Dec 2021 TEE bulletin

ourtemple.org @emanuel.temple . December 2021 Kislev-Tevet 5782 (205) 933-8037 The monthly bulletin for Temple Emanu-El Birmingham, Alabama (More information on page 3) Our Mission: Temple Emanu-El is a welcoming Reform Jewish congregation, engaging members in prayer, study, fellowship, and acts of loving kindness for our congregational family and the community at-large.

2 Our Services Friday, December 3 Friday, December 10 Friday, December 17 Friday, December 24 Chanukah: 5:45 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 6 Candles Erev Shabbat Erev Shabbat Erev Shabbat Chanukah Service Service Service Service 5:00 p.m. Tot Shabbat NOTE: Our temple offices will be closed the with Jacobs Camp week of December 19 for the holiday season. 5:45 p.m. Shabbat Family Service with the Sixth Grade Religious School Class Saturday, December 4 Saturday, December 11 Saturday, December 18 Saturday, December 25 Chanukah: 9:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 7 Candles Torah Study Torah Study Torah Study 9:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Torah Study Shabbat Hilicha Shabbat Morning Shabbat Morning Shabbat Hiking & 10:30 a.m. Service Service Shabbat Morning Service at Red Mountain Park Torah Portion Torah Portion Service Parashat Vayechi Parashat Shemot Torah Portion Genesis 47:28-50:26 Exodus 1:1-6:1 Torah Portion Parashat Vayigash Parashat Miketz Genesis 44:18-47:27 Haftarah Portion Haftarah Portion Genesis 41:1-44:17 I Kings 2:1 - 2:12 Isaiah 27:6 - 28:13; Haftarah Portion Haftarah Portion Ezekiel 37:15 - 37:28 29:22 - 29:2 Zechariah 2:14-4:7 COVID-19 Update Shabbat Hilicha Torah Study Shabbat Hiking With the availability of COVID vaccines to children Every Wednesday 12 p.m. and the significant reductions in the rates of COVID December 11and January 22 https://zoom.us/j/661751570 positive cases, hospitalizations, and deaths around our 10:30 a.m. area, we are excited to announce that the Board has or (Hike begins at 10:45 a.m.) dial-in at +1 312 626 6799 approved the following recommendations Meeting ID: 661 751 570 from the TEE Pandemic Taskforce: One Saturday per month, in lieu of an online service, AND • To move from yellow to yellow-green for school. we will meet at Red Mountain This will move the entire temple to \"yellow-green tier\" Park to spend Shabbat morning Every Saturday 9 a.m. together. Led by Rabbi Wright https://zoom.us/j/731472885 • To require masking for anyone unvaccinated and Cantor Wittner, we spend at Temple. one to two hours enjoying or dial-in at +1 312 626 6799 • To continue to limit the number of people for Shabbat and nature. Meeting ID: 731 472 885 large indoor gatherings We meet at Red Mountain Park at the Frankfurt Drive entrance: password: torah For more information go to 2011 Frankfurt Dr, Birmingham, ourtemple.org/updatenov2021 AL 35211 Temple’s Got Talent winners will be announced Monday, December 6 at 6:00 p.m.! USPS Publication Title: Our Temple Statement of Frequency: Address: Organization: IDENTIFICATION Issue Date: December 2021 Published monthly 2100 Highland Avenue South Temple Emanu-El Issue Number: 147 except for June/July issue Birmingham, AL 35205-4002

Around Our Temple 3 (Continued from front cover) AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM RABBI WRIGHT Our Magnificent Maestro: Dear Temple Emanu-El, Honoring Paul Mosteller It is bittersweet to write this letter. Our Interim Please join us as we celebrate our Music Director’s retirement and his Director of Education and my dear friend and leadership for over 30 years at Temple Emanu-El on Saturday, December 11. colleague, Lynda Gutcheon, will be retiring from her position at Temple Emanu-El as of Also, we are creating the Paul Mosteller Director of Music Fund of the December 31, 2021. Grafman Endowment Fund – with the purpose of underwriting the Music/ For the past 3-1/2 years, Lynda has offered Choir Director position and musical operations for our congregation. us stability, continuity, and excellence for our religious school. Our leadership engaged her Please join us in celebrating the blessing Gift Recognition Levels: with a crucial task for our temple family: re-establishing a religious school to offer us a that Paul Mosteller has been for our consistent, spiral curriculum that included both content-based and project-based learning. This Temple with a meaningful donation. High C: $10,000 or more curriculum offers creativity along with different types of learning opportunities for our student In order for your gift to be included in the Polyphonic: $7,200 Kindergarten through 7th grade. In addition, a event program that evening, please let us Harmonic: $5,400 Hebrew curriculum was put into place, offering know of your gift or plege by Tuesday, Rhythmic: $1,800 a dedicated skill based and decoding plan for our December 7th. Thereafter, gifts will still Melodic: 4th graders and a prayer experience for our 5th be appreciated and accepted, with a full Tonal: $540 and 6th graders. We have also been able to establish listing of gifts included in the February Friends of Paul: $180 our new Community High School Program, Kesher, $36 for student’s 8th through 12th grade. We are proud of what we’ve been able to bulletin. antEiceodwcnuochemaadtpsuiolcbinsa(ehRMateSo;AbneErboB.aSluTiruBSstch,tItAheeWwLGdCyBeIEwnLookLmdFiantRahroGmdOwrtOiheotMtietfeHtiDerAiTEis.nHsiROrtsgieEEomuc)crteioastretosiaoecrnnrcehgoaafatgRepedepfalaoicnram- Jewish Educators as well as Jewishjobs.com. You may reply with the response card enclosed with your We are beginning to receive responses and we are invitation, or go to ourtemple.org/honorpaul to make your hopeful to find our new Director of Education. gift online. Go directly to the link by scanning this QR Code. In the meantime, we will be putting together a team to continue to support our faculty on a weekly About Dr. Paul Mosteller: basis and to assist the routine of our Sunday and Paul Mosteller was appointed Organist of Temple Emanu-El Wednesday classes. Curriculum for all grades has been written, including all lesson plans and in August 1993. From 1989 to 1993,he sang in the other special events. The Clergy and Leadership understand that a new director will likely start in synagogue’s professional choir. For nearly the summer. However, the temple is prepared to continue running the religious school after 40 years, he’s enjoyed an academic career Lynda’s retirement in January. We will continue to keep you informed of as a voice professor, having taught at our progress on hiring a new Director of Education as well as the team to be contacted if needed. several universities including UAB. Again, it is bittersweet to write this letter. I want to thank Lynda again for her excellence, He has performed as the organist professionalism, and above all, her support and friendship. For over three years, this community with the UAB Concert Choir had one of the best Jewish educators in the country guiding and teaching us. We are grateful. We are (including their 2014 European blessed. We are enriched. Enjoy the next adventure. Just know Temple Emanu-El will always be concert tour), the Birmingham a home for you both. Boys Choir, Opera Birmingham, B’shalom, Rabbi Adam Wright and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. He earned the Associate Certi cate (AAGO) from the American Dr. Paul Mosteller Guild of Organists in 2005 and holds degrees from West Chester University, Temple Emanu-El The Juilliard School, and the University of Iowa. Music Director Updated COVID-19 Policy: At this time, the event is limited to partial capacity of 400 attendees – so please reply if attending. Masks are now optional for those who have been fully vaccinated. However, we continue to respectfully require all those NOT vaccinated to maintain wearing a mask while inside our Temple. Thank you! For more information on our Temple’s COVID-19 policy, go to o__u_r_te_m__p_l_e_.o_r_g_/_u_p_d_a_t_e_n_o_v__2_0_2_1

