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Cheshvan/Kislev 5778 MT. ZION CONGREGATION, Sioux Falls, South Dakota November 2017

TIDINGS OF ZION

Shalom Mt. Zion Congregation,After being inundated with holidays in the Hebrew month of Tishrei (Rosh HaShanah,

Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shmini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah), we fi nd ourselves in the month of Cheshvan, bereft of any major or minor Jewish celebrations. Even its name suggests a lack of joy. Cheshvan, like most of our Hebrew months, is modifi ed from the Babylonian month names and is actually a shortened form of the full name, Marcheshvan. While this is an Ashkenazi pronunciation of Akkadian, Mar, in Hebrew, means bitter, so our tradition associates it with the bitterness of having no holidays.There is, however, a lesson in Cheshvan. When we watch an exciting movie or one of the many TV dramas that populate the airwaves in this “Golden Age of Televi-sion,” we note that only the most exciting or signifi cant scenes are shown. The dragons fl y in from the west or the crime lab technician sequences the DNA to solve the crime. We have no sense of the day-to-day, the intimate silences between people, the quiet pauses between the action. If everything we knew about how life worked was from TV shows, we would expect life to be a non-stop montage of action and adventure, but that is not how the world works. Cheshvan is only bitter if you expect every moment to be a joyous celebration, that every second will be exciting and meaningful and spiritual. For this month, we have a chance to slow down, to breathe, and to appreciate the spaces between the action. This does not mean that there is no joy in Cheshvan, but we have to force ourselves to stop and look around. We must work on appreciating the simple joys in life: a crisp, colorful Fall leaf, the people we love, a fresh Pumpkin Spice Latte on a cold day.The High Holy Days are deeply meaningful, but can leave us spiritually exhausted. Let us spend Cheshvan recharging our batteries and fi nding meaning in the gaps in our calendar. May it be a cozy festival unto itself.Have a happy Cheshvan!

Todah Rabbah, Michael

from the Congregation President,Dr. Mark Oppenheimer

From the Student Rabbi...

GENETIC TEST MAY SOON TELL YOU IF YOU’REREALLY JEWISH. Who’s a Jew? There’s an app for that.By Liel Leibovitz, October 2, 2017, The TabletLast week, a halachic institute in Jerusalem published a col-lection of rabbinic opinions ruling that it is scientifi cally pos-sible to determine whether someone is a Jew based on a sim-ple DNA test.“Testing the Mitochondrial genome, which is transmitted ex-clusively through the female germ line, makes it possible to identify relatives,” Rabbi Yosef Carmel, the Rabbinical Dean of the Eretz Hemdah Institute for Advanced Jewish Studies, told the Israeli newspaper Makor Rishon. “If it can be proven that a Jane Doe is the off spring of a Jewish mother, her own off spring would also be recognized as Jews (from birth).”As nearly half of all Ashkenazi Jews can trace their lineage, via a particular genetic mark, to four women who emigrat-ed from the Middle East to Europe about a thousand years ago, chances, Rabbi Carmel continued, “are high, statistically speaking, that anyone able to prove that they are the off spring of those four mothers is Jewish according to halacha.”To make sure that both the math and the biology behind the proposition work out, the institute enlisted Rabbi Professor Nathan Keller of Bar Ilan University, an expert on combina-torics, and Professor Karl Skorecki, who directs Medical and Research Development at the Rambam Health Care Campus.The institute, said Carmel, began addressing this question after it was approached by an unnamed prominent European rabbi. The rabbi, Carmel recalled, was contacted by a woman “whose maternal grandmother was a Holocaust survivor who wanted nothing to do with Judaism because of the trauma of her youth. There were no documents attesting if the young woman was indeed Jewish, and the only way to go was ge-netic testing.”For obvious reasons, there’s something unsettling about equat-ing Judaism solely with genetics. On the other hand, if the new ruling is adopted by Israel’s chief rabbinate, it might free thousands of Jews, including many who emigrated from the Former Soviet Union, of the burdens of having to prove their Judaism by going through a lengthy conversion process. If other scientists and rabbis endorse the new ruling, the age-old question of who’s a Jew may soon be answered with an app.

