FROM THE PRESIDENT
Phyllis Keiser
PRESIDENT
Dear Temple Family,
Although January has skipped by so quickly, I’m not sure I took the opportunity to wish all of you a happy and healthy 2012. Please accept the belated good wishes.
It was absolutely wonderful to see so many of you at our special Chanukah dinner and service. To me, the sheer number of attendees speaks volumes as to the interest that we all have in coming together as a Temple community to share holidays and events with one another.
We so very much thank those of you who responded to our invitation, but for those that did not, we need your help.
There is a tremendous amount of time and planning that goes into all of our events. We want to be certain that we are prepared, with adequate seating, food, or whatever, for all those we anticipate will attend these events.
In order to plan and to better prepare for future events, we must know how many people will be attending, whether the event is a dinner, a lecture, a concert, a community outreach event, or even a Temple Clean Up Day.
We have implemented a procedure to assist in planning. For events such as these, you will receive an announcement via an e-blast. If a response is required, it will be so noted in the subject line. For example, it will look like the following:
TBY Info/ Picnic in the Air/Response required
All you have to do is hit the reply button and type a simple “yes” or “no”. Of course, other comments are always welcome. We hope that, as you become familiar with this format, RSVP-ing will become more routine. We appreciate and thank you for your help and understanding.
At all events that require advance reservations and/or payment, all those who have made these responses will be seated before those who have not.
If any of you have suggestions or ideas on what we can do to make good events even better, please do not hesitate to email me your thoughts and ideas. I will be happy to share them with our executive committee and Board of Trustees.
I look forward to seeing you at services and at our many activities throughout this month. We are fortunate to live in such a kind winter climate. No need to worry about events being cancelled because of inclement weather here!
B’shalom, Phyllis
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RITUAL
Maury Keiser
As I mentioned in last month’s Shofar, we are back to our normal first and third Friday service schedule. Our first service of the New Year was anything but routine. Over 130 members and visitors were treated to a moving and wonderful service. I feel it can be best summed up in the following e-mail that Reverend Ted Voorhees, Pastor of St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church, sent to Rabbi Mark.
“Rabbi Mark,
On behalf of all the folks from St. Cyprian's ... and their friends from Memorial Presbyterian ... and the three RC nuns who also heard about the "field trip" to Temple Bet Yam through Caren and St. Cyprian's ... I offer my many thanks for your wonderful hospitality to "strangers." People are still talking about what a wonderful experience they had, including one who had never been to a Jewish worship service before (and barely makes it to St. Cyprian's) and plans to go back.
Your leadership through the service allowed people to feel sincerely prayerful and at the same time included. And it affirmed my teaching that there are different "vessels" holding the sacred and each is as valid as the other. Thanks for your hospitality ... and the hospitality of all the people of Temple Bet Yam. Shalom/Peace ... Ted”
At our Friday evening service on February 3rd, we will observe the conversion of Merrie Meiselman. This is also Shabbat Shira, the Sabbath of Song. Please join us for this service and again on Friday the 17th.
Maury Keiser,Ritual Chair
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SHIR-U L’ADONAI
From the Choir....
Temple Bet Yam Choir is an all volunteer organization directed by Lisa Black and assistant director Bev Darkatsh. The choir is composed of 23 men and women who rehearse weekly. Assisting the choir is vocalist and guitarist Merrie Meiselman and vocalist, pianist, and composer-in-residence Jennie Vick. Assisting Merrie and Jennie is Joe Marx on tambourine.
In 2010 we recorded a CD titled Shiru L’Adonai The Voices of Temple Bet Yam. The CD is dedicated to our beloved founding choir member and organist Artie “Maestro” Heilweil, of blessed memory.
For information about the choir, please contact Lisa Black at lisabblack@bellsouth.net. To purchase a CD, please contact Carol Gladstone at grambini1@comcast.net.
Until next time...keep singing! Emily Brown
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SOCIAL CLUB
Keep your eye on your Inbox for more fun and exciting social events!
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Mitzvah Mob
Paul Greenfield
We are here to help you with rides to and from the airport, odd jobs around the house, trips to Mayo, Flagler Hospital or to your other medical visits. Instead of paying someone to help you, use us and give the money to the Temple.
We are seeking more volunteers so that more of our members can enjoy the beautiful feeling of doing a mitzvah. Call Paul Greenfield at 823-1931 to volunteer your services.
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L. E. A. P.
Learning Experience Activities for all Participants
Hebrew Classes
Taught by Emily Brown
Hebrew 201
Hebrew 201 is in full swing and the students have learned a lot. Due to circumstances beyond my control, the class will run until February 23rd.
Hebrew 101
In this 15 week course, we will learn the Alef-Bet, vowels, and how to read Hebrew. As we progress through the Alef-Bet, we will also learn how to translate what we are reading through the use of roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Mix in a little Judaica on the side and you’ve got Hebrew 101!
Class Fees: Members: $72 plus $11.53 for materials
Non-members: $110 plus $11.53 for materials
Meeting Day and Time: Wednesdays 6:30 - 8:30pm in TBY Library
Class Dates: January 18th – May 2nd
Deadline to sign up: January 10th
Minimum number of students required: 5
To sign up, please send an email to eyabrown@gmail.com. Please put Hebrew 101 on the subject line.
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WAYS AND MEANS
Chuck Meiselman
Special thanks goes to Carol Gladstone for chairing the "Susan Gaeta Concert". It is so exciting for us to be expanding our horizons by bringing in extraordinary talent and entertainment for our community and membership to enjoy. Again, thanks Carol.
Very special thanks, also, to Nancy Sorkin who spearheaded our very successful Barnes and Noble gift wrapping effort. Great job!
