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Ha’ShofarVOLUME IX, ISSUE 11
CONGREGATION
BETH ISRAEL
November 2017
InsidePrayer Corner
..................... p. 2
Friday Noon
Study Group .......
......................p. 3
Ongoing Events
..................... p. 5
CBI Committee
News............ p. 7
Gift Shop
................... p. 11
Donations .... p. 14
November
Calendar .... p. 17
The month of Heshvan is facetiously (or maybenot so facetiously…) referred to as every rabbi’sfavorite month – the tradition is that we refer toit as Mar Heshvan, Bitter Heshvan, because it isvacant of any holidays (the truth is actually some-thing different, and it probably means eitherRainy Season or Eighth Month). Whatever theorigin of the name, the truth is that the month ofHeshvan gives us a space to breathe and to allowfor the hard spiritual work endeavored during themonths of Elul and Tishrei to sink in and settle.It also happens to give us some nice breathingroom, as Americans, to prepare Thanksgivingdinners. Could you imagine if Rosh Hashanahand Thanksgiving happened closer together?
Seriously, though, having a cool-down period isessential for our spiritual well-being after aconcerted effort of exertion, just as it is essentialto our physical well-being after exerting ourbodies, and just as it is essential to our intellectualwell-being after exerting our minds. Whetherintentional and pre-meditated or merely a circum-stance of the calendar cycle, it presents an oppor-tunity of which we can take advantage. Theopportunity to breathe.
Long, steady breathing has been shown toquickly reduce stress and increase calm. Breath-ing aids digestion, can increase concentration,and even increases optimism and positiveemotions. It is by no coincidence that one of theHebrew words for soul, neshamah, is also a wordfor breath. Perhaps our Sages of Blessed Memorywere keenly aware of the benefits of healthybreathing when they constructed the gratitudeaffirmation a Jew is to say during our morningprayers: …any time in which breath is within meI will offer gratitude to You, my God and God ofmy ancestors, master of all worlds and connec-tive-force of all breaths…
Since we have a break from the obligations andlimitations which holiday observance places
upon us, the month of Heshvan gives us theopportunity to utilize the power of breath tocontinue the spiritual trajectory which wecultivated during the High Holy Day Season. Asan added bonus, the month of Heshvan just sohappens to conclude this year the week beforeThanksgiving. While preparing, hosting, andgathering at a time like Thanksgiving can be asource of stress for some, we can also take theopportunity of this month of breathing-space tofind ways to increase our gratitude and thanksbefore we sit down to celebrate the abundance.
Here is a brief, easy to follow Gratitude Breath-ing exercise which will help anyone cultivate agreater sense of gratitude while also benefitingphysically, emotionally and spiritually fromeverything which healthy breathing contributesto our lives.
A Space to BreatheBy: Rabbi Justin Goldstein
Thanksgiving
November 23
https://www.facebook.com/bethisraelnc/
A monthly tour through the Siddur:
the meaning, significance, customs, laws,
history and choreography of prayer
Yishtabah (pg 148 of Lev Shalem) – This serves as the conclusion of the Pesukei D’Zimra section, and also as a bridge
between that previous section and the Shaharit prayers, which is why we rise at this point according to traditional choreog-
raphy. The prayer was known in the Talmudic era, and while it is included in the Passover Haggadah we do not know for
certain that it was included in the Passover Seder of the Talmudic era. The prayer was known to Rav Amram Gaon and Rav
Saadia Gaon, and has been included in every Siddur ever composed, albeit with slight variations. Listed within are 13 modal-
ities of praise corresponding to the 13 attributes of Divine Compassion. Yishtabah is an example of a short blessing, one
which either ends or begins with the phrase barukh atah adonai, but does not both begin and end. In the hatimah (everything
after barukh atah adonai) there are 15 words thought to signify the numerical value of the first two letters of God’s name.
The prayer is recited every day of the week and is considered a bookend to Barukh She’amar.
Next month …. Hatzi Kaddish
HA’SHOFAR PAGE 2
Ongoing CBI EventsTorah on Tap – A Lively Group Discussion
Led by Rabbi Goldstein
The last Sunday of the month 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm. The venue changes each month. Watch for an eBlast
with venue details. Dog-friendly with non-alcoholic options.
Weekly Beginners’ Yiddish Vinkel
Wednesday Mornings at 11:00 am
A weekly Beginners' Yiddish Vinkel led by Robert Marcus meets at CBI on Wednesdays. Yiddish philosophs who
will hopefully share their Yiddish language skills and Yiddishkeit with us are also welcome. In addition to learning a
bissel Yiddish, we will explore Yiddish music, singing, poetry, literature, history and culture.
All are welcome. To help with costs there will be a fee per class of $3 for CBI members and $5 for non-members.
For more information, contact the synagogue office (828) 252-8660.
CCBBII’’ss FFrriiddaayy NNoooonn SSttuuddyy GGrroouupp wwiillll nneexxtt bbee ddiissccuussssiinngg AAvviivvaa KKuusshhnneerr’’ss TThhee GGrraammmmaarr ooff GGoodd,,
aa ffiinnaalliisstt ffoorr tthhee 22001155 NNaattiioonnaall JJeewwiisshh BBooookk AAwwaarrdd
Aviya Kushner has worked as a travel columnist for The International Jerusalem Post and she is currently language columnist for The Forward. She teaches at Columbia College in Chicago and is a mentor for the National Yiddish Book Center. SShhee wwiillll bbee CCBBII’’ss SScchhoollaarr--iinn--RReessiiddeennccee tthhiiss yyeeaarr ffrroomm NNoovveemmbbeerr 99--1111..
