Eternal Light
Volume 72, Issue 4
December 2013
NoDecemberDilemmabyRabbiJordanGoldson
Shabbat Schedule So many times, rabbis write their newsletter article in December about
the “December Dilemma”. In a nutshell (or a chestnut as the case may
be at this time of year), the dilemma is what to do about Christmas and
Fri., December 6, 6pm Chanukah colliding on the calendar. Because the two holidays do not
Gates of Prayer
overlap this year, this is not the case. But in reality, this should never
Potluck Dinner
present a dilemma for us. For Jews, Chanukah is a meant to be a
Parasha - Vayigash
minor holiday celebrating the victory of the Hasmoneans over the
Greeks, and the rededication of the ancient Temple. For Christians,
Fri., December 13, 6pm Christmas represents one of the holiest days of the year, honoring and
celebrating the birth of their savior.
Union Prayer Book
Parasha - Vayechi
Now, the victory of the tiny Hasmonean army over the mighty Greeks
is not an insignificant moment in our history, but the commemoration
Fri., December 20, 6pm of this military victory has become lost in a whirlwind of gift giving.
Gates of Prayer
Instead of lighting our chanukiahs, singing the blessings, and perhaps
Parasha - Shemot
enjoying some family time and a bit of gelt, we find ourselves buried
in a mound of wrapping paper after weeks of stress making sure we
Fri., December 27, 6pm are able to procure the latest and greatest gift on the market this year.
Gates of Prayer
Jews have adopted the tradition of giving gifts from Christmas, and
Parasha - Vaera
while that is fun and exciting, it is not really our custom, or the spirit
of the season for either faiths. The true spirit of both holidays truly is:
giving to those who have less, and performing acts of loving kindness.
Shabbat Morning
Minyan
Shabbat Morning Services &
Torah Study are held every
Saturday morning from
10am — 12pm
That is where our dilemma ends. Here at Congregation B’nai Israel,
we work hard to reclaim the season, and do projects and programs that
remind us of everything we have to be grateful for. In November, we
held our annual “Turkey Train” at which we collected 130 turkeys
(a new record) that were donated to feed
the hungry in our city on Thanksgiving
Day. In December, we hope you and
your family will give of your time, your
talents, and your souls in the community.
Doing service projects reminds us of what
is really important, what really matters,
now and all year long.
Continued on page 2
Page 2
Volume 72, Issue 4
Rabbi’sMessagecontinued
On Saturday, December 7th, you can help build a home with Habitat for Humanity to help a less
fortunate family live with dignity in their own home. Then on Tuesday, December 11th, you can be
part of the Big Buddy Shopping Spree by helping to shop for or wrap gifts for kids from low
income families.
So this December, solve your dilemma by choosing a mitzvah project in the community. See how
good it feels to dedicate yourself to making life a little easier, a little happier, a little safer, for those
who can’t do it for themselves or their children. Certainly there’s no dilemma in choosing to do this.
Habitat for Humanity
On Saturday, December 7th, volunteers from Congregation B’nai Israel will dedicate
part of their Shabbat to help build a home for a needy Baton Rouge family.
We will be working from 8 amam-noon.
noon
We will meet at the building site.
Location:
2452 Elvin Drive Lot#5 in the Rosewood Subdivision.
Snacks and drinks will be provided.
If you would like to be part of this mitzvah (holy act), please call or email Rabbi Jordan
(rabbijg@bnaibr.org)
BigBuddyShoppingSpree
The Men’s Club invites you to help in the upcoming annual BigBuddyShoppingSpree. Along with
the Baton Rouge BigBuddyprogram and Macy’s, volunteers from Congregation B’nai Israel and
members of the Jewish Community come together to help young children buy gifts for members of
their family.
There are two powerful ways to assist: you can send in a donation to help defray costs of the spree
and/or you can volunteer to help the kids shop and wrap presents.
Our goal this year is $5,000, and donations of any amount are welcome and greatly
appreciated. And pleasedon’t underestimate the power of boxing and wrapping the
hundreds of presents. Its an enjoyable evening for EVERYONE involved.
