Kiddush Luncheon in honor of Rabbi David Siff

Come and join us
Saturday, March 29th
9:45 a.m.
Beth Shalom Synagogue
Special Shabbat morning services followed
by a sponsored Kiddush luncheon in honor of Rabbi David Siff, for his service to Beth Shalom.
Sponsored by: Friends of Rabbi Siff.
The congregation is invited to attend!

Weekly Announcements, 03/28

Friday, March 28:
6:00 p.m. Early musical family Shabbat evening services. Shabbat dinner following services.
6:45 p.m. Family Shabbat dinner. Dinner will be barbeque chicken, baked beans, potato salad, tossed salad with fruit & hamantashen for dessert. Many thanks to our hosts for the Shabbat dinner, Athena Woscek & Daniel Shoemaker!!

Saturday, March 29–9:45 a.m. Shabbat morning services followed by a sponsored Kiddush luncheon in honor of Rabbi David Siff for his service to Beth Shalom. Sponsored by: Friends of Rabbi Siff.

Sunday, March 30–10 a.m. ADULT EDUCATION SEMINAR:
Moderated by Dr. Joshua Frankel. Topic: "How One Becomes a Rabbi, and Why I Didn't Become One." Lox & bagel breakfast $4 per person.

Tuesday, April 1–6:30 p.m. Interfaith Committee meeting in the library.

Thursday, April 3–6 p.m. Beth Shalom Sisterhood presents: Dinner and a Movie, “Three Mothers” at the Nickelodeon Theater. Dinner will be at Miyo’s on Main Street ($18 includes vegetarian selection from pre-set menu). RSVP by mailing your check for $18, no later than Monday, March 31st.

Monday, April 7–6:30 p.m. Rosh Chodesh Supper Club at the home of Diana Woodrow. Bring your favorite vegetarian or dairy dish to share. RSVP to Diana at 865-7755.
Wednesday, April 9–6:30 p.m. Executive Board of Directors meeting in the library.

Friday, April 11–6:00 p.m. Nadia Vardi Bat Mitzvah.

Saturday, April 12–9:45 a.m. Nadia Vardi Bat Mitzvah.

Tuesday, April 15–6:30 p.m. Board of Education meeting in the library.

Wednesday, April 16–7:30 p.m. Board of Directors meeting in the library.

FLOWER POWER!

This week’s Bema flowers are being donated by:

Toni & Sam Elkins
In honor of Doris Frank’s birthday.
and
Doris & Ronnie Frank in honor of our children.

DVDs for the Peace Corps in Namibia, Africa
Recreational opportunities in Namibia, like all else, are scarce. There is no TV. Peace Corps volunteers rely mainly on DVDs, always in short supply. An exchange of E-mails determined that the volunteers in Africa would welcome DVDs from Columbia, and they would not only be used for recreational purposes, but to enrich the school curriculum where suitable and to reward students for special achievement. Jerry Breger initiated a project proposal for Beth Shalom Synagogue, to provide DVDs for the Peace Corps volunteers by contributions. The proposal was approved and the project is now underway. Please put your DVD (new or used) contributions that you wish to contribute, in the box in the foyer by the office. The highest order of charity -- the greatest mitzvah -- is to give to those in need we do not know.

Yom Hashoah

Commemoration Services
Thursday, May 1st
7 p.m.

Beth Shalom will be hosting the Yom Hashoah service this year. As the commemoration of Yom Hashoah on May 1st is approaching, the committee would like to be sure to have the names of any newcomers to our area that might be families of survivors or liberators, or themselves survivors or liberators of the holocaust. Please send any names that might be appropriate to Steven Terner at the CJCC at SteveT@JccColumbia.org. The committee does not want to exclude any individuals that need and should be recognized at the event's candle lighting service.

Thank you,
The Yom Hashoah Committee

Family Shabbat Dinner

Friday, March 28th
After Musical Family Services
(early services begin at 6:00 p.m.)

Dinner will be: Barbeque chicken, baked beans, potato salad, tossed salad with fruit & cookies for dessert.

Join your family & friends to honor Shabbat with a delicious dinner at Beth Shalom. Fun for kids-of-all-ages, guaranteed!

Adults: $10, Children (under 12 yrs.): $5
Maximum cost per family: $25

Please Note: Your mailed-in check will be your reservation. Sorry, we cannot guarantee dinners for those without reservations. Checks need to be received by Wednesday, March 26th. Reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-pay basis, for the first 100 seats.

