congregation sha’arai shomayim founded 1844...
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VOLUME 61 EDITION 4 1 December 2018
23 Kislev 5779
Congregation Sha’arai Shomayim Founded 1844
Springhill Avenue Temple
The Temple Bulletin
springhillavenuetemple.com
We are coming together as a caring, inclusive community united in a common commitment to Judaism and to
furthering our spiritual growth. We desire to do this recognizing that worship of God, study of Torah, caring for the
Jewish people and our community, are central to our being as a Reform Jewish congregation. With these principles
as our foundation and guided by a historic past, we anticipate our future, one of continual lifelong self-renewal.
RELIGIOUS SERVICES
Saturday, December 1 9:30 a.m. Shabbat Breakfast
10:30 a.m. Morning Shabbat Service
Rabbi Kosovske will conduct service
Friday, December 7 6:00 p.m. Religious School Hanukkah Service
Rabbi Kosovske & Glen Mutchnick
will conduct service
Dinner following service
Friday, December 14 6:00 p.m. Shabbat Evening Service
Friday, December 21 6:00 p.m. Shabbat Evening Service
Friday, December 28 6:00 p.m. Shabbat Evening Service
Torah Selection:
Genesis 37:1 - 40:23
Haftarah: Amos 2:6 - 3:8
ALL SHABBAT SERVICES ARE CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES.
PLEASE JOIN US IN WORSHIP
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From Our President
We Now Have an Interim Rabbi At a Special Meeting of the congregation held
on Wednesday, November 14, the Board of
Trustees’ recommendation to hire Rabbi
Howard A. Kosovske as our interim rabbi was
approved. The vote in favor of his appointment
was unanimous. Under terms of his employment contract, Rabbi
Kosovske becomes our Temple’s Interim Rabbi
and spiritual leader on a part-time basis starting
November 26, 2018 and ending on June 30,
2019. Rabbi Kosovske will be in Mobile for
six (6) individual ten-day stays and, of course,
is available every day via Skype, Zoom, and
cell phone when not in town. He will be on call
for life cycle events. Rabbi Kosovske will also
consult and advise the Temple Board of
Trustees and appropriate Temple Committees
to help us find suitable rabbinic candidates for
the full-time office of Temple Rabbi. But just who is Rabbi Kosovske? He has
described himself as a card-carrying Reform
Jew from birth. But he’s eclectic! To quote
Rabbi Kosovske, “My own personal Judaism is
a conglomeration of beliefs and practices.
They span every sector of Judaism, from
Classical Reform to Right-wing Orthodox,
from German through Eastern European to
Sephardic. And for me it works, though I’ve
never pushed my own particular take on
Judaism onto anyone else, congregation or
individual ... I am who I am, my Judaism is
what it is (and that changes from time to time)
and I and it, though maybe unique, are, as I
have finally come to see, only at home under
the umbrella of Reform Judaism.” I like the guy! And I believe you will also! He
even ordered grits with his breakfast. He has quite a success record with other
congregations. He believes a congregation
should be about the particular people who
comprise its constituency. He believes we
should be bold, experiment and become
something unique in our own Jewish way.
Toward the end of his resume, the Rabbi wrote,
“Just as my own Reform Judaism is particular
in it’s being about me, so, I have learned, is the
Judaism as well of most of my members. They,
as individuals and as a group, have their
particular needs too that they are looking to
Judaism and the synagogue to fulfill. There, if
we want to flourish as a congregation, we need
to pay attention to and address their needs.” A final thought: I have given you just a
glimpse of Rabbi Howard Kosovske. Come
meet the Rabbi! He is engaging, interesting,
and fun to be around.
J. Michael Pereira
President
Springhill Avenue Temple Gift Shop
Chanukah is a joyous eight-day celebration during which we commemorate the victory of the
Maccabees over the Syrians and the rededication of the Temple. The Gift Shop has candles, gelt,
dreidels, decorations, and menorahs for your Chanukah festivities.