Wednesday,December11from5:00pm–8:00pm
atMacy’sattheMallofLouisiana.
All donations should be sent to the B’nai Israel of/ice (attention:DavidSpivak), and
checks can be made out to the B’nai Israel Men’s Club. If you have any questions, feel
free to contact David Spivak at dspivak@lsu.edu.
Kislev-Tevet
December
December 1
Israeli Folk Dancing, 7pm
December 11
December 20
Men’s Club Shopping Spree
Shabbat Evening Service, 6pm
Gates of Prayer
December 4
December 11-15
B’nai Mitzvah Prep, 4pm
URJ Biennial
San Francisco Conf. Ctr.
December 6
Shabbat Evening
Service, 6pm
Story Telling & Potluck
Dinner
December 7
December 21
Shabbat Service & Torah
Study, 10am
December 13
Shabbat Evening Service, 6pm
Union Prayer Book
December 14
Habitat for Humanity
Shabbat Service &
Torah Study, 10am
December 8
December 15
Confirmation, 11:30am
Israeli Folk Dancing, 7pm
December 10
December 18
Board Meeting, 6pm
B’nai Mitzvah Prep, 4pm
December 27
Shabbat Evening Service, 6pm
Gates of Prayer
December 28
Shabbat Service & Torah
Study, 10am
January
January 3
January 14
January 25
Shabbat Evening
Service, 6pm
Story Telling & Potluck
Dinner
Board Meeting, 6pm
Shabbat Service & Torah
Study, 10am
January 4
Shabbat Service &
Torah Study, 10am
January 15
B’nai Mitzvah Prep, 4pm
BRJFF Begins, 7pm
January 17
January 26
Confirmation, 11:30am
CBI Annual Mtg., 5pm
January 8
Shabbat Evening Service, 6pm
Gates of Prayer
January 29
B’nai Mitzvah Prep, 4pm
B’nai Mitzvah Prep, 4pm
January 18
January 31
January 10
Tu B’Shevat Seder, 10am
Shabbat Evening Service, 6pm
Union Prayer Book
Shabbat Evening Service, 6pm January 20
Union Prayer Book
Office Closed
January 11
January 22
Shabbat Service &
Torah Study, 10am
B’nai Mitzvah Prep, 4pm
January 12
Confirmation, 11:30am
January 24
Shabbat Evening Service, 6pm
Music Shabbat
Kislev-Tevet
Page 4
BuildingFund
Richard & Susan Lipsey, in memory
of Frances Jalenak
Byron & Susan Kantrow, in honor of
the marriage of Lindi Rubin &
Chris Spalatin, and in memory
of Faye Davis
GeneralFund
Sidney & Carol Anne Blitzer, in honor of
Susan Kantrow’s recognition by
the Association of Fundraising
Professionals
Marvin & JoAnn Bender, in memory
of Ralph Israel Brookner
Steve & Monica Winkler, in memory
of Frances Jalenak
Charles & Mary McGowan, in memory
of Frances Jalenak
Marcus & Rachelle Hirsch, in memory
of Henry Dreyfus & Annette Hirsch
Kean Miller Attorneys and Staff,
in memory of Frances Jalenak
LibraryFund
Sandy & Gary Bezet, in memory
of Frances Jalenak
Rabbi’sDiscretionaryFund
Barry & Jon Blumberg, in memory of
Thelma Langner
Charles & Elise Kaufman, in memory of
Faye Davis and in honor of Jacob &
Kara Kantrow’s newest addition
AMAZON.COM
IsagooddealforyouandCBI
Most of us have scored great deals by
shopping online at amazon.com. Now, if
you go to our website, www.bnaibr.org, and
click on amazon.com, you will go directly to
their website and the Temple will get a
percentage of the sale. What an easy way to
support your Temple.
Page 4
CemeterySecurity
An off-duty officer will provide
security at the cemetery every
2nd Sunday of the month from
10:00am until 2:00pm.
You may donate to the Temple in many ways.
The designated Temple funds are listed below
with a brief description of each. When making your donations, please designate your
fund of choice.
