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9 40 1 Vi llage G reen Driv e, Shrev eport, LA. 71115S hevat - Adar I 578 2Fe b r ua r y 2 0 2 2TheShul ShpielRabbi Sydni RubinsteinShabbat Services:Robert Lachman, PresidentFriday evening servicesstreaming & in-personat 7:30 pmEmail: office@agudathshreveport.comSaturday morning servicesstreaming & in-personat 10:00 amrabbi@agudathshreveport.com(318) 272-5123afbob49@gmail.comWebsite: agudathshreveport.comPhone: (318) 797-64011Congregation Agudath Achimagudathshreveport.com/live-streamFebruary 2022
ExecutiveMessageDear Fellow Congregants,First and foremost, I’d like to thank the manypeople who helped organize Friday and Saturdayservices while Rabbi Sydni was out of townduring the holidays: Allen Organick andRebecca Austin, who helped get volunteersto stand in. Dr. Howard Lippton, Barbara Joseph,and Sandra Ginsburg for leading services.David Ginsburg served as Gabbi, Amanda andCadence Dodson chanted Torah, and Jason Oller,Elliott Goldman, and Elisheva Cutter offeredD’var Torahs. I hope I’m not missing anyone.Suffice it to say, everyone who attended servicesappreciated your contributions.The Chinese dinner and Havdalah night outon Christmas day went great. We had nineteenpeople, some from B’nai Zion too. I think MingGarden did a great job of serving us and letus perform our Havdalah service after dinner.Good comments from everyone on thefellowship and food.A lot of people stepped up when we neededthem to assist and that is where I want to take thisconversation. As most of you sense, I have notbeen the most ritually observant President. I wasasked by Howard Silberman to be President for atwo year term which ends this May. As reluctantas I was, I accepted because I felt it was myobligation to serve our congregation. I’m proudI have done my part and will be involved inthe future as former President Robert Lachmanwhen my term comes to an end. It’s time fornew leadership and although it’s three monthsaway, I’d like to know who will take on thisresponsibility so I can help show them what’sinvolved. It’s really not as much as many people2Congregation Agudath Achimmay think. One to two hours a week, on average,the President needs to go to the synagoguefor routine administrative duties like signingchecks, confirming bills and timesheet hours,and discussing upcoming events with the officemanager. Twice a year the President is expectedto address the congregation —once duringKol Nidre and once during the annual meetingin May. Other responsibilities include: Write the monthly President’s message forthe bulletinLead the monthly board meetingsRead the weekly announcements atservicesEnsure that we have security for services—but that has become easier now that Laura(our accountant) communicates directlywith the City Marshal’s office.So that’s about 90 percent of the responsibilities.There are little things that pop up as in anyposition.Some of the personality attributes that would bea big plus are: Attending services on a regular basis Enjoy speaking to people Enjoy writing Have good fiscal sense Being a team leaderI just listed a pretty good job descriptionof the role as president for our synagogue.My hope is that someone will say “Hey, I’d liketo do that.” It’s an honor as well as a mitzvah.My biggest challenges so far while Presidenthave been to renew the Rabbi’s contract, hiretwo new office managers, and deal with theconstant disruption to our services and daily lifedue to COVID-19. Lucky for me, I’ve hadDavid Ginsburg to help shoulder manyresponsibilities and give me good advice whenI needed it. Dr. David Gross also is a big helpproofreading the bulletin, editing and correctingerrors in my monthly message. Others who haveFebruary 2022
helped in big ways include my wife, Deena,as board secretary, Tessa Miller as our officemanager, and Allen Organick as treasurerand ritual committee leader. Last but not least,Rabbi Sydni and Rabbi Feivel have been fantasticin bringing and implementing so many greatimprovements to Agudath Achim. There area lot of great people in our community thathave your back and keep you from stumbling.Hopefully this month’s message will find thatperson who is willing to carry the torch as ourPresident for the next two years.As I am writing this, news just broke aboutthe hostage situation at Congregation Beth Israelin Colleyville, Texas. We are all thankful to lawenforcement officers anti-terrorist teams thatwere able to free the hostages without harm.We should not forget to express gratitude to thepolice officers who provide us with security everyweek at Agudath Achim.Bob LachmanPresident, Agudath Achim3Congregation Agudath AchimFebruary 2022
