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The Congregation Of Life
June 2012 Reisterstown, Maryland Sivan/Tammuz 5772
From the President’s deskI am delighted to hear that the Ritual Committee has confirmed that we will be joined for the High Holy Days with Cantor Bill Slott and led by Rabbi Greenspoon. This year’s High Holy Days will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church’s Social Hall; which is located across the street from Franklin Middle School and can be accessed through the Social Hall’s own entrance at the rear of the parking lot.
I am reminded of a similar time several decades ago in Palm Coast, Florida when the Lutheran Church there offered their house of worship for the same purpose for a group of faithful Jewish worshipers without a permanent home. This scene repeated itself for several years. For me it is Déjà Vu and in some ways a confirmation on what interfaith relationships are supposed to be.
Unlike my parents experience in Palm Coast, Florida who met at the yacht club on Friday nights before the Jewish community built their house of worship, we will have our own new location soon.
The preparation to move into our new location requires some thoughtful planning and vision. At this time I am soliciting members to come forward and share their ideas on not only what a rededication celebration should encompass, but to also think about the visual contents on the wall. Specifically, we will want to capture our organization’s history in a story book fashion that kindles both members and visitors alike. I would appreciate any volunteers, who can help sort items and put them into boxes, to come forward so that the move to our next location occurs effortlessly. Please call the synagogue office and be counted.
This past Sunday through the efforts of Helen Gold, Adat Chaim continued to contribute and give back to the community as it hosted a Red Cross blood drive. Thank you Helen.
A special “Thanks” goes out to Cathy Litofsky, not only in her active role as Sisterhood President, assuring that Onegs happen week after week without interruption, but also as administrator to the Hebrew School over the past two years. And, yes Editor of this Bulletin as well. This type of volunteer effort has played a significant role in weathering the storm and allowing our charitable organization to move forward in this period of transition.
It is my sincere belief that the human character is endowed by our creator to triumph over setbacks and calamity. Not a year goes by that an act of nature, whether it is a Hurricane or Earthquake, befalls mankind, only to see mankind pick up the pieces and rebuild. A car
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The BulletinAdat Chaim’s News Source
accident that may impede us today does not prevent us tomorrow from driving to our next destination.
Tomorrow is just a day away . . .
Shalom,Art
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Dear Adat Chaim,
It is early May as I write my rabbi’s article for the summertime. It is a dynamic time for us. The board is looking at various locations for our next central address, and we have a transitional address already
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Adat Chaim115 Cockeys Mill Road
Reisterstown, MD 21136410.833.SHUL (7485)FAX: 410.833+9496
Rabbi David [email protected]
Officers
Art Wolf, [email protected]
443.841.4950
Al Mendelsohn, First Vice [email protected]
410.517.3000
Jerry Newman, 2nd Vice [email protected]
410.581.7884
Danny Satisky, [email protected]
443.982.8308
Jaci Schoen, Recording [email protected]
Lynn Ruddie, Financial [email protected]
410.833.7987
EditorIn Search of a new Editor
The Bulletin accepts all material relevant to the Jewish community in the northwest corridor. To maintain
accuracy all information will be accepted by e-mail only.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE:10th of each month for the next
month’s publication.
Send to: [email protected]
www.adatchaim.com
Need Information?Adult Education
Myra Wittik 410.922.3241
B’nei Mitzvah ProgramCathy Litofsky 410.356.7288
Billing QuestionsLynn Ruddie 410.833.7987
Building & MaintenanceAl Mendelsohn 410.517.3000
BulletinVacant
Congregational School AdministratorVacant
Giant CertificatesArlene Nusbaum 410.654.2242
Gift ShopLynn Ruddie 410.833.7987
Life Cycle EventsSynagogue Office 410.833.7485
MembershipSteve Fort 410.526.6448
Men’s ClubVacant
Mitzvah CardsHarriet Meier 410.833.8822
Publicity CommitteeAl Mendelsohn 410.517.3000
Ritual CommitteePhil Deitchman 410.549.2573
SisterhoodCathy Litofsky 410.356.7288
WebmasterLynn Ruddie 410.833.7987
No Phone Calls On Shabbat Please.
