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Friday, Jan. 7

6:45 p.m. KIDZ Shabbat

7:30 p.m. Shabbat Eve Service

Torah Reading: Bo, Ex. 10:1 – 13:16 Friday, Jan. 14 Shabbat Shirah

7:30 p.m. Shabbat Eve Service

Torah Reading: Beshallach,

Ex. 13:17 – 17:16 Friday, Jan. 21 Green Shabbat @ TOL

7:30 p.m. Special Service for Shabbat &

Tu B’shevat

Torah Reading: Yitro,

Ex. 18:1 – 20:23 Saturday, Jan. 22

10:00 a.m. Shabbat Morning Service

and Torah Study Friday, Jan. 28

7:30 p.m. Shabbat Eve Service

Torah Reading: Mishpatim,

Exodus. 21:1 – 24:18 Saturday, Jan. 29

10:00 a.m. Shabbat Morning Bat Mitzvah

Service of Sarah Feuerstein Friday, Feb. 4

6:00 p.m. KIDZ Shabbat Dinner & Service

7:30 p.m. Shabbat Eve Service

Torah Reading: Terumah,

Ex. 25:1 – 27:19

* Childcare available. Please contact the Temple office for details.

JANUARY WORSHIP SERVICES

TREE OF LIFE CONGREGATION COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA

“KOL T.O.L.” — THE “VOICE OF THE TREE OF LIFE”

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

JANUARY 2011 / TEVET – SHEVAT, 5771

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Temple News 2

From the Rabbi 3

Religious School 4 & 5

Youth News 6 & 7

Sisterhood & Brotherhood Reports 8

Chanukah Photos 9

Green Team News 10

Yahrzeits & Bimah Flowers 13

Contributions 14

Calendar of Events 15

Community News 12

Member News 11

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We want to wish

everyone a wonderful 2011!

HAPPY 115TH

BIRTHDAY,

TREE OF LIFE CONGREGATION!

January 15, 1896 – January 15, 2011

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TREE OF LIFE “BUCKS BACK” FUNDRAISING PROGRAM

The BIG NOSH will be even bigger and better this year, as we build on last year’s success. There will be

tents, music and dancing, vendors, kids’ games, crafts and Jewish Education. We are also promoting the

Harvest Hope Food Bank and “keeping green” with the festival.

Please plan on helping out and supporting TOL’s biggest event of the year. Lots of volunteer

opportunities are available and needed. More details to follow soon!

Please mark your calendars with the date and plan to join us for a great time at The Big Nosh!

TREE OF LIFE “BUCKS BACK” FUNDRAISING PROGRAM

NEXT ORDER DEADLINE: MONDAY, JANUARY 10 Deadline for orders paid with check (made out to TOL): Noon on Monday

Deadline for PrestoPay orders: Anytime Monday

Earn money for TOL by purchasing

retailer’s cards for your

everyday needs!

Percentage paid to TOL varies by retailer.

See on-line retailer list or paper copy

Here’s how to check it out or to join and start shopping…

• Go to www.shopwithscrip.com

• Go to the green “Family Sign Up” box

• Create an account

• Click ‘I accept’ to accept terms and conditions

THE BIG NOSH

Tree of Life Congregation’s

Jewish Cultural and Food Festival

Sunday, April 10, 2011

11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

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FROM THE RABBI

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE TREE OF LIFE

AND TREES EVERYWHERE! By Rabbi Daniel M. Sherman

The 15th of January marks the 115th birthday of the

Tree of Life Congregation. We should be very proud of

our congregation’s history and optimistic about our fu-

ture as a congregation and Jewish community. May we

be blessed with many, many more years as we pursue the

mission of our congregation and seek to enrich the Jew-

ish lives of our families and members.

The 15th of Shevat is also a “tree birthday.” Tu

B’Shevat is the considered the New Year for the trees. In

Hebrew, this date is called Chamishah Asar B'Shevat or

Tu B'Shevat. "TU," written Tet-Vav, represents the num-

ber 15 (9+6). In Ladino (the language of Sephardic Jews,

blending Spanish and Hebrew), this holiday is known as

"Frutas," meaning "Festival of Fruits," or "Rosasana del

Arbores," or "Rosh HaShanah of the Trees."

It is at this time of the year in the land of Israel

when the winter is ending and the spring is officially on

its way. The first trees of the year – the almond trees –

are beginning to blossom. According to tradition, the

15th of Shevat is the "birthday" of the trees: every tree

turns one year older on this day.

There are two central themes to the holiday of Tu

B'Shevat. First, we are reminded of our reliance upon

nature and of the importance of taking care of the envi-

ronment. Ecology is very important in Judaism. The

mitzvah of "Bal Tashchit" (do not destroy) teaches us

that we must preserve the beautiful world in which we

live. According to Midrash, God led Adam through the

Garden of Eden and said: "I created all My beautiful and

glorious works for your sake. Take heed not to corrupt

and destroy My world. For if you destroy it, there is no

one to make it right after you" (Ecclesiastes Rabbah

7:13).

It is in this spirit that the Tree of Life has adopted a

“green” theme this year. Our Green Team, led by Caro-

lyn Hudson, has already done so much. We are thrilled

with our new neighborhood rain garden and our enhanced

recycling program. We will celebrate our accomplish-

ments and our being named a Columbia Green Congrega-

tion at a very special service on Friday, January 21. We

will combine both Shabbat and Tu B’Shevat observances

and hear more about what’s happening “green-wise” at

Temple.

The second theme of Tu B'Shevat is the bond be-

tween the Jewish people and Eretz Yisrael, the Land of

Israel. Even though all Jews do not live there, Israel re-

mains the home for

all Jews, and our

Jewish calendar

reflects the chang-

ing of seasons

there. Traditions for Tu B'Shevat include the eating of

different types of fruits – especially fruits found in Eretz

Yisrael – and the planting of trees in Israel. This is espe-

cially important this year as we try to help Northern Is-

rael recover from the worst fires in Israel’s history (see

details on page 12).