Message fromRabbi SydniOn Sunday, February 6, Agudath Achim will beginour 929 journey, reading one chapter of Tanakhper day, five days a week, for three-and-a-half years,totaling 929 chapters total. Each week after Shabbatlunch, a different member of our congregation willlead our review of the chapters we have read. Ideally,those chapters will also inspire our conversationsduring prayer and learning throughout each weekand in each bulletin. While the entire bookof Tanakh—Torah, Prophets (N’vi’im), and Writings(Ketuvim)—may seem like a daunting task for a smallcongregation, we are blessed to be engaging in thisproject on the same timeline as thousands of Jewsaround the world.In December 2014, 929 began as a project ofthe Israeli Education Ministry to engage all streamsof Israeli Jews with our sacred text. Through929.org.il, a diverse group of rabbis, teachers, artists,and public figures posted their commentarieson the daily chapter of Tanakh. By the first cycle’send in 2018, the English-speaking world wantedto join the learning, and 929 added content in Englishthroughout its second cycle. Now, we have accessto the 929 community through text, videos, audio,and discussion forums at 929.org.il. We can findadditional content and discussions on social mediaby searching “929 English” on Facebook, Twitter,Instagram, and Youtube.While each of us are familiar with a differentcollection of stories in Tanakh, most of us have somegaps in our knowledge or memory of our centralJewish text. Yes, we will reread the classic storiesof Noah and the flood, of Sampson’s powerful hair,and of Daniel in the lion’s den. Through our reading,we will have the opportunity to learn details and newlessons from those stories we already know and love.At the same time, we are each bound to learn a newtale or two.4Congregation Agudath AchimRight before Noah’s story, we will read about divinebeings called “Nephilim,” who are described as our“heroes of old, men of renown” (Genesis 6:4),and whose descendants the Israelite spies will laterfear enough to dissuade them from entering the landof Israel (Numbers 13:33). Much later, among allthe beautiful stories of the prophet Elisha’s miracles,we will also learn of forty-two children who call himbald and are then attacked by two she-bears(II Kings 2:24). We will read about the prophetEzekiel’s psychedelic visions (Ezekiel 1), that oneinstance that David danced in a way that his wifeMichal thought was too revealing (I Sameul 2),and the depressing book of Job, in which Ha-Satanconvinces God to torture a pious man for the sakeof a theological argument. In two years or so, we willbe comforted, inspired, and prehaps even angered bythe poetry and wisdom of Psalms and Proverbs.Most importantly, we will learn both parablesand straightforward commandments about howto (and how not to) act in our world. Hopefully,we will encounter texts that will put our thoughtsinto concrete words, along with texts that we cancarry with us throughout our daily lives. On Saturday,February 5, Rebecca Austin will teach us how wecan approach the ancient text of Tanakh, alongwith how we can each lead an engaging, accessibleconversation about our text. To sign up for oneweekend of leading our discussion, both summarizingfive chapters and picking a theme or quoteon which to focus, please email Tessa Miller (office@agudathshreveport.com).Thank you to Rebecca Austin for pushing this learningforward, and thank you to Dr. Bruce Herniter,for inspiring Agudath Achim’s practice of weeklyShabbat learning.Rabbi Sydni RubinsteinYou may always set up a meeting (in person, phone,or Zoom) with Rabbi Sydni, at https://calendly.com/rabbisydni. As of September, Rabbi Sydni’s day off isnow on Tuesdays.February 2022
Prayer andLearningKabbalat Shabbat – Ask the RabbiFriday, February 25, 7:30 pmAll classes and services (except for Rabbi Feivel’sThursday class) are available both onlineand in person. Friday evening servicesare at 7:30 pm, and Saturday morning servicesare at 10:00 am.Please note that as of January 10, 2022 facemasks are required at Agudath Achim. If youhave recently been exposed to someone withCOVID-19 or are feeling ill, please enjoy livestreamed services from home.For attending online, all services are availableat https://agudathshreveport.com/live-stream.All classes are available on Zoom, with the linkin your email announcements.Tefilah - PrayerKabbalat Shabbat ShalemFriday, February 4, 7:30 pmOn the first Friday of each month, we’llexperience a full Kabbalat Shabbat service, takingtime for all of the traditional Psalms and poetry,with a mix of melodies that are new and familiarto us. While there will not be responsive readingduring this service, there will still be time forlearning or a d’var Torah with