Messages From The Mountain, November 2010

November 2010/ Cheshvan 5771 Number 615
November: A Month for Learning

With the Fall Holidays a memory, and learn more about the sessions being offered by
Chanukah still a month away, November has El Paso’s rabbis and gifted laypeople.
become a month dedicated to Jewish learning. Learning at Temple Mount Sinai is a year-
It is “Jewish Book Month” — a great time to round affair, of course, with Torah Study and
check out a book from the Zork Library, which other opportunities for personal growth filling
continues to collect outstanding books of our calendar. This month, in addition to our
Jewish interest. It also includes a “Global Dayregular engagement with the weekly Torah
of Jewish Learning” on November 7, in which portion (each Saturday morning at 9:30 am in
Jews from all over the world will gather in Zielonka Hall), our weekly opportunity to
spaces both physical and virtual to study learn the truths our own bodies have to teach
(learn more at 1people1day.org — at press us through Yoga Practice (also in Zielonka
time, the website has a few glitches, but Hall, Wednesdays at 10 am), and our chance
hopefully they’ll be worked out by the time to engage the texts of our tradition in their
you read this). I encourage everyone to original tongue through Adult Hebrew
explore these options for independent (Wednesdays at 6 pm), I’ll be offering a
learning. session, in two different settings, on a timely
Closer to home, in our own community, topic: bullying. With so much in the news
November 14 brings Yom Limmud, a day of about bullying, both the old-fashioned kind
learning at the Jewish Community Center. and the newer phenomenon of “cyber-
Registration and check-in begin at 12:15 pm, bullying,” we’ll take a look at a fascinating bit
and sessions are held throughout the of text and see what it might teach us. This
afternoon. There is, frankly, an embarrassment learning will take place on Sunday Morning,
of riches on the program, and you’ll no doubt November 7 at 10 am, and on Tuesday,
be forced to make tough choices about which November 9 at 11:45 am (as part of our
sessions to attend. The cost is $8/person, or “Lunch and Learn” series).
$14/household, and child care is available I look forward to learning with you, this
throughout, at no charge. Please see your copy month and every month.
of the Jewish Voice or visit the Jewish
Rabbi Bach
Federation online (www.jewishelpaso.org) to
Messages from the Mountain Page 2 November 2010/ Cheshvan 5771
Worship Schedule November-December
November 5-6 November 26-27

Parashat Toldot Parashat Vayeshev
Friday, November 5 Friday, November 26
Candlelighting, 5:56 pm Candlelighting, 4:45 pm
Oneg Shabbat, 5:45 pm Oneg Shabbat, 5:45 pm
Family Shabbat Service, 6:15 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:15 pm
Saturday, November 27
Torah Study , 9:30 am
Torah Study, 9:30 am
Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 am
Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 am
Havdalah, 6:15 pm
Havdalah, 7:25 pm
November 12-13
December 3-4
Parashat Vayetzei
Parashat Mikeitz/Chanukah
Friday, November 12
Friday, December 3
Candlelighting, 4:51 pm
Candlelighting, 4:44 pm
Oneg Shabbat, 5:45 pm
Oneg Shabbat, 5:45 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:15 pm
Family Shabbat Service, 6:15 pm
Saturday, November 13 Chanukah Dinner following the Service
Torah Study, 9:30 am
Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 am Saturday, December 4
Havdalah, 6:20 pm Torah Study , 9:30 am
Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30
Havdalah, 6:14 pm
November 19-20
December 10-11
Parashat Vayishlach
Friday, November 19 Parashat Vayigash
Candlelighting, 4:47 pm Friday, December 10
Oneg Shabbat, 5:45 pm Candlelighting, 4:44 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:15 pm Oneg Shabbat, 5:45 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:15 pm
Torah Study, 9:30 am Saturday, December 11
Shabbat Moring Service, 10:30 am Torah Study , 9:30 am
Havdalah, 6:17 pm Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30
Bat Mitzvah of Bree Meyer
Havdalah, 6:15 pm
November 2010/ Cheshvan 5771 Page 3 Messages from the Mountain
November Birthdays
November 1 November 6 November 12 November 20
Larry Bach Dannah Meyers * Elise Ehrlich Harrison Gaman
Ralph Garcia Bryan Schonberg * Dana Frank Debby Robalin
Manny Schydlower Liza Karch
November 7 Mark Post * November 21
November 2 Cliff Eisenberg Charles Yates John Eger
Trish Belbel Henry Geller
Rona Dictor November 8 November 13
Alyssa Goldman Roberto Assael * David Karp November 22
Brian Karch Macy Gluck Corey Fruithandler
Carina Ramirez November 14 John Shecter
Shelby Robalin * November 9 Frankie Lerner
Stacy Berry Kris Mickenberg November 23
November 3 Bert Blackburn * Channah Kimmelman
Jordyn McCoy Sylvia Delgado * November 15
Cindy Metrikin Scott Feldt * Margie Landau * November 25
Erin Reiter Aaron Goldfarb Phillip Lauterbach Maria Klein
Mia Papa Myrtle Rubin
November 4 Rochelle Saks Stuart Schwartz November 26
Or Belkin * Marcia Dahlberg
Keith Myers November 10 November 16
Teri Rosen Lauren Blumenfeld Adam Frank November 28
Laura Brannon-Rosales Dawson Christiansen *
November 5 Iris Burnham November 18 Jewel Reinhardt
Tiff Christiansen Chantal Assael Albert Schwartz
Leor Goldstein * November 11 Nicole Assael
Lorraine Holaschutz Daniel Metrikin Jay Gladstein November 29
Dick Krasne * Erin Schrier * Michelle Assael
Leah Levy Richard Zehden November 19 David Kern
Ron Marcus Jo Ann Burman Douglas Schwartz
Meredith Rotwein Jackson Burton
Scott Stein Buddy Schwartz November 30
Ada Marcus *
November Anniversaries
November 1 November 8 November 15 November 25
Howard & Mona Goldberg* Paul & Ellen Gulbas Leon & Judy Feldt Hy & Marilyn Silverstein
Abe & Annette Goldberg
Mark & Joyce Post November 10 November 17 November 27
Rebecca & Alan Krasne Manny & Laura Corral Henry & Harriet Geller
November 6 David & Jeryl Marcus
Chantal Assael & Carlos November 12 November 18 Bob & Elaine Prensky *
Fernandez Charles & Carmen Yates John & Nicki Meehan Jon & Toby Purvin
Doug & Emma Schwartz *
November 7 November 22 November 28
Ed & Jacqui Babenco November 14 Tricia & Chris Holderman Eddie & Susie Goldman
Steven & Ellen Wilson Fifi Heller-Kaim & Boris
Kaim November 23 * Special 5 or 10 year
Monica & Carlos Escobar Birthday or Anniversary
Mazel Tov! Congratulations...