Please contact the synagogue office for all Life Cycle Events. When a birth, illness or death occurs in your family be sure to call the synagogue office at 410.833.7485.
We will be able to help you get the support you need, including phone squad announcements to the congregation, coverage for services, meals, visits, rides to the doctor or any other
Rabbi David Greenspoon
identified. Our good friends and neighbors at Trinity Lutheran Church have offered to host us in their Fellowship Hall for our High Holy Day needs during the transition period. The Fellowship Hall is a spacious room in a beautiful ten year old, totally modern building that is handicap accessible from the parking lot through the building. I am grateful to our friends at Trinity for their gracious offer. We are in discussions with Barbara Arbesman and the Hebrew Learning Center in Eldersburg about meaningful ways to collaborate next year and really build a critical mass for our religious school program. Our Dugma L’Dor teens recently celebrated the conclusion of their year, and are planning at least one summertime get-together. Our ritual committee has completed a selection process for our High Holy Day cantor and it has been affirmed by the board. Mr. Bill Slott is a baritone singer, and is credentialed as an International Member of the Cantors Assembly who lives on Kibbutz Ketura in Israel. Bill grew up in Bethesda, and has served Conservative congregations in Maryland and Maine for previous High Holy Days. He is excited to be back in the mid-Atlantic region for the Holy Days. If you are interested in hosting Cantor Slott for a High Holy Day meal, please let me know.
So with all this going on in the background, I am mindful of how difficult transitions are. Often times, it all boils down to attitude. With that in mind, I’d like to share a story from the Torah. It is actually part of the after-story of the 12 Princes and their junket through the Promised Land told in Parashat Shelah Lecha. In the final word of the majority’s report, the princes say, “…we looked like grasshoppers to ourselves and so we must have looked to them.” The rabbis in the midrash (Num. R. 16:1) imagine God’s response to their words. “I don’t care how you describe yourselves in your own eyes.” the midrash has God say. “But how do you know that I didn’t make you look like giants to them?”
There is a timeless message in this short statement. It is easy to be so caught up in the needs of the moment that we lose a larger sense of perspective. This is especially true when in the chaos of transition, with no clear destination or end in sight. Let me offer you some perspective you will hopefully find uplifting. Adat Chaim is a congregation with deep strengths. We have a congregation populated by committed members in a way that few others can claim. We are a congregation that has weathered other significant losses, and felt our strength while doing so. Our teen programming is on the cusp of moving to the next level with both middle school and high school cadres. Our religious school is poised to grow significantly through our collaboration with The Hebrew Learning Center. Exciting adult education and other programming is being planned. Sisterhood is preparing for another busy year. Perhaps most exciting for me is that our Shabbat services continue to draw guests every week who are shul shopping. They come despite the misinformation being spread through the community that “we are closing” and they share that they find the experience positive and meaningful and the community warm and welcoming. So while it might be tempting to see ourselves as poor little grasshoppers, perhaps it might be more accurate to see ourselves as a giant in grasshopper garb. We may be small, but we are mightier than imaginable. Best yet, we are nowhere near done realizing our potential and showing our larger community just how mighty we can be.
I look forward to sharing my next article in advance of the High Holy Days.
Anne, Miles, and Micah join me in wishing you a fabulous summer. May your travels, vacations, and celebrations be exciting, relaxing, and filled with moments of joy.
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Tzedakah
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GENERAL SYNAGOGUE FUND
In Loving Memory of Pearl Spigelman:Sue & Art Ross & Family
In Memory of Anita Kulp, Mother of Heidi Deitchman:Diana & Marc GrosmanJanet & George KorbaCathy & Irv LitofskyDana & Steve Sirkin
In Memory of my Beloved Wife, Irene Deitchman:Harry Deitchman
In Memory of Eva Deitchman, Mother of Harry Deitchman:Harry Deitchman
In Memory of Elly Lampner’s Mother:Dana & Steve Sirkin
For the Yahrzeit of Ann Portnoy, Mother of Marion Freedman:Marion Freedman
For the Yahrzeit of Anna & Samuel Clarfield, Parents of Janet Korba:Janet & George Korba
For the Yahrzeit of Samuel Korba, Father of George Korba:Janet & George Korba
For the Yahrzeit of Rae Roshenthal, Mother-in-law of Maxine Rosenthal:Maxine Rosenthal
For the Yahrzeit of Harry Koffman, Grandfather of Cathy Litofsky:Cathy & Irv Litofsky
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If you have a Yahrzeit and don’t see it in the bulletin or wish to be included on the list for a relative’s Yahrzeit, please call the
office and we will be happy to update our database.
