The Bulletin of Congregation Ner Tamid, April 2004

Conofreofation ^NTer Tamid Looking Towards the Future.... April 2004 Vol. XVIII No. 4 ?ran -i: n^ns 10 Nisan/9 Iyar 5764 Torathon! Torah L?Shma: Torah for Torah?s Sake - and Ours! Saturday, April 24th 2:45 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. $18 for adults / $12 for youth 10-15 yrs. old Includes a light dinner and Havdalah Special guest Rabbi Alan Henkin, Director from the URJ and son of Congregants Gene & Dottie Henkin Jackie Fleekop will run the Youth Torathon! for 4th grade and above "What Page Are You On?", Rabbi Akselrad - Learn the meanings of prayers and why we do things such as bow during one prayer, or rise on our toes three times during another. "The Do-Re-Mi of Trope", Cantorial Soloist Philip Goldstein - Learn to read a few of the Torah?s musical notations, and gain a basic understanding of how trope works, and its history. ?I?ve Seen It Before.... But What Does It Mean??, Para Rabbinic Fellow Katherine Selinsky - Have questions answered and see examples of basic Jewish symbols such as I the Torah, Star of David, ner tamid, mezuzah, etc ?Back to the Sources?, Rabbi Henkin - Introduces major Jewish resources from the Torah to the Talmud, to present-day Responsa literature in cyberspace! He will also lead a study of texts that emphasis the importance of Jewish learning, study and scholarship. ?Community Conversation on the Challenges of Lifelong Learning? - An opportunity to express your feelings and opinions about Adult Jewish Learning opportunities in our congregation. ?The Havdil of Havdalah?, Rabbi Weiner - The history and themes of the ritual that separates Shabbat from the rest of the week, and the meaning and melodies of the ceremony. Space is limited so make your reservations now! Mail your check to the Temple office, ATTN: Torathon. For more information, please contact the temple office or email Katherine Selinsky at keshet913@aol.com. Limited scholarships available. Mark Your Calendars! ? Shavuot, May 25th Program & Service -- Fiesta de Ner Tamid April 25th -- Rabbi A's Bus Trip Yom Hashoah Yom Hashoah Services will be held at Temple Midbar Kodesh located at 1940 Paseo Verde Dr., Henderson, on Sunday, April 18th, at 7:00 pm. Please remember to light your Yellow candle on the National Observance date, April 28th. When you receive your candle in the mail please send your contribution, payable to CNT Men?s Club. The funds collected will be used to continue this program and support the many other programs of our congregation. The Congregation Ner Tamid Men?s Club appreciates your support. Sanford D. Akselrad Jennifer C. Weiner Philip Goldstein Scott Stolberg T h e R e fo r m Rabbi Associate Rabbi Cantorial Soloist President C o n g re g a tio n o f L a s IRV DuCHOWNY Executive Director Jacqueline Fleekop Education Director Lois Bergman Pi ?esckool Director Laura Bailey Bulletin Editor j\. S p e c ia l P la c e T o B e lo n g Worship Services Conducted By Rabbi Sanford Akselrad, Rabbi Jennifer Weiner, Cantorial Soloist Philip Goldstein Friday April 2 6:00 pm 6:30 pm 7:30 pm Saturday April 3 9:00- 10:00 am 10:00- 11:00 am Tuesday April 6 10:00 am Friday April 9 7:30 pm Saturday April 10 9:00- 10:00 am 10:00- 11:00 am Monday April 12 10:00 am Friday April 16 7:30 pm Saturday April 17 9:00- 10:00 am 10:00 - 11:00 am 10:00 am Friday April 23 7:30 pm Saturday April 24 9:00- 10:00 am 10:00- 11:00 am 2:45 - 8:00 pm Friday April 30 6:00 pm 7:30 pm Saturday May 1 9:00- 10:00 am 10:00 - 11:00 am 10:00 am 'M K-3rd Grade Shabbat Dinner Tot Shabbat Shabbat Services Oneg sponsored by The Shorenstein Family In honor of Jennifer and Brett's Wedding Bible Study Minyan and Torah Study Passover Morning Service OFFICE CLOSED Shabbat Services Oneg sponsored by Sisterhood Bible Study Minyan and Torah Study Yiskor Service OFFICE CLOSED Shabbatones Family Service Oneg sponsored by the Sisterhood Bible Study Minyan and Torah Study Grandparent Shabbat & Luncheon Shabbat Services - Men's Club Shabbat Oneg sponsored by the Men's Club Bible Study Minyan and Torah Study Torathon! Singles Shabbat Shabbat Services Oneg sponsored by the Rosen Family in Honor of Ariel becoming a Bat Mitzvah Bible Study Minyan and Torah Study Ariel Rosen Bat Mitzvah Rabbi Akselrad's Message The Passion Controversy in Retrospect: Lessons Learned By the time this message is published, the major controversy about the Passion, by Mel Gibson, will have come and gone. For many, many months we heard stories about how the film portrayed Jews and could in fact result in anti-Semitic acts here and abroad. Having seen the film, I can