Building Fund: for Temple maintenance,
repairs & improvements.
Camp Scholarship Fund: for student
scholarships to Jacobs Camp, Kutz Camp or
Reznikoff Day Camp.
Cemetery Fund: for cemetery repair,
improvement & maintenance.
Endowment Fund: for temple operating
expenses (interest income).
General Fund: for current expenses.
Judge Alvin Rubin Ner Tamid Fund: for
post Confirmation class student classes to
further their Jewish education.
Sandy Sager Beautification and Garden
Fund: for outdoor Temple beautification.
Library Fund: to purchase Temple library
books and supplies.
Memorial Fund: to be used at Temple board
discretion.
Prayer Book Fund: to purchase prayer
books.
Rabbi's Discretionary Fund: used to support
worthy charitable organizations, pay for special religious, educational and cultural temple
programs, and to assist members in need.
Sylvia Steiner Religious School Fund: to
help defray Religious School tuition for needy
students and to purchase
supplies.
Gary Weill Youth Room Fund: for Youth
Room improvement and maintenance.
Peggy L. Blumberg Fund: to be used to
support WCBI in its endeavors.
The following memorials or dedications
are also available:
Tree of Life Leaf: $250
Yahrzeit Memorial Plaque: $250
Tree of Life Stone: $1000
Sanctuary Pew (1/2 side): $1500
Kislev-Tevet
Page 6
December6
Marvin L. Wolff, friend of Bert Rosenbaum
Henrietta Michelove, grandmother of Ellen Folks
Sol Weiner, father of Aileen Dampf
Cecile Kahn Landau, sister of Metz Kahn
Harold Rosenberg Harries, brother of Lillian Bloomenstiel
Ethel Estelle Prater, mother of Beth Dupaquier
James James Bach, grandfather of Adrian Hirsch
Charles Gartner, father of Brenda Berg
Phil Washauer, husband of Sylvia Washauer
Samuel L. Edelman, father of Joe Edelman
Albert Kunstler, father of Jak Kunstler
Amelia Levine, mother of Bette Levine
Simon Dreyfus Weil, husband of Ray Weill Weil
Bernard Schmulen, father of Lynn Weill
Rose Roth Stein, aunt of Gary Roth
William “Bill” Murvin, husband of Jimmie Murvin
December13
Betty Murvin, mother-in-law of Jimmie Murvin
Abraham Kanter, grandfather of Ellen Folks
Helene Blitzer, morther of Sid Blitzer
Meyer Kaplan, uncle of Dan Cassin
Sarah Lampert Holtzman, aunt of Lee Caplan
Molly Coen, mother of Linda Weinstein
Emile Maas, father of Bessie Elaine Kershaw
James O. Wilson, father of Jimmie Murvin
Isadore Marcus, grandfather of Susan Dampf
Gary J. Weill, father of Clay Weill, brother of Felix Weill and Laurie Brandt
Dorothy G. Schlesinger, mother of Elise Kaufman
December20
Rita Levy, mother of Victoria Greene
Same Levy, father of Victoria Green
Josef Sternberg, husband of Mary Ann Sternberg, brother of Hans Sternberg
and Insa Abraham
Peral Cohen Weinstein, morther of Rabbi Barry L. Weinstein
Joseph Daniel Freedman, grandfather of Jerry Freedman
Jonas Bloom Kahn, Sr., father of Metz Kahn
Al Yellen, grandfather of Joshua Yellen
Julien Mendelsohn, uncle of Lawrence Mann
Herman Lampert, father of Lee Caplan
Ernst Preis, father of Julie Nachman
Lucille Weiner, mother of Aileen Dampf, grandmother of Jack Dampf
Ruth Weill, mother of Felix Weill and Laurie Brandt
Rose Marie Rosenberg, mother of Lynne Miller
Merrill Seelig, mother of Leslie Loeb
Joshua Bombet, son of Charles Bombet
Sheldon Goldsholl, father of Ellen Rayner
December27
Morris Levy, father of Sherry Mayer and Gus Levy
Hyman Black, father of Jerry Black
Gerson Saltz, father of Isaac Saltz
Roy Hanf, stepdad of Danny Miller
Tom Littman, cousin of Nancy Rounsfell
Alfred Joseph Dreyfus, father of Sidney Dreyfus
Victor Alphonse Sache, grandfather of Victor E. Sachse
Irving Goldstein
Pearlie Folks, mother of William Folks, grandmother of Heather & Shawn Folks
Nina Ginsberg, grandmother of David & Mike Rubin
Ira “Sandy” Sager, father of Marc and Warren Sager
Annie Warren Mills, mother-in-law of Marilyn Mills
Hilda Maretsky Caplan, mother of Ralph Caplan
Ulrich Rosen, grandfather of Edie Bender
Anne Lampert, mother of Lee Caplan
May their memory be a blessing
Yarzheits
Yarzheits are traditionally read during the Friday night service prior
to the date of the yarzheits unless other arrangements have been
made.
Healing
MiShebeirach, the prayer for physical and emotional healing, is recited at
the Friday evening Shabbat service. If you are ill and would like a mi
shebeirachrecited on your behalf, please call the Temple of/ice at
343-0111 before noon on Thursdays, so the congregation may offer its
prayers for you. If you know another person who needs the same, please
ask the individual for permission to read his/her name before calling the
of/ice.
Visiting Those Who Are Ill
Congregation B’nai Israel wants to make sure we care for our members
and their families. If you have a family member or know of someone in
our congregation who is in the hospital, has been in an accident, or is ill
and recuperating at home, please call the Temple of/ice at 343-0111 so
Rabbi Jordan can contact them and arrange for a visit.
Page 8
Kislev-Tevet
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December 1
No Religious School
December 4
4:00pm B’nai Mitzvah
December 8
9:30am Religious School
Grades 3 & 4 Family Breakfast
with the Rabbi
11:30am Confirmation
December 11
4:00pm Bnai Mitzvah
December 15
9:30am Religious School
December 18
4:00pm B’nai Mitzvah
December 22
No Religious School
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
WISH LIST:
Automated external
defibrillator
(approx. $2,000)
December 29
No Religious School
Todah Rabah
To Matt Mullenix, Dana Kahn and Sandra DiTusa
for contributing to our educational programming
and community awareness aspects of our
“Kindness to Animals/Pet Blessing Day”.
Kislev-Tevet
Page 9
Vodka & Latkes Installation Brunch
Sunday December 1, 2013
Cost is $18
1:00 pm Beth Shalom Social Hall
Join us for the installation of New Chapter Officers.
Guest Speaker – Lee Kansas, Hadassah Southern Region President
RSVP to hadassahbr.mym@gmail.com or 609-315-2264
CONGREGATION WISH LIST:
Used iPad or iPhone
CBI is in the process of setting up new systems to be able to accept credit
cards at future fundraisers and in the gift shop. If you have an old ipad
or iphone that would enable us to accomplish this task, please contact
the office at 343.011.
CongregationB’naiIsrael
3354 Kleinert Avenue · Baton Rouge, LA 70806
AddressServiceRequested
Eternal Light
The official publication of Congregation
B'nai Israel
Rabbi
Jordan E.Goldson
Rabbi Emeritus
Barry L. Weinstein
Religious School Director
Jessica Yellen
Asst. Rel. School Director
Julie Tepper
Office Administrator
Cathy Duplechin
President
Marc Sager
Past-President
Diana Mann
Vice-President
Deborah Sternberg
Treasurer
Lisa Binder
Secretary
Jay Jalenak
Sisterhood President
Linda Levy
Men's Club President
David Spivak
Inquiries and submissions may be directed to
Congregation B’nai Israel
3354 Kleinert Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Tel: 225/343-0111
Fax: 225/343-0653
Religious School: 225/383-6810
http://www.bnaibr.org
office@bnaibr.org
rabbijg@bnaibr.org
relschool@bnaibr.org
Distribution of the Eternal Light is free to members and
friends of the Congregation.