Rabbi Sydni.Kids’ Shabbat ShindigSaturday, February 5, 11:00 amWe’ll sing, pray, and learn together! Please askyour child to wear a mask and accompany themif they are too young to do so.5Congregation Agudath AchimAlong with our typical Kabbalat Shabbat service,Rabbi Sydni will answer your burning Jewishquestions!Limudim - LearningTurn it & Turn it AgainSaturday, February 5, 1:00 pmNext week we start the 929 project. Join us thisweek as we discuss ways to explore the text as wego. While just reading the text is always welcome,before we start, we will discuss ways to catchmore meaning and relevance as you go. We willalso discuss leading discussions on the chapters.613? Relevant? Commandments*Thursday, February 3, 7:00 pmThursday, February 10, 7:00 pmThursday, February 17, 7:00 pmThursday, February 24, 7:00 pmExplore the mitzvot (commandments) fromthe Torah with Rabbi Feivel. In this once/weekseries, we’ll systematically work our way throughthe Torah, stopping at the commandmentscontained within. Using modern and ancientcommentaries, we’ll gain a deeper understandingof God’s laws, and explore why our sages did(or did not) count them in their 613 total.Along our journey, we will continually askthe question - is this commandment still relevantfor us today?*Only on ZoomMeeting ID: 642-827-616password: kosher613February 2022
929: Age Old Text, New PerspectivesSaturday, Feburary 12, 1:15 pmSaturday, February 19, 1:15 pmSaturday, February 26, 1:15 pmEach week, we learn through five chapters ofTanakh, with the goal of completing all 929. AfterShabbat lunch, a different teacher each weekwill present some of the ideas they found mostinteresting from this portion. Contact Rabbi Sydni(rabbi@agudathshreveport.com), Rebecca Austin,or Tessa (office@agudathshreveport.com) in theoffice if you’d like to lead one of those teachings!You can also find a form on our e current schedule is as follows:Jews live by the rhythms of two calendars: onesecular and the other sacred. In this class, we’lldig into the Jewish calendar, with its seasonsof celebration and reflection, to discoverthe transformative and timeless themes encodedin our holy days.Shabbat: A Cathedral in TimeWednesday, February 9, 7:00 pmGenesis 1-5: February 12Genesis 6-10: February 19Genesis 11-15: February 26Shabbat is the greatest Jewish invention:a weekly vacation from ordinary time, a chanceto unplug from our distractions and reconnectwith ourselves and each other. In this class, we’llexplore the most essential holiday of the Jewishcalendar, a day that Rabbi Abraham JoshuaHechel called “a cathedral in time.”Hodesh Hadash - Women’s Learning GroupWednesday, February 16, 11:00 amPrayer: Keva and KavannaWednesday, February 16, 7:00 pmExploring JudaismOne famous mystic taught that just as importantas the black letters on the page are the whitespaces that surround them. In this class, we’llexplore the meaning and depth behind Jewishspiritual language, as well as the sometimesconfusing choreography and customs of thesynagogue.Together, we’ll learn Jewish basics and beyond,with topics ranging from Torah to keeping kosherto raising a Jewish family. This class is gearedtowards learners of all backgrounds, whetheryou’ve been Jewish your whole life, areinterested in becoming Jewish, or are confidentin your current faith and just want to learn more.As learning changes with each group of people,you’re welcome to join the class, even if youattended some or all of our sessions last year.Exploring Judaism will be divided into threesections. While Agudath Achim members mayattend for free, we ask that friends and visitorscontribute a 60 donation per six weeks. That’s 10 per class or 180 for the entire class. If theclass fee is a hardship, please reach outto Rabbi Sydni (rabbi@agudathshreveport.com).6Sacred Days: The Festivals of the YearWednesday, February 2, 7:00 pmCongregation Agudath AchimPassover: Exodus and UsWednesday, February 23, 7:00 pmOnce we were slaves, so we know theimportance of freedom for all people. In thisclass, we’ll examine our history, retell our storyof liberation, and learn why Jews have, since ourearliest beginnings, been at the forefront of thestruggle for human dignity.February 2022
929 ProjectHow to Choose aTanakh929 reading dates are weekdays.A note on non-Jewish SourcesIf all you have available is a non-Jewish source,please watch the translation and book transitionscarefully. Some non-Jewish sources use a differentbook order, and the translators may have beenbiased in their translation.from Rebecca AustinChoosing a book for studying:The priority is supporting your own study. Choosinga book based on other people’s criteria can leadto a book that is dusted on a shelf, not read anddiscussed. