Ha’ShofarVOLUME XI, ISSUE 12

CONGREGATION

BETH ISRAEL

December 2019

InsidePrayer Corner

..................... p. 2

Ongoing Events

..................... p. 3

Friday Noon

Study Group .......

......................p. 5

Gift Shop

................... p. 10

Donations .... p. 15

December

Calendar .............

....................p. 17

We do not often think of the apocryphal Book of

Maccabees as a Jewish book, but it is important

to remember that it was written by Jews and read

by Jews long before it was a part of the Christian

collection of apocrypha. Found within this text is

a description of the moment of the rededication

of the Temple and the rekindling of the menorah.

According to this telling of the story, the golden

menorah had been destroyed by the Seleucids.

The Maccabean militia, after securing the Temple

Mount, made a makeshift menorah out of their

spears in order to consecrate the use of the newly

reclaimed sanctuary.

What does this element of the story teach us

about perseverance and adaptability? To my

mind, this is a significant lesson in how we forge

into the future with an eye to the past. Was the

spear menorah a true replacement for the golden

menorah? No. It was a temporary adaptation to

meet the need of the moment. Could the Mac-

cabee priests have rededicated the altar without

first kindling the menorah? No. The Torah com-

mands the menorah be kindled first. Did they

allow for their adaptation to subvert the original

intended tools of Temple worship? No. They per-

severed through the moment and eventually came

to reconstruct a golden menorah which stayed in

use until the destruction of the Temple by the Ro-

mans over a century later.

Interestingly, it is during the same era in which

the story of Hanukkah takes place that the syna-

gogue became a Jewish institution. It would,

however, not be until the late first or early second

century that it would become an institution of

prayer. The history of the synagogue, as well, is

a story of perseverance and adaptability. As insti-

tutions age, they have the potential to become

worn and stagnant. The physical structures can

be repaired and repurposed, and technologies can

be applied for new purposes – like the Mac-

cabean spear menorah. However, the spirit of the

institution must adapt to the changing needs of

each generation or it risks irrelevance. The syna-

gogue of the future will not, in all ways, resemble

the synagogue of today or that of the past. Our

synagogues today are different than their prede-

cessors, and just as the institution has persevered

enough to adapt to the changing needs of differ-

ent societies and different generations, it feels ap-

parent to me that we are on the precipice of major

changes for nearly all of our communal institu-

tions.

Unexpected change leads to unprecedented inno-

vations. In the year 69 CE, nobody could have

foreseen that the communal institution of the syn-

agogue, which had already been established as a

communal gathering place for well over a cen-

tury, would soon become primarily a place of

worship. Likewise, as we near 2020, we cannot

foresee how the synagogue will adapt and evolve

to meet the yet to be manifest needs of future gen-

erations.

By no means is this the first time in the 120-year

history of CBI, recent and distant, that the com-

munity will find itself temporarily without rab-

binic leadership. However, an opportunity is

continued on next page

A Moment of Rededication By: Rabbi Justin Goldstein

1st Candle

December 22

HA’SHOFARPAGE 2

presented in this unexpected change that will test our perse-

verance and adaptability. This Hanukkah will mark the end

of my tenure as the rabbi of your synagogue community. It

has been a wonderful six years and, as I expressed in my

column last month. I am immensely grateful for the experi-

ence of serving this community. And, as we move into the

unknown future, we have a unique opportunity to rededicate

our collective vision for the CBI of the future. We now have

the opening to rededicate ourselves to imagine how to re-

purpose the legacy of the past to forge into the future with

an eye toward the past.

Again, I thank you all for an incredible six years serving as

your rabbi and I look forward to participating in the rededi-

cation of the synagogue from the pews. May we all experi-

ence the blessing of the promise of light in this moment of

uncertainty.

A Moment of Rededication continued from previous page

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120th Annual Congregation Beth Israel

Hanukkah Party

Sunday, December 29st, 2019 at 5:30pm

Hall of Flame Community Candle Lighting Vegetarian Potluck Dinner and LATKES! Up-Cycled Menorah Contest (see flyer for details)

Children’s Activities CBI Gift Shop – Sale on Select Items

Bring your menorahs to light and a meal to share together with your CBI

Family on this final day of Hanukkah 2019 There is no charge but we are asking for donations at the door.

We also invite you to bring your own cups, plates, utensils to reduce the amount of waste we produce.

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 4

Social Action Volunteer Opportunities

Help serving dinner at the Western Carolina Rescue Mission on the third Tuesday of the month from 4:00 pm to

5:30 pm. The Rescue Mission is located at 225 Patton Avenue, Asheville. Contact Alan Escovitz aescovitz@charter.net

or Gail Gordon socialaction1@bethisraelnc.org.

Help with our involvement with Room In the Inn. Contact Jan Zollars warreallysucks@yahoo.com or Gail Gordon

socialaction1@bethisraelnc.org.

Ongoing CBI Events

Torah on Tap – A Lively Group Discussion

Led by Rabbi Goldstein

The last Sunday of the month 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm. We will be meeting at Archetype Brewing (previously

Habitat Tavern), 174 Broadway, Asheville 28801. You are welcome to bring a snack or meal or purchase

food at Archetype Brewing. Dog-friendly with non-alcoholic options.

