February 08, 2010   24 Sh'vat 5770
 
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Tragedy in Haiti - Union Opens Disaster Relief Fund

In the wake of the horrific destruction that has hit Haiti, the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) has opened its disaster relief fund to aid those devastated by the severe earthquake. With a still-unimaginable number of casualties, relief and support is being directed to help rescue and recovery efforts scale up rapidly.  A number of our partner organizations are already on the ground or on their way to provide assistance. Donations to the Union for Reform Judaism Haiti Relief Fund can be made online at www.urj.org/relief or by sending a check to Union for Reform Judaism, Attention: Development, 633 Third Avenue, 7th floor, New York, NY, 10017.

A request to respond from Dominique O’Connor
As both a Jew and a descendent of Jamaican parents, I am well aware first hand of the need for aide to third world countries. I know that the members of both Temple and Jewish Omaha will want to help in any way they can. READ MORE

Biblical Wisdom Literature
Tuesdays, February 9, 16 and 23, Noon,  Milder Center
The books of Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, each in its own way, offer a radical alternative to the classical theology.  This course will explore these differences as we read, discuss and analyze different passages from these texts. Dr. Guy Matalon will teach these sessions. Fee: $36, discounted to $27 for donors to the Annual Campaign of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Co-sponsored by the Center for Jewish Education.

 

Adult Hebrew
Wednesdays, February 10 - May 5, 6:30 p.m.
Mor Sheinbein will be focusing on prayers and their meanings - literal and beyond. This class requires the students to have a minimal knowledge of reading Hebrew, an open mind, and want to learn. Mor recommends and welcomes her adult students to ask “lots of questions.”  The cost is $18 for Temple members, $25 for non-members, and free for Temple Israel Family School parents.  Contact Wendy Goldberg to register.


Is Religion Good?
Wednesdays, February 10 - March 3, 6:30 p.m., Livingston Chapel
Rabbi Eric Linder and guests from the community will discuss possible conflicts between the tensions of the secular world and the Jewish world, including belief in God, ethical vs. ritual behavior and doubt vs. certainty. We will look at popular writings from Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens, asking ourselves, “Is Religion Good?” The cost is $18 for Temple members, $25 for non-members, and free for Temple Israel Family School parents. Contact Wendy Goldberg to register.

 

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Have you borrowed a prayer book or Torah Commentary from Temple Israel?  
Any chance it is still on your bookshelf? Please take a minute to return it to the Temple office.

DID YOU KNOW?
You can purchase Bag ‘n Save, Baker's, Bookworm and Whole Foods gift cards online, in the Temple Israel office or Sunday mornings in the lobby (when school is in session).  They spend just like cash in the stores, it doesn't cost you anything above what you would normally spend, and our congregation earns 5% percentage of the gift card sales. 
GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE ONLINE HERE
in $50 denominations.

 

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Save The Date  

Tour St. Cecilia Cathedral with Cantor Shermet
Sunday, February 21, 9:30 a.m.
If you like organ music and would like to learn more about the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha, join Cantor Wendy Shermet for a guided tour, attend a service at St. Cecilia Cathedral (701 North 40th Street) and grab a bit to eat and discuss the experience. Please register with Program Director Wendy Goldberg.

 

Hamentaschen Baking
Sunday, February 21, 10 a.m.
Calling all bakers! Whether it’s cherry, poppy seed or chocolate, this delicacy is loved by all. WRJ is looking for bakers to make homemade hamentaschen.

 

OTYG PRESENTS: A NIGHT IN ITALY
Sunday, February 21, 5 p.m., Friedman Social Hall
Attend the annual Spaghetti Dinner, Live and Silent Auction, a fundraiser for our senior youth group and two wonderful camps; Camp Rainbow and Camp Coholo, camps for seriously ill children to grow and thrive, run completely by volunteers. Contact Amy Katz, akatz@templeisraelomaha.com to donate an item for auction. Contact Temple Israel for a reservation. Adults $10, Kids 3-12 years old $4, no charge for children two and younger, Table Sponsor $80

 

Health Care for the Future

Friday, February 26, 6 p.m.

Ruth Margalit, M.D., associate professor and director of the Inter-Professional Service Learning Academy, College of Public Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, has been invited to share her insight on what lies ahead in the health care environment. She will describe how the community will be involved in the Inter-Professional Service Learning Academy and how new experiences will assist in preparing students for the medical profession of the future.

