Parashat Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35)

Reflections on the Torah Portion – Rabbi Andy Vogel

Where is God found?  This is a question we are always asking in our attempts to define God, to single out God, and point to a distinct entity that is God.  At the Golden Calf episode, in this week’s Torah portion, the Israelites did just that, saying “This is your god, O Israel!” as they danced around their idol (Exod. 32:4).  They sinned by doing so.  But what about us – where can we find God, knowing their mistake?

The answer is found elsewhere in the Torah portion, when the discussion turns to ceasing from our labor on Shabbat (Exod. 34:21).  We learn this from the writings of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, who asked “…[W]here shall the likeness of God be found?  There is no quality that space has in common with the essence of God.  There is not enough freedom on the top of a mountain; there is not enough glory in the silence of the sea.  Yet the likeness of God can be found in time, which is eternity in disguise.” (Heschel, The Sabbath, p. 16)  When we seek the peace and tranquility of ceasing from our labors, finite in their very definition, we can approach the infinite Oneness of simply being, and find the Source of All Being, God.

- Rabbi Andy Vogel

This Shabbat @ Temple Sinai

Join us for Erev Shabbat services this Friday, March 5, at 7:30 p.m., led by Rabbi Andy Vogel and Cantor Rosalie Toubes.  The oneg is sponsored by Marty Rosenthal and Jody Newman in honor of Sara Ann's bat mitzvah.

Tot Shabbat

Families with children ages 0-7 are invited to join Rabbi Vogel in the Sanctuary this coming Friday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m. for our monthly “Tot Shabbat” service, which includes an interactive service, storytelling and singing, followed by a Kiddush in the Larkin Library around 7:10 p.m. with grape juice, challah and cookies.  All are welcome!

Shabbat morning service, this Saturday, 10:30am

The entire congregation is encouraged to join us for Shabbat morning services this Saturday, March 6 at 10:30 a.m., including the Bat Mitzvah ceremony for Sara Ann Rosenthal, daughter of Jody Newman and Marty Rosenthal.  Sara Ann chants from the Torah beautifully, and you are encouraged to come here her D’var Torah on the challenges of the Golden Calf episode and their similarity to middle school behavior when a substitute teacher is present!  We wish Sara Ann and her family mazel tov.  Please join us.

Celebrate the release of Heidi Smith Hyde's latest children's book - this Sunday!

This Sunday, March 7 from 12:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., there will be a book signing in Weintraub Auditorium.  Heidi Smith Hyde, our Education Director, will sign copies of her new children's book, Feivel's Flying Horses (Kar-Ben Publishing, 2010).  Feivel the woodcarver leaves his family in the Old Country and comes to America to make a new life.  As an apprentice to a carousel maker, he lovingly crafts a set of carousel horses in the spirit of his wife and children, dreaming of the day when they will be reunited in America.  Proceeds from the event will be used to purchase books for the religious school.  Refreshments and live music!

An afternoon of bowling - JR Scooby and SR Scooby (Grades 6-12) – this Sunday!

Join us for bowling, snacks, and indoor fun with your Temple Sinai friends on March 7th after Religious School.   We will meet at 12:30 p.m. outside Temple Sinai and return at 4:30 p.m. Please bring a bag lunch. We will be going to Lanes and Games in Cambridge. Cost: $25 to cover shoe rental and two rounds of bowling.   Please RSVP by March 5 to Youth Educator Elyssa Cohen.  (Please let Elyssa know if you are able to drive.)

“The Message of the Early Prophets,” March 14 and 21, 11:00 a.m.

The Early Prophets of ancient Israel paved the way for the development of monotheism in the Western World.  Their message of ethical behavior within the context of the commands of the one God continues to resonate with us today as Reform Jews.  Rabbi Frank Waldorf teaches this class, which will focus on the teachings of Amos, Hosea, first Isaiah and Jeremiah.  All are welcome.

Temple Sinai’s First Annual Poetry Fest!  Sunday, March 14th, 2:00 p.m.