Meet the Midrash

Out of the texts of the Torah, the Rabbis created teachings bringing deeper meanings to the wisdom of the Jewish

people known as Midrash. Each week we will explore some of these teachings based on the weekly Torah portion.

We will gain not only an understanding of what the Rabbis were teaching, but how and why they were able to offer

these teachings. While there are many compilations of Midrash from different periods in Jewish history, we will

focus our studies on Midrash Rabbah. Wednesdays 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm

Hasidishe Kiddushled by Rabbi Goldstein

Fill your heart and soul with Torah (and schnapps...) and join together to learn Hasidic thought and wisdom on parashat

ha'shavu’a, the weekly Torah portion. Last Shabbat of each month at 12:30 pm.

Hazak

Hazak is a group of empty nesters who meet monthly for good food and conversation at local restaurants. The group

usually meets the first Wednesday of each month at 5:30 pm, barring holiday conflicts. Anyone who is interested can

be added to the email list. Contact Sue Lerner.

Meet the Midrash

will not be meeting in December.

For three Fridays in December, CBI’s Noon Study Group

will continue its examination of

Every month, the publication , hosted by curates a distilled “conversation” bringing together several voices around a single theme. These voices cross the spectrum of Judaism — secular and religious, communal and non-partisan, engaged and striving. Participants in our study group will have an opportunity to join in this conversation. Our focus is on ideas — their complexity and range, and how they inform action.

For December, the texts we’ll be drawing from along with their web site links* appear below. Topics that we’ll be discussing are:

DDeecceemmbbeerr 66:: Limnot Yameinu || :: Counting our days (making the most out of the time we are given)

https://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.forward.com/downloads/nov2019limnotyameinu-1572380276.pdf DDeecceemmbbeerr 1133:: Humility || : Walking modestly with power (finding a

balance between our own needs as individuals and as ones who engage with the world around us)

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https://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.forward.com/downloads/jan2017argumentationmachlochetdigital-1485367569.pdf

**These links are available on the CBI web site.

Our informal discussion group meets every Friday from 12-1 in the CBI Library. All are welcome to join us, regardless of their level of expertise or attendance at previous noon study group discussions. Our initial discussion will begin on Friday, December 6. If you have questions, please contact Jay Jacoby at jbjacoby@uncc.edu.

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HA’SHOFARPAGE 6

A Missed OpportunityBy: Walter Ziffer

As a member of the North Carolina Humanities Council

Speaker's Bureau, I spoke last month at the town library of

beautiful Lake Lure, North Carolina. The title of my talk was

Witness to the Holocaust. Gail, my wife, who prepares the

organizational details of my lecture engagements, was told

to expect the usual 30 to 40 participants. To our great surprise

the library's hall was packed with over 150 people of all ages,

with many folks standing and sitting on the floor – the biggest

event ever, a sure indication that interest in the Holocaust

persists.

Within my talk, I halted for a few special minutes to share

with the audience what I consider to have been the most

heart-breaking moment of my life at age fifteen: the SS sol-

diers tearing up our families just prior to deportation, some

of us being placed into groups destination Auschwitz-Birke-

nau and certain quick death and others into groups destined

for concentration camps with slower albeit final death, as

well.

I was forcibly separated from my parents and remember my

mother in desperation running behind me and crying, Walter,

Walter, do not leave us! as if I had any choice in the matter.

Before she could reach me a SS man hit her over the shoulder

with his whip and ruthlessly pushed her into a group of

women.

My heart broke in despair and fear at that moment, and I can

hardly imagine what happened to my Mom's heart. When this

memory comes to my mind, I try to banish it from my

thoughts, because to this day I cannot handle it.

The evoking of this terrible moment takes me to what the

poor refugees and would-be immigrants to our country must

be going through at our southern border. Recent counts tell

of over 5,000 similar separations having taken place down

there. Because of poor bookkeeping it is seemingly quite

possible that some of these separated children may never see

their parents again.

Needless to say, the separation of children from their parents

by I.C.E. (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and the

children being held hostage for political purposes is inexcus-

able, and I expressed my feelings about it. The audience stood

up and applauded.

After ending my lecture, the library director opened up the

session for Q & A. A lady who sat in the third row in front of

me raised her hand wishing to speak. The T-shirt under her

jacket had in large Hebrew letters the word YESHUA, the

Hebrew name for Jesus.

She began by trying to justify the work of I.C.E. but... did

not get very far. The audience suddenly and spontaneously

broke into a deafening clamor of protest – a veritable explo-

sion – and the poor woman was shouted down.

This had never happened to me before. I just stood there

speechless.

After what seemed to me an eternity, the library director

calmed the people down, and turning to the next person with

a raised hand, asked that person for her comment or question.

With my talk finished and most of the people having left I

inquired about the lady who had been shouted down. I wanted

to speak to her – perhaps to apologize – perhaps to hear her

out – to start a conversation. My efforts were unsuccessful;

no one knew who she was.

The next morning it occurred to me that I had missed a great

educational opportunity for all. When the hubbub broke out

it should have been I who calmed the people, and it should

have been I who should have explained that in a democracy

we ought to respectfully listen to one another. It was too late.

My subsequent effort to locate the woman was fruitless.

I learned a lesson. Should something like this occur again, I

will know how to respond.