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YAHRZEIT(Candles should be lit at sundown the night before)
Date: Yahrzeit of: Relationship:6/1/2012 Irving Lewin Father of Harriet Meier
6/2/2012 Minnie Pritzker Mother of Adelle Scherr
6/4/2012 David Satisky Grandfather of Danny SatiskyFather-in-law of Myra Satisky
6/5/2012 Samuel Wittik Father of Jerry Wittik
6/7/2012 Calvin Bridge Brother of Paul Bridge
6/9/2012 Margaret Grosman Mother of Marc Grosman
6/14/2012 Bernard Zolotorow Father of Stuart Zolotorow
6/21/2012 Leon Freedman Husband of Marion FreedmanHarry Kulp Father of Heidi Deitchman
6/25/2012 Ben Pondfield Father-in-law of Carol PondfieldGrandfather of Jodie Silver & Caryn Zolotorow
6/27/2012 Philip Miller Brother of Helen GoldGoldie Silver Mother of Carol Pondfield
Grandmother of Jodie Silver & Caryn Zolotorow
6/30/2012 Morris Guralnick Father of Wendy Raith
If you have an Anniversary and don’t see it in the bulletin, please call the office or e-mail us with your information.
If your birthday does not appear or you have a correction to what we have, let us know and we will remedy it right away.
Date: Happy Birthday Wishes go out to:
June 1st Patty RosenIsabel WachterOlivia Wachter
June 3rd Ron BlockAdam RabauHoward Wolf
June 4th Sally RingJamie Wagenheim
June 7th Saul ElishewitzArmand GoldJanet Korba
June 8th Larry BushJune 12th Jonathan Katz
Emily WachterJune 14th Alex SchoenJune 17th Lisa Johnston
Bernard WeksbergJune 18th Francis KatzJune 20th Kayla Gillis
Steve Reamer June 22nd Irma AlperinJune 25th Carson Korman
Jeff RosenJune 30th Jason Wolf
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HAPPY ANNIVERSARYCharles & Adelle Scherr June 3rd 62nd
George & Janet Korba June 12th 46th
Ronald & Sylvia Carmel June 13th 48th
Arthur & Meryl Goldvarg June 18th 34th
Phil & Heidi Deitchman June 21st 31st
William & Amy Green June 24th 22nd
Marc & Diana Grosman June 24th 39th Alan & Jodie Silver June 25th 29th
David & Karen Friedman June 29th 26th
Reminiscing by Alvin [email protected]
June is a great month. No question the best weather of all 12 months is in June. It is balmy during the day and the temperature stays above 50F at night. My garden is producing its first yields. There is nothing like freshly picked vegetables.
This June we have the task of saying goodbye to 115 Cockeys Mill Road. The property served us for a long time. The need to stay was in jeopardy when we realized that it was too expensive. Art Wolf and his administration analyzed our predicament and formulated a solution. We leave 115 with sadness. We all have pleasant memories of events there.
We have a special memory of my 2nd Bar Mitzvah. Our entire family participated. What was better than to see our grandchildren lead the congregation in Ashrei. They were so nervous their parents had to accompany them to the Bema.
Who can forget Cantor Wallach chanting Hinini on Yom Kippur? Her heart and soul was in her responsibilities as our Cantor. Her full resonant voice interpreted the scriptures marvelously. She always got to the Bema right as she finished the passage.
How about Rabbi Meyerstein’s twin granddaughters frolicking on the Bema’s steps during High Holiday Services? The Rabbi had one eye on the children and one on the text. I know where both of my eyes were focused.
Gary Posner with his deep bass voice on Purim. As an actor I’m glad he’s a successful attorney. It was a delight to hear him in those Purim plays. Those festivities made Purim a real celebration.
