Ha’ShofarVOLUME IX, ISSUE 11

CONGREGATION

BETH ISRAEL

November 2017

InsidePrayer Corner

..................... p. 2

Friday Noon

Study Group .......

......................p. 3

Ongoing Events

..................... p. 5

CBI Committee

News............ p. 7

Gift Shop

................... p. 11

Donations .... p. 14

November

Calendar .... p. 17

The month of Heshvan is facetiously (or maybenot so facetiously…) referred to as every rabbi’sfavorite month – the tradition is that we refer toit as Mar Heshvan, Bitter Heshvan, because it isvacant of any holidays (the truth is actually some-thing different, and it probably means eitherRainy Season or Eighth Month). Whatever theorigin of the name, the truth is that the month ofHeshvan gives us a space to breathe and to allowfor the hard spiritual work endeavored during themonths of Elul and Tishrei to sink in and settle.It also happens to give us some nice breathingroom, as Americans, to prepare Thanksgivingdinners. Could you imagine if Rosh Hashanahand Thanksgiving happened closer together?

Seriously, though, having a cool-down period isessential for our spiritual well-being after aconcerted effort of exertion, just as it is essentialto our physical well-being after exerting ourbodies, and just as it is essential to our intellectualwell-being after exerting our minds. Whetherintentional and pre-meditated or merely a circum-stance of the calendar cycle, it presents an oppor-tunity of which we can take advantage. Theopportunity to breathe.

Long, steady breathing has been shown toquickly reduce stress and increase calm. Breath-ing aids digestion, can increase concentration,and even increases optimism and positiveemotions. It is by no coincidence that one of theHebrew words for soul, neshamah, is also a wordfor breath. Perhaps our Sages of Blessed Memorywere keenly aware of the benefits of healthybreathing when they constructed the gratitudeaffirmation a Jew is to say during our morningprayers: …any time in which breath is within meI will offer gratitude to You, my God and God ofmy ancestors, master of all worlds and connec-tive-force of all breaths…

Since we have a break from the obligations andlimitations which holiday observance places

upon us, the month of Heshvan gives us theopportunity to utilize the power of breath tocontinue the spiritual trajectory which wecultivated during the High Holy Day Season. Asan added bonus, the month of Heshvan just sohappens to conclude this year the week beforeThanksgiving. While preparing, hosting, andgathering at a time like Thanksgiving can be asource of stress for some, we can also take theopportunity of this month of breathing-space tofind ways to increase our gratitude and thanksbefore we sit down to celebrate the abundance.

Here is a brief, easy to follow Gratitude Breath-ing exercise which will help anyone cultivate agreater sense of gratitude while also benefitingphysically, emotionally and spiritually fromeverything which healthy breathing contributesto our lives.

A Space to BreatheBy: Rabbi Justin Goldstein

Thanksgiving

November 23

https://www.facebook.com/bethisraelnc/

A monthly tour through the Siddur:

the meaning, significance, customs, laws,

history and choreography of prayer

Yishtabah (pg 148 of Lev Shalem) – This serves as the conclusion of the Pesukei D’Zimra section, and also as a bridge

between that previous section and the Shaharit prayers, which is why we rise at this point according to traditional choreog-

raphy. The prayer was known in the Talmudic era, and while it is included in the Passover Haggadah we do not know for

certain that it was included in the Passover Seder of the Talmudic era. The prayer was known to Rav Amram Gaon and Rav

Saadia Gaon, and has been included in every Siddur ever composed, albeit with slight variations. Listed within are 13 modal-

ities of praise corresponding to the 13 attributes of Divine Compassion. Yishtabah is an example of a short blessing, one

which either ends or begins with the phrase barukh atah adonai, but does not both begin and end. In the hatimah (everything

after barukh atah adonai) there are 15 words thought to signify the numerical value of the first two letters of God’s name.

The prayer is recited every day of the week and is considered a bookend to Barukh She’amar.

Next month …. Hatzi Kaddish

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 2

Ongoing CBI EventsTorah on Tap – A Lively Group Discussion

Led by Rabbi Goldstein

The last Sunday of the month 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm. The venue changes each month. Watch for an eBlast

with venue details. Dog-friendly with non-alcoholic options.

Weekly Beginners’ Yiddish Vinkel

Wednesday Mornings at 11:00 am

A weekly Beginners' Yiddish Vinkel led by Robert Marcus meets at CBI on Wednesdays. Yiddish philosophs who

will hopefully share their Yiddish language skills and Yiddishkeit with us are also welcome. In addition to learning a

bissel Yiddish, we will explore Yiddish music, singing, poetry, literature, history and culture.

All are welcome. To help with costs there will be a fee per class of $3 for CBI members and $5 for non-members.

For more information, contact the synagogue office (828) 252-8660.

CCBBII’’ss FFrriiddaayy NNoooonn SSttuuddyy GGrroouupp wwiillll nneexxtt bbee ddiissccuussssiinngg AAvviivvaa KKuusshhnneerr’’ss TThhee GGrraammmmaarr ooff GGoodd,,

aa ffiinnaalliisstt ffoorr tthhee 22001155 NNaattiioonnaall JJeewwiisshh BBooookk AAwwaarrdd

Aviya Kushner has worked as a travel columnist for The International Jerusalem Post and she is currently language columnist for The Forward. She teaches at Columbia College in Chicago and is a mentor for the National Yiddish Book Center. SShhee wwiillll bbee CCBBII’’ss SScchhoollaarr--iinn--RReessiiddeennccee tthhiiss yyeeaarr ffrroomm NNoovveemmbbeerr 99--1111..

