CONGREGATION AGUDATH ACHIM Page 1 February, 2019
Hazzan Neil Schwartz Spiritual Leader (612) 999-5060
David E. Ginsburg President (318) 469-8503 [email protected] Website: agudathshreveport.com
The Shul Shpiel
Shabbat Services: Friday Evening at 8:00 p.m., Saturday Morning at 10:00 a.m.
Shevat - Adar I 5779 FEBRUARY 2019
Congregation Agudath Achim Synagogue
9401 Village Green Drive, Shreveport, LA 71115
Phone: 318-797-6401
You Are Invited to Attend a Torah Donation Ceremony Saturday February 9th 2019
Agudath Achim Synagogue Occurring During Shabbat Services
10 AM – 12 Noon
Please Come to a Ceremony Commemorating the Donation of One of Our Beautiful Torahs to Congregation Bet Haverim,
Atlanta, whose members include the family of Bernice
and David Cohen, Daughter and Son-In-Law of
Aubrey and Joan Lurie
Please join us for a Deluxe Kiddush Luncheon sponsored by Men’s Club and Dr. Aubrey and Joan Lurie. Following the Kiddush lunch, Rabbi Josh Lesser will teach about “Four-Fold Song” of Rav Kook.
CONGREGATION AGUDATH ACHIM Page 2 February, 2019
Over the weekend of January 18-20, we were visited by Rabbi Gary D. Kessler and his
wife, Ruth, who came to us from Queens, New York. Rabbi Kessler expertly led services
both Friday night and Saturday morning, davening our prayers with his strong
melodious voice, and spoke on several interesting topics – the meaning of Tu B’Shevat
and lessons learned from the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, offering important
insights. Rabbi Kessler also led a discussion Sunday on "The Song at the Red Sea
According to Two Midrashim” following our Men’s Club minyan breakfast, in which we
were pleased to have Rabbi Jana join us. Another highlight of the weekend: Harriet and
Rich Dechowitz hosted a “Havdalah and Hors D’oeuvres” reception at their lovely home
on Saturday evening. All four events were well-attended. Is this memorable weekend, in
which so many of our members participated, a harbinger of our future? Indeed, strong
rabbinical leadership is key to our future viability. Rabbi Kessler clearly offers us that.
Ruth, who is from Israel and is a Jewish educator, gives us an additional dimension that
can only deepen our Jewish experience at Agudath Achim. It is thus my hope that we
can go in this direction.
But what if we can’t? Other options for the future must be considered. One is to rely on
our lay leaders to lead Shabbat services, supplemented with periodic visits by itinerant
rabbis. Such a rabbi could lead our High Holiday services for example. A second is to
combine forces with the greater Jewish community of Shreveport-Bossier. We have
considerable resources, both in terms of a dedicated, core group of congregants and of
material assets, that could be brought into any vision of our future. While this option
may strike some as giving up, I can foresee an arrangement that would allow us to
continue our Conservative worship services and other traditions.
This is an important decision that we as a congregation must soon make. On behalf of
the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors, I ask that you contribute to this
conversation.
David S. Gross
Vice President
Executive Board Message
CONGREGATION AGUDATH ACHIM Page 3 February, 2019
Hazzan’s Notes
World Religion Day
Shreveport has wonderful opportunities for culture and education, but not a huge number of venues where both of these combine with religion. Many churches have Adult Education programs, and I have been privileged to speak about both Judaism and Jewish music in several of these churches.
There are two times each year when Shreveport's religious communities gather to share food, music, educational displays, and non-denominational prayers, which are truly wonderful. The Jewish community participates fully in both of these Interfaith activities.
One is called "Taste of Interfaith", and it is literally just that: many religious groups bring a "culture-specific" dish of warm or cold food for a long buffet table, and part of this event is the opportunity to taste a variety of foods in one eclectic meal. While people are eating, there is music presented by many different religious groups, and even a Karate demonstration from Oriental spirituality.