attest to the fact that though the film does not portray Jews in that time period in a favorable way, nor is the movie historically accurate in a number of ways, I would not portray the film as ?anti- Semitic?. I have both spoken about this subject and written about this subject many times. So, I would make a different point. Despite our success in America, we are still insecure. Looking at American society we find Jews successful in every aspect of life. We are integrated and welcomed into society and should by all accounts feel ?safe? and ?secure? in America. But we don?t. A movie like the Passion illustrates just how easily our fears can be roused and our anxieties felt. In part this is generational. Those Jews who grew up before Sc 1960, perhaps even a bit earlier, did face anti-Semitism! Whether it was facing anti-Semitic hoodlums in their neighborhoods, being singled out in school or denied work, the brutality of anti-Semitism was not anecdotal, but a reality of life. And those of us who live today have only to look across the ocean to see a new wave of anti-Semitism rearing its ugly head in Europe. In country after country we have witnessed an increase in anti-Semitic acts and a rise in anti-Israel sentiment. And so, in the wake of the Passion controversy, the reality of the world situation and the upcoming observance of Yom Hashoa - Holocaust Remembrance Day - I am reminded of the importance of several life lessons. First, though it is impossible for Jews to ever truly feel secure (it is simply not in our nature nor our history nor our culture), we must not let anti-Semitism define us as a people. We need to celebrate the joy of being Jewish even as we remain vigilant in protecting the values of our heritage. Secondly, one effective way to combat anti-Semitism is to build bridges with^ our neighbors. If there can be any positive bi-produ( of the Passion Controversy, it is the reawakening of continued on page 4 C o n g reg atio n (N er T a m id A p r il >4 Temple Board Members Scott Stolberg stolberg@yahoo.com President wan Mann bamjam@aol.com VP Administration Mike Unger pmomike@aol.com VP Ways & Means Hillary Torchin htorchin@aol.com VP Education and Youth Maxine Molinsky mmolinsky@theriviera.com VP Ritual David Shapin david@vegasvoiceover.com VP Membership Recruitment Jordie Primack closings3@yahoo.com VP Membership Retention David Stahl stahllv@cox.net VP Social Action Debbie Levy dlevy1107@aol.com Treasurer Yvonne Gordon tobeach@hotmail.com Corporate Secretary Cecilia Schafler ceciiia@jwzunino.com Trustee Marla Letizia mletizia@aol.com Trustee Stacey Yahraus slymom620@aol.com Trustee ^lYaffe Bfe@lvcm.com Trustee Bernie Matusow globern@lvcm.com Trustee Beth Bromberg fystee2@aol.com Trustee Beth Falk bethf1210@aol.com Trustee Joe Cracraft jcracraft@earthlink.net Trustee Cindy Jensen ckjensen@cox.net Trustee Fern Percheski fernp2003@cox.net Sisterhood President Howard Layfer Iayf16@lvcm.com Men's Club President Kelly Chenin shortstuff4evr05@aol.com NTTY President Dr. Stewart Blumenfeld Past President Drew Levy Past President Bob Unger, Esq Past President Jerry Gordon, Esq Past President Cat Lewis Past President Eileen Koliins Past President Kenneth Schnitzer Past President Dr David Wasserman Past President Dr. Steve Koilins Past President Hon. Michael Cherry Past President M^ernard Farrow Past President Klrshbaum * Past President ?mvid Goldwater * Past President Rabbi Sanford Akselrad Ex Officio Rabbi Jennifer Weiner * Deceased Ex Officio fisSAG# fzom out; rmpig ppgswmr It is April and Passover is upon us. I have mentioned in the past that growing up the holidays were always held in my families home. Passover comes with many memories. Mostly what I remember is the traditions. After all isn?t that what Passover is all about the tradition of retelling the story of our ancestors? redemption from slavery. Growing up Passover meant different dishes, searching for the Chametz, and two Seders that included just about everyone Jewish or not that my family knew. Something that was unique in my family is we had a Passover kitchen in the BASEMENT. Now for those of you who have never experienced a basement they are not always the nicest living space in a home and ours was no exception. As a matter of fact my siblings and cousins and I use to call it the dungeon. In fact we basically lived down there for eight days every year. But every year we came back to the dungeon to tell the story of the exodus, kind of fitting don?t you think. The first holiday Sandy celebrated with my family was Passover she was quite overwhelmed. When Sandy and I moved away from Chicago