The Grammar of God tells the story of Ms. Kushner’s vibrant relationship to the Bible, and along the way illustrates how the differences in translation affect our understanding of our culture’s most important written work. Former Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky writes: “Aviya Kushner has written a passionate, illuminating essay about meaning itself. The Grammar of God is also a unique personal narrative, a family story with the Bible and its languages as central characters.”
Starting on October 20, our informal discussion group will be meeting every Friday, from 12-1, in a new location, the Unger Social Hall at Congregation Beth HaTephila, at 43 North Liberty Street. All are welcome to join us, regardless of their level of expertise. If you have questions, please contact Jay Jacoby at [email protected].
CCoonnggrreeggaattiioonn BBeetthh IIssrraaeell iiss ssppoonnssoorriinngg aa SScchhoollaarr--iinn RReessiiddeennccee WWeeeekkeenndd
NNoovveemmbbeerr 99--1111,, 22001177
Aviya Kushner is an associate professor at Columbia College in Chicago, where she teaches creative writing and translation. She has worked as a travel columnist for The International Jerusalem Post and currently serves as language columnist for The Forward. Her writing has also appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Wilson Quarterly, and The Gettysburg Review. Professor Kushner is also a contributing editor at A Public Space as well as a mentor for The National Yiddish Book Center
Aviya Kushner grew up reading the Bible in its original language of Hebrew, which was also spoken by her family in New York. Later, as an MFA student reading the Old Testament in English, she was struck by major differences of interpretation and began a decade of research resulting in her book, The Grammar of God, a National Jewish Book Award finalist, a Sami Rohr Prize finalist
The Grammar of God, is about what the Bible loses in translation, what those who read it in Hebrew can access but those reading in other languages cannot. Former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky observes, “Aviya Kushner has written a passionate, illuminating essay about meaning itself. The Grammar of God is also a unique personal narrative, a family story with the Bible and its languages as central characters.” And Rodger Kamenetz, author of the Jew in the Lotus, writes “Kushner reminds us that in Hebrew, beautiful things are also beautiful words. Her gift as a writer is to take us very near to the text, breathe into it, and give it a new life.”
AAtt 77 ppmm,, TThhuurrssddaayy,, NNoovveemmbbeerr 99,, PPrrooffeessssoorr KKuusshhnneerr wwiillll aaddddrreessss tthhee qquueessttiioonn ooff ““TTrraannssllaattiinngg CCrreeaattiioonn----IIss IItt PPoossssiibbllee??”” aatt KKaarrppeenn HHaallll’’ss LLaauurreell FFoorruumm aatt UUNNCCAA iinn aa pprrooggrraamm ccoo--ssppoonnssoorreedd bbyy CCBBII aanndd tthhee CCeenntteerr ffoorr JJeewwiisshh SSttuuddiieess.. OOnn FFrriiddaayy,, NNoovveemmbbeerr 1100,, PPrrooffeessssoorr KKuusshhnneerr wwiillll vviissiitt wwiitthh CCBBII’’ss FFrriiddaayy NNoooonn SSttuuddyy GGrroouupp aatt CCoonnggrreeggaattiioonn BBeetthh HHaa TTeepphhiillaa’’ss UUnnggeerr HHaallll.. TThhee ggrroouupp hhaass bbeeeenn ddiissccuussssiinngg TThhee GGrraammmmaarr ooff GGoodd..
OOnn SSaattuurrddaayy,, NNoovveemmbbeerr 1111,, PPrrooffeessssoorr KKuusshhnneerr wwiillll ooffffeerr aa dd’’vvaarr TToorraahh aatt SShhaabbbbaatt sseerrvviicceess aanndd wwiillll lleeaadd aa ddiissccuussssiioonn oonn ““WWhhyy TTrraannssllaattiioonn iiss aa JJeewwiisshh IIssssuuee”” ffoolllloowwiinngg aa KKiidddduusshh lluunncchheeoonn,, aallll ttoo bbee hheelldd aatt CCoonnggrreeggaattiioonn BBeetthh HHaa TTeepphhiillaa..
We hope you’ll make plans to participate in what promises to be a most enlightening series of presentations.
HA’SHOFAR PAGE 5
Ongoing CBI Events
Meet the Midrash
Out of the texts of the Torah, the Rabbis created teachings bringing deeper meanings to the wisdom of the Jewish
people known as Midrash. Each week we will explore some of these teachings based on the weekly Torah portion.
We will gain not only an understanding of what the Rabbis were teaching, but how and why they were able to offer
these teachings. While there are many compilations of Midrash from different periods in Jewish history, we will
focus our studies on Midrash Rabbah. Wednesdays 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm
Hazak
Hazak is a group of empty nesters who meet monthly for good food and conversation at local restaurants. The group
usually meets the first Wednesday of each month at 5:30 pm, barring holiday conflicts. Anyone who is interested can
be added to the email list. Contact Sue Lerner.
Hasidishe Kiddushled by Rabbi Goldstein
Fill your heart and soul with Torah (and schnapps...) and join together to learn Hasidic thought and wisdom on parashat
ha'shavu’a. Last Shabbat of each month at 12:30 pm.
