First Light — Friday, December 11

December 2009/Tishrei-Cheshvan 5770 Number 607

Happy Chanukah!
On Sunday, December 13, Temple Mount Si-
nai‘s Religious School and B‘nai Zion‘s Tal-
mud Torah will come together for a Chanu-
kah Family Event. We will meet at Congre-
gation B’nai Zion beginning at 9:15 am for a
morning of family fun!
There will be Chanukah games, crafts, learn-
ing and music. Middle schoolers (sixth
through eighth graders) and their parents will
have special, separate programming with
Rabbi Bach and Rabbi Leon.
At 11:15 am we will all be treated to a per-
formance of ―The Chanukah Candle Caper‖
produced by the EPJA drama club. Following
the performance there will be a latke competi-
Join
tion to see which men prepared the most tasty
the Women of Reform Judaism
latkes. To end the morning, everyone will en-
for a Chanukah Celebration and Dinner
joy a latke luncheon and decorate their own
(bring your own chanukiah and candles!)
Canukah cookies.
As part of this community event we are con-
Friday, December 11
ducting a holiday mitzvah project. Each fam-
6:15 p.m. ily is asked to bring a new, wrapped gift for a
needy El Paso child. Please label the gift with
Shabbat/Chanukah Service the intended gender and age. Families will
at Temple Mount Sinai receive one raffle ticket for each gift they
followed by a dinner bring, with a drawing to be held at the end of
of seasonal comfort food the morning.
(chicken and latkes)!
This Chanukah family event is open to all
families – please bring your friends. To RSVP
Prices and reservation information
contact Alanna Bach at
on page 10.
abach@templemountsinai.com or 532-5959.

Chanukah blessings, stories, songs, and a play, here:

http://www.babaganewz.com/kids/hanukkah-ceremony/
Messages from the Mountain
Worship Schedule
December 4-5
Parashat Vayishlach
Friday, December 4
Candlelighting, 4:44 pm
Oneg Shabbat, 5:45 pm
Family Shabbat Service, 6:15 pm
Camp Shabbat,
with participation from mini-MSTY
Saturday, December 5
Torah Study, 9:30 am
Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 am
December 11-12
Parashat Vayishlach
Friday, December 11
Candlelighting, 4:45 pm
Oneg Shabbat, 5:45 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:15 pm
WRJ Chanukah Dinner to follow
Saturday, December 12
Torah Study, 9:30 am
Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 am
December 18-19
Parashat Vayechi
Friday, December 18
Candlelighting, 4:47 pm
Oneg Shabbat, 5:45 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:15 pm
Saturday, December 19
Torah Study, 9:30 am
Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 am
Page 2 December 2009/Kislev 5770
December 25-26
Parashat Sh’mot
Friday, December 25
Candlelighting, 4:44 pm
Oneg Shabbat, 5:45 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:15 pm
Saturday, December 26
Torah Study, 9:30 am
Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 am
January 1-2
Parashat Va’era
Friday, January 1
Candlelighting, 4:44 pm
Oneg Shabbat, 5:45 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:15 pm
Saturday, January 2
Torah Study, 9:30 am
Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 am
January 8-9
Parashat Bo
Friday, January 8
Candlelighting, 4:44 pm
Oneg Shabbat, 5:45 pm
Family Shabbat Service, 6:15 pm
Saturday, January 9
Torah Study, 9:30 am
Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 am
December 2009/Kislev 5770 Page 3
Two Kinds of Chanukah Miracles
The Rabbis speak of two different kinds of
miracles that the menorah proclaims. We must
decide whether to believe in and propagate
either.
The Miracle of the Oil
The miracle recalled in the Talmud speaks of a
cruse of oil that burned for eight days instead of
one. That is a supernatural miracle violating the
laws of nature. Taken literally, it promotes a
belief in supernatural intervention. It may even
denigrate human effort…
However, David Hartman argues that the
miracle of oil is only a symbol that arouses
human faith. When human beings are willing to Maccabees' victory.
believe that more is possible than meets the eye,
then they will invest in historical projects like
the Maccabean Revolt and the Declaration of
the Independence of Israel in 1948 even against
all odds. Our presupposition that a cruse of oil
cannot burn for eight days, that it is a natural
impossibility, is only a symbol of the mistaken
belief in the historical impossibility of change.
The Miracles of the Few Against the Many
Even if we cannot embrace the miracle of the
cruse of oil, the Rabbis offered a different kind of learning to keep my options open and letting
of miracle to celebrate. The Rabbinic prayer for myself be surprised.
Canukah, Al Hanisim, ignores the miracle of the
oil and speaks of a general phenomenon
possible in every generation whereby God
helps human beings to bring about miraculous
rescues from historical oppressors. This belief in
God's miracles does not undermine human
effort but causes it to redouble. The miracle is
"natural" within the realm of historical
possibility, yet inconceivable and unattainable
by oppressed peoples who don't believe in its
possibility.
Messages from the Mountain
In the Exodus from Egypt, God initiates the
miracles for a passive, despairing people of
slaves. However, on Hanukkah, first the
martyrs like Hannah and then the zealots and
the warriors initiate the redemptive process. In
a world where God seems eclipsed, where there
are no supernatural signs and no prophets,
where the leading priests accepted Hellenism as
a boon, the Maccabees bear witness to another
dimension. They evaluate the world differently
and they believe in a Divine power whose
hidden will becomes manifest. The Rabbis
celebrated the political and military
manifestation of God's miracle in the
Personally, I prefer the miracle of the few
against the many. I need to reject the
miraculous long-burning cruse of oil lest I be
understood as an anti-rationalist or passive Jew.
But perhaps beyond my polemic against the
childish legend, I need to mature and to
reinterpret both kinds of miracles as opening
me up to other dimensions, to possibilities in
myself and in my world that I have too quickly
foreclosed. Believing in miracles is another way
Noam Zion
Noam Zion is the Director of Shalom Hartman
Institute's Resource Center for Jewish Continuity. He
specializes in teaching Jewish Holidays, Bible and Art,
and has edited several educational books for the
Shalom Hartman Institute.
Reprinted with permission from A Different Light: The
Big Book of Hanukkah published by the Shalom Hartman
Institute and Devora Publishing.
Messages from the Mountain Page 4 December 2009/Kislev 5770

