temple sinai shofar november 2014

November 2014

שופר סיני

AMILIES FIRST

If I was going to describe in one phrase

what I think my job is, then I would say,

“Community Builder”. It is the one idea

which encompasses almost everything I

do. That is what I want to achieve in our

3rd Friday Family Services beginning on

November 21 (details on page 19). The

services will be targeted at elementary

school age young people and their families. They will include

essential Jewish elements such as eating, learning and

schmoozing. There will be opportunities for young people as

well as the adults attached to them to get to know each other

better and build bonds between them. This monthly event will

not be restricted to Temple members but is meant to be a

way of reaching out to other young families who might see a

good fit at Temple Sinai.

משולחנו של הרב כהן

The Temple Sinai Newsletter · November 2014 · Cheshvan - Kislev 5775

Lifelong

Learning

Page 8

New

Temple

Centerfold

Pages 12-13

New

Members

6

Gift Shop

Information

Page 16

Dine Out

Page 23

In this issue:

Events 2

President’s Message

3

Cantor 4

Tzedakah 11

Religious School

5

Men’s Club & Sisterhood

6

Life Cycles 9

Advertising 20

Donations 15

Temple News and Notes

16

Rabbinic legend tells us that young people are the

guarantors of our tradition. We want them to not only feel

welcome at Temple Sinai but also feel real joy, be

intellectually stimulated, and be spiritually inspired. I want

young people to enjoy going to services with the adults

who look after them but also hang out with their buddies in

the lobby during services! They should get up for

Religious School on Sunday morning but also go out as a

group to the movies.

As a graduate of a Zionist Youth Movement, I know that, if

the bonds between young people are strengthened at an

early age within a Jewish context, there is no limit to what

the depth of their commitment to the Jewish community

might be in the future.

L’shalom/To Peace,

Rabbi Malcolm Cohen

n November 14th Temple Sinai Social Action Committee kicks off our second Holiday Giving Tree project. This project is designed, in collaboration with Jewish Family Services, to sponsor 25 families in need. Among the items to be donated are toys for younger children, gift cards for older children and parents and one food gift card for each family. ‘Wish’ cards will be hung on the Giving Tree with care. Hopefully all of the cards will be selected by congregants, their families and friends. The gifts will be delivered to JFS in time to be distributed for Chanukah. Please find it in your heart to take one! For Additional information please contact Eileen Bellsey 702-334-1444

ועדת תיקון עולם

2 November 2014

שופר סיני

Saturday, November 01, 2014

10:00 AM - 11:45 AM Shabbat Morning Worship includes the

Bar Mitzvah of Justin Flashner

Sunday, November 02, 2014

09:30 AM - 12:00 PM No Religious School

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Class Taught by Rabbi Cohen titled

'Beyond Borders: The History of the Arab Israeli Conflict'.

10:00 AM Men's Club Softball

Tuesday, November 04, 2014

04:30 PM - 06:00 PM Hebrew School, Post B'nai and

Confirmation Classes

07:00 PM - 08:30 PM Ritual Committee Meeting

07:00 PM - 08:00 PM Through The Lens: A Mini Series by Rabbi

Malcolm Cohen: Discussing Movies With Jewish Themes

Wednesday, November 05, 2014

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM History of the Jewish People in the US,

1900 - Present Day

01:00 PM - 03:00 PM Yiddish: Learn to Speak, Read, Write and

Appreciate

06:00 PM - 08:00 PM Hizdamnut- Adult Education Opportunity

06:00 PM - 08:00 PM Sisterhood Game Night

07:00 PM - 08:15 PM Boy Scout Meeting

Thursday, November 06, 2014

06:30 PM Adult Choir Practice

07:00 PM - 08:00 PM Zumba Classes

Friday, November 07, 2014

06:15 PM - 07:00 PM Tots Shabbat

07:30 PM - 08:45 PM Shabbat Worship


10:00 AM - 11:45 AM Shabbat Morning worship includes Bat

Mitzvah of Aliya Epstein

05:00 PM Bat Mitzvah of Madison Levine


09:30 AM - 12:00 PM NO Religious School



10:00 AM Men's Club Breakfast


12:00 PM - 02:00 PM Lunch Bunch for Women Age 50+

04:30 PM - 06:00 PM No Hebrew School, Post B'nai and

Confirmation Classes - Veteran's Day

06:30 PM - 08:00 PM Marketing Committee Meeting

07:00 PM - 08:30 PM Social Action/Social Justice



1900 - Present Day


Appreciate

03:30 PM - 05:30 PM Finance Committee Meeting









10:00 AM - 11:45 AM Shabbat Morning Worship

ממושמש ובא


10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Jewish War Veterans Post #64

10:00 AM - 11:00 PM Sisterhood Executive Meeting

11:00 AM - 01:30 PM Sisterhood Luncheon

Monday, November 17, 2014

06:30 PM - 08:00 PM Mens' Club Board Meeting

07:00 PM - 08:00 PM Senior Committee Meeting


04:30 PM - 06:00 PM Hebrew School, Post B'nai and

Confirmation Classes

06:15 PM - 09:00 PM Temple Sinai Board Meeting

07:00 PM - 09:00 PM Temple Sinai Book Club



1900 - Present Day

11:00 AM - 01:00 PM Shenker Thanksgiving Feast for 3 & 4 year

olds


Appreciate

05:00 PM - 08:00 PM Homework/Social Grades 7 - 11





07:00 PM - 09:00 PM Sisterhood Board Meeting





10:00 AM - 11:45 AM Shabbat Morning Worship includes the

Bar Mitzvah of Max Berman

10:00 AM - 01:30 PM Summerlin Minyan Project


09:30 AM - 12:00 PM Religious School



10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Sisterhood General Meeting

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Town Hall Meeting


12:00 PM - 02:00 PM Lunch Bunch for Women Age 50+

04:30 PM - 06:00 PM No Hebrew School, Post B'nai and

Confirmation Classes - Thanksgiving Week

07:00 PM - 08:00 PM Adult Ed. Through the Lens: Movie

Discussion 'Walk on Water'



