The Bulletin of Congregation Ner Tamid, May 2001

The R eform J ewish Congegation of L as Vegas ...A S pecial P lace to B elong May2001 - Vol. XVNo. 8 Sanford D. Akselrad Rabbi Bella Feldman Cantorial Soloist Drew Levy President Melissa Fogel Student Rabbi 8 Iyar-9 Sivan 5761 Monty E. Willey Jacqueline Fleekop Lois Bergman Melanie Gorman Executive Director Education Director Preschool Director Bulletin Editor Xvf Pl|0NfOM Pinn?* A Phantom Dinner is planned for Saturday night, May 12. Why "Phantom"? Because there's no din?ner!!! It's not a gala soiree where you need to buy It new dress, rent a stuffy tux and walk around in lincomfortable shoes. Nor will you need a corsage or boutonniere, there's no tribute book you need to donate to, no limo rental needed. Sounds pret?ty good so far, doesn't it! What you do need to do is to support our Temple by attending the event and by sending your donation. The amount of your donation is solely up to you - even if you can't make it to the Phantom Dinner, please think about how much good our Temple does for our congregants and the entire community and send in your pledge of support. Your invitations include a coupon to have dinner out on the town. Skip dessert and head back to the Temple because we'll supply a sumptuous ca?tered dessert and coffee. The highlight of the evening is a mega-Raffle. Raffle tickets are priced at $10 each or 3 for $25. Take a look at the prizes listed... this is not just any raffle! You choose which bowl you want your raffle ticket placed in. There will be one winner from each bin. The winner doesn't need to be present to win. So send in those raffle tickets and good luck! For a list of prizes, see page 7 7 Informational Presentation on The Yucca Mountain Project Want to learn more about the Yucca Mountain Project? Do you have questions about it?s safe?ty, or how the project will work? On May 31st, at 7:30 pm, CNT will host an informa?tional program about the proposed disposal of nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain. Tne pro?gram is free of charge, and open to the entire community. There will be a panel of speakers who will snare facts about the project and it's impact on the Las Vegas Valley. The panel will consist of speakers from "both sides" of the issue. The presentation will be followed by a question ana answer session. It is important to be informed about your own community. Don't miss this chance to become educated about what may happen 80 miles away from your home. For more information, call the Tem?ple office, at 733-6292. Worship Services 2 Rabbi?s Message 2 Message from our President 3 Executive Director?s Spotlight 4 Religious School/Preschool 5-6 Auxiliaries 7-8 May B?nai Mitzvot 10 Birthdays & Anniversaries 18 Tributes 19-20 Yahrzeits & In Memorium 21 (the Bulletin is published monthly) LOOK INSIDE FOR MORE ABOUT THESE SPECIAL MAY EVENTS AT CNT 5/4 NTIY Service 5/11 Invite A Friend Shabbat/Family Shabbat with Shabba-Tones 5/18 Confirmation 5/27 Shavout Service and Program ?denotes multiple sessions, beginning on that date H Speciaf (Place To (BelongRabbi's Messace The Holocaust It has been six weeks since I returned from my trip to Berlin, two weeks since we as a community celebrated Yom : Hashoa, the Holocaust Remembrance Day. This year, I reflected upon Yom Hashoa in a way vastly different than in years past. I have always felt that the purpose of Yom Hashoa was first and foremost to give the survivors of our community a place to express their loss. Secondly, Yom Hashoa was to be a place where we as a commu?nity could snow our solidarity with survi?vors. And finally, Yom Hashoa was to be a place where the "next generation" could somehow begin to feel the passion of loss and remembrance that the Holocaust brings to our people?s history. Having visited Germany I now have an?other thought, another" purpose for Yom Hashoa. It is a place which acknowledges that awesome spectre of emotion between then and now; between now and tomor?row; between the past and the future. If as the philosopher noted, one must learn from the past so that it is not to be re?peated, then I might add that we should feel the past so that we can move on towards the future. There will always be a part of me that will detest Nazism. But up until now, those same feelings were directed towards Ger?mans as a people. Speaking with German youth in Potsdam opened my eyes to new feelings, especially when one teenager ex?pressed herself with these words, "Rabbi, I am not proud to be a German." Here she was a great granddaughter of the Sec?ond World War and her history follows her as profoundly as mine as a