December Birthdays
December 1 December 8 December 14 December 21 December 28
Joshua Kallman * Jason Zehden Eric Saks Ian Mobbs Keeley Burton *
Aaron Velasco Scott Schwartz * Carolyn Feinberg
December 9 December 22 Molly Goldman
December 2 Bernadine Belkin December 15 Leah Gluck * Merrill Krupp
Donna Munch Rebecca Krasne Joseph Horn Miriam Goldfarb Mark McCoy
Irvin Nadler Arlene Levenson
December 10 December 16 David Marcus December 30
December 3 Ann Louise Leeds * Frances Litt * Constance Finke *
Marci Karch * Abrielle Meyer December 23
Jason Marcus December 17 Allan Goldfarb December 31
Lillian Silberman * December 11 Annette Goldberg Joshua Meyer * Arnold Bowman
Philip Alpern * Shayna Mickenberg Michelle Ducorsky
December 4 Stephanie Calvo December 24 Irving Schecter
Bob Brannon Chester Frame December 18 Edward Feldt
Heather Chapman Damon Crossland Norman Gordon
Julian Horwitz December 12 Lucy Garcy Ruth Taber
Shana Levin Jack Bargemann Carrie Snow
Sylvia Levin Melanie Blumenfeld December 25
Terren Klein December 19 Judy Lauterbach
December 6 Sig Rosen Daniel Hirsch
Eva Pearlman Phil Rothstein Matthew Papa December 26
Honey Phelps Norma Levenson
December 13 December 20 Ross Rotwein
December 7 Norma Aaronson Kaylen Duran
Harold Ettinger John T. García Christopher December 27
Linda Fruithandler Martin Kern * Holderman Matthew Bowman
Ashley Mansfield Allyson Holland Barbara Given
Kenny Ley *

December Anniversaries
December 5 December 20 December 27
Bert & Bert Blackburn Ron & Judy Blumenfeld * Marty & Bonnie Colton
Nancy Laster & Ross Dahman
December 6 December 21 Jon & Arlene Sonnen
Sig & Olga Rosen * Aaron & Sylvia Wechter
December 28
December 15 December 23 Keith & Becky Myers
Tom & Sandy Dula * Jay & Marilyn Mendeloff
December 30
December 17 December 26 John & Karen Ivey
John T. & Elaine García Milton & Joan Cherno
Harry & Suzanne Nagler * December 31
December 19 Bob & Edi Brannon
Lou & Laura Alpern
December 2009/Kislev 5770 Page 5 Messages from the Mountain

Hamakom Y’nachem—May God Bring Comfort...

to Elaine Krasne on the death of her friend, Jill Kreitman.

to Neal Axelrod, Wendy Axelrod, and Iris Sauermilch on the death of wife and mother,
Evelyn Axelrod.

to Bob & Shirley Washer on the death of their brother-in-law, Louis Edelman.
to Lloyd Mark and Janet Keeton on the death of wife and mother, Anita Mark.

Mazel Tov! Congratulations...

to Randee & Lyndon Mansfield on the marriage of their daughter, Melissa, to Shane Poteet.

to Nancy Schwartz on the marriage of her daughter, Jerami Shecter, to Nir Peled.

B’ruchim Haba’im! Welcome New Members...

This month we welcome Andrew Proyect to membership at Temple Mount Sinai. Andrew is
an attorney, and is stationed at Ft. Bliss.

