ancient modernkeva versus kavannah and chovah versus reshut judaism does not only thrive on the...

CONGREGATION AGUDATH ACHIM June 2018

Shabbat Services: Friday Evening at 8:00 p.m., Saturday Morning at 10:00 a.m.

Sivan - Tammuz June 2018

Hazzan Neil Schwartz Spiritual Leader (612) 999-5060

David E. Ginsburg President (318) 469--8503 9401 Village Green Dr. Shreveport, LA 71115-2801 (318) 797-6401 [email protected] Website: agudathshreveport.com

Congregation Agudath Achim

The Shul Shpiel

Ancient

and Modern

Bar Mitzvah / Shabbat Services on June 9th will begin at 9:30am


Dear Fellow Congregants,

Dear Fellow Congregants, I want to thank those of you who have thanked me for taking another term as the president of Agudath Achim. But there will be a new structure this year. Kari Dicken( Exe VP) and David Gross (VP) will be sharing duties of this office. Kari will be leading board meetings. Dr. Gross will be overseeing programming. I will be in the office on a weekly basis to sign checks, take care of the building and coordinating activities with Cantor Neil. This space will be filled on a rotating basis by the three of us under the topic of Notes from the Board. Next month will be Kari’s turn. We will be in steady contact with each other so we all know what’s going on. If anyone has any questions or concerns about anything, do not hesitate to call us. This summer will be different. We start with Caleb Joseph’s Bar Mitzvah on June 8-9. He will lead services Friday evening and Saturday morning at 9:30. I could be accused of being slightly biased, but I think he will reset the bar in Bar Mitzvot in Shreveport. Speaking for the Josephs and the Ginsburgs, we look forward to welcoming all of you to share this mitzvah with us.

Later in the month on the 24th, there will be a fund raiser for replacing items in the kitchen. Gary Yellen is chairing a committee to make this event special with music, food, a well-known emcee, and raffle prize drawings. Mark it on your calendar and bring friends. As Howard was exiting the president’s duties, he saw the approval at his last board meeting of two new members. Please welcome Jacob Donaldson and Terence Thompson (Rebecca Austin’s son) when you see them in services. One more item to mention: There was an article recently in the Barksdale Warrior newspaper about Daniella Strauss, who is currently stationed in the community. Her grandparents were Holocaust survivors. The article gives an over view of the impact that has had on her growing up. It’s a good read and will be posted in the foyer to share with all who visit.

Dave Ginsburg,

President

From the President


Hazzan’s Notes

Summer Shabbatot We have a Simcha to celebrate in our congregation, as Caleb Joseph becomes a Bar Mitzvah. Many members and guests will attend and help Caleb mark this milestone in his life. He will lead Friday evening services and large sections of chanting on Shabbat morning: davenning the Torah Service and Musaf, Torah chanting, and his Haftarah.

There will be a wonderful energy in the atmosphere of our synagogue on this special Shabbat. Now, here is an interesting question: how can we sustain some of that high energy through the quiet summer months? We have a dozen Shabbatot between this exciting event and the High Holy Days, and only Tisha B'Av in July to commemorate.

This may be a good time to introduce two pairs of Jewish concepts that I have avoided discussing in anything other than an occasional Adult Education class. They are these:

Keva versus Kavannah and Chovah versus Reshut

Judaism does not only thrive on the occasional extraordinary event such as a Festival, but rather Judaism also thrives on making the ORDINARY into something HOLY. The best example of this is how Judaism takes one day each week, Shabbat, and through its rituals and worship services, makes this weekly time period into a holy experience.

Ever since the Second Temple in ancient Jerusalem was destroyed 2,000 years ago, Judaism has survived by replacing Holy Space with the concept of Holy Time. That is seen on the "macro" level through our cycle of Major and Minor Festivals throughout a Jewish year. Holy Time also occurs weekly through the observance of Shabbat.