We will be open December 2 and 7 during the Chanukah dinners.
Purchases can also be made during the week.
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Join us for the Joint Hanukkah Party!
Sunday, December 2, 2018 – 5:00 p.m.
At Springhill Avenue Temple
with Ahavas Chesed Synagogue
Dinner, latkes, magic show, menorah lighting, and so much more!
If you didn’t RSVP, it is $15 at the door.
From Our Archives By Susan Thomas, Archivist One of the speakers at the Southern Jewish Historical Society’s recent conference in Mobile was
Marlene Trestman, an attorney who is currently writing a scholarly book on the New Orleans
Jewish Orphans Home. The Home, which was founded in 1856, was one of the first Jewish
orphanages in the United States. It remained in operation until 1946.
The Sha’arai Shomayim
congregation had a close relationship
with the New Orleans children’s
home. Members of the congregation,
through the B’nai B’rith society,
were able to refer Jewish orphans
from Mobile for admission to the
home. The local B’nai B’rith lodge
supported the Home financially and
on at least one occasion B’nai B’rith
member Leon Schwarz delivered the
keynote address at a dinner
commemorating the Home’s
anniversary. The congregation’s
Rosa Bauer Sewing Society was initially established to sew “garments of all sizes, sheets, pillow
cases, blankets, etc.” for the Home, according to a 1910 B’nai B’rith publication.
Five children from one Mobile family were placed in the orphanage in June 1935. Their mother,
Fanny Salmon Pierce Whitehead, had died of meningitis at age 42. The father was a seaman and
unable to care for them and thus petitioned for them to be admitted to the New Orleans home.
Even though the father was not Jewish, the children were granted admission since Fanny
Whitehead had at one time been a member of the congregation. The children remained in the
home until they became adults. Ms. Trestman is interested in hearing any family stories about children who resided at the New
Orleans home. When the home closed in 1946, most remaining records were destroyed, making
research more difficult. If you have any information you could share with Ms. Trestman, please
e-mail her at [email protected].
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From Our Religious School
by Patricia Silverman, Th.M., Religious School Director
On Sunday, November 11, the Ahavas Chesed Synagogue Religious School joined the Springhill
Avenue Temple Religious School to honor our fallen veterans at the cemetery. David Rose
identified the veterans’ grave sites by placing hand-painted markers that were created by our
students.
The meaningful ceremony, conducted by Dr. Nate
Ginsberg and Howard Silverman, former
Commander, Navy Seal, included many personal
stories told by the veterans from our
congregation. The ceremony concluded with the
students placing American flags on each of the
marked graves and Gabe Sternberg beautifully
playing taps. Many thanks to Eddie Irby of the 92nd Infantry
Division, who donated the American flags for this
event and to others in our community who
supported this program. There was no Religious School on November 18
and November 25 due to the students’
Thanksgiving/fall break. Our students and their
families enjoyed this special time together in a
spirit of gratitude.
On Sunday, December 2, we are having a joint
celebration for Hanukkah at our Temple.
Students and families from both synagogue
Ahavas Chesed and Springhill Avenue Temple are coming together to light the first candle in the
big menorah that Howard Silverman built for our Temple. Before lighting the candle outside, we
will be sharing a great dinner prepared by the Sisterhood and Men’s Club. On Friday, December 7, our students from the Religious School will participate in the Shabbat
service and entertain the congregation with a humorist skit. Before dinner we will all celebrate
the lighting of the sixth candle on the big menorah outside. Afterwards, we will again enjoy a
dinner provided by the Sisterhood and Men’s Club. On Sunday, December 16, we will continue our annual tradition of entertaining the residents of
Somberby with our Hanukkah skit.
December will be very busy and fun.
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Religious School and Hebrew School
Honor Jewish Veterans
On Sunday, November 11, 2018, the Religious School, Hebrew School, Temple veterans,
and congregants met at the Springhill Avenue Temple Cemetery to honor the Jewish
veterans with a Memorial Service and by placing American flags on their grave sites.