...to Ben Loeb & Quyen Nguyen, on the birth of their son, Ryan Samuel
Nguyen Loeb.
Hamakom Y’nachem—May God Bring Comfort...

...to Arlene Sonnen on the death of her mother, Sylvia Gershowitz.
...to Shari Schwartz on the death of her mother, Reba Swiff.
B’ruchim Haba’im—Welcome New Members!
We turn the new member spotlight this month on Michael and Melanie
Alkov. The Alkov family recently moved to El Paso from California in or-
der for Michael to assume a job as a dentist at La Fe clinic. They love their
new life in scenic El Paso. Aside from practicing dentistry, Michael enjoys
attending Rabbi Bach's weekly Torah Study class and also doing
some mountain hiking. Melanie has already made many friends through
WRJ and the local Hadassah chapter. Melanie loves volunteering at Tem-
ple too! They are very proud of their two children, Nicole, 28, who works
as a hydrogeologist for CH2MHill in Phoenix and David, 24, who works
at Red Cats here in El Paso.
We also welcome to membership at Temple Carol Molloy, and Scott and
Bess Poehlmann and their son, Ulrich.
Do you know someone who is new to town, new to Judaism, or interested in get-
ting involved with a synagogue? Please help them be in touch with Susan Jaffee at
532-5959 or sjaffee@templemountsinai.com.
High Holiday Food Drive

From our friends at the Paso Del Norte Food Bank….
We at Paso Del Norte Food Bank would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to Temple
Mount Sinai for your recent donation of 1,723 pounds of food.
As you know, the Paso Del Norte Food Bank provides food pantries to families who are in
need of food. With the way the economy is right now, it seems that more and more families
are seeking our assistance. Your donation will enable us to provide more families with
food.
It is heartwarming to know that the food bank has friends like you to help in our time of
need. Your donation helps us to continue with our mission. It gives our clients a little bit
more food and puts a smile on their faces. It will also assist us in alleviating some of the
stress and suffering of many families.
Again, on behalf of the Paso Del Norte Food Bank we thank you for your generous dona-
tion.
Sincerely,
Estela Mendoza
Director
Paso Del Norte Food Bank
Leaves and Stones on the Temple’s Tree of Life
Do you know that you can honor or remember a loved one with a leaf or a
stone on the Tree of Life? This beautiful work of art is displayed on the
wall in the foyer at Temple just outside the Sanctuary.
For a minimum donation of $300 for a leaf or $3,000 for a stone, the brass
will be engraved according to your instructions and will remain on the
Tree of Life forever. Your donation becomes part of the Foundation Trust
and benefits Temple Mount Sinai in perpetuity.
For more information, contact Sally Parke at the Temple office at 532-5959.
Women of Reform Judaism

October brought (slightly) cooler temperatures and great company with Temple Mount Sinai’s
Women of Reform Judaism. For Simchat Torah, we stood in solidarity with the Women of the
Wall (http://womenofthewall.org.il/), took some photos and sent them to the website. Our
group stood in solidarity with Israeli women, asking that women be allowed to wear tallitot,
pray out loud and read from Torah at the Western Wall. The Women of the Wall then sent our
photos along with letters to the Prime Minister and other members of the Israeli government.
Ten members of WRJ gathered at Ardovino's Desert Crossing for a Girls’ Night Out on Tues-
day, October 5. We took time to catch up on each other's lives, enjoy good food, and laugh. It's
important to reach out to women and make connections across the community.
In November, come and join Lori Gaman and her group of volunteers in baking and icing
cookies for the WRJ Hanukkah Cookie Sale! We'll be making over 200 dozen dreidel and star-
shaped cookies with Ghirardelli white chocolate to sell to support WRJ. Look out for order
forms in your mailbox! All baking sessions will be in the TMS kitchen. Please join us for one or
all dates, and remember to bring a lunch on November 2nd! Let Lori know you’re coming by
emailing ljgaman@sbcglobal.net.
WRJ Chanukah Cookie Baking and Icing Dates:

Tuesday, November 2 9:30 AM
Monday, November 8 5:30 PM
Sunday, November 14 9:30 AM
Tuesday, November 16 9:30 AM
Reminder: Place your orders by November 12th - Cookie Pick-up begins November 19th!
Chanukah Cookie Order Form

Please mail your order form and check to Temple Mount Sinai, 4408 N. Stanton, El Paso, TX
79902
Name: __________________________________________________________
Email address: _________________________(We will email when cookies are ready for pickup)
Phone Number: _____________________________
I’d like ____ dozen cookies @ $8/dozen = $________
Men of Reform Judaism

By the time this article is printed, MRJ's World Series of Baseball
fundraiser will have already ended. Winners will be printed in the next
bulletin. A major “thank you” goes out to everyone who
participated. This fundraiser supports the Jewish campership fund and,
thanks to you, at least one child who might not have had the opportunity
to go to Jewish Summer camp, will be going. Thank you for your support
of MRJ! Please contact Scott Feldt at 526-8478, or scott.feldt@sbcglobal.net
to get involved.
Jewish War Veterans News

