlene Golden, Toni & Dick Harris speedy recovery to Mimi Lait by Fran Zimet, Nat & Nanci Maddux, Mildred Marcus, Steve & Marlene Golden, Bob & Jane Snow, Norma Levenson, Jim & Anne Spier, Irma Oppenheim, Buddy Schwartz, Judy Leonard, Harrell & Louise Rice, Larry Gladstone, Nat & Nanci Maddux, Louis & Cindy Cohen, Tibor & Ann Schaechner, Steve Feinberg & Susan Foote, Bobby & Edi Brannon, Susie & David Novick, Marcia & Bill Dahlberg Jim & Marian Daross

Page 22 October-November 2009/Tishrei-Cheshvan 5770 Messages from the Mountain speedy recovery to Helene Solomon by Nat & Nanci Maddux, Bill & Marcia Dahlberg speedy recovery to Mildred Marcus by Irma Oppenheim speedy recovery to Stanley Marcus by Martin Kern speedy recovery to David Metrikin by Bud & Charlotte Ramenofsky Isadore Kahn Memorial Fund: In honor of Milton Cherno’s Special Birthday by Stuart & Frances Kahn in memory of David Goodman by Stuart & Frances Kahn in memory of Martha Goldberg by Buddy & Ellen Dorfman

Ruth Kahn & Andrew Kahn Rose Garden Fund: in memory of Dick Berger by Buddy & Ellen Dorfman in memory of Arline Yonack by Stuart & Frances Kahn in memory of Martha Goldberg by Stuart & Frances Kahn speedy recovery to Mimi Lait by Stuart & Frances Kahn Krasne Discretionary Fund: in appreciation of Simon Bir by Bill & Anne Spier in honor of Judy & Bernie Lauterbach's Special Anniversary by Marty & Bonnie Colton in memory of Edith Krantz by Bob & Elaine Krasne in memory of David Goodman by Bob & Elaine Krasne in memory of Arline Yonack by Marty & Bonnie Colton, Bob & Elaine Krasne in memory of Esther Vinikoff by Bob & Elaine Krasne in memory of Bruce Litt by Bob & Elaine Krasne in memory of David Weinstein by Bob & Elaine Krasne

in memory of Esther Vinikoff by Larry & Joyce Anenberg speedy recovery to Helene Solomon by Marty & Bonnie Colton, Bill & Anne Spier, Bob & Elaine Krasne speedy recovery to Doris Goodman by Bob & Elaine Krasne Amelia G. Krohn Basic Judaism Collection: in honor of James Krohn's birthday by Matt & Elizabeth Krohn in honor of Amelia Krohn's Special Birthday by Norma Levenson, Matt & Elizabeth Krohn, Evelyn Goodman

Landscape Special Projects Fund: in appreciation of Joyce Jaffee by Dick & Jean Scherotter in honor of the engagement of Alan & Amy Goldfarb's daughter, Judith, by Valerie Barnett in honor of Jean Scherotter's Special Birthday by Norma Levenson in honor of Jean & Dick Scherotter’s Special Anniversary by Anne & Bill Spier in honor of Ken Given's Special Birthday by Dick & Jean Scherotter in honor of Norma Levenson's new great‐grandson by Valerie Barnett in honor of Irma Oppenheim’s Special Birthday by Dick & Jean Scherotter in memory of Bruce Litt by Arlene & Mel Levenson speedy recovery to Mimi Lait by Valerie Barnett

Lauterbach Campership Fund: in honor of Judy & Bernie Lauterbach's Special Anniversary by Bill & Miriam Goldfarb, Bud & Charlotte Ramenofsky, Dorothy Borschow, Valerie Barnett, Howard & Sheila Kass in memory of Miriam Refaely by Mike & Debby Robalin

in memory of Arline Yonack by Mike & Debby Robalin, Charlotte & Bud Ramenofsky in memory of Bruce Litt by Mike & Debby Robalin, Erline & Bruce Gordon speedy recovery to Mimi Lait by Mike & Debby Robalin

Jeffrey Levy Fund in memory of Bruce Litt by Madge Plese in memory of Arline Yonack by Madge Plese

Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger: in honor of Jay Heins’ Special Birthday by Valerie Barnett in honor of Irma Oppenheim's Special Birthday by Valerie Barnett in memory of Martha Goldberg by Charlie & Sue Zaltz

Ethel Oppenheimer Flower Fund: In memory of Sarah Silverman by John & Rita Silverman in memory of Miriam Talpis by Ed & Lory Oppenheimer in memory of Soletta & Irving Schwartz by the Schwartz Family in memory of Marilyn Leeser by Arthur & Rhoberta Leeser in memory of Frieda Mathias by Sister Blumenthal in memory of Itzhak Kotkowski by Avi & Miriam Kotkowski in memory of Ephraim Krupp by Cookie & Marvin Friedman in memory of Archie Goodman by Evelyn Goodman in memory of Regina Reisel Kellen by Jay & Mimi Gladstein in memory of Bella Harris by Dick & Toni Harris in memory of Jack A. Bernard by Margie & Sylvan Landau


in memory of Pauline Goldman by Debbie Hamlyn, Gloria Lavis, Michael Goldman

Jo Ann Rothbardt Petersen Healing Resource Center: in memory of David Goodman by Phil & Judy Bargman in memory of Martha Goldberg by Phil & Judy Bargman in honor of Judy & Phil Bargman's Special Anniversary by Dick & Jean Scherotter in honor of Judy & Phil Bargman's Special Anniversary and in honor of their new grandchild by Valerie Barnett speedy recovery to Mimi Lait by Phil & Judy Bargman