Jew follows me. At the end of our conversation, one of my colleagues told her and the other students in the class, "You may not be proud of your people?s history; but you can be proud of who you are. It is up to you to insure that Germany does not fol?low prey to totalitarianism and continues to embrace democracy. It is up to you make sure that you create a forward look?ing history that creates a tradition and a culture of which you can surely be proud." The Holocaust and Israel were the two seminal events in 20th century Jewish his?tory. Their shadow will continue to covu^ our actions and sense of vision well in? the 21st century. But perhaps it is time that we view our history not as victims, but as a people that are forward thinking. One that remembers our past, but are continued on page 15 Ui THE PARENTS OF THE CONFIRMATION CLASS 2001 proudly invite you to share their joy as their children are conf irmea Friday, May 18, 2001 7:30 PM Congregation Ner Tamid Conf irmation Class 2001 CJ Akselrad Casey Cornett Jordan Del Valle Sara Einsohn Mark Emptaqe Jonathan Goldsmith Ranen Lardent Sarah Milano Jamie Pink Angela Plotkin Sara Plotkin Jerry Sloane Timothy Stoddard Tracey Stoddard Michelle Stuart Chance Tashman Melissa Toffel Paul Unger Benjamin Weiser Adam Weiss Sydney Yuman \ Congregation Ner Tamid May 2001Temple Board Members Drew Levy President Stewart Blumenfeld VP Administration Scott Stolberg VP Ways & Means Howard Layfer VP Membership Ira Spector VP Religious Activities Judy Cornett VP Education & Youth Lynn Sasso VP Member Activities Ruth Urban VP Social Action DAvrD Stahl Treasurer Mindy Unger-Wadkins Secretary Mel Hallerman Trustee Jacky Rosen Trustee-Membership Leon Marco Trustee Marc Garber Trustee Dick Granich Trustee Beth Bromberg Trustee Cecilia Schafler Trustee Esther Saltzman Trustee- Youth Sharna Blumenfeld Trustee-Library Sandy Stolberg Sisterhood Michael Milano Brotherhood Brenna Yahraus NTTY TBD TNT Sid Garber Golden Chai Bob Unger Past President Jerry Gordon Past President Cal Lewis Past President Eileen Kollins Past President Kenneth Schnitzer Past President Dr. David Wasserman Past President ^?Dr. Steve Kollins Past President ^PvIichael Cherry Past President Dr. Bernard Farrow Past President Eugene Kirshbaum* Past President David Goldwater* Past President Rabbi Sanford Akselrad i Ex Officio *Deceased May T/oraH Study (Dates Tuesdays unth H(a?6i yUqetrad lZym-lpm / ?Board ?Rgom ?May 1st and 15tH Saturdays unth Student ?Rabbi /Melissa foyel or a lay leader 9am. / Library /May 5tfi, 12th, 19tfi, and 26th E$$AGE FROM OUR TEMPLE PRESIDENT ?We need your Help? It is that crucial time of the year again, when the board of trustees and the staff must put together an operating budget for the Temple. As in most businesses and even most households, a budget is nothing more than a projection of all anticipated income and expenses for a given period of time. A guide if you will. Even though a budget is a ?projection?, to the best of our knowledge, it is still a very important document to help guide our daily operations. We must have this document in place to justify our programs, our employees and what we can or cannot do as a temple. The temple raises money, for its operations, from many different sources besides dues. BUT dues are still and will always be one of the most important sources of income to the congregation. It has been the foundation of our temple to not turn anyone seeking membership due to financial reasons and it has been our desire to offer as many programs to our members as financially possible. One of the conditions of membership is committing to and paying your annual membership dues, what ever they may be. Also we ask that you pay those dues in a manner that will keep you current and completely paid by the end of the calendar year, before the next year starts. Unfortunately, that is not the current situation. As of this month the temple is still owed approximately $31,000.00 in dues from 2000 and we have a large amount that is not current for the 2001 dues year. I would like to say that this is okay and that everything will work out in the end. BUT it is not okay. Without the full collection of dues, things are going to suffer; programs are not going to happen, repairs to the facility are not going to get made and utilities may not get paid. We are in a tight situation right now. Cash flow is at an all time low. The spring and summer months are historically slow for income. The temple needs vour help now... All we have asked is that each and every member live up to their commitment. Pay your dues and/or sanctuary contribution on time