TEMPLE OF AARON'S MONTHLY NEWSLETTER Temple of Aaron Lunch and Learn

16 Pages·2013·2.22 MB·English

Aaronion
The

TEMPLE OF AARON’S MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
616 S. Mississippi River Blvd. • St. Paul, MN 55116-1099
[phone] • www.templeofaaron.org
Vol. 89 • No. 2 October 1, 2013 27 Tishri 5774
Anderson Cooper Helps Temple of Aaron Pay Tribute to Temple of Aaron
Leadership Exhibited by Edward Paster & Richard Shaller
Lunch and Learn
Sunday, November 3, 2013

Saturday, November 2nd
after Services

Featuring
Rabbi Capers Funnye

These two men loved Judaism and strengthened our local community with
business acumen, guidance and generosity. They also worked to improve our
national and international Jewish communities.

We are selling tickets and creating a special Tribute Journal. There are 3 VIP

Packages which entitle you to attend a private cocktail reception with Anderson

Cooper. The fourth package is already sold out. The packages provide reserved

tickets and a full Tribute Journal page to share appreciation for the community

work performed by Edward Paster and Richard “Dick” Shaller.

Let’s review the details describing the Tribute Journal to honor
two special community leaders and the sponsorship packages.

We have an October 15 Tribute Journal Deadline so act now.

VIP Packages: $5,000 (12 reserved tickets, 1 Journal page and private reception)

$2,500 (6 reserved tickets, 1 Journal page and private reception)
Capers C. Funnye, Jr. is rabbi and
$1,500 (4 tickets, 1 Journal page and private reception)
spiritual leader of Beth Shalom B’nai

Special: $500 (2 reserved tickets plus one-half Journal page) Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation,
$300 (2 reserved tickets plus one -quarter page) located in Chicago. Rabbi Funnye
$200 (2 general admission tickets and one-eighth page) earned a Bachelor of Arts in Hebrew
$100 (single line in Journal) Literature and rabbinic ordination from
the Israelite Board of Rabbis, Inc.,
Ticket Only: $100 = one reserved ticket
Queens, NY. Rabbi Funnye also earned
$50 = one general admission ticket
a Bachelor of Arts degree in Jewish
$18 = one student general admission ticket.
Studies and Master of Science in

Chairs Lisa Lane ([email protected], 612-860-8085) and Michael Saxon Human Service
([email protected], 612-335-5693) are thrilled to lead this Administration
blockbuster evening and want to help you select VIP Packages. Executive Director from Spertus
Ken Agranoff ([email protected], 651-698-8874 ext 106) can help Institute of
you with all ticket levels. Joshua Fineblum ([email protected], Jewish Studies,
651-698-8874 ext 103) is designing the Tribute Journal which has an October 15, Chicago, IL.
2013 deadline, so please act now.
From the Rabbi’s Desk . . .

Home is Where . . .
Thank you to everyone who helped make Assistant Susan Tervola for amazing
this year’s High Holydays so participatory work this year coordinating the Selihot
and meaningful. Home is where our Art Show. Director of Informal Education/
talents are shared, creating a stronger Marketing Mark Gulner helped with
community. Selihot, supervised all High Holyday
youth activities, and did the majority of
I had the honor to share the bemah with
work creating this year’s stunning
Rabbi Jeremy Fine again this year. The
programming book, sharing all the ways
permanent Cantor Search process is
members can connect to the synagogue.
underway and in the interim we created

a unique Bemah Team featuring two A special thank you to the artists who
members of the congregation in the shared their works: Tracey Agranoff, Judy
Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein
Cantorial position: Jennifer Schwartz and Freeman, Robin Getsug, Rubin and
651-698-8874 ext. 111
Mark Divine, who worked closely with Esther Kaplan family, Anita White, Julia
Email:
and sang alongside highly-experienced Vaynerman, and the Sisterhood Gift
[email protected]
Cantor Arthur Shragg. Shop. During the service, we awarded
Twitter:
the Ner Tamid volunteer of the year
A special thanks to Wendy Kane who @RabbiAlanSL
award to Phyllis Brody. Mazal Tov to her
expertly arranged Torah reading for the Facebook:
and her supportive family.
High Holydays for the past 22 years. We facebook.com/alan.shavitlonstein

