February 2016 Tekiah

A Note from the RabbiRabbi Rick Shapiro

(Continued on page 2)

Thirty years after the United States Supreme Court granted all American women the right to choose if and when to bear children it is very tempting to take the right to a safe and legal abortion for

granted But in light of the recent fraudulent attacks on Planned Parenthood nationwide we have been reminded all too quickly that nothing as deeply contested and hotly debated as abortion can ever be taken for granted And no matter what group of players happen to be occupying center stage at any given moment in the unfolding drama of abortion rights in America religion continues to play a prominent role in the script

Judaism teaches me that all too frequently life presents us with situations in which the rights of one person are in conflict with the rights of another And so I am forced to choose whose rights take precedence and I am to make that choice based on more than 3000 years of legal moral and ethical texts which are my religious birthright The case of abortion is just such a situation When a pregnant womanrsquos real-life situation and her right to life come into conflict with the right of her unborn fetus to be born I am often called upon as a rabbi to help her understand the circumstances and help determine whose right is primary

Our starting point on this issue is the clear and unequivocal teaching based on a passage in the Book of Exodus that the fetus and the woman are not of equal standing According to ancient Jewish legal interpretation the fetus does not acquire the status of a human being until it is born Or in the jargon of the abortion debate For us as Jews life doesnrsquot begin until birth And so when I am working with a Jewish woman in a situation where she is considering an abortion it is this fact together with her humanity and her pain that assumes primary importance for me in determining if Jewish tradition can justify that abortion

Beth Torah Blood DriveWednesday February 10th

230 to 730 pmSchedule your donation at

wwwesavealifenoworg

AVisit us on the Internet at

wwwbeth-torahorgThe Monthly Newsletter of Congregation Beth Torah

February 2016 Issue 297 ShevatAdar 5776

Note about online Tekiah When viewing the Tekiah online you click through the pages using

the left and right arrows to view the entire document Slide the magnifying bar to make the pages bigger Please contact

saranglassgmailcom if you have any questions or problems

50SUPER BOWL PARTY AT BETH TORAH

CBT

Sunday February 7th430 pm

Itrsquos 3rd down 4th and goal and Beth Torahrsquos Membership Committee has called a time out We invite you your family and FRIENDS to the 1st Annual Super Bowl Party Gates Open 430 pm Admission $10 individuals $13 (includes beerwine) $18 family includes Burgers Franks Chili FRIENDS and Fun Donrsquot sit on the sidelines get in the game and join us for a super packed super fun SUPER BOWL PARTY Three large-screen TVs and game room and activities for kids Free babysitting

RSVP to the Beth Torah Office or Cathy at cnixbeth-torahorg by

Friday January 29 2016

SEE PAgE 5 fOR fLiER

wwwbeth-torahorg | Page 2

Torah Portion amp Haftarah

January 293020 of ShevatParashat YitroldquoBe Aware of the Miracles Around Yourdquo

February 5627 of ShevatParashat Mishpatim ldquoRead the Laws as a Guide to a Connection Between God and Humankindrdquo

February 12134 of AdarParashat Trsquorumah ldquoExplore the Covenant Through Justice and Kindnessrdquo

February 192011 of AdarParashat TrsquotzavehldquoUnderstand the Symbolism of the Mishkanrdquo

February 262718 of AdarParashat Ki TisaldquoWhat Idols are in Your Liferdquo

Worship(Continued from page 1)

Mazel Tov ToNick and Becky Toniazzo on the

birth of their son Emmet Nathaniel Toniazzo

Rabbi Rick and Lynn Shapiro

on the birth of their grandson Henry Stewart Love Shapiro

In MemoriumBeatrice Mattleman

Mother of Lauren Hoopes

Joseph KoekUncle of Donna Krichiver

But the position of Judaism is but one of many religious perspectives on the landscape of American religious life Some religious traditions believe with equal fervor that human life begins at the moment of conception while others would place the moment of life at 40 days following conception while still others would use a medical definition of viability for their determination Frequently for them the contemplation of an abortion involves the consideration of two human lives However regardless of onersquos perspective or religious belief I have yet to hear of a medical instrument sensitive and sophisticated enough to measure when the God-given soul enters the body of that tiny little embryo or developing fetus And so for all of us our beliefs are simply that beliefs