Make your checks payable to Beth Shalom Synagogue and mail your check and reservation form (below) to:
Beth Shalom Synagogue, 5827 North Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29206

************************************************************************

Family Shabbat Dinner - Friday, March 28, 2008

Name______________________________ Phone___________________________

Number Attending: Adults_____________ Children___________
Amount Enclosed $________________

Weekly Annoncements, 3/21

Shabbat morning babysitting will be provided each week from 10:15 am - 12:15 pm, in the nursery, for ages 5 and under. This is sponsored Beth Shalom Sisterhood and B’nai B’rith girls.

Saturday, March 22:10 a.m. Learner Service in the Kline auditorium (main service, as usual, will be in the sanctuary).8 p.m. 1st Annual Purim Party Wine Tasting. Featuring outstanding kosher for Passover wines from Israel (Social Hall).

Religious School - Spring Break - Sunday, March 23 through Sunday, March 30 Tuesday,

March 25–6:30 p.m. Sisterhood Board meeting in the library.

Wednesday, March 26–6:30 p.m. Ritual Committee meeting in the library.

Thursday, March 27:5 p.m. Harvest Hope Food Bank project–volunteers will staff the emergency food pantry. 6:45 p.m. Minyan service at Harvest Hope Food Bank (2220 Shop Rd).

Friday, March 28:6:00 p.m. Early musical family Shabbat evening services. Shabbat dinner following services. 6:45 p.m. Family Shabbat dinner. Dinner will be: Barbeque chicken, baked beans, potato salad, tossed salad with fruit & cookies for dessert. Adults: $10, Children (under 12 yrs.): $5, Maximum cost per family: $25. Your mailed-in check will be your reservation. Checks need to be received by Wednesday, March 26th. You can drop off your check and RSVP form with the office or mail it to: Beth Shalom Synagogue, 5827 N. Trenholm Road Columbia, SC 29206. Many thanks to our hosts for the Shabbat dinner, Athena Woscek & Daniel Shoemaker!!

Sunday, March 30–10 a.m. ADULT EDUCATION SEMINAR: Moderated by Dr. Joshua Frankel. Topic: "How One Becomes a Rabbi, and Why I Didn't Become One." Lox & bagel breakfast $4 per person.

FLOWER POWER! This week’s Bema flowers are being donated by:Gad & Bobbi Matzner In honor of our grandchildren, Hallie & Chloe Matzner.

DVDs for the Peace Corpsin Namibia, Africa
Recreational opportunities in Namibia, like all else, are scarce. There is no TV. Peace Corps volunteers rely mainly on DVDs, always in short supply. An exchange of E-mails determined that the volunteers in Africa would welcome DVDs from Columbia, and they would not only be used for recreational purposes, but to enrich the school curriculum where suitable and to reward students for special achievement. Jerry Breger initiated a project proposal for Beth Shalom Synagogue, to provide DVDs for the Peace Corps volunteers by contributions. The proposal was approved and the project is now underway. Please put your DVD (new or used) contributions that you wish to contribute, in the box in the foyer by the office. The highest order of charity -- the greatest mitzvah -- is to give to those in need we do not know.

Announcements, 3/21

Shabbat morning babysitting will be provided each week from 10:15 am - 12:15 pm, in the nursery, for ages 5 and under. This is sponsored Beth Shalom Sisterhood and B'nai B'rith girls.

Saturday, March 22:
10 a.m. Learner Service in the Kline auditorium (main service, as usual, will be in the sanctuary).
8 p.m. 1st Annual Purim Party Wine Tasting. Featuring outstanding kosher for Passover wines from Israel (Social Hall).

Religious School - Spring Break
Sunday, March 23 through Sunday, March 30

Tuesday, March 25–6:30 p.m. Sisterhood Board meeting in the library.

Wednesday, March 26–6:30 p.m. Ritual Committee meeting in the library.

Thursday, March 27:
5 p.m. Harvest Hope Food Bank project–volunteers will staff the emergency food pantry.
6:45 p.m. Minyan service at Harvest Hope Food Bank (2220 Shop Rd).

