news from b’’nai zion congregation in shreveport, lato my dad’s mom - maybe only once). in our...

B’nai Zion Apri l 2017 / Nisan ~ Iyar 5777

I have often heard that the Passover Seder is the most commonly observed of all of the Jewish rituals. It seems obvious that it is because it is the one ritual that involves sitting around a table

and eating a lot of food. Most of the time you are sitting at that a table with the people you want to have around you. Often it is like a family reunion each year - an opportunity to catch up with your family and friends.

When I was a child I remember going to my grandmother’s house (usually my mom’s mom but I do remember going to my dad’s mom - maybe only once). In our family we would always have two Seders - the first was at Grandmas and the second was at my mom’s house. I remember using the Maxwell House Haggadah (which they still give away for free even at our local supermarkets - when the store gets them and knows what to do with them). Actually I remember many years there were often a number of different versions of the Haggadah. Each had Hebrew on one page and English on the other. The English was never exactly the same. However, they were all filled with “Thee” and “Thou” and a lot of “He.” We would go around the table, and everyone would read whichever paragraph was next - if we could figure it out - which was sometimes difficult when we weren’t using the same books. In the sixties I had an aunt who was a proud feminist, and she would replace all of the male pronouns with female pronouns wthout skipping a beat. My grandfather and two great-uncles would be sitting at the same table with all of us who were trying to find our place in English, and they were speed-chanting every word in Hebrew. I remember at some point around my Bat Mitzvah year when I felt extremely accomplished, because I could follow where they were in the Hebrew. Although I loved Hebrew, and practiced the Four Questions (with the old melody that was connected to the melody Grandpa and the Uncles were using to chant the whole Haggadah, and the new Israeli version), I was never the youngest child, so I didn’t get to “show off.” I do remember being proud of my siblings and cousins when they did it. One year before I had children I was at a Seder with just my (then) husband, my uncle and aunt, and I was the youngest. I have to admit - it felt good to show I could do it.

For a number of years now I have been your Rabbi, and I have the privilege and responsibility of leading a Seder that may include many families, and helps us who gather together feel like we are part of a big family. I still miss some of the things that we could do when it was a smaller group. I love when the Seder doesn’t just include the Four Questions, and the story of being freed from our slavery in Egypt, but allows us to stop and bring up other questions and think about other freedoms. In the seventies we would think about the Soviet Refuseniks, and how the young country of Israel was fulfilling the dream of living in the Promised Land. My grandparents and great-grandparents who escaped the pogroms exemplified a different kind of escape, but came here to America - the “Goldenah Medinah” instead of the Promised Land to find freedom. Every year I believed that next year we could be sitting around a table in Jerusalem. (Remind me to tell you the story about when I finally was in Israel for Passover - but didn’t get to spend any of it in Jerusalem - Oy Vey!)

We have a new sound system in the Lefkowitz Hall, so I hope that everyone will hear the words of the Seder this year. Included with the new system are panels on the walls that eliminate a lot of the echo, which should make having conversations much better. When I lead the Seder in Lefkowitz Hall I realize that it is sometimes difficult to have the kinds of conversations I want to about freedom, and about how the stories of our ancestors remind us of current events. I try to make the Seder be one that inspires the adults while entertaining the children - because having all of the generations together at Passover is what provides the memories that are blessings in our lives.

Wherever you are for Passover may your experience be one of memorable food and family and freedom.

Have a zissen and a kosher Pesach,

Rabbi Dr. Jana De Benedetti

Table Talk

The BuzZ at BZ News From B’’nai Zion Congregation in Shreveport, LA

From Rabbi Jana


Just in case you are not aware, we have been working hard to evaluate

and implement measurers to handle emergency situations and

improve our security at the B’nai Zion facility. Ann Maxey has done a

great job identifying doors such as those at the end of the religious

school wing that would be difficult to open in the event of a fire or

other emergency. Those doors have all been replaced allowing for

easy egress. She is now working on lighting upgrades. David Brainis

continues to maintain the cameras and the video feed that they

provide us. Ann and David had each identified playground hazards

and those situations have been improved. Joe Badt has a defibrillator

on order for us along with a training session for a dozen temple regulars. It never hurts

to have a Red Cross refresher course on ways to respond to a medical emergency and

we hope to work toward offering such a class.

Our B’nai Zion building is locked during the day and Karen and Rabbi are able to

unlock the doors remotely once they recognize you at the door. We have been

discussing the feasibility of locking the front doors to the Sanctuary at some point after

Friday night services begin. Since the Fire Marshal codes dictate the type of locking

mechanism required if those doors should be locked with a crowd inside, we would

have to modify the doors and add peep holes. We are certainly aware that all security

measures in one way or another infringe upon our freedom to come and go as we

please. The Board will be discussing these issues and getting your thoughts as well.

Don’t hesitate to point out things that we may have overlooked. It is, after all, your

facility and we want it to meet your needs.