1900 - Present Day


Appreciate

03:00 PM - 08:00 PM Dine Out - Bagel Cafe








10:00 AM - 11:45 AM Shabbat Morning Worship


09:30 AM - 12:00 PM NO Religious School - Thanksgiving Week



http://www.templesinailv.org/hc/events/index.php?com=detail&eID=3161





























































































3 November 2014

שופר סיני

Rabbi Malcolm Cohen

[email protected]

Cantor Mariana Gindlin

[email protected]

Executive Committee

Julie Littmann, President

[email protected]

Les Sherman, 1st Vice President

[email protected]

Barry Duman, 2nd Vice President

[email protected]

Nachum Golodner, Treasurer

[email protected]

Jack Kaufman, Recording

Secretary

[email protected]

Trustees

Ilana Shapiro

Stephanie Helms

Bob Levin

Shel Kolner

Jaime Pollack

Steve Weiner

Ed Goldenberg

Immediate Past President

Rick Hollander

Sisterhood

Tina Drago, President

[email protected]

Men’s Club

Sean Lyttle, President

[email protected]

Religious School

Dr. Sharon Knafo

[email protected]

Shenker Academy

Linda Specht, Director

[email protected]

Controller

John Demarco

[email protected]

Temple Office

Phil Scully, Executive Director

[email protected]

Kim Israel, Executive Assistant

[email protected]

Sinai Shofar

Apryl Lyttle and Greg Safdeye,

Editors

[email protected]

מסר הנשיא

all it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it,

whoever you are, you need one. ~Jane Howard

Our first High Holidays in the new sanctuary have come and gone and I feel so

blessed to have been a part of our history at Temple Sinai. Our sanctuary was

designed specifically to provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere to all, which I

believe was felt by everyone that attended services. Personally, I cannot express in

words the joy and happiness I felt watching all of our congregants joining each other

arm in arm to worship on our holiest of days. My wish for this year is to fill our

sanctuary to capacity next year and continue to deepen our impact on the Jewish

community in Las Vegas. My hope is that you felt compelled enough with what you

experienced to assist us in our goal to operate in a deficit free budget and any

donation small or large is equally important and appreciated.

Our Gala was a tremendous success and all that came out to support our largest fundraiser of the year had

a great time. There was a silent auction, dinner and dancing for everyone to enjoy as we honored Richard

Hollander for the hard work as our past President, as well as overseeing the construction of our new

campus. My husband Eric was the emcee for the event and took pleasure, along with some liberties with his

humor, in making Rick feel all the love that our congregation has for his efforts in making Temple Sinai what

it is today. I want to thank the Gala committee for putting together such a fabulous event. Great Job!

An important upcoming event in November is our Town Hall meeting. The format of our meeting is provided

for a congregant to attend and ask any question in relation to Temple Sinai. I want to emphasize that there

are no limits on any issue which you, the congregant wishes to address. One of my strongest beliefs

serving as your President is transparency, providing information in all aspects of our operations to anyone

wishing to know. I will also provide some overall information on where we stand operationally, financially,

etc. as to keep the members informed and up to date. I urge any of our congregants to attend and inquire

about what we are doing on a day-to-day basis to provide the members with events, education and

programming. I look forward to seeing you in November.

My Door is Always open,

Julie Littmann

Temple Sinai President

mailto:[email protected]


4 November 2014

שופר סיני

משולחנה של החזנית גינדלין

ecoming a member of a congregation is a lot like getting married to someone. In genesis 2:18 we read that God says, “ it is not good for man to be alone; I will make a partner for him.” The story implies that finding an appropriate life’s companion is not an easy matter, and that to do it well, might even require divine wisdom. The traditional Hebrew word for marriage is kiddushin, and it is derived from Kadosh—holy—and this describes quite accurately the Jewish attitude toward marriage. Judaism supports the idea that the bond of marriage is sacred and eternal, and a reflection of the covenant between God and the people of Israel. In Judaism, the decision to marry implies a willingness to enter wholeheartedly into a sacred covenant with another person; to enter a sanctified relationship. It is in this tradition of sacred covenant that a couple are inspired to build together the mikdash meat—the miniature sanctuary—that the Jewish home should be. So, I said that finding a life partner and making a commitment is a lot like becoming a member of a congregation. How is that? We know that it’s not good for Jews to be alone… we are social beings...we are meant to connect. But it is not easy to find a congregation to belong to. Before joining a congregation, one must ask oneself: Do I agree with the mission and vision of this synagogue? And also, am I willing to take an active part in realizing that vision and mission? Can I be held accountable? “Temple Sinai is a warm and welcoming Reform Jewish community engaged in lifelong learning, soulful worship, and social justice “ There are Jewish congregations where the members sign a membership covenant when they join, and they make a commitment by signing that paper, to take responsibility in building a community of holiness, in embracing Jewish values, in deepening their Jewish identities through Torah/learning, Avodah/worship, Gemilut Chesed/ social action, and Hevrah/Felowship. We have to be passionate about this… Joining a congregation is a serious matter… like getting married… So, now that we know it, we can say that today we are symbolically signing a covenant. We adhere to the Temple Sinai Project. So, like a married couple, we felt inspired to build together our house, our own Mikdash, our sanctuary, to make our garden grow; for us and for generations to come. So these walls become a home for our Temple Sinai Project to inhabit. Because, we are not here to just celebrate we have a new building; we are here today, specifically, to celebrate what Temple Sinai stands for, and the project of Temple Sinai. That is the reason we are here celebrating this morning. Because the building is only a consequence of having a project. The building only has a value because it is tied to our purpose; our project is the soul that lives in the building. That is what makes us the warm big family that we are. And that is what makes this place our second home. So, ...are you willing to enter wholeheartedly into a sacred covenant, a sanctified relationship with the “Temple Sinai Project”? It’s an honor for me to be a part of this chapter in the history of our

בת מצוה של אהבה אריאל בת שרה לאה ושמעון פייוול

adison Levine will be celebrating her Bat Mitzvah at the Red Rock Resort for a beautiful Havdalah service on November 8th. We are excited to welcome our friends and family from near and far, traveling to Las Vegas from New England, Florida, California, New York and Pennsylvania. Madison is a warm hearted young lady whom we are so proud to call our daughter. She enjoys socializing with her friends and is often the " entertainer " of the group. She loves to make her friends laugh and enjoys the little things in life.