Of course we all remember Rabbi Essrog and his sermons. He would always start with a joke or comment that would set us up for a 20 to 30 minute sermon. The Rabbi always carried a sheaf of papers to the pulpit but then spoke off the cuff.
How will Janet Korba, Tina Asher and their Sisterhood crew survive in another milieu? Those Kiddishes that they arranged in our very own kitchen were delicious! Certainly I came to 115 for the services but the Sisterhood’s efforts made me an enthusiastic congregant. Those salads---tuna fish, egg, whitefish---were super.
Do you recollect the piano incident? I was a relatively new member when I became aware that we didn’t have a piano at 115. I made some inquiries and I was given the green light to procure one. I discovered a donor and a deal was made to transfer ownership to Adat Chaim. Were things finished? No, I had to arrange transportation and the unit had to be tuned. Still before all of could be done the underwriter insisted that the piano be tested for clarity and fidelity. Finally, we made it to the Bema.
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Rabbi Greenspoon’s March Madness Midrash Mondays show that Adat Chaim is still an exciting community. The fun of exploring the Midrash in a give and take manner is due to Rabbi Greenspoon’s ingenuity. We are still inventive and open minded and a wonderful characteristic to carry forward.
The Annual Memorial Lecture sponsored by the Essrog family is a feature of Adat Chaim. The caliber of invited speakers renewed our faith in Jewish scholarship. It was most amazing to hear these speakers year after year at 115. We should try to carry these lectures with us to our new home. They’re part of the fabric of Adat Chaim.
Wherever Adat Chaim lands, we are carrying a wonderful bag of memories. Let’s pitch in and make the future of Adat Chaim outstanding.
Alvin BoberTorah Tidbits - Compiled by Arlene Nusbaum
June 2NasoNumbers 4:21 – 7:89
Completing the head-count of the Children of Israel taken in the Sinai Desert, a total of 8,580 Levite men between the ages of 30 and 50 are counted in a tally of those who will be doing the actual work of transporting the Tabernacle.
God communicates to Moses the law of the wayward wife suspected of unfaithfulness to her husband. Also given is the law of the Nazir who forswears wine, lets his or her hair grow long, and is forbidden to become contaminated through contact with a dead body. Aaron and his descendants the priests are instructed on how to bless the people of Israel.The leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel each bring their offerings for the inauguration of the altar. Although their gifts are identical, each is brought on a different day and is individually described by the Torah.
June 9Beha’alotekhaNumbers 8:1 – 12:16
Aaron is commanded to raise light in the lamps of the menorah, and the tribe of Levi is initiated into the service in the Sanctuary.
A "Second Passover" is instituted in response to the petition "Why should we be deprived?" by a group of Jews who were unable to bring the Passover offering in its appointed time because they were ritually impure. God instructs Moses on the procedures for Israel's journeys and encampments in the desert, and the people journey in formation from Mount Sinai, where they had been camped for nearly a year.
The people are dissatisfied with their "bread from heaven" (the manna) and demand that Moses supply them with meat. Moses appoints 70 elders, to assist him in the burden of governing the people. Miriam speaks negatively of Moses and is punished with leprosy; Moses prays for her healing and the entire community waits seven days for her recovery.
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Shelach LekhaNumbers 13: 1 – 15:41
Moses sends twelve spies to the Land of Canaan. Forty days later they return, carrying a huge cluster of grapes, a pomegranate and a fig, to report on a lush and bountiful land. But ten of the spies warn that the inhabitants of the land are giants and warriors "more powerful than we"; only Caleb and Joshua insist that the land can be conquered, as God has commanded.
The people weep that they'd rather return to Egypt. God decrees that Israel's entry into the Land shall be delayed forty years, during which time that entire generation will die out in the desert. A group of remorseful Jews storm the mountain on the border of Land and are routed by the Amalekites and Canaanites.
The laws of the meal, wine and oil offerings are given, as well as the mitzvah to consecrate a portion of the dough (challah) to God when making bread. A man violates the Shabbat by gathering sticks and is put to death. God instructs to place fringes on the four corners of our garments so that we should remember to fulfill the mitzvot.June 23KorachNumbers 16: 1 – 18:32
Korach incites a mutiny challenging Moses' leadership and the granting of the priesthood to Aaron, accompanied by Moses' foes, Dathan and Aviram. Joining them are 250 distinguished members of the community, who offer the sacrosanct incense to prove their worthiness for the priesthood. The earth opens up and swallows the mutineers, and a fire consumes the incense-offerers.
