The Bulletin of Congregation Ner Tamid, January 2004

Congregation Ner Tamid mg January 2004 You. XVIII No. 1 Looking Towards the Future.... 7 Tevet/8 Shevat 5764 Mazel Tov to Ira & Nanette Spector! 2003 Congregants of the Year Ira & Nan Spector are an important part of this temple?s future. They are involved in so many ways - serving on various boards, committees, sharing their musical talents - they?re just so numerous to mention. They give of themselves whenever they are called upon, and even when they're not. This is why we are proud to call them our ?Congregants of the Year 2003!? Ira was born in New Jersey, raised in Virginia Beach, and moved to Las Vegas in 1968. His family, like many of our congregants, attended Temple Beth Sholom. He graduated from Valley High School in 1970 and continued his education at UNLV, receiving his B.S. in Psychology. Nan moved to Las Vegas in 1964 from Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the age of 12, when her father took a job at the Nevada Test Site. Her family attended a Methodist Church, directly across the street from Temple Beth Sholom. She graduated from Las Vegas High School in 1970 and also attended UNLV for their nursing program. Nan received her B.S.N. in Nursing and is a Registered Nurse. She has been working at Sunrise Hospital for nearly 30 years, and has been in Labor and Delivery for the past 22 years. college and have been together ever since. They even worked together at Camp Sholom, Temple Beth Sholom?s Day Camp. Ira was the Director and song leader, while Nan was a counselor. This was also the first time they met Bella Feldman, at age six, during story time. Little did they know she would grow up to become the Cantorial Soloist at the temple they would later join. Ira and Nan married in 1976 at the Las Vegas Country Club. Though Nan was not Jewish (yet), they had a Rabbi and a Methodist minister officiate the wedding. A few years later, they began their family - Brandon in 1979, a Jr. at Portland State University, Amy in 1981, and Aaron in 1987, a Jr. at Green Valley H.S. Ira began working at the Golden Nugget as a dealer after college, and then moved on to the Sands and MGM. He decided to go back to school to get his masters in Rehabilitative Counseling and embarked on a new career. In August of 2000, he opened his own company, Certified Vocational Counseling, and has been going strong since. In 1996, they joined CNT and have been very busy ever since. Nan officially became a Jew by Choice in July of 2000, while she always kept a Jewish home from the day they were married. Ira has held numerous Temple Board positions - V.P. Membership & V.P. Ritual, plays in our very own Shabbatones, is a Lay Leader, volunteers for many things such as gift wrap, and wherever he is needed. Nan loves singing in the choir, is involved in Sisterhood and has served on its board and various committees, helps with IHN, lead a bereavement support group, Chesed, bakes for Onegs, volunteers for gift wrap every year. ?We are very grateful, and surprised, to have been given such an honor. Just remember, everything you do should be forTikkun Olam, to build a better world. That?s what we have tried to do". Well, you have! Everything you both do reflects how much you love NerTamid. We can?t ask for more than that.......................................... Scholar in Residence Be prepared for an ?experiential? weekend of Jewish Meditation with Rabbi Ted Falcon February 26 - 28 Details on Page 7 ^ V CNT PARTICIPATES IN JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL CNT once again will sponsor a film in Las Vegas? annual Jewish Film Festival at the Suncoast Hotel on Sunday evening, January 18th at 7:30 pm. The film is titled ?Amen" and has won several awards. It is the fictional account of two men of conscience - one a rising young priest with high family connections in the Vatican who is posted to the Papal Nuncio?s office in Berlin in the late 30s/early 40s, the other a rising young SS officer who slowly discovers that the SS is in reality murdering his country?s Jewish population, not merely shipping them off to work camps in Poland as the propaganda states. The film focuses on how the two men collaborate to give the Vatican the proof that will persuade the Pope to take action. Although any Jewish audience will know that despite the evidence, the Pope did not act, the ending of the film still will come as a surprise. The Film Festival takes place over the weekend of January 17th - 18th, with all the films being shown at the Century Theaters inside the Suncoast. For more information contact the temple office. Join us January 16th to honor Ira & Nanette Spector as Congregants of the Year and welcome our newest temple members. Services begin at 7:30 p.m.____________________ Sanford D. Akselrad RMn Jennifer C. Weiner Associate Ralli Philip Goldstein Cantorial Soloist Scott Stolberg President Irv Duchowny Jacqueline Fleekop Lois Bergman Laura Bailey Executive Director Education Director Preschoo l Director Bulletin EditorI Worship Services Conducted By Rabbi Sanford Akselrad, Rabbi Jennifer Weiner, Cantorial Soloist Philip Goldstein Rabbi Weiner's Message New Beginnings Friday January 2 7:30 pm Shabbat Services Oneg Sponsored by the Sisterhood Saturday January 3 9:00- 10:00 am Bible Study 10:00 - 11:00 am Minyan and Torah Study Friday January 9 7:30 pm Family Service with Shabbatones Oneg Sponsored by the Sisterhood Saturday January 10 9:00- 10:00 am Bible Study 10:00 - 11:00 am Minyan and Torah Study Friday January 16 7:30 pm New Member Shabbat Service and Congregant of the Year Oneg sponsored by Congregation Ner Tamid Saturday January 17 9:00- 10:00 am Bible Study 10:00 - 11:00 am Minyan and Torah Study 10:00 am Zachary Scheele Bar Mitzvah Kiddush sponsored by The Scheele Family Friday January 23 7:30 pm Sisterhood Past President?s Shabbat Oneg sponsored by the Sisterhood and Harold & Selma Katz Saturday January 24 9:00 -10:00 am Bible Study 10:00 - 11:00 am Minyan and Torah Study Friday January 30 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Services Oneg sponsored by Barry & Judy Markman in honor of Evan becoming a Bar Mitzvah Saturday January 31 9:00- 10:00 am Bible Study 10:00 - 11:00 am Minyan and Torah Study 10:00 am Evan Markman Bar Mitzvah Kiddush sponsored by the Markman Family C o n g re ga tio n N e r T a m id As the beginning of another secular new year rolls around, our thoughts often go to New Year?s Resolutions. How many of us have fulfilled our resolutions from last year? How many of us resolved to lose weight, exercise, or improve oneself in one form or another? How many of us thought that this past year we would finish up projects long ago forgotten? Yet, how many of us had resolutions that would improve our world? At Congregation Ner Tamid, we are in the business of improving others? lives. Our resolution is to provide spiritual and emotional support to those in need. Yet, it is not just your rabbis who have this privilege. It is everyone who is a part of this congregation. Many people in our congregation volunteer tireless hours to ensure that other peoples? lives can be improved. For instance, the members of our Social Action Committee chaired by Michael Rissien (Michael@rissien.com or 733-7757) go out into our community to do projects centering around tzedakah and physical doing that help bring joy and fulfillment to others? lives. Just recently, members of our Social Action Committee sponsored our annual Mitzvah Menorah Project that provides gifts to children who otherwise would not receive holiday goodies. They also helped staff Opportunity Villages? Magical Forrest on Christmas Day so that our Christian neighbors could be with their families. This committee also helps organize our temple?s Mitzvah Day in the spring. Another example of our members reaching out to others is our Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) participation spearheaded by Bette Stahl (stahllv@cox.net or 735-8104) and Jennifer Cohen (jcohen1156@msn.com or 340-6885). Through their diligent work, we feed and house those without homes several times during the year in our temple building. Bette and Jennifer find people to bring hot dinners and others to stay overnight at temple to staff the program. During one?s time with the participants, one is also able to get to know them through conversation and the face of homelessness really hits home. They are looking for volunteers for the first week of February. And yet another project is our Chesed Committee. Chaired by Elaine Burke (Mrs.LaineyB@aol.com or 658-9834) and co?chaired by David Stahl (stahllv@cox.net or 735-8104), this committee along with help from our Sisterhood and our other auxiliaries will help ensure that those who are ill, shut in, or just in need of comfort, find that comfort. The members of this committee are always looking for others to help them in their mitzvah endeavors. They especially are looking for people who can drive those in need of rides to services on Friday nights. You can contact me directly at temple if you would be willing to pick up a congregant for services. So, as you make your New Year?s Resolutions, think of the others who you can help. Perhaps along with resolving to lose weight and join a gym, you will also decide to help resolve a challenge