Shalom,

Gary Abrams

From our President, Gary Abrams

B’nai Zion Board of Trustees 2016 - 2017

President Gary Abrams

Vice President Jon Black Treasurer Mitch Newstadt Secretary Kathy Plante

Past President Donald Posner Brotherhood Joe Badt, Jr. Sisterhood Bethany Sorkey

Rochelle Goldsholl Mark Kaplan

Ann Maxey Charlton Meyer Herb Miller

Tim Mills Todd Muslow

Anna Myers Harvey Rubin Rachel Stuart-Haas

Save the Date

Sunday, May 7 we will have our

Annual B’nai Zion Congregational Meeting. Thank outgoing Board members

Elect new Board Members Take New Congregational Photo

Watch for more details, including the nominees for Board members,

And Lunch Plans To nominate Board members, contact Donald Posner

To add items to the Agenda, contact Gary Abrams

We hope to see you there


From our Educator, Helaine Braunig

We proudly use the ISJL Curriculum

Never is the phrase “it takes a village” more true than at Purim and Passover. Purim Carnivals and Seders for the community take a lot of work from a lot of people. The Purim Carnival is behind us, and what a success it was. I can count at least 140 people who were there, and I’m sure I missed a few. We had so many adorable little ones in costume and face paint, and so many now-grown-up ones (youth group members) helping with the games, food, and bounce houses. Special thanks to Rachel Robichaux and Kathy Plante as well as to Jodi Hyman, whose leadership the last few years gave us a blueprint for fun. Also special thanks to Goldy Marrus and Sharon Goldman for their incomparable Jewish Ninja Warrior obstacle course for our youngest kids.

Ahead of us is Passover, and again it will “take a village.” Rabbi Jana and Cantor Neil make it possible for “all who are hungry” (not just for food, but for spiritual nourishment) to “come and partake,” and a host of people help bring the literal food to the table. Passover is the quintessential Jewish family holiday, and the multi-generational aspect of it provides many lasting memories. Mine go back to the Seders at the home of my grandparents, Abe and Ray Gilbert; my children’s go back to the ones at the home of my parents, Neal and Ruthie Nierman. Now we have it at our house, and this year we will be pleased to have Gilbert and Jody and Billy and Max with us. One day they, too, will gather with their own families, and the chain of tradition will continue. I’d like to thank in advance all those who make the congregational Seders happen for those whose families live elsewhere or who can’t undertake on their own all the preparations for the Seder service and meal.

April will also bring us the annual Jewish Film Festival which begins this year on Sunday night, April 30 with the screening of Small Town Rage about the HIV crisis of the 1980’and the work of B’nai Zion’s own Chuck Selber to bring the gravity of the crisis to the attention of a public that was often not too interested in hearing about it. I saw the film last year, and I recommend it to you: it’s not pretty, and it engenders feelings of sadness that we often left the gay community without the support it needed. On the other hand, we can celebrate how far we have come even as we grieve for so many lives lost.

Now that Bill and I are finally home, we look forward to finishing the Religious School year with a big push for programs that will engage our minds and bodies and spirits. We are complex human beings, and our various identities allow us to identify ourselves in many ways. Sometimes, other people identify us, in both positive and negative ways. I hope we can have some discussions about how we see ourselves, how others see us, and what we can do to help others see us as truly are. We also need to learn to see others as they truly are. In this particular time and place in America and with the approach of Holocaust Remembrance Day, we have work to do to make our children comfortable with who they are.

There will be no Religious School on April 2 (Spring Break) and April 16 (Passover). We WILL have classes on Sunday, April 9.

L’shalom,

Helaine Braunig

We proudly use the ISJL Curriculum


It is such a blessing for us to celebrate happy events together. Please join us each

month when we bless and honor those who will be celebrating a birthday or

anniversary during the month. If your birthday or anniversary is in April we will

celebrate and honor you April 7, 2017 during services. We will have a special Oneg

Shabbat following services.

If your birthday or anniversary is in May your Simcha Shabbat will be

May 5, 2017.

Please make sure that the office knows your birthday and anniversary dates. If you are

not on our birthday and anniversary list in the bulletin, it means we do not have your information.

Simcha Shabbat

Rabbi Jana believes that to make this world a better place,

we have to get to know each other.

People of all faiths and backgrounds are invited to gather together

TUESDAY, APRIL 4 AT 6 PM under the Texas Street Bridge in the

Red River District (in front of the Bon Temps Coffee Bar,

450 Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway),

Free parking is available ‘next door’ at the garage across from the

Eldorado Casino. PLEASE INVITE YOUR FRIENDS

Together Tuesday

The People of the Book will meet 7 PM on April 4 the discussion will be about Beware of Pity by Stefan Zweig.

The great Austrian writer Stefan Zweig was a master anatomist of the deceitful heart, and Beware of Pity, the only novel he published during his lifetime, uncovers the seed of selfishness within even the finest of feelings.

Hofmiller, an Austro-Hungarian cavalry officer stationed at the edge of the empire, is invited to a party at the home of a rich local landowner, a world away from the dreary routine of the barracks. The surroundings are glamorous, wine flows freely, and the exhilarated young Hofmiller asks his hostess -lovely daughter - for a dance, only to discover that sickness has left her painfully crippled. It is a minor blunder that will destroy his life, as pity and guilt gradually implicate him in a well-meaning but tragically wrongheaded plot to restore the unhappy invalid to health. [from Amazon.com]

People of the Book Club

Passover Worship Services

In addition to the Passover Seder Monday, April 10 B’nai Zion will have a holy day worship service Tuesday, April 11 at 11:00 AM. Passover Shabbat services Friday, April 14 at 6:00 PM and Saturday, April 15 at 9:45 AM we will be discussing the “Song of Songs” followed by a Passover Shabbat morning spriritual experience. We will also have a Yizkor service on Monday April 24 at 11 AM, when we will use the Memorial Books we began using Yom Kippur. Remember to light candles the evening before holy days, including a Yizkor candle, if it is your tradition on the evening before the Yizkor service.


