February/March 2008
Note from the President Return to Main Page
Dear Friends,
What a special Shabbat we celebrated on January 18 for our annual “New Member Shabbat”. While the weather was freezing outside, the climate was warm and welcoming inside as we introduced and blessed our families who have joined in the last calendar year. Thanks to the Cushman/Brown family for providing our Challah and to the Friedman family for the cookies at the Oneg.
I’m hoping that we can make every monthly Shabbat service, “New Member Shabbat”. Our membership Chairs, Ellen and Stan Kessler, continue to go above and beyond in their roles. They not only “recruit” residents of NWA but out of town friends, both “old and new” who realize the importance of a vibrant Jewish presence in our area. While Ellen and Stan volunteer as our “official chairs” it is up to each of us to share in this mitzvah of building our Jewish community. If you know of Jewish neighbors, friends or colleagues who have recently relocated or have lived here for many years and are unaffiliated with the Jewish Community, we encourage you to invite them to Etz Chaim. Perhaps for a meaningful and song-filled Shabbat Service led by our clergy Rabbi Jack Zanerhaft and Centurial Soloist Debbye Zanerhfaft, a social evening with Men’s Club or Sisterhood, or a visit to our Religious School on Sunday morning. At Etz Chaim, our diverse membership strives to be warm and welcoming.
We hope that Jewish families will find someway to become involved.
Looking forward to seeing you and new Jewish friends at upcoming events. This issue of our BARK newsletter is filled with recaps and new information about programming such as our festive Purim Celebration on March 21 led by guest Rabbi Batsheva Appel of the Institute of Southern Jewish Life (ISJL). Many thanks to Carolyne Wendel for organizing this special evening.
B’Shalom,
Betsy Rosen
Calendar for Congregation Etz Chaim Events
Shabbat Services
Fri Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m. We are "praying" to be praying from the new Mishkan T'filah prayer books we have ordered from the Union for Reform Judaism. Ida and Steve Fineberg will be sponsoring the Oneg Shabbat in honor of Ida's father's 80th birthday. Mazel Tov!
Sat. Feb. 23 at 10:00 a.m.
Purim Schedule – All services are with guest Rabbi Batsheva Appel of the ISJL.
Sun March 9 - During religious school
Children's hamentashen session with Cindy Flynn during religious school. If anyone would like to volunteer to help out in the kitchen contact Wynnie at wynniehoot@aol.com
Fri March 21
5:30 Purim social & activities for children, costumes
6:00 Purim spiel
6:30 Pizza Party
7:00 Shabbat service, family friendly, music filled, followed by Oneg Shabbat
Saturday March 22
10:00 Torah Service followed by bagel brunch
11:00 Study of book of Esther
Possible Havdallah and dinner in evening - sisterhood will discuss at next dinner – TBD
Mark Your Calendars Upcoming Shabbat Services
April 11-12 Bat Mitzvah of Melissa Perlman, daughter of Michele and Alan Perlman
April - Passover Women's Seder is in the midst of being planned and a date to soon be selected. Please contact Ida Fineberg at ida@arkrealestate.com to help coordinate this unique and meaningful evening.
May 2-3
June 13-15 Shabbat Services and Etz Chaim Annual Congregational "Bagels and Business" Meeting
FROM THE RABBI’S DESK…
One of my favorite heroes growing up can be found in Exodus. No, not Moses, but Dov Landau. He was the character played by Sal Mineo in the epic motion picture, “Exodus,” based on the Leon Uris novel of the same name. Dov Landau was the person who individualized the fierce dedication of a young post-Holocaust Zionist, ready to undertake any challenge during a most crucial time in modern Jewish history. It was easy to identify with Dov and the small cast of other protagonists. Instead of trying to empathize with the unmanageable enormity of thousands of survivors struggling to resurrect Israel, I was able to bond with just a few names and recognizable faces. In fact, so much so, that it left an indelible impression. All this brings to mind Etz Chaim.
The signature feature of CEC, is our genuine family feel. Fortunately, this atmosphere permeates all facets of our congregational life. We really know and care for each other, our spouses, children, our parents – everyone and anyone who is important in our lives. To be sure, this dynamic is attributable not only to our common belief in creating a sincere sense of community, but by the mere fact that we are comprised of a number that resembles an extended clan. Conversely, many of us have experienced impersonal and cold temples and synagogues that boast such huge membership that no one truly knows you, and with a clergy who can’t keep track of who you are or what your real needs may be.