greatly appreciate her consistency, We were blessed to be joined by our Weekly Torah:
quality and attention to detail. The choir. Many thanks for years of hard work templeofaaron.org
congregation was blessed to have four and dedication to Choir Director Tom
members speak during the Second Day Bartsch and members: Betty Agranoff, building is maintained by Bill Jorke and
of Rosh Hashanah on their view on Amy Miller-Stern, Jennifer Schwartz, Ellie his staff: Todd Jones, Todd Schmidt, Jim
home: Susan Tervola, Malka Goodman, Bier, Marsha Schwartz, Shirley Rosen- Markus.
Steve Baldinger and Melissa Ginzburg. blum, Naveh Shavit-Lonstein, Hugh
Jim Berg and Jason Divine blew shofar
At the same service, Emilee Skadon Gitlin, Jerry Schwartz, Howard Bell,
for us. Thank you to Janet, Samantha
shared the song Home with us. We Michael Bell, and George Bier.
and David Zylberberg for taking care of
greatly appreciate all of their
Thank you to Lindsay Berg for her help babysitting during services in our Jacob
participation.
again this year leading the Young Family Locke Room.

As in past years, we relied on the and Youth services on both Rosh
Thank you all. May 5774 be a year of joy,
expertise of Ritual Coordinator Larry Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
and may we all find our home in this
Eisenstadt and volunteer Terry Zien to
The excellent redesign on the website community.
coordinate member participation during
was a team effort driven by Director of
the services. Lindsay Berg, Evana
Education and Community Life Josh
Kvasnik and Michelle Perle ran High OCTOBER WEDDING
Fineblum with professional outside
Holyday Youth Programming for
assistance. ANNIVERSARIES
elementary age students. Volunteer

Usher Coordinators Neil Gitlin, Ron Miller Thank you also to Executive Director Ken We display every 5 years and all
and Harlan Stern led a seamless effort to Agranoff, Business Manager Shelley anniversaries of more than 50 years
keep crowd control flowing. Diamond, Office Administrator Kim בוט לזמ
Thomey, Susie Haim, Administrative
Essential work goes on behind the
Assistant for Education and Youth, Part-
scenes to ensure that the services run
Time Kitchen Supervisor, Svetlana
smoothly. Thanks to Ritual/Clergy
Kazistova, and Tanya Soroka. The 5 Elena and Justin Samuels
5 Jackie and Joshua Kaplan
15 Inna and Gennadiy Averbakh
20 Esther and Jay Goldberger
25 Layne and David Rosen
Check out our newly-revamped website at templeofaaron.org 25 Roz and Yoav Segal
Website includes: 30 Barb and Phil Mednick
Information about events - Weekly blog from Rabbi Shavit-Lonstein 50 Lynn and Buddy Abramson
59 Gracia and Merrill Kuller
Updated calendar for all areas of programming
60 Riva and Lou Polansky
Volunteer and giving opportunities - Membership information
60 Gertruda and Yefim Milshteyn
And more.... Check us out and let us know what you think!
63 Sana and Dmitriy Bubar
2 65 Geri and Milt Blumenfeld
3
Department of Informal Education
The Unaffiliated
Mark Gulner, Director of Informal Education & Marketing

Prior to the High Holydays I, along with several other colleagues, had the opportunity
to participate in a Listening Session that was put on by the Jewish Federation of
Greater St. Paul. When asked how an institution can increase membership many
people spoke about a large group known as “The Unaffiliated.” The Unaffiliated
identify as being Jewish but do not currently belong to any synagogue. There are a lot
of them and if we could find them, attract them and then get them to pay dues we
would certainly increase membership.