Living Torah with Rabbi Justin Goldstein
Timeless teachings for walking in the world. Start your day off with inspired learning and meaningful conversations.
Relevant and insightful lessons from the wellspring of Jewish wisdom. All are welcome, no experience necessary.
Thursdays 8:30 am at 75 N. Market Street, Asheville.
For Information about Burial Plots
at Lou Pollock Memorial Park
Contact:
Josh Tager [email protected]
or Fred Lashley
Current rates: $1,000 CBI members;
$1,250 non-members
LEARN TO CHANT TORAHTorah Trope Classes with Frank Goldsmith
Yes, you, too, can learn to chant Torah portions on Shabbat, using the correct trope. Beth Israel Synagogue will offer
a series of classes this fall on learning the ta’amei ha-mikra (Torah cantillation marks, or trope). No previous Torah
chanting experience is presumed, but you will need to know how to read Hebrew at least basically. It is not necessary
to be able to read musical notation. All of the tropes used in regular Shabbat Torah chanting will be covered (the course
will not cover the special tropes used for holidays or the haftarah). The course will also cover the function of cantillation
marks as an aid to understanding the Biblical text and as a guide for stressing the correct syllable, as well as some of
the common problem areas of proper Hebrew pronunciation. Frank Goldsmith will teach the classes. Written materials
will be provided. There is a charge, payable to Congregation Beth Israel, of $18 for CBI members and $36 for non-
members.
The classes will be taught on six consecutive Sunday evenings beginning on October 22 and concluding on November
26, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm in the downstairs conference room at Temple Beth HaTephila. Each student will also be
offered an aliyah to chant after completion of the course. Thus you will have plenty of time to practice before stepping
up to the bima.
To register for the classes, please contact the CBI office, 828-252-8660, or [email protected]. Please call by no
later than Monday, October 2, so that we will have time to prepare a sufficient number of materials for the students.
Mark Your Calendars CBI to Host Scholar-in-Residence November 9-11
In August, Aviya Kushner, language columnist for The Forward, was in Jersualem addressing an audience of 2,000 at the 70th Anniversary of the World Congress of Jewish Studies. This November, she will be here in Asheville as CBI’s Scholar-in-Residence.
Ms. Kushner is an associate professor at Columbia College Chicago, where she teaches creative writing and translation. Her 2015 book, The Grammar of God, was a finalist for The National Jewish Book Award and the 2016 Sami Rohr Prize in Jewish Literature. This book tells the story of Ms. Kushner’s vibrant relationship to the Bible, and along the way illustrates how differences in translation affect our understanding of our culture’s most important written work.
On the evening of Thursday, November 9, Professor Kushner will address the question of “Translating Creation--Is It Possible?” at UNCA in a program co-sponsored by CBI and the Center for Jewish Studies. On Friday, November 10, Professor Kushner will visit CBI’s Friday Noon Study Group who will have been discussing The Grammar of God. On Saturday, November 11, Professor Kushner will offer a d’var Torah at Shabbat services and will lead a discussion on “Why Translation is a Jewish Issue” following a Kiddush luncheon.
CBI’s Adult Education Committee hopes you’ll make plans to participate in what promises to be a most enlightening weekend. Stay tuned for further details in the November issue of HaShofar.
Registration is n
ow closed.
CBI Committee NewsLiaison Committee
The committee’s purpose is to help resolve interpersonal conflicts within the shul. These disagreements can occur
between congregants, between congregants and the Rabbi, between congregants and the Board, or between the Board
and the Rabbi. The Liaison Committee is here to assist you if you have a concern.
Committee members are carefully chosen for their abilities to be impartial and to provide a discreet and safe sounding
board. They are ready to listen to any concerns that you may have. You can contact any of the members of the
committee. They are:
Caren Kessler – chairperson (693-0897) Rabbi Wolff Alterman (337-6185)
Eva Blinder (275-6447) Laurie Chess (545-7318)
Marc Penansky (279-0940) Davida Horwitz (279-6599)
Our Madrichim Help You Create
Personal and Meaningful Programs at CBI
At its core, the CBI Madrichim initiative is designed to engage each and every member on a personal level; empower
each of us to create the Jewish experiences that are meaningful for us; and, in doing so, enhance our potential for
authentic Jewish expression. Success is when we realize that we benefit as much by supporting another’s personal
journey as we do from the program itself. What is your passion or interest: a class, a club, a social action program, a
fundraiser, a tikkun olam project, a social event? Think about it. Then contact one of the folks below and let us help
you make it happen!
CBI MadrichimBruce Brown Ali Climo Sally Gooze
Caren Kessler Alan Silverman Mike Weizman
HA’SHOFAR PAGE 7
Thank You From Mike Green
Thanks again for all of your help and support with my mom over the last few years. What you did as a friend and member
of the synagogue was above and beyond anything I could have expected or asked for. There were several times when I
heard that something had happened with Alice, and when I started to make phone calls to try and rally some support,
you were there ahead of me. It helped Alice feel loved and supported, and it made me feel like there was a really deep
and caring community of people looking after my mom when I couldn't physically be there. Really, it meant a lot and I'll
always be grateful.
Thank You To Everyone That Contributed Food to the Manna Food Barrels
CBI contributed 302 pounds of food.