The beauty of the American tradition however is that all of these beliefs and convictions are protected and that none of them is to be enshrined into law Thatrsquos what the First Amendment to the United States Constitution is all about

And so ultimately for me all of the discussions about when life begins are secondary Given the fact that people of faith will likely always disagree on whether or not abortion is a moral choice for a woman facing a problem pregnancy the most vital question is Who will make the final decision I for one do not want any agency of government mdash whether it be the courts Congress a state legislature a city council or a school board mdash making that decision for the women of America They have the right to make that decision for themselves based on the moral ethical and religious values that they embrace

And so as we enter this presidential election year ndash a year when at a minimum the next several appointments to the Supreme Court will be determined ndash we need to remain vigilant lest this 42-year-old right become a relic and women once again be forced into the back alleys of American life

OfficersPresidentLinda ZappullaFirst Vice PresidenthelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipBarry KatzVice PresidenthelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipBonnie SwadeVice PresidenthelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipElisa WaldmanSecretary Matt HaunTreasurer Mike GinsbergImmediate Past President Michelle Cole

Board of TrusteesJeff Altman Tom Cohen June CraneTodd Davisson Mike FineMiki Herman Bob Milgrim Frank Sterneck SueAnn Strom

BTTY President Sarah Shaw

StaffInterim Rabbi Rabbi Rick Shapiro DDFounding Rabbi Mark H Levin DD DHL Music Director Emily Tummons Director of Community ConnectionsLaura Intfen Director of Education Bridey StanglerDirector of Finance Todd Janvrin CPA Office Manager Robin Orsquo BryanAdministrative AssistantSharon AltmanAdministrative Assistant Cathy Nix BookkeeperBarb KittCommunications Associate Sara Glass

BTTY Adviser Zach ZwibelmanJYG Adviser Rachel Bolter

copy Congregation Beth Torah Overland Park KS

Tekiah 297 February 2016Congregation Beth Torah

(913) 498-2212 Fax (913) 498-1071Email infobeth-torahorg Website wwwbeth-torahorg

If you need to contact Rabbi Shapiro for a rabbinic emergency when the office is closed he can be reached on his cell phone 760-668-5806


Presidentrsquos CornerDear Beth Torah Friends

This month we had hoped to announce our new rabbi After a huge amount of work by our Rabbi Search Committee and enormous involvement by you all in welcoming meeting and sharing what makes Beth Torah special with our candidates we felt we found our new rabbi Unfortunately in the world of supply and demand there were many opportunities for clergy and we havenrsquot yet found our match We will keep at it because we wonrsquot relax our high standards and because we know Beth Torah is a great congregation for the right rabbi We remain confident and optimistic that we will find that person (or couple)

Beth Torah continues to look for opportunities to enhance and energize our community As challenging as it is to let go of some of our cherished events we do that to make room for new activities The Chili Cook-Off will not take place this year Instead the Membership Committee is hosting an amazing First Annual Super Bowl Party on Sunday February 7th and the Weiner Religious School and BTTY will host a Purim Carnival on Sunday March 27th I hope you can join us at one or both of these events

At the Annual Meeting every May we present the budget for the following year for congregational approval It takes a lot of work to get there In recent years the budget was prepared by the Treasurer and Executive Director This year we are working for more involvement of staff Board and members for greater transparency and an increased selection of financial solutions The Finance Committee (Jeff Altman Tom Cohen Mark Kass Joel Krichiver Frank Sterneck and Sue Ann Strom) led by Treasurer Mike Ginsberg and Finance Director Todd Janvrin are already at work projecting next yearrsquos expenses estimating membership levels and potential fundraising revenues partnering with staff on needs for programming music school anticipating building repair needs etc The budget goes through many iterations before it reaches the Board for its scrutiny and approval This long and intense process is designed to ensure we build a budget that will serve the needs and desires of the Beth Torah community is fiscally sound and plans for the future Our appreciation in advance to those working on the budget

Linda Zappulla

Linda Zappulla Board President LindaZappullagmailcom

HAVURAH MEET AND GREET The meeting to form new havurah groups is almost here The date is Sunday February 21st The time is 200 pm The location is Beth Torah