 

Purim Spiel, Dinner and Carnival
Saturday, February 27, 5-8 p.m.
Parade • Yummy Hamentaschen • Moon Walk
Duck Pond • Cake Walk • Soda Ring Toss • Music
Hot Dogs • Pizza • Cotton Candy
Purim Spirits and Study (for adults only)

Wear your costumes and be prepared to drown out the name of the wicked Haman!  Our spiel will feature members of the congregation, and will be a bawdy romp through Temple life. Enjoy a costume parade and then - all on the same night - a fabulous carnival staffed by Omaha Temple Youth Group. While the carnival is in swing, adults are invited to a lively talk with Rabbi Azriel about the story of Purim and the interesting theologies that are at work.  Each child will receive ten free carnival tickets.  Dinner for Temple Israel members is at no charge - you can thank Esther and Mordechai!

 

Quick Links  
From the Blog  

Prayers from our Human Rights Shabbat

Congregation of Temple Israel Blog   |   Jan 27, 2010 12:00 AM
Please G_D open people’s eyes to the happiness you provide and heal those that are in pain. Show the world that diversity is to be embraced. Give peace to prisoners of war to live free of pain, horror and hurt. Fill them with happiness and greatness. Give them the guidance to find their [...]

Prayer in Response to Natural Disaster

Congregation of Temple Israel Blog   |   Jan 21, 2010 12:00 AM
Sir Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth We join our prayers to the prayers of others throughout the world, for the victims of the earthquake which this week has brought destruction and disaster to many lives. Almighty God, we pray You, send healing to the injured, comfort to the bereaved, and [...]

A Call To Action: Haiti

Congregation of Temple Israel Blog   |   Jan 13, 2010 12:00 AM
Earlier today I received the following email from a Temple Israel member Dominique O’Connor: Hello Wendy, As I’m sure you’re already aware, this morning Haiti was devastated by a level 7 earthquake. The already impoverished nation now faces both a famine and health care crisis. I was wondering if you would allow me to include a small blurb in [...]

Women of Valor: A benefit concert to support breast cancer awareness, in loving memory of Florence Eisenberg

Congregation of Temple Israel Blog   |   Oct 16, 2009 12:00 AM
Sunday, October 18, 5 p.m., Temple Israel Jonathan Leshnoff, associate professor of music at Towson University in Maryland, has been commissioned to write a new composition entitled “A Righteous Soul,” which will performed by the Aeon Ensemble and Cantor Wendy Shermet. In addition to Leshnoff’s composition, the concert will include healing songs performed by a women’s [...]

Charlie Brown’s Philosophy – thanks to Charles Schultz, the creator of Peanuts:

Congregation of Temple Israel Blog   |   Oct 16, 2009 12:00 AM
This was shared at our Adult Ed session yesterday, thought you might enjoy it. Shabbat Shalom Don’t try to answer these questions: just think about them: Who are the 4 wealthiest people in the world? Who are the last 4 people to have won the Nobel [...]

Follow Temple Israel Online, Sign up today!

Congregation of Temple Israel Blog   |   Apr 27, 2009 12:00 AM
Subscribe to the Congregation of Temple Israel Blog Join The Congregation of Temple Israel Facebook Group Follow Rabbi Eric Linder on Twitter Follow Wendy Goldberg, Program Director on Twitter ONLINE WEBCASTS Did you miss Dr. Ron Wolfson at Temple? Check out the webcasts of his presentations below: April 24, 2009 Calling All Temple Israel Angels April 26, 2009 Blessings and Kisses – The Power [...]

The world that can be, indeed.

Congregation of Temple Israel Blog   |   Mar 30, 2009 12:00 AM
Submitted by Rabbi Eric Linder There is not one definition of what religion “does.” It is different things to different people, and often in the same faith. Of course, this doesn’t stop some from trying; the theologian Paul Tillich defines religion as one’s ‘ultimate concern.’ I like that. But looking at it closer, [...]
Gift Certificates  

Whole Foods, Baker’s, Bag ‘N Save and The Bookworm Gift Certificates are available in the Temple office. Buy them and keep them handy for shopping at these stores which are gracious enough to return a percentage to Temple. If you have children attending Religious School classes on Wednesday afternoons or Sunday mornings, Toby Fellman makes it convenient to buy the gift certificates by selling them in the foyer. You may also contact Receptionist Maureen Kube to buy gift certificates or BUY ONLINE TODAY!

 

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