Isaac Haas son of Kristina and Peter Haas,

will be performing in the touring Broadway show

"Once" April 13 at 8:00 PM

at the Strand Theatre.

Info about the show can be found at oncemusical.com.

Tickets are on sale at the Strand Theatre.

Please join us in the Mezzanine after the show to meet Isaac and the rest of the cast.

Hope y'all can attend.

Isaac Haas Performing in “Once” at the Strand

Rachel and Thomas Robichaux would like to announce the Hebrew naming ceremony of their daughters Arry and Bree. “Zayde” Rabbi Harold Caminker will help officiate at the ceremony that will be held during Friday evening Shabbat service April 21 at 6 PM. A special Oneg Shabbat will follow services, hosted by Great-Grandma Clare Maisel and “Bubbe” Debbie Caminker & Grandpa Rod Owen.

Special Hebrew Naming Ceremony April 21

Ethical Dilemmas: Discussion Series at The Oaks

The last Wednesday of each month Rabbi Jana will be conducting a series of discussions.

The topic will be: “What Would You Do?” Ethical Dilemmas with a

Jewish Perspective.

The April event will be April 26 from 2-3 PM in the Tower Ballroom at

the Oaks of Louisiana.

You do not have to live at the Oaks to come to the discussions.


The Board of Directors of the

Harrison County Historical Museum

Cordially invites you to the

dedication of the exhibit

Global Connections

Featuring Artifacts from

Temple Moses Montefiore

Prepared by Audrey Kariel

April 22

From 3 to 6 PM

Dedication Ceremony at 3:30

in the second floor courtoom

With Rabbi Jana doing invocation, blessing,

and singing with guitar

Reception immediately following

1901 Harrison County Courthouse

1 Peter Wheststone Square

Marshall, Texas

Questions? Call 903-935-8417 Ext 1

Museum Dedication of Jewish Exhibit

Passover “Posse” - Cooking in the Kitchen

The Passover “Posse” will be Cooking in the Kitchen for

the Passover Seder Friday, Sunday, and Monday,

April 7, 9, and 10. To join the Sisterhood Chefs, please

contact Bethany Sorkey to know if there will be room in

the kitchen for you during the time that you can come.

There will be cooking in the kitchen from morning to

evening each day. Whether you are a “seasoned” cook

or you’ve never cooked for Passover before, you are

welcome to join the “Posse.”


Passover 2017 Why This Night - Sunday, April 9 at 6 p.m. The Passover Seder in Song - Monday, April 10 at 1 p.m. The Passover Story - Wednesday, April 12 at 1 p.m. Passover Dreams - Thursday, April 13 at 1 p.m. Passover: A Time To Cross Over - Thursday, April 13 at 8 p.m. The Four Cups: A Celebration of Passover - Friday, April 14 at 11 a.m. A Musical Feast for Passover with Itzhak Perlman - Friday, April 14 at 2 p.m. Yom Hashoah 2017

Kaddish: Monday, April 24 at 8 p.m. This moving program draws, in the main, upon the reminiscences of survivors of the Holocaust, recorded in conversation with APM classical music host Mindy Ratner Each story is unique, and yet all contrast tragedy with a sense of courage, resilience, and serendipity, often in astonishing circumstances. The narrative is scored throughout with works by composers whose lives were, in some way, touched by the Holocaust.

Arden Brainis Bat Mitzvah Service

Now Hear This: Red River Radio Programs


B’nai Zion Congregation

PASSOVER SEDER

Conducted by Rabbi Dr. Jana De Benedetti

April 10, 2017/ 15 Nisan 5777 6:30 PM Monday

at B’nai Zion

Seder Meal prepared by Sisterhood

Chopped Liver, Matza Ball Soup

Green Salad

Turkey [ Vegetarian

Vegetable Sides [ Dessert

Early Bird Pricing by March 20

Reservation Deadline is March 27 (see below for rates)

After April 8 there is no guarantee for space and an additional fee is charged for meals ____________________________________________________________________________________

Please complete the section below and submit it to the B’nai Zion Office with your payment

Reservation: Name __________________________________________ Phone ______________________

Please fill in the number of people in your group and calculate total amount due.

There will be reserved seating. Every effort will be made to honor your seating request.

We would like to be seated with: __________________________________________.

SPECIAL NEEDS: Wheelchair, highchair, dietary, etc. Please specify: _______________________.