HA’SHOFAR PAGE 8
Have You Tried Out Our
Web Check Payment System?CBI’s Web Check Payment system is being used by quite a few congregants. Try it out, if you haven’t already. It’s an
easy-to-use, NO FEE way to make any of your payments to CBI – Dues, Bet Sefer, Ingles Gift Cards, or Donations. This
is a direct debit from your checking account. You just need your routing number and account number. There is also a
place for a memo entry so that you can indicate the purpose of your donation (in memory of, a particular fund, etc.).
Please make sure to fill in the memo box so that we can allocate your payment correctly.
We have contracted with a third party web check provider for this service. They have all of the necessary security issues
in place to handle sensitive account information data. Beth Israel Web Check Payments Online
Click on the donate button at the left to pay your dues,
make a contribution, pay your Annual Appeal Pledge or
pay for your Ingles cards. This simple Web Check system
is a direct debit to your checking account and allows you
to send a message to the CBI office along with your pay-
ment. No need to write checks or make special trips to the
office.
Ingles cards are a no-cost fundraiser for Beth Israel. Each month
CBI members and friends buy $14,000 worth of Ingles gift cards
to help raise $700 for Beth Israel – over $8,000 annually. Ingles
gift cards can be used at any Ingles store for groceries, pharmacy
items and gasoline. Sign up now to receive your Ingles cards auto-
matically each month. The office also keeps an inventory of Ingles
cards for immediate purchase. Contact the CBI office to get more
information and/or to participate at 252-8660 or admin@bethis-
raelnc.org.
Mazel Tov !To Jillian Krupp & Bart Martindale on the birth of their son, Alan Merhle Martindale.
WelcomeTo our new members,
Charles & Domenica Cohen
Sam Feldman and Robin Weiner Feldman
HA’SHOFAR PAGE 9
CARS™ has been in the vehicle donation business for over 12 years and is dedicated to helping non-profit organizations
raise funds through successful car donation programs. They work with over 3,400 non-profits nationwide and have helped
generate thousands of dollars in vehicle donations. The organization is owned by Jewish Family Services.
For More Information:
Here is a link to CBI’s Vehicle Donation Page http://www.cardonatingiseasy.org/donate/?CharityID=4441
or call (855) 500-7433
CBI Has Joined the CARS™ Program –Any Easy Way to Donate Your Vehicle As a Tax Deductible Contribution
Your Amazon Purchases Can HelpSupport Beth Israel
Your Amazon purchases can help support
Beth Israel. Amazon Smile donates 1% of
your purchases to CBI. No cost to you.
Just visit https://smile.amazon.com and
select Congregation Beth Israel, then shop
as you regularly would. If you are a regu-
lar Amazon shopper, you can bookmark
this website so as to find it easily every
time you shop.
HA’SHOFAR PAGE 10
Carolina Jews for Justice Update
By: Frank Goldsmith
Economic Justice
As part of a statewide Call to Action for Raising Wages,
which started with Labor Day, Carolina Jews for Justice/West
collaborated with Just Economics to present two programs
addressing the economic challenges of living in poverty in
Buncombe County. The first, held on September 6th at CBHT
was a short film, Faces of Poverty, produced by Just
Economics followed by a Q&A with film participants.
On September 17th from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm we continued
our focus on hunger and poverty with a Poverty Simulation
led by Just Economics. This thought-provoking and
illuminating simulation made real what it is like to live as a
poor person in Asheville today. (See Emma Cohn’s
perspective below)
Apples and Honey to our Local State Legislators
During October and November CJJ/West will be meeting
with all of our local Buncombe County representatives at
CBHT to share honey and apples as part of our Jewish
holidays and festivals at this time of year and make the
connection with our focus on social justice. We will share our
policy priorities and seek input about how we can best work
together. As always, we would welcome your ideas and help
to maintain communication with our state representatives
both in Buncombe and surrounding counties. We will also be
meeting with representatives from Henderson and McDowell
counties.
Inclusivity
CJJ is working closely with the JCC and the WNC Jewish
Leadership Collaborative to form a new Jewish Community
Relations Council, which will work with school systems and
other community groups to prevent and ameliorate
misunderstanding about hateful or insensitive acts toward
Jews in our community. For more information, contact either
Frank Goldsmith or Rochelle Reich at the JCC.
Michele Alexander
The author of The New Jim Crow will be speaking at UNC-
Asheville on January 18. CJJ has been asked to support her
visit by co-sponsoring events and engaging people in
discussions of race in the 21st Century. We are creating a
discussion group around her book. Please contact Judy
Leavitt [email protected] if you are interested in
participating.
Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)
Did you know that North Carolina never ratified the Equal
Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (ERA)? CJJ is
joining multiple other groups across the state, including the
city of Asheville, to request that the NC General Assembly
vote in favor of the ERA, which passed both houses of
Congress in 1972 and was sent to the states for ratification.
Thirty-eight states are required for passage; so far 36 have
signed on, with Nevada being the latest to do so. For more
information go to http://www.ratifyera-nc.org/
Voter Engagement
The League of Women Voters of Buncombe County – March
to end Gerrymandering. CJJ/West is partnering with the LWV
to walk the line between federal voting districts #10 and #11
on November 4 between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. For more
information go to http://www.lwvab.org/gerrymander-5k/
Look for our banner and walk with us.
Join CJJ/West
Join Carolina Jews for Justice to lend your voice and talent
to our efforts as the only non-partisan progressive Jewish
social justice organization in North Carolina.