The Grammar of God tells the story of Ms. Kushner’s vibrant relationship to the Bible, and along the way illustrates how the differences in translation affect our understanding of our culture’s most important written work. Former Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky writes: “Aviya Kushner has written a passionate, illuminating essay about meaning itself. The Grammar of God is also a unique personal narrative, a family story with the Bible and its languages as central characters.”

Starting on October 20, our informal discussion group will be meeting every Friday, from 12-1, in a new location, the Unger Social Hall at Congregation Beth HaTephila, at 43 North Liberty Street. All are welcome to join us, regardless of their level of expertise. If you have questions, please contact Jay Jacoby at jbjacoby@uncc.edu.

CCoonnggrreeggaattiioonn BBeetthh IIssrraaeell iiss ssppoonnssoorriinngg aa SScchhoollaarr--iinn RReessiiddeennccee WWeeeekkeenndd

NNoovveemmbbeerr 99--1111,, 22001177

Aviya Kushner is an associate professor at Columbia College in Chicago, where she teaches creative writing and translation. She has worked as a travel columnist for The International Jerusalem Post and currently serves as language columnist for The Forward. Her writing has also appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Wilson Quarterly, and The Gettysburg Review. Professor Kushner is also a contributing editor at A Public Space as well as a mentor for The National Yiddish Book Center

Aviya Kushner grew up reading the Bible in its original language of Hebrew, which was also spoken by her family in New York. Later, as an MFA student reading the Old Testament in English, she was struck by major differences of interpretation and began a decade of research resulting in her book, The Grammar of God, a National Jewish Book Award finalist, a Sami Rohr Prize finalist

The Grammar of God, is about what the Bible loses in translation, what those who read it in Hebrew can access but those reading in other languages cannot. Former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky observes, “Aviya Kushner has written a passionate, illuminating essay about meaning itself. The Grammar of God is also a unique personal narrative, a family story with the Bible and its languages as central characters.” And Rodger Kamenetz, author of the Jew in the Lotus, writes “Kushner reminds us that in Hebrew, beautiful things are also beautiful words. Her gift as a writer is to take us very near to the text, breathe into it, and give it a new life.”

AAtt 77 ppmm,, TThhuurrssddaayy,, NNoovveemmbbeerr 99,, PPrrooffeessssoorr KKuusshhnneerr wwiillll aaddddrreessss tthhee qquueessttiioonn ooff ““TTrraannssllaattiinngg CCrreeaattiioonn----IIss IItt PPoossssiibbllee??”” aatt KKaarrppeenn HHaallll’’ss LLaauurreell FFoorruumm aatt UUNNCCAA iinn aa pprrooggrraamm ccoo--ssppoonnssoorreedd bbyy CCBBII aanndd tthhee CCeenntteerr ffoorr JJeewwiisshh SSttuuddiieess.. OOnn FFrriiddaayy,, NNoovveemmbbeerr 1100,, PPrrooffeessssoorr KKuusshhnneerr wwiillll vviissiitt wwiitthh CCBBII’’ss FFrriiddaayy NNoooonn SSttuuddyy GGrroouupp aatt CCoonnggrreeggaattiioonn BBeetthh HHaa TTeepphhiillaa’’ss UUnnggeerr HHaallll.. TThhee ggrroouupp hhaass bbeeeenn ddiissccuussssiinngg TThhee GGrraammmmaarr ooff GGoodd..

OOnn SSaattuurrddaayy,, NNoovveemmbbeerr 1111,, PPrrooffeessssoorr KKuusshhnneerr wwiillll ooffffeerr aa dd’’vvaarr TToorraahh aatt SShhaabbbbaatt sseerrvviicceess aanndd wwiillll lleeaadd aa ddiissccuussssiioonn oonn ““WWhhyy TTrraannssllaattiioonn iiss aa JJeewwiisshh IIssssuuee”” ffoolllloowwiinngg aa KKiidddduusshh lluunncchheeoonn,, aallll ttoo bbee hheelldd aatt CCoonnggrreeggaattiioonn BBeetthh HHaa TTeepphhiillaa..

We hope you’ll make plans to participate in what promises to be a most enlightening series of presentations.

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 5

Ongoing CBI Events

Meet the Midrash

Out of the texts of the Torah, the Rabbis created teachings bringing deeper meanings to the wisdom of the Jewish

people known as Midrash. Each week we will explore some of these teachings based on the weekly Torah portion.

We will gain not only an understanding of what the Rabbis were teaching, but how and why they were able to offer

these teachings. While there are many compilations of Midrash from different periods in Jewish history, we will

focus our studies on Midrash Rabbah. Wednesdays 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm

Hazak

Hazak is a group of empty nesters who meet monthly for good food and conversation at local restaurants. The group

usually meets the first Wednesday of each month at 5:30 pm, barring holiday conflicts. Anyone who is interested can

be added to the email list. Contact Sue Lerner.

Hasidishe Kiddushled by Rabbi Goldstein

Fill your heart and soul with Torah (and schnapps...) and join together to learn Hasidic thought and wisdom on parashat

ha'shavu’a. Last Shabbat of each month at 12:30 pm.

Living Torah with Rabbi Justin Goldstein

Timeless teachings for walking in the world. Start your day off with inspired learning and meaningful conversations.