After the listening session I spent some time thinking about how we could attract this
group of The Unaffiliated. How could we market to this group who we know a lot
about? How could we attract this group who are involved in the Federation, who
support JFCS, who are alumni of camps Ramah, Herzl and Chi, and many of whom
already have family as members of a synagogue?

Mark Gulner On Rosh Hashanah I realized that I was asking the correct questions but focusing on
the wrong group. I was concerned with whom I could get in the door and was
Director of Informal Education
forgetting who already walked through. The full sanctuary reminded me that many of
& Marketing
our members currently are coming only for the High Holydays. Upon this realization
[email protected] the question then became not how I can reach out to The Unaffiliated but rather how
651-698-8874 ext. 115 can I reach out to our current members. Get them to come to one more event, one
more class, one more speaker or scholar or play or fundraiser.

Attention all This year at services many of you saw the Annual Programming Booklet. If you did not
get a copy you can find one on the new website. Look through it, find one program
that piques your interest and then make a commitment to come by RSVPing now. If
9-12 Graders you look through the book and find nothing that interest you please contact me
directly with a suggestion of what might. If we can get you to join for one program
membership will grow quicker, programs will be better and the Temple of Aaron will
be stronger.
Kinnus is Coming!
If you RSVP for any Temple of Aaron program October 1 through November 1 and
there is a cost associated with that program we will give you $2 off if you attend.
November 28

thru Selihot Spray Paint Success
September 1
Kansas City, MO
Applications are out and
available at www.emtza.org
or stop by and
see Mark Gulner in the
youth office. TUSY partnered with local non-profit Juxtaposition Arts to create a piece of “Street Art”
for the Fink Youth Lounge. The students first learned about the art of graffiti from our
All of your friends from
artist, Drew Peterson, and then together created a mural focused around the Second
Day Rosh Hashanah theme “Home is Where….” Stop by the Fink Youth Lounge next
Israel, Ramah and Herzl will
time you are in the building and check out this one-of-a-kind piece of art.
be there! Don’t miss out.
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Lilmod U’lilamed — “To Teach and to Learn”- Pirkei Avot
דמללו דמלל
Home is where we can come together as a community. As we have begun the school
year in amazing fashion, I wanted to thank the confirmation class and their families
for making the pancake breakfast a great success. I also wanted to thank program
coordinator Wendy Oskey with assistance from Barb Weil along with all of our
teachers and special guests for making the first day of school and Sukkot festival fun
for all who participated. These types of programs are just the beginning of what we
have in store for this new year of family programming for our families and entire
community.

As we expand these programs we need your help and participation in order to have
the best product. Please continue to take advantage of all of our community and
family education programming throughout the year continuing this month with our
second grade family education program about tzedakah and community-wide concert
and workshops at Mount Zion.
Joshua Fineblum
Be on the lookout for information about all of our programming as the year goes on.
Director of Education

& Community Life I also wanted to thank out friend Ilana Voladarsky and our new partnership with her
and the work she does for the Russian-American community of St. Paul. We have
[email protected]
begun to do more programming together including our Simhat Torah dinner and
651-698-8874 ext. 103
celebration and are looking forward to an amazing Hanukah program on Wednesday,
Midat Hachodesh: December 4.

Having partners in the community is so important and this is just the beginning of a
Shmirat Ha-Guf —
reinvigorated relationship.
Taking Care of One’s Body

