null
TES Weekly
December 2 - 9, 2014    

Rabbi's Message

12/2/14  -  10 Kislev 5775    

 

 

This morning I awoke early and had more time than usual before coming to shul for our Wednesday morning meditation. I let out our chickens, and they emerged tumbling and squawking out of their coop. Looking out through our kitchen window, I could see a large tree on B Street, bare now of any leaves, but in first light covered with birds, maybe three dozen, shadows against the grey sky. I walked outside and saw a large black rabbit, who has been living in the neighborhood the last few weeks. Driving down East Main past Willow Wind, I got to see the usual cavalcade of deer. So many animals out in first light, greeting the dawn.

 

Winter is a time of waiting. Psalm 130 has within it the wonderful verse - "I am more eager for the Lord than watchmen for the morning, than watchmen for the morning." The image of someone on the night watch waiting for the dawn - and this being likened to how we long for, or anticipate the Divine - has long been an important one for me, and every winter solstice season it takes on more weight. How do we wait for the dawn, how do we greet the dawn? Who - human or animal - shares the waiting with us?

 

And then after our sit, checking e-mail I read Galway Kinnell's poem, "Wait" (via Garrison Keilor's Writer's Almanac), which seemed to contain within it similar advice:  "Wait, for now. Distrust everything if you have to. But trust the hours. Haven't they carried you everywhere, up to now?" 

 

This Saturday morning is a special Shabbat Simcha. Nancy Pagani will be presenting her "Visual Midrash," a wonderful series of vestments honoring the matriarchs. Join us to experience and hear about this beautiful and important work. We'll begin as always with Torah Study at 9:00am, and we'll conclude the morning service with a potluck vegetarian lunch, so please bring a dish to share.

 

There is also much happening this Sunday. Among other things, you can come to shop at our TES Hanukah Fair, which will begin at 10:00am. In the midst of it all, 11:00am will be our New Member Brunch.  Please call the office at (541) 488-2909 for more details. 

     

 L'shalom,

 

 



Rabbi Joshua Boettiger
Upcoming Services
Torah Study
Saturday, December 6, 9:00 AM

Shabbat Simcha
Saturday, December 6, 10:00 AM
followed by potluck lunch

This Week at TES
Jewish Meditation every Wednesday at 8:00AM
Midrash Class every Thursday at 6:00PM
Announcements
Message from the Dues Committee  
Dear TES Members,
We have received dues pledges from about 75% of member families, and for this we are very grateful.

If you have NOT yet sent in your dues pledge, please do so as soon as possible. TES relies on your dues pledge -- and eventual payments -- for budgeting the extensive programming that so greatly benefits our entire community. If we have not heard from you, we will be contacting you shortly to secure your pledge.

If you have any questions, please check with our bookkeeper at the Temple office, or call any of us on the Dues Committee.  


Message from Judd Robbins, Casino Night Chair 

Your Temple Needs Your Help in January.

TES does not explicitly ask for your help very often, but next month is one of those times.

 

Casino Night on April 18, 2015 is our major source of revenue. Help us pay the bills, keep the kvelling and noches fresh, and share the work among everyone who values our values and our Synagogue. We need 1-2 hours assistance from each of you in January. Come to our preparatory meeting at 1pm on Sunday, December 14th at TES and I'll explain the possible tasks. Thank you.

 

 
Special Shabbat Simcha, Dec. 6
On December 6, at the Shabbat Simcha service, Nancy Pagani will be presenting  "Visual Midrash." We know a bit about the Matriarchs, but we don't know how they moved through their lives. How did they fit into their roles? What were they thinking? Feeling? Can we develop new midrash? Can we broaden our understanding of the lives of these women? Pagani has spent the last year and a half exploring these questions. The result is a series of vestments honoring the matriarchs. Please come to help honor the mothers.

Message from Evie Strauss, co-chair of Social Justice Action Committee re: Shabbat Simcha, December  6 
The speaker for the December Shabbat Simcha service will be Tammi Pitzen, the Executive Director of the Children's Advocacy Center. The Advocacy Center is dedicated to helping troubled children and their families.

Though there are several organizations in the Rogue Valley that are dedicated to helping children, they don't overlap or compete. On the contrary, they cooperate, work together and are essential to the health and welfare of our community.  Come to the service on December 6 to find out how the Advocacy Center does its part. 
 