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The Mobile Area Jewish Federation
2019 MOBILE JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL BEGINS
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Current Schedule of Films
Thursday, January 10 – 2:00 pm - Mobile Museum of Art
“The Invisibles”
Sunday, January 13 – 3:00 pm - Ahavas Chesed
“The Boys” (followed by a Disney singalong and dessert reception)
Tuesday, January 15 – 7:00 pm - Laidlaw Performing Arts Center-USA
“The Last Suit” - Introduction by David Meola
Wednesday, January 16 – 7:00 pm - Laidlaw Performing Arts Center-
USA - “The Cakemaker”
Thursday, January 17 – Laidlaw Performing Arts Center USA
“The Band’s Visit” (followed by dessert reception)
Saturday, January 19 – 6:30 pm – Springhill Avenue Temple
“Humor Me” (preceded by Delicious Deli)
Tuesday, January 22 – 7:00 pm - USA campus in Fairhope
“The Interpreter” (followed by a reception)
Wednesday, January 23 – 7:00 pm - Bernheim Hall
“A Bag of Marbles”
Thursday, January 24 – 7:00 pm – Ahavas Chesed Synagogue
“Inside the Mossad”
Sunday, January 27 – 3:00 pm - Springhill Avenue Temple
“Itzhak” (followed by violin/piano mini-concert and dessert reception)
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Save the Date!
Friday, February 1 and
Saturday, February 2, 2019
Formal Invitation to Follow
We are planning a SPECIAL 175th CELEBRATORY EDITION of our monthly bulletin
for January 2019 for our historic anniversary.
If you or your company would like to send congratulatory, remembrance and/or well
wishes to the Temple, following are several options.
Option #1 $18 will include you in the “Mazel Tov” list
i.e., Mr. & Mrs. Toda and family
Option #2 to add business cards/family pictures/special notes
$36 for 1/8 page
$54 for 1/4 page
$72 for 1/2 page
$108 for full page
You will need to supply camera ready artwork, pictures, and/or copy.
The deadline is DECEMBER 15, 2018
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December Birthdays and Anniversaries
Happy Birthday to ... 1 Jon Fusco 15 Carolyn Shulman
2 Meagan Leah Furman 20 Frankie Bloom
4 Emily Fink 22 Anna Swan Gardberg
4 Patricia Silverman 24 Gail Chadwick
6 Pam Friedlander 24 Stephen Prager
6 Elliot Maisel 26 Harold Fink
9 Mimi Johnson 27 Yaffa Brown
10 Marla Seiken 27 Frances Mutchnick
11 Michael Ennis 28 Cindy Bloom
12 Leighton Silverstein 28 Renee Stein
12 Michael Sternberg 29 Suzanne Brown
12 Sydnie Trusty Shuford 30 Sam Borak
13 Cassie Fishbein 30 Karen Singh
13 Eric Lansky 30 Anne Zelnicker
14 Ryan Kunstadt 31 Sharon Vega
15 Wendy Rich Abright
Happy Anniversary to … 1 Jinks & Marc Loeb
6 Penny & Joe Adamo
14 Edith & Irwin Misrok
18 Alicia Lucas & Mike Pereira
23 Rose & Phillip Brunson
24 Nancy & Roy Hoffman
26 Bobette & Lowell Friedman
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January Birthdays and Anniversaries
Happy Birthday to ... 3 Claris Feibelman 18 Terry Passman
4 Ann Miller 20 William Baron
6 Alice Rose Handmacher 21 Lowell Friedman
6 Mimi Holberg 21 Ryan Fusco
7 Jane Rosner Allen 22 Stephanie Dittman
7 Phillip Feibelman 22 Sam Lansky
8 Jeff Conrad 24 Barbara Cherniak
9 Ellen Carter 25 Hugh Borak
9 Lynne Switzky 25 Debra Fetterman
10 Will Kinsella 25 Deanne Schjott
10 Bill Susman 26 Jonathan Hirsch
11 Alan Franco 27 Margie Altmayer
11 Harvey Gandler 28 Andrew Brown
13 Vicki Silverman-Lugar 29 Daniel Kinsella
14 Judy Dittman 30 Joshua Mutchnick
17 LeNae Denson
Happy Anniversary to …
29 Susan & Terry Passman
30 Dana & David Furman
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The Temple Library, Religious School, and Archives are
grateful for the recent donation of books from the Estate of
G.B. Kahn. The books were recently given to the Temple
by G.B.’s son, Andrew.