The other is called World Religion Day, which happened this year at the end of January. This has a slightly different format, whereby each religious group among the nearly 20 represented places books, pamphlets, poster-boards, and ritual items from their faith on their table as an educational display. Many faiths also bring small food treats, and in another part of the host church, there are musical presentations and three panel discussions on religious topics.
For the last two years, one of the panels has been youth leaders from vari-ous religions, and we have been well-represented by a teenager who is finishing high school this year. Rabbi Jana and I usually participate on the other two panels, and these discussions range from general issues of morality, to the treatment of refugees, to dealing with religious doubts.
Our "Jewish display" contains two tall tri-fold poster-boards of written infor-mation, many ritual items such as a Passover Seder Plate and a Hanukkah "Hanukkiah" (Hebrew word for the Hanukkah Menorah), Shabbat and Havdalah candles, a Mezuzah and Kipot. We also have treats; this year our Federation Director brought Hamentashen, Star cookies, and Challah. I brought the Shofar that I used for the Opening Prayer, and an old Lulav (palm frond).
In future years, please consider attending these two events, and helping to staff the "Jewish table" at World Religion Day. Each year it is a wonderful afternoon of answering questions about Judaism, and showing many of the ways that we worship throughout the cycle of a year.
Hazzan Neil Schwartz
CONGREGATION AGUDATH ACHIM Page 4 February, 2019
Social Media Requests
Although Cantor’s contract will not expire until next
year, the search is lengthy. Tell your out-of -town
friends and relatives in the event they might know of
someone wanting to relocate to a warmer climate.
Did Jew know?
That we have a Valentine’s Day? Well, not exactly…
It’s the Day of Love!
It’s Tu B’Av, originally a post-biblical day of joy, it served as a match-
making day for unmarried women in the Second Temple period (before the
fall of Jerusalem in 70 C.E.).
It should be noted that Tu B’Av, like several Jewish holidays
(Passover, Sukkot, Tu B’Shevat) begins on the night between the 14th and
15th day of the Hebrew month, since this is the night of a full moon in our
lunar calendar. Linking the night of a full moon with romance, love, and
fertility is not uncommon in ancient cultures.
In modern day Israel, it is celebrated as a holiday of love, similar to
Valentine’s Day. It has been said to be a great day for weddings.
And that famous Dead Sea cosmetics company, Ahava, means love.
Sources: myjewishlearning.com and hebcal.com
CONGREGATION AGUDATH ACHIM Page 5 February, 2019
Please join us on Wednesday,
February 20th at 7:00 pm
Topic: “The Scandal of Purim”
Family Service
Friday, February 22nd
at 8:00 pm
(New Time)
With story and songs
Board Meeting
Sisterhood
Adult Education
Sisterhood Dues for 5779, 2018-19
of $36.00 are due.
Please send your check to Sara Zweig or drop
off at the synagogue office Monday - Friday,
9am-2pm.
Also, save and drop off your labels for Educa-
tion, Box Tops for St. Judes.
Thank you for your donations of toiletries
which are now being donated to Project Cele-
bration , Inc. which provides shelter and ser-
vices for domestic violence survivors .
AA Board Meeting
Monday,
February 18th
7:00 pm
CONGREGATION AGUDATH ACHIM Page 6 February, 2019
Birthdays in February
The Rubenstein Gift Shop
Jewish Film Festival Series
Daniel Lachman Feb. 3
Patricia Anne Parker Feb. 4
Wendi Marrus Feb. 4
Tammy Willson Feb. 6
Bernard Lobel Feb. 10
Les Alan Lobel Feb. 11
Eliza Campbell Feb. 11
If there are any errors or omissions, please be
assured it was unintentional. Contact the office
with corrections and additions for Rakefet.
Our Gift Shop has some stunning new items including
mezzuzot, seder plates, havdalah candles, and tallit clips.
Please stop in to browse.
