The Bulletin of Congregation Ner Tamid, April 2001

Correlation Ner Tarpid Ton u n^np The Reform Jewish Congegation of Las Vegas ...A Special Place to Belong April 2001 - Vol. XVNo. 7 C 8 Nisan-7 Iyar 5761 Sanford D. Akselrad Rabbi Bella Feldman Cantorial Soloist Drew Levy President Melissa Fogel Student Rabbi 1 (t Monty E. Willey Jacqueline Fleekop Lois Bergman Judy Murray Melanie Gorman Executive Director Education Director Preschool Director Program Director Bulletin Editor Sisterhood Celebrates Shabbat With Ellen Y. Rosenberg, Executive Director, WRJ On Friday, April 27, 2001, CNT Sis?terhood will embrace Shabbat with a special service written and led by oNT Sisterhood members. This year we are privileged to have as our special guest, Ellen Y Rosen?berg, Executive Director of Women of Reform Judaism. Ms. Rosen?berg represents 100,000 Reform Jewish women worldwide. Our Shabbat Service will begin at 7:30pm. At 6pm, a sabbat dinner will be held in our social hall. This aditional family meal will be prepared by Frances Klamian and the award winning Party Shop, and is open to the entire community. The cost for the din?ner is $15 per adult and $7 for children under 12. Your check is your reservation. Please send your checks in immediately as space is limited. Be sure to write on the check that it is for the Sisterhood Shab?bat Dinner. Our special weekend continues with a brief Saturday morning Shabbat Service followed by an interactive and insightful seminar. This seminar, led by Ellen Ro?senberg, explains the role of the Jewish woman as she moves into the 21st century. Topics such as concerns for the family, critical issues of the home- Continued on page 17 Rabbi Akselrad visited Berlin as part of a special delegation of rabbis from March 11-15th. The rabbis met with His Excellency, Johannes Rau, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, and other leaders from the non-Jewish religious and business commu?nity in addition to leaders of the now burgeoning Jewish community. Come hear Rabbi Speak about this important mission at Shabbat Services on March 30th, 7:30pm Hebrew Literacy Marathon Get off to a running start with Rabbi Golinkin. This intensive one-day Hebrew Literacy class is exciting, fun and being offered by Congrega?tion Ner Tamid, on April 22 from 9am to 5pm. A light lunch and snacks will be included with the cost of the book and marathon. It is the goal of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, the He?brew Union Coliege-Jewish Institute of Religion and the Central Conference of American Rabbis that all North Amer?ican Jewish communities proclaim the years 2000-2010 as the DECADE OF RESTORATION OF HEBREW LITERACY. Put your running shoes on and join the race for literacy. Space is limited so please call CNT at 733-6292 immedi?ately to reserve your space. The cost of the book, lunch, and program is $35. Rabbi Noah Golinkin is the world renowned founder of the Hebrew Marathon. Along with his wife they will provide a thorough, intelligent and humor filled instructional day in the Hebrew alphabet and basic Hebrew reading. This is a proven successful way to learn Hebrew. Just imagine in only 8 hours you will be able to gain over 4000 years! In This Issue... & Worship Services Rabbi?s Message Message from our President Executive Director?s Spotlight Religious School/Preschool Auxiliaries Shalom and Welcome April B?nai Mitzvot Birthdays & Anniversaries Tributes Yahrzeits & In Memorium (the Bulletin is published monthly) 2 2 3 4 5-6 7-8 9 9 18 19-20 21 LOOK INSIDE FOR MORE ABOUT THESE SPECIAL APRIL EVENTS AT CNT 4/5 4/6 4/7 4/13 4/21 4/21 4/22 4/27 Zoom Dating Tot Shabbat Passover Seder Family Shabbat Pirke Avot Study* Social Event Hebrew Marathon Sisterhood Shabbat ?denotes multiple sessions, beginning on that date A Special ?Place, ?To ???BelongWcrshin Services Conducted by Rabbi Sanford D. Akselrod & Cantorial Soloist Bella. Feldman Arm 6 Tot Shabbat 6:30pm Maurissa Lipschitz Bat Mitzvah 7:30pm Oneg sponsored by The Lipschitz Family Arm 7 Torah Study 10am CNT 1st Night Seder 6pm April 13 Family Services, with The Shabba-Tones, 7:30pm Oneg sponsored by Adine Kagan and Gary Robinson, in honor of the naming of their baby, Jayce Robinson Oneg also sponsored by Arlene and Alan Kagan Arm 14 Torah Study 10am Yiskor 10am Arm 20 Shabbat Services 7:30pm Oneg sponsored by CNT Sisterhood Arm 21 Torah Study 9am Pirke Avot IO.am Arm 21 Shabbat Services with Adult Choir 7:30pm Oneg sponsored by CNT Sisterhood Arm 28 Rachel Sloane Bat Mitzvah 10am Kiddush sponsored by The Sloane Family Torah