Hello everyone. Let me start by apologizing for the fact that the timing of my messages has been sliding a day lately. Things have gotten a little crazy between work and life and, regretfully, this is one of those things that tends to get a bit of the “back burner”. Please don’t take that to mean the Temple – and all of you – are not important to me because you certainly are – take it more to mean that I am simply struggling to keep my head above water at times. Anyway, as things continue to be crazy for me, this will be a quick reminder of most of the items I shared last week. Please note that we DO have services scheduled for Labor Day weekend. The updated schedule, through October (and including the High Holidays) is provided, below.
UNA Big Deal is this Thursday
In our continuing commitment to reach out to UNA students, faculty and staff, Temple B’nai Israel will participate, for the second year, in the UNA “Big Deal” Event on August 24 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on the UNA campus near the amphitheater. This event gives UNA students an opportunity not only to become acquainted with student organizations, but also to visit tables from merchants and non-profit organizations from around North Alabama including our Temple. Last year, we met students from all over Alabama and other states, most of whom were surprised to know that Florence is the home of a Jewish congregation! We invite your participation by making donations of pre-packaged snacks (preferably heat-resistant and not “melty”!) or water bottles, and/or by helping with set-up, break-down and actually attending the event. At least 2 people must attend our table during the event. Set-up begins at 5:30 pm. Please contact Wendy Roddy for more information, or to volunteer for snacks, water or on-site help.
An Afternoon with Mystery Author Debra H. Goldstein
You are invited to a book talk and signing by Jewish author Debra Goldstein from Birmingham, Alabama, hosted jointly by Temple B’nai Israel and the Florence Public Library. The event will be held on Sunday, September 17, 2017 at 2 pm at the Library. The Temple will host light refreshments following the book talk at the Library. Please plan to attend!
Debra Goldstein is a former judge and litigator turned author, and she travels all over the country and throughout the South to speak at venues including Temples, sisterhoods and other Jewish organizations about her deeply rooted connection to Judaism and how her faith and social issues find their way into her books because of her background as a civic volunteer, Holocaust survivor’s daughter and judge. She makes regular appearances at book festivals and conferences throughout the U.S.
Please help to support this event by both attending AND volunteering to bring or provide a covered tray of cookies, cheese and crackers, fruit and/or other light snacks for the refreshments following the book talk. A case of bottled water would also be very helpful! Contact Michelle Bernstein to volunteer for refreshments.
Please share this invitation with anyone who might be interested!
Historic Plaque
This is just another reminder that we are continuing to take donations to help with the cost of the historic plaque that we hope to have installed outside the Temple. If you are interested in seeing the Temple designated with a historic plaque, please consider making a donation to help make it happen! While the Friday, August 11 due date has now passed, we are still short of what we need to make the plaque a reality so we will continue to collect donations for at least one more week. Please mail your donation to the Temple P.O. Box (Temple B’nai Israel, P.O. Box 632 Florence, AL 35631) and clearly mark your check as “historic plaque donation.”
Donations
Please remember our Temple when you make your charitable donation choices! Celebrate a loved one, mark a simcha, commemorate a Yarhzeit or other lifecycle event in happiness or in sorrow, through a donation to Temple B’nai Israel. In addition, please remember Temple B’nai Israel in your will and estate plans. Such donations are an important way to ensure that the Temple will continue to serve our Jewish community with weekly services, Torah study, Jewish programming and social events. The form for making donations is attached to this e-mail and is also available in the foyer at the Temple. The Temple will acknowledge your gift to the person or persons designated by you to receive notice of your donation.
Service Schedule
The service schedule for the last Friday in August throught October is as follows:
- August 25 – Rabbi Nancy
- September 1 – Buddy Bernstein
- September 8 – Ken Wolf
- September 15 – Rabbi Nancy
- September 20-21 – Rabbi Nancy/Rosh Hashanah
- September 22 – Rabbi Nancy/Shabbat Shuvah
- September 29-30 – Rabbi Nancy/Yom Kippur
- October 6 – Robert Adler
- October 13 – Buddy Bernstein
- October 20 – Rabbi Nancy
- October 27 – Rabbi Nancy
As always, congregants and members of the Shoals community, at large, are invited to attend the weekly Torah Study session which is held each Saturday morning at 9:30, at the Temple.
Reminder items:
- UNA Big Deal – Thursday, August 24, 6:00pm-8:00pm – please contact Wendy Roddy for more information, or to volunteer for snacks, water or on-site help
- Debra Goldstein at the FLPL – Sunday, September 17, 2:00 – please contact Michelle Bernstein for volunteer opportunities
- Erwin’s book is available for purchase – see Howard Zeff to purchase your copy now!
If you are aware of something in the community that you would like me to draw some attention to in my message, please let me know! And, as always, if you have any announcements you would like for me to share with our membership, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
I hope you all have a wonderful week! I will be out of town this weekend so I won’t be at services Friday night. See you the next week!
Shalom!
Traci Welch