Leaves and Stones on the Temple’s Tree of Life

Do you know that you can honor or remember a loved one with a leaf or a
stone on the Tree of Life? This beautiful work of art is displayed on the
wall in the foyer at Temple just outside the Sanctuary.
For a minimum donation of $300 for a leaf or $3,000 for a stone, the brass
will be engraved according to your instructions and will remain on the
Tree of Life forever. Your donation becomes part of the Foundation Trust
and benefits Temple Mount Sinai in perpetuity.
For more information, contact Sally Parke at the Temple office at 532-5959.
Messages from the Mountain Page 6 December 2009/Kislev 5770

FAÇADES AND FACES –

Our ‘Mitzvah Month’ in the Republic of Belarus

by Rabbi Ken and Sue Weiss During a weekend visit in Vitebsk some 200 miles
Nine time zones away from West Texas, a 15-year- from Minsk, we led Kabbalat Shabbat services. We
old state still echoes Soviet values…in The Repub- also searched the Jewish cemetery and local ar-
lic of Belarus there is an American embassy but no chives for signs of Ken‘s maternal grandfather who
ambassador – he along with 90% of U.S. employees was born in this area in 1887 and migrated to the
have been expelled. Belarus: it‘s west of Russia, U.S. around 1900. Nothing regarding his life has
north of Ukraine, east of Poland, south of Lithua- yet come to light, but a search in the state historical
nia and Latvia…until 1939 it was home to many archives in Minsk continues.
schools of Jewish learning and centers of Jewish Impressions and Reflections…
population: Minsk, Babruysk, Gomel, Grodna,
…Belarus‘ Jewish worship melodies are (90%) the
Vitebsk, Mir, Pinsk, Lida, Mogilev…once the ‗Pale same as ours; the Jewish people we met are warm,
of Settlement,‘ it was the point of departure for
welcoming and dedicated to Judaism; there are
countless Eastern European Jews who made their Jewish kindergartens but the law dictates that they
way to America between 1880 and 1920…
must classified as secular, not religious…the chil-
Minsk, the capitol of Belarus, was our ‗home‘ for dren are gorgeous; there‘s a teenage youth group
the month of October 2009. We served the Pro- called NeTZeR (Reform Zionist Youth) possessing
gressive (=non-Orthodox) Jewish communities of so much spirit, so much music. They‘re NFTY, Bel-
Belarus in the absence of the only liberal rabbi in arus-style…
the entire country. While Rabbi Grisha …very few people we met speak any English.
Abramovich (ordained at London‘s Leo Baeck
Seminary) spent a month of sabbatical in the U.S. – …there are official memorials all over Belarus,
actually in our Boston area condo – we stepped in most recalling deaths at the hands of the Nazis, yet
to provide rabbinic coverage. none mention that most Belarussians before the
war were Jewish(!)
Our Activities
…via email, we worked closely with two Ameri-
Services…teaching…conversion and b‘nai mitzvah
cans (a rabbi and a rabbi‘s widow) who are plan-
lessons, English language assistance; Sukkot…
ning to bring Torah scrolls to two Belarussian com-
Simchat Torah…Shabbat.
munities – Gomel and Lida; the Progressive Jewish
We participated in a retreat bringing together lead- communities in these cities have never had scrolls
ers from 10 of the 15 progressive communities
…Belarus Jews love to ‗toast‘ and do so often –
around Belarus (3 of the 15 are in Minsk, the capi-
with vodka and thoughtful, moving words
tal; the others are in 12 smaller communities, all of
which were predominantly Jewish prior to World …an irony that struck us: we thoroughly enjoyed a
War II and now are home to a few Jews who are wonderful public concert (presented by the Israeli
determined to re-grow Jewish life in their home- Embassy!), featuring an Israeli husband-wife duo
towns). We participated in ‗Hevruta,‘ an annual who played piano magnificently…yet the Belarus-
daylong educational gathering of Minsk‘s Jews sian Jews we met told us they would not wear kip-
held on the JCC campus. (Continued on page 7)
December 2009/Kislev 5770 Page 7
(Continued from page 6)
pot in public…nor did we see a single mezuzah
OUTSIDE any door (inside – in private – yes)…
…the streets of the cities are filled with beautiful
people – young, slim, long-legged (LOTS of very
high heels!), blond; everyone walks – I think we
covered at least 60 miles in our 28 days; the Metro
(=subway) is so efficient – trains every 2-7 minutes,
fast, terribly crowded; 4 escalators were recently
installed in the central Metro stop and, despite
huge crowds, we never saw more than 3 (usually
2!) operate at the same time.
Façades and Faces
In Belarus, public facilities – boulevards, parks,
government buildings, shopping centers, even the
outer walls of virtually every building – are well
maintained, beautifully tended: the first impres-
sion is overwhelmingly positive. But the private
places – inner stairwells, office building hallways
and restrooms – are neglected, decrepit; many of
the places where people live and work are thread-
bare, the buildings neglected. So many ‗officials‘
watch (and record?) as you enter every public
building; so many others rake falling leaves…and
Messages from the Mountain
then rake them again; Façades – while appearing
genuine – only glosses over the inner decay…we‘re
reminded of Hollywood movie sets.
What IS genuine in Belarus are the people…their
faces are candid reflections of the very kind and
generous people they are. The Belarussian Jewish
people whom we met – of all ages – returned our
love and feeling of connection. Their faces, their
eyes, are windows on what is REALLY inside
them…no façades there at all! We KNEW they ap-
preciated our presence and our efforts.
Our hosts in Minsk were Michael Kemerov, Execu-
tive Director of the World Union for Progressive
Judaism in Belarus (age 42) and his wife, Irina (Ira)
Belskaia (age 31). Ira shared this wisdom with us:
‗Yesterday is history,
‗Tomorrow is a mystery,
‗Today is a gift…and that‘s why it‘s called ―the
present‖‘
While we were with the Jews of Belarus, every
‗today‘ was a gift; we knew we were among our
cousins, our people.
Messages from the Mountain Page 8 December 2009/Kislev 5770