Relevant and insightful lessons from the wellspring of Jewish wisdom. All are welcome, no experience necessary.

Thursdays 8:30 am at 75 N. Market Street, Asheville.

For Information about Burial Plots

at Lou Pollock Memorial Park

Contact:

Josh Tager cemetery@bethisraelnc.org

or Fred Lashley

Current rates: $1,000 CBI members;

$1,250 non-members

LEARN TO CHANT TORAHTorah Trope Classes with Frank Goldsmith

Yes, you, too, can learn to chant Torah portions on Shabbat, using the correct trope. Beth Israel Synagogue will offer

a series of classes this fall on learning the ta’amei ha-mikra (Torah cantillation marks, or trope). No previous Torah

chanting experience is presumed, but you will need to know how to read Hebrew at least basically. It is not necessary

to be able to read musical notation. All of the tropes used in regular Shabbat Torah chanting will be covered (the course

will not cover the special tropes used for holidays or the haftarah). The course will also cover the function of cantillation

marks as an aid to understanding the Biblical text and as a guide for stressing the correct syllable, as well as some of

the common problem areas of proper Hebrew pronunciation. Frank Goldsmith will teach the classes. Written materials

will be provided. There is a charge, payable to Congregation Beth Israel, of $18 for CBI members and $36 for non-

members.

The classes will be taught on six consecutive Sunday evenings beginning on October 22 and concluding on November

26, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm in the downstairs conference room at Temple Beth HaTephila. Each student will also be

offered an aliyah to chant after completion of the course. Thus you will have plenty of time to practice before stepping

up to the bima.

To register for the classes, please contact the CBI office, 828-252-8660, or admin@bethisraelnc.org. Please call by no

later than Monday, October 2, so that we will have time to prepare a sufficient number of materials for the students.

Mark Your Calendars CBI to Host Scholar-in-Residence November 9-11

In August, Aviya Kushner, language columnist for The Forward, was in Jersualem addressing an audience of 2,000 at the 70th Anniversary of the World Congress of Jewish Studies. This November, she will be here in Asheville as CBI’s Scholar-in-Residence.

Ms. Kushner is an associate professor at Columbia College Chicago, where she teaches creative writing and translation. Her 2015 book, The Grammar of God, was a finalist for The National Jewish Book Award and the 2016 Sami Rohr Prize in Jewish Literature. This book tells the story of Ms. Kushner’s vibrant relationship to the Bible, and along the way illustrates how differences in translation affect our understanding of our culture’s most important written work.

On the evening of Thursday, November 9, Professor Kushner will address the question of “Translating Creation--Is It Possible?” at UNCA in a program co-sponsored by CBI and the Center for Jewish Studies. On Friday, November 10, Professor Kushner will visit CBI’s Friday Noon Study Group who will have been discussing The Grammar of God. On Saturday, November 11, Professor Kushner will offer a d’var Torah at Shabbat services and will lead a discussion on “Why Translation is a Jewish Issue” following a Kiddush luncheon.

CBI’s Adult Education Committee hopes you’ll make plans to participate in what promises to be a most enlightening weekend. Stay tuned for further details in the November issue of HaShofar.

Registration is n

ow closed.

CBI Committee NewsLiaison Committee

The committee’s purpose is to help resolve interpersonal conflicts within the shul. These disagreements can occur

between congregants, between congregants and the Rabbi, between congregants and the Board, or between the Board

and the Rabbi. The Liaison Committee is here to assist you if you have a concern.

Committee members are carefully chosen for their abilities to be impartial and to provide a discreet and safe sounding

board. They are ready to listen to any concerns that you may have. You can contact any of the members of the

committee. They are:

Caren Kessler – chairperson (693-0897) Rabbi Wolff Alterman (337-6185)

Eva Blinder (275-6447) Laurie Chess (545-7318)

Marc Penansky (279-0940) Davida Horwitz (279-6599)

Our Madrichim Help You Create

Personal and Meaningful Programs at CBI

At its core, the CBI Madrichim initiative is designed to engage each and every member on a personal level; empower

each of us to create the Jewish experiences that are meaningful for us; and, in doing so, enhance our potential for

authentic Jewish expression. Success is when we realize that we benefit as much by supporting another’s personal

journey as we do from the program itself. What is your passion or interest: a class, a club, a social action program, a

fundraiser, a tikkun olam project, a social event? Think about it. Then contact one of the folks below and let us help

you make it happen!

CBI MadrichimBruce Brown Ali Climo Sally Gooze

Caren Kessler Alan Silverman Mike Weizman

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 7

Thank You From Mike Green

Thanks again for all of your help and support with my mom over the last few years. What you did as a friend and member

of the synagogue was above and beyond anything I could have expected or asked for. There were several times when I

heard that something had happened with Alice, and when I started to make phone calls to try and rally some support,

you were there ahead of me. It helped Alice feel loved and supported, and it made me feel like there was a really deep

and caring community of people looking after my mom when I couldn't physically be there. Really, it meant a lot and I'll

always be grateful.

Thank You To Everyone That Contributed Food to the Manna Food Barrels

CBI contributed 302 pounds of food.

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 8

Have You Tried Out Our

Web Check Payment System?CBI’s Web Check Payment system is being used by quite a few congregants. Try it out, if you haven’t already. It’s an

easy-to-use, NO FEE way to make any of your payments to CBI – Dues, Bet Sefer, Ingles Gift Cards, or Donations. This

is a direct debit from your checking account. You just need your routing number and account number. There is also a

place for a memo entry so that you can indicate the purpose of your donation (in memory of, a particular fund, etc.).

Please make sure to fill in the memo box so that we can allocate your payment correctly.

We have contracted with a third party web check provider for this service. They have all of the necessary security issues

in place to handle sensitive account information data. Beth Israel Web Check Payments Online

Click on the donate button at the left to pay your dues,

make a contribution, pay your Annual Appeal Pledge or

pay for your Ingles cards. This simple Web Check system

is a direct debit to your checking account and allows you

to send a message to the CBI office along with your pay-

ment. No need to write checks or make special trips to the

office.

Ingles cards are a no-cost fundraiser for Beth Israel. Each month

CBI members and friends buy $14,000 worth of Ingles gift cards

to help raise $700 for Beth Israel – over $8,000 annually. Ingles

gift cards can be used at any Ingles store for groceries, pharmacy

items and gasoline. Sign up now to receive your Ingles cards auto-

matically each month. The office also keeps an inventory of Ingles

cards for immediate purchase. Contact the CBI office to get more

information and/or to participate at 252-8660 or admin@bethis-

raelnc.org.

Mazel Tov !To Jillian Krupp & Bart Martindale on the birth of their son, Alan Merhle Martindale.

WelcomeTo our new members,

Charles & Domenica Cohen

Sam Feldman and Robin Weiner Feldman

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 9

CARS™ has been in the vehicle donation business for over 12 years and is dedicated to helping non-profit organizations

raise funds through successful car donation programs. They work with over 3,400 non-profits nationwide and have helped

generate thousands of dollars in vehicle donations. The organization is owned by Jewish Family Services.

For More Information:

Here is a link to CBI’s Vehicle Donation Page http://www.cardonatingiseasy.org/donate/?CharityID=4441

or call (855) 500-7433

CBI Has Joined the CARS™ Program –Any Easy Way to Donate Your Vehicle As a Tax Deductible Contribution

Your Amazon Purchases Can HelpSupport Beth Israel

Your Amazon purchases can help support

Beth Israel. Amazon Smile donates 1% of

your purchases to CBI. No cost to you.

Just visit https://smile.amazon.com and

select Congregation Beth Israel, then shop

as you regularly would. If you are a regu-

lar Amazon shopper, you can bookmark

this website so as to find it easily every

time you shop.

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 10

Carolina Jews for Justice Update

By: Frank Goldsmith

Economic Justice

As part of a statewide Call to Action for Raising Wages,

which started with Labor Day, Carolina Jews for Justice/West

collaborated with Just Economics to present two programs

addressing the economic challenges of living in poverty in

Buncombe County. The first, held on September 6th at CBHT

was a short film, Faces of Poverty, produced by Just

Economics followed by a Q&A with film participants.

On September 17th from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm we continued

our focus on hunger and poverty with a Poverty Simulation

led by Just Economics. This thought-provoking and

illuminating simulation made real what it is like to live as a

poor person in Asheville today. (See Emma Cohn’s

perspective below)

Apples and Honey to our Local State Legislators

During October and November CJJ/West will be meeting

with all of our local Buncombe County representatives at

CBHT to share honey and apples as part of our Jewish

holidays and festivals at this time of year and make the

connection with our focus on social justice. We will share our

policy priorities and seek input about how we can best work

together. As always, we would welcome your ideas and help

to maintain communication with our state representatives

both in Buncombe and surrounding counties. We will also be

meeting with representatives from Henderson and McDowell

counties.

Inclusivity

CJJ is working closely with the JCC and the WNC Jewish

Leadership Collaborative to form a new Jewish Community

Relations Council, which will work with school systems and

other community groups to prevent and ameliorate

misunderstanding about hateful or insensitive acts toward

Jews in our community. For more information, contact either

Frank Goldsmith or Rochelle Reich at the JCC.

Michele Alexander

The author of The New Jim Crow will be speaking at UNC-

Asheville on January 18. CJJ has been asked to support her

visit by co-sponsoring events and engaging people in

discussions of race in the 21st Century. We are creating a

discussion group around her book. Please contact Judy

Leavitt judleavitt76@gmail.com if you are interested in

participating.

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

Did you know that North Carolina never ratified the Equal

Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (ERA)? CJJ is

joining multiple other groups across the state, including the

city of Asheville, to request that the NC General Assembly

vote in favor of the ERA, which passed both houses of

Congress in 1972 and was sent to the states for ratification.

Thirty-eight states are required for passage; so far 36 have

signed on, with Nevada being the latest to do so. For more

information go to http://www.ratifyera-nc.org/

Voter Engagement

The League of Women Voters of Buncombe County – March

to end Gerrymandering. CJJ/West is partnering with the LWV

to walk the line between federal voting districts #10 and #11

on November 4 between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. For more

information go to http://www.lwvab.org/gerrymander-5k/

Look for our banner and walk with us.

Join CJJ/West

Join Carolina Jews for Justice to lend your voice and talent

to our efforts as the only non-partisan progressive Jewish

social justice organization in North Carolina.

Judy Leavitt judleavitt76@gmail.com

Frank Goldsmith goldsmith.cf@gmail.com

A note from our High School Student: Emma Cohn

I believe that working to create positive change and standing

up for what you believe in is both an American and Jewish

value. More than that, I believe it is a duty that everyone can

work to fulfill. As a high school student, one of the ways I’ve

gotten involved is volunteering with Carolina Jews for Justice

and their partner, Just Economics, an amazing organization

here in Asheville. One particular area I have worked with is

the Raising Wages NC campaign, a statewide effort to raise

the minimum wage to fifteen dollars an hour over five years.