in our community and our world. A happy and healthy 2004 to each and every one of you! L?Shalom- Rabbi Jennifer Weiner J a n u a r y 200zj ) Temple Board *? Members La Scoff Stolberg scott_stolberg@yahoo.com President Alan Mann bamjom@aol.com VP Administration Hillary Torchin htorchin@aol.com VP Education and Youth Maxine Molinsky mmolinsky@theriviera.com VP Ritual David Shapin david@vegasvoiceover.com VP Membership Recruitment Jordie Primack closings3@yahoo.com VP Membership Retention David Stahl stahllv@cox.net VP Social Action Debbie Levy dlevy1107@aol.com Treasurer Yvonne Gordon tobeach@hotmail.com Corporate Secretary Cecilia Schafler cecilia@jwzunino.com Trustee Michael Unger pmomike@aol.com Trustee Marla Letizia mletizia@aol.com Trustee Stacey Yahraus slymom620@aol.com Trustee Bill Yaffe byaffe@lvcm.com Trustee Bernie Matusow globern@lvcm.com Trustee Beth Bromberg fystee2@aol.com Trustee Beth Falk bethf1210@aol.com Trustee Joe Cracraft jcracraft@earthlink.net Trustee Fern Percheski fernp2003@cox.net Sisterhood President Howard Layfer layfl 6@lvcm.com Men's Club President Kelly Chenin shortstuff4evr05@aol.com NTTY President Dr. Stewart Blumenfeld Drew Levy Bob Unger, Esq Jerry Gordon, Esq Cal Lewis Eileen Kollins Kenneth Schnitzer Dr. David Wasserman Dr. Steve Kollins Hon. Michael Cherry Dr. Bernard Farrow Eugene Kirshbaum * David Goldwater * Rabbi Sanford Akselrad Rabbi Jennifer Weiner Past President Past President Past President Past President Past President Past President Past President Past President Past President Past President Past President Past President Past President Ex Officio Ex Officio * Deceased Every month, I try to write a column that is about what is currently happening at CNT. Many times I am writing about the future because these columns are due about 6 weeks before they are published. This month, I would like to write about something that has already happened. It is just after Thanksgiving. Sandy and I have a tradition in our home that reminds each of us how lucky and blessed we really are. When we sit down to Thanksgiving dinner, no one is served until we go around the table and say out loud what we are thankful for. One of the things I am thankful for this year is CNT. Why, you may ask, am I thankful for CNT. it could be for all the friends I have met through my involvement in CNT. It could be for the spiritual growth I have experienced since joining CNT. These are all things I have gotten from CNT. Really, it is for what CNT does for its members and the community at large that I am thankful for. It is for CNT?s commitment to Tikkun-Olam, building a caring community. Many of you know that CNT participates in the Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN). IHN is an organization that gets churches, mosques, and synagogues together to help the homeless in our community and communities around our great country. These are usually homeless FAMILIES. They are not the drug or alcohol abusers, or people who are homeless because of things they can control. These are husbands and wives and CHILDREN that many times are homeless because of things that are beyond their control. Since CNT began helping the IHN, Sandy, Megan, Ben, and I have always helped out when it is CNT?S week to host the families. We, like many other people in our temple community, do our part - by sleeping over or bringing food for breakfast, for the sack lunches we provide, or just by sending a donation to help defray the costs. But after a week, these PEOPLE move onto another house of worship and we never think of them again. Well, there is more that we can do. Recently, when we were the host site, Irv had the opportunity to have dinner with our guests a couple of nights. At the same time, CNT was looking for another custodian. Irv spoke with a gentleman that was our guest and asked him to come in and fill out an application for the open position. It turns out that after looking at the application and interviewing him, Irv hired him. His name is Art and he has been with us for about three months now and is doing well. He has been able to find permanent housing for his family and himself and is back on track to being a productive member of our society. When you come to temple, remember that all the things we learn about, talk about, and pray about need to become part of our everyday lives. If you have or know of a business that employs entry-level employees, why not give the IHN a call. They have people who want to work, want to provide for their family, and want to be a productive part of society. You may just be the person who gives someone that second chance they really need. Next time you are