Make Check Payable to B’nai Zion. To pay with call the office 318-861-2122 or Fill in Here: Card # ___/___/___/___/ ___/___/ ___/___/ ___/___/___/___/ ___/___/___/___/ Security Code: ___/___/___/___/ Exp.Date: ______

B’NAI ZION 245 Southfield Road; Shreveport LA 71105 861-2122 [email protected] Leftovers, if there are any, will be available for sale Wednesday, April 12

Passover 2017 Number in Early Deadline LATE

Total $

Rates for Attendees Your Group Veggie Bird by Pay By Pay After

Meal Mar 20 Mar 27 Mar 27

Member $40 $45 $50

Age 5-12 $15 $18 $20

Students 13 and above $18 $20 $25

Non-Member $50 $50 $50

Non-Member Students 5 + $18 $20 $25

All Children under 5 $0 $0 $0

TOTALS:


Shabbat Schedule

Friday Evening Service - 6:00 PM

Saturday Torah Study - 9:45 AM

Saturday Morning Service - 11:00 AM

Office Hours

Monday through Friday 9 AM-2 PM

No Business on Shabbat or Holidays

Call for an appointment to meet with the Rabbi

B’nai Zion Schedules

Candle and Kiddush Blessers

7 Sue & Buddy Rubenstein

14 Goldy & Ryan Kirzner

21 Robichaux / Caminker Family

28 Brainis Family

Kroger Rewards

Please confirm that your Kroger card is earning rewards for B’nai Zion by registering or re-linking online, by going to: www.krogercommunityrewards.com and enter B’nai Zion’s unique code number, 83728.

We appreciate everyone who has shopped at Kroger and made sure that B’nai Zion receives a donation for their purchases.

During the recent quarter B’nai Zion has increased from eight to sixteen households whose shopping contributed to a total donation of $95.48.

Thank you Kroger and thank you shoppers!

February 14 we had a Sisterhood Luncheon for the first time in many years. I was so happy to see all the Ladybugs, especially in the pouring rain but they did turn out...our all-girl band was back together!

Our Sisterhood President, Bethany Sorkey deserves a medal. She has kept the wheels well-oiled and thanks to her the wheels still turn. So many things she does along with Kathy Plante and Harriette Glazer and I am grateful for their continued support of our congregation.

Thanks also to my sweet friends, Debbie Blum, Peggy Nuckolls, Kathy Plante and Connie Posner for helping with the set-up. I have precious memories of Betty Grant and Corinne Roos at past Sisterhood luncheons and many, many other ladies who welcomed me in 1980. Joy Baskind was like a mother to me. Her family is my family. I could go on and on - my memory is very, very long. It warms me to know our Sisterhood members will always be connected and I am looking forward to many more luncheons.

Thank you again my dear sisters... Connie, Debbie Bethany, Kathy and Peggy.

Jerie Black

Lady Bug Love from Jerie Black


Count On It

We are commanded to count the days and weeks

(seven times seven weeks until the 50th day) from the liberation we celebrate at Passover through the

receiving of Torah we celebrate at Shavuot. We remember that each of our days is numbered, and now that we are free, we can do something with

each day to make the world a better place.

Here’s how to do it:

Starting with the second night of Passover, Tuesday, April 11, every night, after dark, say the

following blessing, and then count the proper day:

Ba-ruch Atah A-do-nai Elo-hei-nu Me-lech Ha-olam, Asher Kid’sha-nu B’Mitz-vo-tav V’tzi-va-nu

Al S’fi-rat Ha-’Omer.

Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who

has made us holy with Commandments, and commanded us

concerning the counting of the Omer.

Then we count the days and the weeks saying, for example:

"Today is 12 days, which is 1 week and 5 days of the Omer."

To help you count, you can purchase Omer counters, make your own design, find apps for your phone or computer, or go

to Rabbi Jana’s Passover resources page:

www.hebrewdoc.com/Holidays/Passover.

We don’t count down, like 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Every day we get a little more excited, because we

know what happens at the end of the seven times seven weeks… Join in the excitement!

A Powerful Statement: A Reminder to Contribute

When B’nai Zion sends you a statement it is a reminder of how much you have contributed in the past - if any. It is also a reminder that in order for this holy congregation to function we rely on your pledges and donations. In March and April we remind you to make your annual contribution to Brotherhood and/or Sisterhood; Foundation (which helps cover major repairs to the building itself); Annual Pledge (Dues) which helps to pay for our general operating expenses and salaries; and any outstanding commitments that you have requested that we bill you as a reminder for you to pay. If you have any questions about your Statement, payments, financial responsibilities, etc. please contact the office Rabbi Jana, or the Officers: President Gary Abrams, Vice President Jon Black or Treasurer Mitch Newstadt.


Sale of Chametz

DELEGATION OF POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR SALE OF CHAMETZ KNOW YE that I, the undersigned, fully empower and permit Rabbi Dr. Jana De Benedetti to act in my place and stead, and in my behalf to sell all CHAMETZ possessed by me (knowingly or unknowingly) defined as claimed by The Torah and Rabbinic Law (e.g. Chametz, doubt of Chametz, and all kinds of Chametz mixtures), as well as Chametz that tends to harden and to adhere to a surface of inside of pans, pots and cooking and usable utensils, and all kinds of live animals that have been eating Chametz or mixtures thereof, and to lease all places wherein the Chametz owned by me may be found, especially in the premises indicated below and elsewhere. Rabbi Jana De Benedetti has the full right to sell and to lease by transactions, as she deems fit and proper and for such time which she believes necessary in accordance with all terms detailed in the general authorization contract which is in the possession of Rabbi Dr. Jana De Benedetti authorizing her to sell Chametz; on behalf of others. (Submit at least three days before Passover. It is customary to include a tzedakah donation with the form). Date: __________________

Name: __________________________________________________ (Please Print)

Signature: _________________________________________________

Home Address: ____________________________________________

Street _____________________________________

City, State ______________________________

Office Address:

(if Chametz is in office) _________________________________________

Street _____________________________________ City, State ______________________________

B’nai Zion 2017 Purim Schpiels On You Tube

Two new Purim Schpiels were presented this year at B’nai Zion. Rabbi Jana did a “Hunka Hunka” Elvis version, which she presented during Friday night Purim service. The Bet Hebrew class created a “Mordechai Potter Puppet Pals Parody Purim Play” which was presented during the Purim Carnival. If you missed them, or want to watch them again, go to the B’nai Zion YouTube channel or Rabbi Jana’s HebrewDoc.com Holiday Resources Purim page. You can get to either site by going to the B’nai Zion website first. Special thanks to Caleb Joseph for his awesome puppets.


