The Bulletin of Congregation Ner Tamid, June 2007

Welcome Rabbi Moshe Cotel Special Musical Shabbat Friday, June 22 @ 7:30 pm Rabbi Moshe Cotel has found his true calling as the musical rabbi par excellence. His unique mix of classical piano and personal stories weave a spell of piano sound that would be merely heavenly were it not firmly rooted in the moment-to-moment story of human existence. His brilliant storytelling features musical pieces from Mozart, Bach, Gershwin, Bloch, Mendelssohn and more. He seamlessly stitches memories and revelations from his life with Torah, midrash, and Kabbalah delivering them ?a warm and personal way that both charms and enlightens. Make plans to join us for is truly special Shabbat experience. Rabbi Cotel has much to teach us about a life well- lived, music and spirituality, love and joy, art and joy. Monthly Bulletin Of Congregation Ner Tamid A Special Place To Belong Sivan/Timmuz 5767 June 2007 Volume XXI Annual Temple Meeting And Brunch June 10th at 10 am Vote and Installation of Temple Board & Trustees Installation of Men's Club Board and Presentation of Man of the Year Award Best of all it's FREE for all CNT Members! RSVP to Mary in the office so we can expect you! Inside 2 Rabbi?s Message 3 President's Message 4 Cantorial Soloist's Message 5 Executive Director?s Message 7 Dir. of Lifelong Learning 8 Program Director 9 Adult Education 10 Men's Club Message 1 1 Sisterhood Message 13 Calendar 15 Yahrzeits V JMessage From Rabbi Rabbi Sanford Akselrad This past Shabbat i had a most unnerving experience. It was a delightful evening. Filled with music, dance, and song. Afterwards I was schmoozing with a Congregant and his son. Long time members, yet I had not seen them for quite a while. It was a happy reunion. Behind me was someone else who was waiting to talk to me. While I continued to schmooze with Congregants, in the back of my mind, I thought, I need to find a way to gracefully transition and say hello to the person waiting for me. But too late. The person irritated walked away in a huff. We quickly went after him, but he kept walking away. As I said, it was an unnerving experience for me, and my fellow congregant. He looked at me and said, "What happened?? And I replied, "Oy, welcometo my world! If I say hello to this person, then why didn't I say hello to that one. If I spend too much time with person "A" then person "B" gets offended. I would imagine that rabbis all over could relate to this story. It is tough to please everyone. It is even tougher to try and please everyone. Imagine if you will coming to a wedding and meeting the entire bridal party for the first time. You are properly introduced and you hear their names. You might even spend the evening with them. Multiply this by 24, add 35 b'nai mitzvah and about 70 funerals where similar situations occur. Now, recall all of the people you met. Well, you get the picture. As our Congregation continues to grow there will be a lot of new faces. Let's make a special point to introduce each other to each other, and if need be to a well intentioned rabbi. Let's not let our own personal sensitivities get in the way of a potential friendship or relationship with someone new. I have always found that relationships; especially new relationships take time to mature and 2 W W W .LV N ER T A M ID .O R G become a part of me over time. The mo^ chances we have to spend together one on on^ the more opportunities we have where we relax and share our thoughts, the more a person becomes real and a part of my personal fabric. If I have a bit of guilt as I write this column, I suppose it shows. But it is guilt that comes from one who tries hard to please. So, to the next person waiting in line to "schmooze" with the rabbi, I appreciate your patience and I look forward to schmoozing with you too! Family Shabbas Dinner Friday, June 22 6:00 pm Come enjoy a lovely catered Shabbat dinner with your CNT family and then stay for a beautiful musical Shabbat service featuring Rabbi Moshe Cotel. Everyone is welcome so bring your friends and neighbors! $20 - Adults $15 - Children 12 and under Your Check is Your Reservation! Mail your check, payable to CNT, by dune 15. Questions? Contact Roberta Unger in the office.President - Marla Letizia marla@BigT.com VP Administration - Harry Sax harry dotcom@cox.nct VP Ways & Means - Michael Unger lmomike@aol.com VP Youth & Education - Beth Falk hethfl210@aol.com VP Ritual - Del Acosta dacosta6@cox.net VP Member Recruitment - Jay Poster jayposter@aoI.com VP Member Retention - Marsha Goldberg dccagonl2@aol.com VP Social Action - Cindy Jensen ckjcnsen@cox.net Treasurer - Gregg