Please join us for an afternoon of poetry, music, and refreshments.   Temple members, including Judith Steinbergh, Jennifer Barber, Zvi Sesling, Michael Sesling and Poetry Fest organizer Deborah Leipziger, will begin the afternoon by reading some of their own works.  Following their readings, there will be an open mike and attendees will be invited to bring one original poem or a poem they love on the themes of family, community, or Jewish Life.  Professor Larry Lowenthal will serve as Moderator for the event.  Please join us on Sunday, March 14th, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. for a wonderful afternoon!   Questions?  Please contact Deb Leipziger.

Global Hunger Shabbat/Daffodil Shabbat, March 19, 7:30 p.m.

On Daffodil Shabbat, Friday, March 19, Temple Sinai’s Family Educator Sandi Intraub will give a presentation on AJWS’s Global Hunger Shabbat.  Sandi was an American Jewish World Service worker this past summer, training in Senegal.  Our sanctuary will be adorned with daffodils for the American Cancer Society’s Daffodil Days.   Ellen Blinder is coordinating Daffodil Shabbat, a fund raiser for breast cancer research and treatment.   Plan to join us for services that Friday evening.

Temple Sinai Young Adults and Couples Havurah Potluck, Saturday March 20

The next meeting of the Young People’s Havurah will be a potluck brunch/lunch starting with an early afternoon nosh at 1:00 p.m. and concluding with Havdalah at the end of the afternoon.  The event will take place at Temple Sinai’s Ehrenfried Hall on Saturday, March 20 at 1:00 p.m.  Babies and kids are welcome!  Co-Hosts: Katherine Parisky & Brian Kern and Susan & Ben Dubin.  Please RSVP to Susan Dubin.

Register for Mitzvah Day - ONLINE!

Save the date!  Mitzvah Day is around the corner.  Join us for a fun and mitzvah-filled afternoon on Sunday, March 21, beginning at 12:00 p.m. in Ehrenfried Hall.  Come and make a difference in the world as we have lunch together, and then help Haiti, bake, sing, assemble goody bags and blankets, or visit with animals!  For more information about all of the events, and to register online, please visit the following website:  Mitzvah Day Details.   You may also register on the Mitzvah Day bulletin board outside the Temple office.  Questions?  Contact Family Educator, Sandi Intraub.

Passover Study, “From Slaves to Masters:  Pesach & Social Justice,” March 28, 11:00 a.m.

This study session will recount the experience of Jews as garment workers and will also examine today’s labor movement.   Our speaker will be Jacob Schleict, an immigrant and garment industry labor organizer.   Come to learn stories and values you can share at your own Passover seder.  All are welcome!

            ~Adult Learning Committee

The Passover Music Festival Committee announces two wonderful musical events this spring!

Please join us on Friday, April 2 (Chol Hamoed Pesach), when our evening service will be enhanced by special guests "Kol Echad," an a cappella group of Boston University, and our own Junior Choir.  And on Friday, April 30, our service will celebrate Temple Sinai's 70th anniversary with a performance by the Afro-Semitic Experience, who will create a lively and engaging musical service that will have you dancing in the aisles!  That evening, we will also continue the celebration of Temple Sinai’s anniversary, with the debut of a film about Temple Sinai’s first 70 years.

“The Responsibilities of a Jewish Man” class rescheduled – Sunday, April 4, 9:30 a.m.

Rabbi Joseph Meszler presents his thoughts on how a new generation of Jewish men can grow spiritually, and in doing so, strengthen the bonds of family, love, duty and truth which ultimately lead to God.  Rabbi Meszler, who serves as rabbi for Temple Sinai, Sharon, MA, will discuss his new book, “A Man’s Responsibility:  A Jewish Guide to Being a Son, a Partner in Marriage, a Father and a Community Leader,” in Weintraub Auditorium, Sunday, April 4, 9:20 a.m.  All are welcome.

Shabbat No’ar – Youth Shabbat, April 9

On Friday evening, April 9, our “Shabbat@Six !” Shabbat No’ar (Youth Shabbat) will be followed by potluck dinner for students in grades 5-12 and their families.  If you’d like to help, please contact Pauline Gerson, or Elaine Ober.

Save the date and help us plan Temple Sinai’s Auction, Saturday, May 22

Temple Sinai's 2010 auction is scheduled for Saturday, May 22nd.  On Saturday evening, May 22 Temple Sinai will once again hold its auction fund-raiser.  Come to bid on fabulous prizes, and enjoy delicious food and great company. Our last auction was great – and  we’re hoping to make this year’s even better!  We need your help to make it happen. Please take a few minutes to fill out the brief form below if you can give the Auction Committee a hand:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/K2TGVBZ .

