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Temple Emanu-Elof Sarasota

BulletinFounded 1956

Sarasota, FloridaFeb 2017

Shevat/Adar 5777Volume 286

URJ Affiliated

Rabbi’s Remarks

by Rabbi Michael Shefrin

Ben Zoma says: Who is wise? The one who learns from every person. Ethics of our Fathers, 4:1

This famous Jewish teaching is more than just a cliche. It is no secret that we learn in different ways and from different sources. In our lives, there are many voices to learn from and many examples to follow. So, how are we to choose? Ben Zoma offers us a ground-ing and guiding principle. He tells us that to become wise, we should try to learn from everyone. There are learning opportunities everywhere. A quiet man shared with me the secret to his long marriage. A mourning family told the heartwarm-ing story of how their loved one got her nickname. Our youngest Temple

members teach about vibrancy with their energy. Scholars and reporters are keeping us aware of the happenings in our world. Ben Zoma teaches us by example. There is more to this quote than we often read. Ben Zoma continues the teaching by quoting from a supporting text, written by the Psalmist; “From all my teachers I have acquired wisdom.” (Psalm 119:99) Within his own teach-ing, quoting someone else from many hundreds of years earlier, he has shown us that he too learns from others. Another lesson gleaned from this teaching is that we can also learn from those who embody negative traits. We can learn what not to do from a thief or a braggart. We can learn what not to do from one who is obnoxious or who can’t be bothered. We can learn from one who is too materialistic or even too spiritual and has lost touch with the real world. We can learn from what is said, and what is unsaid. Ben Zoma reminds us that we can learn from an entire person, not just their words.

It is important to note that this teaching is not about becoming smart. It is about becoming wise. Webster’s Dictionary once defined wisdom as, “the effectual mediating principle or personifica-tion of God’s will in the creation of the world.” Seeking wisdom is holy work. We must continue to pursue it even when it makes us uncomfortable. Some of my greatest teachers recently have been those I do not agree with. Ben Zoma’s teaching has taken on a new meaning. It has inspired me to ask more questions and not to back away because I feel differently. I have made it a point to try to understand what is igniting another’s passions or choices, especially when they do not line up with mine. If we disagree with someone and don’t ask, we are potentially denying the opportunity for actualizing God’s will in the world. When we are un-afraid to have constructive dialogue, we become testimony to God’s greatest

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INSIDE:Brotherhood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Sisterhood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Sisterhood Gift Shop. . . . . . . . . . . .3Summer Dining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Shabbat Alive! Returns . . . . . . . . . . . .4Birthday of the Trees. . . . . . . . . . 4Photo Gallery: Crowley Nat Ctr 5Early Learning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Havurah Photo Gallery . . . . . . . . 7

Hanukkah Happening Photos . . . . . . 8-9Zip Code Oneg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Israel Committee Report . . . . . . . .11STEEMY News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12February Schedule of Services 13 Mark Your Calendar. . . . . . . . . . 14February Birthdays . . . . . . . . . . 14February Anniversaries . . . . . . 15Contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-18

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creation, the human being. Have we allowed ourselves to become so smart, that we do not need to accumulate more wisdom? Everyone has something we can benefit from. Find out how you can learn from them and you will become more wise. Who are your teachers? What have you learned? What do they believe in? Personally, I have learned so much from and with you. The Temple Emanu-El family is truly wise. Who else and what else will you teach?

BrotherhoodThe New Year is upon us and many wishes go out to all Temple members for a healthy and prosperous one. What can you look forward to new from Temple Emanu-El in 2017 that is new? You can now register and pay for Temple events on-line! Yes, Temple Emanu-El has entered the 21st century in the world of information technology. Thanks to Gayle Yaverbaum, Temple member, who worked with Brotherhood to post the first ever on-line registration for the March Golf Tournament Fund Raiser. Many events can be accessed and paid for through links in the Temple weekly e-mail message and the Temple website under the events tab. Try it, you may like it! In addition, Brotherhood has planned the following new programs/events for the months of February and March:

n Sunday, February 12, 5:30-7:30 pm Dinner and Sports Talk with Doug Fernandes,

Rabbi’s MessageContinued from page 1

Herald Tribune’s sports columnist.

n Sunday, February 26, 6:00-8:00 pm Din-ner and Ballroom Dancing with Dynasty Dance Club planned by both Brotherhood and Sisterhood.

n Sunday, March 26, Golf Tournament planned by both Brotherhood and Sister-hood.