We had our monthly meeting on October 17. We were honored to
host the 7th and 8th grade boys from Religious School. They are a
fine group of young men, and we enjoyed speaking with them. On
November 13, we will enjoy a service to honor our Veterans at B’nai
Zion. We are also looking forward to a Hanukkah event as well. If
you have any questions regarding the Jewish War Veterans, please
contact Scott Feldt at 526-8478 or scott.feldt@sbcglobal.net.
Albertson’s Cash-Back Fundraiser

Please remember to use your key tag each time you shop for groceries at
Albertsons. All you need to do is have the card scanned when you check
out. Temple will earn 1% of your shopping total each time you scan the
card, at no additional cost to you.
If you need additional key tags, they are available in the Temple office.
MERRY MITZVAH PROJECT

For the last three years, Gloria’s job has been cial baskets, not just you!” Everybody was
easier due to a very special project coordinated laughing and making comments of how
by the Jewish Federation of El Paso. Friends special they felt.
and families shop for a week’s worth of non- From the JCRC…..THANK YOU TO ALL
perishable food using our suggested shopping WHO BOUGHT AND PACKED A
list. After shopping, all groceries are packed in
BOX……. You made a difference. But this
a sturdy carton. The boxes are delivered to a
is another year and, yes, it’s time to help
central drop-off point by the specified date in
once more.
December and arrive at the Clinic on a pre-
arranged day in early January. There, they are Just like last year, again the focus for
distributed - unopened – to our families. This Merry Mitzvah is on food and the JCRC
year, the Federation brought over 180 of the Jewish Federation, with your help,
“GOOD” food boxes. Let’s let Gloria tell you will make a difference to many families.
about the impact of this project…. Excerpted We will be providing holiday gifts to folks
from the Clinic Guadalupana Newsletter. serviced by the Clinica Guadalupana in
the far east colonias of El Paso County.
“For the last three years, God blessed us
with food baskets for our families. On a YOU CAN CONTINUE OUR TRADITION
Friday in January, the trucks came to the OF HELPING --by filling a food box for a
Clinic with the food baskets. Our families family that has very little. We will pro-
came to pick up the food, and John Garcia vide you the boxes and a shopping
and his crew helped carry and load the list. Perhaps your neighbors and cowork-
food baskets into the ladies’ cars. ers would take one, too.
When I came to the Clinic on Saturday, all • Pick up a box (or bring your gifts and
of the comments were about the food bas- fill the container on site) at the Temple,
kets. All of the ladies were sharing their the Jewish Federation, or Congregation
stories about getting such a wonderful gift. B’nai Zion.
One of them said, “I think I got the best • Buy all the items on the Shopping List
basket”, and another lady said, “What on the next page. Boxes must be com-
makes you think that?” She said, “Oh, be- plete. We cannot accept partials or sub-
cause mine had very special food. It had stitutions. Pack them, but don’t seal.
macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, tuna, Just fold over the top flaps.
and a lot of very good cans of vegetables, • Deliver items with forms to a Drop-Off
and even a big box of dry milk!” And, the Point by Dec 23.
other lady said, “Oh, mine had that too!”
• Enjoy that Merry Mitzvah feeling.
She said, “I think that all of us had the spe-
Merry Mitzvah Shopping List

4 cans soup (chicken noodle, beef vegetable)
1 lb. bag pasta
1 large (plastic) jar/can spaghetti sauce
4- 8 oz. cans tomato sauce
4 boxes macaroni & cheese
2-16 oz. cans corn
2-16 oz. cans green beans
1 lb. bag pinto beans

1 lb. bag white rice
2-16 oz. cans fruit
2 cans tuna
1 (plastic) jar peanut butter
1 box saltine crackers
1 box powdered milk
READY FOR DELIVERY: Did you close and fold over the flaps?
(Remember these boxes will be stacked in a truck for delivery.)
Lunch and Learn, November 9 at 11:45 am

Our next Lunch and Learn will be Tuesday, November 9 in Zielonka Hall at Temple.
The session will begin with lunch at 11:45 am, followed by study and conversation.
This month, we’ll see what Judaism has to say about the nature of bullying.
Lunch is $10, and reservations may be made by calling the Temple office, or online.
Your RSVP helps us purchase food wisely — please let us know if you’ll be attending.
A Final Gift no child should have to carry. At five years