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Mazel tov!Mazel Tov to B’nai Isaac

Congregation of Aberdeen, South Dakota! The

Congregation is celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 5778.

From B’nai Isaac Congregation: Thank you to

our many “Friends in Mt. Zion Congregation” for contributing to the YES Fund in honor of our B’nai Isaac 100th anniversary.

Such a lovely gesture and we will be framing it for display.

Many thanks!

Todah RabbahI want to thank everyone who accepted honors in observing Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Thank you to Sophia & Jakob Dreiske & Abby Peterson for helping to change the Torah Covers and stand coverings. Thank you also to everyone who helped make the Rosh Hashanah Oneg a wonderful way of honoring Shabbat and Rosh Hashanah. Thanks to all who stepped up in helping when things change at the last minute. It shows how wonderful our “congregational family” really is. Special thanks to Stephanie and DaNIel Wood for helping in organizing and setting up for the Oneg.

Our Sukkah this year was very beautiful thanks to Jennifer Dreiske and her friend Hope. The potluck, as always was wonderful. Steve Rosenthal led a wonderful, thought searching discussion on the possible meanings of the Sukkah. He always gets me pulling books on the shelf and searching for more understanding when he leads discussions. Thanks Steve for that. We are in need of people to lead Shabbat services. Open dates are, Nov. 10th, Nov. 24th, Dec. 22 & Dec, 29th. Leading services does not need to be done by a singles person. Sharing the leadership can be very fulfi lling. Please let Matilda Oppenheimer (for emails) know if you can lead one of the above listed services. Your help is greatly appreciated.

POTLUCKS WITH A PURPOSEEven though my son Jakob is only 3 years old, he is a wise soul. One day when trying to get out of trouble, he sang me a song – Hine Mah Tov. I couldn’t believe it, however it worked – he did get out of trouble! Hearing the words of Hine Mah Tov being sung by my toddler’s voice of innocence (maybe not so innocent all of the time) reminded me of how he sees the world right now. One of my most important responsibilities as Jakob’s mother is to make his world a safe and better place for him to be the person he needs to be as he defi nes it. Everyone is just who they are and that is okay. Everyone has feelings and beliefs. Everyone wants to be respected. Similarities are more valuable than diff erences. Pretty basic and simple. This is a heavy responsibility and I recognize I cannot do this alone. I need the help from allies from all areas of our communities. I personally have found that I make the most diff erence and feel the most valued when I am involved with Interfaith work. Interfaith work allows me to see the world as Jakob sees it. For many years, Sara Crosby and I have had the distinct privilege to work with, celebrate with and most importantly, stand with members of other religious communities in Sioux Falls. Our work has evolved over the years and we fi nd merely talking about interfaith relations is no longer enough. So with our friends Taneeza Islam and Pastor Jean Morrow, we came up with a group this fall– Potlucks with a Purpose comprised of 5 Muslims, 5 Jews and 5 Christians – all spiritual women and mothers in the hopes of creating a safer space for our children, our families and our communities. We chose to keep the group small to create a safe and brave space for honest and thoughtful conversation. Each of us comes to this group, not as representatives of Mt. Zion, or a Mosque or a Church, but rather as our individual selves, sharing our own personal stories of cultural and spiritual life. There is after all, much diversity within each of our own faiths. One of many goals is to simply learn about each other and share stories of who we are and what we believe. The smiles and laughter, the tears and fears, and the warm hugs and compassion we share unite and bond us as women, mothers, and leaders. Of course we enjoy meals from our varied traditions during this time. Our purpose is to overcome any biases or stereotypes we may have of each other. We take our experiences and share them with our children, our families and our communities. This is why we write to you today.As part of our journey, we (Sara, Jan, Gail, Matilda and I) have invited fellow members of this group to join us for services in order to share with others what Judaism means to us. Maybe some of them will be wearing a hijab, or wear a cross around their neck. Some of them you may recognize from the community, or maybe not. All that we ask is when we introduce them to you, please off er them a smile and introduce yourself. We have assured our new friends in this new community we have established that Mt. Zion is a safe space, a welcoming space. If seeing someone new in our sanctuary gives you pause – we understand. It is absolutely natural. Recognize the pause, notice where it comes from and then set it aside. It takes courage to set aside our pauses, the bit of fear we experience unconsciously or consciously shaped by our past experiences, social media, community, etc. Setting aside our pauses is the most diffi cult part of interfaith work. However, the rewards are….actually there are no words to describe the incredible rewards of interfaith work. Our goal in the future is unlimited – expand the group, create more groups, nothing is yet defi ned. If you are interested in learning more – maybe create a men’s group, or start another group, etc., please contact me at jendreiske@gmail.com.Our work in Sioux Falls is in line with what is being done in diff erent communities around the nation and the world. The Tri Faith Initiative in Omaha is one resource I recommend for everyone as Temple Israel is leading the way in the Midwest with interfaith work. www.trifaith.org I was able to visit and speak with members of Temple Israel about their work to build a safe community of Muslims, Christians and Jews.The Union for Reform Judaism has made an offi cial resolution to promote a new program of Muslim-Jewish dialogue - Children of Abraham: Muslims and Jews in Conversation. h ps://urj.org/what-we-believe/resolu ons/jewish-muslim-dialogueWe are grateful for your willingness to welcome our new friends, expand our community of allies, and make our world better for our children.Again, if you have any questions or ideas, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Hine mah tov = ב וט המ הנה.Behold how good