Judy Leavitt [email protected]
Frank Goldsmith [email protected]
A note from our High School Student: Emma Cohn
I believe that working to create positive change and standing
up for what you believe in is both an American and Jewish
value. More than that, I believe it is a duty that everyone can
work to fulfill. As a high school student, one of the ways I’ve
gotten involved is volunteering with Carolina Jews for Justice
and their partner, Just Economics, an amazing organization
here in Asheville. One particular area I have worked with is
the Raising Wages NC campaign, a statewide effort to raise
the minimum wage to fifteen dollars an hour over five years.
Minimum wage workers make up the backbone of this
community. Unfortunately, forty-seven percent of workers in
NC make less than $15 an hour and nearly 1 in 3 workers in
NC earn a wage below the federal poverty line, making our
state the second worst in the nation. It is simply impossible
HA’SHOFAR PAGE 11
Carolina Jews for Justice Update(continued)
continued on next page
to survive in those economic conditions, and Raising Wages
is working hard to change that.
A campaign only succeeds if there are people supporting it.
That’s where we come in. First of all, you can visit
www.raisingwagesnc.org to sign the campaign’s petition and
get involved with any local events. This always helps.
There are more direct ways to show support; writing and
distributing love letters to workers is a great way to do this.
Love letters typically take the form of a short note anyone
can write that thanks low-wage workers for their efforts and
contributions. You can either give a letter to a specific low-
income worker you know or create a more general one and
distribute it to employees you come across in your day-to-
day lives, such as the cashier at the grocery store or the waiter
at the restaurant where you had lunch. These letters help
show workers that we appreciate them, recognize them, and
are working to change the economically oppressive laws
surrounding their work. It can even help get more people
involved in Raising Wages. Parents, writing these notes with
your children can be an especially great way to start a
conversation about minimum wage and the importance of
appreciating low-wage earners in our community.
All in all, there are myriad ways to get involved in the critical
fight for economic justice.
(Emma gave a Dvar Torah about the issue for Family
Shabbat on September 1 at CBHT)
Our Gift Shop
During our year away from our home on Murdock Avenue the Gift Shop will
have to be shuttered as well. However, if you remember unique items from our
shop, especially works of a local artists, for instance the mezzuzot by Walter Zif-
fer, please get in touch with Carol Samsky at (828) 676-0765. Most of our stock
is stored at her home and she is happy to help you.
We also hope to have new and ample Chanukkah merchandise at our annual
party.
Come this time next year, we look forward to a Grand Reopening of the Gift
Shop. Meanwhile Carol Samsky (828) 676-0765 or Beth HaTephila are both
available to you.
Give a Gobble
Give a Gobble to our friends at Western Carolina Rescue Mission (WCRM). Again this year, we are collecting funds
to buy turkeys to be distributed the week of Thanksgiving. WCRM supplies food boxes to local families as well as
feeding the residents at the shelter. Please send or drop off a check to help us fulfill this commitment. It does not take
much to buy 10-15 turkeys, but we need your help.
Thanks from the Social Action Committee
Boray Perie HagafenBy: Ira Naiman
Come on, Value Man, said Pearl with her headlights blinking.
We need to take a road trip. Value Man inquired, Where are
you proposing we go, Pearl ? Pearl responded, We need to
go to Overmountain Vineyard, in Tryon. But Pearl, that’s a
fair distance away, said Value Man. Pearl’s retort: I’m a
Subaru, that will barely warm me up. Besides, I love
slaloming down I-26 near Saluda. Value Man thought, Ah,
Pearl’s my girl! (As an aside, my wife is ok with that). And
so we went (disclaimer: Value Man has no family or financial
interest in Overmountain Vineyard).
Overmountain Vineyard is at 2014 Sandy Plains Road, Tryon,
NC, about 10 miles east of the city of Tryon. It is a real
vineyard where they grow their own European grapes. Their
tasting room is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon
to 5:00 or 6:00 pm this time of year. They have beautiful
grounds you can stroll around, and since the only food they
stock is basically cheese and crackers, they encourage you to
bring picnic lunches.
My wife and I ordered a flight of five wine samples (Pearl
had to settle for regular unleaded when we were in Tryon).
First up was their 2016 Chardonnay. It was fermented and
aged in stainless steel. Stainless steel is inert (unlike oak
barrels which impart wood/vanilla flavor from the barrels),
so you taste the notes of grapefruit, citrus and lemongrass in
the grape. It had a light body and would be best with
appetizers and cheese.
Next was their Camelia 2016, which was a blend of
Chardonnay and Petit Manseng, again aged in stainless steel.
Petit Manseng is a white grape and predominantly grown in
southwest France. It has a very pleasant fruity profile. This
blend has citrus, kiwi and melon flavors. It has a fuller mouth
feel and is definitely a food wine, and could hold its own with
any dish with white sauce.
We then transitioned to a medium-bodied Cabernet
Sauvignon 2015 that spent 15 months in French Oak barrels.
Notes of cherry, fig, chocolate and cedar are present. It is
silky and has a lingering finish. This tasted like a good Napa
Valley Cab. This wine was very well done. Another well done
offering was their Revolutionary Red 2015. This is a blend
of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon aged in both American
and French Oak barrels. Flavors of cherry, raspberry, vanilla
and cedar are there, as well as a long finish.