A few other thoughts as we begin this New Year:

• We had a wonderful Chanukah at TOL this year. I

want to express a huge Todah Rabbah to our Brother-

hood, who prepared an incredible dinner for 150 peo-

ple on Friday, Dec. 3. It was fabulous to celebrate

Chanukah with so many congregants for dinner and

even more for a special service afterwards. The

Shabbat of Chanukah has become one of our biggest

nights of the year. The Brotherhood continued to

work their frying magic on Sunday morning for our

Religious School. I also want to thank Risa Strauss

who really made Chanukah extra-special for our en-

tire congregation.

• Mazal Tov to TOL member Steve Terner, who is re-

tiring after 18 years of service as the Executive Di-

rector of the Columbia Jewish Federation and Jewish

Community Center. Steve has been a tireless worker

and leader for our Jewish community. I appreciate

all that he has done for us, and for all the advice and

support he has given me. We wish him all the best as

he begins this next chapter of his life.

• Please remember to check out the TOL website

(www.tolsc.org). More and more information is

available on the website – it is really becoming the

best way to find out what is happening at the Tree of

Life. In addition, we can now make contributions

and pay dues on-line. Thank you to David Carr, Paul

Westfall, Amy Scully, and everyone involved in the

continued development of our website.

• Be on the lookout for some exciting news about

Adult Education offerings for 2011. New classes

will begin soon! Thank you to Rabbi Marcus and

Rabbi Doberne-Schor for teaching with Risa and my-

self in our Beit Midrash for Lifelong Jewish Learning

this year.

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FROM THE RELIGIOUS SCHOOL DIRECTOR

SUPPORTING JNF – MORE THAN JUST

PLANTING TREES

By Risa Strauss

When I was a Religious School student back in the day (okay, late 1960’s-early 70’s), it was customary for a monitor in the class to walk around the room

with a blue metal tzedakah box (aka pushke, in Yiddish) to collect tzedakah. These collection boxes were provided by the Jewish National Fund to gather money to plant trees in Israel. One year (3rd grade, I think) I was chosen by my teacher, Mr. Agranovich, zichrono levracha, to be the tzedakah moni-tor. It was a big deal. I was very excited. This was an honor, a kavod, and my teacher trusted me to do this. My very important job was to hold the shiny upright metal can that had a small slot on the very top and walk down the aisle from student to student. And there were many of us. Rows and rows of Jewish children, not spending their weekday afternoons playing baseball or taking ballet after a long day in secular school, but sitting in a synagogue class-room studying Hebrew, reading Bible stories and learning about Israel. I can still hear the clang of the pennies clinking against each other and against the metal of the box as they tum-bled from grimy fingers into the can. After going up to every student, I then had to open the box from the bottom (this was hard) and count all the pennies and write the amount on the board. Our teacher would then say, “Yafeh, yeladim – nice, children.” Then I would put our tzedakah into a paper bag and bring it to the office where I imagined it would go on a plane to Tel Aviv and be used to plant trees. As a class, we all understood where our pennies were going and why. No discussion there. Israel needed our help – not just for the trees, but because the land and the people of Israel were a part of us. And, as we understood it to be, what-ever happened “over there,” it was as though it was “happening” to us over here in America. The tzedakah box itself had depictions of chalutzim (Israeli pioneers) planting trees. And I can honestly share with you that as a young girl (maybe because I was short and red) I knew that I wasn’t going to grow up to be Barbie. My dream was to be the pigtailed sketch of the girl on the blue tzedakah box, looking very busy settling “the land of the Jewish people.” Well, it’s 2011 and times have changed. The most glaring change is that the blue Jewish National Fund tzedakah box is no longer metal. It’s recycled cardboard made with only vege-table-based inks. Of course, there have been other changes, as well. Israel is not the fledgling nation that it was when I was growing up. Though many would still say Israel struggles eve-ryday – economically and geopolitically – its needs and activi-ties are not always paramount in the minds of the Jewish peo-ple living in the Diaspora. There are many reasons for this: all fodder for discussion

or another article. But whatever the reasons may be, the conse-quences of our non-involvement or non-interest in Israel’s af-fairs make it difficult for most to comprehend why the recent forest fires in the north of Israel were so devastating to this tiny country. Familiarity with something – anything – leads to un-derstanding. And yet, even in this technological age, many Jewish people would be hard-pressed to share more than a few facts about the Jewish homeland. I am not a meteorologist, but there is one fact that I know about Israel’s weather that I would like to share. There are two seasons in Israel: dry and wet. When the forests of the Carmel National Park bristled with flames this past month, it was after weeks of unprecedented drought. You see, the rainy season usually begins soon after Sukkot in this region, but rain had been scant in the autumn of 2010. According to many sources the ensuing inferno was the worst in Israel’s history. The fire that ravaged the forested ar-eas surrounding Israel’s premier port city of Haifa destroyed thousands of acres of trees, trails, campsites, archaeological excavations, cave entrances, plants and wildlife and took the lives of more than 40 people. The fire was finally brought un-der control, according to the New York Times, with the help of an international rescue effort that included Greece, Turkey and the Palestinian Authority. Thousands and thousands of acres burned. But, as with most tragedies, we move forward and find opportunities for growth, education, cooperation and renewal. Here in Columbia, we need to know that we, too, can make a difference in Israel. It took generations to plant those forests in Israel (didn’t I help with my pennies to plant those trees?), and it will take genera-tions once again to replant what was destroyed. We say often in Judaism: “le dor va dor – from genera-tion to generation,” just a few words, yet full of so much mean-ing. As we welcome 2011, Tree of Life Religious School is proud to partner again this year with the students from Beth Shalom Synagogue, the Columbia Jewish Day School, Congre-gation Beit Midrash and Mr. John Baker in collecting our tzedakah through the month of January to support the Jewish National Fund and its efforts to make the north of Israel green again. So, if your child or your friend’s child greets you with a green and blue cardboard JNF tzedakah box, DONATE. You will be embracing a major ecological and environmental effort and forging a connection with Eretz Yisrael – the Land of Is-rael and Jewish people everywhere. For more information about JNF and its programming, go to www.jnf.org. You may also donate to the JNF by planting a tree or trees in honor of or in memory of a special person. Our “Tu

B’Shvat in the School” program that facilitates the tree-planting certificate process will be in progress through April. Forms are available at Temple.