uMah-Nayim = םיענ המ וand how pleasing

shevet achim gam yachad = דחי םג םיח א תבשif brothers (people) could sit together in unity

In gra tude,Jen Dreiske and Sara Crosby

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DONATIONS( September 10 - October 9, 2017)

Please send all Temple contributions to:PO Box 756, Sioux Falls, SD 57101

STUDENT RABBI WEISS’S SCHEDULE

November 17th - 19thDecember 8th - 10th

January 26th (Tu B’Shevat) - 28thFebruary 2nd (Potluck Dinner) - 4th

February 16th - 18thMarch 2nd (Potluck Dinner & Pu-

rim) - 4thMarch 30th (Passover Seder) -

April 1stApril 13th - 15thApril 27th - 29thMay 18th -20th

Sisterhood Gift Shop The fi rst candle of Chanukah will be lit on Tuesday, December 12th. If you have any special requests for Gift Shop Merchandise, please contact Judy (jrlsfsd13@sio.midco.net) or Matilda (mejoppen@sio.midco.net) by November 5th so that we can place your order.

The Gift Shop will be open for your Chanukah shopping convenience on Sunday, November 19th from 10 am to 12 noon and Sunday, December 3rd from 10 am to 12 noon. If these hours do not work for you, please contact one of us for an appointment.

Gift Shop Co-Chairs: Judy Lampert (home: 605-339-3170)and Matilda Oppenheimer (home: 605-332-8404)

Mount Zion Temple SisterhoodThank you to all who have so promptly sent their Sisterhood Dues and or Uniongram subscription payments! We appreciate your support!

Sisterhood dues are divided among the National Women of Reform Judaism offi ce, the Midwest District Women of Reform Judaism offi ce and our local Sisterhood chapter. Locally, Sisterhood maintains the Temple’s kitchen, assists with Onegs and Seders, operates the Gift Shop and runs the Uniongram program. Sisterhood members assist the Congregation with programming as well as providing other fi nancial support to the community. Annual dues are $25.00 per year and new members are always welcome. If you wish to join Sisterhood, please contact Matilda Oppenheimer (home: 605-332-8404).

Uniongram subscriptions are $18.00 per year. Sisterhood membership is not required to participate in this program. As a subscriber, your name will be included on the list of signatories when a Uniongram is sent to a member of the community. Uniongrams are sent to commemorate major life events (for example, celebration of Bar/Bat Mitzvah; milestone birthdays and anniversaries; weddings) and to express condolences upon the loss of a loved one. If you wish to add your name to our list, please contact Margo Olson (home: 605-371-2020).

