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Kol Ha'Emek   
              August 2016
              Tammuz - Av 5776  
 

In This Issue
Quick Links
Membership

Do you have friends or family interested in services or events at TES, or interested in membership? Please have them contact the office at (541) 488-2909 or [email protected], or send us their name and address and we will be happy to send out an informational packet.

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TES now has a Facebook page. Be sure to visit the page and "Like" us.
Education
Shul School

Shul School is on summer break. See you in the fall!

Adult Education

EXPLORING JUDAISM  (based on Derekh Torah) a 12-week introduction to Judaism class.         September 6-December 6, 2016, Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30PM
In this 12 week series, a rich introduction to Judaism will be provided for: Jews who seek a deeper connection with Judaism, non-Jews who wish to understand Judaism more deeply, and those who are studying for conversion to Judaism. Through Jewish texts, class lectures, and discussions, we will study Jewish history, ethics, holidays, life cycles, Bible, Israel, anti-Semitism, the Holocaust, and more. Our teachers will be Rabbi Joshua Boettiger, Rabbi Vanessa Boettiger, Rabbi Ken Ehrlich, Emmanuel Ben-David and Rabbi Jackie Brodsky.

The cost for members will be $195 per person with a discount for couples at $295 per couple (can be study partners sharing books). The fee includes $75 for books. For non-members the cost is $225 per individual, $325 per couple (or study partner). Scholarship will be available. Please contact Kathy Balint at the TES office at 541-488-2909 to register, then someone from the education committee will call you. Classes will begin September 6, Tuesday evenings 7 to 8:30 (sometimes 9) p.m. Note: There will be a 2-week recess for High Holidays (no class on Oct 4 or 11). The minimum number of students for this class is 12, and a maximum of 20.

 ***NOTE: Sign-ups must be by August 17 so materials can be ordered in time for the class.***


B'nei Mitzvah
We have reached the end of the 2015-2016 Shul School year, and have completed all the B'Nei Mitvah celebrations for the year.

Please check this space for upcoming B'nei Mitzvah dates for next year! 

MazeltovMember News!

 

We love to hear about and share your personal life events, simchas and accomplishments. Please send us your joyous news for the monthly newsletter to Kathy Balint, Office Manager at [email protected]



 
Anniversaries

Rabbi Kenneth Ehrlich & Mary Silva8/2/2016
Richard & Judith Entinger8/2/2016
Nicole & Robert Sacks8/8/2016
Peter Adesman & Robin Miller8/11/2016
Deneice & Lincoln Zeve8/11/2016
Laura & Benjamin Bloom8/14/2016
Dori Appel & Perry Prince8/17/2016
Steve Plotnick & Geni Moots-Plotnick8/17/2016
Ed & Bobbi Helman8/20/2016
Rochelle Stromner & Jim Warriner8/20/2016
Susan & Itai Aaronson8/27/2016
           
Birthdays

Lynne Stolzer8/2/2016
Phillip Umann8/2/2016
Donna Wyte8/2/2016
Robert Keyes8/4/2016
Abby Young8/5/2016
Brian Miller Adesman8/6/2016
Judith Stevens8/8/2016
Rabbi Jacqueline Brodsky8/9/2016
Abigail Bloom8/10/2016
Myra Silverman8/10/2016
Martin Bloch8/11/2016
Ross Albertson8/12/2016
J.T. Gillett8/12/2016
Bob Golding8/14/2016
Anna Werblow8/14/2016
Lincoln Zeve8/15/2016
Dr. Daniel Kahn8/16/2016
Shira Wainer8/16/2016
Madeleine Sklar8/18/2016
Richard Entinger8/19/2016
Guenevere Haney Berg8/19/2016
Melissa Schroeder8/19/2016
Ilana Rubenfeld8/20/2016
Ken Silverman8/20/2016
Orli Kahn8/23/2016
Valentine Jones8/24/2016
Marti Bender8/25/2016
Anthony Heald8/25/2016
Robert Sacks8/26/2016
Sarah Cottrell8/27/2016
Michael Smith8/28/2016
Gabriel Berg8/29/2016
Matthew Callahan8/29/2016
Matthew Dierks8/29/2016
Dylan Heald8/30/2016
Dick Heimann8/31/2016
Celia (Sippy) Neimark8/31/2016
Hayden Ramsey8/31/2016
                        


 

candleYahrzeit Candle
Lighting Prayer

For the love that death cannot sever, for the time we shared along life's path, for the gifts of heart and mind, we are grateful. Divine one, help us to understand that grief and love go hand in hand.