Study 9am Pirke Avot IO.am Rabbi J Every profession has its conventions and conferences. For the rabbinate, we have the Central Conference of American Rabbi?s Convention which will be held this year at the end of June in Monterey California. I have been asked to be a part of the program committee this year, focusing especially on one of the most important issues facing reform Judaism today - worship renewal and reform. For quite a while there has been discussion about a new prayer book for the reform movement. The prayer book that we are currently using was created by a committee in the mid 1970?s. Very much a product of its times it quickly became outdated. Many Congregations including our own use creative liturgy to supplement the mainstream prayer book. Various issues such as transliteration, language, translation, and variation of services are key issues that the Central Conference of American Rabbi?s committee on liturgy has to deal with in offering its new prayer book -still a few years away from actual printing. At our Conference we will be exposed to the first draft of one of the services in the new prayer book. There will also be a panel discussion followed by discussion groups on what worship renewal should mean for our movement. In helping to plan the program I became a bit reflective about what is going on in our Congregation. Having been with our Congre?gation some thirteen years, 1 am amazed at now we have gradually developed and matured as a Congregation. The addition this year of our ?Shabbas Band? featuring the ?Shabba-Tones? is but one reflection of a growing trend within the Reform Movement to offer services that are more lively, more creative, and more spiritually uplifting. At the end of February, 1 and a group of lay leaders attended our regional biennial conference in Costa Mesa, California. During this Convention we heard the President of the U.A.H.C., Rabbi Eric Yoffie reiterate his call for Worship Reform by asking a rhetorical question: ?What is involved in meaningful worship? Genuine hospitality. True community. A climate of joy and celebration. A congregation that sings with enthusiasm and exuberance. Music that is rich, but accessible. Leaders who care about prayer, and educate others in the art of prayer. A recognition that worship requires risk. These are the ingredients of worship that works, and more and more of our members are experiencing it.? /ft ----------------------------- Congregation Ner Tam id vs Mbssace He went on to describe the phenomenon of music reform that is going across America. And as a reflection of this, the services offered throughout Shabbat that weekend reflected many of the melodies that are currently being introduced. Our contingent sang with a full heart because we are singing those melodies. Moreover, as Rabbi Yoffie described what is needed - a committed partnership between lay leaders and clergy in defining and redefining what prayer means within a Congregation, we also felt very proud at having recently undergone such a self evaluation. Over the next few months you will continue to see changes in our Services. Many of them will be gradual. Fewer B?nai Mitzvah on Friday night. More Torah study and explanation of the weekly Torah narasha. And other changes will build upon what we have already created. It is hoped for example that the spirit that we now bring to our second Friday Shabbat Services will gradually make its way to other Sabbaths without the accompaniment of the band. That we will sing joyfully and fully as these melodies are slowly introduced to our regular Shabbat service. In so doing we will find as Rabbi Yoffie pointed out, that true prayer can transfol^ and invigorate a Synagogue. For AAtien we turn our hearts to G-d, truly we become more compassionate and caring as a Congregation. One additional thought: this month we will be bringing in a remarkable teacher: Rabbi Noah Golinkin. 