and when required to. Continued on page 15 Conyxzyation . : A> i (Jamil i C ff lull JB cJVot eJltlitzoah //Idaa of 2001 /fan zScfiiff ^Jlzalnzx Salty CJxEnE JVybzxy C.OoCiE JCeCL OCs.llE.bl OaniL cl^-cIeCe CPofi OIVCEX ^jatlEt CBeCCe tScCCESUlCjEZ CJnuitE you to tflEl 2001 <s/fcluCt B dVot ssAtlitzoaC J^atuxclay ^-Wie 2, 2001 10am OJflE D\cdclus.fl foCCoUJUiy tClE IEXuIoE is i.jlOHi.OrlE(i h tfiE B cffNot B\l\i.tzua!i itud.En.ts. May 2001 ----------------------------------------------- ^=V A Special Place To Belong ^ l \Executive ARE YOU TIRED OF WRITING ALL OF THOSE CHECKS??? Director/ Spoilighl In his President?s message, Drew has told you how the cash flow has been for the last several months. We have provided the coupon books, monthly reminders and letters to remind you of your commitments. NOW, we want to suggest another option - With the help of your bank, you can forget about writing the temple a check every month. Speak with your customer service officer about ACH, Au?tomated Clearing House Direct Debit. You can authorize your bank to automatically debit your ac?count for your payment to Congregation Ner Tamid. By using the ACH method OR by allowing us to debit your credit card on a periodic fashion for membership fees, it not only takes the burden to remember one more bill away, but it also provides us with a constant flow of income to take care of our bills and salaries. Please give me a call if you are interested in using one of these methods. ALL transactions are confidential. Thanks, ?Monty MiUey Don't forget CNT's Annual Meeting Sunday June 10, 2001 5pm Please see the insert for the slate of officers and the agenda -----------' = Congregation Ner Tamid May 2001 Religious School News Evaluation It is said that we are responsible for our actions while we are alive. The Rabbis say that these credits are added up for and against us and that is how we are judged. I feel that parents must be given credit for educating their children, putting up with their miserable attitudes when they wake them up for Hebrew school, and for encouraging them to learn in secular school. Students, I am sure are given credit for being respectful and truthful, for trying their best in class, and for being kind to others. We are about to end this religious school year. We can only reflect back on what we have accomplished. Some of our Srains have been great and a lot of fun. Many of our ents who were unable to read Hebrew before are now reading. Those who have needed help have received tutoring and the students that learn language easily have reached new levels of proficiency. Without the support of the Temple Board and involved par?ents, we could not address important educational issues or ^ve had such successful fund-raisers such as the Purim Btmival. On May 6"' we will have a wonderful Israeli Independence Day Program at CNT, during our regular school day. We hope families will follow this up by attending the city wide program at Sammy Davis Park which will continue until 4pm the same day. May 20th is the Last Day of School. The day begins at 10:30 am and ends at noon. At this time you will be able to fill out forms for early registration. Early registration is from May 20"? to June 20"' at a rate discounted from next years increase. Following the last day assembly and award ceremony, those students who have 9 punches on their TGIF cards will have a pizza party. Those in K-3rd grade who have 12 punches and 4- 8lh grade who have 18 or more will be going to Circus Circus Adventure Dome from 12:30pm to 4pm. Throughout the summer teachers will be participating in In- Service programs to better their educating skills. Ms. Yvonne Weiss, Mr. Ron Weingard, Ms. Sheri Cohen and I will be attending CAJE in August. This conference will be held in Fort Collins, Colorado. CAJE is a coalition of 2500 Jewish educators, cantors and Rabbi?s that share methods and ideas, which help to Advance Jewish Education. Tutoring will take place over the summer. Please contact me at 733-o292 if you are interested. As we evaluate this year and plan for the future we pray that G-d will judge that we have done a good job, that we will be blessed with knowledge and strength to know that we can always improve. May G-d guide our choice for change. Amen. Have a wonderful & safe summer. Shalom, Jad(ie Sunday CNT RELIGIOUS SCHOOL CALENDAR SCHOOL SCHEDULE FOR MAY Tuesday Kesterson & (Israel Independence Da y) S 13 No R/S (Mother's Day) 1 5 20 (Last Day Assembly) Wednesday Ober 2 9 16 Thursday CNT 3 10 17 SPECIAL EVENTS May 6 Israeli Independence Day 11am-4pm Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza (at Lorenzi Park)- On Twin Lakes Dr. between Rancho and Washington May 20 TGIS 10:30am - 12pm Pizza Party 12pm - 12:30pm F^i Day at Circus Circus 12:3(^ri - 4pm A Special Place To Belong May 2001CNT Preschool and Kindergarten April went by so quickly and now we, at the Preschool are enjoying the warm weather and our wonderful garden. We have planted vegetables and flowers for us to eat and enjoy. Our students are excited about the entire growing vroceoe and the youngsters are taking pictures and keeping a journal to keep track of natures wonders. Our entire school delighted in working on projects about April showers and May flowers. It was certainly a pleasure to hear our little ones chant the Four Questions, sing a hearty rendition of Dyaneu and all of the other traditional Pass over Prayers at our CNT Preschool\ Kindergarten Model Seder. The students continue to learn and grow in their secular studies and their social skills as well. Jennifer, the ?Library Lady,? paid us a visit and we had our spring class pictures taken. The first addition of the CNT Preschool Yearbook went to press . We also finished our Pead-a-thon project. Pizza certificates were given out to our students who read more than 200 hours in the last two months. What an action packed April the preschool enjoyed. During the month of May we will be preparing foM Israel Independence Day, Lag Ba-omer (track and fielj picnic day), our annual Mother?s Day Brunch and program and our Pre-k and Kindergarten classes will be working on their graduation program to be held in June for Yom Hashoa (Holocaust Remembrance Day) we will be doing a program on Tolerance. We will also be learning about those who defended our country for Memorial Day. Our plans for next year are very exciting. Our preschool is growing. Two of our classes are alreadyfull. One class has several spots remaining. We will need to establish a waiting list for our Preschool Program. Please be sure to register your child as soon as possible so there is a spot for him/her in next years proqram. Call the office at 733-6292. Our Kindergarten program is also taking applications this month. There are only 12 spots available and we have received many inquiries about our innovative program. There are only a few spots remaining.. Please call the Synagogue office and speak to Lois if you are at all interested. We sing for Golden Chai Fun at the farm We love to write with chalk Lois Bergman Preschool Director . Josh Popowcer works at his computer Summer Camp Is Coming! Summer Camp Is coming! Congregation Ner Tamid will offer a Summer Camp Program for Preschool through Grade five. This summer your little ones can enjoy camping, finger painting, dancing, singing, museums, farms, movies, puppet shows, acting in Jewish plays, and lots of fun times in a Jewish-oriented learning environment by attending Congregation Ner Tamid?s Camp Chaverim. It is a Summer Day Camp for kids 2-1/2years to nine years old and Includes music, drama, arts and crafts, sports, water play, cooking, exercise, Karate, Gymnastics, Computer and much more. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Congregation Ner Tamid Camp Chaverim hours are 9am to 3pm (before and after care is available). Camp is five weeks long, June 25th through July 27th Camp Chaverim will have strong Jewish programming and will be lot of fun. Parents are encouraged to sign up early as space is limited. Call Lois Bergman at 733-6292 for more information . ? ? May 2001 Auxiliaries <f It lit* Shalom. I am very pleased to announce that the Men's Club of Congregation Ner Tamid passed the 100 member mark. We now stand at 103 and I want to thank everyone for that. We are now in the unique position of being strong and solvent. It has been a wonderful year and we nave done many wonderful things. We kicked off the year with spon?sorships for Lindsay Bernay and Jeremy Poster for their International March of the Living. We pledged $250 to Sharna Blumenfeld for library books. Gave Ruth Urban and the Social Action Committee $600 toward the "Hate Crimes" symposium. We gave Judy Murray $300 toward publicity for Rabbi Uri Regev. Bought $250 of sodas and juices for Judy Cornett for the Purim Carnival. Donated $200 to Scott Dockswell and the City Of Hope by purchas?ing eight tickets for the special performance of Scin- tas at the Rio, then gave those tickets away as prizes at our golf tournament. We have also made numerous other small contributions. We would ?ot be able to do these things without your help and support. Every breakfast, every seminar, every event that you attend helps us to help others. On yeah, there will be a