A subsequent plague is stopped by Aaron's offering of incense. Aaron's staff miraculously blossoms and brings forth almonds to prove that his designation as High Priest is Divinely ordained.
God commands that an uplifting from each crop of grain, wine and oil, all firstborn sheep and cattle, and other specified gifts be given to the priests.
June 30ChukkatNumbers 16: 1 – 18:32
Moses is taught the laws of the Red Heifer, whose ashes purify a person who has been contaminated by contact with a dead body.
After 40 years of journeying through the desert, the people of Israel arrive in the wilderness of Zin. Miriam dies and the people thirst for water. God tells Moses to speak to a rock and command it to give water. Moses gets angry at the rebellious Israelites and strikes the stone. Water issues forth, but Moses is told by God that neither he nor Aaron will enter the Promised Land.
Aaron dies at Har Hahar and is succeeded in the High Priesthood by his son Elazar. Venomous snakes attack the Israelite camp after yet another eruption of discontent in which the people "speak against God and Moses"; God tells Moses to place a brass serpent upon a high pole, and
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all who will gaze heavenward will be healed. The people sing a song in honor of the miraculous well that provided the water in the desert.
Moses leads the people in battles against the Emorite kings Sichon and Og (who seek to prevent Israel's passage through their territory) and conquers their lands, which lie east of the Jordan.
SisterhoodCathy Litofsky, [email protected]
Join the Sisterhood on Friday, June 8th as we celebrate Shabbat and host a Shabbat dinner. Services are at 6:10PM that evening. We will welcome in Shabbat together and continue to celebrate as we dine at the synagogue, share some stories and memories of this past year and thank the Sisterhood Board for their service. Reservations are required so that we can prepare a lovely Shabbat meal. There will even be a few surprises for the evening. Contact Tina Asher with your reservation at
[email protected] or call her at 410.523.6484. So Mark your calendar and save the date!
Thought for the month – Show Deference to the Elderly
In this passage Carol Ingall presents an entirely different understanding of hiddur mitzvah.
“Finding opportunities to embellish and seeing the possibility for beauty is yet another definition of hiddur mitzvah. How else can we understand the obligation of taking care of the elderly as V’hadarta p’nei zaken? (show deference to the elderly?) The verb contains the word hadar, which means beauty. We are commanded to find beauty in the faces of the elderly and to treat them as we would treat precious objects. While we love our children’s and grandchildren’s hand-made tattered challah
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covers and grungy seder plates because they link us to our family history, there is also a place for the elegant and esthetic, the beauty that appeals to the soul, elevating and ennobling.”
Questions for thought:1. How does Ingall define beauty?2. What are the cahllenges we face today with our graying society?3. How can our Sisterhood contribute something positive to this issue?
I would love to hear your thoughts and answers to these questions.
Shalom until next month!
Cathy
Attention Giant, Safeway andFood Lion Customers
Giant gift cards are available in denominations of $25, $50 and $100. Adat Chaim receives 5% of each gift card purchased. Giant gift cards may also be used at Martins in
Westminster.
Did you know that Safeway has a program Follow these easy steps if you have a Safeway card: that will turn groceries into dollars for our shul? 1. Log onto www.escrip.com. It is really easy to do once you have a Safeway 2. Select Safeway.Card. 3. Follow their instructions! Do you already shop at Food Lion? Updated information for Food Lion
Go onto www.foodlion.com. Click on Good Neighbors on the left side of the page. Then click on In the Community, and then Lion Shop and Share. You can then register your card with Adat Chaim. If you have any questions about these programs or want to order Giant cards, please contact Arlene Nusbaum at 410.654.2242.