We are always looking for temple members interested in becoming more active in Temple life. The Brotherhood serves the Temple and in turn the Temple serves its members. This symbiotic relationship makes Temple Emanu-El a safe, accepting, and giv-ing place many of us call our second home. On behalf of the Brotherhood I welcome you to join us at an event of your choice.

Shalom,Barry GerberBrotherhood President

Jazz singer Synia Carroll entertained Temple members at Brotherhood’s Jazz Dreams Program

SisterhoodSisterhood is looking for a few great leaders!We can provide you with that opportunity, and we are here to support you. Our board meetings are open to any Sisterhood member, and we are also looking for women who might be willing to serve on the board next year. It is a wonderful opportunity to feel a part of our unique community. Consider it! Becoming involved in the “workings” of the Temple is a mitzvah, and a great way to make friends!

Speaking of mitzvahs, we are all grateful to Gail Leavitt and her committee for orga-nizing such a lovely event to honor Mona Salomon, Marlies Gluck, and Joanne Maguire

for their years of service to Sisterhood. The Honors luncheon, at Michael’s On East this year, is a Sisterhood tradition. We appre-ciate the women of our Temple!

On December 14th, members of Sister-hood, their friends and family were led on an interesting, educational and enjoyable tour of the Robert and Beverly Koski Production Center. It houses their scene shop, rehearsal studios, production offices, and props as

well as a vast costume storage area. The Koski Center is the largest scene shop south of Atlanta and builds sets not only for Asolo Rep, but also for Sarasota Opera and Sarasota Ballet.

Sisterhood, Brotherhood, and the Social Action Committee, along with the Jewish Federation of Sarasota Manatee, sponsored another of our favorite Temple events, our yearly tribute to the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, on January 15th. It was a well attended, beautiful gift to the Sarasota com-munity. Many thanks to our hard working committees, and especially to the tireless Don Malawsky for his skill and energy in organiz-ing this event!

Put on your dancing shoes! Last year we taught you Latin dancing and this year we are teaching Ballroom Dancing! Look for event flyers for our dance event February 26th, cosponsored with Brotherhood.

Warmly,

Deb Stengel and Daryl BayerSisterhood Co-Presidents

Hebrew Word of the Month: Balagan

If faced with a mess or chaos, an Israeli might describe the situation as “balagan.” Commonly used, “balagan” does not come from Hebrew; the noun was borrowed from Russian and entered Hebrew during the First Aliyah (1882-1903).

For example: Traffic on Fruitville this afternoon was a “balagan.”

Pronunciation: Accented on the last syl-lable: bala-GAN. ldkc

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Sisterhood Gift Shopn Check out the Sisterhood Gift Shop

for specials every week. n Big Sale on Israeli merchandise on

February 10th. Includes jewelry, mezuzot, hamsas, fiddlers on the roof and more.

n Create a Gift Registry for your B’nai Mitzvot students and/or weddings. Select the items you would like for your Wish List for these wonderful occasions.

n Personalized Gift Certificates avail-able.Many thanks to all the volunteers

who help make the Gift Shop so suc-cessful. 100% of the proceeds go to Sisterhood for the Religious School.

The Gift Shop is open before and after services and for special events. Also, by appointment with Alice Cotman (call 302-3619).

Alice CotmanSisterhood Gift Shop Buyer/Manager

Summer Dining On Thursday, December 29, Ethel and I presented a check for $820.32 to JFCS’s Operation Military Assistance

Program (OMAP). The OMAP offers case management and financial as-sistance to very-low-income veterans and their families who are literally homeless or who are about to become

homeless to enable them to obtain or maintain stable, permanent hous-ing.

This represent-ed the proceeds from restaurants participating in Temple Emanu-El’s Summer Din-ing Program 2016. These restaurants donated 10% back to the Temple’s Social Action Com-mittee’s Buddy Program. A huge shout-out to our diners and these 12 restaurants: Apollonia, Bang-kok, Demetrios, Fandango Café, InfuZions, Ital-ian Grill, Madfish

Grill, Salute!, Sol’s NYC Deli, The Greek Taverna, Valentino’s and Yume Sushi. Since I began this program three years ago, we have donated $2,200.