Anybody who is interested in joining a havurah should plan to be there Meet other Beth Torah members who are of like age and interests to form a group This is a great way to become acquainted with other members and make new friends Groups meet once a month on a mutually agreeable date and time For example our havurah meets one Sunday a month for dinner and a presentation at a restaurant with a free private room or in one of our homes When we first began we didnrsquot know each other and now wersquove been together for 14 years We are truly like a family Come join us on February 21st so you can experience this too If you think you will be available to join us please Email us so we can plan to accommodate everyone We are looking forward to meeting you at this gathering Susie amp Jerry Klinock SusieKlinockgmailcom


Connections Laura Intfen Director of Community Connectionslintfenbeth-torahorg

ldquoIf you are not a better person tomorrow than you are today what need have you for a tomorrowrdquo ndash Rebbe Nachman of Breslov

I love to learn things Recently I have been taught by rabbis staff members my children the books and news programs I have listened to the books and news programs I have read my husband andhellipyeshellipFacebook But I have learned the most by far from Beth Torah congregants I had the honor of leading worship on Erev Shabbat January 1st and shared by newly found knowledge at that time but I want to share it again It is that eye opening

Great things are happening at Beth Torah Lots of great things But the overall best thing is that we are all looking forward I hear it on the phone I see it in emails I feel it within our walls We are looking forward And recently I found out why that shouldnrsquot have surprised me We are a community of forward thinking and forward ACTING people At the time I write this we donrsquot know who will be in the Rabbirsquos office next year But I donrsquot lose sleep over that Because our community is so much more than one person

In the theme of an old movie I had asked on Facebook that people share with me times in their lives that they have used the ldquopay it forwardrdquo rule to live by The response was enlightening and amazing Here is the list that I read off that Erev Shabbat in early January that I want to share now

bull Susan Kivett bought groceries for a person in line behind her at Walmart just because

bull Linda Zappulla our president was in line at the Police Station to pay a ticket and paid the ticket of the person next to her who was struggling to pay their fine

bull June Crane observed our community rush out to Lukas Liquor when her husbandrsquos first batch of beer from his newly opened local brewery opened

bull Lezlie Zucker along with her husband mowed the lawn of a neighbor who was in the hospital

bull Ellen Taylor paid for a Beth Torah membership for a medical student who could not afford one

bull Louise Hipsh took in a young person who had been removed from a foster home and had nowhere to go

bull Elizabeth Lenz loaded up her kids and drove her neighbor to the next town to retrieve a key on a bitter cold morning

bull Jo Ann Harris makes sure that a friend of hers who can no longer drive doesnrsquot miss get-togethers and book group meetings

bull Fran Kuhn shares her newspaper so a struggling neighbor doesnrsquot have to give up reading it every day

bull Donna Krichiver took a student under her wing who was struggling with life issues and encouraged her enough that the woman graduated from Johnson County Community College

There is also a long list of our congregants who have been on the receiving end of kindness some for acts of kindness from strangers and some for acts of kindness from other congregants

My point in sharing this knowledge with you is to remind you that you control the power of what you say and how you act It is so easy to drown in a sea of negativity and these actions are like a lifeline Hold on to the knowledge that good things are happening Because if we donrsquot learn that good things are happening today then what is the need for tomorrow

What ceLebrations do YoU have coming Up at beth torah

spread the joysponsor a breakfast or some fancy shmancy creamers for our sunday morning breakfasts

purchase a leaf on our tree of Life in the Ulamsponsor a nosh for an erev shabbat Friday night worship

Contact the Beth Torah office to take an opportunity to spread the joy


Super Bowl Party at Beth Torah



RSVP to the Beth Torah Office or Cathy at cnixbeth-torahorg by Friday January 29 2016

PRESEnTEd BY CBTrsquoS MEMBERSHiP COMMiTTEEfEATURing An ALL-STAR LinEUP

CBT

Sunday February 7 2016 430 pm


Adult Education amp Special ProgramsBringing Adult Education YouDiscussion on the Writings of the TorahJoin the community in discussion on Shabbat morning 900 to 1015 am in the Library