Madison excels at many things that she is passionate about such as helping with rescue pets, breast cancer awareness, and Best Buddies.

Madison attends Sig Rogich Middle school in the 8 th grade. She is a member of the advanced choir named, " Bella Voce " and has been part of the National Junior Honor Society since being inducted in the 6th grade. Her teachers have come to know the Madison we know and love as she was honored as Student of the month twice in one year out of 1800 Students. Madison's love and spirit for her Judaism is elevated each year as she attends Camp JCA Shalom in Malibu where she calls her home for three weeks each summer. She returns from camp almost glowing with her Jewish pride and spirit. Madison is an incredible older sister to her brother Dawson and as her parents we could not have imagined our lives anyway without her amazing positive energy and love that she lights up in our family and home.

בר מצוה של לייזער לייבל בן חנה לאה ובנימין

ax Berman attends Las Vegas Day School

where he is on Director’s List. Max is also a

member of the Film Club at school. For part of

his Mitzvah project, Max was involved with a

Back to School school supply drive to help

children in Clark County School District. Max

helped by organizing the supplies and dropping

them off at the donation location. In his free

time, Max likes to hang out with his family and

friends and play video games. In the winter,

Max enjoys skiing with his family in Brianhead,

Utah.

Temple. I hope to be a leading force and an inspiration. Thank you for the opportunity to serve. God Bless you b'shalom, Cantor Mariana Gindlin

5 November 2014

שופר סיני

Tots Shabbat Friday, November 7th

6:15 PM to 6:45 PM

Bring your little ones, ages 1-5

for a lovely service just for kids!

חדשות בית ספר מקדש סיני

earning with New Technology As we began the New Year, I want to share with you some wonderful insights from my visits to the classrooms during the Holidays. In 5th grade, students were called up to the whiteboard, and used the Mimio Electronic Pen to write letters and words in Hebrew. In a different classroom, the students played Hebrew games online using the Mimio Interactive board. In the lower grades, students learned the story Ziz, about a clumsy goodhearted bird, who accidentally destroys a vegetable garden, and learns the importance of apologizing (“The Hardest Word” by Jacqueline Jules). The students in Kindergarten, First, and Second grade helped decorate the synagogue’s Sukkah right before the holiday of Sukkot. These classroom learning examples are a true reflection of our Religious School educational philosophy at Temple Sinai: we encourage the use of technology as an essential tool, together with much creative and joyful learning in and out of the classrooms. Our Youth service on Kol Nidrei was another example of creative and joyful learning, as we prayed during the Kol Nidrei and the Yom Kippur Evening Service, and focused on a discussion about what are the sins that we are confessing about throughout the Yom Kippur services. It was enlightening to learn about our sins as perceived by teenagers of today. Most of the students thought that the most frequent sin among young adults is the disrespect of parents and teachers…. While most of the students thought that the least frequent sin is taking a bribe.

By provoking thoughts and discussions over our traditional texts we teach our next generation Judaism in their language, pace, and tools. In the upcoming month of November we will focus on our 4th and 5th grade Tikkun Olam as we will ask you to donate old clothes and old shoes from adults. We will work on cleaning and preparing your donation to delivery before the winter hits. Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom,

Dr. Sharon Knafo

Education & Youth Director

Events by Juls

Full Service

Event Planners

Las Vegas, Nevada

702-204-6602 cell

702-233-6469 fax

www.eventsbyjuls.com

Julie Littmann

liya Epstein will be called to the Torah at Temple Sinai as a Bat Mitzvah on November 8, 2014 at 10:00 am. Aliya is in the 8th grade at Leavitt Middle School. She is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and was chosen to participate in the Publications class which creates the yearbook. Aliya loves to read and write. When Aliya is not at school, she is a proud member of the Las Vegas Stars Cheer Squad. Aliya enjoys watching her beloved UNLV Rebels basketball team, NY Giants football team and SF Giants baseball team play! To help give

back to the community, Aliya has been volunteering for the past two years with the Camp Invention program and is serving as a Madrichim for the Temple Sinai Religious School, where she has received her own Jewish education since starting at Shenker Academy in the two year old class (The Ducklings!). Aliya loves to travel and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Family will be traveling from both coasts to attend and celebrate this event. Her parents: Larry, Kelly, Jon and Dara; her siblings: Nathan, Harrison, Jonni, Megan, Molly,

Tyler, and her grandmother, Barbara Epstein, could not be more proud of her and her accomplishments.

6 November 2014

שופר סיני

ממועדון אחים שלכם ממועדון אחיות שלכם

ow, November is here, the holidays have passed with spiritual songs and inspirational words. I hope everyone enjoyed our annual Gala as we celebrated the next phase of Temple Sinai. Now it is time for Sisterhood to focus on building programs for our congregants. As I look around at our beautiful Temple I see people meeting, youth groups sharing and planning new adventures, choir and music rehearsals, educational programs, committees congregating, and staff running off

to handle various tasks. People are coming and going, dropping off and picking up. The energy in the Temple is boundless and has washed away all the dust from construction and anxiety from change. It is akin to the birth of a child, our child, and it is time to nourish and protect our progeny. Of course we all have dreams for its future, but today all we need to do is love and protect. Help us love and protect by being involved in temple activities, support our capital campaign for its future and provide a solution for every concern. With this congregational approach our Temple will grow up to be a caring, community-driven resource for all that cross its threshold.

Sisterhood is leading by example with programs for all Temple

members.

Zumba classes every Thursday from 7pm-8pm ($5/class or 5 classes for $20) – Come work out with friends and don’t worry if you are new; the classes will be age and skill-level appropriate starting November 6th at the Temple.

Game Night will be held the 1st Wednesday of each month – Mah Jong, Rummikub, Card Games and more will be offered in the Library starting at 6pm. Partake in playful competition, bring your friends and make new friends starting November 5th.