HA’SHOFARPAGE 7

Our Madrichim Help You Create

Personal and Meaningful Programs at CBI

At its core, the CBI Madrichim initiative is designed to engage each and every member on a personal level; empower

each of us to create the Jewish experiences that are meaningful for us; and, in doing so, enhance our potential for

authentic Jewish expression. Success is when we realize that we benefit as much by supporting another’s personal

journey as we do from the program itself. What is your passion or interest: a class, a club, a social action program, a

fundraiser, a tikkun olam project, a social event? Think about it. Then contact one of the folks below and let us help

you make it happen!

CBI MadrichimRobert Marcus Ali Climo Sally Gooze

Caren Kessler Alan Silverman Mike Weizman

A Local Jewish Dialogue Group –Would You Like to Join Us?

We are a small, diverse group of local Jews who have been meeting informally once a month for the last several months

to discuss issues of concern to us as Jews. We come from different backgrounds, experiences, and have different views

on a wide range of topics from Jewish identity to Israel. We are committed to creating a safe environment to express

our own views and listen respectfully to each others’ views. Our goal is to widen our perspectives while respecting our

differences.

If you are interested in finding out more about our group, please call one of our founding members:

Carol (828) 255-7700; Chuck (828) 242-5527; Florence (828) 675-0974

The group meets the second Tuesday of the month at 1:00 pm at Congregation Beth HaTephila

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 8

Boray Perie HagafenBy: Ira Naiman

Surprise is the greatest gift life can give us. – Boris

Pasternak

Trader Joe’s is a pleasant surprise. – Value Man

There we were. Value Man and Wife were at Bubbly Brit and

HOBB’s (Husband Of Bubbly Brit) home for Shabbat dinner.

By the way, Bubbly Brit’s chicken pot pie is an award winner.

Another guest was there, VIV (Very Involved Volunteer), and

VIV brought a bottle of Chardonnay Value Man had not seen

before. The Chardonnay was Black Mountain Vineyard

Chardonnay from California.

The grapes were from Sonoma and Napa, and VIV made a

wonderful choice. This was a very interesting Chardonnay,

as it wasn’t very citrusy, was lighter on acidity, had a smooth

buttery flavor, and was very slightly sweet. It was a very

pleasant wine. Needless to say, the bottle’s contents were

gone quickly. VIV wasn’t exactly sure where she bought it,

but Value Man hunted it down to Trader Joe’s in North

Asheville, on Merrimon Ave. So, Value Man revved up Pearl

(his Subaru) and traveled to Trader Joe’s (disclaimer: Value

Man has no monetary or familial association with Trader

Joe’s) to see what they have. As it turned out, Trader Joe’s

appeared to be a haven for value wine, labels you won’t see

anywhere else. When Value Man stopped hyperventilating,

he started his hunt.

Two bottles of the above-mentioned Chardonnay were placed

in his cart, an unbelievable value at $6.99 a bottle. Then Value

Man spotted a Barolo from Rosa dell’Olmo for $14.99. This

is above the value level, and Value Man was skeptical be-

cause entry level Barolos start around $35, and really go up

from there. The Nebbiolo red grape is grown in the Piedmont

area of Italy. The wine takes the name of the area in which

it’s grown, so this bottle of Nebbiolo is from the Barolo area.

Barolos are supposed to have black cherry and fruit flavors,

big tannins and acidity. Some consider the Nebbiolo grape to

be the King of the Italian grapes. Value Man was hoping this

wine would knock his socks off. Unfortunately, Value Man’s

socks remained on. Wife said it was disappointing. It was at

best an unassuming table wine. Pass this one by. Price doesn’t

always correlate with quality.

But grey skies are gonna’ clear up with Nero Grande Appas-

simento, a red blend from Italy. Appasimento means it was

dried to concentrate flavor. It was a big, full wine at 15%

alcohol. It had a deep purple color, and was an absolute plum

bomb with light tannins. As it stayed in the bottle, it opened

up becoming fuller and more flavorful. This Nero Grande

was Grande, and well worth the $6.99. Wife said our shelves

need a few more. Value Man and Pearl will be heading back

for more.

Last but not least, Phigment Red Wine Blend from Notso

Wine Company in Clarksburg, California. Value Man

strongly suspects, after a Google search, that Trader Joe’s has

some sort of exclusive contract with Notso Wine Company.

The label appears to have a forest, but looking closely, you

see the profile of a woman. This winner of a red blend has

berries and plums, a hint of spice, and a smooth velvety

mouth feel. It is right up there with Primal Roots Red Blend

or any of the Ménage à Trois Red Blends. Wife wholeheart-

edly agreed. The price is an incredible $5.99. Run, don’t

walk, to get this great Red Blend.

There were many more bottles to explore at Trader Joe’s, and

Value Man and Pearl will be there.

Until next time.

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 9

Liaison Committee

The committee’s purpose is to help resolve interpersonal conflicts within the shul. These disagreements can occur

between congregants, between congregants and the Rabbi, between congregants and the Board, or between the Board

and the Rabbi. The Liaison Committee is here to assist you if you have a concern.