I am looking forward to another successful year in 2017 when we dine at different restaurants each week in June, July, and August after our abbre-viated Friday night Shabbat Services. If you are interested in more informa-tion, please contact me at: RJGFL37@gmail.com.

Dick GrossSummer Dining Chairman

COMING EVENTS

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Shabbat Alive! Returns to Temple Emanu-El February 17The time for joy and exaltation, spiritual uplift and inspirational prayer is here once again as the all-musical Shabbat Alive! worship service returns to Temple Emanu-El on Friday, February 17, at 7:30 p.m.

Held three times a year, Temple Emanu-El’s Shabbat Alive! services are among the premier Jewish music experiences in Sarasota-Manatee. “The feeling of Shabbat Alive! fills your soul with delight,” Rabbi Brenner Glickman stated. “The music touches your core in a way that reason cannot explain. Your body moves; your voice sings out. And hundreds of other people are singing out with you.”

Celebrate the Birthday of the Trees at Mixon Fruit Farms!The trees are having a birthday, and Temple Emanu-El’s young Jewish and interfaith families are warmly invited to celebrate!

This month, Temple Emanu-El will partner with PJ Library and the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee for a gala celebration of Tu B’Shevat—the Jewish holiday marking the birthday of the trees! We’ll gather with young families from all over Sarasota-Manatee for this special event on Saturday, February 11, at 11 a.m. at Mixon Fruit Farms, 2525 27th Street East in Bradenton. In addition to Shab-bat and Tu B’Shevat blessings, prayers, songs, and stories, we’ll enjoy a tour of the orange groves and wildlife rescue, a great play

area, and a bagel breakfast with yummy fruits. We are very proud that Tot Shabbat Leadership Team member Stefanie Guido is chairing this great program.Spaces will be limited for this event, which is open to the entire community, and RSVPs must be made through the Federation—so please log onto www.jfedsrq.org/events right away to reserve your spot! We look forward to celebrat-ing the birthday of the trees and the blessings of Shabbat, nature, and the Jewish community to-gether!

Mixon Fruit Farms will be the place to celebrate Tu B’Shevat this year!

HAPPENINGS

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Photo Gallery: Crowley Nature Center Tot ShabbatYoung Jewish and interfaith families enjoyed a fantastic Shab-bat morning together at Temple Emanu-El’s annual Tot Shabbat at Crowley Nature Center! Whether enjoying the rustic and beautiful setting, exploring the trails on a family hike, trying out a toddler zipline, chatting with old and new friends over bagels, or getting into the Hanukkah spirit with a fun craft and dreidels and gelt, partici-pants spent this special Shabbat appreciating the blessings of nature and the blessings of friendship, ca-maraderie, and community. Sincere thanks were offered to event chair Liana Sheintal Bryant for her dedi-cated and expert planning.

For more information or to receive email reminders about Tot Shabbat events, please call Rabbi Elaine at 379-1997.

Alana Duffy had a great time on the zipline

Maxwell Link and Alexandra Marcus got ready to explore Crowley Nature Center together

Maxwell Link and Alexandra Marcus got ready to explore Crowley Nature Center together

Andy and Daniel Cohen enjoyed father-son time on the shaded porch swing

Karen and Kyle Draper shared a smile

HAPPENINGS

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the children heard their teachers say words in four differ-ent languages —He-brew, Norwegian, Afrikaans and Span-ish. What a wonder-ful trip around our world.

On the last day before winter break, all of the children and their families gathered together to celebrate Hanukkah and an International luncheon. Rabbi Glickman told the

Hanukkah story, led the children in singing the dreidel song and lit the menorah. In addition to eating latkes and applesauce for Hanuk-kah, the children and their fami-lies enjoyed partaking in the food brought from the families counties of origin, Mexico, South Africa, Italy, Ireland, Germany, and many more places around the world. It was a huge success.

The Early Learning Center wishes everyone a happy, healthy New Year!