Now to "unpack" the two pairs of Jewish concepts listed above: Keva \ Kavannah and Chovah \ Reshut. In each pair of words, the first word refers to actions that we do or to words that we say on a regular basis, as mandated by our Jewish traditions. In each word-pair, the second word refers to how we can make our actions or words special.

Keva in particular is the recitation of prayers, simply because our traditions developed them as a way to communicate with God on a regular basis. Chovah is a subset of the prayers that are the "basic core" we should say regularly. These are often the weekday prayer-texts that are nestled within the longer and more elaborate prayers of Shabbat.

Within the regular recitation of prayers in particular, we strive for Kavannah as a way of feeling a special "intention" or "concentration" that lifts the regular words into a new level of holiness. This does not happen often, but when it does, the feeling can be amazing!

Reshut are those prayers (or actions) that go beyond the regular core of prayers and actions, into the realm of "optional only for Shabbat" (or Festivals). An example in our Shabbat morning service is the Piyyut (poem) "Eil Adon" added to the Creation prayers.

Shabbat observance does not depend upon the existence of "sacred space" within any of our Jewish communities. However, there are "Keva" and "Chova" prayers that should only be said or chanted when there is a minyan present, such as Mourners' Kaddish.

Our beautiful synagogue is a gathering place for worship and fellowship, with all of the books and ritual items that we need for marking Holy Time. I asked above, "how can we sustain some of that high energy through the quiet summer months?" I suggest that the best answer is for us to gather weekly for regular Shabbat prayers, as a way to bring rest and renewal to ourselves, and a sense of warmth and fellowship to each other.

Hazzan Neil Schwartz


Gift Shop

Our Jewish community has a sister Congregation in Omer Israel named Magen Avraham. They are located in the southern part of the country, where their entire community has occasionally come under rocket fire from the Gaza Strip. Congregation Magen Avraham is a traditional Masorti synagogue, which is the Conservative Movement in Israel.

We will be visited by Rabbi Dikla Druckman and her husband Adi during the weekend of June 15 – 17. Rabbi Druckman will participate in services at both synagogues, and both she and her husband will also present lectures. Additional information TBA.

Friday, June 15 - 6:00 pm - Services at BZ with Rabbi (No AA Services)

Saturday, June 16 - 9:30 am - Light breakfast at AA

10:00 am - Shabbat Service with Rabbi at AA

Afternoon - Presentation with Rabbi at AA

Sunday, June 17 - Breakfast at BZ, Presentation by Adi (Husband)

A Visit from Israel

What would you like to shop for at our

Rubenstein Gift Shop?

New ritual objects?

Jewelry? Apparel?

Home décor?

Books? Toys?

Other ideas?

Please let Susan Gross know what kinds of items you’d be

interested in seeing / purchasing. You can drop her an

email at [email protected].


Sisterhood

Network/Social Media Requests

New Jewish Community directory will

be available in June.

Price will be $5.00, extra for mailing.

1. Tell your friends, neighbors and

co- workers about our fundraiser,

“Save the Kitchen” on June 24th .

This will benefit our kitchen and

your tummy!

2. Also, please post and upload a

picture of the Aldin house for sale at 3640 Madison Park Blvd from Zillow

onto your facebook and Next Door pages . It’s a great location; convenient

to LSU Health and BAFB. Good school district.

3. Although Cantor’s contract will not expire until next year, the search is

lengthy. Tell your out of town friends and relatives in the event they might

know of someone wanting to relocate to warmer climate.

Oneg letters will be going out later

this month. Start checking your

calendars for special occasions for

when you would like to host an

oneg/kiddish.


Simchas June 2018

Please join us on Wednesday,

June 13th at 7:00 p.m. Topic is:

Israel at 70

Family Service

Upcoming Events

Friday, June 22 , 7:00 pm

With story and songs

Agudath Achim Board Meeting,

June 11 @ 7:00 pm

Board Meeting Adult Education

Dr. Lewis Reisman June 10

Jacob Donaldson June 29

Howard & Charli Silberman

June 6

Bar Mitzvah, Caleb Joseph -Friday, June 8, 2018, 8:00 p.m.