Don't forget "Deli Night" on February 23rd, co-chaired by Bobbi Carman and Barbara Rogove. In addition to the usual great gastronomical compilation, we are pleased to introduce St. Augustine's newest Comedy Troupe; "The Matzo Balls". You don't want miss the hysterically funny comedy sketches written by our own Carol Gladstone.
We are currently working on some ideas for March, and as they get finalized, we will send out an e-blast from Phyllis. Remember, without your participation and support raising funds, we will eventually run out of oil to keep the Eternal Light burning.
 TOBY'S CORNER
Toby Weintraub
TREES FOR ISRAEL 
The response to our plea for donations for Trees for Israel has been extraordinary. We urge more of our temple family to donate trees in the continuing drive to restore the devastated Israeli forests in the Haifa region. A portion of every $18.00 donation per tree also benefits Temple Bet Yam resulting in a double Mitzvah. Please make donations payable to Temple Bet Yam and mail to Toby Weintraub, 649 Nautical Way, St. Augustine, FL 32080. Please include the following information:
The name of the person to be memorialized or honored.
The relationship of that person to the person(s) receiving the certificate
The name and address of the recipient of the certificate
The name and address of the person(s) donating the tree or trees
JUDAICA SHOP
The Judaica Shop is available for all our congregants’ convenience. Please support it. We make every effort to stock items that will help make shopping for special gifts, especially Judaica, easier for you. Special orders can be filled upon request. We have access to excellent catalogs at very competitive prices. See Toby Weintraub during the Onegs or call her with any special request.
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BETWEEN THEE AND ME
Rabbi Mark Goldman
The old year, 2011, was weary and worn…
We were fatigued and troubled from the unpredictable chapters that deeply affected us all…
Tumbling down upon our hearts and souls were the recurrent current events that gave us cause for anxiety and pain…
The weather patterns were torrential in the downpour of disturbing human concerns…
However, we remained hopeful, optimistic, and faithful, steadfast in our constant love of God and each other…
Please God, please Everybody, let there be a rainbow in 2012...
We need Your blessings God, to be generously lavished on all humanity, the gems of Your Creation…
Because You created us in Your Spiritual Image, help us to be better than we were, more noble than we are, more worthy in our pursuits…
We pray: Help us to reflect Your Divine Radiance to brighten the path for others…
May we be the realization of the Biblical dream, “Lights unto the Nations.”
We are profoundly grateful for our gifts of the Past and for the endurance we have known through the blessings of survival…
Help us to draw to a close the curtain of what has been…
And help us to raise our vision and our hope by the dawn of Another Year’s Day…
With Love, Rabbi Mark
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SISTERHOOD AND MEN'S CLUB ACTIVITIES:
SISTERHOOD
 
Bobbi Carman & Andi Marx
Bobbi and I hope you are having a good winter so far. Tickets are available for our spring fashion show. It will be held again at Serenata Beach club on Wednesday March 28th. Fashions will be by Steinmart. Our guest speaker is Anne Kraft. She is an Actress, Director and a Coach. The cost this year is $30. Call us for tickets.
Please remember our Judiaca Shop for special occasions. If you don’t see what you want we can order it for you.
Andi and Bobbi
MEN'S CLUB
Joe Marx
The January Men’s Club meeting was movie night. The well attended event featured the Frontline Documentary, “Israel’s Next War”, a thought provoking examination of radical Jewish extremists living in the West Bank.
In February, we are planning a road trip to Fantasy of Flight in central Florida. You can go to http://www.fantasyofflight.com. Watch for the Evite. It should prove to be an exciting and interesting adventure, so please join us.
If anyone is interested in joining the off-site poker club, please contact Elliot Stone or Joe Marx.
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NEWS FROM YOUR COMMITTEES
MEMBERSHIP
 
Barbara Rogove
On Tuesday Feb 28, 2012 at 7:30 PM LifeLong Learning will once again present an evening of Jewish Music. Our own music man Leo McCarthy will be sharing things you didn't know about music and Jews.
"Do you know what Jewish composer brought back to life the greatest Christian composer after an absence of 80 years? Join us to find out. Listen to music. Have a nosh.
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
Denise Mensh
This month we are “repairing the world!” The students are studying the concept of Tikkun Olam and how they can contribute to making their world a better place in which to live. Social justice is an important concept in Judaism, and the students will be learning about it first hand as they work on a community action project of their choosing.
As always, the Religious School welcomes the support and involvement of all congregants. Please contact our director Joan Guglielmo if you are interested in sharing an activity, have ideas for a project, or simply want to offer your time. There are many ways in which children learn, and your life experiences can help enrich their lives.
Camp Scholarship Fund sponsored by TBY Sisterhood
Summer camp in January?!?! Well, perhaps not the actual camping itself, but NOW is the time to begin thinking about sending your child or grandchild to a Jewish summer camp. From Camp Coleman, a URJ camp in Georgia, to Camp Shalom, a non-URJ Jewish camp in Ocala, to a Jewish sports camp in North Carolina, the fun and learning your child experiences will create a lifetime of memories. Because the Jewish camping experience is so important, Temple Bet Yam Sisterhood is proud to announce the formation of a Jewish camp scholarship fund that will help with the costs of sending a child to camp. If you are interested in submitting an application, please contact Sisterhood president Bobbi Carmen.
Joan J Guglielmo
Religious School Director, Temple Bet Yam
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SOCIAL JUSTICE
Art Rogove
Planning continues to develop the next Interfaith Celebration with First Metropolitan Church and other religious houses of worship. Our interfaith team will be meeting on February 7th to develop an outline for the program and to set a date for the Celebration. The tentative timing will probably be in the early spring.
No information is available at this time on Feeding the Hungry due to schedule conflicts.
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