Friday, March 28:
6:00 p.m. Early musical family Shabbat evening services. Shabbat dinner following services.
6:45 p.m. Family Shabbat dinner. Dinner will be: Barbeque chicken, baked beans, potato salad, tossed salad with fruit & cookies for dessert. Adults: $10, Children (under 12 yrs.): $5, Maximum cost per family: $25. Your mailed-in check will be your reservation. Checks need to be received by Wednesday, March 26th. You can drop off your check and RSVP form with the office or mail it to: Beth Shalom Synagogue, 5827 N. Trenholm Road Columbia, SC 29206. Many thanks to our hosts for the Shabbat dinner, Athena Woscek & Daniel Shoemaker!!

Sunday, March 30–10 a.m. ADULT EDUCATION SEMINAR: Moderated by Dr. Joshua Frankel. Topic: "How One Becomes a Rabbi, and Why I Didn't Become One." Lox & bagel breakfast $4 per person.

FLOWER POWER!

This week's Bema flowers are being donated by:
Gad & Bobbi Matzner
In honor of our grandchildren, Hallie & Chloe Matzner.

The DVD Project at Beth Shalom Synagogue

This project originated with the letters of Leslie Michael, a Peace Corps volunteer in Namibia to Jerry Breger in Columbia. Leslie is a retired school teacher who joined the Peace Corps last autumn and was assigned to Namibia in December. Jerry is an emeritus professor of economics at USC. Leslie's letters described this barren and impoverished country called Namibia and the immense challenge the Peace Corps faces to educate its children and to spur development there. Namibia is a new country in West Africa, founded in 1990 and struggling with the basics of development: economic, social, political, medical, and educational. Leslie reports that education is a bright spot in the development picture. Students and teachers are willing to work hard for long hours with few resources, and progress is good.

Recreational opportunities in Namibia, like all else, are scarce. There is no TV. Peace Corps volunteers rely mainly on DVDs, always in short supply. An exchange of E-mails determined that the volunteers would welcome DVDs from Columbia, and they would not only be used for recreational purposes, but to enrich the school curriculum where suitable and to reward students for special achievement. Jerry drafted a project proposal for Beth Shalom Synagogue to provide DVDs for the Peace Corps volunteers either by contributions or purchase. The proposal was approved and the project is now underway.

In accordance with the Talmudic concept of Tikkkun Olom, repairing the world, this is a most worthy endeavor. Beth Shalom is happy to commit to it and welcomes the cooperation of any other organization or individual who wishes to participate in this cause.

Please put the DVDs (new or used) you wish to contribute in the box in the foyer by the office.

The highest order of charity –
The greatest mitzvah –
Is to give to those in need we do not know.

Learner's Service, 3/22

Do you have a hard time following services? Do you wonder what all these words are for? Rabbi David Siff is conducting his monthly Learner's Service this Saturday, March 22nd, which will be held at 10:00-11:15 a.m., in the Kline auditorium (main service, as usual, will be in the sanctuary).

Each session, Rabbi Siff will take a section of the morning prayers, teach their meaning and significance, and also lead us in it together at a slower pace. This service is good for anybody not yet fully comfortable in a traditional service, whether Jewish or not, whether you went to Hebrew School or not, and for those who simply would like to find more personal meaning. We will do some chanting in Hebrew, but we will mainly be studying and discussing the content of the prayers.

Celebrate the Miracle of Purim!

At Beth Shalom Synagogue
Thursday, March 20th

5:45 p.m. Festivities begin with a spaghetti dinner
6:30 p.m. Costume parade and Megillah reading
7:30 p.m. Hamantaschen & desserts will be served

Purim Dinner will include spaghetti, salad and garlic bread.

Adults: $6, Children (under 12 yrs.): $3
Maximum cost per family: $15. RSVP to the office.

We encourage all to come in costume!

All are encouraged to bring a small food item
(like a piece of fruit...) to give to a friend (Mishloach Manot).

Bring a dry or canned food item as a gift to the needy. We will deliver the food items we collect, to Harvest Hope Food Bank.

Parshat Tzav

(Jeremiah 7:21-8:3; 9:22-3)
15 Adar II, 5768
March 22, 2008

Leave it to the Rabbis to attach a haftarah which strongly condemns sacrificial rites to a Torah parashah dedicated to the details of the same. In this week's haftarah, Jeremiah resoundingly critiques the practice of sacrifices in unusually hyperbolic terms: "Thus said the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel: Add your burnt offerings to your other sacrifices and eat the meat! For when I freed your fathers from the land of Egypt, I did not speak with them or command them concerning burnt offerings or sacrifice. But this is what I commanded them: Do my bidding that I may be your God and you may be My people; walk only in the way that I enjoin upon you, that it may go well with you." (7:21-3) This prophecy joins similar messages delivered by other prophets. (See Amos 5:25; Hosea 6:6)

How is one to understand Jeremiah's message? Did he mean to repudiate the sacrificial order? How is it possible for him to say that his ancestors had not been commanded concerning the sacrificial order?