almost 20 years ago our first holiday by our selves was Passover. I won?t bore you with the details but our first Passover alone did not go well. But it taught us a lesson. We could never recreate what we left behind but we could create new traditions and keep the mitzvah of telling the story of our ancestors? exodus from Egypt. When we joined CNT we started a new tradition we decided that the first night of Passover would be spent with our congregation. This year will be no exception, as the temple holds a community wide Seder at Green Valley Ranch. If you have never attended one before give it a try, it is a wonderful experience. If you have attended you know what I am talking about. The second night we have a Seder in our home. We have many of the people in Las Vegas that mean the most to us. Sandy and I also always seem to find a couple of people who would have nowhere else to go who we invite to join us. We do not have a basement so our telling of the story does not take place in a dungeon. But nonetheless I have some of the same wonderful feelings that I grew up with when I think of Passover in our home. The telling the story of the exodus is important but just as important is spending time with family and friends. Passover is about remembering how wonderful it is we can be together and celebrate freedom. It is about having and keeping the tradition you and your families enjoy. So as you celebrate this year enjoy the traditions and enjoy the time with family and friends, while performing the mitzvah of participating in a Seder. Happy Passover. B?Shalom Scott Stolberg A . S p e c ia l P la c e T o B e lo n g Executive Director's Message Everyone?s An Owner! We?ve all heard the expression ?You receive what you extend?, or some variation on that theme. This is also true of your temple-going experience. For those who are here only twice a year, who only have a twice-a-year connection, you might be feeling that ?there?s something missing?, or even, ?why belong in the first place?. For those who come to services regularly, attend Men?s Club or Sisterhood meetings and/or events, listen to our various guest speakers or attend our special programs or classes here at CNT, you probably have a more fulfilling experience when here (that you also take home with you). Something that we heard from Rabbi Ted Falcon, our wonderful Scholar-In-Residence in late February - ?Lighting the candle within oneself before lighting the Shabbat candles? is so much more fulfilling, so much more personal satisfaction - what a wonderful visual for me, and for all those who attended. To this point, I have received an email from one of our Congregants, and would like to share part of it with you. ?At the Oneg Friday night I saw one of my little elderly friends looking lonely. I wandered up to her and said hi, and her face lit up when she saw me, like I was THE most important, special person in the world. She made me feel like a million bucks. I grew up in a secular household, even though both my parents are Jewish and my dad grew up in an Orthodox home. I got to thinking about how much belonging to the temple means to me...the people, the teachings, the traditions ? all of it. I wish I had that when I was younger. I think it would have helped me deal with life?s difficulties differently and better. Funny, but the temple is the only place I feel safe, except for my bedroom at home. Next time I see you, I?m going to give YOU that big smile, and hope YOU will feel like a million bucks!? Well, this message goes out to not only the person who wrote this to me (and thank you very much for sharing), but to everyone who walks in our front doors - I share this Big Smile with you, and hope that you take advantage of what CNT has to offer you. ?This is who we are, this is what we do?. Thank you and to be continued. Irv (Rabbi Akselrad cont.) the importance of reinstating dialogue between Christians and Jews. For too long, such dialogue has degenerated into the occasional interfaith Thanksgiving service and interfaith Seder. Surely there is more we need to talk about and understand. And finally, if the message of Yom Hashoa is ?Never Again?, then let us not be ashamed to speak out for who we are or what we believe. To be sure, we must be very careful when we throw around terms like, ?He is an anti-Semite" or "such and such is anti-Semitic?, lest not only does the world cease to listen but we too find ourselves indifferent. On the other hand, world events show us that there is still too many who seek to hurt us. In some parts of the world, anti-American sentiment is in itself a cover for anti-Semitic