GENERAL FUNDIn honor of Jodie and Jacob Forstein with Best Wishes on their Wedding Anniversary from Brian CruikshankIn honor of Leslie and Avi Forstein with Congratulations on their Marriage from Brian CruikshankIn memory of Miriam Greene from Anita & Larry Bierman; Freda & Richard Hosen; Mark & Matilda Oppenheimer; Dave & Marilyn Aronson; Judy Lampert; Lillian & Harry GreenbaumFor the Rosh Hashanah Oneg from Richard Scholten; Sandy Radin; Richard & Freda Hosen; Joyce & Leon MaggiedFor the High Holy Day Bimah Flowers from Anita & Larry Bierman; Sandy Radin To the Congregation in appreciation of High Holy Day Services from Allan & Rose Wasserman; Gerald McKinney & Mary Leary (Howard SD)To the Congregation from Shelly & Jay Rosenberg and FamilyTo the Congregation from an Anonymous Neighbor

YAHRZEITSIn memory of Fred and Margaret Harris from Freda & Richard HosenIn memory of Eli and Agnes Hosen from Richard & Freda HosenIn memory of Bessie Kaufman from Richard & Freda HosenIn memory of Margaret Elmer from Freda & Richard HosenIn memory of Solomon and Bertha Kuh from Mark & Janet Epstein & Family (Gastonia NC)In memory of Samuel & Regina Greenstein from Mark & Janet Epstein & Family*

*Footnote: Janet and Mark, their daughter and a friend stopped in Sioux Falls last summer during a detour on a cross-country trip. Their visit to Sioux Falls was for the express purpose

of visiting Mt. Zion Temple and Mt. Zion Cemetery. Previous generations of their family were active members of Mt. Zion Congregation

and now rest in the Cemetery. They are very appreciative to our community

that their family has a legacy here.

Mt. Zion Speakers’ Bureau Looking for Interested MembersThe Temple frequently receives calls from community groups looking for speakers and/or panelists to participate in various interfaith/diversity events. Should we establish a “Speakers Bureau” with a list of Mt. Zion community members who are willing to represent us when these calls come? If you are interested in joining a Temple Speakers’ Bureau, please notify Matilda.

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Visiting Groupsto the Temple

Our congregation is served by a Student Rabbi who is available a limited number

of weekends from September through May. We encourage your scheduling your Friday evening worship services visit only when the Student Rabbi is

in residence. For Friday evening visits and/or in cases where other scheduling arrangements are needed, please call or email the President of the congregation

who will assist you with scheduling.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Do a mitzvah for the community -Be part of the solution

Please note that we are in need of leaders for Friday night Shabbat Services when there is no Student Rabbi in town. There are several community members who are happy to assist you with preparing and/or leading the services. Prayers/readings/songs may be led in English or Hebrew at the service leader’s prerogative. We are in the process of setting a schedule for service leaders for this fall. Please contact Jan Forstein, Ritual Committee to volunteer at bityah01@aol.com or leave her a message at 332-3354.

Do a Mitzvah!Most Friday afternoons (3:30 pm - approx 5:30 pm), volunteers are needed to assist with Faith Temple Church’s food distribution at the Sioux Empire Fairgrounds. On the THIRD Friday of every month….anyone interested in helping with the Food Giveaway is invited to meet in the Mt. Zion Temple parking lot at 2:30 pm to carpool over to the Fairgrounds. Please note that you are welcome to help with the Food Giveaway on any Friday that it is held and you are free to drive over on your own even on these third Fridays. But for those interested in driving over together, this option is being off ered.

Help support the extraordinary works of Hadassah with a card or certifi cate! Contact Cards & Certfi cates Chair Carol Rosenthal if

you’d like to make a donation. There’s a card or certifi cate in

every price range and for every occasion!!

Gail Klein, Chapter President

The Bonanzaville North Dakota Jewish History Exhibit open August 15th

Presented by: Cass County Historical Society - Bonanzaville

Chabad Jewish Center of North Dakota

Jewish Community Rela ons Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas

Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest

Bonanzaville 1351 Main Ave. West West Fargo, ND 58078

Rabbi Benjamin Papermaster (pictured with his 9 sons) arrived in North Dakota in 1890, where he served the majority of his career as chief rabbi of Grand Forks, N.D.