The last tasting was their Blackberry Port. Technically, real
Port comes from Portugal. It’s regular wine from Portugese
grapes that is fortified with brandy to get an alcohol level of
around 20%. Overmountain’s version is made from
fermented local blackberries, aged for 24 months in French
Oak barrels and fortified with French Brandy. This
Blackberry Port is so tasty, and proceeds to a long, lingering
finish. Our hostess said it begs to be poured over vanilla ice
cream!
As you might have suspected, the price of these wines are
well above Value Man’s usual range. Hand crafted, small
volume production will be more expensive, but can be great
special occasion wine. The Cabernet Sauvignon and
Blackberry Port came home with us.
It’s time to go, and Pearl is looking forward to using her all
wheel drive to climb those winding curves up to Saluda. She
loves a good work out. You gotta love her!
Until next time.
December Ha’Shofar Deadline –
November 10thI welcome your newsletter contributions, but
please, please respect the deadline of the
10th of the month.
~ Bruce
PAGE 12
HA’SHOFAR PAGE 13
Jewish Family Services
Support Your Shul and Its Congregants!
Active Donor Directed FundsFor those members of
CBI who would like to
direct their financial
support toward a spe-
cific area within CBI,
these are the active
donor directed funds.
You are encouraged to
support the General
Fund with your dona-
tions, allowing the Board of Directors the
discretion to direct this support toward
areas of the most need.
** These funds are very active and in the
most need of regular contributions.
� ** Spiritual Life Fund – Support of
spiritual life programs and needs
� **Social Action Fund – Funds CBI’s
social action projects
� ** Chesed/Tzedakah Fund –
Supports the Bereavement Committee
and other Chesed related activities
� ** Ted Liebowitz Children’s Fund –
Provides scholarships for Bet Sefer
students and supports Bet Sefer
expenses
� ** Toby Cohen Minyan Katan and
Junior Congregation Fund
� ** Family Education Fund –
Supports family education program-
ming
� Shorashim Teen Program Fund –
Supports CBI teen programs
� **Adult Ed Fund
� Website/Computer/Tech Fund
� Cemetery Committee Fund –
Supports maintenance of CBI’s
Lou Pollock Cemetery
� Chevra Kadisha Fund – Supports
efforts toward preparing the body of
the departed for Jewish burial.
� **Rabbi Discretionary Fund –
Supports needs or causes the Rabbi
chooses to support
General Fund
Doris Gordon: Shanah tovah and
todah
Rebecca Blitman: in appreciation of
the aliyah
Linda Wolf
Alvin & Tamara Cohen: with
thanks to Lee
Bruce Brown & Brian Stone: in
honor of the birth of Alan Merhle
Martindale
Caren Kessler: in gratitude to Alan
Silverman for all he does for so
many of us
Jillian Krupp & Bart Martindale:
with thanks for their son Alan
Mehrle’s bris
Lee Avishai: in honor of Carol &
Bob Deutsch’s birthdays
Yahrzeit Fund
Hanan & Goldie Weizman: in mem-
ory of Hanan’s mother, Pircha
Weizman
Lois Bernard: in memory of her
mother, Ann Bernard
Hanan & Goldie Weizman: in
memory of Goldie’s father,
Nathan Zucker
Alan & Suzanne Escovitz: in
memory of Alan’s mother,
Dorothy Hartman Escovitz
Robert & Karen Marcus: in
memory of Reva Rosenthal
Lois Bernard: in memory of her
grandmother, Jeannie Dipsiner
David & Sharon Boas: in memory
of Sharon’s aunt, Rose White
Robert & Karen Marcus: in
memory of Robert’s parents,
Louis & Julia Marcus
Allison Marks: in memory of
Lowell Fisher
Shirley Kayne: in memory of her
parents, Simon & Sarah Farkas
Shirley Kayne: in memory of her
brother & sister-in-law, Harry &
Toby Farkas
Shirley Kayne: in memory of her
brother-in-law, Alan Schechter
Shirley Kayne: in memory of her
mother-in-law, Zina Kayne
Give-a-Gobble Thanksgiving
Turkey Fund
Wendy Feinberg
Lee Avishai
Marlene and Jay Jacoby
Tree of Life Fund
Philip Segan: in honor of Noah
Tocaben’s Bar Mitzvah
Yizkor Booklet Fund
William & Barbara Lewin
Neal & Beth Appel
Teri Kayne
Jeremy & Carol Samsky
Eva Blinder
Jeremy & Susan Lerner
Esther Burstein and Laurie Chess
Jan Zollars
John & Jimi Moore
September to October
Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund
Steven & Darnell Rogers: in
appreciation of Rabbi Justin
Mark & Robin Goldstein
September to October (continued)
Have You Tried Our Dip Jar?As you know, most of our programs are FREE and open to all. The Dip Jar resides on the piano in
the Social Hall alongside a donation jug. It is an easy way to make a $5 contribution to Beth Israel
by inserting your credit or debit card. Or feel free to leave a check or cash in the donation jug.
If you have enjoyed a program at CBI, please make a donation the next time you are in the building
(except on Shabbat).
HA’SHOFAR PAGE 15
Our SympathyTo Claire (Cookie) Mager-Jaffee on the passing of her husband, Marvin Jaffee.
To Norm Winkelman on the passing of his wife, Carrie Winkelman
Social Action Volunteer Opportunities
Help serving dinner at the Western Carolina Rescue Mission on the third Tuesday of the month from 4:00 pm to
5:30 pm. The Rescue Mission is located at 225 Patton Avenue, Asheville. Contact Alan Escovitz [email protected]
or Marlene Jacoby [email protected].
Help with our involvement with Room In the Inn. Contact Jan Zollars [email protected] or Marlene Ja-
coby [email protected].
Mazel Tov !November Birthdays01 Bob Deutsch
Laura Kaufman
04 Davida Horwitz
05 Michele Heller
Lael Gray
Jeremy Lerner
06 Jennifer Michalove
07 Joseph Mann-Stadt
Vivien Saron
Malkah Millsaps
Eliot Renick
08 Marc Rudow
09 Danielle Tocaben
Nancy Renick
10 Kim Teich
Steve Frankel
12 Wolff Alterman
17 Jan Zollars
Charlie Hume
18 Leo Gholson
23 Jordan Miller
Hannah Kirschenfeld
24 Jonathan Kayne
26 Rendi Mann-Stadt
27 Jonah Hauser
Lisa Harnash
28 Jamie West
Ali Climo
30 Rick Chess
Brett Millsaps
Julianna Leigh Boyd
04 Mike & Ilona Sena, Neil & Cindy Garroway, Robert & Karen Marcus
11 Jeffrey & Carolyn Goldstein, Kevin & Lauren Boyd, Eliot & Nancy Renick
18 Jeremy & Carol Samsky, Elie Aharon & Sara Yakira Heckelman
25 Shirley Kayne, David & Cathy Kayne in honor of Jonathan Kayne’s birthday
November Kiddush Hosts
November Anniversaries20 Frank Goldsmith & Dee Cash
24 Larry & Marcia Schantz
Fred & Beth Barnet
HA’SHOFAR PAGE 16
To Caren Kessler, Caroline Manheimer, Rochelle Reich, Carol Samsky, Gail Shulimson,
Marlene Jacoby, JaneAnne Tager, Janice Brock, & Jan Zollars for staffing the Gift Shop.
To Rabbi Goldstein, Jay Jacoby, Frank Goldsmith, and Ira Naiman for their articles to Ha’Shofar
this month.
To Carey Harnash & Lisa Rothman for their donation of a flower arrangement for the bimah
on Rosh HaShanah.
To Shirley and Adrian Sandler for their donation of a flower arrangement for the bimah on Yom Kippur in memory of
Shirley’s parents, Monica and Derrick Benjamin.
To Tamar Katzwer, Della Simon, Bruce Brown and all of the wonderful volunteers who helped with the move to CBHT.
Many Thanks!
Refuah ShleimahTo Natasha Wood
1
11:00 am
Yiddish Vinkel
2
8:30 am Living
Torah at 75 N.
Market Street
3
12:00 pm
Noon Study Group
6:15 pm Candles
4
9:30 am Shabbat
morning services
7:04 pm Havdalah
5Daylight
Savings Time
Ends
6:00 pm Torah
Trope Class
6 7 8
11:00 am
Yiddish Vinkel
12:00 pm Meet
the Midrash
9
8:30 am Liv-
ing Torah at 75
N. Market
Street
7:00 pm Aviya
Kushner talk at
UNCA
10
HaShofar Deadline
12:00 pm
Noon Study Group with
Aviya Kushner
6:00 pm Friday Night
Family Shabbat Service
and Potluck
5:09 pm Candles
11
9:30 am Shabbat
morning services.
Aviya Kushner
d’var Torah & dis-
cussion after lunch
5:58 pm Havdalah
12
9:30 am Youth
Education
6:00 pm Torah
Trope Class
13 14 15
11:00 am
Yiddish Vinkel
12:00 pm Meet
the Midrash
16
8:30 am Living
Torah at 75 N.
Market Street
7:00 pm Board
Meeting
1712:00 pm
Noon Study Group
5:04 pm Candles
18
9:30 am Shabbat
morning services
11:00 am Youth
Shabbat
5:53 pm Havdalah
19
6:00 pm Torah
Trope Class
20 21 22
No
Yiddish Vinkel
No Meet the
Midrash
23Thanksgiving
Day
No Living
Torah
24
No Friday
Noon Study Group
6:00 pm Friday
Night Services
5:01 pm Candles
25
9:30 am
Shabbat morning
services and Has-
dishe Kiddush
5:50 pm
Havdalah
26
4:00 pm Torah
on Tap
6:00 pm Torah
Trope Class
27 28 29
11:00 am
Yiddish Vinkel
12:00 pm Meet
the Midrash
30
8:30 am Liv-
ing Torah at 75
N. Market
Street
HA’SHOFAR PAGE 17
November 2017SUN FRI SATTHUWEDTUEMON
Rabbi Goldstein on Vacation
CBI Office Closed
HA’SHOFAR
November Yahrzeits
PAGE 18
Announced during services on:
October 28
02 (13 Cheshvan) Rochelle Reich for her mother, Toby Ruth Cohen
02 (13 Cheshvan) Henry Teich for his mother, Evelyn Rabkin Teich
02 (13 Cheshvan) Eva Blinder for her father, Joseph Blinder
November 3 & 4
04 (15 Cheshvan) Lauren Malinoff for her grandmother, Sara Lipman
05 (16 Cheshvan) Sara Y. Heckelman for her grandfather, Max Drexler
05 (16 Cheshvan) Davida Horwitz for her father, Burnerd Horwitz
09 (20 Cheshvan) Laurie Chess for her father, Hyman Burstein
09 (20 Cheshvan) Esther Burstein for her husband, Hyman Burstein
09 (20 Cheshvan) Bob Deutsch for his father, Alfred Deutsch
November 11
11 (22 Cheshvan) Abe Freedman for his brother, Manuel Freedman
12 (23 Cheshvan) Leslie Goldstein for her mother, Josephine Pete
12 (23 Cheshvan) Marilyn Friedman for her mother, Ida Schanzer
12 (23 Cheshvan) Julie Sherman for her uncle, Ira Goldenberg
13 (24 Cheshvan) Jordan Miller for his father, Hyman Miller
14 (25 Cheshvan) Robert Feirstein for his cousin, Charlie Book