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RELIGIOUS SCHOOL NEWS

The weeks between the middle of November and the

end of December are an expanse of time that resembles

no other during the year. There is always a flurry of ac-

tivity, multitudes of holiday celebrations, as well as a

general feeling of excitement and expectation. Whether

we were at home, at work, at school or at Temple, I think

that most of us would agree we were all very busy. The

following is a short review of the past months’ happen-

ings in our Religious School.

Religious School Learning: From our youngest of

children – our Tree Tumbler group and their parents sing-

ing Chanukah songs and making lifesaver Chanukiot – to

our Chai-School 11th- and 12th-graders preparing for col-

lege in a session called “Being Jewish on Campus,” en-

joyable Jewish experiences were had by all ages this

month.

Other programmatic highlights included: our Tem-

ple Youth Group hosting 30 other teens from TYG’s

from Hilton Head and Spartanburg for a wonderful lock-

in that incorporated a havdalah service, pasta-making

competition and a make-your-own music video program;

the 9th grade studying with Eleanor Stein about the needs

of the most senior members of our community; and a

Family Life program for 4th grade celebrating the won-

ders of Shabbat.

In our classrooms, our students were learning their

specific core curriculum as well as focusing on the tradi-

tions and rituals of Shabbat and Chanukah. If you have

not been down the halls of the Religious School, we in-

vite you to visit and take a peek to see what our students

and teachers have been up to.

At our Sunday morning assemblies we have been

concentrating on morning prayers as well as introducing

Jewish values to our children – in Hebrew and in English.

We have introduced these values alphabetically, accord-

ing to the Hebrew alef-bet, and so far we have presented

the following concepts: emet (truth), bracha (blessing),

gemilut chasadim (acts of kindness), derech eretz (doing

the “right thing”), halacha (laws/rules), vikuach (the

value of disagreement), and zecher (memory).

From our Chanukah programming, our students

have gleaned the values of freedom and determination, as

well the beauty of a really great celebration. And at our

annual Pancake Breakfast, we met Temple members Jon

and Jessica Artz who talked with us about the way they

are able to impact our community positively through their

work with the Family Shelter and the Gills Creek Water-

shed Project.

Religious School Thank You's: A huge Todah Ra-

bah to Linda Glass, Linda Rodgers, Dori Nudelman,

Mary Helen Baum, Evelyn Gaton and Marcia Geers for

creating inventive art projects for our students to enjoy.

To Rabbi Leah Doberne-Schor and Violette Chartock,

thank you for joining Rabbi Sherman and me in discuss-

ing Jewish life on campus with our chai schoolers. To

Eleanor Stein, thank you for coordinating our Israeli

dance sessions and for the terrific work you have done

with our 9th-graders, as well as for facilitating the mean-

ingful social action programs that we have experienced

with the residents of the Waterford. And to the Kline

family – thanks so very much for hosting the Grade 4

Family Life Program.

Religious School Chanukah events would not have

happened at Temple without the following people and

groups: the TOL Brotherhood, the Chanukah Happening

Committee, the Religious School Board; Jill Carr – who

coordinated this year’s Tikkun Olam initiative: “Giving

Gifts to Make a Difference”; our adorable Nursery stu-

dents and their teachers Linda Kerner, Mollie Crawford

and Jessica Volin; our TYG advisors, Nora Helman and

Jennifer Friedman; and our own Jewish Rock Band –

“The 4 and ½ Fathers,” featuring Fred Davidson, Gregg

Helman, David Reddy, Bill Strauss and student Julien

Katz.

And as always, there is a dedicated team of indi-

viduals that bring spirit and enthusiasm to our entire

school each and every Sunday. Spearheaded by Rabbi

Sherman, this team includes our teachers, assistant teach-

ers, parents and grandparents. Kol Hakavod and todah

rabah!

As a reminder, we are continuing to collect tzedakah at home and in school to be donated to

the Jewish National Fund in our “blue tzedakah boxes” through the month of January.

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YOUTH NEWS

IN SEARCH OF HOST FAMILIES

TOL is hosting the

NFTY-SAR Hatikvah Kallah

7th and 8th graders from all over the

South will be joining us!

March 4 – 6, 2011

We need your help!

Please check your calendar and consider

becoming a host family/household for the

weekend. You do not have to “have kids” to

host! It’s a fun way to support our Temple

Youth Group! You only need to provide a

place to sleep, some transportation, and

possibly a meal. Additional details to follow in

next few weeks. For more info, speak with

Debra Stombler at 730-2027 or Bill Strauss at

479-8222. Thank you for your support!