As we have just begun the reading Looking forward to seeing all of you at our next events!
the cycle of the Torah I am reminded
of the term Shmirat Ha-Guf (caring for
Youth And Family Education Programming
one’s body) which stems for the idea
of B’ztelem Elokim, made in the October 11-12 5th/6th Grade Shabbaton at Camp Butwin
image of God. Being made in God’s
image that every human life is holy October 27 2nd Grade Family Education:
and should be taken care of each
Tzedakah a charitable way of giving
day. We should strive to guard our
bodies each day from harm as October 30 Community Concert at Mount Zion
Judaism itself is a religion of the body.
The body itself is the way we
communicate with something greater New Shabbat Programming:
than us through what we eat and
As part of our new initiatives for the year we will be having programming every single
through our physical action. “By the
Shabbat for some segment of our youth population along with a special dessert or
sweat of your brow shall you get
luncheon. Please mark your calendars and become a part of this amazing new
bread to eat” (Genesis 3:19). The
programming on Shabbat mornings throughout the year. For questions or ideas on
Medieval commentator, the Kli Yakar,
what we can do to make Shabbat programming meaningful and special for everyone
under-stands “the sweat of your
please contact Rabbi Shavit-Lonstein, Rabbi Jeremy Fine or Joshua Fineblum.
brow” to mean that one should also
work and exercise with regard to October:
food. We shall only eat certain things
5 Tot Shabbat
per the Laws of Kashrut and In Eruvin
65a of the Babylnian Talmud “Rabbi 11 Prayers in PJs and Got Shabbat Dinner
Judah said: The night was created for 12 2nd-4th Grade Program
no other purpose than sleep.” It is our
19 Tot Shabbat with Wiggle, Jiggle and Jam Birthday Shabbat
job as the year has begun to think
and Visions Shabbat
about caring for ourselves making
26 My Baby & Me and Sundae Bar
sure that we are ready to face each
day with strength as we guard our Local College Shabbat
bodies each day. How many hours of
sleep did you get last night? 5
6
Announcing New Jewish
The Dialogue Series Presents
Federation of Greater St. Paul
Shlicha, Ris Arbel
The Birthright Problem:
Can Judaism Exist For Free?
Date: Wednesday, October 9th
The new Israeli Emissary (Shlicha) to the Time: 8-9pm
Jewish Federation of Greater St. Paul is
Ris Arbel, a 24-year-old young and
Join Rabbi Fine and your fellow Temple of
energetic educator, who lived in Kfar
Tavor, a northern Moshava in the lower Aaron members at the home of Steve and Michelle
Galilee in Israel and part of our
Shaller for Temple of Aaron’s
partnership region before joining us in
September. DIALOGUE series. Everyone is welcome!

Ris is a professional tour guide who
Limited Spots Available
specialized in Jerusalem for the past six
years, two of them as Deputy RSVP by October 2nd to
Commander of the Education Corps at
[email protected]
IDF, placed in the Jewish Quarter of the
Old City. Two years ago she volunteered
to work with Jewish-American teenagers
at Camp Ramah of Wisconsin, and most FEEDing the Fund
recently she headed an Israeli teen
delegation to Tulsa, Oklahoma. On an
academic level, Ris is studying to obtain
Thank you to our gracious recent sponsors of our NEW
her BA in History and Management.
Shabbat Kiddush Fund. Our first Shabbat with our NEW
Ris is very excited to be a part of this
Kiddush Luncheon welcomed over 90 people who schmoozed,
great community of St. Paul and looking
forward to meeting all community ate, and enjoyed Shabbat together.
members and working together.
Ris can be reached at the St. Paul
Federation office or via email at

[email protected].

Skadrons Select Shabbat

Lunch and Learn

Temple of Aaron is very lucky to have
families create permanent endowments
and select areas to support with the
annual interest income. The Dr. Stanley

C. and Nancy M. Skadron Family
Rabbi Jeremy and Jessica Fine in honor of Annie Fine’s 1st Birthday
Endowment has decided to support our

successful Lunch & Learn series. Look Ernie and Martha Gulner in honor of the birth of Henry Gulner
for the upcoming speakers/topics and
Dan and Jodi Saltzman
join us to make your Shabbat more
meaningful and relaxing.
7
Help Those Who Need

Food Shelf Every Week

Temple of Aaron Goes to the Theatre
Sunday, October 13

Rabbi Shavit-Lonstein will lead a “Shabbat” style dinner at 5:30pm at
Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company before their production of
“A Strange and Separate People” at 7:00pm.