Solomon gsolomon@intellectualgaming.com Corporate Secretary - Yvonne G ordon tobeach@hotmaiI.com Trustees Michele Fendell mfcndcll@cox.net Barry Lewisohn blewisohn@aol.com Jordie Primack closings3@yahoo.com Debra Cohen dcbra.cohcn@wacho\nascc.com Stacey Yahraus- Lewis stacey21704@aol.com Daryl Alterwitz daltenvitz@cox.nct Illisa Polls illisa_h@yahoo.com Craig Kurtzman bigk23637@aol.com Mark Bromberg mrb4651@aol.com Faura Bailey, Sisterhood President CNTSistcrhood@cox.net Stu Solomon, Men?s Club President Stuart.Solomon@cntmensclub.org Megan Stolberg, NTTY President Mcganl22@cox.net Past Presidents Scott Stolberg Stewart Blumenfeld Drew Levy Bob Unger Jerry Gordon Cal Lewis Eileen Rollins Kenneth Schnitzer Dr. David Wasserman Dr. Steve Rollins Hon. Michael Cherry Dr. Bernard Farrow *Eugene Kirshbaum *David Goldwater ^deceased Temple President Marla Letizia From Shabbat to Shabbat over the last year I have come to know so many of you. You have shared so many heart felt ideas with me. And, little by little, we are beginning to add all of your new ideas into the culture of Ner Tamid. One of those ideas is the wearing of name badges by all of our congregants during services so we can greet each other not only with smiles, but with a true acknowledgement of our names and who we are. I admitted to everyone on one Shabbat earlier in May, that though I know everyone's faces and friendly smiles, and though I know where everyone sits when at Shabbat, I do not know everyone's names. I suggested that not only do I not know their names, but that it was possible that some of our congregants who come every week after time are just too embarrassed to ask the person they have been greeting for the last year what their name is. Many congregations across the country have a name tag system for all of their members. We think that being able to know each other by name will continue to honor our motto, "A Special Place to Belong!" Over the next few months we will begin to make our name tags a part of our Shabbat culture. Please join me in making this new program successful. This is one of our first steps in making Ner Tamid a warm and wonderful place, full of programs and programming for our community and those who wish to engage in life long Jewish learning. To Our CNT Family.... wc hope that you have all had a chance to see our new facility and appreciate it's beauty. We feel we have built something that will last for generations. Wc ask that at Oncgs, B 'nai Mitzvah parties or any function held here that everyone, especially our children, treat this new home with the respect a Sacred house of worship deserves. Your Temple Board (f June 2007 3)Just A J* r Cantorial Soloist Philip Goldstein Looking back, Looking Ahead ^ Five months of 2007 is behind us but we have many wonderful musical programs to look forward to for the balance of the year. Since moving into our new home the end of February we have featured many aspects of our music program. They include our opening consecration ceremony with our adult and youth choirs, The Shabbatones to the Shabbat Unplugged Service and our ?regular? Friday Night Service with our musical accompanist, Lillian Kollar. Everyone enjoyed our Music Season Sabbath that took place in April featuring the music of Michael Isaacson. I would like to once again thank all those who so graciously sponsored this wonderful event. We have brought to the synagogue many new and exciting musical programs. We are proud of our many accomplishments which highlight the diversity and growth of our synagogue?s music. As I write this for the June Bulletin I am already thinking ahead and planning for the High Holydays which will be here in the blink of an eye. Our High Holyday Adult Choir will begin rehearsing on Tuesday, July 10th with our Choir Director John Smith and accompanist Lillian Kollar. Our Teen High Holyday Choir will once again be led by Lori Frankl for the Family Services. It will truly be heart warming to be in our new home this year. I am looking forward to conducting High Holyday services with Rabbi Akselrad in September. Have an enjoyable and safe summer and all the B?nai Mitzvah students, make sure to continue your studies for at least 60 minutes a day. I look forward to seeing you at Friday night services and othafl temple events. ? LDor VDor -From Generation to Generation Please Consider CONGREGATION NER TAMID?S PERPETUAL FUND In your Estate Planning By Remembering the Temple in your will, you insure that our wonderful programs will always be available to this generation and to future generations as well. Consult your attorney about making a meaningful bequest today. For more informlion on continuing YOUR Legacy for Generations to Come, Contact Irv Duchowny at iduchowny@lvnertamid or Scott Stolbersj? at scotl_stolber?