TYG NEWS

UPCOMING IMPORTANT EVENTS

1/07: Kidz Shabbat, 6:45 p.m.; Child care, 7:15 p.m.; Shabbat Services, 7:30 p.m. 1/08: B’nai Mitzvah Workshop & Luncheon: Parents and students (grade 6/7), 10 a.m. 1/09: RS, 9am; Barton’s Passover Candy Sale begins; RS-Brotherhood Pizza Fundraiser lunch (see on-line order form and in newsletter); Grade 1/2 Family Life program, 4p.m. 1/12: Adult Hebrew: Intro, 6pm; Beyond Beginners, 6:45 p.m. 1/14-1/17: NFTY-SAR Winter Kallah for 9th-12th Graders in Marietta, Georgia 1/16: No Religious School – Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend 1/19: Adult Hebrew: Intro, 7 p.m.; Beyond Beginners, 8 p.m. 1/23: RS, 9 a.m.; Tu B’Shevat Experience for Tree Tumblers and Religious School; Brotherhood Blood Drive; Grade 8 Family Life program, 4 p.m. 1/29: Bat Mitzvah of Sarah Feuerstein, 10 a.m. – Mazal Tov to Sarah and the entire Feuerstein family! 1/30: RS, 9am; Binah Book Club with Mark Crawford, 11:15 a.m.; December and January Birthday celebrations; Israeli Dance with Ruthy Slann, 11:30 a.m. for Religious School students and 1:30-4 p.m. for adults 2/04: Kidz Shabbat Dinner and a Service, 6-7:15 p.m.

Thinking about Passover? Craving chocolate?

Then look no farther than…..

Barton’s Miss Chocolate

Passover Candy and Confection Sale!

Packets are available from TOL Religious School students (and

will be sent home on 1/09/11) and are also available in the

Temple office. This important fundraiser helps support the

TOL Religious School.

Starts January 9, 2011

Ends February 18, 2011

Use an order form or go on-line at: www.misschocolate.com

School Code: 704479

Mmmm…delicious Passover delicacies!

Questions? Call Risa at 787-2182.

In 2011, make Barton’s a

Passover tradition in your home!

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PLAN FOR AN INCREDIBLE SUMMER OF 2011!

Believe it or not, it is not too early to begin thinking about a Jewish summer

sleep away camp for your child. Please keep in mind these three Union for

Reform Judaism Camps:

• URJ Camp Coleman in Cleveland, GA: our Southeast regional camp for

students in grades 3-10

• 6 Points Sports Academy in Greensboro, NC: a specialized sports camp for

Jewish kids in elementary and middle school

• Kutz Camp in Warwick, NY: NFTY’s national high school leadership camp

All three camps offer an invaluable Jewish experience for our youth. As a

congregation, we are committed to helping provide our children with this type of

wonderful opportunity. Last year 14 TOL students attended a URJ camp. Financial

aid is available! For more information, please speak with Rabbi Sherman or Risa

Strauss.

UPCOMING BAT MITZVAH

SARAH LACY FEUERSTEIN

Sarah is the daughter of Eric and Pamela Feuerstein and the

older sister of Ellie. Sarah, who has lived in Columbia her

entire life, is a 7th grader at Blythewood Middle School.

She plays on a select soccer team and enjoys watching

sports, especially the Gamecocks. Sarah attended the URJ

6 Points Sports Academy in Greensboro, NC last summer.

She also enjoys hanging out with her friends.

TOL RELIGIOUS SCHOOL’S PIZZA LUNCH FUNDRAISER

Who: Religious School Students, Teachers, Parents, Congregants What: Cheese Pizza a la Brotherhood with Carrots/Celery and dip, Juice Box or Soda, & Dessert

When: Sunday, January 9, 2011 at 11:10 a.m. Where: TOL Social Hall Why: It’s a fun and delicious way to raise funds for the TOL Religious School. No worrying about making a lunch to send in or bringing your child lunch during school. How: Choose a meal and RSVP by prepaying. $3/meal (Grades 3 and younger) or $5/meal (4th grade and up). You can prepay with cash at the Temple, on-line by credit card, or by any means at the door on January 9 as orders will be taken that morning. RSVP by email to risatol@bellsouth.net or by phone to 787-2182.

Thank you for your support!

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUNDRAISER

8

TOL BROTHERHOOD REPORT

SISTERHOOD REPORT

On Sunday, Jan. 23, Tree of Life will hold its annual Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. In 2010 there were 43 pints donated. Our goal for 2011 is 50. Please help us reach this goal. To be eligible to give, your last donation must have been prior to Nov. 21. At this time we are taking names of those interested in donat-ing. If interested, please send an e-mail to BloodDrive@tolsc.org with your name, phone number and preferred donation time or visit the Brotherhood Web page to see a current list of available times and click “Sign Me Up” to request a time. We will be able to have four donors at a time with donation times on the hour, quarter past, half past, and quarter til the hour. The schedule will be set based on preferred donation time in a first come first served basis – so get your name on the list early. On Sunday, Jan. 16, the next Brotherhood bicycle ride will leave at 10:30 a.m. from the Temple. The course will be from the Temple to Fort Jackson and back; we will ride approximately 20 to 30 miles at a 15 mph pace. All riders welcome. It is recom-mended you contact David Carr if you are interested in riding so he can communicate any changes or updates. December was a busy month for the Brotherhood. Begin-ning with the weekend of Dec. 3-5 there was the Tree of Life annual Chanukah dinner on Friday evening and culminating with a visit to the Waterford Retirement Community Sunday after-noon. On Friday, we served about 150 people for dinner and, no big surprise, the jalapeño latkes continued to be a crowd favorite and are growing in popularity every time we make them. To add to that, we have a new dish quickly becoming a top request, Ed’s vegetarian lasagna. We had a hard time keeping the hot bar stocked with either. A big thanks needs to go out to everyone

that helped pull this off: Jim Braun, Mike Brown, Ed Hertz, Peter Kline, Marc Rapport, Brad Smith, Todd Weiss and Shawn Youngstedt. It could not have happened without everyone’s help. Then on Sunday, the Religious School had our annual Cha-nukah Happening where the Brotherhood made more latkes and also served hot dogs. Again, thanks those who helped: David Bannister, Michael Coffman, Paul Feirstein, Alan Jolles, Peter Kline, Marc Posner, David Reddy, Brad Smith, David Tedeschi and Shawn Youngstedt for everything they did. We also had help with serving by a number of others outside the Brotherhood and we would like to thank them as well. And finally, our 9th-grade Sunday school class visited the Waterford Retirement Community to light candles, sing songs and discuss Chanukah with some of the residents and the Broth-erhood provided Latkes for that event as well. So as you can see, the Brotherhood had a very busy couple of days and again, thanks to all that helped make it possible. Then on Sunday, Dec. 12, the Brotherhood made pancakes for the Religious School and approximately 50 to 60 teens from other cities that joined our TYG, as part of their Lock-In and we provided them with pancakes as well. Thanks to everyone who helped make and server the breakfast. A short break at the end of December and we pick it back up in January with a pizza lunch and take out on Sunday, Jan. 9, the Brotherhood monthly bike ride on Sunday, Jan. 16 and the Tree of Life annual blood drive on Sunday, Jan. 23. Check out the TOL and Brotherhood Web pages from more details on these events.