1 met him about 10 years ago and have never forgotten him. Single handedly he has been responsible for over 100,000 adults learning to read Hebrew. He is the creator of the nationally renown program, The Hebrew Literacy Marathon. The program promises to teach an adult how to read Hebrew in ONE day! He is coming to teach the program himself. He is a master teacher and you will not want to miss this program. The program will be offered on April 22nd. See this bulletin for specific details. But if you have found not knowing how to read Hebrew an impediment to your Avorship experience, this class is just what you need to send you on your way to being able to read Hebrew. You won?t leave being a Talmud Chacham - but you will leave with a grasp of all the letters and vowels, and basic tools to start the process of reading Hebrew and following along more closely in our services. You will be amazed at what you can accomplish - see you there! %abbi Sanford flfsebrd^^ April 2001 Temple Board Members ^^Vkf.vy Levy ^^tewart Blumenfeld President VP Administration Scott Stolberg VP Ways & Means Howard Layfer VP Membership Ira Spector VP Religious Activities Judy Cornett VP Education & Youth Lynn Sasso VP Member Activities Ruth Urban VP Social Action David Stahl Treasurer Mindy Unger-Wadkins Secretary Mel Hallerman Trustee Jacky Rosen Trustee-Membership Leon Marco Trustee Marc Garber Trustee Dick Granich Trustee Beth Bromberg Trustee Cecilia Schafler Trustee Esther Saltzman Trustee-Youth Sharna Blumenfeld Trustee-Library Sandy Stolberg Sisterhood Michael Milano Brotherhood Brenna Yahraus NTTY TBD TNT Sid Garber Golden Chai Bob Unger Past President Jerry Gordon Past President Cal Lewis Past President Eileen Rollins Past President Kenneth Schnitzer Past President Dr. David Wasserman Past President Dr. Steve Rollins Past President Michael Cherry Past President ^B^r. Bernard Farrow ^PIuGENE KlRSHBAUM* Past President Past President David Goldwater* Past President Rabbi Sanford Akselrad ?Deceased Ex Officio Tuesdays with ?Rabbi RJ(seCrad 12pm-lpm / ?Board Room lAprib 3rd and 17tf May 1st and 15th Saturdays with Student Rabbi ?Melissa Joye( or a by (coder 10am. / Library !Apri( 7th, 14th 21st, and 28th May 5t\ (4/21, 4/28, and a(( of /May, 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th wid be at 9am) E$$AGE FROM OUR TEMPLE PRESIDENT As my term as president of the congregation begins to wind down it is becoming increasingly harder to recall all the wonder?ful events, programs and temple members that I have been in?volved with over these past two years. Even though it has not all been good and positive things, it has truly been a great time. We have made a lot of progress as a congregation. One of the greatest events that I have had the pleasure of at?tending, while serving as presi?dent, were the Regional Biennials of our Southwest Council. This is where, we as temple volunteers and members, get to share ideas and meet other congregants from temples all over our region. It is most fulfilling to be able to sit in a room or break bread with other presidents or board mem?bers or volunteers and not only brag about all the nice things we are doing but to find out that we are not alone in the quest to fortify the Reform Jewish expe?rience for Reform Jews in our individual communities. We as a congregation have done extremely well amongst our peers. We have had great growth, we are financially sound and we have expanded our reach to many more than we ever imagined we could. I would like to thank the following people who took the time out of their busy schedules to join me and travel down to Southern Cal?ifornia for the 2001 Regional Bi?ennial. Ira & Nanette Spector, Mel& Debbie Hallerman, Stew & Sharna Blumenfeld, Gerry & Yvonne Gordon, Jackie Fleekop, Monty Willey, Scott & Sandy Stol- berg, Rabbi and my wife. We had a great contingent who were able to meet and share their ideas. I was truly moved by the wonderful Friday night service we all shared with the other 350 or so attendees and felt much joy as we all joined the rest of the crowd for a marvelous singing perfor?mance by Doug Coutler. We have much to be thankful for at Congregation Ner Tamid. We have many wonderful events coming up at our temple in next few months and do not have the space to thank everyone now in this column, but I will very soon. Keep your eyes on the temple calendar or you will miss some?thing. Flave a great month. Shabbat Shalom... ?Drezv Levy April 2001 A S p ecial Place To Belong ^ 3 \ NO, this \e not another solicitation! AN EASIER WAY TO GIVE Congregation Ner Tamid has launched an Endowment Program, the Congregation Ner Tamid Perpetual Trust, to support its mission. What is a Foundation you say? A Foundation is an easy way to invest for the future . . . the future of our synagogue. There is a multitude of ways to contribute to a foundation. Rut let me explain what I am talking about. A foundation is a savings account for the synagogue that every?body can contribute to. Money, land, life insurance and many other gifts can be donated to the syna- gogue and put into an endowment account. This wi be a separate account designated for specific pur poses, and only a percentage of the interest