Lunch and Learn, December 15 at 11:45 am

Take the opportunity to learn with friends as which the holiday has been shaped in the
our Lunch and Learn series continues on image of those who celebrated it, ―in those
December 15. We‘ll begin at 11:45 am as lunch days‖ and ―at this time,‖ ―over there‖ and
is served; Rabbi Bach will teach from shortly ―here‖ as well.
after noon until 1 pm. Future dates are: December 15, 2009; January
This month‘s session takes place during 19, February 16, March 16, April 6 and May 4,
Chanukah, and our learning will focus on ―the 2010.
Festival of Lights...for Grownups.‖ Best-known Lunches are $10 each. Please send in your
as a ―kiddie‖ holiday of dreydls, gifts and gelt, check if you want to prepay or call Buddy
Chanukah has been mined for meaning by Schwartz at 532-5959 or email him at
Jews in every age. We‘ll explore the ways in bschwartz@templemountsinai.com

Interested in celebrating an Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah? Give Rabbi Bach a call!

Temple Gift Shop Holiday Hours

TAX FREE DAY: Sunday, December 6, 2009—9:30 am
to 1:00 pm —- Also, 30% off selected Fashion Jewelry
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 — 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Wednesday, December 9, 2009 — 3:30 pm to 5:30
pm
Thursday, December 10, 2009 —
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
December 2009/Kislev 5770 Page 9
NFTY-SW Leadership Training Institute Wrap-Up
by Thomas Krapin
After more than six years, El Paso once again
played host to a NFTY-SW regional event:
Leadership Training Institute (LTI) from
October 23-25, 2009! During LTI, the activities
mostly consisted of trainings on how to be an
awesome leader. At the beginning we did a
Mixer, which gave us an opportunity to
introduce ourselves to the group and tell
everyone who we are and what position we
serve within our Temple Youth Group. We
also got to hear some of our regional board
members‘ leadership advice on topics such as,
―Words to Use in Articles,‖ ―How to Attract
New Members,‖ and of course, ―How to Be a
Great Leader!‖
MSTY members who attended this event
were: Nate Benjamin, Kaylen Duran, Leah
Gluck, Thomas Krapin, Carly Levin, Melanie
Shapiro, Daryl Stein, Alex Stein, David Yates,
Meredith Heins, Maddie Goldfarb, and Ben
Puschett. According to all of our members
who attended, ―LTI was a blast and a new
Messages from the Mountain
chance to experience new ways to make our
TYG absolutely amazing. This weekend was
totally worth missing school!‖ Nate Benjamin
states, ―Great Success. Programs were well
thought out, and helped to develop the TYG
board. Social activities lightened the mood.
Oh, and the food was great!‖ And Melanie
Shapiro says, ―The activities were fun!
Friendship circle is the best! And the Native
American drum circle was an educational
experience.‖
So to wrap this up I have to tell you that this
event was the best! Not only the leadership
training but also the social activities were
phenomenal! Getting soaked and playing
laser tag at Bob-o‘s was great, and learning
about how different our cities are was a very
interesting experience. LTI was a great
success, and of course, we couldn‘t have done
this without the great help of Temple Mount
Sinai, Alison Westermann, Stacy Berry, Greta
Duran, Lori Gaman, Rabbi Bach, all our
incredible host families and the NFTY-SW
advisors!
Messages from the Mountain
WRJ News
In November, WRJ members enjoyed a
wonderful mikveh tour and talk event co-
hosted with B‘nai Zion Sisterhood. Thirty-one
women toured the newly renovated mikveh at
the synagogue, where Rabbi Rebecca
Rosenthal taught the group what the ritual
bath can mean to modern Jewish women and
how it can be applied to our contemporary
lives. This tour provided a new experience for
many of the women who had not see the
mikveh before this event. Rabbi Rosenthal
explained that this transformative body of
water can symbolize closure and new
beginnings and encouraged us to use the
mikveh ritual throughout our lives at significant
events.
Our tour was followed by a creative water-
color keepsake art project led by event
coordinator Jenny Meyer, which reinforced the
meaning of the mikveh practice. Our event
ended with a meditation and relaxation session
led by Ellen Goodman, focused on water
Page 10 December 2009/Kislev 5770
imagery. Thank you to Rabbi Rosenthal and
everyone who participated in this event and
helped make it a success.
WRJ has several events in the coming months,
beginning in December with the Canukah
Celebration and Dinner on Friday, December
11, at Temple Mount Sinai. WRJ members will
serve a delicious Canukah dinner after
services. The cost is $18 for adults and $5 for
children 5 to 18 years old (under 5 are free), for
reservations made before December 4.
Reservations made after December 4 will be
$24 and $9 respectively, so don‘t wait! Contact
Buddy Schwartz at Temple at 532-5959 or
bschwartz@templemountsinai.com to make
your reservations today.
In January WRJ will hold its annual game night
at the home of Becky Myers on the first
Tuesday of the month, January 5, at 7:30
p.m. We hope you will join us for dessert, Mah
-Jongg, and other games, as well as help us
plan our social action projects scheduled for
(Continued on page 11)
December 2009/Kislev 5770 Page 11 Messages from the Mountain

February. Social action is an important part of

Jewish life and WRJ members will be preparing
dinner for families living in the YWCA's
Transitional Living Center on Tuesday,
February 2, beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Temple,
and participating in El Paso's Race for the Cure
supporting breast cancer research on Sunday,
February 21. More information regarding these
events will be sent in the mail to members; for
any questions, please email
wrj@templemountsinai.com.