by old I remember her confiding in me about
her health and marital woes. I could barely
Donna G. Munch
comprehend what she told me, but somehow
I clutched the phone tightly in my perspiring felt compelled to fix her problems.
hands as my niece, Jill, held the phone to my
I can remember her hysterics; throwing
dying mother’s ear thousands of miles away
things, slamming doors, suicide threats, and
in Philadelphia. “Goodbye, Mom,” I whis-
angry and hurtful words. She lashed out
pered. “Rest in peace; I love you.”
pent-up rage and frustration at life’s misfor-
A myriad of emotions flooded me. I had of- tunes. My mother abused us physically as
ten visualized this scenario, particularly dur- well as emotionally, while my father stood
ing the past five years since my mother had by and watched. The physical wounds
fallen stricken with Alzheimer’s. In my heart healed, but the emotional ones scarred me,
I always believed that somehow we’d resolve damaging my psyche and self-esteem.
our issues prior to her death. A fantasy that
I tried to be the perfect daughter, trying hard
one day she would truly love me for “me”
not to add to her troubles. So I became a peo-
and not merely as an extension of herself. I
ple pleaser, always putting others’ needs
dreamed of seeing her eyes shine with re-
ahead of my own and believing I was re-
spect, admiration, and unconditional love—
sponsible for their happiness. I tried to be the
proud of the woman that I had become. But
best—the best daughter, wife, mother, friend,
now that dream would never come to frui-
student, employee—but it was never enough.
tion. The finality of death shattered my life-
I was never enough. I felt unworthy of love.
time illusion of having a mother who loved
My mother always made a point to tell me
me.
how much prettier my friends were, how
I had tried so hard over the years to please much smarter and kinder her friends’ chil-
and take care of her. From my earliest child- dren were.
hood memories I found myself in a role re-
She crushed my hopes, dreams and aspira-
versal. In my mind’s eye I see myself com-
tions. In her eyes, I was merely a girl, viewed
forting my mother; patting her hand, whis-
as inferior. “If you were a boy,” she’d say,
pering soothing words, and telling her every-
“we’d join a synagogue and worship to-
thing would be okay. My mother was always
gether, and you would become a Bar Mitz-
sickly, always nervous, always angry, always
vah. If you were a boy, we’d send you to col-
sad, and everyone tiptoed around trying not
lege. But since you’re a girl, you can get a
to upset fragile Lily. “Just do whatever your
secretarial job like I did and then find a man
mother wants you to do,” my father would
to marry you to take you off our hands.” I
advise. “Just don’t upset her.” For when she
believed that being a girl meant I wasn’t
was upset with my sister and me, he fell vic-
good enough. “Your father always wanted a
tim to her wrath as well.
son,” she’d add. “It’s your fault we have
I always felt a tremendous weight of respon- marital problems. He’s jealous of the atten-
sibility bearing down on me, a burden that (Continued on page 11)
tion I give to you and your sister.” of hope, never wavered. It lay dormant
I knew I wanted more in life, but didn’t within my heart, only to lead to further
know how to achieve it without parental disappointment and rejection. When I paid
support. So I became a perfectionist with visits to Philadelphia with my young son,
unrealistic expectations, critical and judg- I thought he would bring her joy as he had
mental of myself as well as others. brought me, only to have her utter her dis-
content over the inconveniences we
When I was six, my grandfather took me
caused her. I began visiting less fre-
to Garden Pier in New Jersey to audition
quently.
to sing in a children’s concert. I loved to
sing and belted out “This Old Man” over And then she grew older, succumbing to
the boardwalk of Atlantic City. When my the disease she most feared, Alzheimer’s,
grandfather told my mom that I had audi- which had claimed her sister’s life a few
tioned, she said, “Pop, she’s going to em- years earlier. I tried to get her the help she
barrass me!” I’ll never forget his fiery eyes needed, but my father was in denial and
and reddening face and bald head as he fought my assistance, so I stepped back. I
bellowed, “Lillian, you should be encour- finally succeeded in getting her homecare
aging your children, building their self- until my father became incapacitated and
confidence, not destroying it!” Now that incapable of caring for her, and then I
I’m an adult I can step back objectively, needed to place her in a nursing home.
pushing emotions aside, and understand By December 2006, I was separated from
that my mother projected her own feelings my husband of twenty-two years, and my
of inadequacy and low self-esteem onto 15-year-old son opted to live with his fa-
her children. ther. I knew it was time to pay my parents
As a child I negatively sought attention by a final visit. My father lived in a different
becoming ill, but that never worked be- nursing home, battling neuropathy that
cause she was incapable of caring for any- crippled him. He was still in denial about
one. When something bad happened in my mother’s mental state, insistent she
my life: surgery, a miscarriage, failed mar- was acting this way merely to aggravate
riages . . . a part of me thought maybe, just him.
maybe, this time she’ll feel my pain and be It had been a couple of years since I had
there for me. But it never happened. It was last seen them and nothing prepared me
likewise for joyous occasions: marrying, for the visit to my mother’s home. I
earning a college degree after twelve walked into the community room while a
years, landing prestigious jobs, giving young man strummed his guitar and sang.
birth to a beautiful baby boy, and publish- The dementia patients swayed to music
ing a book. But she was also incapable of from their era.
sharing my triumphs. A nurse pointed to my mother as I shook
So I finally moved thousands of miles my head in disbelief. This could not be my
away, however, emotionally, that glimmer (Continued on page 12)
mother! My once youthful-looking mother when I reached her.

now looked ninety-nine, instead of her sev- My father died on April 28, 2007, but we
enty-nine years. Her beautiful thick, black never told my mother; her mind was too far
hair had turned snow white and cut in a bob. gone. Yet, I believe she intuitively knew
She appeared shrunken, her once full figure through her remaining senses. My parents’
now rail-thin. She stared at me with vacant, emotional bond was stronger than her insidi-
unrecognizing eyes as I stood there blinking ous disease. On the one-month anniversary of
back a torrent of hot tears. I took her frail my father’s death, she stopped eating. And a
hand and kissed her cold, leathery sunken week later she joined him and finally lay at
cheek. peace.
I had never been able to reach my mother, we I now wear the gold bracelet she wore when
never connected, and now I realized we never she passed away. It contains Stars of David
would—she was gone forever. Words finally delicately encircled on it. I never take it off,
came to my lips, and I found myself singing a for it is my final connection to my mother. It’s
song she had sung to me as a child. “ ’A’ ” also a reminder to accept people for who they
you’re adorable,” I sang, remembering every are—flaws and all—and love them anyway.
word, all the way through the alphabet. A We all possess the power to make choices: We
spark of light came to her eyes as she clasped can choose to dwell on the misfortunes of life
her hands together, trying to murmur the and how we feel cheated, or we can focus on
words of the song. She then smiled, kissed my life’s blessings, learning to love and validate
hand, and whispered in a strained and raspy ourselves and others. I choose the latter.
voice, “I love you.” I had reached her! The
song fleetingly brought her back to the pre-
sent from that dark tunnel of despair, a tunnel
she had been lost in for most of her life. A mo-
ment later that blank, glazed look reappeared,
but I rejoiced in that fraction of a minute
Parent Workshop, November 7, 10 am