4 Around Our Temple THE FOLLOWING SPEECH WAS GIVEN BY CANTOR ROBBY WITTNER AT HIS INSTALLATION ON OCTOBER 29 Shabbat Shalom! Gut Shabbos! Many clergy people would tell you would substitute for our cantor, who they’ve had a calling. For some it’s was on vacation. Dr. Selig taught literal, but for most it just felt like they me what I needed to know from a technical level, but the most important wanted to be rabbis or cantors at a thing I gleaned from my experience young age because they wanted to was the sense of belonging and help guide the Jewish people. My tradition that can come from sharing journey getting here has been a bit music with others. I hadn’t been to different. As a child, I wanted to be services there in years, and yet I everything from a baseball player to immediately felt connected again. an astronaut to a doctor to, most The tunes of my childhood had unusual of all, an actuary. It’s safe to say that I had no specific direction stirred something within me. I was always headed toward. The one The second thing that happened is that I had finally reached the age, problem with intellectual curiosity is empathy would go to great use as a different for every person, at which that it leads you in so many different cantor, suggesting that the things that directions. Heading into college, I made identity and heritage become mean- drew me toward being a doctor could my mind up that I’d pursue medicine. ingful in a way that can’t be explained. still be applied in another setting. And To let you in on a little secret though, loving my neighbor? That is the job. that was almost entirely because my \"I KEPT COMING BACK Making people feel comfortable with favorite TV show was Scrubs. I just TO AN IMPORTANT their faith, allowing them to feel a sense didn’t know what I wanted. of connection with something greater. LESSON — LOVE I was in a choir for most of my That’s what this is all about. And while childhood, so singing was something YOUR NEIGHBOR it took me some lengthy consideration, I had always loved, but it was really AS YOURSELF.\" mostly wrestling with my own faith, in college that it became a passion. I decided this was right for me, but it I sang at every opportunity: would also let me help others in a way It’s an innate human desire to connect I hadn’t anticipated. Given my passion a cappella, choir, chamber choir, to our past, and my yearning to do barbershop, opera. So by the time for music, love of community and I graduated, I had already made the so came at the right time. I started decision that becoming a doctor was exploring my faith, my spirituality. Am Yisrael, and the sense of belonging that had been stirred when leading And while that was happening, I was services, the choice seemed obvious. not my path. I could never find the working a desk job at which I had the I set off down the long road toward passion I had for music in medicine. Thus, a change of course was needed. time to contemplate my direction in life.  becoming a cantor. While doing so, I kept coming Fast forward five years through back to an important lesson. Almost school and here we are. My wife Alex every child hears some version of it, and I are visiting Birmingham for the but my parents instilled it in me as first time. We truly have no idea what the centerpiece of being a good person. V’ahavta l’reiacha kamocha. to expect. We’ve heard some good Love your neighbor as yourself. It’s things about the community, about its kindness, but it isn’t until you’ve felt it not the deepest piece of Torah, but that you can understand. There’s it’s the most important, as Rabbi a love here that immediately drew Hillel taught us.  me in. Southern hospitality isn’t After I substituted as a cantor, my perfunctory here. It’s a code of life.  Luckily, two things soon fell in place. First, I was approached by the mom told me that I had a wonderful president of my childhood synagogue disposition for the job if I wanted it. V’ahavta l’reiacha kamocha was coming to life in front of me. I could She said that my voice would obviously sense kindness radiating from those on the streets of New York City, help, but that my listening skills and Dr. Ralph Selig, and he asked if I who showed us around. I learned all