Jewish Book ClubContact Rabbi Shapiro to be a part of our Jewish Literature discussion group On Monday February 15th at 700 pm we will discuss A Guide for the Perplexed by Dara Horn

Saturday Night at the MoviesJoin your community for an exploration of the Israeli feature films of the past 50+ years Each film will begin at 700 pm in the Beth Torah Ulam and be followed by a discussion led by Rabbi Shapiro Join us on Saturday February 13th for a viewing of ldquoBroken Wingsrdquo

Ray Davidson Yiddish CircleIf you havenrsquot yet visited the wonderful ldquoYiddish Circle for Learningrdquo at Congregation Beth Torah yoursquore missing a treat Come to Beth Torah each Friday at noon until 130 pm Bring your lunch if yoursquod like

Stay-N-Play Board Games At Stay-N-Play following Services on Friday evening February 19th you can stay to play board games with our community Bring your friends and any games you want to play or just come and learn some new games Thank you to Stu Lewis and Andrea Zwibelman for stepping up to be the new coordinators of this growing group

Wisdom on WednesdaysThe Wisdom on Wednesday crew is exploring Second Temple Judaism As our interests crystalize our source texts may include the four books of Maccabees information reflecting the growth of synagogues and the development of sects in the Jewish community some writings of the historian Josephus sections of the Talmud talking about relations with Roman soldiers and emperors perhaps even some background about the Jewish Jesus We eat and schmooze every Wednesday from noon to 1230 pm then read and discuss from 1230-130 pm Drop by the Bridersquos Room and join us Yoursquore always welcome

Lunch with the Rabbi -- Politics on the Pulpit Anathema or Moral MandateJoin Rabbi Shapiro this month for some lunch and some learning at our next Lunch with the Rabbi on Thursday February 18th 1200-130 pm in the Library Bring your own lunch or call the office at (913) 498-2212 to order a sandwich

I hope everybody had an awesome New Yearrsquos and winter break We at BTTY have started off 2016 running Following Winter Chavurah we kicked off our events with a trip to reStart on January 23rd After helping to serve dinner we went to Winsteadrsquos Then we went to Harvesters on January 26th with some other youth groups Our next event is a lounge night after services on February 12th A note to parents From 600-1000 pm on February 14th BTTY is offering its baby sitting services for kids ages potty trained and up This will be $25 per first child and $10 additional per each sibling Hope to see more people this month

-Prez Sarah

Sarah ShawBTTY President 2015-2016


Religious SchoolIn my former life (ie seven months ago) I raised chickens They were named for literary heroines so obviously I had no intention of eating any of them Each morning I collected the eggs laid by Mary Pella Blanche Alma Hermione and Bathsheba Everdene I would cook these eggs then crush up the shells and bury them in my garden between the tomato plants All of this of course was after I picked that dayrsquos snap peas and watered the potato tower Between the garden and a healthy family I had never been happier

When we moved over the summer we discovered that ndash surprise ndash you canrsquot raise chickens in Westwood Kansas Who would have thought And in the business of learning the ropes of a new job finding childcare and feeling more like grown-ups than ever before the garden fell by the wayside too

My love for dirt beneath my fingernails should be more than just a passing fancy and I attended a meeting in January that reminded me of that

I was sitting with other Jewish educators from around the city We had been brought together to discuss a Tu BrsquoShevat installation for next February The idea was to encourage our congregants to connect the environmental message of Tu BrsquoShevat with the need to ldquounplugrdquo for Shabbat It was to be a month-long program Naturally I fell in love with the idea Some of my colleagues less so and one particular response surprised me

ldquoThe day after Tu BrsquoShevat wersquove already moved on to Purimrdquo

Here is my proposal letrsquos not

Letrsquos be the congregation who does not forget the bounty that God provides Letrsquos be the congregation who remembers that the words for human and earth adam and adamah have the same root Letrsquos remember our inextricable bond to the natural world Letrsquos remember our holy title Shomrei Adamah the guardians of the earth Letrsquos remember that our biblical roots are agricultural