wonderful donation on Friday night June 8 during our NFTB Weekend that you won't want to miss. So, how does your group get to share in these donations? Well, you start by writing a letter to the Men's Club explaining your need and requesting an amount. Then our board discusses it and decides on whether or not to do?nate the funds. All that we ask is that you appreci?ate the donation and make others aware that we have helped you. So with that in mind we look forward to reviewing all of your requests. Please, keep them reasonable. Remember our NFTB Weekend, June 8th, 9th and 10th. We will begin with a Family Service followed by an Oneg. Then on Saturday, Rabbi will hold a class (Kabballah II anyone?). On Saturday night we have reserved the Desert Princess for an evening cruise of hors d'oeuvres and dessert (first come first served up to 200 people so get your checks in) and then an open brunch for the Congregation. We look forward to all of you sharing in this "Mitzvah Weekend." I want to thank my Board for all of their hard work. I assure you I have not done all of this alone. I want to especially thank my "Over the Hill Gang." Without them I would be nothing. And a special thanks to my wife Carol and my children Sarah and Gabe who have made great sacrifices so that I may serve my G-d, my Rabbbi, my Temple and my Congregation. Shalom and see you all in June. Michael Milano President A Weekend of Brotherhood, June 8th-10th 2001 Name_____________________________________Number inGroup___________________________ Address______________________________________________________________________________ Phone Number_______________________________________________________________________ Number of persons attending Services_____ Number of persons attending Saturday Torah Study______ Number of persons attending Dinner Cruise on the Desert Princess_____(at $50each) Number of persons attending breakfast on Sunday please mail this form and check for Desert Princess Cruise(if applicable) to Congregation Ner Tamid 2761 Emerson Avenue Las Vegas, NV 89121 Attn: Men?s Club Make checks payable to CNT Men?s Club May 2001 ----------------------------------------------- A A Special Place To Belong ^ 7~XAuxiliaries Continuefc iiiiiiiiiii Sisterhood Views iiiiiiiiiii Thank you to Rabbi Akselrad who did a wonderful job reviewing the Red Tent. With over 40 women in attendance Rabbi gave his book review with the minimal amount of blushes. Also thanks to Affairs to Remember for a wonderful lunch. Please mark your calendars for May 6th, our fashion show at 2:00 p.m. and May 23 our elections at 7:00 p.m. More information to follow on both events. Sometimes I wonder if people realize the things sisterhood does behind the scenes. Our biggest on going fundraiser is the Sisterhood Party Shop that Frances Klamian runs for sisterhood. This year we were able to give out 10 camp scholarships for a total of $4000.00, and we gave $3500.00 to NTTY to help send kids to the national convention. We also sponsor all un-sponsored onegs, which also means on the Shabbas Band night we have over 400 people for oneg. We provide the food for the Purim carnival so that the religious school can keep all the proceeds from the food sold that day. In February Rabbi asked if Sisterhood could help with the cost of a new soundboard which the sisterhood gave 1800.00. These are just a few of the things Sisterhood does. I recently received the following letter from Rabbi and thought it would be nice to share it with everyone, because it makes me proud to be President of the Sisterhood. T/earSanzd/y Tdere is a truism in Ceryryatien dyd "TP/zen yeu wed senzetdiry Sisterdeezdis aizzrays tdere/eryeu-zient vrerry. " Tdis truism is nut a rey/eetzen eydez'ry tadzn /eryrantezd dut ratderan yirmatzene/ tde sueeesstz/zd edmmztme/zt zy Sisterdeezds tdrezydeut tdeSe/emz TLdevement. iiden tde're is a need, Sisterdeezdis tdere te made sure tdat tde needs' are met. fddetder tde neezdis defeiryyeutd ezdueatierzy ef ,tde Temyte zzs a zv/zete. Tdezvdere zs tdis nut inn mere evizient t/zzzt in tde aetiens zy eur Sisterdeezd Jit tde dyinnz'ty e/~ tde J/ear yizr eyamydy year suyyert zttas instrumented 'in dedz'ry start ezzr Sdadeas danzdyrzyram dy underzztrz'ti/y tde east of eur rzezv sizddur. Tde sueeess y tdeyrzyram meant tdat eur OnySdzddats d/essemezdie serve St/dyeeyte enee a mentd at eur syeeiadserviee/ Tidat a edaderye/ tdutz/eu anzdyeur utenzen met tde edaderye in a zvzzy tdat eadaneezdtde /7dmi/y S/zaddat. yeeent/y zvden Se/iaanzd7 came teyeu/er assistarzee in nuredasz'ry a rzezv settnzidezzrzd tde Sisterdeezdcame tdrezyd zyaz'n Jlnzdtdis zvas adeazdz en tey y tde tdeusanzis ey zdr/dzrs tdat yeu aave eut yrr eamyersdzys. 