And Saturday, June 9, 9:30am.

Special Fundraiser - “Save the Kitchen” June 24th 2018

1:00 pm -4:00 pm

B’nai Mitzvah at B’nai Zion, June 30th Ben and Luke Muslow, sons of Todd and Leah Muslow


A Note from Caleb Joseph

Curtis and Barbara Joseph invite you to join them as their son

Caleb Abram Joseph leads the Shabbat evening service

Friday, June 8, 2018, 8:00 p.m. Oneg Shabbat hosted by

Carol Ginsburg;

and is called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah Saturday, June 9, 2018, 9:30 a.m.

Kiddush luncheon to follow hosted by Curtis & Barbara Joseph

And David & Sandra Ginsburg

In the past year, I have learned about children who are

not as fortunate as I am. Please help me make a

difference at https://fundraise.heifer.org/caleb,

or pick up a donation form in the synagogue office.

Caleb

https://fundraise.heifer.org/caleb


Agudath Achim Synagogue

9401 Village Green Drive

Shreveport, LA 71115

318-797-6401

presents

Come hungry! Casual Dress

Family Friendly

Raffle

Mistress of Ceremonies: Liz Swaine

Entertainment by:

Hunter Breedlove, Cellist

Chuck Kesilman

Bethany Sorkey, Johnny French and Friends

CFTH Original DixieLand Band

Alfred Barrow, BagPipes

Sponsors

ABC Cleaning Service North Louisiana Jewish Federation

Tim Huck Parnell Robinson Insurance

Manpower Mike Schwartz and Family

Mr. Bill Harvey and Marlene Yellen

In Memory of Diane Aldin, Carol Goodman and Stephen Muslow

“Save the Kitchen”

Sunday, June 24th 1pm - 4pm


Yahrzeits

It is the custom of Agudath Achim to commemorate the Yahrzeit

by reading the name the Sabbath before.

June- Oneg Shabbat / Kiddush Schedule

1 / 2 Howard & Charli Silberrman in honor of their anniversary

8 Carol Ginsburg in honor of Caleb Joseph’s Bar Mitzvah

9 Curtis & Barbara Joseph and David & Sandra Ginsburg

in honor of Caleb Joseph’s Bar Mitzvah

15 / 16 Oneg Committee

22 / 23 Dr. Jeffrey & Judy Leblang

29 / 30 Oneg Committee

Week of May 26 - May 31

Week of June 01 - June 07


Wolf Gelikman Libby Abramson Samuel Laventhal

Sarah Witriol Jacob Ober Donald Belen

Nathan Kottle H. Leo Greengus Kurt Braun

Rubin Shavin Harry Wilson Edith (Lolly) Gardsbane

Jerome Ross Azela Helbach

Sam Rubenstein Ida Schwartzberg

Ernest Saphier Joe Barsky

Morris Strausman Lou Lobel

Louis Sugar



Week of June 29 - July 5

Maurice Scheinberg Anna K. Mantinband Libby Goodman Bloom

Sam Dechowitz Mary Kesilman Charles Tebele

Andrew Kawaler Rose Van Thyn Solomon Kesilman

Solomon Abramson Mitchell Goldfinger Sylvia Muslow

Norman Dlin Vivian Leblang


Donations

In Memory of: By:

Harry & Sylvia Muslow Ike & Muslow

Frieda Kottle Jacob Kottle

Louis Lobel Bernard Lobel

Edith Gardsbane Michael & Susan Cross

Samuel Laventhal Leo & Michele Laventhal

In Honor of: By:

Caleb Joseph David & Sandra Ginsburg

Thinking of those that SERVE our Country

Please join us as a congregation and send a “thinking of you” or “thank you for your service” notes or

cards to our members and families serving in the military. Let’s remember to keep them in our prayers

as well.