The North Dakota Jewish Experience:

Th B ill N th D k t J i h Hi t E hibit A t 15th

S h v i t z i n g i t O u t o n T h e P r a i r i ee

TIDINGS DEADLINE:

NOV. 10thRemember to submit articles

appropriate for theDecember Tidings.

To submit articles, email them to: carol@theprintersinc.com

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HADASSAH THE WOMEN’S ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA, INC.©2016 Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. Hadassah, the H logo, and Hadassah the Power of Women Who Do are registered trademarks of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc.

Visit hadassah.org/missions or call 800.237.1517.

Contact Carol Rosenthal,National Missions Co-Chair, for more informationcrosenthal@hadassah.org or 605-376-4462

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PLANT A TREEIN ISRAEL!

Reforest Israel by planting trees in Israel through Hadassah/

JNF, the Jewish National Fund.The price of one tree is $18.

To purchase a tree, contact SHELLY ROSENBERG at

513-226-8651 or email her atshellyrosenberglpa@gmail.com

“Like”South Dakotans

for Israel on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/SD4Israel

Join Usat the Table!

Our potluck dinners have been a HUGE success. Everyone who comes says they are great and it’s reallly wonderful to get together and share a Shabbat meal. The next Shabbat potluck dinner is November 3rd at 6:00 pm. Save December 1st for the one after this month’s. We hope to see even more of our community there. Just bring a dish and join us.

This dinner is open to all families of the congregation. This dinner will occur every fi rst Friday of the month whether the Student Rabbi is in town or not. The dinner will conclude before services. Attendees are not required to go to services following the dinner but are certainly welcome to do so. Please put this on your calendar and join us.

For more information, contact Stephen Rosenthal at rosenthal.stephen@gmail.

com or call the Temple at 338-5454.

The Temple ison Facebook and has a website!

Check it out and“Like” us today!!

Hosts for Student Rabbi Michael Weiss’s Fridayand Saturday

meals are needed.Please contact Marty

Davidsohn atmartydavidsohn@gmail.com

or 254-8434 and reserveyour favorite date.

Oneg ShabbatHosts Needed:

Please Volunteer

I would like to ask for volunteers for Onegs for this winter. Please let me know if you are willing to help out.

I prefer email(Cathy.Ezrailson@usd.edu)

but my cell is 281-773-5458.

Thank you so much, Cathy Ezrailson

Remember to shop at the Sisterhood Gift Shop! Matilda Oppenheimer (332-8404)

and Judy Lampert (339-3170)

SISTERHOOD GIFT SHOP

SHABBAT POTLUCK DINNER SHABBAT POTLUCK DINNER ON FRIDAY, November 3rdON FRIDAY, November 3rd

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Pot luck D innerPot luck D innerFriday, November 3, 2017 at 6:00 pmFriday, December 1, 2017 at 6:00 pmFriday, January 5, 2018 at 6:00 pmFriday, February 2, 2018 at 6:00 pm

Mt. Zion Congregationwww.mtzionsf.com14th & Duluth StreetsPO Box 756Sioux Falls, SD 57101-0756

President: ................. Mark OppenheimerVice President: ...................DaNiel WoodTreasurer: ............. Matilda OppenheimerSecretary: ............................. Stuart JacobsBoard of Directors: .......David Aronson

Jan ForsteinRaleigh Hansman

Judy LampertRichard ScholtenStephanie Wood

Past President:................Royce Hansman

Remember birthdays, anniversaries, yahrzeits, memorials.