UPCOMING EVENT

On Sunday, January 23, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at

Tree of Life, TOL Women of Reform Judaism will pre-

sent a program on Violence Against Women. Our

speaker will be Genevieve N. Waller, Executive Director of

Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands.

Ms. Waller is an accomplished attorney whose ser-

vice and dedication to victim service projects has been well

recognized. In 2008 the American Bar Association awarded

her exemplary service on their Voices Against Violence

project and the South Carolina Bar chose her as their Young

Lawyer of the Year. In 2009, the South Carolina Victim’s

Assistance Network recognized Ms. Waller as the Out-

standing Victim Service Provider for exceptional service to

victims of violent crimes. In February 2010, The State

named Ms. Waller as one of the Top 20 Under 40 in the

Midlands.

Ms. Waller serves many community organizations

that aid victims of violence, among them on the board of the

South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence Sex-

ual Assault, as Chair of the SC Bar Young Lawyer Division

Voices Against Violence Committee, and as a member of

the South Carolina Victim Assistance Network’s Emer-

gency Victim Assistance Committee.

This program is open to all and promises to be a very

interesting program on an important topic presented by a

knowledgeable and dynamic speaker. Please mark your

calendars and plan to attend.

SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, April 21, 2011

A very special event is planned for the Sisterhood’s

Women’s Seder. Please plan on joining us.

TOL SISTERHOOD BOOK CLUB

The dates and books for the January and February TOL Sisterhood Book Club are as follows: • January 11, 2011 7 – 9 p.m. Just Revenge by Alan Dershowitz • February 9, 2011 7 – 9 p.m. Homesick by Eskol Neva If you have any questions, please leave a message for Amanda Hamilton at the TOL office.

9

CHANUKAH CELEBRATIONS & PICTURES

“From generation to generation,” we so often say

that phrase in our prayers and at our services. This De-

cember, we put the phrase into action during Chanu-

kah by connecting with seniors in our community.

Volunteers from the Religious School and the Temple

community at-large celebrated Chanukah with older

adults at the Waterford Senior Living Community.

We lit candles each night and the 9th-10th grade

class (along with support from their teacher Billy and

their parents!) hosted a Chanukah party, complete

with latkes cooked by the Brotherhood. We shared

Chanukah traditions – chanted the blessings over the

candles, told the Chanukah story and played dreidel.

Through those traditions we got to know each other –

chatted about where we grew up, traded book recom-

mendations, and heard about what it was like to be

Jewish in Columbia years ago.

The Jewish residents have told me how much they

appreciated our remembering them at Chanukah. It

meant so much to them to have people to light candles

with and to be able to share something Jewish with

their non-Jewish friends. They said that we made their

Chanukah! I don’t think that they realize that they

made ours, as well. Not only was it meaningful for

them, but also for those who volunteered. Everyone

involved felt as though, if only for a short period of

time, they were able to focus on what really matters:

community. That

was a real Chanu-

kah gift.

Thanks so

much to everyone

who made this

special celebra-

tion possible!

CHANUKAH AT THE WATERFORD RESIDENCE

By Eleanor Stein

10

GREEN TEAM UPDATE

Contact the Green Team at greenteam@tolsc.org

Wine Tasting “Fun” Raiser

Now that the holidays are over, let’s have some fun! Please join us for a

great evening of wine tasting, noshing and spending time with friends.

When is the last time you savored a variety of wines, nibbled on scrumptious

appetizers, laughed with your friends and had a relaxing evening? We are

going to provide you with all of the above in February! A silent auction will

only spice up the night. Who knows what incredible treasure you may walk

out the door with that night! Details to follow…check out the web site in the

next couple of weeks at www.tolsc.org.

GREEN CONGREGATIONS CERTIFICATE WILL BE PRESENTED

Please join us at Shabbat Services on January 21 when we will be presented our Columbia Green Congregations

certificate. We are one of the first seven congregations to participate in this program. Our two projects were the rain

garden and our recycling program.

RAIN GARDEN IMPROVEMENTS

On November 21st, seven volunteers gave the rain garden a face lift. We removed enough unwanted plants and

vines to fill the back of a pick-up truck with the waste. We also added new plants donated by Michael Reisman and

Ryan Nevius. Other volunteers were Lois and Jerry Gibson, Carolyn Hudson, Mark Huguley, and Mary Nash.

SOME BENEFITS OF RECYCLING

It is important to reduce our reliance on foreign oil. Recycling helps us to do that by saving energy.

• Manufacturing with recycled materials, with very few exceptions, saves energy and water and produces

less air and water pollution than manufacturing with virgin materials.

• It takes 95% less energy to recycle aluminum than it does to make it from raw materials.

• Making recycled steel saves 60%, recycled newspaper 40%, recycled plastics 70%, and recycled glass 40%.

These savings far outweigh the energy created as by-products of incineration and land filling.