Around Our Temple 5 about the kind of philanthropy that Jesse, only a sweet baby now, growing longs to pass l’dor vador, from permeated this community. There up here and learning what loving your generation to generation. In this was an empathy that I hadn’t felt neighbor actually means. V’ahavta week’s Torah portion, Chayei Sarah, so ubiquitously before. l’reiacha kamocha.  meaning Sarah’s Life, we learn quickly So Alex and I made a much quicker There will be difficult times. There that Sarah has actually died. And yet, decision than we had expected. We both always are, but I’ve seen during this the name is still befitting of the portion, flew back from the South beaming. It time of COVID how even with all the as her legacy is carried on through was clear that even making a difficult her child, Isaac. This is what gives move away from family was worth \"THERE'S SOMETHING us hope. That we’ve done what we this shot. We’re young, so let’s take a can to ensure our children and those chance, we said. SPECIAL ABOUT in our community are set up for And when we arrived last year, success. Temple Emanu-El has it wasn’t the \"wining and dining\" that BIRMINGHAM, ABOUT clearly succeeded in that light over was so wonderful, though of course the generations. the meals we had with so many of you TEMPLE EMANU-EL.\" were amazing. It was the desire to There’s something special about be a holy community that we sensed. restrictions and the fear, you made the Birmingham, about Temple Emanu-El. The desire from you to help us, or effort to remain engaged with each Having worked here even a brief time, anyone, out, when it was needed. other. That’s who you are.You can’t I know I made the right choice coming We unfortunately had to come down help yourselves. Being kind just runs in here. From the warm welcome, to the here during COVID, which obviously the drinking water. Alex and I actually homemade dinners, to the invitations complicated things. But y’all made the view our relationship as b’shert, as we to family events, to periodic texts and effort to make us feel an important cog; traveled down to Alabama the week emails just checking in, we feel not a pattern was beginning to emerge. before everything shut down because only welcome here, but that we belong. of COVID in New York. If we hadn’t With the arrival of my son Jesse made the trip and felt that tangible With all that said, I could not especially, we’ve gotten so many kindness, we probably wouldn’t have be more honored and privileged to generous gifts, making certain even a ended up here. continue the musical legacy enabled baby felt welcome, that as he grows up, And while being kind is the most by the Engel family as your Engel he has a whole village supporting him. important thing, I’ve also seen how Cantorial Chair. So thank you to That kind of love cannot be understated.  much this community yearns to learn Rabbi Wright and to President And during this time of profound about its Judaism. I had never really Berman, to President Cohn and to loneliness for many people, you made done adult education before getting Robert and Amy and the rest of the the effort to ensure that my wife Alex here, but I’ve found everyone to be so search committee. Thank you to the had people to walk with, people to talk genuinely curious and inquisitive that it’s Grafman Endowment Fund.You have with, to consult about anything she been one of my favorite components of all made this possible.  needed. I’m in the office every day and the job. I’ve worked with b’nei mitzvah I get to experience firsthand all the students who have been nothing but Maybe my calling came a little things that make this synagogue so polite.Yes Sir this, Yes Sir that. I was so later than most, but when Birmingham incredible. But knowing that Alex has shocked the first time I heard it, I told came ringing, we answered and been supported, that people truly want the student to stop but then realized we’re here to stay. Shabbat shalom what is best for her, that’s what made how nice it was to receive a yessir and and gut Shabbos! me realize I’m home here. I can see reversed course. For a kid from New York City, this was the last thing I expected from my students. When my dad worked at public schools in New York, his official title seemed to be “Yo, Mista.”  Everyone here is looking to better themselves, whether through study of Torah, Temple circles, or community outreach. Temple Emanu-El has such a long legacy of kindness, one it

6 Around Our Temple Special Year-End Gift Reminders December Birthdays • In making your year-end gifts remember in order to obtain a 2021 Following are members of our charitable deduction, the IRS requires letters containing checks to be family celebrating birthdays postmarked on or before Dec 31, 2021. in years divisible by 5. • If you are making your gift with stock, we request that all stock transfers be completed by Friday, December 17 to ensure that they are handled Andrew Allen properly. We also ask that you contact your brokerage company AND call Erin Arnold the Temple so that we can be looking for the stock transfer. Blayke Bearman Charles Collat DIDYOU KNOW…You can make gifts to benefit your Temple from your IRA. Sarena Epstein If you are 701/2 or older, the Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) offers Caleb Epstein specific advantages. It’s as simple as writing a letter to request a direct transfer Julia Fargason of funds to help support our Temple community. Harris Frank Potential Advantages: Scott Garber • Preserves available cash Ansley Gewant • Counts towards Required Minimum Distribution Warren Goldstein • Tax-wise option for many Caroline Gould Julie Kanter-Washko Many of our congregants pay their Annual Endowment Gifts or Annual Caroline Lorberbaum Temple Financial Commitment (Dues) with contributions from their IRA. Brian McMillan Don’t hesitate to contact us. Claire Mervis Temple Dues: Danielle Barnett at 205.933.8037, ext. 244 or Leone Risman Hayden Robinson [email protected] Lester Seigel Endowment Gifts: Jann Blitz at 205.397.0814 or [email protected] Andrew Strickland Gabrielle Tandet Think about the possibilities—you could pay your Temple Dues/Annual Martin Weinberg Membership Commitments, make an Annual Endowment Gift or other Thomas Weintraub charitable gifts to obtain year-end deductions. Please note that Anniversary and Birthday As always, contact your financial advisor to learn more about charitable gift lists is gathered from information in the opportunities. Jann Blitz and some of the members of the Endowment Fund Board may also be able to provide information to you. Temple’s database. We apologize for any errors or exclusions. Please contact us at [email protected] regarding any corrections. Thank you.

Around Our Temple 7 It’s time again for Feeling Gelty! . Shine your Chanukah light brightly this season Happy Anniversary by helping those in need. December Our sage Maimonides believed that the highest form of tzedakah – Anniversaries charity – is when neither the donor nor the recipient is known to the other. Joe & Jane Bluestein Feeling Gelty is our Temple’s long-standing program where we buy toys Jeff & Ilyse Brobst Al & Tracy Cohn to help brighten the lives of less privileged children in our area. We are Richard & Linda Cohn partnering with Trinity United Methodist, Temple Beth-El, and the Day David & Nancy Denney Stuart & Jennifer Frank School this year to help make Christmas special for the families of Henry & Carolyn Frohsin 130 students at Hemphill Elementary. Jeffrey & Heather Lebensburger Sign up to buy gifts from their wish list or make a monetary donation and we will purchase gifts from you for the children. Wayne & Denise Lewis Mark & Abigail Raczynski Please honor the $100 limit per child. You may sponsor one or more Kevin & Amanda Sokol children from Pre-K through 5th grade. Peter & Betsy Printz Grade K = age 5-6 Grade 1 = age 6-7 Roger & Crystal Collins Grade 2 = age 7-8 Grade 3 = age 8-9 Grade 4 = age 9-10 Grade 5 = age 10-11 PLEASE PURCHASE GIFTS EARLY DUE TO SUPPLY CHAIN CONCERNS. Gifts should be unwrapped and placed in a trash bag labeled with the grade, teacher name, initials, and gender. Deliver gifts to Temple Emanu-El by December 5th. Monday through Friday during office hours – 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. until December 3rd and on Sunday, December 5th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. If you have any questions call or text Anne Ovson at 205-616-8551. We encourage you to use this opportunity to discuss the meaning of the miracle of Chanukah and the impact of sharing with those who are the greatest in need with your family and friends. Thank you for taking part in this small act to repair the world (Tikkun Olam) and your continued support of this wonderful Temple project. Learn more at ourtemple.org/tikkun-olam

