The Bulletin of Temple Beth Sholom, July 2004

TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM Temple Beth Sholom THE BULLETIN July 2004 Tammuz-Av 5764 Vol. 4, No. 7 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Rabbi's Message 2 Cantor's Message 4 Executive Director's Message 5 High Holiday Quick Information Sheet 6 Men's Club L'Dor V'Dor 7 TBS Men's Club 8 Women's League 9 Donations 10 Donations 11 Membership Committee Chevra Kadisha 12 Psalm 13 Early Childhood Center 14 Calendar 19 Schedule of Services 20 Temple Beth Sholom is a Conservative Congregation affiliated with The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism It's Membership Renewal Time & TBS Membership Has Its Privileges By the time you read this Bulletin your membership renewal statement will hopefully have arrived. For many members, this is just another bill to be paid. This year, think of it as an opportunity to treat yourself to a year filled with family, friendship, spiritual growth and happiness. You are a member of the oldest congregation in Las Vegas; one that has grown with this community to meet the needs of Conservative Jews of all ages and backgrounds. As a member of Temple Beth Sholom, you are continuing a long tradition of Jews in Southern Nevada who have made a commitment to being a meaningful part of a vibrant, growing Jewish community. Membership in Temple Beth Sholom has its privileges. You may receive High Holy Day seats for free or you can elect to upgrade your seats for a relatively small charge; you can participate in the community's most successful early childhood program, religious school and now, a Solomon Schecter Day School; you can enjoy and become spiritually uplifted at weekly Shabbat services and daily minyanim; you can purchase cemetery plots or utilize the Temple facilities for weddings, bar mitzvahs and other simchas at a special member rate; you can utilize the only Conservative-operated Mikveh in Southern Nevada; you can interact, learn and become inspired by a wonderful rabbi and cantor; and you can take pride in knowing you are a part of a very special place. Please don't forget our MIP( Membership Incentive Program) program. When you help to encourage a brand-new member to join TBS at full dues, and that person (or family) stays for a full year, you can get ten percent (10%) off of your next year's dues. It is actu-ally possible that by bringing in enough new families, a person could eliminate their own dues obligation altogether. This is not only good for the new member and the syna-gogue, it is also good for you! As a reminder, High Holy Day registration begins on July 6. All financial obligations from the past, as well as at least one third of the 2004/2005 membership dues must be paid to be eligible for High Holy Day tickets. If you have any questions about your statement, please call the temple office at 804-1333 and we'll be happy to help you. 2?Rabbi's Message When Nostalgia goes wrong! Rabbi Felipe Goodman Nostalgia, it has been said, is when we find the present tense and the past perfect. Current difficulties cast a retroactive glow of happiness on the past, and conceal its pains and its problems. Distance in time as in space lends enchantment. This Torah portion describes two severe attacks of nostalgia-too many of our ancestors suffered in the wilderness. When they ran short of water or became fed up with a steady diet of manna they looked back to the "good old days" before Moses led them into this predicament. "Why did they make us leave Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread and no water, and we have come to loathe this miserable food. We remember the fish we used to eat in Egypt free, the cu-cumbers and the melons and the leeks and the onions and the garlic. But now our soul is dried up; we have nothing except this manna to look to." Oh, the glory that was Egypt! The grandeur we left behind! Conveniently edited out of their rosy memories was the degradation of slavery, the brutality of arbi-trary whippings, the bricks without straw, the groans of broken bodies, the decree consigning every male Hebrew infant to death at birth. "Boy, did we have fish and cucumbers and garlic in Egypt!" For-gotten of course was the fact that these foods were flavored with bitter tears and eaten with the bread of affliction. The tendency to romanticize the past and to denigrate the present did not begin with our ancestors in the wilderness. The oldest piece of writing in existence is a cuneiform script on a piece of papyrus some 6,000 years old. It contains this complaint: "Alas, times are not what they used to be. Everyone wants to write a book and children are no longer obedient to their parents." And when do you think the following commentary on the younger generation was written? "Our youth now love luxury, they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and they love to chatter instead of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their household. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before com-pany gobble up their food and tyrannize their teachers." No, this is not the report of a principal to the school board on the behavior of high school students in the inner city; it is a lament of Socrates written some 2,400 years ago! In the "good old days" they also longed for the "good old days." Perhaps the best thing we can say about the good old days is that they cannot come back. If we doubt it, let's read this page tonight by an oil lamp. Rabbi's Messages?3 After a lifetime of studying America's past, Otto Bettmann's verdict in 1974 was a book called "The Good Old Days-They Were Terrible." And let's not forget that one day the very days which now fill us with so much discontent and grumbling will one day be considered "the good old days." Despite the nostalgia that filled our ancestors in the wilderness the whole thrust of Judaism is to look forward not backward. Our Messiah has not yet come. Moses is told by God to command the complaining Israelites in the wilderness: "Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow!" The road to ful-fillment leads not to yesterday but to tomorrow. Having said all this we ought to hasten to add that if we should not defy the past neither should we denigrate it. Unless we know where we come from we do not know who we are and where we should be facing. A generation without Jewish memories is a generation without Jewish hopes. To be sure we cannot and should not live in the past; but the past can and should live in us. In his poignant autobiography "Growing Up," Russell Baker talks about the thoughts that came to him as a result of his visits with his bedridden mother who is in her 80's. 'These hopeless end-of-the-line visits with my mother made me wish I had not thrown off my own past so care-lessly. We all come from the past, and children ought to know what it was that went into their making, to know that life is a braided cord of humanity stretching up from time long gone, and that it cannot be defined by a single journey from diaper to shroud." A moving illustration of this truth was contained in a lengthy article in the Wall Street Journal many years ago on the incredible scope of Jewish fundraising in America. Imbedded in the story was the account of a Jew from Washington who recently became active in Jewish affairs. During his first trip to Israel he visited Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. "There," we are told, he "noticed a small wooden menorah that had been made by a doomed inmate. Since that trip, lighting the Sabbath candles has become a Friday night ritual in his home." This is the way to use our past to enrich our present and to guarantee our future. I know that looking forward can be scary at times. I deeply believe that an individual, a society or a community that lives in the past is condemned to lose itself forever in the fog of memory. If we learn from our mistakes there is no reason why the future shouldn't be better than what was. Remember why God punished the generation that left Egypt? There are many explanations, but my favorite one is the one that teaches us that the generation of the wilderness didn't under-stand the responsibility of freedom and that is why they were always looking back and were never able to enter the promised land. It is my prayer that all of us understand the responsibility of building a community, building a better future for our children, thriving in our diversity and looking towards the future instead of constantly drowning in the destructive waters of the past. July 2004 4?Cantor's Message Where Have You Been By Cantor Daniel Friedman Where have you been," the little girl with the brown curly hair said as she sat on the tic-tac-toe carpet drawing a Jewish star on the flag of Israel she just designed, "I have missed you." "I have missed you too, but I have been right here all along," I said standing at her side admiring her masterpiece. "You have," she mentioned in passing, still intent on her work. "Yes, of course," I said with a smile, "usually just down the hall in my office." With her big brown eyes displaying a quizzical look she slowly raised her head and stated as a matter of fact, "But