Wednesday, May 13, 2009
eWeekly May 13, 2009
TOS eWeekly Volume 3 Issue 33, May 13th 2009 (For the text on this weeks Torah portion, go to http://urj.org/torah/ )
From the Rabbi
Sometimes you meet a person for the first time and you click and a great connection blossoms and grows wonderfully. I can say with great joy that during the last two years that I, along with many of you, have been privileged to enjoy such a musical and spiritual connection with our student Cantor, Tifani Katof, who we will be honoring this coming Friday, May 15th at our 7:30 PM Kabbalat Shabbat service. Her childhood rabbi, Mark Mahler, from Temple Emanuel of the South Hills, will be joining us to celebrate Tifani so please make this Friday night, temple night for your family.
From the moment that Shara Taylor, Elaine Rose and I first interviewed Tifani more than two years ago, at the Student Cantor auditions our at reform movement’s School of Sacred Music on the New York campus of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, I knew that she would be a great addition to our temple family. Tifani has served us with great dedication and enthusiasm, while at the same time; she has stretched and enhanced our understanding of Jewish music. Her warm and soaring voice inspired us whether she was praying the majestic melodies of the High Holy Day liturgy, chanting niggunim (wordless melodies) during a 1st Friday service or leading our youngest worshippers in her or their favorite Tot Shabbat tunes.
Those of us who attended her special workshops on the history and development of Jewish music not only gained a great deal of information about our tradition’s sacred music, we also witnessed the ongoing development of a future Jewish leader. One very lucky congregation will be blessed in a year from now when Tifani is invested as a Cantor. (She recently received her Master of Arts in Sacred Music and next year in addition to investiture she will also receive a Masters of Arts in Jewish Education).
The Psalmist reminds us, “Shiru La’donai shir chadash,” “Sing a new song to the Holy One”. Tifani has certainly fulfilled this charge teaching us new music while infusing the rest of our melodies with her “new and youthful” spirit.
Please join me in wishing Tifani blessing in all her “comings and goings” in her years ahead serving our people.
B’shalom,
Rabbi Art Donsky
PS Our last Tot Shabbat of the school year will take place at 6:15 PM followed by our Pizza Dinner, so if you have little ones this would be a great time to join us and say thanks Tifani for her service to our community.
MAZEL TOV!
We welcome to our community, Jackson Mac Mason, son of Rebecca and Bob Mason who was born Monday evening, May 11th, 2009. Mom and baby, and dad are doing well. The Bris is 6:30PM Monday, May 18th in the sanctuary.
LAST TOT SHABBAT OF THE YEAR!
This Friday, May 15th at 6:15PM. Please be sure to RSVP to Elliot at or call if you will be attending.
GOOD & WELFARE
More Mazel Tov’s!
Marci Barnes, our Lifelong Learning Director, will be honored Sunday, June 7th by the Agency for Jewish Learning Special Education Services Department. Rabbi Bradley Artson, Dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at American Jewish University will be the guest speaker at the JCC in Squirrel Hill from 11:00Am-Noon.
Our own Deb Cohen will also be honored that day by the AJL at 10:00AM! She is one of 18 Jewish Educators from all across our community who are being honored as Unsung Heroes. Sixteen institutions have chosen these talented and devoted individuals for recognition as their 2009 Jewish Educator of the Year. These educators will be individually recognized at a special ceremony that is open to the community at the AJL’s annual meeting, which will take place from 10 - 11 am at the Squirrel Hill JCC.
If you wish to attend, please RSVP to or call 412.521.11901, x. 3206
MEMBERSHIP LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES-2 MORE SESSIONS
The Rabbi is offering a series of classes called TOS 201 – What do Jews Believe?
The two remaining classes will be held on Tuesdays, 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 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.
GIFT SHOP
Now that Sunday school is over for the year, the gift shop is on a summer schedule. We will be glad to meet you any time. Please call either Elaine Cohen 412-364-8484 or Andi Turkheimer 412-367-7864 so set an appointment. We have many items that will make beautiful engagement and wedding gifts, Bar and Bat Mitzvah tallit and gifts, and lovely Judaica items. Please visit us first. There is no need to go to Squirrel Hill.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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
Friday, July 3rd All American Pre-Shabbat Barbeque
Friday, August 28th Shabbat In The Park
SCHEDULE OF WORSHIP SERVICES FOR MAY
Parashat Behar – Behukotai
Friday, May 15 21 lyar, 5769
6:15 pm Tot Shabbat
7:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Rabbi Mark Mahler – Honoring Tifani
Rabbi Donsky & Tifani Katof
Saturday, May 16 – 22 lyar, 5769
10:00 am Shabbat Morning Service
Bat Mitzvah of Rena Ferrara
Rabbi Donsky & Tifani Katof
Parashat Bamidbar
Friday, May 22 – 28 lyar, 5769
7:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat
Rabbi Donsky & Bobbie Harley
Saturday, May 23 – 29 lyar, 5769
10:00 am Shabbat Morning Service
Bat Mitzvah of Becky Lebovitz
Rabbi Donsky & Shara Taylor
Shavuot
Friday, May 29 – 6 Sivan, 5769
7:30 pm Kabbalat Torah
10th Grade Graduation
Rabbi Donsky & Shara Taylor
Saturday, May 30 – 7 Sivan, 5769
10:00 am Shabbat Morning Service
Bar Mitzvah of Andres Hoberman
Rabbi Donsky & Bobby Harley