Every member of Sisterhood is invited to our Chico Fashion Show

and Brunch Sunday November 16th 10am-1pm. This event is complimentary to all Sisterhood members. Please RSVP Barbara Stallone at [email protected] and new members are welcome to join!!!!

The Sisterhood’s NEW Gift Shop is OPEN – The NEW hours of operation are: Fridays 6pm-7:30pm, Sundays 9am-1pm and Tuesday 4:30pm-6:00pm and always by appointment look for Jan

Shumow. The Sisterhood Gift Shop is NOW OFFERING

INVITATIONS for any celebration! Get your Bar/Bat Mitzvah

shopping done in one convenient location! Don’t be shy…..shop, shop and shop…we will buy more!

Sisterhood is still looking for fun-loving conscientious ladies to join the fun, contact Resa Snyder for more information at [email protected] . As always, any woman who is a member of Temple Sinai is welcome to join the Sisterhood. I have met so many wonderful women and know there are many more of you to still meet. I get weekly updates on new members joining and it just tickles me that we have such a warm, smart and strong group of women. Shalom, Tina Drago

erpetual Thanksgiving

“I am grateful for what I am and have. My

thanksgiving is perpetual. . . My breath is sweet

to me. O how I laugh when I think of my vague

indefinite riches. No run on my bank can drain it,

for my wealth is not possession but

enjoyment.” – Henry David Thoreau

October was certainly a busy month! As a

synagogue family, we celebrated Yom Kippur,

Sukkot, Shmini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah, and we had a great time

at the Gala honoring Rick Hollander. Some of us used the Holloween

costume sales around town to find that perfect idea for Purim. As a

Men’s Club, we built the congregational sukkah in the new courtyard

(special thanks to Les Gilbert, Mark Sample, and Phil Scully for their

hard work), played a little softball, and got a “view from the bench”

hearing from local judges (and Men’s Club members/partners) Ron

Israel, Elissa Cadish, and Craig Friedberg at our monthly breakfast.

Now, as we enter the month of November, Chanukah is still over a

month away, and, as the weather cools off, we take a collective

breather, right? But wait! Family and friends are coming, and there is

a feast to prepare! Yes, of course, Thanksgiving, that most beloved

and universal of American holidays, is on its way.

As Jews, we may not have invented the concept of gratitude, but we

were certainly among the first people in human history to make the

concept of giving thanks (bikkurim) a commandment. Our tradition is

full of blessings and prayers of thanksgiving, from the prayer said

each morning thanking G-d for restoring our soul after sleep, to the

shehecheyanu, to the thrice-daily prayers thanking G-d for miracles

great and small, to the brachot before and after meals – we even

have a blessing thanking the Eternal One for allowing us to

successfully use the restroom! Indeed, as Jews, our thanksgiving is

meant to be, as Thoreau puts it, “perpetual.” Every moment of the

day, every simple act of life, presents an opportunity to express

thanks, both to G-d and to our fellow human beings. The Talmud

even tells us that a Jew who does not engage in regular, perpetual

thanksgiving may rightly fall under suspicion as a “faker” of the

Jewish faith! Indeed, Rabbi Benjamin Blech has suggested that we

are rightly described not only as the People of the Book, but also the

People of Gratitude.

The Men’s Club of Temple Sinai wishes all of you a Happy

Thanksgiving. And we take this opportunity to express our thanks to

all the men (and women!) of our congregation who have given their

time and talents (and membership dues!) toward our mission to

support the endeavors of Temple Sinai in so many countless ways.

The Men’s Club will continue to show its perpetual gratitude to G-d

and the synagogue through regular contributions of service, money,

and leadership. We will proceed as we always have, secure in our

conviction that gratitude is a fundamental building block for repairing

the world. If you are looking for more to be thankful for, and more

ways to express your gratitude, I hope you will join us. May you have

a blessed and joyous Thanksgiving holiday!

Kol Tuv,

Sean Lyttle



7 November 2014

שופר סיני

“NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM!!”

How many times have you heard someone say “Next Year in Jerusalem”? Why not make it a reality? Experience Israel’s unique and fascinating culture and its meaningful, awe-inspiring history first-hand while deepening your connection with the people and the State of Israel.

Temple Sinai is organizing the trip of a lifetime: a 13 day, 11 night fully-guided tour of Israel. You will stay in luxury 4-Star hotels and travel in complete safety and comfort. Your tour guides are government-certified. You will spend 5 nights in Jerusalem, 2 nights in Upper Galilee and 3 nights in Tel Aviv (final night travelling back to Las Vegas). For a portion of the trip you will be accompanied by Rabbi Cohen.

Among the many amazing, historic sites you will visit are The Western Wall, the Old City of Jerusalem, the Knesset, Yad Vashem (the memorial and museum dedicated to the Holocaust), Masada and the Shrine of the Book (home of the Dead Sea Scrolls). You will have a chance to float in the Dead Sea, to visit a Kibbutz and to spend some of your free time walking along the beach and the boardwalk in Tel Aviv.

For just $2,765 per person (land tour only), double occupancy, you can experience the wonders of Israel. Single accommodations are available for an additional $1,095 per person. Your trip will begin on April 14, 2015, and includes a full breakfast every day and a total of 2 lunches and 3 dinners. A deposit of $500 per person will reserve your spot. Make your reservation early! Space is limited!

To learn more about the itinerary or for more information on how you can be part of this fantastic journey to “The Land of Milk and Honey”, please contact Phil Scully by email ([email protected]) or by calling the Temple office (702-254-5110). Don’t miss out on a trip that will provide you with many incredible memories that will last for a lifetime.

Through The Lens A Mini Series by Rabbi Malcolm Cohen: Discussing

Movies With Jewish Themes

November 4, 11, 25, 7-8pm, in the Learning Center: In

each of these sessions, we will watch selected clips of

the movies and discuss them.

4th: The Invention Of Lying: British Comedian Ricky

Gervais lives in a world where everyone tells the truth.