CONTRIBUTIONS
In honor of Iris & Nate Ginsberg – Stacy & Gary Levine
In honor of Nate Ginsberg’s birthday – David Rose, Jill Gottlieb
A speedy recovery for Patricia Silverman – David Rose, Iris & Nate Ginsberg
A speedy recovery for Charlie Brown – Sandra & Harvey Gandler
For the Cemetery Fund in memory of Amy Harryl and Maury Friedlander –
Beth Vorwaller, Michael Friedlander, and Mary Ann Friedlander
In memory of Joan Conlon – Phyllis Feibelman
In memory of Annice Miller – Joan Miller McCracken
In memory of Carolyn Brown – Margaret & Milton Brown
In memory of the Hon. Alan D. Oboler – Eileen Oboler
In memory of Harriet Friedlander – Emily & Harold Fink In memory of Joshua Fetterman – Iris Klein
YAHRZEIT
It is a true Mitzvah to honor those whose memory we hold dear by attending services
on the Shabbat Yahrzeit (year’s time), joining your congregation in reciting Kaddish,
and the giving of charity in their memory.
December 7 Tini Appelman, Joseph C. Fusco, Edith Maisel Laden, Elaine LeMay, Rose Shulman,
Frank Rubel
December 14 Jenny Buchman, Herman Kopelman, Betty Zimmerman Cohn, Sarabel Reiss,
Etta May Friedman, Carol Kopelman
December 22 Vera Heinrich, Jean Schjott, Rebecca Shulman, Max Fratkin, Nathan J. Friedman,
Jack Silberstein, Willis Darby, Jr., Jerry Rose, Leah Newfield
December 29 O.W. Allen, Julia Holberg Kohlman, Annie Greenwald Salmon, Cyril Rich,
Emma Rheinstrom, Lucille Schwarz, Susan Sparks
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Calendar
Hebrew School & Religious School
Sundays 5:00 p.m. December 2 Joint Hanukkah Celebration
10:30 a.m. December 16 Meet at Somerby – Performing skit
Friday 5:30 p.m. December 7 R.S. Practice Skit
6:00 p.m. R.S. Traditional Hanukkah Service
Torah Study
Wednesdays 5:30 p.m. December 5, 12, 19, and 26
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Saturday, December 1 9:30 a.m. Shabbat Breakfast
10:30 a.m. Morning Shabbat Service
Rabbi Kosovske will conduct service
Sunday, December 2 5:00 p.m. Joint Hanukkah Celebration with
Ahavas Chesed at Springhill Avenue Temple
Friday, December 7 6:00 p.m. Religious School Hanukkah Service
Rabbi Kosovske & Glen Mutchnick will
conduct service
Dinner following service
Friday, December 14 6:00 p.m. Shabbat Evening Service
Friday, December 21 6:00 p.m. Shabbat Evening Service
Friday, December 28 6:00 p.m. Shabbat Evening Service
THE TEMPLE BULLETIN
(USPS-966-900) is published monthly
by Springhill Avenue Temple,
1769 Springhill Avenue Mobile, AL 36607.
“Periodicals Postage Paid at Mobile,
Alabama.” POSTMASTER:
Send address change to:
1769 Springhill Ave. Mobile, AL 36607