eWeekly April 1, 2009
TOS eWeekly Volume 3 Issue 26, April 1st, 2009Dear Friends,
As you know by now, sadly we, as a community, experienced a cowardly and hateful act of swastika spray-painted on a wall in our Holocaust Memorial Garden. Such perverse and ignorant actions bring painful memories to some of us; and disbelief and anger to others.
These are some of the words of welcome that I shared last Sunday afternoon at the Interfaith Gathering that we hosted, attended by more than 200 people from the North Hills.
“This annual gathering has always been a day for blessing, for learning, for understanding and for acceptance.
Sadly, I must share with you that sometime this past Friday evening after our Sabbath services concluded and families left the temple building and the next morning when some returned for our Sabbath morning service and a Bar Mitzvah, someone or ones spray painted a swastika on one of the walls in our Holocaust Memorial Garden.
So, yes it is important that we are here. However, I doubt that the person or persons who committed this hate-crime are with us.
How do we reach them? How do we teach them? We, human beings, are not born hating; it is something one learns. So while it is important that we gather and continue to engage in our efforts to create a better, more peaceful community, more must be done beyond these walls as well as the walls and homes where we pray and live.
We must be ever vigilant against all acts of hatred and prejudice whenever and wherever they occur, we must remember so that others don’t forget!”
WE MUST REMEMBER SO THAT OTHERS DON’T FORGET!
We are a people of remembering. Remembering is active memory, not passive reminisces. Remember is telling and retelling; it is something we do every year when we gather for our Pesakh Sedarim. This year I encourage you to take some time at your Seder and doing some very important remembering.
This year – make a place for Gilad Shalit at your Seder Table. Leave an empty chair. Put an empty plate. Set an empty cup for wine. Gilad is the young Israeli soldier kidnapped and held hostage by Hamas. Please see the attached educational material from the Jewish Agency for Israel about Gilad. Use this opportunity to discuss the important Mitzvah of Pidyon sh’vu’im (redeeming captives), something we have done for 1,000’s of years.
May you and your family enjoy a sweet and joyous Pesakh,
Rabbi Art Donsky
PS:
We wish our Marci Barnes, Director of Lifelong Learning, refuah sh’leimah, a complete recovery from her recent appendectomy surgery.
WOS/HADASSAH Afternoon at the Movies! Note corrected email to RSVP
Join the Woman of Ohav on April 5th at 4:00PM for the movie: Arranged! This will take place at the home of Renee Bruckner. Snacks and drinks will be served. RSVP to Kathy @ by April 1st!
THE MUSIC NEVER STOPS AT TOS!
Greet the morning air with song……..
In preparation for Tifani & Friends at Borders (Saturday April 4th, 5:00PM), there’s a link in red on the home page directly under the “Welcome” section where you can listen to three songs by the group right from the site.
INTERFAITH GATHERING
Thank you to all who helped make the 12th Annual Interfaith Gathering a huge success: to Rabbi Donsky who supported and worked with the committee from the beginning and welcomed everyone to the afternoon event; to Aliyah Donsky who chose the music to match this year’s theme and taught and led the Youth Chorus; to Larry Goldberg and the Men’s Club who helped the overflow crowd find parking in both ours and the YWCA lots; to Jeffrey Rabinowitz and his fellow Troop # 329 Boy Scouts who welcomed the attendees and helped them find their way to the various classrooms; to Ruth who duplicated materials for us; and Richard who worked extra to welcome guests to our beautiful building! Also, thanks to Elliot for the many eweekly announcements inviting the Temple membership and to those who attended this 12th Annual Gathering!
Clemmy Brodsky
TALENT SHOW
Auditions for the Friday May 1st talent show will be Tuesday, April 7th from 4:45-5:30 and Sunday, April 19th from 11:30AM-1:00PM Email Emily at if you would like to audition.
MEMBERSHIP LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Spring is upon us; at least that is what the calendar says. What a great time to take a class or two at TOS. The following class is being offered here and they are free to members and potential members:
TOS 201 – What do Jews Believe?
We are offering three sessions about what Jews believe. Classes will be held on Tuesdays, May 12, 19, and 26. Lunch-n-Learn will take place at 12 noon (bring a bag lunch) and evening classes at 7 PM. Classes are free to members and prospective members.
Tuesday, May 12th – What do Jews Believe about God?
Tuesday, May 19th – What do Jews Believe about the After Life?
Tuesday, May 26th – What do Jews Believe about being a ‘Good’ Jew?
Come to one or all three and bring your questions. Handouts will be provided. Please RSVP to Laura Flieder at or 724-449-2779.
Thanks,
Laura Flieder
GOLF WITH TIGER!
