President's Message

Shalom Fellow Congregants,

It is with great pleasure that we send you this copy of The Shofar.  Within it, you will find details of many of the special services and events we have planned.  We look forward to your participation and involvement.

I would like to point out two very special upcoming events, "An Evening of Dance" featuring The Hal Schaefer Trio, and our "First Annual Golf Outing".  Both of these events offer an excellent opportunity to welcome friends, and to raise support from the outside community.  Please invite your friends and neighbors to join us at these fun events.

It is with great favor that I welcome Steven Cardonick, our new Cantorial Soloist.  For those of you who missed our first few services, you are in for a real treat!  You may remember the excitement last Purim when Stephen led services and read the Megillah.   Steven's strong voice combined with his passion for the liturgy, presents a meaningful and spiritual experience for the Congregation.

As we approach the upcoming holiday of Sukkos, I am delighted that our members will have the opportunity to celebrate the traditions that we all grew up with. All are invited to help in building and decorating our first Synagogue Sukkah.

The Rabbi, Becky and the entire Board of Directors work hard and diligently to ensure the Synagogue's success.  We have a growing Congregation, and with such a "close-knit" membership base, everyone can get involved, even if only in some small way.  There are many Committees that need staffing.  Please let us know of any desire you may have to join one of our committees.

I end this letter reminding everyone that your financial contributions and donations go a long way.  With a small family pledge of with as little as $18 a month, we will continue to grow and offer more programs and activities for you, your family, and the community.  Take advantage of what our synagogue has to offer and be a part of our growth in the coming year.

Respectfully,   Alec M. Messeroff,

Our Rabbi is a "Winner"

Rabbi Larry Winer was invited, along with three other local area Rabbis to participate in the hit theatrical performance "Game Show" performed at Hollywood Playhouse. "Game Show" is a cross between "Who wants to be a Millionaire" and "Survivor".  Audience members are picked to play in a real TV-type game show, while watching the backstage intrigue and schemes.

Who would be picked to play on Game Show? How about our very own Rabbi, and some of our Congregation Amchah members who were selected from the audience to try their luck.

Round One - Rabbi Winer beats out the other rabbis! Round two- Nancy Messeroff shows her food and OZ trivia knowledge.  Round Three- Ruth Kaplan surpasses all the younger players with her answers.

Wow! All three Congregation Amchah contestants moved on to the final round.  We watched as all three of our members competed for the final prize.

Just goes to show you the kind of first-class people we have in our Shul...      it was a "Synagogue Sweep".

And the proud grand prize winner... Ruth Kaplan.  Congratulations Ruth !!!

CONTRIBUTORS

Our thanks for your generosity...

Helene Abramson, Rebecca & Martin Barmack, Eleanor & Al Berman, Richard Blank, Edith Braverman, Steven & Olga Cardonick, William & Roberta Dunaief, Rhoda Feinberg, Barry Glaser, Marty & Shelley Glazer, Judith & Marty Goldstein, Irma Gould, Naomi Hafter, Jamie Huff, Ruth & Robert Kaplan, Brian Kershner, Carl & Leah LaGrow, David Lee & Family, Alec & Nancy Messeroff, Milli Rais, Adele Rosenstock, Lucie Rousse, Hal Schaefer, Anne & Ed Schary, Bud & Theresa Singer, Stan & Sara-Lee Sterling, Larry & Ruth Toroker, Peter Trachtenberg, Barry Wattenberg,  Bernie & Lila Weisfeld, Susan & Larry White, Yvonne Williams, Paul & Lisa Wilson.

Birth is a Beginning
(submitted by Shelley Glazer)

Birth is a beginning
and death a destination
and life is a journey.

From childhood to maturity,
and youth to age;
From innocence to awareness,
and ignorance to knowing;
From foolishness to discretion,
and then, perhaps, to wisdom;
From weakness to strength,
(or strength to weakness),
and, often, back again;
From health to sickness,
and back, we pray, to health again;
From offense to forgiveness,
From loneliness to love,
From joy to gratitude,
From pain to compassion,
and grief to understanding;
From fear to faith;
From defeat to defeat to defeat;
Until, looking backward or ahead,
we see that victory lies
not at some high place along the way,
But in having made the journey,
stage by stage,
A sacred pilgrimage.
Birth is a beginning,
and death a destination,
and life is a journey.

      Pg 2   

Congregation Amchah - Donation and Dedication Opportunities

“Your Generosity Allows Us to Serve the Community as a Synagogue Serving All”

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Pg 3

Jessica Guariglia, Becky and Irma Gould.

Rabbi Winer chats with Sue Hazen.

Movie watchers grab some snacks.

Barry Glaser and Rabbi Winer.

Yvonne Williams talks
with Barry Glaser.

Sue Hazen, Becky, Alec Messeroff,
Lisa Guariglia, Olga Cardonick
and Eleanor Berman.

Jonathan Guariglia enjoys a
cookie while Phyllis waits
for the movie.

Rabbi Winer joins 3 local area Rabbis
to compete in the “Game Show”.

Nancy Messeroff and Becky Winer
present their theatre tickets.

Ruth and Bob Kaplan
enjoying the show.

Rabbi Winer’s score keeps him
in the lead in the
“Battle of the Local Rabbis”.

Game Show’s host poses with
the winners of all three rounds.
A Congregation Amchah “Sweep”.

The Three Finalists…
all from our Congregation.
 A very proud moment !