When he starts to think outside the box, he turns that

world upside down, with hilarious and moving

consequences.

11th: Walk On Water: A German tourist in Israel builds a

friendship with his Israeli guide but not all is as it

seems.

25th: The Infidel: A Muslim taxi driver in London makes

a startling discovery and gets to know his Jewish

neighbor as a result (this movie also features the street

where Rabbi Cohen’s family used to live!).

WE WISH ALL OUR CONGREGANTS

A VERY HAPPY, HEALTHY AND

BOUNTIFUL

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY SEASON

MYRON AND PHYLLIS BERNSTEIN

AND FAMILIES

What’s ahead in our Torah?

Oct 31- Nov 1 Lech Lecha Abram

goes forth from his father’s house to be God’s partner as the founder of the Jewish people. Abram has a son, Ishmael, with his Egyptian maidservant, Hagar.

November 7-8 Vayeira Abraham

welcomes three visitors, who announce that Sarah will soon have a son, Isaac. Abraham argues with God over Sodom and Gomorrah. We read the famous story of the binding of Isaac.

November 14-15 Chaye Sarah Abraham purchases the cave of Machpelah in order to bury his wife Sarah. His servant meets Rebekah's family and then takes Rebekah to Isaac

November 21-22 Toledot Rebekah has

twins, Esau and Jacob. The second story of sibling rivalry unfolds, with mom’s help!

November 28-29 Vayetze Jacob’s

famous dream of angels going up and down a ladder. Laban tricks Jacob into marrying Leah; he works another 7 years for Rachel.

Presented by the Temple Sinai Ritual

Committee


8 November 2014

שופר סיני

Temple Sinai is a warm and welcoming Reform

Jewish community engaged in lifelong learning,

social justice, and soulful worship.

Lifelong Learning (Torah) – Wherever you find

yourself, we want to help you get to the next stage

of your Jewish journey. We offer formal and informal

opportunities for learners to find genuine meaning

and answers to keenly felt moral questions and

personal issues within the Jewish tradition.

You will notice that we have a wonderful range of

events from stand-alone events to three-session

mini-courses to two-year in depth study. For this

congregation the social experience of learning is

extremely important alongside the content of our

study. We hope that you will deepen your

connections to our heritage and each other as you

move to the next stage of your journey.

L’shalom/To Peace

Rabbi Malcolm Cohen

Adult Bar Mitzvah Course

Contact Rabbi Cohen at [email protected] or

(702) 254-5110 if you are interested in learning on a

deeper level with a group of Temple Sinai members

with a view to culminating the course of study in a

bar mitzvah ceremony.

Conversion Class

Contact Rabbi Cohen at [email protected] or

(702) 254-5110 if you have thought of converting to

Judaism.

Florence Melton Adult Mini-School

The Florence Melton Adult Mini-School is a world

pioneer in the field of adult Jewish education. The

Mini-School, a social franchise, forms an

international network of community-based schools

offering adults the opportunity to acquire Jewish

literacy in an open, trans-denominational,

intellectually stimulating learning environment. The

Florence Melton Adult Mini-School is the largest

pluralistic adult Jewish education network in the

world. For details of the Vegas branch at which

Rabbi Cohen teaches, speak to Lynn Wexler-

Margolies at [email protected] or (702) 875-

5387.

Sisterhood & Men’s Club

Both of these groups work within the synagogue to

provide fascinating speakers and educational

events.

Senior Committee

This committee will also connect you with learning

opportunities around the valley. Look out for their

events through our communications.

Religious School and Youth Group

Our Religious school offers formal and informal

learning opportunities for young people from pre-

kindergarten age through High School. For more

information, please contact the Temple office.

Tuition $5$500 K - 2nd Grade

$625 3rd

- 7th Grade

$400 8th - 12th Grade

Discount for Each Additional Child (after the first)

$50

Saturday Morning Torah Study Sessions

Saturdays, 10:00 am - 11:30 am in the sanctuary

Shabbat Morning services enhanced by a

stimulating Torah study session, held during the

service. All are welcome. No RSVP required.