WINE TASTING FUNDRAISER

11

WRJ SHABBAT SERVICE REPS

January 7 – Daniela Friedman

January 14 – Annette Goldstein

January 21 – Nancy Cartiff

January 28 – Beverly Kaplan

MEMBER NEWS

Rachael Bergmann Jan. 1

Bob Burg Jan. 2

Joan McGee Jan. 2

Marla May Jan. 4

Vee Wayburn Jan. 4

Justin Jacobs Jan. 5

Zeva Leader Jan. 5

Sylvia Weinstein Jan. 5

Maryann Lapine Jan. 6

Cheri Shapiro Jan. 7

Mike Joseph Brandin Jan. 8

Paul Westfall Jan. 8

Ben Crawford Jan. 9

Leona Sobel Jan. 9

Igor Volynets Jan. 9

Cindy Saad Jan. 10

Hayden Cohen Jan. 11

Steven Langer Jan. 11

Jonathan Artz Jan. 12

Zoe Kaplan Jan. 13

Cedar Coffman Jan. 14

Emma Iskhakov Jan. 14

Mary Helen Baum Jan. 15

Larraine Moses Jan. 15

Adam Mullis Jan. 15

Becca Bellino Jan. 16

Diane Mellitz Jan. 16

Shahram Novinbakht Jan. 16

Charles Mullis Jan. 18

Debbie Cohn Jan. 22

Beth Crawford Jan. 22

Rayton Fisher Jan. 22

Peggy Miller Jan. 22

David Brandin Jan. 23

Rachael Mitchell Jan. 24

Aubrey Cantor Jan. 25

Scott Kaplan Jan. 25

Simone Kozlov Jan. 25

Donald Bowen Jan. 26

Jackie Dickman-Babcock Jan. 26

Charles Geffen Jan. 27

Jan Savitz Jan. 27

David Tedeschi Jan. 27

Sam Friedman Jan. 28

Meri Gergel Jan. 28

Mimi Amado Jan. 30

Michael Coffman Jan. 30

Lonnie Stout Jan. 30

Kate Barroll Jan. 31

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

Marilyn & Craig Barkan Jan. 6

Irina & Igor Volynets Jan. 9

Karen & Donald Portnoy Jan. 15

JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES

� Thank you to

everyone who

provided gifts

for the Family

Shelter this

holiday season.

MAZEL TOV TO

Andrew Beattie on his being awarded the rank

of Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America).

Karyn & Howard Sheftman, on the birth of

their first grandchild Lila Grace on Saturday, Decem-

ber 4th. Proud parents are Amanda & Bill Gardner of

Shelby, NC.

REFUAH SHLEIMA

Get well wishes to TOL members recently

hospitalized or at home recovering: Hal Birch, Ruth

Cohen, and Dan Davis

HONOR ROLL

We salute and thank our wonderful volunteers!

Office – Mary Helen Baum and Sandy Hertz

Hospital Calls –Sandy Hertz

CONDOLENCES TO

Jocelyn & Bob Burg, on the loss of her mother

Selma Levin

Art & Barbara Levy and family, on the loss of

his brother Robert Levy

Barbara & Frank Volin and family, on the loss

of her brother Paul Siskin

WELCOME TO OUR NEW TOL MEMBERS

Eva & Phillip Bernath

Andrew & Rebecca Fields

12

COMMUNITY NEWS

CARMEL FIRE –

ISRAEL EMERGENCY FUND

The worst fire in Israel’s history roared across

Haifa and the Carmel Forest, fueled by drought and

strong winds. More than 40 lives were lost, most

with young families at home, one a 16 year-old vol-

unteer. Thankfully, there were heavy rains over the

region, providing a strong hand of support to the in-

ternational firefighting force and allowing them to

get the fire under control. We are grieved for those

who lost their lives. We are sorrowful for the loss of

homes, forests, animals, and the scarring of our sa-

cred land. Yet, we are also hopeful.

We can help. ARZA and the Union for Reform

Judaism, with our partner the Israel Movement for

Progressive Judaism, will help rebuild human lives

through the IMPJ Humanitarian Fund. Contributing

to our Carmel Fire – Israel Emergency Fund is one

more way for you to participate in building Israel, the

land that we love.

Contributions can be made on-line at the URJ

website (www.urj.org). Checks can be dropped off

in the TOL office or mailed directly to the URJ/

ARZA office in New York. Thank you for your

support.

Mark your Calendars for …

OUR STORY

ON BROADWAY

“A Cabaret Evening”

Presented by Beth Shalom Synagogue

Created by Larry Needle

Saturday, Mar. 12 at 8 p.m. / Sunday, Mar. 13 at 7 p.m.

Katie & Irwin Kahn Jewish Community Center

For ticket information call 782-2500 or visit

www.BethShalomColumbia.org

STEVE TERNER

RETIREMENT CELEBRATION

Thursday, January 6, 2011

6:30 p.m. at the JCC No charge – thanks to Friends of Steve

Limited Seating so please RSVP to the JCC (787-2023 x202)

Join the entire Columbia Jewish Community as we

honor Steve Terner as he retires from 18 years as

Executive Director of the Columbia Jewish Federation

and the Katie & Irwin Kahn Jewish Community Center.

A brief annual meeting and election of officers of the

JCC and Federation will precede the celebration.

13

December 3

Jan Barkan, in memory of Carol Barkan Jean, Jack, & Benjamin Ginsberg, in memory of Joseph H. Ginsberg Simone & Michael Kozlov, in memory of Roma Arov Martin Lefkowitz, in memory of Betty Lefkowitz The Reyner family, in memory of Charles Reyner, Sr. December 10

Linda & Allan Ackerman, Rene Dunlop, & Natalie Picow, in memory of Joseph George Helman Harvey & Beth Helman, in memory of Joseph George Helman Richard & Ellen Helman, in memory of Joseph George Helman Mannie Farber, in memory of Sophie Goldblatt Steve Merlin, in memory of Israel Merlin Steve Merlin, in memory of Philip Turner Feliks, Sarra, Kim & Raisa Rabinovich and Liza Khasietova & Svetlana Tsukhay families, in memory of Sonya Rabinovich December 17