feelings. In other parts, anti- Israel views are a veiled camouflage for anti-Semitism. In short, the best way to prevent another Holocaust is to be vigilant in our defense of Judaism, passionate in our practice of Judaism, and active in building coalitions with our neighbors. Rabbi Sanford Akselrad CNT STAFF Email Addresses: Rabbi Akselrad, Sr. Rabbi Rabbak@lvnertamid.org Rabbi Weiner, Assoc. Rabbi Rabbijen@lvnertamid.org Philip Goldstein, Cantorial Soloist PGoldstein@lvnertamid.org Irv Duchowny, Exec. Director IDuchowny@lvnertamid.org Jackie Fleekop, Ed. Director JFIeekop@lvnertamid.org Lois Bergman, Preschool Director LBergman@lvnertamid.org Karen Levine, Rabbi A's Admin. Asst. KLevine@lvnertamid.org Roberta Unger, Admin. Asst. RUnger@lvnertamid.org Mary Zone, Receptionist MZone@lvnertamid.org Angie Coleman, Bookeeper AColeman@lvnertamid.org f 4 \ C o n g reg atio n "NTer T am ic A p r i l 2 Q O / ( JUST A 'P April is such a busy month! Who knew?! First, we have the Passover Seder, Monday night April 5th at Green Valley Ranch. This will be my first Passover service here at CNT. I?m looking forward to all the familiar melodies that make Passover memorable. Second, we have a Yizkor service on Monday April 12th at 10 am at the Temple. Third, we have the NEW, only for April, Shabbatone service on April 16th. Please make note of this so you don?t show up on April 9th expecting a Shabbatone service. We?ll have a regular service on April 9th; so don?t forget that April 16this the Shabbatones service! Fourth, Yom Flashoah is April 18th. This year it?s at Midbar Kodesh in Green Valley starting at 7 pm. Fifth, on Saturday April 24th there is a ?Torathon? at CNT. There will be wonderful lectures and classes. I?ll be teaching a beginning Torah Trope class. If you?ve ever wanted to learn, or were just curious about Torah cantillation, this would be a wonderful class for you to attend. This will be very basic and simple (i.e. fun) class in Torah cantillation. Everyone is welcome. Like I said, April is a very busy month here at CNT. So get involved, and be a part of the many wonderful things that are happening at CNT. Until next month... Shalom, Philip Don't forget! Shabbatone Family Service is the third Friday, for April ONLY! Confidentially Speaking! We have made a commitment to our Congregants that we only use our ^nailing list for temple related business. It is not to be used for personal business solicitations or advertising. Please protect our members confidentiality and privacy. : Fiesta de Ner Tamid : Sunday, April 25th : 12:30 pm - 4:00 pm ? It's that time of year again! ; Join us for our Annual Temple Picnic at * Mountain View Park, in Henderson On Wigwam, between Valle Verde & Arroyo Grande. RSVP to the temple : office at 733-6292. 7 \ Congratulations Graduates! High School Graduation Shabbat Friday, May 14th The Shabbatones will be joined by our very own graduating seniors! Why not share in sponsoring the Oneg by making a donation or bringing baked goods? Interested in participating with your graduate? Call Susie Sernoe-Plotkin at 338-3362 or email her at stsp330@aol.com V_______________________________________________ The Mi Sheberach Tapestry... The Stories behind the Squares Contributed by Ellen Lozofsky This is in memory of my mother. She was an avid crossword puzzle player. I have incorporated words that meant something to the both of us. She was a huge part of my life. The Tapestry is displayed in the Beit Tefillah and will be used during healing services throughout the year. If you'd like to create a square for the next tapestry, you can pick up a "kit" in the office, watch for more information as to when the next workshop will be held. A jS p e cia l P l a c e T o B e lo n g Religious School News LEARNING THE HOW------THE WHY Education comes to us in many mediums. Computers, books, film and verbal education are just some of the means that are used to teach a person. The most educational experiences come to us through interaction. Adults and children remember things more when the\, are part of the experience. On Mitzvah Day, students made cards & sandwiches, packed lunches for the homeless or packed up toiletries for veterans in the hospital, and they felt the good feeling from doing Mitzvot. Separating toys, books, clothing and baby items was a hectic project, but it was fun with the help of Paul Wolf and Rachel Alterman?s music. Our teens painted over graffiti, which can be messy, and our confirmation class had a bake sale for IHN. Studying with a scholar, taking classes with a friend or hiking with ones family can be a memorable learning experience. In