Social Media

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@templesinailv

לימכנסת סיניודים לאורך החיים בבית

9 November 2014

שופר סיני

ימי הולדת

ימי נישואין

אזכרות

Joshua Weinberger 11/1

Joshua Reyes 11/1

Cassondra Samuels 11/1

Lisa Cohler 11/1

Alyne Safdeye 11/1

Zachariah Rahaman 11/1

George Rivers 11/2

Marilyn Landers 11/2

Lior Mare 11/3

Remy Schlossberg 11/3

Laura Coleman 11/4

Jocelyn Goldman 11/4

Tal Minuskin 11/5

Mark Kosowsky 11/5

Jeffrey Ballin 11/7

Jon Taffer 11/7

Karen Leader 11/7

Andrew Feigenson 11/7

Tina Yan 11/8

Joshua Knox 11/8

Jillian Potashnick 11/9

Elaine Berger 11/10

Gabriela Silverman 11/10

Jake Friedlander 11/10

Rachel Gewelber 11/12

Michael Leven 11/13

Matthiew De Castro 11/13

Elaine Friedman 11/13

Marsha Seiden 11/13

Joel Altman 11/13

Sara Bagwin 11/13

Phyllis Feinberg 11/14

Joseph Barishman 11/14

Lauren Ritter 11/14

Sherry Friend 11/14

Francine Scott 11/14

Benjamin Koppe 11/14

Arlene Weber 11/14

Scott Harris 11/15

Talia Krumkop 11/15

Gizella Descalu 11/15

Susana Abrams 11/16

EJ Shulman 11/18

Lauren Smith 11/19

Eric Littmann 11/21

Abbigail Klein 11/21

Fay Fisher 11/21

Steve Minkoff 11/21

Irwin Raymer 11/22

Richard Hollander 11/23

Ann Kaplan 11/23

Michael Rosenblum 11/23

Marge Nordell 11/23

Joel Shinder 11/23

Sarah Stevens 11/23

Mordecai Arin 11/24

Sydney Israel 11/24

Debra Spero 11/25

Nate White 11/26

Roy Abrams 11/26

Joseph Gewelber 11/27

Karen Mairs 11/28

Taylor King 11/28

Les Gilbert 11/29

Elyse Kraft 11/29

Max Berman 11/29

Julia Dreitzer 11/29

Dina Knafo 11/30

Vivian Yager 11/30

Alexander Jenner 11/1

Flora Schuman 11/2

Edna Lipman 11/2

Rochelle Goldstein 11/3

Sheldon Factor 11/3

Herb Silverman 11/3

Bernice Barstack 11/4

Howard Silber 11/4

Leonard Copeland 11/4

Charles Seiden 11/5

Ben Bliman 11/6

Frances Shinder 11/7

Martin Parness 11/7

Irving Medoff 11/8

Oscar Lauren 11/9

Louis Hirsch 11/10

Ben Fishel 11/10

Rachel Stenzel 11/10

Harry Alter 11/11

Fred Kesselman 11/12

Harriet Lyons 11/14

Parilee Crum 11/14

Adele Pollack 11/15

Joseph Mann 11/15

Mark Isaacs 11/15

Nathan Joseph 11/16

Pearl Stenzel 11/16

Beryl Braverman 11/17

Jacki Marcus 11/17

Hannah Pfeiffer 11/17

Miriam Lipstein 11/18

Dorothy Rosen 11/18

Ruth Kamensky 11/18

Simon Herskovic 11/18

Beth Berman 11/19

Evelyn Roen 11/19

Abraham Rudnick 11/19

Maurice Erlich 11/19

Helen Levenberg 11/19

Irving Kublin 11/20

Michelle Raymer 11/20

Patricia Twining 11/20

Rebecca Glazerman 11/21

Ralph Schucker 11/22

Richard Pandukht 11/22

Helen Seiden 11/24

Leo Abrams 11/25

James Deutschkron 11/25

Herman Grill 11/25

Nanci Hartenstein 11/25

Sol Eisenberg 11/25

George Snyder 11/26

Renee Jaffe 11/27

Leo Braverman 11/27

Florence Podolny 11/27

Louis Vinocur 11/27

Kate Rosen 11/27

Carolyn Brown 11/27

Barbara Ramoy 11/28

Joseph Bloom 11/29

Andrew & Suzanne Feigenson 11/2 11th anniversary

Gregory & Nancy Koppe 11/2 12th anniversary

Jason & Camille Naaktgeboren 11/2 15th anniversary

Joel & Marci Altman 11/4 8th anniversary

Edward & Ann Jenner 11/7 60th anniversary

Eric & Julie Littmann 11/7 21st anniversary

Irv & Nancy Weinberger 11/8 22nd anniversary

Mickey & Laura Coleman 11/9 54th anniversary

Richard & Donna Hollander 11/9 31st anniversary

Julie & Paul Vigil 11/9 17th anniversary

Ivan & Marcia Lambert 11/11 57th anniversary

Elaine & Shel Schaffer 11/13 59th anniversary

Burt & Sheila Galper 11/15 56th anniversary

Janice & Steven Hoffman 11/15 50th anniversary

Nancy & Robert Sherman 11/16 6th anniversary

Adam & Ryan Reisman 11/21 18th anniversary

Leslie & Karyn Silber 11/21 32nd anniversary

Leonard & Bonnie Samuels 11/23 48th anniversary

Stephen & Susan Joseph 11/25 36th anniversary

Eliah & Eileen Atlas 11/27 38th anniversary

Victor & Karly Perez 11/27 10th anniversary

Marla & Lawrence Rudnick 11/28 8th anniversary

Mitch & Debra Altman 11/29 6th anniversary

10 November 2014

שופר סיני

הזדמנויות פרסום וחסות בבית כנסת סיני

Fellow Members:

This is easy and important. You can get all the help

you need. Please read below.

An easy and important way you can help support your Temple is by supporting our advertising and sponsorship programs. We need your help in finding advertisers. The programs are: Shofar advertising - starting at $15 is a really good deal for businesses in the area. They get to 350 families in print or on-line. All we need to contact them are a person’s name and their e-mail address. We take care of the rest. Please volunteer some names and addresses. See below. E-blast Sponsorship - The weekly e-blast can contain add-on advertising. The advertiser gets 5 weekly e-blasts for $18. Very easy but effective way to get to the 600 e-mails on our list. Here again, all we need is the person’s name and their e-mail address. We take care of the rest. Shabbat Flyer Sponsorship - Personal messages may be displayed in the flyer. e.g. Sponsor in honor of your anniversary or birthday. An easy way to support your Temple and it is only $18. This may be coordinated with Oneg Shabbat sponsorships. To do any of the above or to supply information requested above, contact Shel Kolner (702.228.4744 or 702.334.8914) or send an e-mail to [email protected].


11 November 2014

שופר סיני

Many members have been asking how they can make donations to Temple Sinai for various things. The following list….Eitz Tzedakah…the Tree of Donations delineates all the opportunities starting at the lowest. It also lists who to contact for these items. You can always contact the Tzedakah chairperson if you have any questions or suggestions. (Shel Kolner 702.334.8914). In the near future, further explanations will be made. Below are the frequently asked questions.

Temple Sinai Eitz Tzedakah

Minimum The Tree of Donations Donation Contact Tributes $8.00 Office Tributes Listed in the Shofar $18.00 Office Birthday/Anniversary/Yahrzeits Various-no minimum Office Monthly ad in Shofar $15.00 + Shel Kolner Shabbat Flyer Sponsorship $18.00 Shel Kolner E-blast Monthly Sponsorship $18.00 Shel Kolner Honey Sales - Rosh Hashanah $10.00 Dorothy Cohen/Phyllis Feigenson Note Card Bundle of 7 $36.00 Sisterhood Gift Shop Siddur $54.00 Donna Hollander Tree of Life Leaves $100.00 $150.00* Jackie Kolner Tree of Life Pebbles $180.00 $225.00* Jackie Kolner Pavers $118.00 Jackie Kolner Bima Flowers $200.00 Office Memorial Plaque - Member $250.00 $400.00* Shel Kolner Memorial Plaque - Non-member $500.00* Shel Kolner Reserved Memorial Plaque Add $60.00 Oneg Shabbat Sponsorship $300.00 Office Sustainability Campaign Various, no minimum Julie Littmann Yizkor Booklet (Yom Kippur) Various Marge Nordell