8 Our Youth & Education Friday, December 3rd @ 5 p.m. Dear Temple Emanu-El Families, Temple Emanu-El It is hard to believe I have been here at Join Robin Berger and our friends Temple Emanu-El for 3-1/2 years.  It has from Jacobs Camp for a super fun, been my honor and pleasure to be here with you over these years. As I approach interactive musical journey my retirement, I am grateful for this significant into the story of Chanukah. opportunity. The Gail and Jeffrey Bayer Religious School is a special place. Chanukah I am so very grateful to Gail and Jeffrey FamilCyhSanhuabkbaaht with for their ongoing and unwavering support. FaomuirlySiSxhthabGbraat dweith My tenure began by engaging with wonderful lay leaders: Ben Weil, ReloiugirouSsixSthchGoroal dCelass Dr. Al Cohn and Sherron Goldstein. They understood my mission as an Religious School Class interim education director: return the school to excellence, permeating Friday, December 3 with active learning, meeting learning objectives, and celebrating the Friday5,:4D5ecPeMmber 3 love of Judaism. I am grateful to my dear friend Rabbi Wright, whom I’ve known for 5:45 PM many years, for his guidance, support and friendship. Bring your menorah to To the entire executive staff, administrative staff and maintenance Blriginhgt aytouthrembeengoinrnahingto staff, you are each an important piece of this place and it’s been a olfigthhteastetrhveicbee. gWineniwnigll pleasure working with you. I also want to recognize the Education ohfavtheessuefrgvainciey.oWt e(jewlliyll Committee. They are each committed so positively to our school, offering direction and support. hadvoenusutsf)gafnoiryoytou(jetolly Our years has been filled with many exciting activities and impressive ednojnouytsa)s fyooruyloeuavteo! achCiheavneumkeanhts.  Each grade now completes mitzvah projects in addition enjoy as you leave! FatmoitlhyeSirhraebgbualtarwcituhrriculum. Our Hebrew department has made great our Sixth Grade RelsigtriioduessSinchtoeoalchCilnagssbasic Hebrew skills along with both prayer content and prayer competence.   Fr idayN, oDneceeomfbtehris3happens in a vacuum. Our devoted faculty and incredible supp5o:4r5t sPtMaff offer week after week commitment and devotion.  They all represent the first line in creating and developing the next generation Blriginhogtf Jayetowuthrsemabneedngoiwnrneahianrgteo grateful. They are an incredible group of people. of tThheasnekrvyiocue. aWll efowr iallll you do, and I know will continue to do. And thanks, hadvoaenlsusout,sft)goafanolirlytoyhtoeu(rjeetollilgyious school parents who share their children with us. en joy Aass ymoyu joleuarvnee!y continues with my loving husband, Bernie, and our ability to spend time with our children and grandchildren, I will always consider Temple Emanu-El a special place. I hope you all have a great rest of the school year and keep in mind that “Life is short. Time is fast. No replay, No rewind. So enjoy every moment as it comes…” Lynda Gutcheon

Our Youth & Education 9 RELIGIOUS SCHOOL NEWS BAT MITZVAH Religious School Learning! Katie De Los Santos Right, 1st graders listen as their teacher, Leah Monday, December 20, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. Gordon, reads a special Shabbat Book as students Katie will be called to the Torah as a bat mitzvah on learn about Shabbat Monday, December 20th, 2021. & Havdalah. She is an eighth grader at Indian Springs School and is the Below, Charlotte Blair daughter of Drs. Jennifer and practices her Hebrew Conrad De Los Santos and decoding skills. younger sister to Jordan. Katie was born and raised in 6th graders place flags on Birmingham but enjoys travel the Jewish graves in our abroad and trips to the lake and cemetery to honor our beach. In addition to being a veterans as part of their straight A student, she is an mitzvah project. accomplished equestrian and plays basketball on the Indian Springs varsity team. We are so proud of Katie and excited for her big day! Junior Choir Starts January 9th Inviting kindergarten - 4th grade students to join us. No experience required! We want as many young voices as possible to engage with their musical heritage. We will meet every Sunday before Religious School from 9:30-9:55, dismissing in time for Religious School. Register at ourtemple.org