will be touched - not the principal. We hope our friends and supporters will welcome the opportunity to help the temple secure the future of Reform Judaism into the twenty-first century, especially because at the same time, they will also be helping themselves and their families. There are different ways in which your in?vestment in the future of Congregation Ner Tamid can be advantageous to you, your family, and your estate. Further information about methods of giv?ing can be obtained from the synagogue office. Also, the overseers of the Trust can assist you as well. If you would like to talk to Scott Stolberg, Michael Salt- man, Debra Cohen, David Stahl or Dob Unger, please call the office and we will get your request to them. ?Monty E. Willey Executive Director Purim Family Service 2001Religious School News March came in with a lot of rain and has left us ready for beautiful flowers and spring. April is now here, spring, taxes and Passover, Yom Hasnoah ana Yom Hasmut are part of this wonderful month. Passover is break time for our school. Hopefully your child will have a Seder experience with their family and friends. Every child is prepared to participate and to feel that they are part of keeping tradition alive during the holiday season. In March our children made us so proud as they packed lunches for the homeless, separated clothes for various shel?ters and supplied food for the Jewish Family Service food bank. Thanks to our Social Action Committee, our youths were ex?posed to the issue of hate in America during a ?Hate Crimes Program?. We thank them for their efforts to bring this to our children?s attention. The Confirmation class went to Disney?s California Adventure and to the Museum of Tolerance. The interaction of various personalities in the class blended to create a bonded group that shared this wonderful experience. Our April calendar includes many things such as planning for the summer and next year. So many students are away with family on vacation or at camp that it is hard to offer summer programs, yet we are all aware of the fact that retention of Hebrew may be lost during the hot summer months. There?fore we are looking into a summer tutorial program that you "kdll soon be hearing about. We now have a new staff member who specializes in children with focus problems and reading difficulties as well as Dyslexia. Randy Poloniecki has been working with several of our stu?dents for more than a month and we are already seeing the difference in their behavior and schoolwork. Remember our goal is to help your child reach their highest potential in our Hebrew school as well as in life. I am proud to inform you that we are the recipients of the Irving J. Fain Social Action Award. There were 600 appli?cants for the 6 awards offered and CNT won TWO. One for Special Needs and one for our IHN program to help homeless families. Both programs have enriched our congregation. Your children are wonderful compassionate people who really care for the well being of their classmates. April includes Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) and Yom Hasmut (Israeli Independence Day). It is important for you and your family to participate. By being involved outside the congregation in community Jewish events will help your child see that they are part or the entire Jewish community. Months come and go too fast. Before we know it another year will pass. Remember the first year of your child?s life. They sit, crawl and walk within a short time and it all passes too fast! Well, even our teens change each day because of our influence, their teachers and most of all their friends. Be aware, changes come too fast and we can miss them. (FIND THE SPECIALNESS OF EACH DAY, WEEK AND MONTH. CELEBRATE LIFE?IT PASSES TOO FAST) Shalom, Jaclqe RELIGIOUS SCHOOL CALENDAR SCHOOL SCHEDULE FOR APRIL Sunday C NT 1 & No R/S 15 No R/S 22 29 Tuesday Testers on 5 10 No R/S 17 24 Wednesday Ober 4 11 No R/S 13 25 Thursday CNT 5 12 No R/S 19 26 Special Events Student Rabbi Melissa Fogei conducts a program for 6th and graders and their parents, 9:15am-11am in the sanctuary Author Lois Ruby speaks to students, 6th grade and up, and parents, in the social hall from 11am-12:50pm Spring Break/Passover Break A S p ecial /April 2001 Place To Belong CMT Preschool and Kindergarten March was a fun filled month here at the Preschool. We had our Purim celebration with costumes, grogers, Hamentashen and a Megillah reading; what a fun day. Our youngsters began our read-a-thon program and celebrated Dr. Seuss?s? 97lh Birthday. Our