*New donation level as of 1.1.15

Contact Numbers Office 702.254.5110 ext. 1 Donna Hollander 702.256.8234 Dorothy Cohen 702.228.7040 Jackie Kolner 702.228.4744 Phyllis Feigenson 973.525.7799 Julie Littmann 702.254.5110 Sisterhood Gift Shop 702.254.5110 ext. 1 Marge Nordell 702.896.1610 Frequently Asked questions. Q1. Can I designate the donation to go to various funds? Yes the funds available include The General Fund, Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund, Cantor’s Discretionary Fund, the Endowment Fund, the Gertrude Scholarship Fund, the Religious School Fund and The Richard Greenberg Memorial Fund. Q2. What are the Pavers? These are the bricks in the courtyard. When all the details are completed, members will be able to dedicate pavers with names on them. Q3. I want to see what the Note Card Bundle of 7 is. Where can I see them? In the Sisterhood Gift shop. These cards allow you to write personal notes to family and friends. The card indicates a donation was made to the Temple Sinai General Fund. Q4. When will the Tree of Life be installed? It is now installed. Orders may be placed. Q5. Do I have to pay all at once for larger donation items? Memorial Plaques may be charged over a 4 month period. The contact can help you with this.

צדקה

12 November 2014

שופר סיני

צדקה לתחנון כל נדרי

Roy Abrams

Eric Blank

Mr. & Mrs. Sidney Blum

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Drago

Dr. Barry & Mrs. Dyana Duman

Ms. Phyllis Feinberg

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Frankoff

Mr. David Friedland

Mr. & Mrs. Les Gilbert

Mr. & Mrs. Edward Goldenberg

Ms. Nicole Goldstein

Mr. Nachum Golodner & Mrs. Kate Harris-Golodner

Mr. & Mrs. John Helms

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Hollander

Robert & Jamie Houston

Mr. & Mrs. John Isaacs

Mr. & Mrs. Sydney Israel

Stephanie Joseph

Mr. & Mrs. Minao Kamegai

Mr. & Mrs. Jack Kaufman

Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Kaufman

Dr. Sharon & Dina Knafo

Mr. & Mrs. Scott Knox

Mr. & Mrs. Shel Kolner

Mr. & Mrs. Mark Kosowsky

Dr. Howard & Mrs. Jacalynne Kramer

Mr. & Mrs. Mordecai Labovitz

Mr. & Mrs. Scott Leader

Mr. Robert Levin & Mrs. Eileen (Bellsey) Levin

Mr. & Mrs. Eric Littmann

Mr. & Mrs. Sean Lyttle

Mr. & Mrs. Donald Marcus

Donations Miscellaneous

Mr. & Mrs. Mark Ostrovsky

Dr. Patricia Pierce

Jaime Pollack & Susanne Stark

Adam Reisman & Ryan Reisman

Dr. Michael & Mrs. Angela Resnick

Mr. & Mrs. Renato Ritter

Ms. Glenda Rogers

Mr. & Mrs. Asher Rogow

Mr. & Mrs. Mark Sample

Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Schwartz

Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Schwartz

Mr. & Mrs. David Shapiro

Mr. & Mrs. Lester Sherman

Mr. & Mrs. Leslie Silber

Mr. & Mrs. Howard Silverman

Mr. & Mrs. Archie Weitman

13 November 2014

שופר סיני

14 November 2014

שופר סיני

15 November 2014

שופר סיני

צדקה

antor’s Discretionary Fund

Mr. & Mrs. Myron Bernstein


Mr. & Mrs. Stuart Stein

eneral

Mr. & Mrs. Myron Bernstein in honor of Barbara Stallone's Father

Mr. & Mrs. Sidney Blum

Daniel Brown

Mr. & Mrs. Harold Brown

Mr. & Mrs. Mickey Coleman

Mr. Franklin Curhan

Mr. Andrew Franco

Mr. & Mrs. Frank Friedlander

Mr. & Mrs. Les Gilbert

Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Greenberg

Mr. Ilan Dascalu & Julie Kale

Mr. & Mrs. Seymour Kaplan

Mr. & Mrs. Harry Kelman

Ms. Dorothy Klegerman in memory of Irving Klegerman

Jacob & Susan Klein

Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Klein

Mr. & Mrs. Mark Kosowsky

Mr. & Mrs. Scott Leader

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Leven

Mr. & Mrs. Irwin Levine

Mr. & Mrs. Peter Lipman

Mr. & Mrs. Scott Mairs

E & Linda Salmons

Mr. & Mrs. Mark Sample

Mrs. Janice Shumow

Mr. & Mrs. Lou Tarter

Mr. & Mrs. Gould

Mr. & Mrs. Irv Weinberger

Elaine Stone Colburn

Leo J. Shapiro in honor of Mike Leven

Anonymous Donation in honor of Mr. & Mrs. Jack Kaufman

abbi’s Discretionary Fund

Mr. & Mrs. Myron Bernstein

Ellen Grossman

Mr. Neal Klegerman


Donations Miscellaneous

Lillian Radomsky

Dr. & Mrs. Steven Sanders

Mr. & Mrs. Jay Schwartz in honor of Lana's Birthday

Mr. & Mrs. Shinder

Lunda Salmons

All donations received after the tenth of the month will

be included in next month's publication

Samala Goldberg

Mr. & Mrs. Spencer Parness

eligious School Fund

Marshall & Carol Abramson

ichard Greenberg Memorial Fund

Cheryl Bame

Greg & Tera Safdeye in memory of Richard Greenberg

Mr. & Mrs. Myron Bernstein Speedy Recovery for Gale Labovitz

Georgia Kaplan

Kuo-Haber, Sheryl, MD

Mr. & Mrs. Greenberg in honor of Lisa Schnitz' Birthday

Mr. & Mrs. Greenberg in honor of Marlee Rogow's Birthday

Richard Baker and Lisa Polito

Orvilyn Ordonez-Frey

Celia Juarigue

Tina Tuskewicz

Johnna and Mattew Fafka

Vincent Vigil

Mr. & Mrs. Peter Lipman

Mr. & Mrs. Ahser Rogow in memory of Richard Greenberg

orah Fund

Mr. & Mrs. Seymour Kaplan

16 November 2014

שופר סיני

Safe Nest Drop Off Box

Temple Sinai continues its support for Safe Nest by housing a drop off box on site. Safe Nest is Nevada’s largest and most comprehensive charity devoted solely to domestic violence issues. Safe Nest’s programs are concentrated in four areas of service: shelter, counseling, advocacy and prevention. Safe Nest accepts clothing, toys and baby supplies. For a comprehensive list please visit their website www.safenest.org . The drop off box is located on west side of the property next to the structure which holds our garbage bin. For donation receipts please see Kim/Lisa in the office.