   

 
Hanukah Fair and TES Gift Shop Sale, December 7, 10:00AM - 2:00PM
The gift shop will be set up in the lobby of the Temple on Sunday, December 7 from 10:00AM - 2:00PM. It is a Shul School day as well as the occasion of the new member welcome brunch, so it will be a lively morning at our Shul! We have ordered a lot of great, new items including candles (Chanukah, Shabbat, Havdalah, beeswax), tzedakah boxes and more!  We have added some unique as well as traditional jewelry (nice for teens and adults), toys and games for kids. Of course we will be selling Hanukah items (dreidels, gelt, menorahs, cards, gift wrap, books, music). There will also be venders selling their beautiful wares in the Temple. Please come and do your Hanukah shopping at Temple Emek Shalom and support your community! Thank you.  




Hanukkah Party, December 20, 4:00PM - 7:00PM
Come celebrate the 5th night of Hanukkah at TES! 
Arts and crafts for children, Havdallah ceremony, Hannukiah lighting (please bring your own with six candles), potluck dinner (please contribute a vegetarian casserole, salad or dessert to share) a clown and a storyteller for all ages. Suggested donation of $10-$20 per family to help cover costs.

We need 3 volunteers to help Anna Werblow make lots of latkes in the kitchen at TES Saturday before the party. If you would like to help with this all-ages event, please contact Susan Aaronson at  541-292-0062 or [email protected].  
   
          
Shabbat Simcha, January 3 & Owen Grush Birthday
Please join us in celebrating Owen Grush's blessed 75th birthday on Saturday, January 3 at Temple Emek Shalom, 10:00AM at the Shabbat Simcha services. After services all are invited to a catered oneg hosted by the Grushes to continue the celebration.  We hope you can join us on this very happy day. Please RSVP to Ellen Grush by December 19 at 541-482-0762 or [email protected]


The Hearth Storytelling Project Returns with our own Rabbi Boettiger as one of the storytellers!
Best of The Hearth Holiday Gathering, Thursday, December 11, 7:30PM
Join your neighbors as the The Hearth: Real Stories by Regular Folks presents Best of The Hearth Holiday Gathering on Thursday, December 11th from 7:30 to 9:30pm at Temple Emek Shalom in Ashland. We have recruited some of our best storytellers to share true tales on the theme "All in the Family." Storytellers include Michael Fitzgerald, Mary Landberg, Joshua Boettiger, Mark Yaconelli, Lorraine Cook, and Juliet Grable.  Hosted by Mark Yaconelli with music by Wendi Stanek, Duane Whitcomb and friends. Proceeds to benefit The Hearth Community. Mulled wine, spiced cider, and homemade treats. Cost is $10 suggested donation.  For more information go to www.thehearthcommunity.com.
 

Artist of the Month 

Avinoam Zohar's glasswork is now featured in the TES Showcase. The Showcase contains a wide variety of different types of hand blown glass and fused glass. Come look at the beautiful menorah, a myriad of mezuzot, holiday plates and bowls, and more. All these glass pieces glow from within, infused with light.

Zohar Glassworks creates hand-crafted, collectible Art Glass Creations, specializing in functional and unique contemporary work and exquisite Judaica. The essence of Art Glass is "Zohar" meaning "light, radiance, and luminescence" in Hebrew.

Zohar Glassworks is proud to have work displayed in many galleries and private collections across the United States, Canada, Europe and Israel. They specialize in using the highest quality materials and workmanship, allowing their glassworks to be passed down, generation to generation.       

 
 

   

Member News TES members, don't be shy. Please send us your news, accomplishments, joyous events, etc. for us to put in the monthly newsletter to share with the congregation. Please contact Kathy at the office at 541-488-2909 or [email protected].              
      
Honor Family and Friends with a Gift to TES
You can easily and quickly make donations to all funds, to remember and honor family, friends and loved ones. Visit the donation page and see the possibilities. Click here  
Adult Education

Rabbi's Tisch Series, second class on Dec. 13

Simon Schama's  The Story of the Jews was published this past year to great acclaim (and some controversy). Join us for two more Saturday evening classes (held as part of the ongoing "Rabbi's Tisch" series) on December 13th, and January 10th,  5:00 - 6:15 pm.

 

In preparation for the class, please read the book in advance, if possible.

Social Action Opportunities
 
Calling All Soup Chefs!
If you enjoy making soup, and would like to help out with food being provided to the Food Bank on weekday mornings, please contact Pat O'Scannell at [email protected] or (541) 482-9757 to join in a rotation of every two weeks or once per month. Your efforts will be greatly appreciated!

 
Business Sponsors



Medicare Specialist


Quick Links

Services This Week


Torah Study
Saturday, December 6
9:00AM

Shabbat Simcha
Saturday, December 6
10:00AM
followed by potluck lunch

 

 
Temple Emek Shalom | 541-488-2909 | http://emekshalom.org


Copyright � 2013. All Rights Reserved.