Irsquom not asking you to plant a garden (although you certainly can) and Irsquom not asking you to run out and buy an alpaca (although that would be awesome) What I am asking is that you join me in reconnecting with our historic and cultural roots Jews farmed for generations before we largely congregated in cities and while most of us have no desire to don the overalls ourselves we can take time to remember that some people still do We can remember that there are ways in which we still act as Shomrei Adamah

The day of Tu BrsquoShevat is now behind us but our journey is just beginning It may not feel like it but Spring is not so far away and it will be easier than it is now to daily appreciate that bounty of Godrsquos good earth Stay tuned for new programs and classes that remind us of the debt we owe to the natural world The Seven Species Supper Club will meet around the time of the major agricultural festivals to eat drink and learn from scholars Jewish environmental agricultural gastronomical and everything in between Opportunities to plant tend till and harvest will be available on and off Beth Torah property as we seek to feed the hungry in our community Maybe you can even get your hands a little dirty

Bridey Stangler Director of EducationBstanglerbeth-torahorg


Thank you to all our customers for your purchases during our social justice month (January) The Gift Shop is proud to make a donation each year to a social justice project of the raffle winnerrsquos choice Look for the winner in our March Tekiah article Will it be someone you know or a social justice project you support

It is time to pre-order your Passover candies Passover will begin at sunset of Friday April 22nd so why start so early Two reasons first to make sure you have enough time to think about what you want (and place your order) and second because all prepaid orders are due by March 9 2016 This is our 5th year of being the only synagogue in the area to offer Miss Chocolate Passover Candies by Bartonrsquos Chocolatier Many of you remember the tin of individually wrapped almond chocolate kisses from your childhood Passover memories Here is a partial list of the candies Bartonrsquos Almond Kisses Bartonrsquos Cashew Butter Crunch Bartonrsquos Fruit Slices Jenniersquos Double Chocolate Sea Salt Macaroons Bartonrsquos Milk Chocolate Lollycones and many more candies If you have some favorites prepaid orders are the best way to ensure you have candy that is Kosher for Passover Please stop by the Gift Shop or call Kelly Kaplan to place your prepaid orders of these Passover treats The Gift Shop will only carry a small supply of these Passover candies in our shop

Finally The Gift Shop would value any suggestions or ideas to help improve the shop Our customers are the reason we can support the community through donations

Our motto ldquoWhere shopping turns into a mitzvahrdquo We look forward to seeing you in the Gift Shop

Shalom Kelly Kaplan

The Gift Shop at Beth Torah

Shabbat AnthologyTranscontinental Music Publications owned by the American Conference of Cantors announced a call to all Jewish songwriters a few months ago to submit compositions for the 8th volume of their ldquoShabbat Anthologyrdquo series which will be published this summer

Emily Tummons rallied a few Beth Torah folks together and they whipped up some new Jewish songs to submit to the project Here is a list of the original compositions this team of musicians wrote and sent in

Carmen Dieker ldquoShalom Ravrdquo ldquoMi ChamochahrdquoTim Intfen ldquoYihrsquoyu Lrsquoratzon Oseh Shalomrdquo ldquoVrsquoshamrurdquoStu Lewis ldquoLrsquocha Dodirdquo ldquoSightless Among MiraclesrdquoEmily Tummons ldquoLrsquochu Nrsquoranrsquonahrdquo ldquoYrsquovarechrsquochardquo ldquoYihrsquoyu Lrsquoratzon Oseh ShalomrdquoLezlie Zucker ldquoKol Hanrsquoshamahrdquo ldquoStand and Pray Adonai Srsquofatairdquo ldquoHinei Mah Tovrdquo

Each time a volume is compiled Transcontinental receives hundreds of submissions and can only accept 30 Our CBT group of composers will hear the results from the selection committee this spring Wish them luck

Have you ever wanted to try writing Jewish songs Contact Emily and join us in a once-a-month workshop exploring songwriting methods music theory notation software techniques and more at emilybeth-torahorg

Gift Shop Winter Hours are Sunday 900 to 1230 pm (during religious school)