at temple and you see Art, say hello and remember the mitzvah we have done by helping him and his family. B?Shalom Scott Stolberg A S p e c ia l P la c e T o B e lo n g Executive Director's Message ?Fiscal Responsibilities? By now, I expect that everyone knows that we are well into the planning stages of our new campus, located at the 1-215 and Valle Verde in Green Valley. What you probably also know is that we?re currently having ?coffees? at various congregants homes, all over the valley, to share the information of what we?re doing and how we?re doing it. Everyone is being invited to these informal, informational ?question and answer? sessions, to provide you with the most complete information regarding what?s going on. Finally, as you know from the materials and letters you received last month, the Board of Trustees recently voted to approve an increased minimum Building Fund Assessment, as well as a minimum annual dues increase. I want to address again in particular the fund-raising aspect of our effort, so that there is no confusion and everyone knows what?s happening. The underlying premise of our campaign is to make sure that everyone has a personal stake in our new facility - that each of us will ?own a piece of the temple? so to speak - to share in the excitement, the joy and the fulfillment of building our new home and sharing our vision together for a Campus of Jewish Learning, Education and Spiritual Renewal. In addition to our Major Gifts Campaign and the proceeds from the sale of our present building, the increased Building Fund Assessment of $2500 ($1250 for Seniors) payable over 5 years less previous building assessments paid to date is essential to our success. While Major Gifts are being solicited and received, the increase of the minimum Building Fund Assessment is just as important a part of the total financial plan, with participation required on everyone?s part. Flowever, while each of us will ?own a piece of our temple?, we are sensitive to the needs and abilities of each of you to meet this financial commitment. If you need to address your personal situation, please feel free to contact. As with other financial matters that you discuss with me, the details and any arrangement reached will remain confidential. It goes no further than with me. Please, continue taking care of your financial responsibilities at your spiritual home, and keep Congregation NerTamid ?A Special Place to Belong?. Thank you for your continued support and, as always, to be continued............... Irv Leadership Workshop Series Presented by Sisterhood Sharpen your skills, network, learn from others. January 23-24 Past President?s Shabbat (Friday) and Forum (Saturday) at 10:00 a.m. March 21 Subject and Speaker TBA June 11-12 Weekend Retreat TBA Watch for more information! CNT STAFF Email Addresses: Rabbi Akselrad, Sr. Rabbi Rabbak@lvnertamid.org Rabbi Weiner, Assoc. Rabbi Rabbijen@lvnertamid.org Philip Goldstein, Cantorial Soloist PGoldstein@lvnertamid.org Irv Duchowny, Exec. Director IDuchowny@ivnertamid.org Jackie Fleekop, Ed. Director JFIeekop@lvnertamid.org Lois Bergman, Preschool Director LBergman@lvnertamid.org Karen Levine, Rabbi A's Admin. Asst. KLevine@lvnertamid.org Roberta Unger, Admin. Asst. RUnger@lvnertamid.org Mary Zone, Receptionist MZone@lvnertamid.org Angie Coleman, Bookeeper AColeman@lvnertamid.org C o n g re ga tio n N er T a J a n u a r y aoozj JUST A^ T On December 1, the Adult and Junior Choirs from CNT showed their support for those afflicted with this terrible disease, by singing at the World Aids Day event at Christ the King Catholic Community. Proudly representing the Congregation Ner Tamid Adult Choir are: Alan Chenin, Sherri Sweezy Larry Rudolph, Laura Bailey, Linda Goldstein Denise Rose, our accompanyist Lillian Kollar, Fern Percheski, DeAnn Emmer, Cynthis Zeidner, Maxine Molinski, Jill oaks, our newest member Alan Shlachter and Cantorial Soloist Philip Goldstein. Not in the photo but who also sang with the Choir were: Martin Fessler, Nanette Spector and Jordan Rakita. Representing the Junior Choir are: Samantha Sweezy, Samantha Alterman, Kelly Chenin, Rachel Alterman, Lori Frankl (conducting), Matthew Sweezy, Makenzie Coon, Alex Sweezy, Ashley Frankl, and Michelle Chenin. Not in the photo but who also sang with the Choir were: Hillary Scheele and Jordan Rakita. CHESED COMMITTEE The CHESED (Caring) Committee has been reconstituted under the direction of Elaine Burke and the ?active involvement of Rabbi Weiner. The emphasis of this committee is on one-on-one, hand-in-hand (Yod b? Yod) relationships between committee members and congregants in need. Help is needed to: telephone