10 Our Yahrzeits May the beauty of their lives shine forever, and may we always bring honor to their memory. Nov 28 - Dec 4 Frankie Engel Lawrence Harold Goldstein Lillian Ginsburg Carol Curjel Rhea C. Flurer Nathan Goldstein Anya Golger Gertrude Davis Julian H. Allenberg Nathan Goldstein, II Simon Goldstein James E. Doughty Ivan K. Blach Richard Irving Gotlieb Nettie Goodman Ferd Cahn Harwood Ben A. Engel Harry Hanover Sol Green Jean Held Terrence (Terry) Fierman Daniel Canzoniero Arthur Hagedorn Brian Cohen Carl Hess Bertha Hatman Phyllis Herman Ethel Fitlow Sylvia Epsman Beth Hodes Arnold C. Hirsch Theresa E. Karpeles Sheila Friedman Joyce Levine Cohen Jacobson Ann Goldblatt Kahn Gussie Morris Garry Abe \"Lige\" Epsman Benjamin Kahn Rosalie Kaltman Isadore Lassen Edith K. Gerson Janet Elizabeth Franco Mitchell Kravetz Abraham Kanter Hannah Lazarus Dr. Sidney Gewant Harry Krentzman Linda Karpman Sonia Rosen Lazarus Ray Goldberg Fred Friedman Edward M. Lazarus Paula Karson Louise Aland Levin Harold Joseph Goldstein Joan Goldman Claudia Levinson Fima Katz Hannah G. Goldstein Jeanette Goldstein Leah Ellen Marks Ethel P. Kaufman Lois Levkoff Bessie Greenberg Donald B. Goldstein, Sr. Martha Martin Tillie Lischkoff Betty Greenberg Esther Grafman Bertha Siegal Mayer Malcolm \"Mickey\" Kohn Mose Lischkoff A. William Handler Henry Morton Helzberg George J. Mayer Stella Hirsch Loeb Alice Munn Meisner Jimmy Hewell Leonard Melnikoff Sophie Malcove Bertha Mendel Doug Hewell Russell Hudson Henrietta Michalove Nathan Marcus Sallye B. Hunter Helaine Levin Jacobs Annie Moskowitz Miller William Marx Sol Morris Sylvan Elliot Ives Leo Kayser, Sr. Flo Ruth Morris Paul Miller Leah D. Newfield Sidney Jaffee Marion Grabove Leaf Miriam Goodman Phillips Hyman Miller Abraham Isaac Odrezin Eileen Jones Johnson Kate E. Malkove Morris Randman Jean Morgenbesser Remi Opsomer Anne Raymond Etta R. Myerson Emery Kane Carl Maron Abraham Isaac Roobin Henry Ovson Katie Pariser Marilyn Lazarus David \"Bud\" Meadows Edna Minisman Harry J. Plous Sarah Harris Phillips Levenson Rosen Morris Q. Rogoff Joe Leitman Julius Mitnick Leonard Salit Erin Rosemore Louis Piassick Frances Levin Joseph J. Morris Davin Schoenberger Christopher David Myra Edith Rathmell Dr. Myron A. Levine Ilse Schoenberger Sophie R. Lyone Elaine Rosen Sidney Seidenman Rosenbaum-Callahan Minna Roobin William M. Lyone Lillie Wohl Rosenbaum Goldie Spiegelman Stanley Routman Rachel Rosenthal Brandon Lee Miller Morris Wertheimer Alan H. Saks Jenifer Rotenstreich William Rosenberg Mary Miller Margaret Goldberg Salloway December 12 – 18 Sarah Schneiderman Louis Saks Emma Newfield Minisman Rebecca Shulman Chaim Schniper Jack Segal Edward Allenberg Adolf Spielberger Myron D. Schreibman Leroy Monsky, Jr. Ruby Seitel Theo Alper Carolyn Turner JoAnn Hess Morrison Celia L. Sherry Birdie M. Unger Don Siegal Henry Siegel Flossie Baum Minnie May Wald Bettye Silberman Philip Oster Sally Tamson Hill Slate Jeanette Berman Adolph Weil, Jr. Bettye Silberman Dan Joseph Patrick Sara Rogoff Sokol Manuel Wildstein David Solomon Betty Bernow Margie Sokol Rose Perrin Samuel Solomon Sara A. Bernstein December 19 – 25 Sandra Gael Sokol Evelyn Myers Poes Sarah Staff William Breman Ethel Wohl Solomon Mena H. Stern Eva Rowe Cain Amy Allenberg Nathan Solomon Anna Randman Seymour S. Warren Barnard Capper Diana Brenner Berk Dian Holzer Steiner Justin \"Chuck\" Ravitz Ellis Weinstein Bernard M. Capper Sadie Yanuck Sterling Berman Edith Tanner Etta K. Ripko Dave Cohen Sidney Binder Minnie Lazarus Weil Aaron Rosenfeld December 5 –11 Herman Jerome Cohn Barbara Goldstein Weisberg Bertha Rosenthal Mark Blokh Marilyn Nedoss Weller Robert J. Roth Arlene Sachs Berger Bert Cotton Margaret Castell Belle P Gotlieb Peggy Cowen Mina Zaychik Ike Saks Rose Aarons Samelia K Davis Ida Cohen Joseph Salloway Daniel Alloun Fannie Dessler Jeannette K. Cohn Dec 26 – Jan 1 Noman Anon Richard Alan Elkus Avery Sanger Etta T. Cooper Esther Apolinsky Dorothy Schwab Herbert Applebaum Julius Fies Marvin Elkin Michael Saul Applebaum Jack Silverman Joanie Plous Bayer Jerome A. Fox Ike Z. Engel Henry Robert Biedinger Sylvia Gabis Maurice Kohn Erdreich, Sr. Libby Bank Henry Sisson Davida Sanborn Black Joe Goldstein Tillie T. Feinefeld Harriett Weil Broda Sarah Spiegelman Rosalie Cannova Ferne Feld Bettie B. Spielberger Morris Burger Hyman Dorsky Maxine G. Caheen Bella Steinberg Irene Eagle Pauline N. Steinman Leo Eagle Kenneth Camp Edward Cohen Mildred Wald Alan J. Cohn Eleanor Westcott Mose Milton Zavelo Adele Cohn Isaac Cooperman Bessie Rotenstreich Cotton

Our Tributes 11 We appreciate the thoughtfulness of those who support our congregation by remembering and honoring their friends and loved ones through their generous contributions. Thank you for the following gifts received through November 11, 2021. GENERAL & UNRESTRICTED FUNDS Donations to our General Temple and Endowment Funds, and the Unrestricted Named Endowment Funds provide the greatest flexibility to respond to our congregation’s changing needs. In Memory Of: Jo Marks Heyman Jennifer Ware, Edward Berman by Lyons Heyman daughter of Sherron & Allan Goldstein by Sandra & Alan Berman Fred Kanter by Harry Bayer Phoebe Cotton by Renee & Henry Alterman by Sandra & Alan Berman by Eve & Rick Hirsch by Harry Bayer by Roz Caplan Muriel Degan by Amy & Clint Dillard by Linda Verin & Rick Clay by Ellen J. Bruck by Sandi & Gerald Friedman by Wanda & Ross Cohen Louis Freedman by Shari & Greg Friedman by Cheryl & Charlie Collat by Jane & Melvin Davis by Pat & Terry Hammond by Nancy & David Denney Shirley Freeman, by Ginger & Jerry Held by Marian & Ronny Epstein mother of Michael Freeman by Fran Marlow by Barbara & Larry Fine by Jack Schniper by Suzy & Stewart Perlman by Elise & Hank Frohsin Alice Lurie Friedman by Amy & Michael Saag by Fran & Lee Godchaux by Carol & Donald Herman by Dodie Sokol by Nancy Goedecke Cathy H. Friedman by Stephanie & Stephen Steinmetz by Donna & Howard Goldberg by Mark Friedman by Sam Tenenbaum, Jr. by Cinda & Larry Goldberg by Marin Goodman Sonia Rosen Lazarus by Ginger & Jerry Held Marshall Goldberg, by Nancy & David Denney by Gail & Charles Herman father of Nancy Goldberg Irwin Leslie by Julie Koch by Linda Barstein by Sharon & Edward Bromberg by Joanne & Mitch Leibovitz by Jane & Joe Bluestein Caki Collat Mendel, by Ashley & Jon Lewis by Cheryl & Charlie Collat daughter of Charles Collat by Denise & Wayne Lewis by Barbara & Larry Fine by Fran Marlow by Fran Marlow by Rochelle & Michael Koslin by Barbara & Gregory Nefouse by Loretta Newfield by Ashley & Jon Lewis by Loretta Newfield by Susan & Andy Rotenstreich by Ferne Seigel by Stephanie & Stephen Steinmetz by Judy & Bob Rutstein by Carole Simpson Suzy Ovson by Ferne Seigel Ida W. Grafman by Randi & Marc Cohn by Dodie Sokol by Ruth Fromstein by Bobbie & Jim May by Sam Tenenbaum by Stephen Grafman by Judy & Jimmy Rotenstreich Wishing Good Health To: Howard Helzberg by Stephanie & Stephen Steinmetz Harold Blach by Barbara & Henry Helzberg John Rathmall by Cinda & Larry Goldberg Joyce Helzberg by Cheryl & Charlie Collat by Mitzi Goldstein by Ralph Blach Lena Roobin by Carole Simpson by Marian & Ronny Epstein by Sandra & Alan Berman Cissy Held by Donna & Howard Goldberg Lillian Schultz by Cinda & Larry Goldberg by Mitzi Goldstein by Rhonda & Harry Weinberg Evelyn Held by Dixie Hagedorn Alfred Lee Thompson, by Cinda & Larry Goldberg by Rachel Krantz and Edward Goldstein father of Cinda Goldberg Jack Held by Amy & Michael Saag by Wanda & Ross Cohen by Sandra & Alan Berman by Ferne Seigel by Gail & Charles Herman by Cinda & Larry Goldberg by Natalie & Albert Sikora by Lori & Jimmy Weil by Eve & Rick Hirsch by Pat Weil Anna Weil by Cheryl & Charlie Collat Your contributions through our “Temple Tributes” help to support Temple Emanu-El’s annual operations and activities, and further build our Grafman Endowment Fund to enrich our congregation…now and forever. To make a Tribute Gift to either a temple or an endowment fund, please contact the Endowment Office at (205) 933-8397 or [email protected]. A list of all our funds is available on our website at www.ourtemple.org.

12 Our Tributes Leonard Held Birth of Noah Harrison Reiss, Special Birthday of Jerry Sklar by Cinda & Larry Goldberg grandson of Madeline & Jake Reiss by Marian & Ronny Epstein Lanny Kline by Stephanie & Stephen Steinmetz Special Birthday of Murray Tanner by Eve & Rick Hirsch Birth of Maya Sloane Schaeffer, by Marian & Ronny Epstein by Bobbie & Jim May granddaughter of Beth Schaeffer and Special Birthday of Ilene Wilensky by Judy & Jimmy Rotenstreich Jack Schaeffer by Eve & Rick Hirsch Julie Marcus by Eve & Rick Hirsch Bar Mitzvah of Ari Royal, by Nancy & David Denney Birth of Jesse Dorer Wittner, grandson of Lana & Stephen Royal David Sabbag son of Rachel & Cantor Robby Wittner by Eve & Rick Hirsch by Judy & Jimmy Rotenstreich by Nancy & David Denney Bat Mitzvah of Monika Singletary Joan Weisberg by Judy & Jimmy Rotenstreich by Barbara & Larry Fine by Roz Caplan Special Anniversary of Bat Mitzvah of Maxine Stockman, by Sandra & Larry Shulman Ruth & Jim Fromstein daughter of Julie & Eric Stockman In Honor Of: by Carole Simpson by Meredith & Gary Weintraub Birth of Autumn Grace Cohen, Special Birthday of Harold Blach Rebecca Blitz on her new assignment granddaughter of Susan Cohen, by Sandra & Alan Berman in Tel Aviv, Israel great-granddaughter of Natalie & by Carolyn & Henry Frohsin by Sandy & Bill Goldman Albert Sikora by Mitzi Goldstein Installation of Cantor Robby Wittner by Ashley & Jon Lewis by Carol & Donald Herman by Cinda & Larry Goldberg Birth of Charlie Berman Davis, grandson by Jerry Lapidus by Sandy & Bill Goldman of Jeri Berman-Davis and Alan Davis by Carole Simpson by Carole Simpson by Eve & Rick Hirsch Special Birthday of Leonard Held by Sam Tenenbaum, Jr. Birth of Amelia Gray Morris, by Eve & Rick Hirsch granddaughter of Pam Cohen Special Birthday of Judy Weinstein Jablow by Judy & Jimmy Rotenstreich by Carole Simpson Together, we have an opportunity to be a blessing and benefit our Temple... Now and Forever! REMINDER: Annual Endowment Gift Pledges are due by Dec 31st Together, we each have the opportunity to be a blessing and help ensure our Temple’s vibrancy. We hope you will join in this year’s Annual Endowment Gift program, which provides congregants of all ages and financial capabilities to help build the Grafman Endowment Fund to enrich our congregation. It is with your gifts that our Endowment continues to grow and to benefit all of us, our children and grandchildren, who call Temple Emanu-El our spiritual home. We hope you will participate – knowing that every gift not only enriches our congregation today, but also enhances our spiritual home for generations to come… Now and Forever! For details, contact the Endowment Fund Office: (205)933-8397 or [email protected]