MRJ World Series Pool Results

Here are the results of the 2009 Worlds Series of Baseball Fundraiser! A 3-way tie for 1st
place! Ruth Braun, Terren Klein, and Adrienne Mansfield! A 5-way tie for 4th place! Mark
Fenenbock, Jay Druxman, David Mansfield, Tess Mansfield, and George Elias! Lyndon Mansfield
sold the most tickets. Steve Spivak guessed the total runs. Bill Spier, David Mansfield, and Scott
Feldt each sold a winning ticket. Congratulations to all the participants, as well as the win-
ners. Through your efforts, another child has the opportunity for a camp scholarship. Thank you
for your support of MRJ.

Young Adults of Mount Sinai (YAMS)

Temple‘s newest Chavura (―affinity group‖) is
YAMS — Young Adults of Mount Sinai. Several
energetic members in their twenties and thirties
have begun planning monthly social gatherings
combining Jewish learning and socializing. So
far, they‘ve gathered for ―Torah at Toro‖ in
September, ―Challah and Kabbalah‖ in October,
and ―So You Think You Can Dance?‖ in
November. Each event has had more attendees
than the last, and they‘re just getting started!
This month, the YAMS will gather at TMS
Trustee Hal Marcus‘s Studio/Gallery on
December 8 at 7 pm for an evening of ―Art,
Wine, and the Divine.‖ Hal will speak about his
own work as well as the currently-hanging
exhibit, ―Paint the Town Red,‖ featuring
twenty- eight local artists.
There is no cost for this event. And while the
YAMS are hosting and organizing, those of us
who’ve reached forty are cordially invited to
join for art, wine, and bit of the divine. Please
RSVP to Hedy at 903-244-7989 or:
youngadultsmountsinai@yahoo.com
Messages from the Mountain Page 12
Mitzvah Day, a Huge Success
On Sunday, November 8, we gathered in the
Chapel at 9:30 am. Rabbi led us in T‘filah and
Grace gave an overview of the Mitzvah Day
program. A special treat was a visit from
Gloria, a representative from La Clinica
Guadalupana. Gloria spoke to us regarding
the hardships people in the colonias face on a
daily basis, and which she faced earlier in her
life.
After T‘filah, Morim and Madrichim (teachers
and teaching assistants), as well as some
parents, helped take items donated to the
clinic from the Chapel to the Resource room to
be sorted until pick-up time. Our donations
included: Latex gloves (grades preK-1),
Kleenex (grades 2-3), hand sanitizer (grades 4-
5) and computer paper (grades 6-8).
Additionally students and their families
December 2009/Kislev 5770
donated numerous items (toys, clothes, games,
books, etc.) for our "HiddenTreasures" project.
In addition to the mitzvah of giving to Clinica
Guadalupana, our students took on projects
during the morning. These projects were fun
and meaningful.
· The pre-kinder, kinder and first grade
students (lead by Monica, Shana,
Angela, Carly, Valerie and Mia) worked
on ―Get Well Bags.‖ The students
decorated twenty cloth bags for
children that visit La Clinica
Guadalupana. They put crayons, a
coloring book, a pencil, lollipops, a mini
pinball game, stickers, and biscotti in
each bag.
· The second grade students (lead by
Amissa, Susan Bargemann and Maddie)
learned about ―Staying Healthy‖ and
prepared thirty ―Staying Healthy‖ bags
for TMS families. The bags included
tips for staying healthy, signs of the flu,
and tips for getting better from the
CDC, a small container of tissues, three
disposable thermometers, and small
bottle of sanitizer. The second grade
students created three posters which
included some tips on proper hand-
washing, tips on staying healthy, and
tips on getting better. Three students
were selected to present the
information during the Mitzvah Fair in
Schwartz Hall.
· The third and fourth grade students
(lead by Ellen, Carly Robalin, Leah and
(Continued on page 13)
December 2009/Kislev 5770 Page 13 Messages from the Mountain

(Continued from page 12)