On Sunday, November 7 at 10 am in the Temple Boardroom, Rabbi
Bach will be conducting a bullying workshop for parents. The many
recent incidents that have occurred around the country have brought
this issue to the forefront of our lives. Come and discuss this impor-
tant and timely topic with Rabbi Bach.
Gesher
Gesher (bridge in Hebrew) is a hands-on Jewish learning program run by Temple
Mount Sinai for children from birth through four years and their parents. Throughout
the year, children and parents explore Jewish holidays and Jewish ethics through the
vehicle of play.
Our rich curriculum, designed by Marci Karch, includes singing, movement, stories,
craft projects, snacks, and more. Gesher meets at Temple Mount Sinai in Zielonka Hall
from 10 to 11 am approximately twice a month. There is an $80 per family registration
fee for this program.
During October, the Gesher
class met to learn “What’s
Jewish about Peanut Butter
and Jelly” and “What’s Jew-
ish about Vegetables.” We
learned about important Jew-
ish values, their Israel con-
nection, and special blessings
we say when we eat these
foods. We took a field trip to
the pre-k and kindergarten
class to share the story of
Yossi and Laibel making Pea-
nut Butter and Jelly for Shabbat. Additionally, we brought our friends sandwiches to
demonstrate the important Jewish value of Hazan et Hakol (feeding everyone.) In our
second October class, we set up our own shook (market place) and tasted a variety of
fruits and vegetables. Here, we focused on the equally important Jewish value of
Shmirat HaGuf (caring for the body.)
Our November class (only one class this month) will meet on Sunday, November 14,
to explore “What’s Jewish about Cats and Dogs.”
We hope your family will join us for a year of Jewish fun and learning. Please contact
Marci Karch at marcikarch@hotmail.com or 585-7833 for complete registration informa-
tion. It is not necessary to be members of Temple Mount Sinai to join this class.
A Special Mitzvah Project in Grades 7-8

On September 26, during Sukkot, our 7th and 8th
grade students met in the Art Room to decorate quilt
squares for a Mitzvah Project, “A Quilt For
Drew”. The students did not know anything about
the recipient of the quilt until Chris Ponsford, our
Enrichment Facilitator, showed the students pictures
and explained the project.
Drew Wakefield is a 14 year old boy from Denton
who has Down’s syndrome and has had leukemia
since he was 2 1/2 years old. When he went into
remission years ago, the doctors told his parents that
there was less than a 1% chance of the cancer
returning. Then, those odds continued when Drew passed the five year cancer-free mark.
Unfortunately, Chris informed the students, Drew was diagnosed with recurring leukemia last
June. The first two chemotherapy sessions were not successful, so Drew was scheduled to have a
bone marrow transplant beginning October 4, in Fort Worth.
Drew's two brothers, Grant and Joel, were tested as possible marrow donors, but were not
matches. With the help of the National Bone Marrow Registry, a human donor and cord blood
donation match were found. The donor, however, is not a viable choice because of the urgency of
time.
Sunday, September 26, the students created beautiful quilt squares wishing Drew courage, mazel and
their support for recovery. Throughout the week, Chris sewed the pieces together to create the face
layer of the quilt. On Sunday, October 3, Chris brought the face layer of the quilt so the students
could see it and take a group picture with it. Following the picture taking session, Rabbi Bach led the
students in praying our healing prayer, Mi Shebeirach, as we sent our hope, well wishes and positive
energy to Drew.
The Ponsford’s two daughters are attending college
in Denton, where they learned about Drew. Chip
and Chris will visit their daughters and take the quilt
with them to deliver it to Drew at Cook Children’s
Hospital.
Drew's story can be followed on
www.caringbridge.org/visit/myfrienddrew.
If you are interested, people can be tested with a
mouth-swab kit to be listed in the National Bone
Marrow Registry. They can go to www.marrow.org
to request a kit.
A Season for Mitzvot — October 17-December 12

Be Your Child’s Role Model!
In religious school, we teach our children that Judaism is not just a
religion, but a way of living your life. In the Torah we learn that
all of our relationships are about honoring self and others. One
lesson we stress to our students is G’Milut Chasadim—doing acts
of random kindness. Throughout the school year, students are en-
couraged and taught lessons about being kind and doing good
deeds. However, December 12th , we go the extra mile and pro-
mote an “All School Mitzvah Day”. This year we are participat-
ing in three different projects:
• Honoring the elderly Michelle Blumenfeld has graciously volunteered to head this
year’s Mitzvah Day projects and Becky Horowitz of the Visiting Nurses Association, helped
to identify the specific needs of the elderly. On October 17, Michelle presented this year’s
Mitzvah Day projects to students and faculty. The children are very enthusiastic about
helping the “Bubbes and Zaidie’s” of El Paso.
• From October 17 through December 12 the classes will be collecting the following
items: Pre-K and Kinder: baby wipes; Grades 1-2: new wash cloths; Grades 3-4: Ensure
or Boost drinks; Grades 5-6: Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash; Grades 7-8: Carnation
Instant Breakfast.
• We count on our TMS Community, including parents, grandparents, students and
faculty, to make our Religious School Mitzvah Day a success.
• If you would like to do more for the VNA-Hospice, they need fitted and flat sheets
for hospital beds (extra long). We challenge all the families to go the extra mile and
each bring a set of new sheets for a Hospice patient.
• Hidden Treasures Please look for Hidden Treasures in your closets, drawers and toy
boxes. Search for clothes, toys, DVD’s, books and other items you have outgrown.
Please start bringing your treasures to Religious School between October 17 and Decem-
ber 12th. We will collect these items at school in the Resource Room and donate your
gently used items to less fortunate children. Please, no furniture.
• Packages from Home On December 12, our Mitzvah Day culminates with a luncheon at
11:30 a.m. in Schwartz Hall to raise money for A Package from Home. This organization
sends care packages to Israeli soldiers. All parents and grandparents are invited to join
us and help us raise money for this worthy cause. Please let us know if you will be join-
ing us by sending us your RSVP to Grace Bir at gbir@templemountsinai.com.
Sacred Choices
Every other year, Rabbi Bach presents the Sacred Choices Curriculum to our 7th and 8th grade stu-
dents. This curriculum provides teens with a foundation on which they can make informed, responsi-
ble decisions about their health and behavior; it equips them with age-appropriate tools to help steer
through friendships and relationships, and offers Jewish answers to many of their questions about
sexual behavior, avoiding the temptation to speak generally about values without grappling with the
hard issues.
September 26, parents of our 7th and 8th grade students met with Rabbi for an overview of the curricu-
lum, a Q&A session and a discussion about how this program, as a joint effort between the parents
and Rabbi, will support our youth through their growth and development into young Jewish adults.
The students attended their first session “Communication and Assertiveness”, October 3, in their
classroom. The schedule of the sessions is as follows:
October 10—Session 2 – Self Worth – I Am A
Gift
October 24—Session 3 – Self Control – Who Is A
Hero?
November 7—Session 4 – Friends and More
than Friends
November 14 - Session 5 – Everyone’s Doing It!
Peer Pressure
Parents and grandparents of third through ninth The program is open to students in grades three
grade students: Here is a wonderful opportunity through eight whose parents are members of
to send your child to Israel in partnership with Temple. Students who did not have the opportu-
the Jewish community. SKIP (the “Send a Kid to nity to be enrolled in the third grade can still be
Israel Partnership”) allows you to start a savings enrolled in grade fourth through eighth.
plan now, so that when that time comes there If you would like to learn more about this special
will be funds to pay for an extended summer ex- opportunity, please contact Grace Bir via e-mail
perience in Israel. In the past, many students at gbir@templemountsinai.com or on her cell,
from El Paso and across the nation have enjoyed
269-4331. We look forward to having your child
unforgettable summer programs in Israel.
share in the dream of one day visiting Israel with
The plan is designed so that your yearly contri- others his or her own age.
butions of $300 will be matched with $150 from
REMINDER: To parents whose child(ren) are
Temple Mount Sinai and $150 from the Jewish
enrolled in SKIP, your contribution is due by De-
Federation of El Paso. All contributions, plus in-
cember 15, 2010.
vestment earnings, are available to use on a high
school or young adult peer-group program in
Israel.
Religious School in Pictures