April we will celebrate Passover. We will have a temple Seder at Green Valley Ranch and many will have Seders in their own homes. Do you think that it is by chance that we are told to make children such an important part of the Seder? NO. We relive the story of slavery oppression and freedom over each year to teach a new generation. Is the Haggadah enough? NO. It is the order and the experience that we share with family and friends; it is the process of each step of the Seder that we remember four cups of wine, the plagues, etc. I wish for you a sweet Passover, with little bitters and lots of love and joy. May you use your freedom to live and learn as Jews and always to support Jewish education. Next Year A World of Peace Jackie Fleekop Congregation Ner Tamid Preschool/Kindergarten March was a fun filled month here at the Preschool . Our youngsters began our read-a-thon program, and celebrated Dr. Seuss? 101st Birthday Our boys and girls also all enjoyed preparing for the jolly holiday of Purim. We made Hamantashen (or Haman?s ears as they are called in Hebrew), they were sure delicious. The youngsters all came in costume, made crowns, and enjoyed hearing the traditional reading of the Megillah, stamping and twirling our handmade groggers when we heard the name of that mean man, Haman. The students exchanged Purim treats and Marshmallow the clown made our holiday complete. She painted our faces and even taught us some magic tricks. Immediately after Purim we began to prepare for the model Passover Seder. We will all enjoy hearing our youngsters chant the Four Questions and all of the traditional Passover prayers. The students continue to learn and grow in their secular studies and social skills as well. CNT preschool/Kindergarten is a very busy and exciting place to be. Of course this month we will also celebrate April fools day and talk about April showers and May flowers. Next month we will be preparing for Mother?s Day and Memorial Day. Our school is a buzz with excitement for the plans that are being made for the new school year and summer camp. We are already taking applications for our summer program ( Camp Chaverim) for children ages 2 1/2- 9 years of age. We are also taking deposits for next years preschool program, our waiting lists are growing, and we can only accept a limited number of students in all of our programs. If you have any questions or want to sign your child or grandchild up for any of our classes, please do so sooner, rather than later. One of our classes is already full. Call us at the Temple Office 733-6292. ^ Have a Happy And Kosher Passover From all of us at the Preschool * Lois Bergman ____________________________Early Childhood Director C o n g reg atio n N e r T a m id A p r i l 200/( Don't Miss Grandparents Shabbat! A special event is being planned for you on Saturday, April 17, 2004. Come to - Shabbat services at 10:00 AM and worship with your Grandparent or Grandchild. j As part of the service, Grandparents will have the opportunity to tell personal stories, . ? share special moments, and pass on family traditions. Grandchildren will share special thoughts and moments with their Grandparents. Think how wonderful it will be to worship together and study Torah, L?dor V?dor. After services, we will enjoy a special project, to be shared by both generations, followed by lunch. So, all you Grandparents out there, mark your calendars and invite your Grandchildren ages 5+ to Shabbat services on April 17th, and all the children should invite their Grandparents to come to this wonderful service. Sponsored by the Ritual Committee ft Mitzvah Day was a great success! Here, children are making cards and decorating lunch bags, to be handed out to the homeless. We also collected food for the food bank and clothing. Thank you to all who donated & helped. TOT SHABBAT SERVICES The Tot Shabbat program is open to all members of the community with children ages 2-6. Services are the first Friday of each month, geared toward our younger members, held in the Beit Tefillah 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. (including craft and snack time in room-12). We encourage all parents and grandparents to enjoy this FREE, worthwhile program. Spread the word....the entire community is welcome! For more information, contact Jana Pleggenkuhle at 733-7252 (evenings). Upcoming dates and themes: April 2 (Passover) Last Service- May 7 (Israel Ind. Day) rivate Jewlery Show ?Fundraisers Jewelry Providers? Sunday, April 18th 9:00 am -1:00 pm CNT Social Hall Private showing includes estate, modern, eclectic pieces, and certified diamond