students sang for the Golden Cliai group and presented them with a large Megillah with all of our names and our artwork. Our Friday Evening Preschool Sabbath Service was a great experience for all of the boys and girls. It was a pleasure to see all of our students dressed in their Shabbat best clothing and performing for all of the congregation. We all kveled from watching these little ones with smiling faces singing beautiful Shabbat Melodies. The Library Lady paid us a visit, and the Kindergarten enjoyed their field trip to the Library. Many of the boys and girls have turned in their filled Tzedaka Boxes. We will be able to purchase many trees in Israel with the money. Immediately after Purim we began to prepare for the Passover Seder to be held April 4"'. We look forward to 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 we will celebrate April fools day and talk about April showers and May flowers. Speaking of flowers; our CNT Preschool Garden is looking good. We are hoping to eat our first vegetables soon. Certainly we will eat the parsley from our garden at the Seder. Next month we will be preparing for our Mother?s Day Brunch on the 13th of May (this year look for a fabulous surprise from our Mother?s Day committee) and we will celebrate Israel Independence Day and Lag Ba-omer. We are already taking applications for our summer program (Camp Chaverim) for children ages 2 Zi- 9 years of age. We are also taking deposits for next years preschool and kindergarten programs, 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. ENJOYING OUR CNT COMPUTER LAB ANNA LIEBERMAN JAKE BORCARSKY GITAI GAZILA (L-R) KINDERGARTEN CELEBRATES 100TH DAY OF SCHOOL TOP (L-R) MISS ALBSTEIN, KAYLA DUNN, C.J. CHRISTENSEN, KAELI WELLS BOTTOM (L-R) NOFAR FILUS, JACOB GOLDSTEIN, JOSH WEINER, CANDACE REVEEN, MIRANDA ROSEN PRESCHOOLERS ENJOY A FIELD TRIP TO ANDERSON DAIRY Have a Happy Passover from all of us at the Preschool Lois ?Beraman Early Childhood director JOSH WEINER AND NOFAR rILUS SIP SHABBAT WINE Congregation N e r Tam id April 2001 AwxiliAries Shalom. It?s now April and the smell of Spring and Success are in the air. On Sunday March 16, 2001 the Congregation turned out in full force for our two events. The first, our monthly breakfast, was called "Everything You Always Wanted to Ask the Rabbi but Were Afraid To," was a huge success. Don Marcus, our Social Chairman was the Moderator and Chef for the day. Don selected the questions from the mem?bership and then posed them to the Rabbi. As usual the Rabbi?s candor and good personality created an atmosphere of togetherness and belonging. Every?one walked away with a better understanding of who we are as a Congregation and what we are trying to accomplish. Don and his kitchen staff did a wonderful job creating the various cheese, rolls, and spreads. Naturally with bagels, coffee and cake. We want to thank everyone who attended. That afternoon we com?pleted our doubleheader. Men?s Club co-sponsored a community forum on Hate Crimes. With our "very generous donation," the ADL and Social Action Com?mittee were able to put on the type of programming everyone wanted. To Ruth Urban, tnank you for bring?ing your cause to us. It was a very worthwhile pro?gram for us to be involved with. Roth events broke Men?s Club attendance records. So far every event we have had this year has been a record breaker. So was the Golf Tournament. April 1st and I ?m not fooling, the links at Desert Willow-Sun City MacDonald Ranch was filled with our loyal golfers. The weather was beautiful and we just had a blast. After the game everyone enjoyed a buffet lunch and waited for the raffles to be picked. No one won the Lexus. Lexus? What Lexus? Well if you were there you would have known that the Men?s Club through the generosity of Fletcher Jones Lexus(who also sponsored a hole two years in a row) put up a new car for a hole in one. If someone would have done it they would have been driving that new RX 300 for two years, on the Men?s Club. It really made for a fun time. So with all of this, how can things get better? Well, watch for the June 6th weekend. Friday night June 6th we will share our Family Services with mem?bers from the National Federation of Temple Broth?erhoods (NFTB) from California. The Men?s Club will sponsor the Oneg. On Saturday in the afternoon the Rabbi will be conducting an open session with the agenda to be announced. On Saturday night June 9th, the Men?s Club has rented the Desert Princess Paddlewheeler for a private dinner cruise on Lake Mead. Everyone from the Congregation