sometimes when I am supposed to see you and sing, sometimes you are not here." "I know," I said, "it has been a busy year." "I know," she said, "my Mommy told me." "What did she tell you?" I asked. "Oh," she whispered while choosing another blue crayon from the crayola box, "that you got married and are going to have a baby and you moved and your mommy lives away from here too and you like to see them a lot." "Well," I mused openly with a warm-hearted laugh, "that is very true. But, that is only stuff in my personal life. You know I am also very busy helping the Rabbi care for people." "You do? I don't see the Rabbi, but I see you." She said with a tilt of her head. "I see you too and I miss you very much when I am unable to sing with you," I said. "Yeah, what do you do with the Rabbi?" she asked. "Well," I said pondering an appropriate response for a 5 year old. "I visit the sick people in the hospital and I sit and listen to people when they really need to talk. And I help people when they are sad that someone close to them is no longer around. You know, when someone dies and they need stuff done. I help them." I gently mentioned without explaining what a Chevrah Kaddishah is or the intricacies of a Taharah. "But, can't you still come and sing with me?" She asked. "Sometimes, these things just come up and I never know when they are going to happen," I said, "but I am glad you miss me. I miss you too." With a simple smile, she got up off of the floor, gave my leg a big hug and said, "You always smell nice," as she walked out the door with a small wave of her hand goodbye. Most of the time, a simple question can have a simple answer. But unless we ask the question we can never get an answer. The unasked question can lead to misunderstanding and the unexamined life can lead to despair in the face of chaos. For when we examine our life and our motives, we come face to face with who we are and what we cherish most in our life. When we search for the truth and ask questions with an open mind as to the answer, we add depth to our lives and add the element of serenity into our experience. When we ask questions of ourselves and the people around us we can better understand our differences and begin the process of reconciliation and acceptance. A child sees black and white and begins to understand gray through asking questions. Why do we find it so hard to ask questions of one another as we try to understand what moti-vates our lives and the lives of those around us? Are the answers we receive unacceptable to us? Perhaps we are not satis-fied with the simple answer and need the complication of searching for explanations when things are not so black and white even to our adult minds? To a child with little practical experience in life, the process of understanding the world starts with the questions they ask. We are all familiar with the unending barrage of the single word question, "Why?" To an adult, the process of understanding the world and the people closest to us begins with the answers we are given to the questions we ask. If we don't like the answers, we have the tendency to search for better, different questions in search of an answer we like. Just like the frustration we some-times experience with children searching for answers, this frustration transfers into our adult world. But different than a child, we have a much more expansive filter system through which we pass our questions and answers. In the months to come, as we begin to prepare for the High Holy Days, I encourage you all to ask questions of yourselves, without expectations of the an-swers you might want to hear. Turn this quest for answers and explanations inward first. Ask yourselves the question, "What am I doing that excuses me from allowing the simple answers to be acceptable to me?" Try not to over-think yourselves. Open your hearts to the answers you might hear. Let the questions flow from your mind, but listen to the answers with your heart. This summer, give yourself the gift of expanding your experience of living through the questions you ask yourself and the an-swers you hear. Oh, and by the way, you might want to listen to a little Jewish music while on this journey. It will help you con-nect to your soul. I look forward to seeing you at Temple. Executive Director's Message?5 Executive Director's Message By Laura Sussman Thank you to everyone who made my first month here an enjoyable and exciting one. I have to admit, during the past month, I haven't had a chance to breath. Even though I have been a member at Temple Beth Sholom for the past three years, I never got a chance