Committee members are carefully chosen for their abilities to be impartial and to provide a discreet and safe sounding

board. They are ready to listen to any concerns that you may have. You can contact any of the members of the

committee. They are:

Davida Horwitz (279-6599) Rabbi Wolff Alterman (337-6185)

Eva Blinder (275-6447) Laurie Chess (545-7318)

Marc Penansky (279-0940) Robert Marcus (484-8401)

Important Winter Meeting

Sunday, December 8, 12:30 - 2:30 pm

in the CBI social hall

Coffee and bagels will be served.

From the Ritual Committee

If you’ve been a member for more than six years, you know that we have a tradition of coming together in periods when we’re

without rabbinic leadership. We’re just entering such a period, and therefore I’m turning to each of you to help the Ritual Com-

mittee provide the spiritual and religious functions that keep our congregation going. This is a particularly challenging time for

Ritual, and your participation is crucial.

We’re fortunate to have a regular cadre of service leaders, but we always welcome new ones. If you have skills in this area and

would like to share them, we’d be delighted to have you!

A particular need, starting now, is for congregants willing to share their thoughts on the weekly Torah portion. You don’t need an

advanced degree in homiletics or knowledge of Aramaic! Curiosity and the willingness to do a bit of research will suffice. We

encourage any congregant to give this a try. It’s a great way to learn and teach at the same time.

One of our greatest challenges during this period will be Torah reading. Frank Goldsmith has been raising up a new crop of Torah

chanters, and I know we’re all looking forward to celebrating their accomplishments. If you are already reading Torah, please

consider doing a bit more, as we no longer have a rabbi to fill in the unassigned readings.

Lastly, the Ritual Committee is looking for new members. If you’re a regular attendee at services and are interested in encouraging

participation in CBI’s spiritual life, please reach out.

To volunteer for any of these opportunities, or to find out more, please email me at ritual@bethisraelnc.org.

B’Shalom,

Eva Blinder, CBI Ritual Chair

Gift Shop Hours:

Friday 11:30 am to 3:00 pm

Sundays * 9:45 am to 12:15 pm *when Sunday School is in Session

We will be glad to open the shop upon request. Please make arrangements by calling either Carol

Samsky (828-676-0765) or Marlene Jacoby (828-298-9433).

December will be a busy month for us in the Gift Shop because of Hanukkah coming up. Come

in early to make sure that there is still a good selection of our beautiful Hanukkah candles, gift

bags, decorations, novelty items, chocolate gelt and of course, Menorahs or Hanukkiahs. What a

variety we have this year! Modern - Traditional - Folk Art - Hand Crafted - Electric - Glass -

Ceramic - Metal. Please come and see!

I am frequently surprised when a CBI member tells me that they have never been in the shop before. They are often pleasantly

surprised by what they find. Hopefully, more of you will make a point of visiting us. Yes... we have the usual Judaica items,

but we also carry some very special art pieces, and we are also very honored to have books written by some of our congregants

(Confronting the Silence by Walter Ziffer and The Man on Main Street by Sol Schulman). We have a collection of DVDs

and CDs which capture the talks that were given in Asheville by Walter Ziffer between the years 2006-2009, as well as his

story as a survivor of The Shoah. And have you read, A Home in Shalomville, the History of Asheville's Jewish Community

by Sharon C. Fahrer or the memoir, Nothing is By Chance by Betty Golden which is a family narrative that includes the

Pollock family (Lou Pollock Memorial Park)? These books provide so much information and perspective about what it was

like to part of the Jewish Community in Asheville in the late 1800s and early to mid-1900s. Learn about Asheville's Jewish

history. Come explore the Gift Shop – it is a valuable resource for our members. I'm sure you will agree!

CBI Committee News

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 10

Our Gift Shop

Thank You from MANNA FoodBank

Thank you for your help today with loading the food drive! I am pleased to report that Congregation Beth Israel col-

lected 310 pounds of food! At MANNA we calculate that for every 1.2 pounds of food donated, MANNA is able to

provide 1 meal.

That means that with the generosity shown from the Congregation, Beth Israel will be providing 258 meals for families

and individuals facing food insecurity.

Budgeted Goal 22,000$ As of date 11/20/2019Current pledges 15,312$ Remaining to goal 6,688$ Above goal -$ Thermometer bulb (10,000)$

Kol Nidre Appeal Goal

$0

$5,000

$10,000

$15,000

$20,000

$25,000

$30,000

Annual Appeal Goal

$22,000

Your Amazon Purchases Can Help Support Beth Israel

Your Amazon purchases can help support Beth Israel. Amazon Smile donates 1% of your purchases to CBI at no cost

to you. Just visit https://smile.amazon.com and select Congregation Beth Israel, then shop as you regularly would. If

you are a regular Amazon shopper, you can bookmark this website so as to find it easily every time you shop.

Have You Tried Out Our

Web Check Payment System?CBI’s Web Check Payment system is being used by quite a few congregants. Try it out, if you haven’t already. It’s an

easy-to-use, NO FEE way to make any of your payments to CBI – Dues, Bet Sefer, Ingles Gift Cards, or Donations. This

is a direct debit from your checking account. You just need your routing number and account number. There is also a

place for a memo entry so that you can indicate the purpose of your donation (in memory of, a particular fund, etc.).

Please make sure to fill in the memo box so that we can allocate your payment correctly.