Jeff “Tiger” Flieder is pleased to announce the 2nd Annual TOS Golf Tournament
The 2nd annual TOS Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, May 8th at Pittsburgh North Golf Club. The format will be a 4 person best-ball scramble. There will be a shotgun start commencing at 12:30 PM. The cost is $300/foursome or $75 per individual golfer. We are also looking for corporate sponsorships which are available at the following levels:
Platinum Sponsors: $750 which includes 19th hole party sponsorship and a corporate sign/logo posted at the event.
Gold Sponsors: $500 which includes signage on beverage cart, and your company logo on beverage tickets
Corporate Hole Sponsor: $350 which includes 1 foursome and your company sign on a Tee Box
Supporting Sponsor: $50 which includes company sign on Tee Box
We are also looking for donations for goodie bags and gift cards as grand prizes.
If you are interested in a sponsorship or would like to make a donation to the tournament, please contact Jeff Flieder at or 724-449-2779.
AN EVENING AT THE RACES! Saturday, April 18th!
LESS THAN 10 HORSES LEFT!
Please send in your reservations for our annual fundraiser, “An Evening at the Races” now! Horses are selling quickly so get yours now they are only $10 each and are first come, first serve! We are selling horses every Sunday and Tuesday during Hebrew school and Sunday school so don’t be left without a horse! Also sponsor a race for only $75 per race. If anyone would like to donate a product or service for the Silent Auction (ie., golf for 4, weekend getaways, hotel overnights, sports tickets, autographed sports items, restaurant gift certificates, jewelry or any other products or services please contact Amy Covell at or (724) 772-8117. We are in need of Silent Auction items!
Nominations to Temple Board Now Open
Notice of the Leadership Development/Election Committee slate of candidates for the May 1-15, 2009, annual elections to the Board of Directors and the procedures for filing nominating petitions during the April 1-15 nominations period was sent out to all Membership Units by postal mail on Monday. Any Membership Unit that hasn’t received this notice by the end of this week should contact the committee chairman, Bill Lowenberger ( or 412-367-2974), preferably by e-mail, for another copy of the nominations notice.
SUPERHEROS NEEDED!
Have you ever wanted to be a Superhero? I am sure secretly everyone in their lifetime has had this dream. Now is your chance to make it reality. Every child needs a hero, but abused children need Superheroes. Why not have that Superhero be you?! All you need to do is participate in the Superhero 5K Run/Walk
April 18, 2009 North Park: Oregon Pavillion
Registration*:8am Start time:9am
Cost:$20 prior to event or$25 event day
Proceeds benefit Parental Stress Center
*Attached is the registration form, you can also register online at
https://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1693954
Participants are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite superhero but not required. There will be prizes for best costumes.
BUT WAIT, there’s more
10am Family activities including a DJ,Mr. Mcfeely, face painting and more
11am Awards and recognition
7pm After Party at The Town Tavern ($10 adults only)
Want to help, but can’t make it? Have no fear, Facebook is here! You can paste the link below and donate
https://www.causes.com/fb/donations/new?cause_id=117625&fundraiser_id=17948790&m=d1da8f61
I am one of the main organizers of this event and I appreciate your support
Erica Burg
GIFT SHOP
The Gift Shop is open during Sunday School and by appointment. Contact Elaine Cohen - 412-364-8484 or Andi Turkheimer 412-367-7864. We have many beautiful items for all aspects of Jewish life. There is no need to go to Squirrel Hill - visit us first!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday, April 1st Noon & 7:00PM The Perfect Seder with Rabbi Art –TOS
Friday, April 3rd 6:00PM Kindergarten/First Grade Dinner for All/ First Friday Family Dinner
Friday, April 3rd 7:00 First Friday Services
Saturday, April 4th 5:00 Tifani & Friends-Jewish Music Festival—Borders Northway Mall
Monday, April 6th 11:00AM PreSchool Matzoh Factory with Rabbi Art
Tuesday, April 7th 4:45PM-5:30PM Talent Show Auction
April 9th -15th PRE-SCHOOL CLOSED Passover Break
Saturday, April 18th NIGHT AT THE RACES! TOS Social Hall
Sunday, April 19th 11:30Am-1:00PM Talent Show Audition
Sunday, April 19th 7:00PM Yom HaShoah Observance Guest: Rabbi Danny Schiff
Friday, April 24th 6:15PM Tot Shabbat (4th Friday this month)
Sunday, April 26th 1:00PM-4:00PM Mah Jongg Social Hall
Wednesday, April 29th Preschool Field Trip-Beechwood Farms
Friday, May 1st 6:00PM First Friday Dinner
Friday, May 1st 7:00PM First Friday Services
Friday, May 1st Talent Show right after services
Friday, May 8th 11:30Am Pre-School Mother’s Tea
Tuesday, May 12th 7:00PM What Do Jews Believe (about God?) TOS 201
Friday, May 15th 7:30PM Shabbat honoring Tifani Katof Guest Rabbi: Rabbi Mark Mahler
Tuesday, May 19th 7:00PM What Do Jews Believe (about the After Life?) TOS 201
Friday May 15th 6:15 Tot Shabbat
Thursday, May 21st Last Day of Pre-School!