A Message from Federation President, Ben Sour

“These are the best of times. These are the worst of times.”

First: the bad news. Our wonderful Executive Director, Kathy Plante is stepping down. She has been a model of efficiency and competence, keeping our meetings on track and our bills paid, dealing with the unexpected like finding a new bank and new insurance on short notice, making sure we follow the bylaws, increasing the programs that the Federation supports, and generally just being a mensch. I can not thank Kathy enough, and I hope each of you will personally thank Kathy. Any good feelings you have about the Federation are probably traceable to something Kathy has done.

Second, the good news: Bethany Sorkey is our new Federation Executive Director. I first met Bethany years ago when I attended an event in Lefkowitz Hall and was so impressed that I asked who was in charge of all the delicious and perfectly served food for all of these people. "The Sisterhood," I was told. As I left, I was approached by someone who wanted to know if I thought the dinner was okay or could be improved. It was Bethany, and I found out that she was (and is) the President of the B’nai Zion Sisterhood. Since then, I have seen her dedication to helping the Jewish community be a better place. Most recently, she is helping to compile the Community Directory with the Sisterhood of Agudath Achim. I cannot thank Bethany enough for taking on this responsibility - and all of the responsibilities she takes on- and I hope each of you will personally thank her.

Third, more good news: Kathy is committed to helping the Federation office make the transition without missing a beat. Kathy has never found a volunteer opportunity that she could resist, and we have her phone number and email address... Just in case.

Fourth, routine information: A budget committee and a nominating committee will be forming soon. If you are asked to serve, please find the time to experience the wonderful feeling of satisfaction you get from helping our community.

Shalom

Ben Sour

Purim Carnival: A Federation Sponsored Success


The Jewish Film Festival will be April 30 through May 4 at the Robinson Film Center. The North Louisiana Jewish Federation is soliciting sponsorships (paid to the Jewish Federation) for the 2017 Film Festival. Donor levels are as follows and will be specifically recognized during the Festival if received by the Federation before April 19:

Executive Producers: $1000 level and above Producers: $500 - $999 Directors: $250 - $499 Supporting Cast $100 - $249 Patrons $50 - $99

Sponsor the Jewish Film Festival

I am honored and thrilled to be the new Executive Director of the North Louisiana Jewish Federation. Over the next few months I will be working with Kathy Plante to learn the “inner workings” of the position.

I look forward to helping with the next two Federation sponsored events: the Holocaust Remembrance Service and the Jewish Film Festival. I hope to see everyone at these events and more.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped make our most recent event a success: the Purim carnival. As you know, the Jewish Federation has sponsored the Purim Carnival for many years, but it takes many volunteers working together to make it a success. At the risk of forgetting someone to thank, let me begin with Jodi Hyman who was the Chair for the event; Rachel Robichaux, Asher Nierman and our wonderful ShFTY teens; Helaine Braunig; Kathy Plante; everyone who brought food for the Cake Walk; everyone who came in costume; everyone who joined us for “carnival food;” Carnell and everyone who helped set up and clean up; Liz for her kitchen expertise; our Hamantaschen bakers; and everyone else I forgot to mention here.

On a disappointing note, I regret to inform you that the Federation Board and Kathy and I have made the difficult decision not to have Camp Chai this summer, due to a number of complications. My children all went to Camp Chai and I was the Camp Director for a number of years, so this is very important to me and close to my heart. I will prioritize work on making camp a reality in 2018. I plan to create a forum to share ideas about how to make sure that we are able to have camp again next year. I hope you will consider joining me in this effort.

Bethany Sorkey Executive Director North Louisiana Jewish Federation 318-868-1200 [email protected]

Federation Executive Director, Bethany Sorkey

Samantha Bosalavage has visited our synagogue a few times and shared information about her work related to criminal justice reform in the state. For the third year, she will be running in a 10k in New Orleans to raise money for her organization, “The Promise of Justice Initiative.” All the money raised will go to their client and family assistance fund, money distributed to clients to cover basic needs and utilized to cover the expenses associated with family visits (car rental, gas, etc, oftentimes those family visits are from Shreveport to Angola). You can make a gift online by visiting the fundraising page: https://www.crowdrise.com/pjis-justice-league-runs-for-client-welfare/fundraiser/sammybosalavage

The Promise of Justice Initiative Funding Request


The North Louisiana Jewish Federation presents Shreveport Jewish Film Festival April 30 – May 4 at Robinson Film Center, 617 Texas Street, Downtown Shreveport www.robinsonfilmcenter.org

Festival Pass: $36 (includes reception ticket and one ticket to each film)* Festival Film Tickets Evenings: $9.50 ($7.50, RFC members) Matinees (before 6 p.m.): $7.50 ($5.50 RFC members) Advanced tickets: www.robinsonfilmcenter.org or 318.459.4122 Free member passes will not be accepted for festival screenings. *One festival pass includes admission to the opening-night reception and one ticket to each of the film programs. Once you’ve bought your festival pass, please contact RFC’s box office to reserve your movie tickets in advance. A festival pass does not guarantee admission to any screening, so please book your tickets well in advance.