Minimum wage workers make up the backbone of this

community. Unfortunately, forty-seven percent of workers in

NC make less than $15 an hour and nearly 1 in 3 workers in

NC earn a wage below the federal poverty line, making our

state the second worst in the nation. It is simply impossible

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 11

Carolina Jews for Justice Update(continued)

continued on next page

to survive in those economic conditions, and Raising Wages

is working hard to change that.

A campaign only succeeds if there are people supporting it.

That’s where we come in. First of all, you can visit

www.raisingwagesnc.org to sign the campaign’s petition and

get involved with any local events. This always helps.

There are more direct ways to show support; writing and

distributing love letters to workers is a great way to do this.

Love letters typically take the form of a short note anyone

can write that thanks low-wage workers for their efforts and

contributions. You can either give a letter to a specific low-

income worker you know or create a more general one and

distribute it to employees you come across in your day-to-

day lives, such as the cashier at the grocery store or the waiter

at the restaurant where you had lunch. These letters help

show workers that we appreciate them, recognize them, and

are working to change the economically oppressive laws

surrounding their work. It can even help get more people

involved in Raising Wages. Parents, writing these notes with

your children can be an especially great way to start a

conversation about minimum wage and the importance of

appreciating low-wage earners in our community.

All in all, there are myriad ways to get involved in the critical

fight for economic justice.

(Emma gave a Dvar Torah about the issue for Family

Shabbat on September 1 at CBHT)

Our Gift Shop

During our year away from our home on Murdock Avenue the Gift Shop will

have to be shuttered as well. However, if you remember unique items from our

shop, especially works of a local artists, for instance the mezzuzot by Walter Zif-

fer, please get in touch with Carol Samsky at (828) 676-0765. Most of our stock

is stored at her home and she is happy to help you.

We also hope to have new and ample Chanukkah merchandise at our annual

party.

Come this time next year, we look forward to a Grand Reopening of the Gift

Shop. Meanwhile Carol Samsky (828) 676-0765 or Beth HaTephila are both

available to you.

Give a Gobble

Give a Gobble to our friends at Western Carolina Rescue Mission (WCRM). Again this year, we are collecting funds

to buy turkeys to be distributed the week of Thanksgiving. WCRM supplies food boxes to local families as well as

feeding the residents at the shelter. Please send or drop off a check to help us fulfill this commitment. It does not take

much to buy 10-15 turkeys, but we need your help.

Thanks from the Social Action Committee

Boray Perie HagafenBy: Ira Naiman

Come on, Value Man, said Pearl with her headlights blinking.

We need to take a road trip. Value Man inquired, Where are

you proposing we go, Pearl ? Pearl responded, We need to

go to Overmountain Vineyard, in Tryon. But Pearl, that’s a

fair distance away, said Value Man. Pearl’s retort: I’m a

Subaru, that will barely warm me up. Besides, I love

slaloming down I-26 near Saluda. Value Man thought, Ah,

Pearl’s my girl! (As an aside, my wife is ok with that). And

so we went (disclaimer: Value Man has no family or financial

interest in Overmountain Vineyard).

Overmountain Vineyard is at 2014 Sandy Plains Road, Tryon,

NC, about 10 miles east of the city of Tryon. It is a real

vineyard where they grow their own European grapes. Their

tasting room is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon

to 5:00 or 6:00 pm this time of year. They have beautiful

grounds you can stroll around, and since the only food they

stock is basically cheese and crackers, they encourage you to

bring picnic lunches.

My wife and I ordered a flight of five wine samples (Pearl

had to settle for regular unleaded when we were in Tryon).

First up was their 2016 Chardonnay. It was fermented and

aged in stainless steel. Stainless steel is inert (unlike oak

barrels which impart wood/vanilla flavor from the barrels),

so you taste the notes of grapefruit, citrus and lemongrass in

the grape. It had a light body and would be best with

appetizers and cheese.

Next was their Camelia 2016, which was a blend of

Chardonnay and Petit Manseng, again aged in stainless steel.

Petit Manseng is a white grape and predominantly grown in

southwest France. It has a very pleasant fruity profile. This

blend has citrus, kiwi and melon flavors. It has a fuller mouth

feel and is definitely a food wine, and could hold its own with

any dish with white sauce.

We then transitioned to a medium-bodied Cabernet

Sauvignon 2015 that spent 15 months in French Oak barrels.

Notes of cherry, fig, chocolate and cedar are present. It is

silky and has a lingering finish. This tasted like a good Napa

Valley Cab. This wine was very well done. Another well done

offering was their Revolutionary Red 2015. This is a blend

of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon aged in both American

and French Oak barrels. Flavors of cherry, raspberry, vanilla

and cedar are there, as well as a long finish.

The last tasting was their Blackberry Port. Technically, real

Port comes from Portugal. It’s regular wine from Portugese

grapes that is fortified with brandy to get an alcohol level of

around 20%. Overmountain’s version is made from

fermented local blackberries, aged for 24 months in French

Oak barrels and fortified with French Brandy. This

Blackberry Port is so tasty, and proceeds to a long, lingering

finish. Our hostess said it begs to be poured over vanilla ice

cream!

As you might have suspected, the price of these wines are

well above Value Man’s usual range. Hand crafted, small

volume production will be more expensive, but can be great

special occasion wine. The Cabernet Sauvignon and

Blackberry Port came home with us.