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Office Use Card sent_________
Use this form to mail in your contributions to Adat Chaim
Contributions can be made to:I am enclosing _______
Chai ($18)Double Chai ($36)Triple Chai ($54)10 X Chai ($180)
Other __________
Contributions can be made: In Memory of For Speedy Recovery In Honor of In Appreciation of Other:____________________ (Please specify)
General Synagogue Fund Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
Rabbi Seymour Essrog Lecture Fund Rikki Hillman Memorial Garden
Tree of Life ($180.00) Yad Ezra/Dues Yahrzeit Plaque ($250) I would like to donate to the following fund: _________________________ (Please specify name of fund)
Donation for (name/occasion)
Send card to
Address
City, State, Zip
Your name(s) as you wish them to appear in Bulletin
Card to be signed
Your Address
City, State, Zip
Advertise Here
Call the synagogue office for details410.833.7485
GET YOUR GIANT CARDS TODAY!
TO ORDER YOURS CALL:Arlene Nusbaum
410.654.2242Cards can be purchased in $10, $25, $50 and $100 amounts
Free to anyone who wants it.
First come, first served
Myra has 3-4 skeins of multi colored yarn
Advertise 14
(pink/purple/blue) and 2 skeins of pink yarn. Call Myra 410.922.3241 or [email protected] Here
Call the synagogue office for details
833.7485
~ June 2012 ~Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
Shabbat Service7:30PM
2 Naso
Shabbat Service9:30AM
3 4 5 6 7 8
Early ShabbatService 6:10PM
Sisterhood Dinner7PM
9 Beha’alotekha
Shabbat Service9:30AM
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HAVING A BIRTHDAY, ANNIVERSARY, SPECIAL EVENT OR SPECIAL DAY TO REMEMBER?
Consider sponsoring an Oneg Shabbat on Friday night or aKiddish on Saturday afternoon.
Whether it is cookies and coffee or a full luncheon, theSisterhood can cater it. Share that special occasionwith your Adat Chaim “family.” Call Tina Asher at
410.526.6484 for more information.
~ June 2012 ~Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
10 11 12 13 14
Flag Day
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Birthday ShabbatService 7:30PM
16 Shalach Lekha
Shabbat Service9:30AM
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Father’s Day
18 19 20 21 22
Shabbat Service7:30PM
23 Korach
Shabbat Service9:30AM
24 Congregational Meeting10AM
Uptown ConcertDoors Open 6 PMConcert 7PM
25 26 27 28 29
Shabbat Service7:30PM
30 Chukkat
Shabbat Service9:30AM
Sunday, June 24th Tickets: $26.00
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"Gorka is widely heralded for the sophisticated intelligence and provocative originality of his songs." - Boston Globe. John Gorka is an honored icon of folk tradition. Energetic acoustic music that is not a trend, not a fad, but an expression of everyday life, is his trademark. John's rich baritone voice and unique songcraft weave a magical spell that can only be described as 'Gorka.’ "He weaves wry, slice of life observations..." ~ Associated Press. Rising from a milieu of lovelorn singer/songwriters, John Gorka illuminates instead with his trademark wordplay, twisting, tuning and typing words and phrases in the way a balloon artist creates complex creatures from simple balloons. Few contemporary songwriters coax language as deftly as Gorka. For over two decades, Gorka’s keen ear has picked up the stories of those along his path, folding them into poetry and song. his keen perceptiveness inspires people from all over the world to share their stories. By involving those tales in his music, he escapes the trap of introspection that hobbles less gifted singer/songwriters. John Gorka flies below the pop culture radar with an almost cult-like following that never fails to fill concerts. Speak with any of his fans and one instantly feel’s their enthusiasm and genuine affection. His shy, almost self-effacing stage presence rightfully focuses attention on the songs. His versatility on guitar and piano keeps his sets musically interesting, while his rich baritone effortlessly executes his bidding. And he’s never short of the sly comment or clever joke that invariably ignites his audience. "The preeminent male singer-songwriter of the New Folk Movement." ~ Rolling Stone.
The music at Adat Chaim is brought to you by Uptown Concerts, a non-profit 501c3 organization affiliated with Folk Alliance International, dedicated to the preservation and promotion of folk and traditional music. Your tax deductible contributions are welcome.
All shows begin at 7:00 PM, doors open at 6:00 PM, unless otherwise indicated.
Concert information: 410-922-5210Cell phone for info on day of show: 443-540-0226
Refreshments will be available for purchase at the show.
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