Opening Night Reception 6-7 PM. April 30 Join members of the North Louisiana Jewish Federation and moviegoers for a reception celebrating this year’s program featuring special guests Raydra Hall and David Hylan, directors of Small Town Rage. Following the reception, at 7:30 p.m. Hall and Hylan will host a screening of Small Town Rage with a post-screening audience Q&A. Small Town Rage

1:35 p.m. April 30 7:30 p.m. April 30 with directors Q&A 3:15 p.m. May 1 5:30 p.m. May 3

During the early years of the AIDS pandemic, ACT-UP Shreveport called attention to the plight of those living with the disease and worked to change how the government and the medical community reacted to the crisis. Documentary, 105 min., NR.

Cloudy Sunday

3:50 p.m. April 30 7:40 p.m. May 2 5:30 p.m. May 4 with special guest speaker Katrina Booras

During World War II in Greece, a forbidden romance between an Orthodox Christian and a Jew tests the bonds of both of their families. In Greek with English subtitles. Post-screening discussion with Katrina Booras who grew up in Greece during World War II. Drama/Romance, 118 min., NR.

Surviving Skokie

5:30 p.m. May 1 3:55 May 2 7:45 p.m. May 3

After surviving German concentration camps, Jack Adler thought he would never face the same dangers in the suburbs of Chicago, until a neo-Nazi movement sweeps through Skokie in the 1970s. Documentary, 66 min., NR.

The Last Mentsch

7:05 May 1 5:30 p.m. May 2 3:20 p.m. May 4

Having spent a lifetime concealing his heritage, Marcus Schwarz, an aging German Holocaust survivor, finally tries to come to terms with his past and reform his Jewish identity. In German and other languages with English subtitles. Drama, 100 min., NR.

Lives Restarted

6:15 p.m. April 30 4:20 p.m. May 3 8:30 p.m. May 4

This documentary traces the challenges many Holocaust survivors faced after their release from the camps and their individual journeys to find freedom in the U.S., moving without family, not knowing how to speak English, and with only what they could carry in a small suitcase. Documentary, 40 min., NR.

Jewish Film Fest 2017: April 30-May 4

http://www.robinsonfilmcenter.org

http://www.robinsonfilmcenter.org


Community Holocaust Remembrance Service

This will be the 34th year that the Shreveport and Bossier communities will come together in prayer, memory, and hope for our annual Holocaust Remembrance Service. Each year a different house of worship hosts the event, and this year it will be

3 PM Sunday, April 23 at First Baptist Church

543 Ockley Drive Shreveport, LA 71106

Reginald "Reggie" Abrams is Chair of the Remembrance service this year.

Eleven candles will be lit in memory of the Eleven million lives lost during the Holocaust.

Cantor Neil Schwartz of Agudath Achim Synagogue will present musical selections.

We will share prayers together in memory and solidarity.

Our special guest speaker will be

Armin Guggenheim Mr. Guggenheim is a Holocaust survivor who came to this country in 1939.

His presentation is called:

“Lucky Me” More than 100 essays and poems from local middle school and high school students, and research papers from college students were submitted for our Holocaust Literature contest. Awards will be presented to the winners, and to participating teachers.

This is intended as a non-denominational opportunity for the community to come together to remember and find strength to prevent injustice in the world.

Please join us, whatever your faith background.

More details about the 2017 34th Annual Holocaust Remembrance Service for North

Louisiana can be found at the Holocaust Remembrance Service website:

www.HolocaustRemembranceService.org

or on the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/RemembranceService/

Sponsorship opportunities still exist to help fund the awards for the Literary Competition and

the teacher participants. Please consider making a donation to the North Louisiana Jewish

Federation to award students and teachers who have been encouraged to “Never Forget.” Your

donation can be acknowledged in the Holocaust Remembrance Service program.


If you are not on the above list for current birthdays or anniversaries it means that the office does not have your information.

Please provide the office with the appropriate month, date, and year to complete our data.

April Birthdays & Anniversaries

We give thanks for life, for health, for all that sustains us, and for this joyous day.