Alex Leblang Feb. 18
Barbara Joseph Feb. 19
Richard Dechowitz Feb. 27
Anne Kawaler Feb. 28
The Last Resort
6pm February 27th
Robinson Film Center
It’s a Beach Party!! This captures two photographers and the
vibrant community of Jewish retirees that focused their cameras
on the sunburned paradise of 1970s Miami Beach.
If you wear your Hawaiian shirt - you will receive a free popcorn!
Also, there will be a preshow beach blanket bingo for a chance to
win prizes.
CONGREGATION AGUDATH ACHIM Page 7 February, 2019
Donations
In memory of: By:
Max Carroll Samuel & Ingrid Carroll
Irvin Levine Ike & Berte Muslow
Isaac Tebele Sara Tebele
Joey Tebele Sara Tebele
Rachel Bersin Ed Bersin
Mollie Gelfand Yetta Gilbert
Arnold Lincove Warren & Janice Epstein
1/2 Oneg Committee
8th Tammy & Paul Willson in honor of
Tammy’s Birthday
9th Men’s Club & Dr. Aubrey & Joan Lurie
15/16 Bernard & Dorothy Lobel
22/23 Carolyn Sheehan in memory of her parents,
Ann & Roy Roberts
February - Oneg Shabbat / Kiddush
CONGREGATION AGUDATH ACHIM Page 8 February, 2019
YAHRZEITS It is the custom of Agudath Achim to commemorate the Yahrzeit
by reading the name the Sabbath before.
Week of Feb. 16 - Feb. 22
Week of Feb. 23 - March 1
Week of Jan. 26 - Feb. 1
Week of Feb. 2 - Feb. 8
Week of Feb. 9 - Feb. 15
Chana Fehier Lurie
Rachel H. Groner
Victor Kolanko
Nathan Levine
Jake Cullick
Mollie Gelfand
Goldie Sternberg
Joey Tebele
Rebeca Murov
Darlene Swift
Barry Provisor
Frieda Wilenzick
Ray M. Gilbert
Sadie Katz
Sara L Levinson
Jasck Cole
Sol Abramson
Rosabel L. Shavin
Ann Gamze
David Goodman
Roy Robertson
If there are any omissions
or errors in the list above,
please be assured it was
unintentional. You may
notify the office with any
corrections.
Ernest Braun
Sarah Greenberg
Rachel Bersin
Helen Arnold
Louis Feldman
Abie Werth
Enrico De Benedetti
Fannie Rubenstein
Janice G. Gross
Janice Hyman
Irving Lippton
Louis Schorr
Max Kutcher
Bernard Rosenfeld
Mary Yellen
Isaac Tebele
Mollie Chapman
Franca De Benedetti
Patricia Siegel
Mamie Lustberg
Daniel Dechowitz
CONGREGATION AGUDATH ACHIM Page 9 February, 2019
February 2019
Shevat - Adar 1 5779
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
26 shevat 1
8:00 pm
Service
27 shevat 2
Mishpatim
10:00am
Services
28 shevat 3 29 shevat 4 30 shevat 5 1 adar 1 6 2 adar 1 7 3 adar 1 8
8:00 pm
Service
4 adar 1 9
Terumah
10:00am
Services &
Torah Donation
5 adar 1 10 6 adar 1 11 7 adar 1 12 8 adar 1 13 9 adar 1 14 10 adar 1 15
8:00 pm
Service
11 adar 1 16
Tetzaveh
10:00am
Services
12 adar 1 17 13 adar 1 18
7:00pm
AA Board
Meeting
14 adar 1 19 15 adar 1 20
7:00 pm
Adult
Education
16 adar 1 21 17 adar 1 22
8:00 pm
Family
Service
18 adar 1 23
Ki Tisa
10:00am
Services
19 adar 1 24 20 adar 1 25 21 adar 1 26 22 adar 1 27
Jewish Film
Series
6:00 pm
23 adar 1 28 24 adar 1 1
8:00 pm
Service
25 adar 1 2
Vayakhel
10:00am
Services
SHABBAT
SHEKALIM
5:48pm
5:54pm
5:42pm
5:36pm
5:30pm
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