@yahoo.com You may also contact the Temple office at 733-6292 High Holyday Adult Choir Rehearsals Begin July 10th. Questions? Contact Philip in the office at 733-6292 x2I0. Young Adult Group Coming Soon! Watch for more information. ? G W W W .LV N ER T A M ID .O R G 3 Growth &- Growing Irv Duchowny, Executive Director lam pleased to share with you that we are growing quite rapidly, which is very exciting! Now Pat we've moved into our new facility and have had several services, we are attracting many new members. With all of our events we?ve held in the past 3 months (it?s only been 3 months since we?ve moved in!), we are solidifying our reputation of having warm, caring and spiritually uplifting services and programs for congregants of all ages. With movement and growth comes excitement and additional bills to pay, like when anyone moves into a new, larger home. Here in our new beautiful building, we have expenses that need to be addressed, and our board knew that we would have to take care of these additional financial obligations. The Board voted in 2006 to have a new Building Fund assessment for all congregants, $200 per family annually and $100 per senior or youth rate of membership. This ongoing assessment is needed to help us pay for our new facility and all the expenses that have come along with it. Here's how it works: When a member family joins, there is a building fund assessment in place for $2,500 payable over a 5 year period, or $500/year ($1,250 for a youth membership or senior citizen, still payable over 5 years, at $250/year). After this total commitment has been met, the new $200/year assessment begins the following year. That said, when a family joined 6 years ago and has paid their $2,500 Building Fund assessment in full, their $200 annual Building Fund assessment starts in this current year (or in their 6th year of membership). If a family has joined CNT and paid their $2,500 Building Fund all at once, their $200 annual assessment will still start in their 6lh year of membership - we will not penalize those families who have paid off their Building Fund ahead of schedule. pease understand that this Annual Building Fund assessment is needed to help us take care of all of the financial obligations that have come with our beautiful new campus and facility. We will be sending out statements to those families who are now being assessed this Amiual assessment, and ask that everyone contribute, as we need everyone?s help. We also ask that you pay particular attention to your statement, showing your outstanding current Building Fund obligation - this, also, must be taken care of annually, to ensure that we do not hold up your High Holiday tickets. It is temple policy that all Annual Pledges (Annual Commitment, previously known as ?Dues?, as well as the Building Fund) must be at least 75% paid in order to receive your High Holiday tickets. We appreciate everyone's support of our new temple, both mentally and financially. This is a wonderful, fabulous campus that we are now using fully, please help us take care of it. If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact me directly. Thank you. and to be continued... ? King David Memorial Garden Look for our new brochure on the King David Memorial Garden Perpetual Rows of emembrance. Contact Irv if you?d like nformation as to how you can honor and respect those who have passed away. ( J u ne 2007 5) Lynsey Yahraus June 1, 2007 My name is Lynsey Yahraus and I attend Bob Miller Middle School. I love art and my two pug dogs, Mickey and Minnie. I enjoy family outings at Laguna Beach (especially when my friends go with) hanging out with my friends, talking on the phone and playing Simms games. Please join me and my family as I become a Bat Mitzvah in our beautiful new sanctuary on June 1. Zarah Rosen June 2, 2007 My name is Zarah Francesca Rosen and I am in 7th grade at Becker Middle School, take all accelerated classes and have been invited to become a member of the National Junior Honor Society. I enjoy playing the piano, guitar and electric bass, singing, dancing, shooting hoops and watching the grass grow. My mitzvah project is donating music CDs and players to the Shade Tree Shelter for the victims of domestic violence. Opening FALL, 2007! Congregation Ner Tamid Early Childhood Education Center Ages 2'1/2 to 5 Years ? * * * * * * Safe Nurturing Developmental ly Appropriate Jewish Music & Holidays Child-Centered Activities Jewish Values Licensed & Experienced Staff Your child?s