to truly know the temple as I have in the past few weeks. For those of you whom I have not yet met, let me introduce myself. I have been in Las Vegas for the past seven years while serving as the Executive Director of the Jewish Community Cen-ter. I have been a Jewish communal professional for over 25 years. During that time, I have made a commitment to helping people feel a part of the community. I strongly believe that the biggest part of my job is to create an environment that people want to be a part of. Whether you come to services, participate in one of the schools, attend to a program, volunteer or simply walk in the building to take care of business, I want to help ensure that your experience is a positive one. Over the years, I have learned that those people who feel most connected with their syna-gogue, are those who are most involved. I encourage you to make a commitment this year to get more involved in Temple Beth Sholom. Volunteer to help as an usher during the High Holy Days or as a greeter during Shabbat services, join a committee, become a member of Men's Club and/or Women's League or join a chavurah. It doesn't really matter what areas you get in-volved in, as long as you do become involved! Those of you who know me, know that I am a very direct person and my door is always open. I like to know what is going on and what our members are thinking about the temple, good or bad. I love to hear suggestions that can improve the way we do things, and I encourage you to call or meet with me to share any thoughts, comments, or suggestions you have. I am looking forward to a wonderful experience as Executive Director of Temple Beth Sholom. I hope my efforts, combined with your involvement, will allow you to have a wonderful experience as a congregant. July 2004 6?HHD Quick Information Sheet High Holiday Quick Information Sheet Registration Walk-in registration begins Tuesday, July 6. The office will be open from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM that day to accommodate working families, and regular business hours thereafter. Registrations will not be accepted over the telephone. Fax registration is available with credit card payment only. All prior financial obligations must have been paid and 1/3 of your 2004/2005 dues in order to be eligible for membership privileges. Childcare For security and safety purposes, all children must be dropped off and picked up at the pre-school. For everyone's benefit we can not have unsupervised children. Therefore, all chil-dren from 1-17 must register for the appropriate program so they will have somewhere to go when they are not attending services. Flease follow the childcare schedule in the High Holy Day Information Packet. Childcare will be provided until 15 minutes after each scheduled service. There is a $7.50 charge for each child attending each service session. Pre-registration is essen tial. Parking For safety reasons, only those vehicles with TBS vehicle windshield stickers or mirror hangers will be permitted to park on the premises. Handicapped parking is available for only those vehicles that have designated handi-capped authorization. Out of Town Family/Military Any military personnel wishing to attend services, must call the temple offices prior to the services and bring a valid military ID to obtain admittance. All adult children of members (18-24) are entitled to receive a free membership. Please contact the temple office to sign up and receive admittance to all services (upgrades extra). Deadlines Registration, Book of Memory, Kol Nidre Book Deadline - August 26 Reservations for Dedicated Seats - August 4 Men's Club/L'Dor V'Dor?7 PAINLESS CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION Here is a chance to help your TBS Men's Club with virtually no pain!!! You likely have an older laptop or two sitting around your home or office that isn't ever used. Many have a value on the resale market. Your choice!! Continue to use this old laptop as a doorstop, or bring it in and claim a tax deduction. If you prefer, call Temple and leave a message for the Men's Club with the Laptop name, model (or part) number and the serial number. The year isn't necessary. De-pending on the value (286, 386's and very low end Pentiums have little residual value) we can arrange to pick your laptop contribution. We will be happy to provide you written acknowledgement of your contribution. L'Dor V'Dor Shabbat, July 31 Reviewing the recent sold out attendance to the L'Dor V'Dor entertainment luncheon, and inspired by the needs of the many home bound Jewish persons, the next L'Dor V'Dor program will be a Shabbat Shalom on Saturday, July 31. The purpose of a Shabbat L'Dor V'Dor is to offer the religious and cultural comfort to home bounds and their caregivers. If you know of a homebound senior that would benefit from the L'Dor V'Dor program, or if you are available to volunteer your time for the L'Dor V'Dor Shabbat Sholom, please contact Rosalie Lazer at 395.0117. July 2004 8?Men's Club TBS Men's Club June begins the summer quiet time. Although we won't have a regular Men's Club meeting until after the High Holidays, the Board and Chairmen are beginning to plan 2004-5 activities. Repeats of prior programs as well as some new exciting ones are being scheduled. Our Men's Club is honored to pledge $2500 toward the operation of the new Solomon Schechter Day School. The members had voted unanimously to support this crucial project for our children. On Friday night, June 18, we participated in a joint installa-tion with the TBS Women's League. Following services, there was a Oneg Shabbat sponsored by the Men's Club and Women's League. Irwin Goldberg was presented a shofar in gratitude for all his past efforts. On June 29th, our TBS Men's Club sponsored Softball team coached by Jeff Michelman took the field for the first of 14 games in the Summerlin league. These are played locally on Tuesday evenings. The next one is July 6th at Willow Park. We encourage you and your children to attend and root our member athletes to victory. Between June 6-8, several members of the Men's Club were the Chevra Kadisha committee with their very successful na-tional conference held here at Temple Beth Sholom. honored to be able to help Just as a reminder, there is a donation box from Safenest located on the North side of the building. They are collecting reusable clothing and small household items. Please only place items that will fit in the donation drop box. If you have larger items or would like to schedule a home pick up, please call Safenest at 257-3800. Women's League?9 \\A>/ WOMEN'S L E A G U E FOR CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM AT TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM P A T K A N E , P R E S I D E N T AS I compose this - my first article for "The Bulletin" as the new President of the women's League of Temple Beth Sholom, I wish to thank all of the women's League membership, whose confidence in my abilities allowed me to reach this point. I accept this position with both humility and eagerness, as I view the upcoming year. I cannot however begin to perform the task of President alone. Without the able as-sistance of my board and all of the individual members of the women's League, our success will remain just a dream. The success of the women's League has been and shall continue to be the result of the tireless efforts and steadfast devotion of each of its members. For without each of us working as a singular unit, our hopes, our goals and finally our achievements will never be attained. I envision a wonder and exciting year before us and I promise you that I will do my best for both the Temple and the members of the women's League. As far as that dream is concerned, I know that dream will become a reality. wishing you all a wonderful summer season. Sholom. Pat Kane President women's League Temple Beth Sholom July 2004 10?Donations, Tributes and From The Heart RABBI'S DISCRETIONARY FUND Helen Chuckrow Ann Randall Kelley Thank You: Judith & Ted Fox Marcy Seltzer In Honor of: Carolyn & Morris Gertz Irv Herman & Nadine Kaufman Sidney Passamaneck Bette P. Webne Mel Wolzinger Irvin Smith For Misheberach Hilde & Eric Mayer An Aliyah: Sally & Dick Eskenazi In Memory of: Dr. Steven Agata Dr. & Mrs. David Ginsburg Jack Berg Irvin Smith Harriet Blayne Stanley L. Davis Frances Farber Anne Walker Max Gitel Harvey Gitel Mason-Ginsburg Family Dr. & Mrs. David Ginsburg Norman Hoffman Ellen & Paul Bodner Lara & David Stone Israel Passamaneck Bette P. Webne CANTOR'S DISCRETIONARY FUND Sheldon Cloobeck Dancing Machine TBS Women's League PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION FUND In Memory of: Jack Berg Arthur M. Cohen Dolores Wylen Mr. & Mrs. G. Wylen Norman Hoffman Lil & Ken Glicken JUDY & RON MACK RELIGIOUS FUND Speedy Recovery: Judy & Ron Mack Ruth & Allen Brewster Elaine Steinberg YAHRZEIT/MEMORIAL FUND In Memory of: Esther Reicin Aisuss Irving M. Aisuss Charlotte & Sam Showel Benjamin Banker Lester Banker Ester Berkovits Samuel Berkovits Myra & David Berkovits Ann Best Mona & Charles Silverman Nathan Bloomberg Edith & Allan Bloomberg Ann Cherson Dee & Jerry Cherson Freha Chozahinoff Barbara & Igal Chozahinoff Morris Finkelstein Doris & David Bluth Herb Fischer Gerry Fischer Hilda Freeman Ruth & Allen Brewster Eva Fuhrman Melita Vickter Laz Galansky Jenny Madlof Betty Gelman Debbie, Richie, Sam & Nathan Gelman Richard Goldberg Jeanne N. Goldberg Rose Gordon Donald Gordon Selma Gordon Debbie Lederer Helen Green Stella & Arthur Levy Allyce & Stanley Schwartzbartt Robert G. Herch Shirley Herch Joseph Hewel Marie Ackerman Eugene Joseph Martha Joseph Lois & Bruce Joseph Roland Kahn Kim, Fred, Alex & Sarah Memar James Klain Elaine & Elliott Klain Harold Kleinman Michael Kleinman Suzanne Kleinman Kate Chilton & Family Lloyd Kuklin Charlotte Kuklin Allen S. Lazarus Howard Goldman Selma Levy Louise & Stuart Kloner Kate Lewy Anita Lewy Jack Lipsky Dr. Doris Soroky-Aarenau Ada Marsh Norman Marsh Gertrude Mayer Hilde & Eric Mayer Bella Oberne Hylda Leitner Julius Pfinast Anita Lewy Allen Rabin Barbara & Bernard Fruchter Esther Schneider Arnold Schneider Max Showel Morris Showel Sadie Balzak Showel Charlotte & Sam Showel Max Silverman Mona & Charles Silverman Esther Leah Sincoff Judith Sincoff William Siskind Siskind Family Jacob Staretz Staretz Family Morris Sutton Lynn & Arne Rosencrantz Thelma Wechsler Phyllis & Ira Wechsler Ewald Weinberg Lois & Michael Weinberg Mollie Gertrude Weiss Barbara & Igal Chozahinoff Betty Wexler Natalie & Art Berger Philip P. Wilensky Terri Wilensky-Genzer Bob Genzer Norma Wilensky Sara Young Barbara & Igal Chozahinoff Nathan Zissman Ana & Jay Goldbertg Reuben Zucker Carol & Jeff Zucker GENERAL FUND Bertrude Brenner An Aliyah: Charlotte Kuklin Yiskor: Sam Gewercer In Honor of: Leah Sussman's Bat Mitzvah Anita Lewy Sid's successful surgery Bernardine Zaben In Memory of: Art Friedman The Sussman Family David Jarvis Evelyn & Leon Goldstein Ken Karchmer's Mother Sybil & Isadore Greenberg Carole & Bert Levy Grandma Rose Helene, Suss, Laura, Wendy, Elyse, Leah & Emma WARSAW REMEMBRANCE GARDEN Mildred & Leon Gelobter Speedy Recovery: Shirley Chaplin Edythe & Irwin Goldberg ) ) In Honor of: Irwin Goldberg Donations, Tributes & from the heart?11 Lillian & Ken Glicken In Memory of: Brenda Caplan Lillian & Henry Kronberg Ruth Gottesman Shirley & Sidney Chaplin Edythe & Irwin Goldberg Elaine & Irving Steinberg Norman Hoffman Edythe & Irwin Goldberg Shirley G. Smoler Elaine & Irving Steinberg L'DOR V'DOR Daniel Miller Helen Rosenberg Speedy Recovery: Shirley Chaplin Edie & Barry Barlow Ruth & Allen Brewster Howard Caplan Elaine & Irving Steinberg Happy Birthday: Hazel Handelman Your Mah Jonng Group In Honor of: Leah Sussman's Bat Mitzvah Nadine Kaufman Irv Herman Irwin Goldberg's installation at JCC The Turshinsky Family Priscilla Schwartz-Hodes being honored by Jewish Family Services The Turshinsky Family Hal Ober's election as President of JNF The Turshinsky Family Laura Sussman's Appointment as Executive Director of TBS The Turshinsky Family Jackie & Ron Turshinsky?Thanks for the great Brunch Edythe & Irwin Goldberg Anita Lewy Jackie & Ron Turshinsky Zena & Bennett Fishbain CHAPLIN LECTURE SERIES Speedy Recovery: Shirley Chaplin Judy Applebaum Lil & Ken Glicken Judy & Ron Mack CHEVRA KADISHA In Memory of: Norman Hoffman Randee & Michael Kelley ShirCey CfiapCin says thank you to aCCher friends for tfieir concern and wishes for her sj?eedy recovery! July 2004 12? Membership Committee/Chevra Kadisha MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE We are very excited to be Membership Co-Chairs and we look forward to working with the committee and temple members to reach new heights for Temple Beth Sholom. The primary goal of the Membership Committee is to increase and retain membership and to provide a smooth transition into TBS for our new members. In order to do this effectively we need your help. Whether you are a long time member or a new member of TBS, we welcome and encourage your participation & input. If you have 2-3 hours a month to participate in brainstorming meetings, the calling committee, new member socials or other activities, we would like to hear from you. Please con-tact us with any questions or to offer your assistance. A strong Membership Committee insures a growing and vibrant temple for us all. Ronnie Schwartz 243-0860 Melanie Greenberg 363-0770 Temple Beth Sholom hosted the 2nd North American Chevra Kadisha Conference, "Jewish Communal Obligations in Dy-ing and Death", from June 6th-8th. Chevra Kadisha mem-bers, lay leaders, funeral directors, cantors, rabbis, medical professionals and others from across North America experi-enced incredible speakers, intense workshops and experts in virtually