jewelry. Consultations available for those hard to find pieces. Contact Ellen or Debra at 947-2116. Portion of proceeds to benefit Sisterhood For more information contact Arlene Kagan 307-8982. Singles' Services Are Back! For singles age 21 and up! Our next Service is April 30th, at 6:15 pm and is followed by a Coffee House Oneg. For information contact the temple office at 733-6292. We Need Your Help! We are very much in need of several new hand held microphones to be used in our sanctuary and social hall for Temple events. If there is anyone who would like to donate financial aid to help us purchase the microphones, it would be greatly appreciated. Any amount of money to start this fund would be helpful. We ?got such a ^^eal? ...only $1,800 to purchase three of them. Should you have any questions please feel free to call our Executive Director, Irv Duchowny, at the Temple. Simcha? Anniversary? Honor your Havarah? Why not sponsor an Oneg? With a donation of just $250, you can sponsor an Oneg in your's or someone's honor, or Co-Sponsor with Sisterhood for only $150. Don't want to sponsor an entire Oneg? Cash donations to the Oneg Fund and donated bake goods are always appreciated. For more information, contact the Temple office at 733-6292. A ^Special P I ace T o B e lo n g ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- " "\ Task Force Wants to Know Who You Are! The Task Force on Adult Learning has created a questionnaire that goes a step beyond trying to find out what kind of classes you would like to take. This short survey will help us understand who yc? are, what prevents you from coming to programs you?re interested in, and what we can do to encou* age you to attend. Why is this questionnaire different from all others? Because we will use this to create a ?road map? of sorts, to guide us in creating a comprehensive learning program for the Congregation. It isn?t about just what we teach, but where and when, and what you do with what you learn. Please take a look at it at the survey, which is included as an insert in this issue of the Temple Bulletin. It?s only one page, front and back. Comments are welcome and encouraged! Please return the Survey to the Temple, either by hand or by mail. You may remain anonymous, or you may chose to check the box to have information about learning programs sent to you by email. If you would like an easy electronic form to send back by email - or if you have any questions or comments - please drop Katherine Selinsky a note at Keshet913@aol.com. v__________________________________________________________________________________________ Rabbi Akselrad's Overnight Bus Trip to Los Angeles On Saturday, May 15th, be prepared to join your fellow Congregants on an exciting overnight bus trip to Los Angeles led by Rabbi Akselrad. Leaving bright and early Saturday morning, we will make our way in a fully equipped handicapped accessible luxury bus. Saturday afternoon, we will visit the spectacular Getty Museum. In the evening, we will attend a dinner and a show at the Lunaria Restaurant in West Los Angeles. Noted for its fine cuisine and excellent mystery theater, the Lunaria should provide us with a delightful evening of fun and entertainment. Sunday morning, we will have a private escorted tour of the world-renown Skirball Museum. Following this private tour, there will be plenty ok time to enjoy the museum at your leisure. The cost of this trip is $175.00 per person/double occupancy. Fo^ those wishing a single room, please add $60.00. The price of the trip includes a light continental style breakfast Saturday and Sunday morning, admissions to the Getty Museum and Skirball Museum, and dinner and mystery Theater at Lunaria. We will be staying at the Holiday Inn Brentwood/Bel Air. Costs are based upon a minimum participation of 30 participants and are subject to minor changes if fewer participants attend. A fully refundable $ 100.00 deposit is due by April 7th with payment in full due by April 25th. After May 1st, there will be a $30.00 charge for cancellation. For further information please contact chairperson Florrie Sasner at 456-0188 or Rabbi Akselrad at rabbak@lvnertamid.org. r Reserve your spot now! $ 100.00 deposit is due by April 7 Payment in full due by April 25 After May 1, there will be a $30.00 cancellation charge 'N ^ly e/ v. NAME ADDRESS PHONE ROOMING WITH NO. OF ADULTS Mail your check, payable to CNT, to the Temple office - ATTN: LA TRIP Sponsored by Adult Jewish Education Committee i y f?s? C o n g reg atio n ISTer T a m id A p r i l 200/1" CNT Sisterhood Many Voices, Many Hands? Today?s Women Embracing a Shared Vision