Dinner is $15 and the special Temple of Aaron
ticket price for the show is $15.

RSVP required to [email protected] by October 3.
Help us make progress in the statewide
fight against hunger. Support our food

shelf! You can leave food at the syna-

gogue. You can use our website and

make an online donation. You can mail

a check to chair person Harriet Levy and

she will mail a card for a celebration,

get well or condolence.
On October 13th the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism is hosting their
Centennial Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. Amongst many speakers is our
very #own Rabbi Jeremy Fine who will be on a panel with Adath Jeshurun Cemetery:
Congregation’s Rabbi Aaron Weininger on the topic “50 Shades of Growth:
Make Advance Plans
Engaging the Hearts and Souls of our 20s and 30s.” For more information visit their
to Save Family Pressure
website www.uscj100.org/about/uscjs-centennial/

Schedule a private

15-minute meeting
Imagine Yourself Shaping The Future
with Executive
Planning for Tomorrow Starts Now Director Ken
Agranoff (651-698-
Each of us likes interesting programs with people we know, like and respect.
8874, ext 106).
Many people work to make Jewish continuity a reality. We practice rituals and
Look at cemetery
holidays at home. We volunteer time at different Jewish organizations. We mail
maps, review
checks to various Jewish organizations. We support summer camping and
location options,
programs in Israel. As a religious minority promoting the belief in one God and Ken Agranoff
and learn about
strong values, it takes more focused work for each Jewish institution to remain
payment choices. We designed a pol-
vibrant, relevant and financially solid. Consider creating an enduring legacy at
icy decades ago where members and
Temple of Aaron with a special gift. You can create an endowment for $5,000.
non-members can make cemetery

The key factor in making a gift is wanting to make a difference. Rabbi Shavit- reservations. This policy enables
Lonstein and Executive Director Ken Agranoff are prepared to meet with you to families to reserve multiple graves
explore ideas. There are numerous ways to transfer the money so check with your and be together for eternity. Please
financial advisors. Each of us can make a difference so let’s explore our exciting note the current policy welcomes
future at the Temple of Aaron. mixed faith members to select graves.
Let’s Recruit and Revitalize Temple of Aaron One Member at a Time
Temple of Aaron has been located in Highland Park since 1956. our community. We provide Social Justice programs to help repair
Membership has increased and decreased. We are encouraging the world, locally, nationally and internationally. We create
everyone to recruit one new member. We provide education for affordable plans for people from ages 20 to 102 to financially
adults, children and teens. We provide community prayers on support a synagogue that helps our community 365 days per year.
Shabbat, holidays, and daily minyanim. We design ceremonies
Contact Executive Director Ken Agranoff 651-698-8874 ext 106,
for weddings, bris, baby naming, bar/bat mitzvah, confirmations,
or email [email protected] to explore affiliation
and conversions. We support people with funerals and shivas.
and help us build a bright future. A strong Temple of Aaron helps
We provide Shabbat meals and seders for Passover and Tu
maintain a strong St Paul Jewish community.
B’Shevat. We provide Sisterhood and Men’s Club for those
looking to join organizations to build friendships while helping
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Phyllis Brody Earns
Ner Tamid Award
Our Board of Directors and Keruv
Committee (Chair is Dave Rosner)
selected Phyllis as the 10th recipient of
this award recognizing a long history of
volunteerism helping Temple of Aaron.
Previous Awardee Marcia Taple made
the formal presentation at our Selihot
Service where Phyllis was surrounded
by many family members. Highlights
include Phyllis serving two different
terms as Sisterhood president, serving
as Midwest branch president, ran food
committee for Israel EXPO in 1976
School Annual Campaign
which earned much national acclaim,
helped create, train, contract and
Help generate funds that are used to bridge the gap between
operate a new kitchen catering option
tuition and the full cost of each student’s education. for members for a decade in the 1970s
and 1980s, and continues to volunteer
Contributions to the campaign are a powerful endorsement of a in the Gift Shop as she has for 35 years.
Mazal tov to Phyllis for helping make
Temple of Aaron education and provide funding to:
Temple of Aaron a welcoming institution
• Ensure Academic Excellence where members build relationships
pursuing prayer, education, social
• Enhance Jewish Identity justice and socialization.
• Provide Financial Assistance
One hundred percent participation is the annual goal and gifts of HESHVAN BANNER: In memory of Ben
all sizes from $18 to $1800 are welcome as every gift counts. Mirsky by wife, Rose Mirsky. Titled
“Book” (Tony Lee Design). It honors
Be a part of this effort and email Jewish Book Month and the book
represents a person's intellectual
[email protected] today!
opportunity to fly.
9
Thank You Todah Rabah הבר הדות