1- Justin Rutkowski 4- Ike Muslow 5- ♥ Amy & David Brainis 5- ♥ Donna & Randy Greengus 5- Melinda Kent 5- Lillian Miller 5- Amy Quinn 5- ♥ Amy & David Quinn 6- Herbert Miller 7- John Whittington 7- Frances Zadeck 7- Julie Zadeck 8- Kyah Hunter 9- Hollisann Kent 10- Eliot Haas

10- Elijah Nierman 11- Paige McGovern 12- Ron Lepow 13- Kate Myers 14- ♥ Dorothy & Bernard Lobel 15- David Brainis 16- Elaine Levin 16- Goldy Marrus 16- Jeri Miller 17- Joe Badt 18- Kristina Haas 18- Cary Rogers 18- Gloria Rosen 19- Fred Kent 20- ♥ Leia & Cornell Hunter

21- Isaac Haas 21- Laurie Levine 21- Cheryl Rubin 21- Alan Sklar 23- Sarah Abrams 23- Jonathan Murphrey 25- Robert Frey 26- Sanford Katz 27- Gary Abrams 27- Kayden Brooks 27- Timothy Levin 28- Connie Posner 29- Ava Muslow 30- Martin Black 30- Palmer Black

Mazel Tov to:

Sherri & Joe Baca on the birth of their fourth grandchild: Amarissa Baca. Arden Brainis is being inducted into the Junior Honor Society. She is the daughter of Amy &

David Brainis, and the grand-daughter of Lucy Brainis. Arden Gillum’s team “Legends” won the National Championship for mini prep cheerleading at

the National Cheerleaders Association Competition in Arlington Texas. She is the daughter of Melissa & Scott Gillum.

Rochelle Goldsholl on the wedding of her grandson Alex Rayner to Taylor Shae Whorley. He is the son of Ellen & Harry Rayner.

Tobias Kallenberg won the State Science Fair. He is the son of Heidi & Gregory Kallenberg and the grandson of Sandi & Jeffrey Kallenberg.

Michael Levy, son of Sandy & Ken Levy was installed as President of JF&CS of Atlanta, GA. Dorothy & Bernard Lobel in honor of their sixtieth wedding anniversary. Flo Selber on the birth of another great-grandson: Sam Benjamin Snelgrove, the brother of

Charlie. Parents are Leslie & Andy Snelgrove. Grandparents are Kay & Fred Zeidman. Lauren Turner has been inducted into the National Honor Society at

Captain Shreve. She is the daughter of Amy & Brent Turner, and the granddaughter of Sharon & Elliott Goldman

Lauren Turner has also been elected the Religion and Cultural Vice President of NFTY-Southern for 2017-2018.

Morgan Walker was inducted into the National Technical Honor Society. She is the daughter of Jennifer Boyter, and the grand-daughter of Kathy Plante.


Tributes

BUILDING & GROUNDS

In Honor of the 50th

Anniversary of:

Tammy & Larry Courtney Nell & Abry Cahn CAMP SCHOLARSHIP


Anniversary of:

Tammy & Larry Courtney Kathy Plante


Anniversary of:

Dorothy & Bernard Lobel Kathy Plante ENDOWMENT


Anniversary of:

Dorothy & Bernard Lobel Bobbye Goodman

In Memory of:

Kurt Strauss Connie and Donald Posner GENERAL

For the Recovery of:

Mandy Selber Sue & David Rubenstein

In Honor of:

B'nai Zion Michelle Johns Ramona Moody


Anniversary of:

Tammy & Larry Courtney Susan Murov


Anniversary of:

Dorothy & Bernard Lobel Sue & David Rubenstein

In Memory of:

Lisa Gaye Arnold Mimi Meriam Sigmund Blum Debbie & Stuart Blum Harry Cohen Debbie & Stuart Blum Betty Levy Helen Lansburgh Berte & Ike Muslow Helen Weisman Betty Ray Raburn Helen Weisman Steven Alcus Threefoot Berte and Ike Muslow

LIBRARY

In Honor of the Birthday of:

Gloria Meyer Angie Noelani

Thanks for the Bulletin Editing of:

Sheila Lawrence Angie Noelani MUSIC

For the Needs of:

Virginia Walker Great Shreveport Music Teachers Shirley Seligman ONEG SHABBAT

In Honor of:

Harriette Glazer Shirley Seligman


Anniversary of:

Tammy & Larry Courtney Bobbye Goodman

In Memory of:

Jules Dreyfuss Harriette Glazer Betty Levy Harriette Glazer Margaret Rifkin Harriette Glazer RABBI'S DISCRETIONARY

In Honor of:

B'nai Zion Judy Helton Rabbi Jana Tamara & Laurence Courtney Patti & Stephen Parker


Rabbi Jana Mark Kaplan David and Polly Kaufman Kathy Plante Michael Miller Mark Kaplan & Betsy Kaplan Beall Sue Rubenstein Mark Kaplan & Betsy Kaplan Beall Flo Selber Mark Kaplan & Betsy Kaplan Beall Patti Suckle Mark Kaplan & Betsy Kaplan Beall Herman Van Os Mark Kaplan & Betsy Kaplan Beall

RABBI'S DISCRETIONARY

In Memory of:

Karol Birchfield Cliff Birchfield Kurt Strauss Jerie & Jon Black Lory Ann Evensky RELIGIOUS SCHOOL

For the Recovery of:

Bill Braunig Harriette Glazer


Anniversary of:

Tammy & Larry Courtney Sharon & Elliott Goldman

In Honor of the Return Home of:

Bill Braunig Connie & Donald Posner

Prayers for Health of:

Bill Braunig Karen & Bob Gordon Susan Murov

In Honor of Purim

Jason Brown SISTERHOOD


Anniversary of:

Tammy & Larry Courtney Angie Noelani


Bethany Sorkey Angie Noelani

In Memory of:

Margaret Rifkin Karen & Bob Gordon SISTERHOOD FLOWER


Lucy Brainis Angie Noelani

In Memory of:

Jack Gold Mark Kaplan & Betsy Kaplan Beall Betty Levy Jerie & Jon Black WE CARE

Prayers for Health of:

Bill Braunig Peggy & Leroy Nuckolls


March 26 - April 1

Anita Levin Birkenstein Clarence Goldberg 13-05 Betty Cahn Grant 43-02 Charles D. Grieder 14-24 Inez Hafter 21-09 Aubrey C. Harris Ira Katz Janice Simon Kelly Mollie Lepow Erna Levy 31-15 Morris Lustberg Anna Fish Markels Simon Nelbert 13-20 Minnie River Isadore Selber 12-17 Donna Markham Tanner Arlene Vernon Anne Abram Wolens

April 2 - 8

Felix L. Alcus 24-01 Brad Lee Battarbee Carol Manhein Crane 23-15 Melitta K. Frankel Myrtle W. Freedman 14-01 Abe A. Gilbert 12-13 Abram Ginsburg Edmund Golden 22-25 Barbara C. Goodman 15-06 Mabel Cahn Landauer Levy Louis Ochs 21-04 Phoebe A. Rabinowitz Louis Silverblatt Mrs. Sally Sorkin 15-11 Robert D. Susman 31-19 Molly B. Teck Norma Levy Weinstein 11-23 Walter Wolens 11-11

April 9 - 15

Isadore Friedman Salome Heiman Gardsbane 34-25 Louis Goldin 13-17 Jeanette Katz Lois P. Kuperman Arnie Lawrence 34-04 Clara L. Lieber 15-08 Charlton E. Meyer Sr. 32-22 Nathan Pfeifer 15-10 Harry Rosenzweig Henry S. Weisman, Jr. 25-10 Doris Susman Yates Jon Zuzak 13-06

April 16 - 22

Morris Anisman 23-01 Lisa Gaye Arnold Morrie J. Ellison 24-04 Alfred Grossman Meyer Heiman 24-15 Birdie Frank Katzenstein M28 Nathan Levi Zel E. Lipsen Nellie Schwartz Larry Shirley Miriam Mandel Sklar Mrs. Barbara Alcus Threefoot 24-19 Natalie H. Weiss 13-10 Charles Zelinsky

April 23 - 29

Dr. Louis Abramson C. H. Baker David Bernstein M. T. Flaxman Madeleine Gariani Emily Gassenheimer Louis Glazer Flossie L. Goldin 14-23 Simon Herold 31-10 Leah K. Joseph Connie Katzenstein Leonora Groner Kleban 34-20 Isadore Kuperman 15-01 Anne Lawrence Joseph J. Levy 24-17 Oscar Levy Hyman P. Mandel Leo Minder 24-13 Hermione Cahn Moss Joe Murov 44-02 Conway Temple Sinclair 33-01 Seymour Van Os 14-06

April 30 - May 6

Isaac Barron M06 Bea Blumberg 33-12 Shelton "Shelly" Borin Harry Fox 31-11 Nancy Claire Fox 31-13 Sally Friedman Irving Greenberg 25-21 Fannie Chapman Handel Lucille Michel Joseph Phillips 11-08 Isaac Raas M30 Ruben Schultz Meir Peter Paul Jacob Shamgar Stanley L. Sugar Rebecca Vedlitz 14-11 Herman Willer Numbers following a name denotes Plaque Location : For example 13-06 is found: Board 1 (near sanctuary) Column 3 (from left) Row 6 (from top) Board M is large Marble stone near stairs

Yahrzeits

May Their Memories

Be A Blessing

May God Console

Family and Friends of:

Frank Hayden Anthony father of Georgette Toys

This month especially

we also remember

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In the Shoah


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B’nai Zion Congregation

245 Southfield Road

Shreveport, LA 71105-3608

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

SHREVEPORT, LA

PERMIT NO. 213

(318) 861-2122 office

[email protected]

www.bnaizioncongregation.org

Rabbi Dr. Jana L. De Benedetti

Gary Abrams, President

Helaine Braunig, Educator

Special thanks to Boyett Printing for helping with our colorful printing needs

TIME SENSITIVE MATERIAL PLEASE EXPEDITE

B’nai Zion History: Charter Obtained 1866 First Building Erected 1870 Present Building Dedicated 4/20/56 Joined UAHC 1908

1 Rabbi Jana’s Message

2 President, Gary Abrams

3 Educator, Helaine Braunig

4 People of the Book Club

Together Tuesday Simcha Shabbat Passover Worship Service

5 Isaac Haas in “Once” at Strand Robichaux Caminker Naming Ceremony Ethical Dilemmas Discussion at the Oaks

6 Museum Dedication Passover Posse Cooking Times

7 Arden Brainis Bat Mitzvah Red River Radio Programs

8 Seder Reservation Form

9 Kroger Rewards Lady Bug Love Candle and Kiddush Blessers BZ Schedules

10 Omer Info

11 Elvis and Puppet Purim Videos from BZ Sale of Chametz form

12 Federation President Purim Carnival pictures

13 Federation Executive Director Promise of Justice Fund Raiser

14 Holocaust Remembrance Service

15 Jewish Film Fest

16 Mazel Tov Birthdays and Anniversaries

17 Tributes

18 Yahrzeits Condolences

19 Calendar

It’s In Here Somewhere

news from b’’nai zion congregation in shreveport, lato my dad’s mom - maybe only once). in our...

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