Tuesday, May 26th 7:00PM What Do Jews Believe (about being a ‘Good’ Jew?) TOS 201
SCHEDULE OF WORSHIP SERVICES FOR APRIL
Parashat Tzav
Friday, April 3 9 Nissan, 5769
6:00 pm Dinner-for-All
7:00 pm First Friday Kabbalat Shabbat
Rabbi Donsky & Tifani Katof
Saturday, April 4 10 Nissan, 5769
10:00 am Shabbat Morning Service
Rabbi Donsky & Tifani Katof
Pesach
Friday, April 10 16 Nissan, 5769
7:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Rabbi Donsky & Marshal Auron
Saturday, April 11 17 Nissan, 5769
10:00 am Shabbat Morning Service
Rabbi Donsky & Sandy Berkowitz
Tuesday, April 14 20 Nissan, 5769
7:00pm 7th Nite Pesakh – Yizkor
Rabbi Donsky & Bobbie Harley
Parashat Shemini
Friday, April 17 23 Nissan, 5769
7:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Rabbi Donsky & Gerri Greenberg
Saturday, April 18 24 Nissan, 5769
10:00am Shabbat Morning Service
Rabbi Donsky
Parashat Tazria-Metzora
Friday, April 24 30 Nissan, 5769
6:15pm Tot Shabbat
Rabbi Donsky & Pre-Teens
7:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Rabbi Donsky & Bobbie Harley
Saturday, April 25 – 1 lyar, 5769
10:00 am Shabbat Morning
Bar Mitzvah of Caleb Kramer
Rabbi Donsky
Happy April Birthdays
3 Sidney Weiss
5 Conall Bradshaw
Alex Greenblatt
10 Sara Shriber
12 Elise Lehman
Benjamin Stahl
Jacob Leavitt
13 Alison Harbaugh
15 Jackie Bradshaw
16 Emily Fujito
Jessica Levine
19 Cade Schneider
22 Katie Borzelleca
Maxwell Shafran
23 Erica Weinberg
24 Wyatt Geller
26 Brooke Sender
28 Emily Gibbs
Sara West
29 Rebecca Lebovitz
30 Kate Rosenzweig
Happy April Anniversary
11 Cathy and Tom Tyma
13 Patty and Matt Lifson
16 Meredith and Peter Silberman
22 Barb and Jerrold Shafran
24 Sara and David DeVos
30 Sandy and Arnie Begler
May Their Memories Be For A Blessing
April 3 / Nissan 9
Sylvia Handler Morris
Mother of Barbara Nussbaum
April 4 / Nissan 10
Eva J. Brodsky
Mother of Allan Brodsky
Sidney Uram
Father of Lisa Dickter
April 7 / Nissan 13
Robert Rosenthal
Brother of Judy Rosenthal
April 8 / Nissan 14
Alan Rosen
Father of Brian Rosen
April 9 / Nissan 15
Phillip Frank
Father of Elliot Frank
April 12 / Nissan 18
Milton Bazer
Beloved Companion of Elaine Cohen
Harry Greenberg
Father of Abe Greenberg
April 13 / Nissan 19
Louis Pankey
Father of Eileen Burke
April 14 / Nissan 20
Nathaniel Avigad
Father of Jeremy Avigad
Samuel Schlesinger
Father of Barbara Laine
Gebriel Welner
Father of Eve Hemy
April 17 / Nissan 23
Selma Herman
Mother of Paul Herman
April 19 / Nissan 25
Warren Silverzahn
Stepfather of Clifford Kress
April 21 / Nissan 27
Jack Cowan
Father of E. Dana Cowan
April 23 / Nissan 29
Esther Anolik
Mother of Steven Anolik
April 24 / Nissan 30
Harvey Gibbs
Father of Robert Gibbs
Rhoda Harriet Heims Sanders
Mother of Mark Heims Sanders
Ann Zulkosky
Mother of Susan Samuels
April 25 / lyar 1
Janet Sapinkopf
Mother of Robert Sapinkopf
April 28 / lyar 4
Arnold Turkheimer
Husband of Andrea Turkheimer