7 zient dave te enumerate ad y tde tnzzny tdzrys tdat yeu zie. Jls T?resz'zfent e/ Sisterdeezdyeu ieen/i/ azvare eyyeur many cdaderyes anzdsuecesses. Sz9i arantezdyeu te /nezv tdat a/dyeu zie anzdcentinzze te zdz as an eyanizatz'en y zvemeny anzd as yreuzd memders ey SisterdeezdanzdCeryryatien 7/er damuzisse very z'myertant anzd is zieey/y ayyreeiatezddy ezzr memdersdzy anzdme. 7 ieeybrzvzzrzdte tde Sister/zeezdSdaddat tdisyear. 7t ztn/dde a zvenz/kyy zvay te derzer tde mzzny yeey/e zvde made eur eyanizatien sued a zddrant ene. Sincerety, 1{a66i AJqelrad WITTY. Shalom, Sandy Ner Tamid Temple Youth (NTTY) sent 19 teens to NFTY (North American Federation of Temple Youth) Convention, which was held in Los Angeles, CA from February 16th-20th. Over 1500 teens from all over North America attended this event. NTTY had the highest attendance for this event out of all TYG?s in the Southwest Region of NFTY. NTTY invites you to their creative service on May 4, 2001. This service is created by NTTY and is run by its members. If you are a teen in grades 9Y2 and are interested in joining NTTY, please contact Brenna Yahraus, NTTY President, at 435-5650. Congregation N e r Tam id May 2001 WHAT IS ARZA/WORLD UNION, NORTH AMERICA? ARZA/WORLD UNION, North America, is an organization whose mission is to further the development of Progressive Judaism in Israel and throughout t the world, ARZA/WORLD UNION, North America is the representative of the World Union for Progressive Judaism and an affiliate of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. SHORT TAKES: NEWS FROM ARZA/WORLD UNION, NORTH AMERICA REFORM JEWRY CALLED UPON FOR IMPORTANT ELECTION Register to vote in the election that will help ensure the Progressive movement's future in Israel! This spring, your congregation will contact you with registration materials for the upcoming World Zionist Congress elections. The stronger our performance in these elections, the more influence the North American Reform movement will have regarding religious freedom, policies influencing the status of "Who is a Jew," and whether contributions to Israel will fund Reform institutions. Your participation in these elections is essential! More details will follow in the next Short Takes. JOIN THE ARZA/WORLD UNION MISSION TO THE FORMER SOVIET UNION Members of the Reform Jewish community from throughout North America are invited to participate in ARZA/WORLD UNION, North America's Leadership Mission to Moscow, Kiev and St. Petersburg, scheduled for August 23-September 2, 2001. Meet with the leadership of the Progressive Jewish community and visit some of the most beautiful and historic sites of Russia and Ukraine. For more information, please contact ARZA/WORLD UNION, North America, (212) 650-4280. HOW CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION? For more information about ARZA/WORLD UNION, North America, or for a membership application, please call (323) 871-1180 or e-mail mandyeisner@msn.com. A one year membership is only $36 Community Wide Israel Independence Day J6th, from llam-4pm r. Festival Plaza (at Lorenzi Park) On Twin Lakes Drive off of Washington Avenue, between the Vai/ey View and Rancho exits off 1-95 Kid's Activities Israeli Dancing Jewish Film Showing Kosher Food Judaica Items For Sale Information from Local and National Jewihs Agencies Concert Featuring-Fran Avni singing music from her recent re?lease Israel World Beat - Eretz, along with selections from her children's recordings, and the ? The Jewish Community Ensemble For more information, call the JCC at 794-0090 ------------------------------------r u A Special Place To Belong May 2001 As we approach the end of our fiscal year, we are proud to announce the acquisition of many new books, some from individuals, and many others we have been able to purchase through generous do?nations by the Men?s Club and the Sisterhood, A very hearty thank you for all those donations! We encourage you to continue to give gifts of books for simcnas, whether for children or adults, and to browse in the library whenever you have a few min?utes. For those who have taken books out of the library we hope that you will return them to the box pro?vided as you walk into the room and check your name off the list. By mid-May the committee will call everyone who has not returned signed-out books. We are very proud of the new look of the library, with our new paint job, the beautiful round tables, and the delightful pictures done by children in the religious school to enhance the walls. Our cataloging is taking