Please send your donations to:Mt. Zion Temple

PO Box 756 • Sioux Falls, SD 57101

1

Nancy Feinstein Bday

SATURDAYSUNDAY FRIDAYTHURSDAYWEDNESDAYTUESDAYMONDAY

10 (Cheshvan 22)7:30 pm Shabbat Service

Cha-yei Sarah, Gen. 23:1-25:18Haftarah: I Kings 1:1-31

Ashley Tallman Bday

Food Giveaway: 3:30 - 5 pm

24 (Kislev 7)

7:30 pm Shabbat Service

Va-yeitzei, Gen. 28:10-32:3Haftarah: Hosea 12:13-14:10

NO FOOD GIVEAWAY

17 (Cheshvan 29)

7:30 pm Shabbat ServiceSTUDENT RABBI WEISSTol’dot, Gen. 25:19-28:9Haftarah: Malachi 1:1-2:7

Food Giveaway: 3:30 - 5 pm(meet at 2:30 at Temple to carpool)

4

10 am Torah Study

Lin Rostrom Bday

Set your clock back 1 hour!

11

10 am Torah Study

Larry Bierman Bday

18

10 am Torah Study

7 pm Adult Ed & Havdalah led by Student Rabbi Weiss

2510 am Torah Study

87

Henry & Diane Pecheny Anniv, Murray Haar Bday

6

George Olson, Debby Hubley Bdays

5

10 am - 12 pm:Religious School

Special Orders duefor Gift ShopLewis Ofstein Bday

16151413

David & Carin Rosinsky Anniv

12

10 am - 12 pm:Religious School

282726

2221

Elana Hicks Bday

199 am: Temple Bd Meeting10 am - 12 pm:Religious School

10 am - 12 pm: GIFT SHOP OPEN HOUSE

30

20

29

4:48 pm

4:42 pm

4:37 pm

9

23

HappyThanksgiving!

A reminder that proper attire should be worn when participating in

services at Mt. Zion Temple. Your cooperation with this matter is

greatly appreciated.

Dec 1 (Kislev 14)

6:00 pm POTLUCK DINNER7:30 pm Shabbat ServiceVa-yishlach, Gen. 32:4-36:43Haftarah: Hosea 11:7-12:12

Anita Bierman, Carin Rosinsky Bdays

Food Giveaway: 3:30 - 5 pm

2

10 am Torah Study

Marty Gallanter, Tom Woodworth Bdays

4:33 pm

3 (Cheshvan 15)

6:00 pm POTLUCK DINNER7:30 pm Shabbat ServiceVa-yeira, Gen. 18:1-22:24Haftarah: II Kings 4:1-37

Food Giveaway: 3:30 - 5 pm

5:57 pm

Mt. Zion Congregation - November 2017

321 2

YAHRZEITSAll Yahrzeits that are observed Sunday through Saturday are read the Friday of that same week. If a Yahrzeit is not listed or you need information concerning Yahrzeits, please call Jan Forstein at 332-3354. A Yahrzeit card and envelope will be

sent to you to notify you of upcoming Yahrzeits. (If you do not receive your notifi cation, please contact Jan.) Also included with the notifi cation card is a donor envelope if you wish to make a donation to

the Temple in memory of your loved one.

November 3rdMolly Cohen Augusta Livingston Jacob Mosow Hindi Minnie Light Bernard “Barney” Gutnick Ben Hurvitz Maurice Kopel Jack Radin

November 10thAdolph Deutsch Israel Frank Herman Kopel Israel Hirshfi eld Sinai Marsh Toba Epstein Rose Rimerman Sidney Epstein Daniel Ohayen Eunice Zerfas

November 17thHarry Borshevsky Joe Mosow Sarah Wolff Frederick Probe Risha Shapiro Louis Koplow

November 24thEstelle Steinberg Esther Silverberg Betty Margulies Jacob Weinstein Hans Nauen Jessica Haff er Bernice Shapiro-Weiner

December 1stAbe Silverberg Mitzi Russick Morris Gellman Anne Eirinberg Joel Oppenheimer Sam Levinson Martin I. Axelbaum

Pot luck D innerPot luck D innerFriday, November 3, 2017

6:00 pmBring a dish to share!

Join us for Shabbat Services at 7:30 pm if you’d like!

Mark Your Calendar: First Friday of every monthMark Your Calendar: First Friday of every monthQuestions? mtzioncongregation@gmail.com

Save these dates: December 1st and January 5th