Monday 400 to 600 pmWednesday and Friday 1000 am to noon

or by appointment call Kelly at (913) 498-1474


Music Program Emily Tummons Music DirectorEmilybeth-torahorg

Our first ldquoShabbat Huddlerdquo was held on Friday evening December 18th just before our normal Shabbat service began Fourteen of us the folks you see in the photo gathered together in the little cove behind the Ark for a rousing song session getting ourselves ready for Shabbat

In our half-hour Huddle we explored alternate musical settings of Lrsquocha Dodi (Breslov Chassidic Hashkiveinu (Craig Taubman) and Vrsquoshamru (Dan Nichols) along with a stirring rendition of the last lines of ldquoAdon Olamrdquo

In our second Shabbat Huddle held on Friday evening January 15th we sang a few of the songs we had learned in December And we threw in a couple of new ones a new niggun and a new setting of ldquoMi Chamochardquo text written by Carmen Dieker

Our budding little group would love for you to join us at our third Shabbat Huddle Friday evening February 5th 545 - 615 pm Once again wersquoll experience some of the songs from past Huddles plus a couple of new ones including a new musical setting of Yihrsquoyu Lrsquoratzon Oseh Shalom composed by Tim Intfen

In these cold winter months itrsquos nice to warm ourselves by the fire of friendship and spirited singing Come sit in a circle with us by candlelight and mark with music the start of our communal day of rest

Make Music With UsThere are gateways galore for you to get involved in the Beth Torah music program Call or Email Emily if you play an instrument or like to sing emilybeth-torahorg Our Menrsquos Group Womenrsquos Group and Kids Choir rehearse seasonally on Sunday mornings and our Adult Choir under the direction of Carmen Dieker rehearses seasonally on Wednesday evenings All are welcome

wwwbeth-torahorg | 0

ContributionsBeth Torah General Fund Carol Ducak Anonymous Eric amp Shanny Morgenstern Susan amp Joel Waxman Doug amp Pola Greenwald The Girson Family Richard Bellotti Jo-Ann Harris The Lowenstein Family

In Memory OfDavid Goldstein Marvin Szneler Todd amp Shirley StettnerBeatrice Mattleman Todd amp Shirley StettnerIsrael amp Helen Kopyta Lidia FoundasStanley Altman Marion Altman amp Family

In Honor OfHanukkah Sermon-in-Song Barry amp Linda Katz

Rabbi Shapiro Discretionary Fund Valery amp Susan Tokar

In Memory OfAnn Belmont Dan amp Betsy Wilinsky amp FamilyDavid Goldstein Sheila Ginsberg

In Honor OfMovie Night Wallace Weber

Rabbi Levin Discretionary FundIn Memory OfAddie Shaffer Norman ShafferEsther Shapiro Barry amp Chris ShapiroChristine Mattes Kevin amp Tina SheaBertha Gutovitz Allen amp Gail GutovitzSam Zavelo Sr Sam amp Donna ZaveloHarry Skikne Barry amp Marge SkikneLeah Shaw Raymond ShawSarah Hurst Radine Shaw

Joel H Winston Social Justice FundIn Memory OfDavid Goldstein Maureen amp Sandy Salz Scott amp Sara Tate Goldstein

In Appreciation OfRabbi Mark Levin Ashley WoolfAshley Woolf amp Kelly Kaplan Edis Parkans

CBT Camp Scholarship FundIn Memory OfIda Reva Jaben Etta Brenner

Choir FundIn Memory OfBrett A Swade Mickey amp Bonnie SwadeDr Bernard M Capper Gail amp Larry AltmanJames R Gustin Fred amp Barbara Gustin

Youth Activities FundIn Honor OfCBT Youth Anonymous

In Memory OfCharlotte Kapel Paul Chapman

Rabbirsquos Fund For Social Justice ProjectsIn Memory OfDavid Goldstein Judy amp Lloyd Hellman Terry Wohlner

Library FundIn Memory OfConnie Broughton Betsy Wanger

Amy Dennis Pierron Music FundIn Memory OfElener Revelle Lezlie ZuckerRaymond Shaw Rosanne amp Randy Deutch

In Honor OfBat Mitzvah of Lia Davidson Marie DifilippoRabbi Mark Levin Larry amp Gail Altman