Early LearningCan you think of a better way to end the month of December than taking an imaginary trip around the world? With the guidance of the teachers at Temple Emanu-El’s Early Learning Center, the children learned about places their teachers visited or places where their teach-ers were born. Ms. Sandi Felsenfeld (VPK assistant teacher) brought in photographs of her children at the Western Wall and at the Dead Sea in Israel. She assisted Ms. Debbie in reading stories about Israel and creating artwork depicting many Jewish holidays. Ms. Tammy is originally from South Africa and assisted Ms. Mary in teaching our three-year-old children about “The Big Five” which include lions, ele-

phants, Cape buffalo, leopards, and rhinoceros. The children loved mak-ing the many different animals. Did

you know that rhinoceros have poor vision and will sometimes attack trees and rocks by accident, even though their hearing and sense of smell are excel-lent? Ms. Millie is from Puerto Rico and shared photographs and stories with our two-year-olds about the coqui frogs that sing from dusk to dawn. Ms. Bente is from Norway and shared that trolls play a great role in Norwe-gian folklore. During this imaginary trip around the world,

HAPPENINGS

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Havurah Photo GalleryNew and current Temple members continue to express interest in being in a havurah. Many of us have no immediate family in the Sara-sota area. Once a havurah forms, members

feel as though they are part of an extended family through the close friendships that often develop.

In early December a potluck dinner was held in the dining room of the Overture Grand

Oaks Apartments where those attending were able to meet one another, enjoy a delicious pot-luck dinner together and create new havurot. Many thanks go to Louise and Norty Bick for making the arrangements for us.

HAPPENINGS

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Photo Gallery: Religious School Hanukkah HappeningThe annual “Hanukkah Happening” play —written by Director of Education Sabrina Silverberg and perfectly performed by the seventh grade class—plus Hanukkah learning and tasting stations; latkes and edible dreidels; a crazy sock gift exchange; and dreidels and gelt handed out by Judah Maccabee himself made December 11 a very special morning for Temple Emanu-El Reli-gious School. Sincere thanks to the staff and

Simone Velez enjoyed the food sta-tion during the Hanukkah Happening

parent and teen volunteers (especially Owen “Judah Maccabee” Eiseman) for making sure

that “Hanukkah (Was) Happening” for our Temple kids!

Nicolas Cutler and Cullen Pfanmiller enjoyed the festive Hanukkah atmosphere at TEERS

Parents Lydia Howard, Pippa Schwimmer, Rabbi Brenner Glickman, Mindy Bloom, and Lori Cutler dished up yummy Hanukkah treats, including Justine Amdur’s amazing homemade applesauce

HAPPENINGS

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Left: Owen “Judah Maccabee” Eise-man got a little costume adjustment from his sister Lucy

The seventh grade class did a phenomenal job performing the original play “Hanukkah Happening”

HAPPENINGS

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Zip Code Oneg Kicks Off Neighborhood AmbassadorsOf the 41 zip codes in Sarasota and Manatee Counties, Temple Emanu-El members live in 30 of these. The Zip Code Oneg on December 9 kicked off the Neighborhood Ambassadors initiative while giv-ing Temple members and guests the opportunity to sit with others living in their zip code. So far, the following Temple members have graciously volunteered to be Neigh-borhood Ambassadors for their zip codes:

34228 Neighborhood Ambassador: Meryl Taback 34232 Neighborhood Ambassador: Susan and Bob Meisel 34234 Neighborhood Ambassador: Gail Leavitt

34243 Zip Code Table at Zip Code Shabbat

34235 Zip Code Table at Zip Code Shabbat

34235 Neighborhood Ambassador: Ethel Gross 34236 Neighborhood Ambassador: Phyllis Dreyfuss 34242 Neighborhood Ambassador: Judi Sterne 34201 Neighborhood Ambassador: Gayle Yaverbaum and Joan Blum

The Neighbor-hood Ambassadors are hard at work planning neighbor-hood gatherings for members and pro-spective members who live in their zip code. If you would like to be the Neighborhood Ambassador for the zip code where you live and your

zip code is not on the above list, please contact Kim Sheintal, Mem-bership Chair, at 941-921-1433.