Our Tributes 13 DESIGNATED ENDOWMENT FUNDS Contributions to these “perpetual” funds help provide permanent sources of income for special programming and enhancements for our temple today, as well as for future generations. ELLEN & JACK ALAND SHERRON & ALLAN GOLDSTEIN BUNNY & JOEL ROTENSTREICH MEMBERSHIP ENGAGEMENT FUND BREAK-THE-FAST FUND FUND FOR DUES ENDOWMENT In Honor Of: In Memory Of: In Memory Of: Retirement of Barbara Aland Jennifer Ware Betty Grayson and Jennifer Ware by Cindy & Harvey May by Donna & Mark Berman by Bunny & Joel Rotenstreich BLACH FAMILY FUND by Sharon & Gary Cutter LANA & STEPHEN ROYAL FOR DUES ENDOWMENT by Susan & Jeff Cutler FUND FOR DUES ENDOWMENT In Memory Of: by Chu-Chi & Bobby Fierman In Memory Of: Fred Kanter and Rita Rosenthal by Cindi & Scott Glenn Louis Royal and Helen Silverman by Nancy & Harold Blach by Richard Harrison II by Lana & Steve Royal In Honor Of: by Marilyn Haver JEAN & JERRY SKLAR Special Birthday of Harold Blach by Rochelle & Michael Koslin FUND FOR DUES ENDOWMENT by Shelley Trager Kusman by Jerry Lapidus In Memory Of: by Amy & Michael Saag by Amy & Michael Saag Robert Fleisher, Joyce Helzberg, Special Birthday of Carole Pizitz by Lori & Jimmy Weil Fred Kanter, Caki Collat Mendel, by Nancy & Harold Blach by Rebecca & Joel Wisotsky Suzy Ovson and Jennifer Ware by Kit & Rick Roth by Barbara Zaslofsky by Jean & Jerry Sklar NINA & NORMAN COHEN HANNAH & HYMAN GOLDSTEIN Wishing Good Health To: NEXT GENERATION FUND VOLUNTEER FUND Harold Blach, Evelyn Held, Jack Held, In Memory Of: In Memory Of: Lanny Kline, Jerry Lapidus and Bob Marcus Jennifer Ware Erica Green by Jean & Jerry Sklar by Lois & David Cohen by Debra & Joel Goldstein In Honor Of: CEMETERY CARE FUND Joyce Helzberg Bar Mitzvah of Ari Royal; In Memory Of: by Marilyn & Murray Tanner Bat Mitzvah of Lexi Cohn; Marshall Goldberg, Claudette Petrofsky Jennifer Ware Birth of Leah Isabelle Cohen, and David Schultz by Debra & Joel Goldstein Louis Leonard Pizitz and by Maureen & Mark Petrofsky by Marilyn & Murray Tanner Jesse Dorer Wittner; In Honor Of: In Honor Of: Special Anniversaries of Installation of Cantor Robby Wittner Special Birthdays of Jane Bluestein Chu-Chi & Bobby Fierman, by Maureen & Mark Petrofsky and Donna Kraselsky Barbara & Larry Fine and EDWARD & HERMOINE FRIEND by Marilyn & Murray Tanner Cissy & Leonard Held; COMMUNITY FUND MOLLIE & HERMAN Special Birthdays of Alan Berman, In Memory Of: GOTLIEB SANCTUARY Barbara & Larry Fine, Paul Friedman, Jennifer Ware PRESERVATION FUND Leonard Held, Joel Rotenstreich, by Miriam, Benji and Barbara Sokol In Memory Of: Dorothy Shiland, Gaston Stein, In Honor Of: Mollie & Herman Gotlieb Murray Tanner and Ilene Wilensky; Special Anniversary of by Marcia Unger Marriage of Alana Miller to Ben Gore; Denise & Wayne Lewis RABBI JONATHAN MILLER and Andy Rotenstreich for his presidency by Barbara Sokol ENDURING LEGACY FUND of the Grafman Endowment Fund Board JANIS & PAUL FRIEDMAN FAMILY In Memory Of: by Jean & Jerry Sklar FUND FOR DUES ENDOWMENT Tommy Gillispie JANET & LEONARD WERTHEIMER In Memory Of: by Donna Gillispie FUND FOR DUES ENDOWMENT Jennifer Ware REESE FAMILY FUND In Honor Of: by Cathy & Paul Friedman In Memory Of: Special Birthday of Harold Blach MAX FRIEDMAN Richard Reese and Helen Somerstein by Janet & Leonard Wertheimer B’NAI MITZVAH FUND by David Reese In Memory Of: In Honor Of: Jennifer Ware Ed Meyerson for being recognized by Julie & Charles Stein as this year’s Mike Slive Foundation’s Beyond Blue honoree by David Reese