CBT Fund for Families in Need Valery amp Susan Tokar

In Memory OfOlivia ZipperMichael Brian Zipper Ron ZipperAnn BelmontGloria BernsteinGabriel Michael Hellman Jerry amp Denise PakulaDora Freed Lynne amp Morrie FaimanDavid Goldstein Carla amp Tiberius KlausnerSadie Levin Betty Deutch

In Honor Of50th Wedding Anniversary of Larry amp Marcia Rittmaster Jerry amp Denise PakulaA Speedy recovery of Maribell Knickerbocker Pam Kanter

Hunger Fund Sion Rahbarrad

In Memory OfFrederico AdlerBetty AdlerJose amp Hilda Adler Maggie AdlerDavid Goldstein Henri Goettel

In Honor OfThe birth of our Granddaughter Zelle Viola Worthington Ruth amp Mike WorthingtonHal amp Carol Sader Robert Kort

Educating our Future Fund Bill amp Randi Lefko Paul Chapman Richard Bellotti

Religious School FundIn Memory OfSol amp Ruth Eiler Martin amp Irene Goldstein


Community EventsPoRTER SUMMER ExPERIENCEThe Jewish Community Foundation invites Jewish high school and college students seeking funding for an approved Jewish summer travel experience to apply to the Karen and Ed Porter Summer Experience Award Fund The Fund makes annual awards to students to participate in Jewish summer travel experiences which encompass leadership development community development or personal Jewish enrichment Awards are based upon merit Financial need may be taken into consideration To apply please download an application from the Jewish Community Foundationrsquos website at wwwjcfkcorgscholarships Applications and letters of recommendations are due by February 28 2016 Previous scholarship recipients may not reapply For more information call Beatrice Fine at 913-327-4618

MELToN SPRING CLASSES ANNoUNCEDMelton has some great new offerings this semester beginning Friday January 15 2016 (12 sessions) 930-11 amMelton Favorites A combination of two of the most popular Melton ClassesThe Purposes of Jewish Living This course explores both ancient and modern responses to many of the major issues of Jewish thought and theology

The Rhythms of Jewish Living This course examines a wide variety of Jewish sources to discover the deeper meanings underlying Jewish holidays lifecycle observances and Jewish practice

Faculty Marla Brockman Communal Jewish Educator and Rabbi Daniel Kirzane of The Temple Congregation Brsquonai Jehudah Location HBHA Tuition $250 plus materialsmdashSponsorship Level Contact Annie Glickman for (confidential) tuition subsidiesRegister online httpwwwhbhaedumelton

RSVPrsquos requested Call or email infobeth-torahorg


Beth Torah members supporting one another through lifersquos health care challenges

To make a referral or to volunteer contact Beth Torah (913) 498-2212 or email

caringconnectionteambeth-torahorg

Save the Date

PurIMAT BeTh TorAh

The British Invasion hits Beth Torah as Beatlemania arrives at Cafeacute Shushan

Adult Megillah reading and Cafeacute Shushan Wednesday evening March 23rd

readers needed Contact Laura to volunteer

More details to come

1ST ever CBT PurIM CArNIvALSunday March 27th Costumes encouraged

Keep an eye out for more information

CliCk here to see the February Calendar on

our website wwwbeth-torahorg

wwwbeth-torahorg |

Torah Portion amp Haftarah

January 293020 of ShevatParashat YitroldquoBe Aware of the Miracles Around Yourdquo

February 5627 of ShevatParashat Mishpatim ldquoRead the Laws as a Guide to a Connection Between God and Humankindrdquo

February 12134 of AdarParashat Trsquorumah ldquoExplore the Covenant Through Justice and Kindnessrdquo

February 192011 of AdarParashat TrsquotzavehldquoUnderstand the Symbolism of the Mishkanrdquo

February 262718 of AdarParashat Ki TisaldquoWhat Idols are in Your Liferdquo

Worship(Continued from page 1)