first experience can set the tone for LIFE! For Registration Information Contact Craig Rosen 733-6292 crosen@l\Tiertamidorg W*. W W W .LV N ER T A M ID .O R G Jamie Edelman June 8, 2007 and hip hop. I am Jamie Edelman and have worked very hard for this day, and have chose^^ to honor the memory of Zyama Gorelick, a boy who was a holocaust victim. I have been dancing since I was five; my favorite styles are tap also like football, baseball and hockey. My family and I are looking forward to this special day. Samantha Dias June 9, 2007 My name is Samantha Malta Dias and I am in 7th grade at Bob Miller Middle School. I love animals and hope to become a veterinarian or dolphin trainer. My hobbies include singing, playing electric guitar, art, acting dancing cooking horseback riding listening to music with my friends and volunteering at zoos and animal shelters. I look forward to sharing my special day with my family and friends. Benjamin Stolberg June 16, 2007 Hello, my name is Ben Stolberg and I am a 7th grade honor student at the Las Vegas Day School. I enjoy snowboarding going to the movies with my friends, and summers at Camp Newman. My mitzvah project is to raise money to help children go to Camp Newman so they can enjoy a Jewish camp experience. Keely Lewis June 23, 2007 My name is Keely Lewis and I am in 7th grade at Cadwallader Middle School, where I produce the Cadwallader News Network television show. I love science and have been selected for Honors Algeb^ I next year. I hope to be a doctor. I enjoy relaxing in the pd^P with our family's four dogs Snowy, Sugar, Spice and Molly. I am happy to be celebrating this wonderful event with my family and friends.Director of Lifelong Learning Craig Rosen ummer is a time to review and renew. While I take time over the summer to review ur school year I will reflect on the curriculum, examine what about our school is working and take time to pick apart that which needs retooling. As we prepare to open our Religious School wing, there is much anticipation and excitement. An area where many congregations in this country struggle with is the post B'nai Mitzvah years. It has been this congregation's tradition to hold confirmation in the 9th grade and in the past there have been a few students who went through the program. This year, through concerted effort, we had one of our larger classes in recent history as 13 young people were Confirmed last month in a beautiful Shabbat service. Both the Rabbi and I have been working to improve our teen program and next year you'll see the next phase of the process. One of the most exciting changes that we will be making includes the creation of Teen Tuesdays. Each week, ouryoung peoplein grades 8-12 will gather at the Temple for social and educational opportunities. We'll start each week with a dinner at 6:15 and then beginning at 6:45 classes will commence. Along with the weekly classes, each grade level will ultimately have a special trip planned for their class. Next year our 8-9th grade students take a trip to Los Angeles and our 10th graders will attend the Panim el Panim trip in Washington DC. In addition to the weekly classes, our teens will also be encouraged to serve as Madrichim (teacher's assistants) on Sunday mornings and to participate in our various Youth Groups TNT and NTTY on the .weekends. Congregation Ner Tamid surely is a place for teenagers and education does not end after tar/Bat Mitzvah here anymore! YOUTH GROUPS We're very excited to be able to offer a new Youth Group Program for those in grades 3-5 called ITTY BTTY NTTY. This Youth group will meet throughout the year for fun social programming. Calendars for the 2007-2008 Youth Groups will be prepared over the summer and distributed in August. If you have any wonderful ideas for events, please contact our Youth Group advisors or Craig Rosen, Director of Lifelong Learning. ITTY BTTY NTTY (3-5 grade youth group) lleneScharf (702)767-3040 8 Rebecca Phillips (702) 767-3030 TNT (6-8th grade youth group) - NTTY (9-12 grade youth group) Pam Poster (702) 259-5297 Jolie Brislin (702)610-1858 EARLY CHILDHOOD Registration is still underway for the Fall opening of our Early Childhood Education program. Should you or anyone you know be interested in additional information please make sure to call Lonnie Kritzler our Director of Early Childhood Education as we officially welcome her to our staff in the middle of this month. June 2007 DMessage From Program Director Nancy Weinberger Summer is just around the corner and for many of us it is the heat of the summer we dread the most. Well, CNT has your summer solution! Register now for one of the many