is welcome but on a first come first serve basis. We will go up to 200 but remember our brothers from NFTB will account for about 60 of the 200 so please sign up soon. I prom?ise this will be an event you won?t want to miss. The cost will be $50 per person. This is the same price the boat would charge the general public so we know you will get your money?s worth. Also, that Friday night, service, Men?s Club has a surprise that you surely won?t want to miss. Re there for the surprise and the Shabba-Tones. Men?s Club, with a member?ship of 93, the biggest ever, is finally making a dif?ference. I also want to take this opportunity to remind everyone about the May fundraiser being co?ordinated by Scott Stolberg and his fund-raising com?mittee of Dick Granich, Reth Rromberg, Hillary Torchin and Cecelia Schafler. Scott has been a tremendous supporter of the Men?s Club for many years and I ask that all of the troops turn out in support of his event. Again thank you all for everything. Shalom. Michael Milano A Weekend of Brotherhood, June 15th-17th 2001 Name____________________________________Number inGroup Add ress_________________________________________________ Phone Number____ Number of persons attending Services_____ Number of persons attending Saturday Torah Study______ Number of persons attending Dinner Cruise on the Desert Princess_____(at $50each) Number of persons attending breakfast on Sunday______ Please mail this form and check for Desert Princess Cruise(if applicable) to .Congregation Ner Tamid 2761 Emerson Avenue Las Vegas, NV 89121 'Make checks payable to CNT Men's Club Attn: Men's Club April 2001 ------------------------------------------------- // A Special Place To Belong ^ 7 WAuxiliaries Contmuet) iiiitiiiiii Sisterhood ifciUiiiii# ^'?V * \ '?Xi mt * ? h '?'i c\ <Tv uv <Tv <;v Cv Cv C\ c\ <T\ Cv February?s speaker Judy Bart Kancigor was just fabulous. Judy spoke to us about how she gathered old family recipes and learned about her families? genealogy at the same time. Judy had copies of her cookbook for sale, not only did she sign them for us but she also donated 20% back to the Sisterhood. April is turning out to be a busy month in Sisterhood. April 1st author Lois Ruby will talk about her new book Swindletop. Swindletop, one of Lois's newest works of historical fiction, will be the focus during her visit. Her book is a wonderful blend of Jewish tradition and culture with our exciting American history, as many of the major characters share Yiddish words and phrases while adapting to life in a small Texas community. Lois spoke during religious school. April 12th is the date for the All Women?s Seder; the cost is $18 for members and $24 for non?members, and girls 12 and under are $10. April 27th is The Sisterhood Shabbat. Shabbat dinner will be at 6:00pm, the cost is $15 for adults and $7 for children. Come to this special service led by the women of Sisterhood. We will also have a special guest from the WRJ; Ellen Rosenberg As always these events will be publicized in the Temple Bulletin and other mailings. Even though our calendar is Qotden Cfiai Golden Chai wants you!-----to come and give our meetings a try. You will be hearing from us. If you have visited us before - try it again. This is a long winter and it is a good thing to have a place to go on the first and third Thursday of the month. We welcome everyone to brunch and free entertainment. Take your seat at the machines at the Fiesta or Orleans. You can?t help but have a good time with us. Shalom and Love, Sid QarSer President Congregation N e r Tam id full for this year, it is never too late to think about next year. So if there is a program you would like to see please feel free to contact me. Sisterhood would like to nave something for everyone. In case you did not realize, it?s never too late to join Sisterhood! The dues are $30.00 per year or $50.00 for a Mitzvah membership or non-temple mitzvah membership. If you haven?t joined Sisterhood yet have I got a deal for you. If you join after April 1styour dues will be current for the rest of this year and all of next year also. So why not join now and receive 15 months of membership for the price of 12. Our nominating committee is hard at work putting a new board together for next year. Please watch your mail for our exciting slate of officers for next year. Please save the date, May 6. We have an exciting event planned for this day and details will be announced soon. Happy Passover to All Shalom, Sandy ITTY Ner Tamid Temple Youth (NTTY) sent 19 teens to NFTY (North American