Roberta & Stephen Friedland, in memory of Joseph Nifoussi Lewis & Maryann Lapine, in memory of Jack Lapine Harriet Posner, in memory of Ben Levin Rob, Amy, & Matthew Scully, in memory of Ben Levin Jenny & Bradford Smith, in memory of Sylvia Savitz Jan, Philip, Zack, & Erin Savitz, in memory of Sylvia Savitz Jennifer & Steve Savitz, in memory of Sylvia Savitz Heather & Todd Weiss, in memory of Sylvia Savitz December 24

Rosann Schwartz Canady, in memory of Albert Schwartz Khaya Dobrushkina & Jane Krupnik-Veytskin, in memory of Yefim Khaim Krupnik Simone & Michael Kozlov, in memory of Tzila Arov Marcia & Fred Medway, in memory of Arnold David Lutz Larraine & Jeff Moses, in memory of Solomon Lourie Sam, Kim, Harrison, & Jake Moses, in memory of Solomon Lourie Jeannie & Hyman Rubin, Jr., in memory of Hyman Rubin, Sr. Joan Tucker, in memory of Sarah Schwartz December 31

Linda Ackerman, Rene Dunlop, & Natalie Picow, in memory of Ina Chernoff Linda Ackerman, Rene Dunlop, & Natalie Picow, in memory of Lillian Helman Marjorie Cooper, in memory of J.T. Pearlstine Ellen & Richard Helman, in memory of Herbert Young Darryn & Karen Russ, in memory of Rona Russ Adele & Herman Salzberg, in memory of Sarah Plavin Deborah Salzberg, in memory of Sarah Plavin Steve & Alice Terner, in memory of Hugo Wolf Terner Philip Wittenberg, in memory of Rhea Shapiro Wittenberg

BIMAH FLOWERS YAHRZEITS

January 7 - Joseph Foglia, Hans Gabali, Celia Greenfield, Robert N. Rosichan*, Bertha Schwartz*, Freeda M. Siskin*, Janet Siskin, Jeffrey Wander, Samuel Ginsberg*, William Y. Rast, Mollie Blatt*, Betty Kaplan, Philip Posner*, Sadie Wainstolk, Rose Josephs*, Patricia-ann F. Schwab*, Rochelle Cooper, Roy K. Diamond, Edyce Hartsell, Dorothy Weingarten*, Ann Weiss, Isaac Donen*, Lucile S. Heyman*, Simpson Robert Walker, Jr.* January 14 - Samuel Meyer Gladstone*, Clara Levin*, Daniel Cooper Reyner*, Stanley Weiss*, Anna Bornstein, Molly Korash, Moses Kornblut, Joseph Rabinovich, Herman Mischner*, William L. Scott*, Rebecca Blenner, Mariam Kaplan, Gertrude "Gigi" Becker, Frank Bruck*, Mortimer Burger*, Ada Berman Daniel*, Raymonde Jaffe*, Marion Rosenman Rothstein, Judith Weinberg Thompson, Myron H. Cohn, Stanley Sidenberg* January 21

Sophie Madoff, Harold Reisman, Emery Smith, Murray Buchsbaum, Nathan Mandell*, Sylvia Rosh, Edward E. Rothstein*, Seymour Bermak*, Norman Rotholz, Eleanor Alpert, Ella Garlick Gabriel, Ida Gross, Lorenz Kronrad*, Alfred Ackerman*, Sandra Leavitt Barshop, Sarah Koon, Leo Silverfield*, Alfred Weiss*, Gertrude Harts, Vaughn A. Hill, Lillian K. Burger*, Stephen Echlov, Frank Spencer, Eugene Emanuel Stiglitz January 28

Charles "Dan" Daniel*, Arthur G. Gibson*, Lillian Herman*, Bryan McMullen, Joe B. Berry*, Sara Carr, Gus Meyers, Lyle Kenneth Segal*, Hedva Fried, Marie Wheeler, Maxie Alpert, Minnie Brady, Frances B. Rothschild*, Ralph Segal, Ann Lieder Savitz*, Oscar Alexander, Edwin Nathan Mittle*, Josephine T. Specter*, Ida Lee Weisberg* *name memorialized by a plaque in the sanctuary

January 7 – Chair: Paul Westfall, Allan & Linda Ackerman, Cheri & Allen Alexander, Bener Amado, Jonathan & Jessica Artz, Keith & Jacquelyn Dickman-Babcock, Melanie & Frank Baker, Bonnie & Jon Leader, Will & Tirza Leader January 14 – Chair: Debbie Greenhouse, Joan Amado, David & Kim Bannister, Craig & Marilyn Barkan, Jan & Joanne Barkan, Carol Reyner Barnett, Leeds & Katherine Barroll January 21 – Chair: Brad Smith, Mary Helen Baum, Bruce & Barbara Becker, Laura Becker, Joel & Cindy Becker, Lory & Dan Bellino, Lindsey & Matthew Bennett January 28 – Chair: Scott Kaplan, Larry & Susan Bergmann, Barry & Charlene Bernstein, Marvin & Gail Bienstock, Rachelle & David Blackmon, Bob & Sherri Blenner, Peter Blue, Pamela & Eric Feuerstein Note: If you are unable to bake or purchase Oneg Shabbat refreshments you may donate $20.00. Homemade goods are always preferable. Checks need to be sent to the temple office two weeks prior to your Oneg Shabbat

date. Thank you for your support.