classes beii^k offered this summer; Hebrew Reading, Introduction to Judaism (for beginners as well as those more learned), Enrich Your Mind, Body & Soul or join us for A Potpourri of Judaism. If classes are not your thing, you may want to join a committee. The Membership committee is in full swing making plans for an Ice Cream Sundae Shabbat in August and for upcoming membership coffees. The Chesed (caring) committee, the committee with a heart, is holding a two-night training session facilitated by Rabbi A., Nan Spector & Nadine Cracraft for those who wish to learn more about the mitzvah of bikkur cholim (visiting the sick). The Young Adult committee is putting together a calendar of fun events for the upcoming year. Social Action is providing a lecture series discussing mental health issues. All of these classes, programs and training session will be held throughout the summer. As you can see, CNT is the place to be. So plan now to spend some time with us this summer. We want CNT to feel like your "other" home. If you have not sent in your chavurah application and would like to be in a chavurah please make sure I receive the form as soon as possible. You will be notified when your group has been created. Thank you to Susie Sernoe & Lori Emptage for offering to help with the process. If you are still pondering the idea of joining a chavurah, you know what they say - try it, you'll like it! Many of you have offered to volunteer in the office and I want to make sure you know that someone will be contacting you shortly. Finally, I must thank 4 very special people who answered my request for help and lended more than a hand during the past several weeks: Shirley Kouffman, Patty Myers, Sybil Stenzel, and Lorelei Wojnicz. Without you I could not have accomplished the work I had to do. You helped tremendously in providing the support I needed and I am so appreciative. THANK YOU! If you have any questions, would like to join a committee or have time to volunteer please call me or email nweinberger@lvnertamid.org. I look forward to hearing from you! Bereavement Group - Thursdays, June 21 - July 26 @ 10:30 am Have you or someone you know experienced a recent loss of a loved one? This summer Rabbinic Intern Cookie Olshein will facilitate a 5-week bereavement group here at CNT. This is free and open to the community. RSVP A MUST! Participants should plan on attending all sessions. To sign up contact Karen Levine at 733-6292. YOU Can Make a Difference Volunteer Opportunities Put your life experience to work with CNT. You will be joining others who give of their time to make the world a better place for everyone. Do you have a special skill? Do you have some extra time on your schedule? Whether you like ongoing committee work or prefer to work on short projects or in the office, we have a place for you! Call Nancy Weinberger Program Director (702) 733-6292 nweinberger@ lvnertamid.org What is a * Chavurah (pl? Chavurot) comes from the Hebrew word Chaver meaning ?a group of friends? * Each Chavurah is a group of Temple members who come together to enjoy Jewish life with their families and enhance their shared Jewish experience * We have Chavurah for families, singles, all ages * For many, the Chavurah is an extended family. Some Temple Chavurot have been together for over 25 years * Enhances your experience as a Temple member * Chavurah membership is open to all CNT members Registration forms available in Temple offic^| For more information, contact Nancy Weinbergei^ Program Director nweinberger@lvnertamid.org d WWW.LVNERTAMID.ORG DAdult Summer Ed Classes Tuesdays, June 19th - July 24th 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. FREE and Open to Everyone! Classes Taught by Rabbinic Intern Cookie Olshein June 19th- Reform Judaism - From the Past to the Future. This class will focus on the development of Reform Judaism and where our movement is headed in the future, including a discussion of the trends in Reform Judaism and how we find our place within our movement. If you have ever paused when someone asked you to explain, "what is Reform Judaism," then this is the class for you! June 26th- Kabbalah: A Beginner's Guide to Jewish Mysticism. Over the past few years, Kabbalah has gained notoriety in popular culture. What is its beginning? What can we gain by studying Kabbalah? How can we incorporate Kabbalistic practices into our daily lives? This class is for anyone interested in exploring a different side of their spirituality through Jewish practice. No Hebrew required. ft ly 17th - Our Obligation to Change the World: Social Justice in the Talmud. If you have ever looked for an easy way