Nate) learned about ―Going Neutral.‖

The students watched a video from
JNF, made posters about planting trees
in Israel to offset carbon emissions, and
set up an educational table in Schwartz
Hall. Three students were selected to
present the ―Going Neutral‖
information on their posters. The
students handed out JNF boxes at the
Mitzvah Fair.
· The fifth and sixth grade students (lead
by Josh, Pinni, Kaylen and Ethan) met
in the parking lot next to Zielonka Hall
and began washing the white chairs we
all use throughout the year.
· The seventh and eighth grade students
prepared awesome Bar/Bat Mitzvah
project displays and presented their
information during the Mitzvah Fair.
The displays included Bar/Bat Mitzvah
Wolfe, Simon Bir, Amissa Burton and JoAnn
projects done in the past and projects
Farley for all their help in the kitchen, Greta
planned for in the near future (Alison
Duran and Buddy Schwartz for helping out
and Sammy Holaschutz supervised).
during the sale and Meredith Heins and Erhen
At 11:45, students, parents, morim and Weiner for creating all the posters for the
madrichim enjoyed learning at the Mitzvah Fair Mitzvah Fair/Taco Sale. As always, we are
and had a great time socializing and eating in grateful to Frank Hernandez for his help
Schwartz Hall. We raised a total of $485 at the during all of our Religious School projects and
Taco Lunch (for tacos, salsa, drinks and events.
yummy treats). The money collected at this
Please take a moment to read the thank-you
fundraiser is in reserved for a ―Special
note from Gloria, on the next page. They were
Religious School Tzedakah Project.‖ The
overwhelmed with our school‘s generosity and
recipient for this project will be announced
very appreciative for all of our help.
during our Cultural Celebration on March 7.
A very special "THANK YOU" to everyone for
More pictures from Mitzvah Day...
their generous donations of time and
resources: we thank the Intebis for donating 48 www.templemountsinai.org/Mitzvah-Day
boxes of surgical gloves, Susan and Cory
Bargeman, the Feldts, Shana Levin, David
Messages from the Mountain Page 14 December 2009/Kislev 5770
December 2009/Kislev 5770 Page 15 Messages from the Mountain

B’nai Shabbat — December 18, 5:15 pm

You and your children are invited to welcome Shabbat at Temple Mount Sinai
during our special B‘nai Shabbat services once a month. B‘nai Shabbat is an
experiential (touch, smell, see ...) Shabbat service conducted on the bimah in the main
sanctuary. At the service we have candle lighting, singing with Rabbi Bach, and
joyful praying. This month...all eight candles of Chanukah!
B‘nai Shabbat families are invited to join the rest of the congregation at 5:45 pm for
our delicious oneg prepared by Simon Bir. Simon always serves snacks that the
children enjoy. Following the oneg, childcare will be available. Parents are invited to
enjoy an adult service beginning at 6:15 pm.
Please join for B‘nai Shabbat Services on Friday, December 18, at 5:15 pm in the main
sanctuary. To RSVP for the services or for more information please contact Alanna
Bach at 532-5959 or abach@templemountsinai.com.
Messages from the Mountain Page 16 December 2009/Kislev 5770

Shalom Hartman Institute in El Paso

“Leadership and Crisis”
The Jewish Federation of El Paso is thrilled to 7. Donniel Hartman: Response to Crisis:
announce that the new Hartman Institute Lecture Reestablishing Moral Awareness
Series on DVD "Leadership and Crisis: Jewish 8. Donniel Hartman: Moving Beyond Crisis:
Resources and Responses," a study program for Reclaiming the Primacy of Ethics
adults with a thirst for substantive Jewish
education will be presented in El Paso.
Bringing the multi-denominational Hartman
Institute‘s world-renowned faculty (hartman.org.il)
to our community, this program will enhance your
knowledge and ability to respond to key questions
facing the Jewish people and contemporary
society.
2009-2010 Study Theme and Scholars
1. Donniel Hartman: Introduction to the Series:
Jewish Responses to Crisis
2. Micah Goodman: The Crisis of Destruction:
The Biblical Prophet Jeremiah
3. Micah Goodman: Personal Crisis and The program will meet for eight-two hour sessions
Theological Audacity: The Book of Job on selected Monday evenings, beginning January
4. Micah Goodman: The Sages of the Talmud and 18. Rabbi Bach, an alumnus of the Hartman in
the Crisis of Authority Jerusalem, will serve as rabbinic facilitator, guiding
5. Melilah Hellner-Eshed: Individual and the conversations that follow each video lecture.
Collective Responses to Crisis: Zohar and Tuition is $36 per person and includes study texts,
Hasidut supplementary readings and havruta study guides
6. Rachel Sabath Beit-Halachmi: God After and a one-year subscription to Shalom Hartman
Auschwitz: Jewish Theological Responses Institute‘s Havruta journal

Please remember to use your key tag each time you shop for groceries
at Albertsons. All you need to do is have the card scanned when you
check out. Temple will earn 1% of your shopping total each time you
scan the card. If you have a card from another organization, you may
scan more than one card and thereby benefit both organizations.

If you need an additional key tag, contact the Temple office.