As we are made more aware of light by kindling this Yahrzeit candle, may we remember the light which (say the name) brought in the world.

Zich-ro-no(m) Zich-ro-nah(f) liv'ra-cha.
May his/her memory be for a blessing.

Business Sponsors
TES Business Sponsors are helping to underwrite the cost of digital communication.

Be sure to support and show appreciation for our business sponsors (shown below). Their contact information can be found in TES Weekly, Kol Ha'Emek and on the TES website.

If you would like to become a business sponsor please contact the Temple Emek Shalom office at [email protected] or (541) 488-2909.



Message from Rabbi Boettiger
I want to relay the story about the French Surrealist poet Robert Desnos that Norman Fischer told last weekend when he was here at Temple Emek Shalom. In 1944, Desnos was arrested by the Gestapo for his involvement in the French Resistance, and was sent first to Auschwitz, and later to Theresienstadt. Fischer heard this story from Susan Griffin, whose recounting of it is here:
 
"Even in the grimmest of circumstances, a shift in perspective can create startling change. I am thinking of a story I heard a few years ago from my friend Odette, a writer and a survivor of the Holocaust. Along with many others who crowd the bed of a large truck, she tells me, the surrealist poet Robert Desnos is being taken away from the barracks of the concentration camp where he has been held prisoner. Leaving the barracks, the mood is somber; everyone knows the truck is headed for the gas chambers. And when the truck arrives no one can speak at all; even the guards fall silent. But this silence is soon interrupted by an energetic man, who jumps into the line and grabs one of the condemned. Improbable as it is, Odette told me, Desnos reads the man's palm.
 
Oh, he says, I see you have a very long lifeline. And you are going to have three children. He is exuberant. And his excitement is contagious. First one man, then another, offers up his hand, and the prediction is for longevity, more children, abundant joy.
 
As Desnos reads more palms, not only does the mood of the prisoners change but that of the guards too. How can one explain it? Perhaps the element of surprise has planted a shadow of doubt in their minds. If they told themselves these deaths were inevitable, this no longer seems inarguable. They are in any case so disoriented by this sudden change of mood among those they are about to kill that they are unable to go through with the executions. So all the men, along with Desnos, are packed back onto the truck and taken back to the barracks."
 
As Fischer explained it, this is a true story about the power of the imagination. The imagination is what gives us the capacity to see. It helps us see other things happening, sometimes just as real, sometimes more real - than the dominant narrative we are given. In this sense, and in this story, the imagination has the capacity not only to save our life, but also to save the lives of others.
 
In order to develop the imaginative muscle, we must practice. Fischer taught that to live a spiritual life is to live a life of the imagination. When we cultivate the imaginative faculty, when we practice daily, we strengthen the imagination. For Desnos, he was only able to do what he did because he had been practicing building his imagination for decades as a poet.
 
We don't often think about imagination and religion together, but Fischer points out that the first imaginative impulse was the creation of religions and rituals - stuff that occurred in every society under the sun. At its root, what if religion is primarily about imagination? What if, as a religious community, we could encourage and champion the needs of each of us in our own way to have an imaginative practice? What if this collectively could help make powerful change possible in our communities?
 
Fischer taught that this approach to cultivating imagination can help us during difficult times - like the one we are in - to see other phenomena and trends happening that are actually deeply positive and optimistic. It is not Pollyannaish thinking; it is learning to see other narratives and truths beyond the headlines. Good things are happening. But it takes a developed imagination to see that.
 
And so we head into August and into the Hebrew month of Av. One of our candidates for the Education Director/Cantorial Soloist position, Rabbinical Student Julie Benioff, will be teaching on the dual nature of Av on Saturday evening, August 6th, as part of her weekend with us. Av has two holidays: Tisha b'Av (a somber day of fasting and marking the destruction of the two ancient Temples), and Tu b'Av (a sort of Jewish Valentines Day; a celebration of love). It takes imagination to mark both of these holidays in the span of one week. So come hear Julie teach!
 