to study traditional Jewish texts, this is the class for you! We will look at traditional Jewish texts to see what the ancient sages say about our sacred obligation to make this world a better place. No Hebrew or prior text study experience is required for this easy- to-understand class regarding our Talmudic tradition. July 24th - Our Need to Knead - Challah in Our Tradition and in Our Homes. This fun (and tasty) class will explore both the textual and culinary traditions associated with our most recognizable Shabbat dinner item, Challah. Open to both men and women, you must RSVP for this class so we can make sure we have enough supplies available. No prior bread-making or text-study experience required ... just an RSVP! FOR ALL CLASSES RSVP to Mary in the Temple office at 733-6292. Questions? Contact Nancy Weinberger, Program Director, at the Temple office. Mondays, June 11th - July 23rd (No class July 2) Intermediate Hebrew Reading Class 6:15pm - 7:15pm For those who are interested in the next level of Hebrew reading this is the class for you! This course continues where the beginning reading course ended. You will gain a basic understanding of the prayer service while expanding your comprehension and knowledge of Hebrew. Open to everyone. Taught by Ayelet Blit. Exploring Judaism through Mind, Body 8 Soul 7:30pm - 9:00pm Join us as we embark on a special journey of learning Judaism. A unique technique which combines academics, creativity and movement will be used in exploring different Jewish themes. Open to everyone. No special physical fitness is necessary. Taught by Ayelet Blit. Cost For EACH Class - $36 Temple Members $50 Non-Temple Members Thursdays, June 14th - July 26th (No class July 5) Classes Taught by Rabbinic Intern Cookie Olshein "Beginning Hebrew Reading" 6:00-7:00 p.m. This class begins "in the beginning" with how to identify and pronounce each letter and continues with learning basic Hebrew words. Cost for this course is $36.00 per couple (or 2 people from same household) Plus the cost of the book "Introduction to Judaism" 7:15-8:30 p.m. This class covers the "basics" - the how and why of what we do, say, think, and why we eat the things we do. Cost for this course is $36.00 per couple (or 2 people from same household) Plus the cost of the book ( June 2007 9^ CNT Men?s Club President ~ Stu Solomon Identifying Miracles This week has been a very special one for me, it involved miracles. In the past week I have had the opportunity to recognize two of them and it has really hit me that there really are miracles. In the past I have always believed that G~d has looked over me in more ways than I have been able to count. When I was younger I had some bad times in my life and didn't know where I was going to get my next meal or how I was going to make it from day to day. Somehow I was always fine and never went hungry (as you can tell by my waist). I have found a great life and been blessed in many ways from my wife Lynette and my son Alex, the friends I have made and the people that I have come in contact with. Things that we take for granted in daily life and other things like a new Synagogue for all to enjoy. I have had profound things happen and just never realized that they were miracles until I looked back on them. They were small miracles, but what are the odds? Were they miracles or just great luck? Who knows, but from the other things that have happened in my life I think they were. Looking back, especially at this point in my life, I see them as small but obvious miracles. The only explanation to me is that G~d was again looking after me and my own. Last week I witnessed two distinct miracles. The first happened when one of the kids on our block was walking home from school and was hit by a car in an intersection and dragged for about 10 feet. There he was on a backboard in the ambulance looking like an 8 year old that just got hit. We didn't know how badly he was hurt. All we could do was to help comfort his family, go to the hospital and offer any assistance we could. Now it's a week later and the kid is at my house playing with my son before he goes to school and riding his bike in the neighborhood. THIS IS A MIRACLE! The biggest miracle to date happened just two days ago. I had just walked in from work, was cleaning off the grunge of the day as a construction worker and I received a call from my sister. She informed me that she had heard from her long estranged grandson Andrew. Like many sad stories that happen to millions of people, Andrew was taken from hi^^ father, Mark (my nephew), about 13 years ago by his mother. Hidden from him, she had his name changed^ and every time the family or anyone found out where he was, the phone number was changed and they moved immediately. We found out that he was badly abused for the last years and at 16 years old, he was thrown out on the street with nothing but the clothes on his back. He didn't know his father's name, the name of his grandparents or that he had any family to speak of outside of what his mother had told him. Somehow he got the number of his half-sister who lives with the other set of grandparents in Gardena, California. After being on the streets for some 3 weeks, the sister scraped together $200.00 to send him for a bus ticket and he took the bus from Charlotte, North Carolina to Los Angeles. His grandparents in California had no idea how to contact his father and didn't remember my sister or brother-in-law's name, but they knew that they were somewhere. They actually came to Las Vegas looking for them to no avail. Then they started searching the internet and low and behold they found my sister! They called my sister and a couple of hours later my brother-in-law and I were on our way to go scoop him up. When we got there everyone was excited of course and we all knew that things were going to be better. Andrew had no idea that he had family that was trying to find him for so long. He got to meet his father, step-mother, step-brother and baby brother and most of his extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins and more. It really was an overwhelming experience for all. Now we have him and all vow to try our best to make it better. We assured him that he would no longer have to forage for food and would have a roof over his head. My personal observation is that Andrew, despite what he has been through is a great, smart and loving soul who will eventually be just fine and an asset to whatever he gets involved in. Our family feels whole again. This is yet another miracle of G~d, and to us it is a big one! Miracles happen to all of us in our lives. I do believe that G~d has a plan and that things happen for a reason. The blessing is not just that they happen, but to be able to identify them when they do. Remembei^ the old saying 'count your blessings'? Look back at your blessings and identify the miracles. If you trul'j^ believe, you may find that all of us are blessed and that miracles happen. Identifying them is the blessing that makes and keeps us happy and whole. C l W W W .LV N ER T A M ID .O R G 3 So-STWtfQOQ NFWS Lcsum 'Baifeij, President Well another year is coming to an end. It was a year of transition and challenges and I think we came through ok. I want to thank everyone on my board for hanging in there through this rough time. I also want to thank you, our members, for sticking by us. We have some great things in the works for next year and are working on having monthly programs - something for everyone to just get together socially. That's my goal for next year. While I can't remember everyone, I do try. I think we've all lost touch with each other by not having a 'home'. Now that we have our beautiful new building, we want to have programs and events that gather us together socially so we can get to know each other again. We did great things this past year and am looking forward to doing even greater things come Fall. Thank You A Huge Note of Thanks to Maxine Gratz & Suzann Denton-Pratt For All Their Hard Work Putting Together Another Great Progressive Dinner & Dessert! A Special ?Thank You? To Weiss Restaurant Dell-Bakery 2744 \. Green Valley Pkwy. In Henderson for Donating the Challah For Shabbat Services Mickey Wilner Great Lady Award Recipient for 2006 Lynette Solomon ( June 2007 1l)SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION Removing The Stigma Of Mental Illness Monday, June 4 at 7:00pm Social Action Forum Presented by CNT Social Action Committee In our ever shrinking world, there is a theory that everyone can be connected to any other person in the world by no more that six acquaintances. If this is true, then your life or that of someone you know has been touched by mental illness. Join us for a special forum to learn about living with mental illness. Representatives from the consumer programs at Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services will be here to discuss life with mental illness - the challenges and the triumphs from a first hand perspective. They will be available to answer questions and help to dispel the misconceptions and biases surrounding the mentally ill. Please RSVP to Mary in the Temple office at 733-6292. RSVP requestednot required. JACS Thursdays, 6 pm at Temple In Multi-Purpose Room Jewish Alcoho