December 2009/Kislev 5770
Tributes — October 6-November 19
Rabbi Bach Discretionary Fund
in appreciation of Rabbi Larry
Bach by Janet Crowe, Lyndon &
Randee Mansfield, Marc & Pam
Bernat, Marty & Bonnie Colton
in memory of David Goodman by
Jim, Liz & Leah Levy
in memory of Donald S. Klein by
Marty & Jody Klein
in memory of Evelyn Axelrod by
Eric & Rochelle Saks
in memory of Joseph Mansfield by
Sara Mansfield
Campership Fund
in appreciation of Sis & Jay
Druxman by Steve & Eve Riter
in honor of Jim Schwartz's
Birthday by Skip & Teresa
Schwartz, Lee Schwartz & Edi
Brannon
Caring Community Fund
in memory of Bluma & Sam
Hoffman by Larry & Joyce
Anenberg
in memory of Jane Friedman by
Larry & Joyce Anenberg
Choir Fund
in honor of Albert Schwartz's
Special Birthday by Lee Schwartz
in honor of Herbert Schwartz &
Chanukah by Lee Schwartz
Syd Dictor Memorial Fund
in honor of Rona Dictor's Special
Birthday by Marty & Jody Klein
Page 17
in honor of Sara Mansfield's
Special Birthday by Rona Dictor
in memory of Bruce Litt by Rona
Dictor
in memory of Dorothy
Schonberger by Rona Dictor
in memory of Syd Dictor by Rona
Dictor
speedy recovery to Mimi Lait by
Rona Dictor
Falk Youth Fund
in honor of Harvey Falk's Special
Birthday by Bill & Anne Spier,
Marty & Bonnie Colton
Floyd Fierman Religious School
Fund
in honor of Ann & Phil Rothstein's
Special Anniversary by Ron &
Judy Blumenfeld
in honor of Sara Mansfield's
Special Birthday by Bill & Marcia
Dahlberg
speedy recovery to Mimi Lait by
Ruth Oppenheim & Family
Freidman/Bloom/Rothstein
Outdoor Chapel Fund
in honor of Becky & Keith Myers'
daughter engagement by Phil &
Ann Rothstein
in honor of Phil & Ann Rothstein's
Special Anniversary by Bud &
Charlotte Ramenofsky, Rick &
Leslie Otis
in honor of Sis & Jay Druxman's
new home in New Mexico by Idell
Rothstein
Messages from the Mountain
in memory of Tama Bloom & Hy
Rothstein by Jerry Bloom
in memory of Jane Friedman by
Jeff Jacobs
General Fund
in appreciation of Temple Mount
Sinai by Douglas Waters
in appreciation of Temple Mount
Sinai by Raquel Aldama
in appreciation of Sis & Jay
Druxman by Bud & Charlotte
Ramenofsky
in honor of Ann & Tibor
Schaechner's Special Anniversary
by Edward & Evelyn Schwartz
in honor of Jean & Dick
Scherotter's Anniversary by Irene
Oppenheimer
in honor of Ken Given‘s Special
Birthday by Mildred Marcus
in memory of Bruce Litt by Irma
Oppenheim, Bud & Kathie
Amstater Harris
in memory of Jane Friedman by
Arthur & Rhoberta Leeser, Mark &
Dori Fenenbock, Lowell & Shirley
Nussbaum, Bob & Sara Shiloff
in memory of Jeffrey Howard
Weiss by Arthur E. Weiss
in memory of Leslie Levy by
Sylvan & Margie Landau
in memory of Nell J. Schnadig &
Benjamin O. Oliver by Isabel
Schnadig
in memory of William Bromberg
by Joyce Davidoff
(Continued on page 18)
Messages from the Mountain Page 18 December 2009/Kislev 5770

Tributes — October 6-November 19, continued...

speedy recovery to David in honor of Ken Given's Special in honor of Jean & Dick
Metrikin by Irene Oppenheimer Birthday by Marty & Bonnie Scherotter's Special Anniversary
speedy recovery to Julie Colton by Jeanne Moye
Berroteran by Jo Witkoff in honor of Marcia Rubinett's in memory of Cornelius O. Ryan
speedy recovery to Martin Kern Special Birthday by Tibor & Ann by Carl Ryan
by Stanley & Dina Marcus Schaechner in memory of Frank Parker by Jim
speedy recovery to Mimi Lait by in memory of Jill Kreitman by Bill & Carol Parker
Jeff & Wendy Siegel & Anne Spier, Marty & Bonnie in memory of Harold Soule by
Colton Arthur Weiss
in memory of Tham Friedman by in memory of Hilda Weinstein by
L.A. Goodman, Jr. Book Fund
David & Cindy Metrikin Arthur Weiss
in memory of David Goodman by
speedy recovery to Jay Mendeloff in memory of Jerry Cohn by Bruce
Eleanor Goodman
by Bob & Elaine Krasne & Shelly Gopin
in memory of Leonard Goodman
speedy recovery to Mimi Lait by in memory of John Crohn by
by Jim, Elizabeth & Leah Levy
Bob & Elaine Krasne Gloria Crohn
in memory of Olga Bowman by
Isadore Kahn Memorial Fund
Landscaping Fund Arnold & Lila Bowman
in honor of Albert Schwartz's
in honor of Jean & Dick in memory of Phyllis & Herbert
Special Birthday by Bill & Anne
Scherotter's Special Anniversary Shecter by John & Kristine Shecter
Spier
by Marty & Bonnie Colton, Ed & in memory of Sam Balk by Bob &
in memory of Jane Friedman by Lory Oppenheimer, Dick & Toni Shirley Goldfarb
Stuart & Frances Kahn Harris, Joyce Jaffee
in memory of Silvana Assael by
Assael Family
Ruth Kahn & Andrew Kahn Rose Mazon: a Jewish Respose to
speedy recovery to Mimi Lait by
Garden Hunger Jeanne Moye
speedy recovery to Rick Deragisch speedy recovery to Richard Katz
by Jo Witkoff by Charlie & Sue Zaltz
Perpetual Care Fund
in memory of Elayne Bernat by
Krasne Discretionary Fund Novick Campership Fund Marc & Pam Bernat
in honor of Albert Schwartz's in memory of Ruth & Julis Novick
Special Birthday by Marty & by Robert Novick
Bonnie Colton Jo Ann Rothbardt Petersen
Healing Resource Center
in honor of Ann & Tibor
Ethel Oppenheimer Flower Fund in memory of Bruce Litt by Ed &
Schaechner's Special Anniversary
by Bob & Elaine Krasne in honor of Ann & Tibor Lory Oppenheimer
Schaechner's Special Anniversary in memory of Jane Friedman by
in honor of Jean & Dick
by David & Susie Novick Ed & Lory Oppenheimer
Scherotter's Special Anniversary
by Bob & Elaine Krasne
December 2009/Kislev 5770 Page 19 Messages from the Mountain