Thank you (todah rabah) to those listed below who supported our
Yahrzeit Fund in memory of loved ones with donations of $10 or more

August 2013 Av-Elul 5773
Allen, Jeffrey & Carol Greenberg, Dr. Richard Marvy, Bob & Florie
Baldinger, Estelle Greenberg, Lee & Barbara Meerovich, Gedaly
Banet, June & Reed Grobovsky, Nancy & Rick Patterson, Esther & family
Behr, Dick & Bev Jerson, Francine & Sidney Pogoler, Barbara
Berde, Doris Kamin, Evelyn Rafowitz, Sam
Bernstein, Don & Paula Kaminsky, Beverly Rosen, Irvin
Blumstein, Ethel & family Kanivetsky, Rozita Rubenstein, Bob
Blumstein, Sterling Kaplan, Burleigh Rubin, Paula
Blyakher, Sima Kaplan, Sue & Harvey Rutzick, Randy & Sheryl
Bubar, Sana & Dmitriy Katz, Connie & Harry Savage, Edith
Drucker, Harold Khaye Garbuz Scherzer, Margie
Eisenstadt, Larry & Linda N. Kislyuk, Alexsandra Sher, Cantor Steven
Feldman, Kayleen & family & Yakov Tselniker Shneur, Grigoriy
Fishman, Georgia Klein, Marion & E. Gary Simes, Josephine
Our deep and sincere
Geller, Rosie & Loren Kopilenko, Boris Tilsner, Ryvelle
sympathy to the families Gochberg, Peter & Alexander Tovares Family
of the following members Gokhberg, Raisa Kushner, Susan Tragar, C.A.
Goldberg, Sharleen Levey, Annette Udodovsky, Mira
who have passed away
Goldman, Irene Lewine, Mike & Rachel Upin, Bernice & family

Arnold Goldman Goldstein, Carol Lifson, Helen & Ron Usem, Harriet & Arnold
Gordon, Frank & Cookie Lyons, Stephen, Patti Walter, Beverly
Rekhuma Grinshtat
Gordon, Herman & family
Leonid Suvid
Prayer Helps Celia Goldetsky Reach Her 102nd Birthday
Michael “Mike” Winston

A Memorial Plaque
Has Been Displayed for

Hymen “Whitey” Simes
Shirley Labovitch
Esther Kaufman
הבר הדות

. . . to Betty Agranoff, Burt Katz, Toni
Bernabei and Anita Ernst for adding
address labels to over 1,000
Aaronions to help keep our community
fully informed.
. . . to Harlan Stern for preparing
hundreds of High Holyday Appeals — Burt Katz and Joel Levenson are pictured enjoying a meal with Ceil who recently
cards and envelopes. celebrated another milestone birthday at our 6 pm evening minyan in Leifman Chapel
. . . to Shlicha Ris Arbel for delivering led by Ritual Coordinator Larry Eisenstadt. Both Rabbi Shavit-Lonstein and Rabbi Fine
her dvar Torah. attended the service to support Ceil, and some experts say regular prayer plays a
role for a long life. Thank you to Celia Goldetsky for proving that theory! Her family
honored her again by sponsoring a September Sunday morning Men’s Club breakfast.
10