We have contracted with a third party web check provider for this service. They have all of the necessary security issues

in place to handle sensitive account information data. Beth Israel Web Check Payments Online

Click on the donate button at the left to pay your dues,

make a contribution, pay your Annual Appeal Pledge or

pay for your Ingles cards. This simple Web Check system

is a direct debit to your checking account and allows you

to send a message to the CBI office along with your pay-

ment. No need to write checks or make special trips to the

office.

Ingles cards are a no-cost fundraiser for Beth Israel. Each month

CBI members and friends buy $8,000 worth of Ingles gift cards to

help raise $400 for Beth Israel – over $4,800 annually. Ingles gift

cards can be used at any Ingles store for groceries, pharmacy items

and gasoline. Sign up now to receive your Ingles cards automati-

cally each month. The office also keeps an inventory of Ingles

cards for immediate purchase. Contact the CBI office to get more

information and/or to participate at 252-8660 or admin@bethis-

raelnc.org.

For Information about Burial Plots

at Lou Pollock Memorial Park

Contact:

Josh Tager admin@bethisraelnc.org

or Fred Lashley

Current rates: $1,000 CBI members;

$1,250 non-members

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 12

Carolina Jews for Justice The opinions reflected in the following article are those of the

submitting organization and do not necessarily reflect the position

of Congregation Beth Israel. As a Jewish organization committed

to life-long learning, CBI welcomes submissions from local Jewish

organizations that seek to inform our community about matters of

potential interest that are related to Jewish values. The editor

reserves the right to reject or modify submitted content to best

serve the needs of the CBI community.

End of the Year Review

December is a time to review what has accomplished – or not. CJJ

is sharing some of those highlights as to ascertain where we go

from here. We invite you to help us do so by attending our general

meeting on Sunday January 5 from 3:00 -5:00 pm in Dave Hall at

CBHT. We value feedback – and involvement.

Racial Justice

• CJJ/West is a co-founder and steering committee member of

Asheville’s Racial Justice Coalition (RJC), formed in 2014 in

the wake of the Ferguson unrest to come together in

commitment to racial equity and to advocate for the rights of

people of color with law enforcement through policy change,

education, and relationship building.

• CJJ's Racial Justice Working Group planned and launched its

first six-month Practice Group for Jewish leaders who are

actively involved in anti-racism or racial justice/equity work.

The Practice Group aims to strengthen our shared

understandings, grow our leadership capacities, and more

deeply explore, as Jews, what it looks and feels like to be

doing anti-racist work with accountability. If you are

interested in learning more about participating in future

iterations of a Racial Justice practice group, contact us at:

cjjwest@carolinajewsforjustice.org.

Economic Justice

• We organized and hosted two public events. On May 23, we

offered a forum on Medicaid Expansion in Hendersonville.

Co-sponsors included: Pisgah Legal Services (PLS),

Henderson County League of Women Voters, and Children

First/Communities in Schools (CF/CIS). On Sept. 18, we

presented a program on the initiative, Family Friendly

Affordable Buncombe (FFAB), adopted by Asheville City and

Buncombe County governments. Children First/CIS co-

sponsored. Greg Borom, director of Advocacy for CF/CIS and

Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, vice-chair of the Buncombe County

Commission spoke about the visionary plan. It is the product

of a community coalition that seeks to invest the property tax

revenue from the sale of Mission Hospital to achieve

accessibility to quality preschool, affordable housing, frequent

and reliable public transport.

• Members represented CJJ-West on the following community

groups by attending regular meetings and reporting back to

the steering committee: Raising Wages Coalition, Health

Equity Coalition, Success Equation Leadership Team

(CF/CIS), Medicaid Coalition (PLS).

• Down Home – CJJ/West has joined a grassroots organization

in Jackson and Haywood counties to advocate for expanded

Medicaid and living wages. A new group is forming in

Madison County, which we are helping start.

Inclusivity

• Our year began with controversy. UNC-A invited Tamika

Mallory, one of the leaders of the national Women’s March,

as the keynote speaker at the Martin Luther King, Jr., Day

observance on January 24. University leaders were targeted

by an organized campaign of e-mails and letters (some very

hateful) opposing her selection because of statements Ms.

Mallory was alleged to have made, and her association with

Louis Farrakhan, a person who has made notoriously anti-

Semitic statements. CJJ/West pushed back against the

criticism. We were part of a small group of Jews invited to

meet privately with Ms. Mallory to hear her side of the story,

and we came away convinced that she was not herself anti-

Semitic, and that she has learned much from hearing the

views. We took the position that people should hear from her

personally before condemning her.

• Out of that controversy emerged a number of opportunities

for work on anti-Semitism. We organized a group of leaders

to plan future programming on anti-Semitism, work that is

still ongoing, and we co-sponsored the visit to UNC-A by Dr.

Kenneth Stern, an expert on the subject. Reflective of how

our organization is increasingly being looked to for guidance

and input on issues of anti-Semitism and racial equity, we

were invited to participate in a roundtable on equity and

inclusion at the Chancellor’s installation at UNC-A and thus

had a chance to present our work to an audience of interested

attendees.

• In August we sponsored, at the initiative of our statewide

organizer, Brandon Mond, the #WeAreHere Retreat at the

Yesod Farm of Sarah Seldin in Fairview. Over 30 young

Jewish adults from across the southeast attended to be trained

on combatting anti-Semitism, white nationalism, and white

supremacy. Out of the retreat emerged the Southern Jewish

Collective. On October 27, the one-year anniversary of the

Tree of Life massacre in Pittsburgh, the Collective organized

a memorial service, followed by a highly successful workshop

on combatting oppression, facilitated by Hannah Limov and

Sarah Seldin and co-sponsored by CJJ/West.

https://www.facebook.com/bethisraelnc/

• On September 8, we presented a successful program on

Gender Justice, learning about the experiences of LGBTQ

people and how to adapt our use of language to reflect respect

and acceptance of our trans friends. Rabbi Justin Goldstein of

CBI, along with Allison Scott of the Campaign for Southern

Equality and CJJ state organizer Cole Parke, were the

presenters. Later that month, CJJ/West participated in the

annual Blue Ridge Pride parade, marching with our CJJ

banner along with members of the Asheville Southern Jewish

Collective.

• We co-sponsored a convocation on North Carolina’s role in

the CIA’s extraordinary rendition program of unlawfully

seizing and torturing Muslim men (and one woman). We also

continue our work with the Jewish Community Relations

Council of the Greater Asheville Area.

• CJJ/West planned a second People’s Supper to which guests

from All Souls Cathedral, Grace Covenant Church, Land of

Sky UCC and Lake Hills Church had been invited. Due to the

illnesses of many, it had to be cancelled but will be

rescheduled in the New Year.

Immigrant Rights

• CJJ/West works closely with an interfaith group – Faith

Communities Organizing Sanctuary – in our region. That

group supports the good work of Latinx leaders and

immigrants in organizations like CIMA supporting those who

are being victimized by present policies.

• With the ACLU, CJJ co-sponsored a presentation of short

films about immigrant experiences, called Stories Beyond

Borders. A panel of immigrants from our area and in North

Carolina shared experiences and ways in which the lager

community can be supportive.

• Members of CJJ were also key in providing aid to a woman

who requested sanctuary and stayed in a local church until she

was able to leave.

Voting Rights

• CJJ/West is engaged with Fair Districts WNC, a group

committed to ending gerrymandering by reforming how

districts are drawn. This working group partners with the local

League of Women Voters and has promoted ways for people

to learn and take action to assure fair representation. Watch

for efforts to make this an important issue for candidates

running for office in NC in 2020.

Communications

• CJJ/W has worked closely with Cole Park, Emma Cohn, Jill

Boniske and Linda Wolff to streamline our communications.

With their help we have made significant improvements in

posting timely information on the State and West Facebook

pages, website and calendar. We continue to disseminate press

releases to local media and the Jewish community in Western

NC and have recently updated our chapter brochure.

********************************

To learn more about Carolina Jews for Justice, contact Judy

Leavitt at judleavitt76@gmail.com or Frank Goldsmith at

goldsmith.cf@gmail.com, or visit its website and sign up for

mailings at www.carolinajewsforjustice.org

Carolina Jews for Justice

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 13

Our SympathyTo Frank Gilreath on the passing of his mother, Dorothy Holt.

To Robert Kline on the passing of his mother, Claire Kline.

To Lael Gray on the passing of her stepfather, Leon Kramer.

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 14

Support Your Shul and Its Congregants!

Active Donor Directed FundsFor those members of

CBI who would like to

direct their financial

support toward a spe-

cific area within CBI,

these are the active

donor directed funds.

You are encouraged to

support the General

Fund with your dona-

tions, allowing the Board of Directors the

discretion to direct this support toward

areas of the most need.

** These funds are very active and in the

most need of regular contributions.

** Spiritual Life Fund – Support of

spiritual life programs and needs

**Social Action Fund – Funds CBI’s

social action projects

** Chesed/Tzedakah Fund –

Supports the Bereavement Committee

and other Chesed related activities

** Ted Liebowitz Children’s Fund –

Provides scholarships for Bet Sefer

students and supports Bet Sefer

expenses

** Toby Cohen Minyan Katan and

Junior Congregation Fund

** Family Education Fund –

Supports family education program-

ming

Shorashim Teen Program Fund –

Supports CBI teen programs

**Adult Ed Fund

Website/Computer/Tech Fund

Cemetery Committee Fund –

Supports maintenance of CBI’s

Lou Pollock Cemetery

Chevra Kadisha Fund – Supports

efforts toward preparing the body of

the departed for Jewish burial.