Rabbi Bach affixes a mezuzah to the en-
tryway of the Relgious School and Tem-
ple offices, while the students look on.
<<<
The 4th and 5th grade students enjoyed partici-

pating in their Jewish Cooking enrichment class,
where they learned to prepare stuffed cabbage,
meat balls and a sweet treat – caramel apples.
This enrichment session was lead by Chris and
Chip Ponsford. >>> On October 3rd, during the Parent and
Grandparent Day, the 6th grade stu-
dents, parents and grandparents
worked on Family Trees and discussed
their family’s history. This project
helped set the stage for the sixth graders
upcoming Jewish American curriculum.
<<<
The Pre-Kinder and Kinder students are busy working

on their “Six Days of Creation” art project. >>>
In the first grade, we discussed Adam and Eve and

how each was a helpmate to the other. In teaching
the lesson, we took the opportunity to discuss the
idea that we are all created equally by God in his
image. Though we may have a different skin
color, body shape, hair color, etc. we are all God's
children and we should be kind and respectful to
one another as such.
<<<
MSTY/MINI-MSTY NEWS
September 30 through October 2,
MSTY joined the rest of NFTY-
Southwest at Fall Kallah in Phoe-
nix. We had 13 MSTY members
attend this awesome event. The
MSTYites got to meet their fellow
classmates from the region, as well
as participate in services, pro-
grams, and a "NFTY-SW's Got Tal-
ent" social.
On Sunday, October 24, mini-
MSTY enjoyed a trip to La Union Corn Maze, after Religious School and lunch at
Temple.
There are a couple of upcoming events:
• Mini-MSTY goes bowling. Date to be determined
• November 13—MSTY joins all Jewish teens from El Paso for a Havdallah on
Ice at the County Coliseum ice rink.
Mini-MSTYites and MSTYites, keep an eye on your inbox and your Facebook
wall for notes from Stacy, and make plans to join us!
Temple Gift Shop Chanukah Sales

Looking for something special for Chanukah? Stop in
and check out the multitiude of new arrivals!
• TAX FREE DAY: Wednesday, December 1, 2010—

1:00 pm to 6:00 pm
• Regular Hours Sunday, December 5, 2010 — 9:30 am to

12:00 pm
What is Reform?
Editorial Note: This short description of Reform Judaism is printed each
week along with the announcements at our Shabbat services. It is an
accurate description of our modern, yet rooted, expression of the Jewish faith.
Throughout history, Jews have remained firmly rooted in Jewish
tradition, even as we learned much from our encounters with other
cultures. Nevertheless, since its earliest days, Reform Judaism has
asserted that a Judaism frozen in time is an heirloom, not a living
fountain. The great contribution of Reform Judaism is that it has
enabled the Jewish people to introduce innovation while preserving
tradition, to embrace diversity while asserting commonality, to affirm
beliefs without rejecting those who doubt and to bring faith to sacred
texts without sacrificing critical scholarship.
Reform Judaism affirms the central tenets of Judaism - God, Torah
and Israel - even as it acknowledges the diversity of Reform Jewish
beliefs and practices. We believe that all human beings are created in
the image of God, and that we are God’s partners in improving the
world. Tikkun olam — repairing the world — is a hallmark of Reform
Judaism as we strive to bring peace, freedom and justice to all people.
Reform Jews accept the Torah as the foundation of Jewish life
containing God’s ongoing revelation to our people and the record of
our people’s ongoing relationship with God. We see the Torah as God
inspired, a living document that enables us to confront the timeless
and timely challenges of our everyday lives.
Tributes from September 21 to October 20, 2010

Amelia G. Krohn Basic Judaism Collection Floyd Fierman Religious School Fund
in honor of Amelia Krohn's Special Birthday by in memory of Sylvia Gershowitz by Bob & Elaine
Jim Levy & Liz Goodman-Levy, David & Susie Krasne, Ruth Braun
Novick, Matt & Elizabeth Krohn, Evelyn
Goodman
Friedman/Bloom/Rothstein Outdoor Chapel
in honor of Ellen Goodman's Birthday by Evelyn
in memory of Sylvia Gershowitz by Phil & Ann
Goodman
Rothstein
Caring Community Fund