Prayer Book Fund: in memory of Ruth Goodman Carr by Gershon & Barbara Ettinger in honor of Shelly & Carolyn Gopin's Special Wedding Anniversary by Arvin & Beverly Robinson Onegs and Kiddushes: in appreciation of Grace & Simon Bir by Stanley & Dina Marcus in honor of David Wolfe's Special Birthday by David & Tina Wolfe in honor of Edward & Evelyn Schwartz's Special Anniversary by Bob & Jane Snow, Stuart & Shari Schwartz in honor of Jan Wolfe & Chet Frame, David & Tina Wolfe, Miguel & Debbi Trejo’s wedding anniversaries by Debbi & Miguel Trejo In honor of Sara Mansfield’s Special Birthday by Lyndon & Randee Mansfield In honor of Shane & Melissa’s Wedding Blessing by Lyndon & Randee Mansfield, Simon & Grace Bir in memory of David Weinstein by Stanley & Dina Marcus

in memory of Jesus Aldama by Raquel Aldama in memory of Harry Cohen by Martin Kern in memory of Lynne Persing by David Novick in memory of Roger Metcalf by Christopher & Amissa Burton in memory of Morris & Rena Marcus by Hal & Pat Marcus in memory of Richard Carvajal by Bill & Jessica Carvajal Tree of Life Fund: in honor of Phil & Ann Rothstein's 40th Anniversary by Bill & Marcia Dahlberg, Gloria & Art August, Gayle & Sam Belford, Ellen & Manon Daugherty, Beth & Myer Lipson, Jane & Bob Rosen, Harriet & Marvin Roth, Wendy & Lester Rothschild, Stanlee & Jerry Rubin, Rose & David Schecter, Cynthia & Aaron Shenkman in honor of Carolyn & Shelly Gopin’s 50th Anniversary by Elaine & Bob Krasne, Anne & Bill Spier, Sara & Bob Shiloff, Bonnie & Marty Colton, Judy & Ron Blumenfeld, Joyce & Larry Anenberg, Dixie & Tom Wicker, Brenda & Herb Ehrlich, Marlene & Allen Levine, Susan & Bob May in honor of Judy & Bernie Lauterbach’s 60th Anniversary by Joan & Milton Cherno, Annette & Abe Goldberg, Margie & Sylvan Landau in honor of Ellen & Jack Saxe's Special 50th Anniversary by John & Kristine Shecter in memory of Arline Yonack by Hilda Reedman, Etta Mae Scherr, Sol Heller, Dorothy Kovan, Lucy Garcy, Ben & Ruth Taber

Rabbi Ken & Sue Weiss URJ Youth Travel Fund in honor of Amy Weiss' Engagement by Bob & Jane Rosen in honor of Sue Weiss’ Special Birthday by Bill & Anne Spier

Youth Fund: in memory of Bruce Litt by Jim Levy & Liz Goodman‐Levy Zork Memorial Library Fund: in memory of Bruce Litt by Gershon & Barbara Ettinger, Valerie Barnett, Ruth Braun, Dick & Jean Scherotter, Bill & Miriam Goldfarb, Bill & Anne Spier, Marty & Bonnie Colton, Judy Leonard, Dorothy Borschow, Kitty Suhler, Jenny & Robert Rodriguez Davis, Sally Strelitz in memory of Bertha & Gustave Zork and Manuel Schwartz by Marian Given

Staff Rabbi ..................................................................................... Larry Bach Rabbi Emeritus .................................................................. Ken Weiss Administrator ................................................................... Sally Parke Administrative Assistant .................................. Buddy Schwartz Religious School Director ................................................ Grace Bir Outreach Director ......................................................... Susan Jaffee Family Educator ........................................................... Alanna Bach Youth Advisors ............ Stacy Berry and Alison Westermann Building Manager ............................................... Frank Hernandez House Keeping ....................................................... Ramona Pinales Accompanist ................................................................ Linda McClain Bulletin Editor ............................................................. Susan Novick Officers David Kern ............................................................................ President Shari Schwartz ........................................................ President‐Elect Marian Daross ........................................................... Vice President Greta Duran ................................................................ Vice President Ellen Goodman .......................................................... Vice President Jon Sonnen .................................................................. Vice President Tommy Goldfarb ...................................................... Vice President Stephanie Calvo .................................................................. Secretary Marcia Dahlberg ............................... Immediate Past President

Trustees Rick Amstater, Olivia Chavez, Joyce Davidoff, Scott Feldt, Lori Gaman, Susie Goldman, Jack Heydemann, David Leffman, David Mansfield, Hal Marcus, David Novick Debby Robalin, Nancy Rothschild, Phil Rothstein

Temple Mount Sinai 4408 North Stanton Street El Paso, TX 79902 Phone: 915-532-5959 Fax: 915-533-0092 www.templemountsinai.com

Temple Mount Sinai is the Reform Jewish congregation serving El Paso, Texas.

We are a congregation of supportive, caring and diverse people with a rich history.

Temple is a place for prayer, ritual, spirituality, education, wholeness and healing, social action and celebration.

Join us as we explore, through these elements of sacred living, the richness of Jewish faith and tradition.

Mailing Address

NON-PROFIT

ORGANIZATION

U.S. Postage

PAID

EL Paso TX

Permit No. 1386

Documents

Messages from the Mountain, October/November 2009