It’s time to go, and Pearl is looking forward to using her all

wheel drive to climb those winding curves up to Saluda. She

loves a good work out. You gotta love her!

Until next time.

December Ha’Shofar Deadline –

November 10thI welcome your newsletter contributions, but

please, please respect the deadline of the

10th of the month.

~ Bruce

PAGE 12

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 13

Jewish Family Services

Support Your Shul and Its Congregants!

Active Donor Directed FundsFor those members of

CBI who would like to

direct their financial

support toward a spe-

cific area within CBI,

these are the active

donor directed funds.

You are encouraged to

support the General

Fund with your dona-

tions, allowing the Board of Directors the

discretion to direct this support toward

areas of the most need.

** These funds are very active and in the

most need of regular contributions.

� ** Spiritual Life Fund – Support of

spiritual life programs and needs

� **Social Action Fund – Funds CBI’s

social action projects

� ** Chesed/Tzedakah Fund –

Supports the Bereavement Committee

and other Chesed related activities

� ** Ted Liebowitz Children’s Fund –

Provides scholarships for Bet Sefer

students and supports Bet Sefer

expenses

� ** Toby Cohen Minyan Katan and

Junior Congregation Fund

� ** Family Education Fund –

Supports family education program-

ming

� Shorashim Teen Program Fund –

Supports CBI teen programs

� **Adult Ed Fund

� Website/Computer/Tech Fund

� Cemetery Committee Fund –

Supports maintenance of CBI’s

Lou Pollock Cemetery

� Chevra Kadisha Fund – Supports

efforts toward preparing the body of

the departed for Jewish burial.

� **Rabbi Discretionary Fund –

Supports needs or causes the Rabbi

chooses to support

General Fund

Doris Gordon: Shanah tovah and

todah

Rebecca Blitman: in appreciation of

the aliyah

Linda Wolf

Alvin & Tamara Cohen: with

thanks to Lee

Bruce Brown & Brian Stone: in

honor of the birth of Alan Merhle

Martindale

Caren Kessler: in gratitude to Alan

Silverman for all he does for so

many of us

Jillian Krupp & Bart Martindale:

with thanks for their son Alan

Mehrle’s bris

Lee Avishai: in honor of Carol &

Bob Deutsch’s birthdays

Yahrzeit Fund

Hanan & Goldie Weizman: in mem-

ory of Hanan’s mother, Pircha

Weizman

Lois Bernard: in memory of her

mother, Ann Bernard

Hanan & Goldie Weizman: in

memory of Goldie’s father,

Nathan Zucker

Alan & Suzanne Escovitz: in

memory of Alan’s mother,

Dorothy Hartman Escovitz

Robert & Karen Marcus: in

memory of Reva Rosenthal

Lois Bernard: in memory of her

grandmother, Jeannie Dipsiner

David & Sharon Boas: in memory

of Sharon’s aunt, Rose White

Robert & Karen Marcus: in

memory of Robert’s parents,

Louis & Julia Marcus

Allison Marks: in memory of

Lowell Fisher

Shirley Kayne: in memory of her

parents, Simon & Sarah Farkas

Shirley Kayne: in memory of her

brother & sister-in-law, Harry &

Toby Farkas

Shirley Kayne: in memory of her

brother-in-law, Alan Schechter

Shirley Kayne: in memory of her

mother-in-law, Zina Kayne

Give-a-Gobble Thanksgiving

Turkey Fund

Wendy Feinberg

Lee Avishai

Marlene and Jay Jacoby

Tree of Life Fund

Philip Segan: in honor of Noah

Tocaben’s Bar Mitzvah

Yizkor Booklet Fund

William & Barbara Lewin

Neal & Beth Appel

Teri Kayne

Jeremy & Carol Samsky

Eva Blinder

Jeremy & Susan Lerner

Esther Burstein and Laurie Chess

Jan Zollars

John & Jimi Moore

September to October

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund

Steven & Darnell Rogers: in

appreciation of Rabbi Justin

Mark & Robin Goldstein

September to October (continued)

Have You Tried Our Dip Jar?As you know, most of our programs are FREE and open to all. The Dip Jar resides on the piano in

the Social Hall alongside a donation jug. It is an easy way to make a $5 contribution to Beth Israel

by inserting your credit or debit card. Or feel free to leave a check or cash in the donation jug.

If you have enjoyed a program at CBI, please make a donation the next time you are in the building

(except on Shabbat).

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 15

Our SympathyTo Claire (Cookie) Mager-Jaffee on the passing of her husband, Marvin Jaffee.

To Norm Winkelman on the passing of his wife, Carrie Winkelman

Social Action Volunteer Opportunities

Help serving dinner at the Western Carolina Rescue Mission on the third Tuesday of the month from 4:00 pm to

5:30 pm. The Rescue Mission is located at 225 Patton Avenue, Asheville. Contact Alan Escovitz aescovitz@charter.net

or Marlene Jacoby socialaction1@bethisraelnc.org.

Help with our involvement with Room In the Inn. Contact Jan Zollars warreallysucks@yahoo.com or Marlene Ja-

coby socialaction1@bethisraelnc.org.