FYI

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Israel Committee ReportTemple Emanu-El’s new Israel Committee is pleased to report that things are tov m’eod—very good! This dynamic and dedicat-ed group of Israel lovers is work-ing passionately to increase Israel awareness and connection, and to bring meaningful and exciting Israel-related programs to our community.

On December 13, the Is-rael Committee and alumni of Temple Emanu-El’s Israel trips had the privilege of meeting with Rabbi Galia Sadan of the

The Israel Committee and Temple Emanu-El Israel trip alumni welcomed Rabbi Galia Sadan of Beit-Daniel Centers to a spe-cial gathering on December 13

Beit-Daniel Centers in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Israel. Rabbi Sadan shared her inspiring stories of bringing progressive Judaism to life in Israel, and explored ways that Temple Emnau-El and the Beit-Daniel Centers might collaborate together. It was a very special afternoon.

The Israel Committee is also excited to hold its first Israel Shabbat on Friday, February 10, at 7:30 p.m. The evening’s speaker will be Lauren Yoked of Leket Israel, who will talk about Israel’s national food bank and efforts to feed Israel’s hungry. We will also enjoy an Israeli twist to the service and of course the

oneg. Please join us.Other upcoming Israel Com-

mittee events include a Yom HaZikaron (Israeli Memorial Day) and Yom HaAtzmaut (Is-raeli Independence Day) dinner and film night in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, an educa-tional program for teens, and an opportunity to get to know Israelis from our sister city of Tel Mond. If you’d like more infor-mation about any of these events, or to get involved with the Israel Committee, please call Israel Committee Chair Rabbi Elaine Rose Glickman at 379-1997. Sha-lom! L’hitraot!

Allergy AssociatesFREDERICK L. BLOOM, M.D.

www.allergysarasota.net2650 Bahia Vista St., Suite 304

Sarasota, FL 34239941-366-9711

Extended hours

FYI

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STEEMY NewsThis month, six high-school STEEMY (Sarasota Temple Ema-nu-El Mitzvah Youth) members went to a weeklong get-together with other South Florida Jewish youth groups at the NFTY Winter Kallah in Orlando. New STEEMY advisor Sherrie Eisenberg accom-panied them. Getting STEEMY to this event was a group undertak-ing, with many parent volunteers; Michelle Pearson, mother of Membership Vice President Aiden Pearson, drove the youth group members. At the kallah itself, STEEMY members were exposed

to the many dimensions of Juda-ism as they met refugee families, wrote their own services, and reflected on the major life events, which made them who they are. These messages were enhanced by celebrations of Hanukkah, which put the focus on Juda-ism as a cultural force. STEEMY’s attendance at the Winter Kal-lah this year is much higher than last year’s, and STEEMY intends

and send more members to the winter kallah next year.

STEEMY membership is open to all high school students regard-less of Temple membership. To enroll in STEEMY or learn more about upcoming events, please call 371-2788.

Heading out to winter kallah together were Rabbi Michael Shefrin, STEEMY vice president Julianna Maggard, STEEMY president Abigail Zion, STEEMY vice president Tayla Rosenthal, STEEMY adviser Sherrie Eisenberg, STEEMY vice president Aiden Pear-son, Cooper Zion, and Jacob Baram

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It’s that time of year again!!

We are starting to collect for the Brotherhood & Sisterhood Estate/

Rummage Sale

Tell all your neighbors & friends that we want all the stuff they don’t want!!!

Last year’s Rummage Sale was a huge success!!!

Remember, all proceeds go to our Temple & Religious School

For more information or for a pickup of large items or large amounts of items, please call Bruce or Laura

Zalkin 941-302-0572 or 941-302-0584

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Rabbi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brenner GlickmanAssistant Rabbi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael ShefrinPresident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Toby halpernImmediate Past President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gloria WeedBrotherhood President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Barry GerberSisterhood President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deb Stengel, Daryl BayerChoir Director/Organist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cynthia Roberts-GreeneBulletin Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alan ZuckermanBulletin Editorial Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Alterman, Ellen Lenk,

herbert Lenk, Robert Myers, Joan Levenson, helene Myers, Sharlya Gold

Temple Emanu-El151 McIntosh RoadSarasota, FL 34232Office 941-371-2788Temple Kitchen 941-371-2805Religious School 941-378-5567Pre School 941-377-8074www.sarasotatemple.org

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