ONEG SHABBAT HOSTS

14

We gratefully acknowledge the following thoughtful donations:

Building Fund

Linda K. Sterne, in memory of Ruth Bazerman

General Fund

Larisa Aginskaya, in appreciation of everyone who

helped and supported her during the recent loss

of her husband Haim Tigay

Bruce & Sherri Greenberg, in memory of

Selma Levin

Ada & Ernie Magaro, in honor of Donna Magaro

Shumei, Miriam, & Harry Richman, in memory of

Sidney Hack

Memorial Plaque

Cheryl Miller, in memory of Keith Miller

Rabbi Sherman’s Discretionary Fund

Jackie Dickman-Babcock & Keith Babcock, in

memory of Robert Levy

Jerry & Carole Rothstein, in appreciation of the

inspirational and educational talks given by

Rabbi Sherman at the St. Andrews Road

Shepherd’s Center

Linda K. Sterne, in memory of

Goldie Langer Morris

Marc Posner, in memory of Arlene Simons

Marc Posner, in honor of my uncle Irving Factor’s

90th birthday

Religious School Fund

Sandra & Ed Poliakoff, in memory of Selma Levin

Sisterhood Courtesy Fund

Beth & Harvey Helman, in loving memory of

Leon Ritter

Beth & Harvey Helman, in loving memory of

Jan Hertwick

CONTRIBUTIONS

Come dance with special guest teacher Ruthy Slann*

Sunday, January 30 1:30 to 4:00 p.m.

Join us for all or part of the session

Where: Tree of Life Congregation

$10 per class, per person

No experience necessary!

* Ruthy Slann is a native of Israel and an avid dancer. She travels in the southeast and beyond

to teach Israeli Folk Dance workshops for children and adults. Ruthy was on the Fred Berk-Blue

Star staff from 1990-1998. Together with Dany Benshalom, she organized the Karmiel Tour of

Israel 1997-2000, and continues to lead tours to Israel with Ronit Nachman. She is the co-

director of Karmiel USA. She is cheerful and friendly, and her enthusiasm for dancing can be dan-

gerously contagious.

Questions or RSVP: Contact Risa Strauss at risatol@bellsouth.net or 787-2182

or Eleanor Stein at eleanorstein@gmail.com or 800-7021

ISRAELI DANCE WORKSHOPS

15

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 NEW YEAR’S

DAY

2 No

Religious School

3 4 5 7:00pm

Introduction to Hebrew

8:00pm Beyond Beginners

RSVP Deadline for

Jan. 9th Pizza Lunch

6

7 6:45pm

KIDZ Shabbat

7:30pm Shabbat Service

8 10:00am

B’nai Mitzvah Workshop

6:45pm Havdalah

Hootenanny at BSS

9 11:10am

Brotherhood Pizza Lunch

10 11

7:00pm

Sisterhood Book Club

12 6:00pm

Introduction to Hebrew 6:45pm

Beyond Beginners

6:30pm Executive Board

7:30pm Board of Directors

13

Deadline to submit articles for February newsletter

14 7:30pm

Shabbat Service

15

Happy 115th

Birthday, TOL

16 No

Religious School

10:30 am Brotherhood Bicycle

Ride

17 MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY

18 19 7:00pm

Introduction to Hebrew

8:00pm Beyond Beginners

20 Tu B’shevat

21 7:30pm

Green Shabbat Service

22 10:00am

Shabbat Morning Service &

Torah Study

23 9:00am

Brotherhood Red Cross Blood Drive

11:00am WRJ Program

24 7:30pm

BIG NOSH Meeting

25 7:00pm

Sisterhood Board Meeting

26 27 28 7:30pm

Shabbat Service

29 10:00am

Sarah Feuerstein Bat Mitzvah

30 1:30pm

Israeli Dance Workshop

31 1 2 3 4 6:45pm

KIDZ Shabbat

7:30pm Shabbat Service

5

January 2011

16

DIRECTORY

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Endowment………………………………….…Ned Strauss Finance………………………………….….Debra Tedeschi Fundraising…………………………...……….Scott Kaplan House & Ground………………..………..…G. Todd Weiss Membership…………………...……………...Laney Cohen Outreach…………………………………....Debra Tedeschi Religious School Board……………………..….Kim Moses Ritual…………………………….……….....Richard Cohen Social Action…………………………………….Ilene King Temple Youth Group……………………….…..Bill Strauss AFFILIATES

Brotherhood President………………………….Brad Smith Sisterhood President..………..………...….Linda Ackerman COFTY President……………………………..Jessica Volin TOL NEWSLETTER

Design...…..……………………………….Morgan Sherman Proofreader……..………………..…………....Marc Rapport TEMPLE STAFF

Office Manager……………………………...Linda Frederico Custodian………………..…………..….....Demitris Gilmore TEMPLE MUSICIANS

Music Director……………………...…...…Sharon Witherell Music Director Emeritus………………......…Jackie McNeill

TREE OF LIFE CONGREGATION Established 1896

6719 North Trenholm Road Columbia, SC 29206

Office: (803) 787-2182 Fax: (803) 787-0309

Website: www.tolsc.org Email: tolcong@bellsouth.net

Office Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Friday 8:30 am – 4 p.m.

Closed daily 12 noon – 1 p.m.

RABBI Daniel M. Sherman rabbisherman@bellsouth.net RABBI EMERITUS Sanford T. Marcus, D.D. Risa Strauss, RELIGIOUS SCHOOL DIRECTOR risatol@bellsouth.net

OFFICERS

PRESIDENT………….…………………………….…….Jeff Selig jhselig@bellsouth.net 1ST VICE PRESIDENT…………..………………...Debra Tedeschi 2ND VICE PRESIDENT….………………..…….Annette Goldstein TREASURER………………………..………....….....Paul Westfall SECRETARY…………………………..…...….............Bill Strauss IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT………………….....Amy Scully

BOARD MEMBERS

Michelle Bowen Scott Kaplan David Carr Donna Magaro Laney Cohen Kim Moses Richard Cohen Arline Polinsky Richard H. Cohn Marc Rapport Deborah Greenhouse Julie Strauss LIFETIME BOARD MEMBERS Bernard Fleischman, Jr. Stephen Savitz Howard Weiss

Tree of Life Congregation 6719 North Trenholm Road Columbia, SC 29206 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

COLUMBIA, SC

PERMIT #121