Modern scholars have examined the possibility that Jeremiah may have meant literally that he somehow thought that the people of Israel had not been commanded concerning sacrifices after leaving Egypt and have speculated on all sorts of explanations. (Y. Hoffman, Jeremiah, Mikra L'Yisrael, pp. 262-4) Rabbi David Kimche (12th century Provence) anticipated this approach and already attempted to work out a logical explanation of what this literally might mean. However, the general consensus even among modern scholars today is that Jeremiah was speaking in exaggerated terms in order to express God's dissatisfaction with people's use of the sacrificial order as a mask for their otherwise ungodly behavior. (See Rashi who spells out this position.)

This does not mean that Jeremiah's message was not used, even by traditional authorities, as part of a debate over the relative merit of the sacrificial order in religious life. Maimonides (Rambam) was perhaps the most prominent voice in this debate. He was of the mind that the purpose of the sacrificial order was to wean the people away from idolatry, so that they would identify with God. Since the mode of worship in those days was through animal sacrifice, God adopted this manner of worship as a means to bring the people to the true worship of God. Rambam alludes to the idea that the sacrificial order did not represent the ideal condition but was merely a means to advance Israel's religious development. He bases his opinion, in part, on Jeremiah's prophecy. (See Guide to the Perplexed 3:32)

While those with modern rationalist sensibilities found in Rambam an important ally, his point of view was generally rejected by most traditional commentators. Rabbi Levi ben Gershom (Ralbag - 14th century France), a rationalist who often sided with Rambam, adamantly disagreed with him on this count. While he accepted Rambam's assertion, that one of the reasons for the sacrificial order was to change the religious orientation of the people, still, he was unwilling not to see in them transcendent value. He sees a link between sacrifices and prophecy. He asserts that the act of preparing and offering sacrifices elevates a person's religious spirit and enables the process of prophecy.

Another philosopher, Rabbi Joseph Albo, in his work "Sefer HaIkarim" (3:25), takes Ralbag's views one step further. He makes note of the lessons that a person internalizes in the process of sacrificing an animal. Animals, like human beings, are living creatures. When an animal is sacrificed there is nothing left of the animal. It is consumed. This same fate potentially awaits every human being, if that person does not use his⁄her life propitiously in the service of God. This is an enabling message learned from the sacrificial order. It is one that shapes both a person's body and soul, creating a channel between humans and God.

This study piece is offered as a service of the United Synagogue Conservative Yeshiva. It is prepared by Rabbi Mordechai (Mitchell) Silverstein, senior lecturer in Talmud and Midrash at the Conservative Yeshiva. He is a graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America.

With the permission of The United Synagogue Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem, Rabbi Edward S. Romm - Director of Education
© 2007

Shabbat Shalom,

Henry Ray Wengrow
For the Ritual Committee
Beth Shalom

Weekly Announcements, 3/14

Shabbat morning babysitting will be provided each week from 10:15 am - 12:15 pm, in the nursery, for ages 5 and under. This is sponsored Beth Shalom Sisterhood and B'nai B'rith girls.

Saturday, March 15–9:45 a.m. Anna Kline Bat Mitzvah.

Sunday, March 16:
11:15 a.m. Purim Carnival in the Social Hall. Bring a dry or canned food item as an entrance fee for the Purim Carnival. Tickets for unlimited games: $5 per person. Lunch: $3 per person (hotdogs, hamantaschen & soda). Hamantaschen and other refreshments. We encourage all to come in costume!
1 p.m. Men's Club "Akiba Club" meeting in the library following the Purim Carnival. This meeting will be a brief introduction to the club to inform the congregation of the plans, goal and purpose of the club. All are welcome to find out what we are all about.

Tuesday, March 18–7 p.m. Jewish Women's Book Club Meeting in the library. Join us for: "The Book of Splendor" by Francis Sherwood.