every aspect of Chevra Kadisha work. Mazel Tov to TBS members Wendy Kraft, Melanie Greenberg, and Marlowe Mogill, and Rabbi Goodman who took on the de-velopment and coordination of this very successful confer-ence. Although you may not be aware, over two years ago Temple Beth Sholom and Midbar Kodesh Temple developed a Conservative Chevra Kadisha for southern Nevada. The Chevra Kadisha is a Jewish burial society which performs ritual purification for Jews who have died. Members who would like to find out more about the role of this burial society in our community should contact the temple office at 804-1333. Psalm?13 Last year, as part of our Adult Education Program, I was privileged to teach a class on the Psalms. In this class, we examined the 150 psalms in three ways; structurally, historically and etymologically. At the end of the session we challenged ourselves to write our own psalm. The following is the beginning of a series in which I will present some of the culminating work produced by our members that attended the class. I hope you enjoy their work and I look forward to seeing you the next time we present our Adult Education Programming. B'shalom Cantor Daniel Friedman Our Father, Creator God, You have given us your life, shown through the justice of your Torah, to help us realize the beauty of your way for us. In creating, you are continually recreating. You breathed life into our nostrils and made us living souls. Your life is always there for us. You are our life! From Jerusalem your clarion call is heard Your people Israel hear and live for the glory of your Presence. You shall be known in all the world as our living authority, for you establish your rule in our hearts. For all you have done for us, for all you have given us in life, you are greatly worthy of praise and thanks. Praise and glory to your great and revered Name. Hallelujah! PSALM OF LOVE AND FAITH Wonder, oh, world, how can we know what our God feels or what He thinks? The nature of God is not unlike the nature of man, God having created us in His image. But, how can we know the magnitude of what God feels, being so much greater than we? For, how great is His love? How great His heart? His compassion fills the universe. Who else can know hut He who understands all the workings of its ways. PSALM OF DESOIyX TIONS What the profit the desolations of the heart? The utter crime of screaming pain? Wounds of betrayal penetrate the depths of human life. Oh, God and Savior, is there no end to deceptions and distrust'/ Will those who are trusted become my enemies before my face? Is there no end to treachery-no end to tyranny? Is Israel's justice the loss of love, the tearing of the soul? For, those whom we love He dismembered-drained of life's blood? upon Israel's streets. / searched through the remnants of destruction strewn dispassionately. I looked for a place of peace, a foundation upon which to rest, and found only an aperture of emptiness. I cried screams of distress that had no sound Only the echo of soundless pain. I see no end I threw my self upon the feet of my God? 1 pleaded? With man I had found defeat My soul ponders its way with the love of God, His comfort and caring love. This is my rest. What profit the desolations of the heart? ...their reparation... ? I pray. I wait July 2004 All the above psalms written by Myrna Hunter 14?Early Childhood Center The Sandra and Stanley Mallin Early Childhood Center July 2004 Congratulations to the graduates of both the Kinderquest class and Pre- K classes of 2004 who graduated on June 10, 2004. Each graduation ceremony highlighted their stud-ies during the year through song, dance and artwork. Fol-lowing the showcase of each of their performances, the children received their own graduation certificates and turned their tassels from "left right into the next grade". In celebration of their year, each class watched their own montage of pictures through the year. Families may pur-chase these collaborations on either video or cassette, from the School office. Camp is well underway with a sold out first session through-out all the ages. Children are playing laughing, creating and outripping to their hearts content. There are few spaces left to register and we recommend doing so quickly. There are sometimes spots available for a week at a time depending on your schedule so doesn't miss out! Our first "Undernighter" for children in the Lions and Bears is July 8 from 5 - 7 pm. Send your child to camp for the whole day and pick them up fed and ready for bed at 7pm. More information will be available for registered families at the