**Rabbi Discretionary Fund –

Supports needs or causes the Rabbi

chooses to support

General Fund

Bill & Jo Golson: in memory of

Yvonne Michel

Eileen Elkin: wishing happy

birthday to Bob Elkin

Steve & Carolyn Kayne: in honor

of Logan Reich becoming Bar

Mitzvah

Gerard & Thelma Uhler: in honor

of their son Moris L. Uhler’s

birthday

Eileen & Bob Elkin: wishing happy

birthday to Ali Climo

Steve & Carolyn Kayne: in honor

of Barb Hall with appreciation

Lee Avishai: in memory of Robert

Kline’s mother, Claire Kline

Steve & Carolyn Kayne: in honor

of Beth & Neal Appel

Eileen & Bob Elkin: wishing happy

birthday to Regi Weile

Shirley Kayne: in memory of Jodi

Travis’ mother, Ina Travis

Avishai family: wishing happy

birthday to Eliot & Nancy Renick

Eileen & Bob Elkin: wishing happy

birthday to Jeremy Lerner

Gerard & Thelma Uhler: in honor

of their son-in-law Stephen

Smith’s birthday

Yahrzeit Fund

William & Barbara Lewin: in

memory of Barbara’s grand-

mother, Bessie Blick

Robert & Karen Marcus: in

memory of Robert’s father, Louis

Marcus

Davida Horwitz: in memory of her

father, Burnerd Horwitz

William & Barbara Lewin: in

memory of Barbara’s grand-

mother, Pearl Weinstein Kaufman

Alan & Suzanne Escovitz: in

memory of Alan’s mother,

Dorothy Escovitz

David & Sharon Boas: in memory

of David’s father, William Boas

Gerard & Thelma Uhler: in mem-

ory of Thelma’s grandmother,

Rose Cohen

Give-a-Gobble Turkey Drive

Fund

Wendy Feinberg

Richard & Barbara Laibson

Lee Avishai

Caren Kessler

Adrian & Shirley Sandler

Alan & Suzanne Escovitz

Ira & Sheila Naiman

Jay and Marlene Jacoby

Yizkor Fund

Shirley Kayne

Security Fund

Eileen Reisman: in honor of Logan

Reich becoming Bar Mitzvah

Alyssa & Gregory Ross

Torah Fund

Steve & Shulamit Dave: in appreci-

ation of their aliyah

Adult Ed Fund

Jay & Marlene Jacoby: in memory

of Robert Kline’s mother, Claire

Kline

October to November

Mazel Tov !December Birthdays01 Rachel Zivony

03 Joshua Schactman

04 Jan Hartz

Lavender Ross

05 Eva Blinder

Jimi Moore

06 Indiana Aaron West

08 Loretta Holmes

09 Sara Yakira

10 Phineas Tager

12 Bruce Brown

13 Alan Silverman

15 Louis Schactman

20 Alex Reich

Irvin Saron

21 Jay Jacoby

24 Lilian Millsaps

25 Judy Hoffman

26 Neil Garroway

28 Gail Gordon

30 Gerry Hausman

December Anniversaries13 Ron & Deborah Neimkin

16 Norman & Tamar Katzwer

20 Mark & Robin Goldstein

Rick & Ellen Sanders

Adrienne & Jack Kessler

23 David & Sharon Boas

29 Jeremy & Carol Samsky

30 Stephen & Barbara Lehrer

Anthony & Danise Hauser

Refuah ShleimahTo Gerry Uhler, Thelma Uhler, Julie Sherman, Ralph Reeder, John Moore, Neil McCollum,

Devorah Reed

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 16

January Ha’Shofar Deadline –

December 10thI welcome your newsletter contributions, but

please, please respect the deadline of the

10th of the month

1 2 3 4 5 6

12:00 pm

Noon Study Group

4:5 pm Candles

Shabbatluck at

Deletesky’s

7

9:30 am Shabbat

morning services

5:48 pm Havdalah

8

12:30 pm

CBI Winter

Congregational

Meeting

9 10 11 12

6:30 pm Board

Meeting

13

12:00 pm

Noon Study Group

6:00 pm Family

Shabbat Service and

Potluck5:00 pm Candles

14

9:30 am Shabbat

morning services

5:49 pm Havdalah

1510:00 am

Multi-Gen

Hannukkah

Program

1:00 pm Jewish

Meditation

Circle

16 17 18 19 20Deadline for Club

Chutzpah acts

12:00 pm

Noon Study Group

5:02 pm Candles

219:30 am Shabbat

morning services

10:00 am Milk and

Honey Hour

10:45 am Youth

Shabbat

5:52 pm Havdalah

22

Hanukkah

1st Candle

Chabad’s

Hanukkah Live

23

Hanukkah

2nd Candle

24

Hanukkah

3rd Candle

25

Hanukkah

4th Candle

26

Hanukkah

5th Candle

27

Hanukkah

6th Candle

12:00 pm

Noon Study Group

6:00 pm Kabbalat

Shabbat

5:06 pm Candles

28

Hanukkah

7th Candle

9:30 am

Shabbat morning

services

12:30 am

Hasidishe Kiddush

5:55 pm

Havdalah

29Hanukkah

8th Candle

4:00 pm Torah

on Tap

5:30 pm CBI

Hanukkah

Party

30 31

HA’SHOFAR PAGE 17

December 2019SUN FRI SATTHUWEDTUEMON

HA’SHOFAR

December Yahrzeits

PAGE 18

Announced during services on:

November 30

03 (05 Kislev) Richard Nielsen for his mother, Ada Nielsen

05 (07 Kislev) Jillian Krupp for her grandmother, Selma Krupp

06 (08 Kislev) Jeremy Samsky for his mother, Sarah Samsky

December 7

08 (10 Kislev) Alan Baumgarten for his uncle, Miki Altberger Haran

12 (14 Kislev) Norman Katzwer for his mother, Dora Katzwer

12 (14 Kislev) Lauren Malinoff for her grandmother, Rose S. Malinoff

12 (14 Kislev) Lauren Malinoff for her grandfather, Herbert Lipman

12 (14 Kislev) Gail Shulimson for her uncle, Morris Shulimson

13 (15 Kislev) Jodi Travis for her uncle, Norman Bander

December 13 & 14

15 (17 Kislev) Marc Penansky for his mother, Ruth Penansky

15 (17 Kislev) Goldie Weizman for her mother, Anna Zucker

16 (18 Kislev) Bernard Coleman for his sister, Yvonne Coleman

18 (20 Kislev) Barbara Lewin for her mother, Ruth Kaufman Blick

19 (21 Kislev) David Boas for his sister, Carol Boas

19 (21 Kislev) Norman Winkelman for her father-in-law, Sam Samuels

20 (22 Kislev) Sara Yakira for her grandfather, Jack Heckelman

December 21

21 (23 Kislev) Nathalie Rudy for her mother, Sarah Rudy

21 (23 Kislev) Paul Michalove for his father, Jack I. Michalove

22 (24 Kislev) Jodi Travis for her grandfather, Phil Bander

24 (26 Kislev) Barbara Lewin for her father, Milton Blick

25 (27 Kislev) Roberta Wall for her mother, Ann Plager Wall

27 (29 Kislev) Thelma Uhler for her grandmother, Ida Sherman

December 27 & 28

28 (30 Kislev) Claire Mager-Jaffee for her mother, Adele Mager

29 (01 Tevet) Bob Pohlman for his mother, Alice Pohlman

May their memories be for a blessing.

Beth Israel Synagogue

Rabbi Justin Goldstein

Congregation Beth Israel

229 Murdock Avenue

Asheville, NC  28804

Office Phone (828) 252-8660

Rabbi’s Phone (828) 252-9024

Fax (828) 252-8431

email: admin@bethisraelnc.org

Synagogue Office Hours:

Monday to Friday

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

For updated information visit our website at

www.bethisraelnc.org

December

Candle-lighting & Havdalah

Friday 12/6/2019 4:59 pm

Saturday 12/7/2019 5:48 pm

Friday 12/13/2019 5:00 pm

Saturday 12/14/2019 5:49 pm

Friday 12/20/2019 5:02 pm

Saturday 12/21/2019 5:51 pm

Friday 12/27/2019 5:06 pm

Saturday 12/28/2019 5:55 pm

RabbiRabbi Justin Goldstein rabbi@bethisraelnc.org

Office AdministratorLee Avishai admin@bethisraelnc.org

Executive CommitteeAli Climo, President president@bethisraelnc.org

Danielle Tocaben, Vice Pres. vicepresident@bethisraelnc.org

Julie Sherman, Secretary boardsecretary@bethisraelnc.org

Norman Katzwer, Treasurer cbitreasurer@bethisraelnc.org

Della Simon, Past President pastpresident@bethisraelnc.org

Board Committee Chairs/Members

Alan Silverman, Membership membership@bethisraelnc.org

Mike Weizman, Development development@bethisraelnc.org

Eva Blinder, Spiritual/Ritual ritual@bethisraelnc.org

Gail Gordon, Social Action socialaction1@bethisraelnc.org

Elie Aharon, Adult Education adulted1@bethisraelnc.org

Board Members-at-LargeHannah Limov mal1@bethisraelnc.org

Kevin Boyd mal2@bethisraelnc.org

Ellen Sanders mal3@bethisraelnc.org

Alan Escovitz mal4@bethisraelnc.org

Non-Board Committee ChairsMike Weizman, Capital Campaign capitalcampaign@bethisraelnc.org

Caren Kessler, Chesed chesed@bethisraelnc.org

Bruce Brown, HaShofar hashofar@bethisraelnc.org

Nechamah Morgan, Youth Educ. yepadmin@bethisraelnc.org

Kitchen kitchen@bethisraelnc.org

For everything else, contact admin@bethisraelnc.org

Chesed: CBI’s Support NetworkChesed is a caring team of CBI members who are here to help out their CBI community

during both challenging as well as joyous times. This committee has assisted individ-

uals and families in a variety of ways. Sometimes it’s as simple as making a call or

writing a card. Sometimes it’s preparing a meal, making a visit or providing a ride.

Sometimes it’s helping with a life cycle event: a bat or bar mitzvah, the birth of a baby,

the loss of a loved one. But we need your help to continue our work effectively.

We can’t offer to do anything unless we know who needs and wants some support. If

we can help you with something or if you are aware of someone who needs assistance,

please tell Lee, who will pass along that information to the Chesed committee. Or you

can send an email request to chesed@bethisraelnc.org. Many people at CBI are wait-

ing to help out. At this point, over 70 people have put their names on one or more lists

to provide support for their CBI family.

We also need your help responding to the requests. If you want to be involved, please

tell Lee, who will pass along your interest to the committee. You can also contact the

Chesed committee directly at chesed@bethisraelnc.org. We’ll get in touch with you

to see what you are interested in doing. We’re grateful to have you volunteer to do one

or all of the following (it’s really up to you):

• Visit those who are sick

• Make calls

• Be part of a shiva minyan

• Prepare meals

• Provide transportation

• Run errands

• Assist with set up for a bar/bat mitzvah party

• Host someone for a holiday meal

Jewish communities have a rich history of taking care of each other. The Babylon-

ian Talmud teaches us that All Jews are responsible one for another (Shevuot 39a).

The Chesed Committee invites you to be a part of that meaningful tradition.