The March issue of The Shofar had not yet been published and distributed before the shul’s Book Circle group embraced one of the selections as its choice for the Thursday, March 16 meeting, on Zoom at 4 p.m. Could be that Miriam Gabriel, co-editor of the shul’s monthly newsletter, had found the book so engaging for the ‘Random Reads’ column that she recommended it to the reading group. Reader alert: It would seem that [...]
To the editors: Special thanks to Tom Byrne, Helaine Teperman, Andrea Blaga, Stephen Meshover, Adrianne Greenberg and Rosa Lee Emerson — all of whom have graciously consented to take part in “We Call It Whiskey,” a one-act comedy that will be read in the synagogue and available on Zoom on a date to be determined in May or June. Stay tuned for more. It will be a blast. —Chuck Simon
It’s Purim, a reminder once again of the heroics of brave Queen Esther and how she outsmarted Haman to save the Jewish people. Be sure to join Rabbi Gadi this Monday, March 6, at 7:30 — in person and on Zoom — as we retell the ancient story from the Book of Esther and, by the way, let Haman know in no uncertain terms what we think of him. Come in costume. Bring your noisemakers. (Hint: [...]
It was an exceptionally stormy Monday when we arrived at Ben Gurion Airport on Feb. 6. On our way from the airport to the hotel in Tel Aviv, hail was falling on the windshield of our minibus. Our group of 12 pilgrims, none ever having been to the holy land, were ushered into the country by some of the worst weather in a century. That night, the enormous earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria, burying [...]
No matter where we live or what language we speak, as contemporary Jews, our connection to the past plays a powerful role in our daily lives. We are ever more mindful of the implications and threats in recent history, making the words of the ancient Talmud significantly relevant today: “...As my ancestors planted for me, so do I plant for those who will come after me.” I believe we have an obligation and a [...]
To the editors... The Tikkun Olam Initiative (TOI) would like to thank everyone who participated in our successful 2022 year. We have provided CAST with chickens, personal care items, children’s toys, school supplies, diapers, fresh vegetables and vegetable plants. CAST has repeatedly thanked us in their newsletters as well as in personal letters to say what a positive difference our contributions have made to their clients. The Tikkun Olam Initiative has also served to familiarize [...]
Who could blame The Shofar for pirating the title of Luigi Pirandello’s play, “Six Characters in Search of an Author,” when the shul is planning a playreading performance for early spring, and the author of the play is looking for — yes — six characters? The play chosen is “We Call It Whiskey,” a one-act comedy by shul member Chuck Simon, who will cast and direct the work for a hybrid presentation — live at [...]
Plans are well underway to launch a Saturday morning Hebrew School at the shul, tentatively set for February 25. “The restart of a Hebrew School has long been one of Rabbi Gadi’s goals,” said Ann Hurwitz, chair of the shul’s Education Committee and one of the driving forces behind the project. “We’ve not had a Hebrew School here for at least the last 12 years,” Ann Hurwitz pointed out, “but over his tenure, Rabbi Gadi [...]
It’s a joyous happening within the Book Circle, which has selected the first novel in Alexander McCall Smith’s widely acclaimed and delightful The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series as its selection for the Thursday, Feb. 23 meeting, on Zoom, at 4 p.m. Fans around the world adore this best-selling series, set in Botswana, where Precious Ramotswe and her loyal associate, Grace Makutsi, navigate their cases and their personal lives with wisdom, good humor, [...]
This month’s Oculus feature was created by Saul Rosenstreich, founding member and leader of the shul’s Judaism and Art group. Artist’s statement: This poster is about antisemitism, but it began as a purely creative exercise to rework one of my unfinished paintings. The shapes and colors that spontaneously emerged suggested a horrific monster, which I later tweaked into an image that resembled the Greek mythical Cerberus, the dog/snake animal that guarded the Underworld. It [...]
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