shut-ins; picking them up for services once a month; doing emergency shopping; and other one-on-one activities. Only a small commitment in time is needed, which will make a big difference in improving the lives of those in need. If you are interested in getting involved with the Chesed Committee, please call Elaine Burke at 658-9834 or e-mail her at MrsLaineyB@aol.com. Task Force on Adult Learning Seeks Members! We are forming an Adult Learning Task Force to explore the creation of a dynamic ?learning environment? at Congregation Ner Tamid. If you would like to help guide the future of Adult Education in our congregation, please contact Katherine Selinsky, the Task Force chairman, at Keshet913@aol.com, or call her at 433-6407. The first meeting will be held in early January, so if you have anything you might be able to contribute please get in touch with Katherine right away. We are looking for voices, thoughts and ideas! A iSpecia 1 P la c e T o B e L Religious School News BUILDING OUR FUTURE Many people look at Religious/Hebrew School as a preparation for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. After the party they think they can sleep late on Sundays and have one less driving chore. WRONG! Jewish education is more as it prepares children for life as Jewish adults. Studying for and time limits of preparing for the Bat or Bar Mitzvah service teaches students responsible goal setting. Learning our history and pride of our people helps create a strong Jewish identity. Lets face it, no one wants to get up on Sunday morning and no one needs more to study on their plate unless we can create the environment of challenges they enjoy. As our children grow we are faced with more of the difficulties parenthood. They are no longer trying to win our approval but rather their independence. We still need to offer our guidance and respect if we are to receive any admiration from them. Education, youth group involvement and a Jewish camp experience is how we create the mortar that will bind our children to Judaism and to the future of Judaism. On January 25, 2004 we will have a Jewish Camp Fair in our Social Hall from noon to 2:00 p.m. A snack lunch will be sold but the event itself is free of charge. If you are involved in Temple life, adult study, Sisterhood, Men?s Club or a religious school committee or the Youth Advisory Board you are showing by example the importance of these things. Believe me, this will be noticed more than your words will be listened to, and you will be helping to build our future. The Most Incredible Summer of Your Life! ? 1 Week Eastern Europe and 4 amazing weeks In Israel. ?Magnificent Sights of Ancient and Modem Israel ? Jewish Pride and Self Esteem. ?Superior Programs Designed Especially For Reform Jewish Youth. P.O. Box 443, Warwick, NY 10990 (845) 987-6300, Ext. 6351 Email: nftytravel@uahc.org Log on to www.nfty.org/travel for more information or to register online! ? Great Fun and Friendship ? Safety and Security our first priority Are you a Jewish Teen in 9-12th grade? If so, NTTY is the perfect group for you!! NTTY (Ner Tamid Temple Youth) is the senior youth group at Congregation Ner Tamid. Jewish teens in grades 9-12 are eligible to join. NTTY is part of NFTY (North American Federation of Temple Youth), which is a national organization. NFTY-SW is the region that NTTY participates in, which consists of Las Vegas, NV, Arizona, New Mexico, and El Paso, TX. We travel to regional events several times throughout the school year. NTTY offers friendship, fun, social programming, religious/educational programming, Social Action, and fund-raising. Each month, NTTY has a Social Action drive, where we collect items from the community and donate them to local charities. For More Information e-mail NTTY at: nttyorg@aol.com C o n g re ga tio n N e r T a m id J a n u a r y 200zj SEE WHAT YOU MISSED Rabbi Jennifer Weiner and Brad Torchin led a beautiful Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat service under the stars at Spring Mountain Ranch. The service was co-sponsored by Amazing Adventures and the JCC. It was a wonderful time for Jewish singles to get together and to meet. The Mensch of the Year event was a great success! Pictured left, having a great time, are Dr. David & Juanita Wasserman, Roger & Sandy Peltyn, and our Cantorial Solist Philip Goldstein with his wife, Rhonda. Sandy Peltyn was a great help with acquiring Silent Auction items. Jan. No Service for January Feb. 6 (Tu B? Shvat) March 5 (Purim) April 2 (Passover) Last Service- May 7 (Israel Ind. Day) J A great time was had by all at the UAHC 44th Annual Biennial Convention and WRJ 44th Assembly. In attendance were Irv Duchowny, Rabbi Akselrad, Sandy and Scott Stolberg, Laura Bailey, Ellen Lozofsky, David Shapin, Fern Percheski, Jennifer Cohen, Nanette Spector, and Rabbi Weiner. Scholar-in-Residence will bring a Kabbalistic Approach to Judaism Be prepared for an ?experiential? weekend of Jewish Meditation when our Scholar-in-Residence, Rabbi Ted Falcon, comes to guide us through the weekend of February 26 - 28 with a Kabbalistic approach to Judaism through practices of Jewish meditation. Rabbi Falcon will be accompanied by Stephen Merritt, the musical director from his Seattle congregation, Bet Alef Meditative Synagogue. They will lead services Friday night and Saturday morning, interpreting Torah, ritual and Jewish tradition from a spiritual point of view. Rabbi Falcon will conduct Torah study on Saturday morning, and in the afternoon Stephen will teach a music workshop. Saturday night the pair will incorporate Havdalah into a program titled ?The Jewish Spiritual Adventure - An Experience Through Music, Story and Meditation.? The rabbi may also be available for a three-hour workshop on Sunday morning. Rabbi Falcon is an annual leader at the Union for Reform Judaism?s (formerly the UAFIC?s) Meditation Kallah in Prescott, Arizona. He is the author of A Journey of Awakening: Kabbalistic Meditations on the Tree of Life, and co-author of Judaism for Dummies. He wrote the cover story of last summer?s Reform Judaism Magazine, titled, ?Life At Its Highest.? Mark your calendars, and look for more information in February?s Bulletin! A .S p ecia l P la c e T o B e lo n g Congregation Ner Tamid Preschool/Kindergarten December was an exciting and fun filled month for all of our students and staff here at the preschool. We all worked very hard preparing for our Chanukah program. Our Superstar production was certainly Broadway material. Who knows where the CNT kids will go from here. It was delightful to hear our little ones say the blessings and sing the traditional Chanukah melodies. Our youngsters all enjoyed cooking and eating Latkes and Sufganot. We each presented our parents with a handmade gift in handmade wrapping paper with our own great cards. Along with all of these activities, we are planning many new projects for this month of January. We will be celebrating Martin Luther King?s Birthday & preparing for our spring planting for Tu B' Shevat. Of course we continue to learn our numbers, letters, colors, shapes, pre-reading and math skills, along with music, science, computer and history. Our new semester will be starting this month with many new students beginning their Preschool adventure. We have only a very few spots remaining in Preschool. If you have a child or grandchild between the ages of 2 1\2 and 5 years of age, and want a quality Secular and Jewish education for that child, call us at the CNT office 733-6292. Lois Bergman Early Childhood Director THE MISSION STATEMENT OF IHN IS: ?Coming together across faith traditions to provide shelter, food, clothing and a new beginning to homeless families across Southern Nevada.? IHN is a small homeless shelter for three to five homeless families. So what does that mean for us at Congregation Ner Tamid?? We are the only Jewish Congregation in Las Vegas participating in this wonderful program. We will be hosting the families in February from the 8th to the 15th. The families come to our Temple at about 5:00 in the evening. We provide a hot meal, a room to sleep in(sheets, blankets, pillows),a box lunch, and breakfast in the morning. They are picked up by van to return to the day sight to shower, go to school, look for a job, and permanent housing. We need volunteers to provide dinners and to sleep over when the families are at our Temple. Jews have always done mitzvot, always helped and cared for others. Please call or e-mail Bette Stahl (735-8104 stahllv@cox.net) or Jennifer Cohen (896-4973 jcohen1156msn.com) and let us know when you can provide a dinner or sleep at Temple. More than one family can get together to provide dinner and the menu need not be elaborate. They love KFC, spaghetti, or pizza. Please help with this wonderful project. Bette Stahl Deadline for February 2004 Bulletin Monday, December 22nd @ 5 PM Please email articles to CNTBulletin@cox.net C o n g re ga tio n N e r T a m id SUITCASES FOR KIDS CNT's Social Action Committee is sponsoring this campaign to get suitcases for the children in the foster care system in Clark County. Hard and soft luggage are both okay. Large backpacks are acceptable if you do not have any suitcases to donate. The children will get to keep the suitcases. We would love to have a suitcase for each child