Mazel Tov ToNick and Becky Toniazzo on the

birth of their son Emmet Nathaniel Toniazzo

Rabbi Rick and Lynn Shapiro

on the birth of their grandson Henry Stewart Love Shapiro

In MemoriumBeatrice Mattleman

Mother of Lauren Hoopes

Joseph KoekUncle of Donna Krichiver

But the position of Judaism is but one of many religious perspectives on the landscape of American religious life Some religious traditions believe with equal fervor that human life begins at the moment of conception while others would place the moment of life at 40 days following conception while still others would use a medical definition of viability for their determination Frequently for them the contemplation of an abortion involves the consideration of two human lives However regardless of onersquos perspective or religious belief I have yet to hear of a medical instrument sensitive and sophisticated enough to measure when the God-given soul enters the body of that tiny little embryo or developing fetus And so for all of us our beliefs are simply that beliefs

The beauty of the American tradition however is that all of these beliefs and convictions are protected and that none of them is to be enshrined into law Thatrsquos what the First Amendment to the United States Constitution is all about

And so ultimately for me all of the discussions about when life begins are secondary Given the fact that people of faith will likely always disagree on whether or not abortion is a moral choice for a woman facing a problem pregnancy the most vital question is Who will make the final decision I for one do not want any agency of government mdash whether it be the courts Congress a state legislature a city council or a school board mdash making that decision for the women of America They have the right to make that decision for themselves based on the moral ethical and religious values that they embrace

And so as we enter this presidential election year ndash a year when at a minimum the next several appointments to the Supreme Court will be determined ndash we need to remain vigilant lest this 42-year-old right become a relic and women once again be forced into the back alleys of American life

OfficersPresidentLinda ZappullaFirst Vice PresidenthelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipBarry KatzVice PresidenthelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipBonnie SwadeVice PresidenthelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellipElisa WaldmanSecretary Matt HaunTreasurer Mike GinsbergImmediate Past President Michelle Cole

Board of TrusteesJeff Altman Tom Cohen June CraneTodd Davisson Mike FineMiki Herman Bob Milgrim Frank Sterneck SueAnn Strom

BTTY President Sarah Shaw

StaffInterim Rabbi Rabbi Rick Shapiro DDFounding Rabbi Mark H Levin DD DHL Music Director Emily Tummons Director of Community ConnectionsLaura Intfen Director of Education Bridey StanglerDirector of Finance Todd Janvrin CPA Office Manager Robin Orsquo BryanAdministrative AssistantSharon AltmanAdministrative Assistant Cathy Nix BookkeeperBarb KittCommunications Associate Sara Glass

BTTY Adviser Zach ZwibelmanJYG Adviser Rachel Bolter

copy Congregation Beth Torah Overland Park KS

Tekiah 297 February 2016Congregation Beth Torah

(913) 498-2212 Fax (913) 498-1071Email infobeth-torahorg Website wwwbeth-torahorg

If you need to contact Rabbi Shapiro for a rabbinic emergency when the office is closed he can be reached on his cell phone 760-668-5806






Linda Zappulla
































CBT











-Prez Sarah


















Shalom Kelly Kaplan






















































Save the Date

PurIMAT BeTh TorAh









wwwbeth-torahorg |





Linda Zappulla
































CBT











-Prez Sarah


















Shalom Kelly Kaplan






















































Save the Date

PurIMAT BeTh TorAh









wwwbeth-torahorg |




























CBT











-Prez Sarah


















Shalom Kelly Kaplan






















































Save the Date

PurIMAT BeTh TorAh









wwwbeth-torahorg |






CBT











-Prez Sarah


















Shalom Kelly Kaplan






















































Save the Date

PurIMAT BeTh TorAh









wwwbeth-torahorg |









-Prez Sarah


















Shalom Kelly Kaplan






















































Save the Date

PurIMAT BeTh TorAh









wwwbeth-torahorg |
















Shalom Kelly Kaplan






















































Save the Date

PurIMAT BeTh TorAh









wwwbeth-torahorg |





Shalom Kelly Kaplan






















































Save the Date

PurIMAT BeTh TorAh









wwwbeth-torahorg |












































Save the Date

PurIMAT BeTh TorAh









wwwbeth-torahorg |




































Save the Date

PurIMAT BeTh TorAh









wwwbeth-torahorg |










Save the Date

PurIMAT BeTh TorAh









wwwbeth-torahorg |




Save the Date

PurIMAT BeTh TorAh









February 2016 Tekiah

Documents

Transcript of February 2016 Tekiah