General Donations Fund
in memory of Sylvia Gershowitz by Bill & Anne
in appreciation of Temple Mount Sinai by
Spier
Douglas Waters, April Tessmer, Martin & Lily
DeVos
Ethyl Oppenheimer Bima Flower Fund in memory of Anna Main by Anne Hollander
in memory of Edgar L. Schnadig & Ruth Jean in memory of Bob Brown by Marty & Bonnie
Schnadig by Isabel Schnadig Colton, Norma Levenson
in memory of Emily Lapowski by David & Susan in memory of Jerry Harris by Dick & Toni Harris
Schecter
in memory of Mary Karsch by Sara Mansfield
in memory of Herbert & Phylis Shecter by John &
in memory of Ruth Robinson by Lucy Garcy,
Kristine Shecter
Eleanor Howell, Sharon Stein, Ben & Barbara
in memory of Luisa Adar by Roger & Trish Belbel Rosenberg, Bob & Carol Teplitz
in memory of Max Blumenthal by Sister in memory of Sylvia Gershowitz by Stuart & Shari
Blumenthal Schwartz
in memory of Olga Bowman by Arnold & Lila in memory of Vivian Corn by Paul Raudenbush
Bowman
in memory of Regina Reisel Kellen by Mimi
Isadore Kahn Memorial Fund
Gladstein
in honor of Joan Cherno's Special Birthday by
in memory of Richard Carvajal by Bill & Jessica
Stuart & Frances Kahn
Carvajal
in memory of Samuel Shabtai Bir by Simon &
Grace Bir Jon Heller High Holiday Flower Fund
in memory of Sarah Silverman by John & Rita in memory of Sylvia Gershowitz by Bob & Sara
Silverman Shiloff
in memory of Vernon Carvajal by Bill & Jessica

Carvajal
Krasne Discretionary Fund in memory of Jennie Roth by Bruce & Ann

in memory of Blanche Brown by Bob & Elaine Gronich
Krasne
in memory of Ruth Robinson by Marty & Bonnie Ruth Kahn/Andrew Kahn Rose Garden Fund
Colton, Bob & Elaine Krasne in honor of Joan Cherno's Special Birthday by
in memory of Sylvia Gershowitz by Marty & Buddy & Ellen Dorfman
Bonnie Colton in memory of Geri Given by Jeff & Wendy Siegel
in memory of Sylvia Gershowitz by Stuart &
MAZON Frances Kahn
in memory of Bob Brown by Charlie & Sue Zaltz
Onegs and Kiddushes
Prayer Book Fund in honor of Consecration Class of 2010 by Terren
In memory of Jesus Aldama by Raquel Aldama & Maria Klein
In memory of Sanford Norman Belkin by in memory of Alexander Pollak by Steven & Ellen
Bernadine Belkin Wilson
in memory of Olga Bowman by Arnold & Lila
Bowman
Rabbi Bach's Discretionary Fund
in memory of Richard Carvajal by Bill & Jessica
in appreciation of Rabbi Larry Bach by Ronney
Carvajal
Robinson, Becky Horowitz
in memory of Vernon Carvajal by Bill & Jessica
in appreciation of Rabbi Larry Bach & Cheryl &
Carvajal
Norman Gordon by Steven & Ellen Wilson
in honor of Bud & Charlotte Ramenofsky's Special
Anniversary by Evelyn Goodman Syd Dictor Memorial Fund
in honor of Loree Furman's grandson, Jason speedy recovery to Rona Dictor by Marty & Jody
Furman Bar Mitzvah by Allen & Marlene Levine Klein
in honor of Susan & Mike Jaffee's Special
Anniversary by Evelyn Goodman Youth Fund
in memory of Betty Lazar & Ethel Baar by Steven in honor of Mary Heins' Special Birthday by Abe
& Ellen Wilson & Annette Goldberg
in memory of Ruth Robinson by Molly Rosen in memory of Lindsay Gronich's mother by Abe &
in memory of Vernon & Richard Carvajal by Bill Annette Goldberg
& Jessica Carvajal
Roth Campership Donation

in memory of Jennie & Herbert Roth by Tony &
Lindsay Gronich
Yahrzeits for November 2010

November 5-6, 2010 November 19-20, 2010 Edna Nussbaum
Freida Albin Jane Bargman Sarah Potash
Eddie Alperson Margaret Blaugrund Anne Prensky
Leo Anderson Florence Citterman Francine A. Raileanu
Zelda Camhi Ralph L. Coffman Leo Rosen
John Crohn Sylvia Cohen Roberta Rosen
Esther Goldberg Davidow Angie Doke Rosa Rosen
Haim Ettinger Louis Edelman Marvin Sheiness
Nathan Feldt Herman Aaron Fass Mary Snider
Katherine Frank Asher Milton Feinberg Betty Wildstein
Esther Freifeld Ruth Feld
Manuel Garciagodoy Libby Geller December 3-4, 2010
Henry Gerofsky Sol Glazer Keren-Av Bernbaum
Tarow Ty Hayashi Fanny Sattinger Goodman Bernard M. Blumenfeld
Irma Katz Bea Hollander Nan Christianson
Donald Stanley Klein Senora Kaufman Henry Cohen
Jill Kreitman Helen Kern Corrine Alice Coleman
Fredenick McPhail Edmund Klein Fred Collatz
Herman Meyeroff Motel Kozakish Romolito Escobar
Adalaide M. Ratner Eleanor Lapowski Eva Garcy
Nathan Rybak Lena Bromberg Levenson Isedore Bernard Goodman
Mary Streim Solomon Luger Jon Heller
Luis Zork Annie Dashefsky Markowitz Abe Hill
Lucille Oppenheimer Sam Hoffman
November 12-13, 2010 Bella Rivin Rebecca Horwitz
Evelyn Axelrod Henry Silverman Joshua N. Kahn
Ester Blumenfeld Stephen Weiss Louis Kahn
Moshe Yitzchak Davis Eva Lapowski
Morton Fierman November 26-27 David Levine
Linda Ginsberg Morris Bernard Eleonore Mayer
Henrietta Heins Elayne Bernat Helen Meyeroff
Harriet Mervis Irwin Brand Miriam Myers
Benjamin Oliver Lillian G. Braude Adele A. Oppenheim
James A. Oppenheimer Leona Goldfarb Ida R. Pollet
Frank Parker Julius Grunebaum Manny Ponsford
Ethel Rod Pittle George W. Harris Art Robalin
Louis Reinhardt Sadie Hoffman Marilyn Rolf
Oskar Rosen Mollie Itzkovitz David Schecter
Rose Krause Rosenberg Leo Kenoffel Jack Schecter
Izzy Tudzin David Kohlman Edgar L. Schnadig, Sr.
Jeffrey Howard Weiss Oscar David Leeser David Sheffer
Maurice Zaltz Min Markowitz Levinson Frederic Stanley Strelitz
Anita Mark Philip Terk
Kayla Marks Evadina Vargas
Joseph A. Miller
Chanukah Dinner Response Form
Use this form to…