in the system. You can bring your donations to the Temple where they will be delivered to the county Social Service system to be distributed to the children. Please help a child less fortunate than you. It?s Time to Order Your New Mah Jongg Cards! Flowers, cracks, bams, east, jokers and other words that mean something if you're a Mah Jongg player. Take action - the new cards will be here soon! Regular size is $6.00 Large size is $7.00. Sisterhood earns money on all cards sold! Mail your check by February 5th payable to: Sandy Stolberg 1904 Plantea Ct. Las Vegas, NV 89117 Has your email address changed? All email addresses are kept confidential. Please let us know @ 733-6292 or Email Roberta at RUNGER@LVNERTAMID.ORG Ja n u a ry 200/f CNT Sisterhood Many Voices, Many Hands? Today?s Women Embracing a Shared Vision So many thoughts, so little space to put them into... As I write this, I reflect on all that has occurred this past month of November and anticipate with excitement what will occur in the month that you read this article... January 2004. In the month of November so much has happened. Several Sisterhood members had the opportunity to attend the Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) biennial convention in Minneapolis. Laura Bailey, Jennifer Cohen, Ellen Lozofsky, Nanette Spector, and Sandy Stolberg joined me in representing our Sisterhood. At this incredible gathering we ail learned something new about how to enrich our own Sisterhood, and at the same time enriched ourselves spiritually and emotionally. There is no way to describe what it?s like to pray with 4,000 Jews while listening to the live music of some of the great Jewish Cantors and vocalists like Doug Cotier, Sam Glaser, Debbie Friedman, and others. You can be sure that in the months to come, we will be finding ways to use and share this new knowledge. Also in November was our very successful Chanukah Bazaar. Thanks to all of you who have made our Bazaar and FUN-D 4 Youth activities a huge success. With the funds raised, we will be able to continue our support of CNT youth activities and provide partial scholarships for camp. Special thanks to Arlene Kagan and Darlene Vaturi who organized the bazaar, Caren Epstein and Fay Schoenfeid who ran the FUN-D 4 Youth raffle, Frances Klamian and Mary Zone who took care of all of the food, Mens Club who provided all of the soft drinks, Allison Cherry and Ellen Lozofsky who organized and ran all of the kids? activities, Maxine Gratz and Stacey Yarhaus who ran the Noodle Kugel Contest, Phyllis Lewis and Phyllis Mark who organized the Gift Shop sales, all of the vendors, raffle prize contributors, and all of you who supported the event. And, Mazel Tov to Ruth Urban, our newest Ms. Noodle Kugel. She wears her crown proudly!! In January, please plan to help us honor our Past Presidents at a special Shabbat service on Friday, January 23rd. On Saturday, a special forum will be presented starring the past presidents. Come and learn about their greatest triumphs and challenges. Join us as we learn from those who have built our Sisterhood foundation. A short service will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by the Past Presidents Forum, and a light lunch. There is no charge for this event. Please RSVP to Mary Zone in the Temple office, at 733-6292 for the Saturday forum. Beginning this month, you may notice that Sisterhood will be publishing our very own monthly newsletter which will be inserted in the Temple Bulletin - so DON?T THROW AWAY THE INSERTS. Pull out the Sisterhood News first!! Reading this is just one way to stay up to date on all of our activities and programs. You can also check our website: www.cntsisterhood.com, or the bulletin board in the Temple lobby. If you?re not on our e-mail list, please contact Maxine Gratz, so you can receive e-mail updates on our activities. So many thoughts, so little space to tell you about ALL of our January activities... Jewish Film Festival... Pot Luck Dinner and Game Night... Rosh Chodesh... Sisterhood Board meeting... You'll just have to check out the newsletter for all the details!! B'Shalom, Fern Percheski, Sisterhood President 566-0078 fernp2003@cox.net (drop me a line...) Men's Club News Membership Dinner Success Wow...when an event you plan succeeds beyond your expectations, it is a great feeling. This years paid up membership dinner was that event. We had a packed house to see Peter Reeven and Phillip Goldstein who were great. Thanks to both for donating their talents to make the evening successful. While I?m saying thanks, l?d like to mention Stu Solomon, Mike Unger and Stewart Stencil who manned the barbecue. David