Bob & Deena’s Lachman’s son at: 1st Lt. Danny Lachman,

805 W. Christopher Dr., Clovis, NM 88101.

Staff Sgt. Rafael Padin is serving at Barksdale AFB,

2113 Sandhurst, Bossier City, LA 71111.

Daniella Strauss, Barksdale AFB

Scott Serkin and his family are stationed in Europe.

If we have missed any member, family member or friend that

you would like us to remember with a card, prayers, etc. please contact our office.

Sending a Special Thank you to Daniel, Rafael, Daniella and Scott.


Camp Chai

Summer 2018

July 16-27 9AM - 2PM

Come join us for Maccabiah,

swimming, and lots more fun!

North Louisiana Jewish Federation

(B’nai Zion Congregation)

$130/child - local congregation members

$160 - non-members

Please contact the Federation Office for more information 318-868-1200.


Camp Chai 2018 Registration

Camp Director: Morgan Walker, 318-820-3155

Who: For all kids K3 (out of diapers) through Grade 5.

When: Monday through Friday, July 16 - 27, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: B’nai Zion, 245 Southfield Road, Shreveport

What: Hebrew, arts & crafts, Maccabiah, field trips, swimming, and more!

Cost: $130/child for local congregation members. (Call the Federation office for scholarship

information.) Non-member attendees: $160

1st camper’s name ___________________________________________________________________

Date of birth__________ T-shirt size__________ Gender_________ Grade_________ Age_________

2nd camper’s name___________________________________________________________________


3rd camper’s name___________________________________________________________________


Address____________________________________________________________________________

Home phone_____________________________ email address________________________________

Father’s name________________________ work phone_______________ cell phone_____________

Mother’s name_______________________ work phone _______________ cell phone_____________

Emergency contact name_________________________________ phone number _________________

Physician’s name_______________________________________ phone number_________________

If camper has medical problems, please explain:____________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

I give my permission for my child(ren) to take part in all activities, including field trips. I also give permission

for my child(ren) to take part in water activities.

Signature___________________________________________________ Date___________________

If you do NOT give permission, please state why:

__________________________________________________________________________________

PLEASE RETURN WITH YOUR PAYMENT ($130/$160 per camper) BY JULY 9 TO:

North Louisiana Jewish Federation

245 Southfield Road

Shreveport, LA 71105

Note: An additional $10 will be added to the fee per child if payment is made after July 19.


June 2018

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

18 sivan 1

8:00 pm

Service

19 sivan 2

Beha’alotecha

10:00 am

Service

20 sivan 3 21 sivan 4 22 sivan

5

23 sivan 6 24 sivan 7 25 sivan 8

BAR

MITZVAH

8:00 pm

Service

26 sivan 9

Shelach

BAR MITZVAH

9:30am

Service

27 sivan 10 28 sivan 11 29 sivan

12

30 sivan 13

Adult Ed

7:00 pm

1 tammuz 14 2 tammuz 15

Rabbi from

Israel at BZ

No AA

Service

3 tammuz 16

Korach

10:00 am

Service

Rabbi from

Israel at AA

4 tammuz 17

Happy

Father’s

Day!

Rabbi from

Israel at BZ

5 tammuz 18 6 tammuz 19 7 tammuz 20 8 tammuz 21 9 tammuz 22

7:00 pm

Family

Service

10 tammuz 23

Chukat

10:00 am

Service

11 tammuz 24

SAVE THE

KITCHEN

Fundraiser

1:00 pm -

4:00 pm

12 tammuz 25 13 tammuz 26 14 tammuz27 15 tammuz 28 16 tammuz 29

8:00 pm

Service

17 tammuz 30

Balak

10:00 am

Service

B”nai Mitzvah

BZ

7:59 pm

8:03 pm

8:05 pm

8:07 pm

8:08 pm

ancient modernkeva versus kavannah and chovah versus reshut judaism does not only thrive on the...

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