Prayerbooks for Dedication

Prayer Books are available to honor

or memorialize an event or person.

For a donation of $54 you can

dedicate a Mishkan T’fi l lah

Prayerbook and then it will be added

to the prayerbooks available for use

in the Sanctuary. Please call Kim/

Lisa to arrange your donation.

חדשות בית כנסת סיני

Change to Donation Levels

Effective January 1, 2015 the following donation levels are being changed. Current levels are in place until then.

Tzedakah Item Current Price New Price Tree of Life Leaves $100.00 $150.00 Tree of Life Pebbles $180.00 $225.00 Memorial Plaques - Member $250.00 $400.00 Memorial Plaques - non Member $250.00 $500.00 Contact Shel Kolner for more information.

Please Welcome our New Members

Vivian & Stacey Yager Alan & Erin Dickler

Shimon & Hannah Peress Ilan Dascalu & Julie & Gizella

Kale Sheppy & Mindy Herskovic Debbie Gregory & Steven

Glucoft Ric Besmanoff

Jerry Rosenberg & Nancy Taylor Daniel Schwartz & Joan

Lessman Juliet, Helen, & Kathleen

McCarthy

http://www.safenest.org

17 November 2014

שופר סיני

18 November 2014

שופר סיני

The following will fill you in on the Retreat 5 plans and how to join us for a warm, spiritual and get-to-know-your-fellow-members weekend. It promises to be great for you and your children. What: A weekend like no other with our clergy, Rabbi Cohen and Cantor Gindlin, our Education Director, Sharon Knafo, and minions of your fellow congregants. Place: The Resort on Mount Charleston Dates: June 5 - 7, 2015 Starting Time: 5:00 p.m. Jewish Standard Time Costs: $420 per family double occupancy; $275 single occupancy; Children 3-8 $42; Children 9-12 $82. No birth certificates necessary. We are striving to: buy out the hotel so it will only be Temple Sinai families in the “bubble.” provide a spiritually religious weekend - pray, learn, laugh, eat, enjoy! provide children 3-12 with a full experience they will totally enjoy. Rooms are on a first-come-first-served basis as there is no elevator in the hotel. The 2nd and 3rd floors require 15 steps per floor. Those who can handle the steps will be asked to take the upper floors. Special dietary rules will be adhered to. The hotel will be told not to mix milk and meat products and, of course, there will be no pork or shellfish served. For those who have special needs, arrangements will be made. Please fill out the application. As you can see, we are trying to make it as easy as possible for everyone to join us. Payments may be paid out over a 4 month period. We are asking for a deposit of $150.00 and the rest may be paid in 3 installments. Of course payment in full is acceptable. Once the final payment is received, the space will be allocated. For your information, one room was offered to the Gala committee as a drawing prize. The Gala Committee paid for the room. The Retreat committee is offering a room as a prize for the general membership. Tickets will be $10 each with the winner getting the full Retreat package for 2. This retreat is not a fund-raiser. Any donations raised in the drawing or in any other way, above and beyond the family donations, will be used to improve the weekend. The committee is working very hard to bring this to everyone so please feel free to discuss with us any issues you may have. Thank you to our hard working commi t tee members : Suzanne Feigenson, Jackie Kolner, Shel Kolner, Eileen Levin, Sandy Marcus, Don Marcus, Ryan Reisman, Eileen Sherman, Laura Sussman

19 November 2014

שופר סיני

Your input is vital for the success

of Temple Sinai. We need to know

what you are thinking in order to

serve you in the best way we can.

Please feel free to contact your

board at

[email protected].

We look forward to hearing from

you!


20 November 2014

שופר סיני

The following businesses help support our Temple! Please make an effort to help support them as well.

21 November 2014

שופר סיני

22 November 2014

שופר סיני

Temple Sinai Personal Tribute Cards

Have you seen the personal tribute cards? If not, they are available in our new Sisterhood gift shop. Stop and take a look. These cards match our standard tribute cards but are used to send personal notes. They allow you to convey your personal sentiments to family and friends while still indicating to them that a donation was made in their honor to the Temple Sinai general fund. The cards are availa-ble in 7-packs for $36.00. They are also available by calling Dorothy Cohen (702.228.7040) or Phyllis Feigenson (973.525.7799). Talk to the ladies or stop in at the gift shop. You will be happy you did.

23 November 2014

שופר סיני

Wednesday, November 26th, 2014

24 November 2014

שופר סיני

9001 Hillpointe Road

Las Vegas, NV 89134

Return Service Requested

Phone 702.254.5110

Fax 702.254.0997

Email [email protected]

Union for Reform Judaism

In Summerlin

Don’t Forget to make sure you are

getting your eNews Blasts!

Send email to

[email protected]

www.templesinailv.org

שופר סיני November 2014

To advertise please call Shel Kolner at 702-334-8914

or email: [email protected]

Ad Size 1 Month 3 Months 6 Months 1 Year

Business card $15 $40 $75 $135

Quarter page $30 $75 $140 $250

Half page $60 $130 $250 $475

Full page $120 $250 $475 $800

temple sinai shofar november 2014

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