speedy recovery to David Rothbardt by Bill &

Marcia Dahlberg Coming next month...
Special Oneg or Kiddush
A special Torah Study session with
in memory of Lazar & Lillian Kopilowitz by Bob
Rabbi Bach and Fr. John Stowe,
& Blanche Brown
exploring Jewish-Christian Relations
in honor of Jo Witkoff's family visiting by Jo
Witkoff
through Dabru Emet. This class is held
in memory of Rabbi Michael Signer on
in honor of NFTY LTI by David & Alison
Westermann the occasion of his first yahrzeit.
in memory of Evelyn Axelrod by the Axelrod
January 2, 9:30 am.
Family The Bar Mitzvah of Edward Feldt…
in appreciation of the Choir by Judy & Leon Mazel Tov, Edward! January 16, 10:30
Feldt am.
in memory of Fan & I.B. Goodman and Haim
Lunch and Learn, with the topic: ―You
Ettinger by Gershon & Barbara Ettinger
mean I can be an atheist and still be
in honor of Marcia Dahlberg's Special Birthday
Jewish?‖ January 19, 11:45 am.
by Bud & Charlotte Ramenofsky
in honor of NFTY LTI Group by Stacy Berry Our annual ―Syd Dictor Sing,‖
bringing together Syd‘s friends for
Tree of Life Fund
Havdalah and an evening of folk
music. January 23, 7 pm.
In honor of Judy & Ron Blumenfeld‘s 50th
Wedding Anniversary by Joyce & Larry
Anenberg, Bonnie & Marty Colton, Carolyn &
Shelly Gopin, Elaine & Bob Krasne, Shirley &
Lowell Nussbaum, Jean & Dick Scherotter, Sara
& Bob Shiloff, Anne & Billy Spier, Anne &
Jimmy Spier, Dixie & Tommy Wicker. Reminder

Rabbi Ken & Sue Weiss URJ Campership Please return your 2010
in honor of Sue Weiss' Special Birthay by Marty financial commitment forms
& Bonnie Colton, Peggy Kligman
to the Temple office at your
earliest convenience. Your
Zork Memorial Library Fund
prompt, fair, and generous
in memory of Bruce Litt by Eleanor Goodman,
Rick & Leslie Otis assessments allow us to
maintain a high level of
program and service.
Temple Mount Sinai NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
4408 North Stanton Street U.S. Postage
El Paso, TX 79902 PAID
EL Paso TX
Phone: 915-532-5959 Permit No. 1386
Fax: 915-533-0092
www.templemountsinai.org

Mailing Address

Staff
Rabbi .................................................................... Larry Bach
Rabbi Emeritus ..................................................... Ken Weiss
Administrator ...................................................... Sally Parke Temple Mount Sinai is the Reform
Administrative Assistant ........................... Buddy Schwartz
Religious School Director....................................... Grace Bir Jewish congregation serving El
Outreach Director............................................... Susan Jaffee
Family Educator ................................................Alanna Bach Paso, Texas.
Youth Advisors ..........Stacy Berry and Alison Westermann
Building Manager..................................... Frank Hernandez We are a congregation of
House Keeping ............................................ Ramona Pinales
Accompanist .................................................. Linda McClain supportive, caring and diverse
people with a rich history.
Officers
David Kern ............................................................. President
Shari Schwartz ............................................... President-Elect
Temple is a place for prayer, ritual,
Marian Daross ................................................ Vice President
Greta Duran .................................................... Vice President
spirituality, education, wholeness
Ellen Goodman............................................... Vice President
Jon Sonnen ...................................................... Vice President
and healing, social action and
Tommy Goldfarb ............................................ Vice President
Stephanie Calvo...................................................... Secretary
celebration.
Marcia Dahlberg.......................... Immediate Past President
Join us as we explore, through these
Trustees
Rick Amstater, Olivia Chavez, Joyce Davidoff, elements of sacred living, the
Scott Feldt, Lori Gaman, Susie Goldman,
Jack Heydemann, David Leffman, richness of Jewish faith and
David Mansfield, Hal Marcus, David Novick
Debby Robalin, Nancy Rothschild, Phil Rothstein tradition.