With blessing to each of you
 
 
Rabbi Joshua Boettiger
Message from Adie Goldberg, President


There are so many things on my to-do list before summer is over when August nights on the deck will turn into shorter days, return to school and Holy Day preparations. Your new Board spent one of those precious summer nights in July meeting for the first time. We began to address the fiscal and policy work of our community but as importantly we began our individual exploration of the principles of Mussar guiding our work as a temple Board. This study gives us the opportunity to learn more about how our work together can be accomplished as healthier, soul-growing Jews.
 
We are beginning our Mussar study with the middah of seder/order. This is helping us set priorities so that we accomplish the goals that are most important to you, our community. Without order, we will be pulled in many directions, and our ability to focus on our highest priorities will be diminished. Help us with our seder/order.  What are your objectives? What should we be addressing first?
 
Seek your Board out at services, on the phone, via email. Help us do our work. It is our hope that our focus on order will help us be more effectively present for you, our community.
 
Come introduce yourself to the Board greeters as services continue in August here at Temple.  And if you have the time, join us the first weekend in August to meet the next candidate for the Education/ Cantorial soloist position.
 
And in the meantime, please don't overfill your summer schedule. There will be time for that. For the moment, have that sip of iced tea or wine on the deck as the summer sun sets.
 
B'shalom,
Adie
SpecialEventsUpcoming Special Events & Announcements
SAVE THE DATE! SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 FOR TEMPLE EMEK SHALOM'S ALL-DAY, ALL-CONGREGATION SHABBAT RETREAT!
We'll be gathering at beautiful Buckhorn Springs just outside of Ashland for a community Shabbat celebration beginning with morning services and concluding with Havdallah and Selichot services in the evening. More details will follow soon, but in the meantime, please save the date!


IT'S TIME FOR MEMBER DIRECTORY UPDATES
We are in the process of updating the member directory and will be sending you your copy soon. Please check your listing in the current directory and e-mail or call the TES office (541-488-2909 or [email protected]) with any corrections or additions. Many folks don't have their e-mail listed, so please contact the office if you'd like to add your e-mail. If you have a business listing in the back, please check that also. Deadline to send or call in corrections is Friday, August 19. (But don't delay -- the sooner the better!)


Join Us in Welcoming Julie Benioff, Educator/Cantorial Candidate, August 6 and 7
Julie Benioff, a prospective candidate for consideration, will be at TES the weekend of August 6th and 7th.  Please mark your calendars and plan on joining us for any or all of the following three programs:
 
Saturday, August 6th, Shabbat Simcha, 10:00AM
Julie Benioff will co-lead Shabbat Simcha Morning Services with Rabbi Boettiger.  Potluck lunch will follow.
   
Saturday, August 6th, Learning and Havdallah with Julie Benioff, 7:00 - 8:30PM 
As shabbat comes to a close, and as we enter the new month of Av, we will explore together the significance of this month as a precursor to the month of Elul, the month of t'shuvah/repentance prior to the High Holidays.

Av brings us Tisha b'Av, the commemoration of the destruction of both temples, as well as Tu b'Av, a day of love, dancing and joy. We will look at these days as markers, built into our ancient Jewish calendar, to do the hard work of breaking down the walls in ourselves, to really see ourselves, so that we may heal ourselves, our relationships, and ultimately our world, all the while...enveloped by hope, love, and joy. 
 
Sunday, August 7th, Family program with Julie Benioff, 10:00 - 11:30AM 
As we enter a new book of Torah, Devarim/Deuteronomy, we will explore one of the very special gifts from this book:  The Sh'ma! What do these words mean? Why are they so important? Please join us as we investigate more deeply the words and meaning of the Sh'ma through conversation, movement, and art.  Families with children of all ages are welcome.

Shabbat Simcha, August 6, 10:00AM, with potluck lunch and Retirement Celebration for Nancy Spector
In addition to meeting Julie Benioff, we will be observing Shabbat Simcha on August 6th and celebrating Nancy Spector's retirement. Nancy will be hosting all the desserts at the potluck lunch after the services.  Please bring a dairy/vegetarian dish to share and come join us!