As we enter February and then March, I can’t help but think of growth. The flowers, plants and trees will blossom, and my belief is that our ranks at Etz Chaim will continue to bloom and expand as well. We must remember to embrace each other often, to be warm, welcoming, and constantly foster an environment that retains its intimate personality. Although it is a blessing to get bigger as an institution, let us work hard to ensure that our house of worship retains its intimate personality. For this has been, and ought to continue to be, the path of our success in establishing an inclusionary place where people want to belong to study Torah and perform good deeds.
Chaverim Kol Yisroel Zeh L’Zeh May we are always be friends with one another.
L’Shalom,
Rabbi Jack
People observing the anniversary of a loved one’s death, or those who are more recently involved (typically within the last 11 months) in the mourning process, traditionally recite the ancient Aramaic-based Kaddish.
At Etz Chaim, we chant the Kaddish at each service, and when we rise together and proclaim our faith in a compassionate, unified voice, we understand the wisdom of community prayer.
Join us in the month of February when we recall REBA GOLDSTEIN, MARVIN HOODIS and MARION BERGMAN
and in March when we remember BETTY ADLER, GILBERT JOSEPH LEVY, LAZARUS GERSHON RATNER and IRVING SKLAR.
May the souls of our departed be bound up in the bond of life everlasting.
Religious School News
On Sunday, Feb 3 at 10am (during religious school)
Abram Orlansky from URJ Henry S. Jacobs Summer Camp in Mississippi will be giving a camp presentation and answering questions.
I invite parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles who
have young loved ones in their family to learn about
the experience of Jewish summer camp.
There are scholarship opportunities available through
The Jewish Federation of Arkansas and Jewish
Children's Regional Service.
Bagel brunch will be served, hope to see many of you on Sunday!
Regards,
Wynnie Hoodis
Mazel Tov to Tom Douglass and Jay Lewis
on receiving the Tikkun Olam "Building a Better World" Awards at the Federation’s dinner on Feb. 2.
We are honored to have Tom and Jay as members of our congregation.
Get Well Wishes
If you know a fellow congregant who is ill or had surgery, please let us know so we can find some way to assist. Calls can be directed to Evie Adler at 855-2233 or Ida Fineberg at 479-409-3658.
Two Great Ways to Stay Connected with Etz Chaim… *visit our website www.etzchaimnwa.org for calendar changes and program updates. You can register to be on our list serve. We do not share our email list. Our list serve generate few e-mails and is a great way to “stay in the loop”. If you do not have computer access contact Betsy Rosen at 271-9630 for updates.
*Share your news and photos for THE BARK with Sara Bergman at sarabonlake@yahoo.com The next issue will cover April & May, the deadline is March 15, 2008
Feb 6 @ 6:15 p.m. Men’s Club Dinner
Outback Steakhouse in Roger
RSVP Mark Levine 366-3264 markansas1@aol.com
Feb 12 @ 7:00 Sisterhood Dinner
Taste of Thai Bentonville,
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Would you like to Celebrate your Simcha with the Congregation??
Please contact Ida Fineberg at 273-7262 to sponsor an Oneg Shabbat or a Kiddush. Celebrate a birthday, anniversary or special occasion, or honor a visiting guest!
Or just show your support for Etz Chaim!
Two Cents from Ed Gelman our Treasurer
As April and tax time approaches I’ve been at work preparing donation statements for our members. If you have not yet received your letter or have any questions please contact me at 271-8248 or pokerstuded@yahoo.com
“Whoever is charitable and just fills the entire world with kindness” – Talmud
Donations:
The following donations have been received through January 20. Our thanks to the following families and businesses for their generous contributions:
Siddur/Torah Fund
Happy Chanukah to Betsy and Marc Rosen
Marty and Rollie Rosen
Building Fund
Rio Brands
Honoring Tom Douglass on receiving his Tikkun Olam Award
Betsy and Marc Rosen
Honoring Jay Lewis on receiving his Tikkun Olam Award
Betsy and Marc Rosen
Please consider Etz Chaim in your charitable giving. Donations are tax deductible and can be made to thank or honor a friend or relative, remember loved ones and friends, celebrate a special occasion, support Etz Chaim’s mission and commitment to growing a thriving Jewish Community in NWA or to leave a legacy. Donations in any amount are greatly appreciated and can be made to the following funds:
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Building Fund |
Simcha Fund |
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Siddur/Torah Fund |
Memorial Fund |
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Religious School Fund |
Arts Alive |
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Adult Education Fund |
Scholarship Fund |
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Rabbi Discretionary Fund |
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Please send your donations to: Congregation Etz Chaim P.O. Box 477 Bentonville, AR 72712
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