Wednesday, March 19–2 p.m. Silver & Gold Tea for our Senior members (at Wildewood Downs).

Thursday, March 20:
5:45 p.m. Purim Festivities beginSpaghetti Dinner. Purim Dinner will include spaghetti, garlic bread and salad. Adults: $6, Children (under 12 yrs.): $3. Maximum cost per family: $15. RSVP to the office.
6:30 p.m. Costume Parade and Megillah reading.
7:30 p.m. Hamantaschen & desserts will be served.

Saturday, March 22:
10 a.m. Learner Service in the Kline auditorium (main service, as usual, will be in the sanctuary).
8 p.m. 1st Annual Purim Party Wine Tasting. Featuring outstanding kosher for Passover wines from Israel (Social Hall).

Religious School Spring Break
Sunday, March 23 through Sunday, March 30

Tuesday, March 25–6:30 p.m. Sisterhood Board meeting in the library.

Wednesday, March 26–6:30 p.m. Ritual Committee meeting in the library.

Thursday, March 27:
5 p.m. Harvest Hope Food Bank project–volunteers will staff the emergency food pantry.
6:45 p.m. Minyan service at Harvest Hope Food Bank (2220 Shop Rd).

Friday, March 28:
6:00 p.m. Early musical family Shabbat evening services. Shabbat dinner following services.
6:45 p.m. Family Shabbat dinner. Adults: $10, Children (under 12 yrs.): $5, Maximum cost per family: $25. Your mailed-in check will be your reservation. Checks need to be received by Wednesday, March 26th. You can drop off your check and RSVP form with the office or mail it to: Beth Shalom Synagogue, 5827 N. Trenholm Road Columbia, SC 29206.

Sunday, March 30–10 a.m. ADULT EDUCATION SEMINAR: Moderated by Dr. Joshua Frankel. Topic: "How One Becomes a Rabbi, and Why I Didn't Become One." Lox & bagel breakfast $4 per person.

DVDs for the Peace Corps
in Namibia, Africa
Recreational opportunities in Namibia, like all else, are scarce. There is no TV. Peace Corps volunteers rely mainly on DVDs, always in short supply. An exchange of E-mails determined that the volunteers in Africa would welcome DVDs from Columbia, and they would not only be used for recreational purposes, but to enrich the school curriculum where suitable and to reward students for special achievement. Jerry Breger initiated a project proposal for Beth Shalom Synagogue, to provide DVDs for the Peace Corps volunteers by contributions. The proposal was approved and the project is now underway. Please put your DVD (new or used) contributions that you wish to contribute, in the box in the foyer by the office. The highest order of charity -- the greatest mitzvah -- is to give to those in need we do not know.

Men's Club "Akiba Club" Meeting 3/16

Sunday, March 16
1:00 p.m.
(following the Purim Carnival)
Beth Shalom Synagogue

The first meeting of the Beth Shalom Men's Club "Akiba Club" will be held Sunday, March 16th at 1:00 p.m., following the synagogue's Purim Carnival. The meeting will be a brief introduction to the club to inform the congregation of the plans, goals and purpose of the club. All are welcome to find out what we are all about.

If anyone has any questions, I can be reached at dmbones@hotmail.com or 803- 673-6813.

Thank you,
Dan Matzner

Kosher Baking Certification Class 3/9

Sunday, March 9th
12:30 p.m.
Beth Shalom Synagogue

Kosher baking certification class with Rabbi David Siff, to get certified to bake at your home and bring your baked goods to Beth Shalom.

Please make every attempt to attend this class to get certified to bake for events at Beth Shalom such as: Bar⁄Bat Mitzvah, sponsored kiddush luncheons, Scholar-in-Residence weekends, holidays and special occasions.

Rabbi Case to come to Columbia

The Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Rabbi Jonathan and Mrs. Rifka Case have accepted our offer and signed the contract to become our Rabbi beginning in August. We are delighted that they will become a part of our community this summer. As the time draws near, we will be keeping you informed of their move.

We owe great thanks to the entire Search Committee and the chairs: Barbara Blau, Hyman Karesh, Stanley Greenberg and Henry Goldberg for their outstanding work. A special thanks also goes to Bill Stern, David Zalesne, Howard Hammer and Henry Ray Wengrow for their legal and negotiating skills. And a special and sincere thank you to all the congregants that participated in the two weekends during the interview process.

Sincerely,

Lilly Filler, President