Legal Tools for Care Partners, August 9, 3:00PM
If you or a loved one is suffering from cognitive impairment, or other chronic illness, you may be quite overwhelmed and feeling all alone.  Join Cheri Sperber, J.D., of Gray Matters Consulting, for an educational seminar that will focus on the legal documents needed to make sure your health care, legal, and financial desires are properly stated.

We will look at the advance health care directive language geared specifically for dementia and the inevitable challenges related to living with this illness.
 
We will also take a closer look at the language created in the State of Washington, where one can add to their advance directive and specifically address dementia and how the principal (person creating the document) wants to be treated (or not) during the various states of the disease.
August 9, 3:00 - 4:30PM at TES.

Tisha B'Av, August 13, 8:00PM with the Havurah
Join us for a TES/Havurah Tisha B'Av observance Saturday evening August 13th  at 8 pm at the Havurah (in the garden in back of the Havurah.) We will enjoy Havdalah, chanting, poetry, and story telling for a truly soulful experience together as we prepare for the high holidays.

Mitzvah Kitchen, August 25
The Mitzvah Kitchen continues and member Jerrine Rowley and her husband David are scheduled to.bake loaves of challah again on Thursday, August 25, in the Temple kitchen.  We ask you, our congregants, to contact the Rabbi or Kathy at 541-488-2909, so a challah can be delivered to you or a fellow congregant who is experiencing a special event or an illness in the family.  If you are to receive a challah and are not at home, the challah will be left in a sealed bag by your front door.  We hope that the challah that we provide will add to your Shabbat celebration or give you some comfort during a difficult time.    
 
Catherine Coulson Memorial Tree 
Please check the names of donors to the Catherine Coulson Memorial Tree in the Tributes list below and if your name is not on the list, it's time to make your contribution. We are eager to have sufficient funds raised in time for Catherine's yahrzeit on September 28 and also to have the memorial in place in time for Rosh Hashanah, October 2. Thank you for helping to honor Catherine and her devotion to Emek Shalom and its congregants.

Rosh Chodesh Elul, September 4, 9:30AM in Lithia Park
All Rogue Valley women are welcome for a hike, ceremony and potluck lunch. Hike at 9:30AM, ceremony at 10:30AM and lunch at 12:00. We will be celebrating the month of Elul with the theme of weddings and a time to embrace. Please join us for part or all of the events. More details to follow.
Rabbi Jackie Brodsky
Judith Kurinsky
Rabbi Sue Morningstar

This Month At The Havurah  
(a new feature in the TES monthly newsletter)
 
Carlebach Shabbat & Veggie Potluck Dinner at the Havurah  
 
Friday, August 26th, from 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm 
Bring your voices and your instruments and sing in the Shabbat Queen to the beautiful music of Reb. Shlomo Carlebach z"l.  
         
timetorememberA Time To Remember

John Howard Lion8/1/2016
Anne Mandelblat8/1/2016
Allan Sabol8/1/2016
Arthur Greenberg8/2/2016Tammuz 27, 5776
Benton Seymour Rabinovitch8/2/2016
Robert Zipser8/2/2016Tammuz 27, 5776
John Appel8/3/2016
Nellie Burlock8/3/2016Tammuz 28, 5776
Rodney Coulson8/5/2016Av 1, 5776
Georgia Cramer8/5/2016
Gloria Rotbart8/5/2016Av 1, 5776
Margaret Fried8/6/2016Av 2, 5776
Charles Novak8/6/2016Av 2, 5776
Jerome Rosenfield8/6/2016
Donald Herron8/7/2016Av 3, 5776
Lorraine Morris8/7/2016Av 3, 5776
Elaine Block8/8/2016
Julia Schein8/8/2016Av 4, 5776
Jack Sirinsky8/8/2016Av 4, 5776
Milton G. Weisman8/9/2016Av 5, 5776
Barbara DeSatnik8/10/2016
Phil Holman8/11/2016Av 7, 5776
Anita Kornhauser Kroener8/11/2016Av 7, 5776
Edith Milan8/11/2016
Daniel D. Mandell8/12/2016
Erleen Stein8/12/2016Av 8, 5776
Samuel Golding8/13/2016Av 9, 5776
Ernest Mark Umann8/13/2016Av 9, 5776
Helen Weisel8/14/2016Av 10, 5776
Emanuel Cooper8/15/2016
Rebecca Freedman8/15/2016Av 11, 5776
David Max Goldberg8/17/2016Av 13, 5776
Rick Bellinson8/18/2016
Abe Kazmin8/20/2016
Edgar Palarea8/20/2016Av 16, 5776
Anita Redak8/20/2016Av 16, 5776
Merton Herbert Lieberman8/22/2016
Melvin Blank8/24/2016
Max Fleishman8/24/2016Av 20, 5776
Jach Shaffer8/24/2016Av 20, 5776
John Jensen8/25/2016
Frank Cutler8/26/2016Av 22, 5776
Isadore Schwartz8/26/2016
Minna Rosenbaum8/27/2016Av 23, 5776
Ruth J. Cooper8/29/2016
Pauline Fleishman8/29/2016Av 25, 5776
Jayne Madelyn Hill~8/30/2016Av 26, 5776
Harry Neimark8/30/2016Av 26, 5776
Milford H. Mike" Leibman"8/31/2016Av 27, 5776