t Before I served on CNT?s Sisterhood Board, I knew very little out Women of Reform Judaism, the ?trade organization? for Sisterhoods of reform congregations affiliated with the Union of Reform Judaism (URJ). As I learn more about WRJ, I am proud that we, as a Sisterhood, contribute to their cause. If you are a Sisterhood member, a portion of your membership dues goes to WRJ to help support their programs. Here is a brief summary of what WRJ does and what they support. WRJ is involved in a range of Jewish and humanitarian efforts while also furthering the teachings and practice of Judaism including: * Funding scholarships for rabbinic students at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion * Granting rabbinic scholarships to overseas students through the World Union for Progressive Judaism * Contributing to the Jewish Braille Institute of America, founded by WRJ and, today, the largest distributor of Jewish materials for the visually impaired * Sponsoring a legislative assistant at the Religious Action Center * Participating in numerous special projects of Jewish learning and living * Establishing Reform Israeli nursery schools and kibbutzim * Combating family abuse * Educating on women?s health concerns * Supporting activities for high school and college-age youth through the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY), established by WRJ * Providing outreach educational services to women who have chosen Judaism * Offering leadership development opportunities for WRJ members * Strengthening local sisterhoods through expanded communication links. At Congregation Ner Tamid, we will be devoting renewed energy toward WRJ?s Youth Education & Special Services Fund (YES Fund). Through the YES fund, Sisterhoods help to fund those activities listed above in bold type. Ellen Lozofsky will be marketing and selling items that will benefit the YES fund. Look for items which will soon be available in the Norman Marks Gift Shop. If you have questions or wish to assist Ellen, please contact her at 450-4787. Women of Reform Judaism is also very active in the social action arena. WRJ and the Reform Movement will join with hundreds of thousands of people from around the country in a historic March in Washington DC to protect reproductive freedom. If you?d like more information about this April 25 event, go to the following websites ? www.rj.org/roevwade and www.marcforwomen.org. For more information on WRJ, visit their web-site at http://rj.org/wrj/. I look forward to seeing you soon, perhaps at a Shabbat service, the Women?s Seder on April 7 or the Donor function on May 16. There?s still time to make donor and receive an invita?tion to our event. Contact Lori Emptage at 435-1312 if you?re unsure of your donor status. ^Rhalom, ^ern Percheski, Sisterhood President 566-0078 fernp2003@cox.net (drop me a line...) Men's Club News As I write this article the Men?s Club Annual Golf Tournament is approaching and it looks like it will be a great success. I can??t say it enough; this is absolutely the most dedicated group of guys. The Golf Tournament is being chaired by Geoffrey Schaffler, with lots of help from Drew Levy, Mike Unger, Stu Solomon, Dave Nathan, Alan Popowcer, Leo Schoenfeld, and many many others who did whatever was asked to make the event successful. This success was just one in a series of what can only be described as a tremendous year. Our annual Health Fair continues to grow in importance under the leadership of Dr. Fred Toffel who has shown a strong commitment to providing information to the entire community. I have received several comments from temple members who attended, that they were proud of our support of Jewish Family Services. It was great to give a check for $500 at the Health Fair. Another community group Men?s Club supported was the Jewish Film Festival. We joined Sisterhood and the Temple itself to sponsor a film. It was exciting to see Jews from all over Las Vegas attending and participating in the discussion afterward. Another commitment Men?s Club continued this year was Holocaust education. We were fortunate to be able to sponsor a terrific exhibit presented by the Government of Denmark which explained the history of their Jewish population. It was told in a series of posters which proved to be very moving. The exhibit was launched with a wine and cheese party which featured Regina Hirsch, a Holocaust survivor who spoke to us last year. Mike Milano and Hillary Torchin helped Lynette Solomon provide a feast. Trader Joe?s contributed a portion of the cheese and it was great! The next day we heard from Harold Blitzer a Danish