14 Our Tributes DESIGNATED TEMPLE FUNDS JEWISH FUTURE PLEDGE Together, We Have the Power Gifts to these “immediate use” funds fulfill special needs beyond the scope of to Secure the Jewish Future what dues and tuition fees are able to provide. The Birmingham Jewish community is RABBI WRIGHT CANTOR WITTNER enthusiastic about its partnership with DISCRETIONARY FUND DISCRETIONARY FUND Jewish Future Pledge — a worldwide In Memory Of: In Memory Of: Joyce Helzberg Fred Kanter movement working to ensure that by Laurie & Zach Solomon by Drew Kanter vibrant Jewish life continues for future Fred Kanter In Honor Of: generations. This effort calls on all Jews by Drew Kanter Baby naming of our granddaughter, to make a pledge that at least half of the Caki Collat Mendel Clara Gabirelle Keshishian charitable giving in their wills/estate plans by Jeri Berman-Davis by Leah & Kenneth Saag will support the Jewish people and/or the Hazel Randman Bat Mitzvah of Monika Singletary State of Israel. This can apply to any by Judy Roy and Lydia Johnson by Richard Harrison II Jewish organization…in any community… In Honor Of: Birth of Jesse Dorer Wittner Baby naming of our granddaughter, by Alison & Robert Berman anywhere around the world. Clara Gabirelle Keshishian Installation of Cantor Wittner Whether you’re leaving $10 or $10 million by Leah & Kenneth Saag by Judy & Gerson May to charity in your will, you can be part of Bat Mitzvah of Lexi Cohn RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND by Jeri Berman-Davis In Memory Of: sustaining Jewish life for the future. Bat Mitzvah of Monika Singletary Jennifer Ware Note: Jewish Future Pledge is not a by Richard Harrison II by Danny Cohn and fundraiser — rather, it is a moral obligation Marriage of Robin Anderson to Andrew Miller about supporting our Jewish people Quenton Kimbrough by Julie Anderson and our heritage. SPECIAL THANKS Our Temple’s Grafman Endowment Fund is The Temple and Grafman Endowment Fund pleased to be working leadership gratefully acknowledges the foresight and generosity of: together with The Birmingham Jewish Foundation and Temple Beth-El Foundation to advance this shared vision. To take the pledge or for more information, contact: Jann Blitz at [email protected] or (205) 397-0814 or jewishfuturepledge.org Mary Virginia & Josh Mandell for creating the Mandell Family Fund for unrestricted purposes. Janice & Michael S. Cohen for their generous gift to further building their family’s fund: Nina & Norman Cohen Next Generation Fund

Our Sponsors 15 Do You Have COPD? if yes, are you: LISA MACLEAN R E A LT O R ® 40-90 years of age Former smoker HAPPY HANNUKAH! Interested in being in a 205.276.7676 | LisaMacLean.com | research study? Compensation for your time Contact Jessica McCreight 205-996-3007 We'd love to FOR SALE have your ad One Elmwood HERE Cemetery Lot at a Great Price For information on advertising in the bulletin please contact: Call David Betten at 205-967-5454 Temple Emanu-El at (205) 933-8037, ext. 239 or [email protected] Temple Traditions Gift Shop Gift Ideas for all Jewish Holidays! Check out or selection... we have gelt, dreidels, menorahs, candles, & other decorative Chanukah items... We have jewelry from casual to diamonds... Great gifts for the Mah Jongg lover... Fun Puzzles & Games, Holiday Books, Tallits, Tzedukah boxes... Baby Gifts, Wedding Gifts, Bar/Bat Mitzvah Gifts... Beautiful new Sterling Silver Kiddush cups, candlesticks and more... Don’t see exactly what you’d like? Contact us and we’ll be happy to help you with ideas. Come in the shop, visit us online, email or call Gift Certificates are available in the shop or online. December 2021 Hours open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. whenever the Temple is open For questions or to schedule an appointment, contact Kim Roth at [email protected] or (205) 914-3545.

Temple Emanu-El NONPROFIT ORG. 2100 Highland Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35205 U.S POSTAGE Postmaster: Time Sensitive Material. PAID Please deliver immediately. Birmingham, AL Address Service Requested Permit No. 1137 Are you moving? Do we have your correct address? Please let us know by e-mail: [email protected] This issue of OurTemple bulletin is made possible through the support of the Temple Brotherhood. BEGIN TO PLAN NOW FOR . JEWISH SUMMER EXPERIENCES The monthly bulletin for Temple Emanu-El Temple Emanu-El and the Rabbi Grafman Endowment Fund offers financial need-based scholarships for many Jewish 2100 Highland Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35205 summer experiences, such as Jewish summer camp, and ( 205) 933-8037 | FAX (205) 933-8099 attendance at special youth group conventions. Applications ourtemple.org are now available online at ourtemple.org/youth-scholarships. Founded in 1882 and affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism. Please submit your Scholarship Application to Clergy [email protected] by February 1, 2022. Rabbi Adam Wright Cantor Robert Wittner, Engel Cantorial Chair For additional scholarship opportunities, you may also contact: Rabbi Jonathan Miller, Rabbi Emeritus The Birmingham Jewish Foundation Senior Team PO Box 130219- Birmingham, AL 35213 Danielle Barnett, Director of Accounting and Finance (205) 803-1519 or [email protected] Jann Blitz, Endowment Fund Executive Director For first year campers: Lynda Gutcheon, Interim Director of Education Visit the Goldring Foundation Monika Singletary, Director of Engagement and Membership jefno.org/youth-camping/goldringsummer-camp Board of Directors Scholarships for study/travel to Israel are also available EXECUTIVES for all those who have completed Confirmation. Robert Berman, President Charles Collat, Jr., President Elect For more information, please contact the Endowment Fund Barbara Aland, Vice President Office at (205) 933-8397 or [email protected] Dr. Adam Gordon, Vice President and utilize the online Israel Scholarship Form, also at Lisa Bebenek, Secretary ourtemple.org/youthscholarships Joel Piassick, Treasurer Dr. Al Cohn, Immediate Past President Sherron Goldstein, Presidential Appointment Jeffrey Bayer, Presidential Appointment GENERAL BOARD Dr. David Askenazi Fran Godchaux Dr. Brian Kulbersh Ashley Lewis Josh Mandell Ben Smith Amanda Sokol Andy Rotenstreich, Endowment Fund Board President Steven Leaf, Brotherhood President Sylvia Wright, Sisterhood President Remember Temple’s Endowment Fund in your estate plans, and please let us know when you do.