 tributesTributes
General Fund
Linda & Ben BellinsonIn memory of Seymour Hersch.
Carol SunaharaIn loving memory of Francis Yoshida.
Larry DiamantThank you to Lisa Horwitch.
Bob & Frieda GoldingIn memory of my father, Sam Golding.
Elise Manders
In memory of Grant Miller.

Rabbi's Discretionary Fund
Jackie Rosen & FamilyIn memory of Samuel Morris Rosen.
Linda & Ben BellinsonCongratulations to Pam Erwin on becoming a Bat Mitzvah!
Debby & Martin BlochIn memory of Saul Ricklin.
Elise Manders
In memory of Grant Miller.

Landscape Beautification/Catherine Coulson Memorial Tree
Debi Holcombe
Judith Stevens
Elise Manders
Carol Sunahara
Deborah & Martin Bloch
Pam ErwinTo Joan Steele, in support of a beautiful woman and your amazing passion.
Sarit Richerson
Stephanie Baum/Daniel Jokelson
Carolyn Mandell
Sally & Maynard Telpner
Ruth Rabinovitch & Tom Treger
The Neimark FamilyTo Steve Hersch, Sending our love and condolences on the passing of your beloved father.
The Neimark FamilyTo Sasha & Russ, Better late than never...Mazel tov on your wondrous union and wedding.
The Neimark FamilyTo Matt Messner, Better late than never ... Happy belated birthday!
Nancy & Dan Kaylin


Pomegranate Preschool
Celia (Sippy) NeimarkTo Steve Hersch & Family, with deepest sympany for your loss.
The Neimark FamilyTo Pam Erwin, So proud of you on the occasion of your Bat Mitzvah. Mazel tov!

TES Contact List
contactStaff


Rabbi
Joshua Boettiger
[email protected]
Office Manager
Kathy Balint
[email protected]
Bookkeeper
Diana Fairbanks
[email protected]
Website
Debra Wolfson
[email protected]
Pomegranate PreSchool
Robin Heald
[email protected]
Officers


President
Adie Goldberg
509-939-0800
Co-Vice President
Susan Aaronson
541-292-0062
Co-Vice President
Emily Bernhardt
541-708-0990
Recording Secretary
Joan Steele
541-482-7019
Treasurer
Bill Harris
541-488-6050
Immediate Past President
Michael Schames
650-888-5400




For complete listing of Board of Trustees and Committee chairs starting July 1, 2016,  please
click here.
August 2016 Calendarcalendars
The calendar for August may be viewed on the TES website: emekshalom.org/calendar

  Click here for a printable copy of the August calendar.
sponsorsBusiness Sponsors







RogueValleyCounseling.com


Medicare Specialist 










Temple Emek Shalom | 541-488-2909 | [email protected] | http://emekshalom.org
1800 E. Main Street / PO Box 1107, Ashland, OR 97520

Temple Office Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm, Closed for lunch 1-2pm,  

Closed Mondays