Mazel Tov !November Birthdays01 Bob Deutsch

Laura Kaufman

04 Davida Horwitz

05 Michele Heller

Lael Gray

Jeremy Lerner

06 Jennifer Michalove

07 Joseph Mann-Stadt

Vivien Saron

Malkah Millsaps

Eliot Renick

08 Marc Rudow

09 Danielle Tocaben

Nancy Renick

10 Kim Teich

Steve Frankel

12 Wolff Alterman

17 Jan Zollars

Charlie Hume

18 Leo Gholson

23 Jordan Miller

Hannah Kirschenfeld

24 Jonathan Kayne

26 Rendi Mann-Stadt

27 Jonah Hauser

Lisa Harnash

28 Jamie West

Ali Climo

30 Rick Chess

Brett Millsaps

Julianna Leigh Boyd

04 Mike & Ilona Sena, Neil & Cindy Garroway, Robert & Karen Marcus

11 Jeffrey & Carolyn Goldstein, Kevin & Lauren Boyd, Eliot & Nancy Renick

18 Jeremy & Carol Samsky, Elie Aharon & Sara Yakira Heckelman

25 Shirley Kayne, David & Cathy Kayne in honor of Jonathan Kayne’s birthday

November Kiddush Hosts

November Anniversaries20 Frank Goldsmith & Dee Cash

24 Larry & Marcia Schantz

Fred & Beth Barnet

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 16

To Caren Kessler, Caroline Manheimer, Rochelle Reich, Carol Samsky, Gail Shulimson,

Marlene Jacoby, JaneAnne Tager, Janice Brock, & Jan Zollars for staffing the Gift Shop.

To Rabbi Goldstein, Jay Jacoby, Frank Goldsmith, and Ira Naiman for their articles to Ha’Shofar

this month.

To Carey Harnash & Lisa Rothman for their donation of a flower arrangement for the bimah

on Rosh HaShanah.

To Shirley and Adrian Sandler for their donation of a flower arrangement for the bimah on Yom Kippur in memory of

Shirley’s parents, Monica and Derrick Benjamin.

To Tamar Katzwer, Della Simon, Bruce Brown and all of the wonderful volunteers who helped with the move to CBHT.

Many Thanks!

Refuah ShleimahTo Natasha Wood

1

11:00 am

Yiddish Vinkel

2

8:30 am Living

Torah at 75 N.

Market Street

3

12:00 pm

Noon Study Group

6:15 pm Candles

4

9:30 am Shabbat

morning services

7:04 pm Havdalah

5Daylight

Savings Time

Ends

6:00 pm Torah

Trope Class

6 7 8

11:00 am

Yiddish Vinkel

12:00 pm Meet

the Midrash

9

8:30 am Liv-

ing Torah at 75

N. Market

Street

7:00 pm Aviya

Kushner talk at

UNCA

10

HaShofar Deadline

12:00 pm

Noon Study Group with

Aviya Kushner

6:00 pm Friday Night

Family Shabbat Service

and Potluck

5:09 pm Candles

11

9:30 am Shabbat

morning services.

Aviya Kushner

d’var Torah & dis-

cussion after lunch

5:58 pm Havdalah

12

9:30 am Youth

Education

6:00 pm Torah

Trope Class

13 14 15

11:00 am

Yiddish Vinkel

12:00 pm Meet

the Midrash

16

8:30 am Living

Torah at 75 N.

Market Street

7:00 pm Board

Meeting

1712:00 pm

Noon Study Group

5:04 pm Candles

18

9:30 am Shabbat

morning services

11:00 am Youth

Shabbat

5:53 pm Havdalah

19

6:00 pm Torah

Trope Class

20 21 22

No

Yiddish Vinkel

No Meet the

Midrash

23Thanksgiving

Day

No Living

Torah

24

No Friday

Noon Study Group

6:00 pm Friday

Night Services

5:01 pm Candles

25

9:30 am

Shabbat morning

services and Has-

dishe Kiddush

5:50 pm

Havdalah

26

4:00 pm Torah

on Tap

6:00 pm Torah

Trope Class

27 28 29

11:00 am

Yiddish Vinkel

12:00 pm Meet

the Midrash

30

8:30 am Liv-

ing Torah at 75

N. Market

Street

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 17

November 2017SUN FRI SATTHUWEDTUEMON

Rabbi Goldstein on Vacation

CBI Office Closed

HA’SHOFAR

November Yahrzeits

PAGE 18

Announced during services on:

October 28

02 (13 Cheshvan) Rochelle Reich for her mother, Toby Ruth Cohen

02 (13 Cheshvan) Henry Teich for his mother, Evelyn Rabkin Teich

02 (13 Cheshvan) Eva Blinder for her father, Joseph Blinder

November 3 & 4

04 (15 Cheshvan) Lauren Malinoff for her grandmother, Sara Lipman

05 (16 Cheshvan) Sara Y. Heckelman for her grandfather, Max Drexler

05 (16 Cheshvan) Davida Horwitz for her father, Burnerd Horwitz

09 (20 Cheshvan) Laurie Chess for her father, Hyman Burstein

09 (20 Cheshvan) Esther Burstein for her husband, Hyman Burstein

09 (20 Cheshvan) Bob Deutsch for his father, Alfred Deutsch

November 11

11 (22 Cheshvan) Abe Freedman for his brother, Manuel Freedman

12 (23 Cheshvan) Leslie Goldstein for her mother, Josephine Pete

12 (23 Cheshvan) Marilyn Friedman for her mother, Ida Schanzer

12 (23 Cheshvan) Julie Sherman for her uncle, Ira Goldenberg

13 (24 Cheshvan) Jordan Miller for his father, Hyman Miller

14 (25 Cheshvan) Robert Feirstein for his cousin, Charlie Book

15 (26 Cheshvan) Patti Frankel for her mother, Suzanne Rabyon

16 (27 Cheshvan) Ira Naiman for his mother, Gloria Naiman

16 (27 Cheshvan) Eliot Renick for his father, Nathan Renick

17 (28 Cheshvan) Barbara Miller for her mother, Ruth Goodman

November 17 & 18

18 (30 Chesvan) Wolff Alterman for his grandmother, Ann Zodikoff

19 (01 Kislev) Sara Y. Heckelman for her mother, Tziporah Heckelman

19 (01 Kislev) Hanan Weizman for his brother, Nissim Weizman

19 (01 Kislev) Frank Goldsmith for his father, Frank Goldsmith

19 (01 Kislev) Gail Shulimson for her aunt, Jean Shulimson

20 (02 Kislev) Carol Deutsch for her mother, Helen Hillman Cohen

November 25

25 (07 Kislev) Jillian Krupp for her grandmother, Selma Krupp

26 (08 Kislev) Jeremy Samsky for his mother, Sarah Samsky

28 (10 Kislev) Alan Baumgarten for his uncle, Miki Altberger Haran

28 (10 Kislev) Danielle Waters for her grandmother, Sophie Boumel

May their memories be for a blessing.

Beth Israel Synagogue

Rabbi Justin Goldstein

Congregation Beth Israel

229 Murdock Avenue

Asheville, NC  28804

Office Phone (828) 252-8660

Rabbi’s Phone (828) 252-9024

Fax (828) 252-8431

email: admin@bethisraelnc.org

Synagogue Office Hours:

Monday to Friday

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

For updated information visit our website at

www.bethisraelnc.org

November

Candle-lighting & Havdalah

Friday 11/3/2017 6:15 pm

Saturday 11/4/2017 7:04 pm

Friday 11/10/2017 5:09 pm

Saturday 11/11/2017 5:58 pm

Friday 11/17/2017 5:04 pm

Saturday 11/18/2017 5:53 pm

Friday 11/24/2017 5:01 pm

Saturday 11/25/2017 5:50 pm

RabbiRabbi Justin Goldstein rabbi@bethisraelnc.org

Office AdministratorLee Avishai admin@bethisraelnc.org

Executive CommitteeDella Simon, President president@bethisraelnc.org

Ali Climo, Vice President vicepresident@bethisraelnc.org

Norman Katzwer, Secretary boardsecretary@bethisraelnc.org

Bruce Brown, Treasurer

and Ha’Shofar Editor vpfinance@bethisraelnc.org

Bob Deutsch, Legal Counsel legal@bethisraelnc.org

Board Committee Chairs/Members

Alan Silverman, Membership membership@bethisraelnc.org

Eva Blinder, Spiritual/Ritual ritual@bethisraelnc.org

Marlene Jacoby, Social Action socialaction1@bethisraelnc.org

Robert Kline, Adult Education adulted2@bethisraelnc.org

Members-at-Large:

Julie Sherman mal1@bethisraelnc.org

Tamar Katzwer mal2@bethisraelnc.org

Gerry Hausman mal3@bethisraelnc.org

Alan Escovitz mal4@bethisraelnc.org

Non-Board Committee ChairsMeryl Goldstein, Chevra Kadisha chevrakadisha1@bethisraelnc.org

Jay Jacoby, Chevra Kadisha chevrakadisha2@bethisraelnc.org

Alan Escovitz, Habitat & Mission socialactionh4h@bethisraelnc.org

Bruce Brown, Kitchen vpfinance@bethisraelnc.org

Lauren Malinoff, Yahrzeit yahrtzeit@bethisraelnc.org

Caren Kessler, Liaison liaison@bethisraelnc.org

Caren Kessler, Chesed chesed@bethisraelnc.org

Jeremy Samsky, House/Grounds houseandgrounds1@bethisraelnc.org

Steve Kayne, House/Grounds houseandgrounds2@bethisraelnc.org

Josh Tager, Cemetery cemetery@bethisraelnc.org

Security:

Frank Goldsmith security1@bethisraelnc.org

Alan Escovitz security2@bethisraelnc.org

Marc Rudow security3@bethisraelnc.org

Chesed: CBI’s Support NetworkChesed is a caring team of CBI members who are here to help out the CBI

community during both challenging as well as joyous times. Some of the activities

we have been involved with are:

• Visiting those who are sick

• Checking in with those who are homebound

• Assembling a minyan for shiva

• Preparing meals

• Providing transportation

• Running errands

• Helping people connect with area services

• Assisting with set up for a bar/bat mitzvah party

We need YOUR help to continue our work effectively. We can’t offer to do

anything unless we know who needs and wants some support. If we can help you

with something or if you are aware of someone who needs assistance, please tell

Lee or the Rabbi. They will pass along that information to the Chesed committee.

Many people at CBI are happy to help out.

We need YOUR help to respond to the requests. If you can volunteer to provide

any of the kinds of help Chesed offers, please tell Lee or the Rabbi. You can also

contact the Chesed committee directly at chesed@bethisraelnc.org. Your involve-

ment is not usually something that takes a lot of time; yet it will create tremendous

satisfaction in knowing you have helped someone.

Jewish communities have a rich history of taking care of each other. The Babylon-

ian Talmud teaches us that All Jews are responsible one for another (Shevuot 39a).

The Chesed Committee invites you to be a part of that meaningful tradition.