longer than we had planned, but hopefully will be done before the fall comes around again. At that time, we should have not only the adult section, but the children?s books in order and easier to check out. I would like to thank all the members of the library committee, who worked diligently the past few years to create a more workable library than we have ever had at CNT, in spite of the con?stant use of that room for so many purposes in addition to housing books. The committee consisted of the following people: Jan and Doug Fleckner, Shelley Weiner, Dick Granich, Natalie Shaw, Addie Alter, Marlene Sherman, Loretta Hol?lander, Norma Friedman, Arlene Farrow, Al Esbin, and many others who helped as they had time: Denise Wolson, Toby and Marty Esbin, Hillary Torchin, Aydie Unger, Jackie Fleekop, Jane Radoff, Yvonne Gordon, and Rabbi Akselrad, of course. (If I forgot anyone, I apologize - let me know and I will certainly mention your name next month!) It is my pleasure to announce that Jan and Doug Fleckner have accepted the co-chairman?ship of the Library Committee for the coming year. They will do a fabulous job! Let?s all give them our continued support! Sfama 'Bfu.menfefcC Trustee, Library My name is Todd Jasienski and I am having my Bar Mitzvah on Friday, May 25. Iam really excited about becoming a Bar Mitzvah because I am going to receive my randfather?s tallis that he used at is Bar Mitzvah. When he got it, it was his grandfather?s tallis. go to Greenspun Junior High, where I am a National Junior Honor Society member and am on the straight A honor roll. In my spare time I like to play football, hang out with my friends and play my viola. have friends and family from all over the United States coming to^- Bar Mitzvah. I would like w- members of CNT to be a part of it too.Melissa Fogel's Final CNT Service Our year with Rabbinic Intern, Melissa Fogel is nearing the end. It has been a wonderful year, and she will be missed! Please plan to attend her last CNT service on June 1st at 7:30pm. The following is what Melissa had to say about her year at CNT. "I have enjoyed my year with Congregation Ner Tamid. I've told many HUC students that the congregation is filled with wonderfully warm and welcoming members. Everyone has been so friendly and hospitable, and it has been an incredible experience to teach and learn from everyone! In addition, Rabbi Akselrad and Jackie have been in?sightful mentors who have pointed out valuable tips for me in the world of Jewish Professionals. They are great teachers and it has been a pleasure to learn from them. On that same note, I have really enjoyed working with Bella, and watching her transform services into a musical and spiritual experience for all members!" ^Xhis summer Melissa will be working full time on her fPabbinic Thesis with three other women (who also have the Masters in Jewish Education). The thesis topic willl be: The Three Megillot (Kohellet, Song of Songs, and Ruth) that correspond to the three Pilgrimage Festivals (Sukkot, Passover, and Shavuot). They are hoping to create a source book for congregations and adult learn?ers. After the summer she will begin her final year of Rabbinical School while getting ready to search for a permanent job. Please join us on June 1st at Melissa Fogel's final service. This will be your last chance to hear one of her great sermons! Don't miss your chance to wish her well! Shalom May 2001 Invite a Friend to Ice Cream Shabbat ^ May 11th * > It keeps happening. When I ask, "How did you choose our temple?" I hear the same response. "My friends told me about CNT and asked me to join them for services. " The story changes after that. The specific reasons for affiliating are different, but they all agree on one thing. They would not have joined if someone had not made the effort to ask them. We invite you to invite your friends to a Prospective New Member Ice Cream Shabbat, Friday, May 11th. The Rabbi, board members and staff will be present at 6:45pm to provide an introduction and answer questions about our congregation. Ice cream will be served at the Oneg following services. A few years ago, Jews in our area did not have many choices in synagogues. Now, the variety is overwhelming. We're very lucky we have so much to offer. Unfortunately, many of us feel like we're imposing when we invite a friend to services. The opposite is true. It is a wonderful feeling when you ask friends to services. They always thank me. Congregation Ner Tamid is "A Special Place To Belong" and we owe it to the people we know to invite them so they can judge for themselves. Despite all the choices, our congregatio