15 (26 Cheshvan) Patti Frankel for her mother, Suzanne Rabyon
16 (27 Cheshvan) Ira Naiman for his mother, Gloria Naiman
16 (27 Cheshvan) Eliot Renick for his father, Nathan Renick
17 (28 Cheshvan) Barbara Miller for her mother, Ruth Goodman
November 17 & 18
18 (30 Chesvan) Wolff Alterman for his grandmother, Ann Zodikoff
19 (01 Kislev) Sara Y. Heckelman for her mother, Tziporah Heckelman
19 (01 Kislev) Hanan Weizman for his brother, Nissim Weizman
19 (01 Kislev) Frank Goldsmith for his father, Frank Goldsmith
19 (01 Kislev) Gail Shulimson for her aunt, Jean Shulimson
20 (02 Kislev) Carol Deutsch for her mother, Helen Hillman Cohen
November 25
25 (07 Kislev) Jillian Krupp for her grandmother, Selma Krupp
26 (08 Kislev) Jeremy Samsky for his mother, Sarah Samsky
28 (10 Kislev) Alan Baumgarten for his uncle, Miki Altberger Haran
28 (10 Kislev) Danielle Waters for her grandmother, Sophie Boumel
May their memories be for a blessing.
Beth Israel Synagogue
Rabbi Justin Goldstein
Congregation Beth Israel
229 Murdock Avenue
Asheville, NC 28804
Office Phone (828) 252-8660
Rabbi’s Phone (828) 252-9024
Fax (828) 252-8431
email: [email protected]
Synagogue Office Hours:
Monday to Friday
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
For updated information visit our website at
www.bethisraelnc.org
November
Candle-lighting & Havdalah
Friday 11/3/2017 6:15 pm
Saturday 11/4/2017 7:04 pm
Friday 11/10/2017 5:09 pm
Saturday 11/11/2017 5:58 pm
Friday 11/17/2017 5:04 pm
Saturday 11/18/2017 5:53 pm
Friday 11/24/2017 5:01 pm
Saturday 11/25/2017 5:50 pm
RabbiRabbi Justin Goldstein [email protected]
Office AdministratorLee Avishai [email protected]
Executive CommitteeDella Simon, President [email protected]
Ali Climo, Vice President [email protected]
Norman Katzwer, Secretary [email protected]
Bruce Brown, Treasurer
and Ha’Shofar Editor [email protected]
Bob Deutsch, Legal Counsel [email protected]
Board Committee Chairs/Members
Alan Silverman, Membership [email protected]
Eva Blinder, Spiritual/Ritual [email protected]
Marlene Jacoby, Social Action [email protected]
Robert Kline, Adult Education [email protected]
Members-at-Large:
Julie Sherman [email protected]
Tamar Katzwer [email protected]
Gerry Hausman [email protected]
Alan Escovitz [email protected]
Non-Board Committee ChairsMeryl Goldstein, Chevra Kadisha [email protected]
Jay Jacoby, Chevra Kadisha [email protected]
Alan Escovitz, Habitat & Mission [email protected]
Bruce Brown, Kitchen [email protected]
Lauren Malinoff, Yahrzeit [email protected]
Caren Kessler, Liaison [email protected]
Caren Kessler, Chesed [email protected]
Jeremy Samsky, House/Grounds [email protected]
Steve Kayne, House/Grounds [email protected]
Josh Tager, Cemetery [email protected]
Security:
Frank Goldsmith [email protected]
Alan Escovitz [email protected]
Marc Rudow [email protected]
Chesed: CBI’s Support NetworkChesed is a caring team of CBI members who are here to help out the CBI
community during both challenging as well as joyous times. Some of the activities
we have been involved with are:
• Visiting those who are sick
• Checking in with those who are homebound
• Assembling a minyan for shiva
• Preparing meals
• Providing transportation
• Running errands
• Helping people connect with area services
• Assisting with set up for a bar/bat mitzvah party
We need YOUR help to continue our work effectively. We can’t offer to do
anything unless we know who needs and wants some support. If we can help you
with something or if you are aware of someone who needs assistance, please tell
Lee or the Rabbi. They will pass along that information to the Chesed committee.
Many people at CBI are happy to help out.
We need YOUR help to respond to the requests. If you can volunteer to provide
any of the kinds of help Chesed offers, please tell Lee or the Rabbi. You can also
contact the Chesed committee directly at [email protected]. Your involve-
ment is not usually something that takes a lot of time; yet it will create tremendous
satisfaction in knowing you have helped someone.
Jewish communities have a rich history of taking care of each other. The Babylon-
ian Talmud teaches us that All Jews are responsible one for another (Shevuot 39a).
The Chesed Committee invites you to be a part of that meaningful tradition.