Federation of Temple Youth) Convention, which was held in Los Angeles, CA from February 16th-20th. Over 1500 teens from all over North America attended this event. NTTY had the highest attendance for this event out of all TYG's in the Southwest Region of NFTY. NTTY invites you to their creative service on May 4, 2001. This service is created by NTTY and is run by iis members. If you are a teen in grades 9-12 and are interested in joining NTTY, please contact Brenna Yahraus, NTTY President, at 435-3638. April 2001 Sli*x1om &nt> Welcome ^lichael and Susan Rodin came to Las Vegas from Miami, FL about one year ago and have set?tled in Henderson. They joined CNT at the very end of January, 2001, with hopes of becoming ac?tive in our congregational family. Let?s look for the Rodins at services and functions, and welcome them warmly! Lisa and David Cohen live in Summerlin with their two children, Adam (16) and Valerie (8). Lisa and David are roofing contractors, and while they are busy working, we hope that Adam and Valerie will be involved in youth groups and religious school at CNT. The Cohens have been in Las Vegas for about 3 years. We?re so happy that they have joined our Temple family! Hawk Brent St. John, or ?Doc", is in the auto?mation business and has at least 3 email address?es! Doc works mostly in sales and accounts management in a company located quite close to the Temple. Hopefully, he will join us often for ser?vices and functions. Welcome to all of our new members for this month! Please let us know what Temple activities interest you most so that we can help you get involved right away. All you have to do is call the CNT office at 733-6292 and the staff will assist you. Hi, my name is Maurissa Lipschitz. My Bat Mitzvah is April 6, 2001. In my spare time I like to dance, play tennis, hang out with my friends, shop and just have tons of fun. I am now attending Greenspun Junior High School, home of the Dolphins. In school I am in the band and play the flute. I look forward to being called to the Torah and hope you join me on this special day. Hi, my name is Rachel Sloane and I am in the 7th grade at Thurman White Middle School. I will become a Bat Mitzvah on April 28, 2001. I enjoy singing in the Madrigal Choir at school, ice skating, basketball and reading. I like to vacation with my parents and brother and go to camp in the summer. It would be an honor to have the congregation join me on my special day. April 2001 A S p ecial Place To Belong A Fond Farewell, and A New Beginning for IHN Sunday, ^February 11, started a new era for the Interfaith Hospitality Networifat Confirmation Ner Tamid. 2 am very edited tfiat Denise Waldrep is tafing over tfie pro- yram. It was time to pass the torch to someone extremely capable and caring such as Denise. She is a very special lady, and zvid continue this incredible program. 2 will 6e there to guide Denise for as hong as she needs my experi?ence. Although, after observing her this past lHRf weel^ 2 ready don?t thirdfshe is going to need very much guidance. Do Congregation Ner ?Tumid, 2 just wanted to thanljyou for adozving me to get this program started. It was truly an eye-opening, growing experience. 2 couldn?t be happier fnouhng that many ofthe congregation, who in March of 1997 were so against our participation, have come around and realized that this is what Judaism is ad about. ?Besides helping those in need, 2 tfunlfthe best part of being chair of this committee, allowed me to meet congregants who 2 wouldn?t have had the pleasure of meeting. ?We started out with 7 volunteers and now the IHN volunteer data base reads 60 entries of singles and couples who are involved in this mitzvafu ?The volunteers who gave from their hearts, food, money and cariiw, are truly the backbone of our congregation.?Thanlj you for mafing this program truimphu you are the winners for making this program fly with pride. Lately, 1 haven?t been feeling the best mentady or physi?cally but fnozving this program has simceeded in our syna?gogue adds great joy in my heart. 2 know without Steve?s help, 2 wouldn?t have been able to hold on as bng as 2 did. 2 am a very fortunate woman and the best part is, 2 fnow it!! ?Two nights ago, 1 received this email from our ?Rabbi. 2 have been honored many times, as Congregant of the ?year, 1998 at our temple and recently by the lHN itself. ?We continue as a congregation to be honored once again. <<lt was with a great deal of pride that we submitted our program on Special ?Needs for Religious School Students amt our Interfaith 2hospitality Networlj(l