            ~Temple Sinai Auction Committee

Please give…..

Family Table Passover Food DriveThe Family Food Table, the Boston-area Jewish food pantry, has asked us to collect 50 boxes of chicken soup and matzo ball mix for Pesach. Please pitch in and drop off your donations at the school. Leave them in the box at the top of the stairs outside Heidi’s office. We have a March 9 deadline, so put it on your next shopping list. As always, our commitment to donating raisins and Graham crackers is ongoing. Thank you to all in advance for helping Jewish families in need prepare for Pesach. Please email any questions you may have about the Family Food Table to Rina Jacobson. 

Donate your “gently used” books and help humanitarian efforts in Haiti! Temple Sinai members will have a chance to clean up their bookshelves, score some great books at great prices, and help the humanitarian effort in Haiti at the Mitzvah Day Book Sale.  Mitzvah Day student volunteers will help collect, organize and sell books for children and adults, and donate the proceeds to organizations helping the relief effort in Haiti.    Book collections will begin immediately and continue through Mitzvah Day.  On Mitzvah Day, student volunteers will organize and price the donated books, make posters for the book sale, and draft letters to accompany the checks to the selected organizations.   The book sale will be held on March 28 from 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. staffed by the student volunteers with some adult assistance.  All members of the congregation including religious school students and parents are invited to stop by the sale, find bargains and help Haiti.  Drop off your books (children's books and books for grown-ups) during Hebrew School pick up and drop offs on Tuesdays and Sundays.  There will be a marked bin for your donations.  Please email Amy Pitter if you'd like to make other arrangements

Birthday Wishes drive Once again this year, Temple Sinai will be collecting birthday supplies and making goody bags for Birthday Wishes.  Birthday Wishes is a local group that organizes and runs birthday parties for children in homeless shelters.  We will be preparing the goody bags on Mitzvah Day (March 21), but are collecting supplies now.  We are looking for small items for the goody bags (crayons, pens, small games or toys, etc) as well as general birthday supplies such as juice boxes, birthday themed wrapping paper, and large gift bags.  There will be a collection box in entrance area of the school building.  Questions?  Contact Sheila Shulman.

ARZA

The Association of Reform Zionists of America, is the Zionist arm and voice of the Reform movement in the United States.  It endeavors to make Israel fundamental to the sacred lives and Jewish identify of Reform Jews.  ARZA champions activities that enhance Israel as a pluralistic, just and democratic Jewish state.  To learn more about ARZA, visit www.arza.org .  ARZA 2009-10 dues are $36.  Of that amount, $2.00 is retained by Temple Sinai for Israel programming.   If you’d like to become a member of ARZA, please click /page.php?id=2100 , fill out the ARZA membership form and mail it with your check to the Temple office.  Checks should be made payable to Temple Sinai and include “ARZA” in the memo line.

Lost tallit

A tallit and matching bag were left in the sanctuary following a bar mitzvah service  early last month.  If you think it might belong to you, please contact the Temple office.

In the community…..

Zamir Chorale performs the Bloch Sacred Service, Sunday, March 14.  Chorus pro Musica presents:  Ernest Bloch’s Avodath Hakodesh (Sacred Service), in collaboration with the Zamir Chorale of Boston.  Sunday, March 14, 2010 at 4pm, John Hancock Hall, 180 Berkeley Street, Boston, Near the Back Bay, Copley Square, and Arlington Street MBTA stations.  The program also will include the premiere of Kaddish Prayer, a new commission by composer Andrew Rindfliesch, with soloist David Kravitz.  Tickets: $25, $40, $50. Discounts are available for seniors, students, WGBH members, and groups of 6 or more.  Click here to select seats and purchase tickets, or call 800-658-4276 for best available seating.

Boston Jewish Music Festival -- Boston will be home to a Jewish Music Festival full of concerts, workshops, and events for people of all ages at locations across the area. Jewish music will ring out from the Back Bay to the North Shore, from Metrowest to the South Shore. There will be klezmer, cantorial and classical performances from Israel to the Balkans to Brooklyn underground.  To learn more, visit http://www.bostonjewishmusicfestival.org/