• Order your Chanukah cookies from WRJ; and/or
• Make your reservations for the Chanukah Dinner on
December 3 (RSVP by November 29)
You may make out one check, payable to “Temple Mount
Sinai,” and we’ll take care of the rest.
Name: (please print):

_________________________________________________________________
Email: _________________________________________________________
Telephone: ______________________________________
Chanukah Cookies: #_______ dozen at $8/dozen

Total amount for cookies ______
Chanukah Dinner:
Temple member _______ adults at $10, _____ kids (5-12) at $5
Non-Member/at-the-door ________ adults at $15, _____ kids (5-12) at $8
Total amount for dinner _______
Grand Total (Cookies + Dinner)________
Payment Method: Checks, payable to Temple Mount Sinai, or Visa, M/C or Discover.
If paying by credit card, please complete the following information:
o Visa o M/C o Discover
Acct #: Exp date: ________
Your credit card receipt will be mailed to your billing address.

A convenience charge of the greater of $1 or 2.5% of the transaction will be added.
Signature:
Date: __________
NON-PROFIT
Temple Mount Sinai
ORGANIZATION
4408 North Stanton Street U.S. Postage
El Paso, TX 79902 PAID
EL Paso TX
Phone: 915-532-5959 Permit No. 1386
Fax: 915-533-0092
www.templemountsinai.com
Mailing Address
Staff
Rabbi ............................................................... Larry Bach
Rabbi Emeritus ............................................... Ken Weiss
Temple Mount Sinai is the
Administrator ................................................ Sally Parke
Administrative Assistant ....................Buddy Schwartz
Reform Jewish congregation
Religious School Director................................ Grace Bir
Outreach Director ........................................Susan Jaffee
serving El Paso, Texas.
Family Educator ......................................... Alanna Bach
Bulletin Editor ............................................ Mark Schrier We are a congregation of
Building Manager .............................. Frank Hernandez
House Keeping ......................................Ramona Pinales supportive, caring and
Accompanist ........................................... Linda McClain
diverse people with a rich
Officers
David Kern ................................................................. President history.
Shari Schwartz ................................................. President-Elect
Marian Daross ....................................................Vice President
Greta Duran........................................................Vice President
Temple is a place for prayer,
Ellen Goodman ..................................................Vice President
David Leffman ...................................................Vice President ritual, spirituality, education,
Jon Sonnen ..........................................................Vice President
Stephanie Calvo ..........................................................Secretary wholeness and healing, social
Marcia Dahlberg ............................ Immediate Past President
action and celebration.
Trustees
Rick Amstater, Joyce Davidoff, Join us as we explore,
Scott Feldt, Lori Gaman, Susie Goldman,
Jack Heydemann, Maria Klein, Hal Marcus,
Susan May, David Novick, Debby Robalin,
through these elements of
Phil Rothstein, Mark Schrier, Jane Snow
sacred living, the richness of
Jewish faith and tradition.

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Messages From The Mountain, November 2010

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November 2010/ Cheshvan 5771 Number 615

November: A Month for Learning

Worship Schedule November-December

November 5-6 November 26-27

Mazel Tov! Congratulations...

Hamakom Y’nachem—May God Bring Comfort...

B’ruchim Haba’im—Welcome New Members!

High Holiday Food Drive

Leaves and Stones on the Temple’s Tree of Life

Women of Reform Judaism

WRJ Chanukah Cookie Baking and Icing Dates:

Chanukah Cookie Order Form

Men of Reform Judaism

Jewish War Veterans News

Albertson’s Cash-Back Fundraiser

MERRY MITZVAH PROJECT

Merry Mitzvah Shopping List

1 lb. bag pinto beans

Lunch and Learn, November 9 at 11:45 am

A Final Gift no child should have to carry. At five years

mother! My once youthful-looking mother when I reached her.

Parent Workshop, November 7, 10 am

A Special Mitzvah Project in Grades 7-8

A Season for Mitzvot — October 17-December 12

Religious School in Pictures

The 4th and 5th grade students enjoyed partici-

The Pre-Kinder and Kinder students are busy working

In the first grade, we discussed Adam and Eve and

Temple Gift Shop Chanukah Sales

• TAX FREE DAY: Wednesday, December 1, 2010—

• Regular Hours Sunday, December 5, 2010 — 9:30 am to

Tributes from September 21 to October 20, 2010

Caring Community Fund

in memory of Vernon Carvajal by Bill & Jessica

Krasne Discretionary Fund in memory of Jennie Roth by Bruce & Ann

Roth Campership Donation

Yahrzeits for November 2010

Chanukah Dinner Response Form

Use this form to…

Name: (please print):

Chanukah Cookies: #_______ dozen at $8/dozen

If paying by credit card, please complete the following information:

o Visa o M/C o Discover

Acct #: Exp date: ________

Your credit card receipt will be mailed to your billing address.

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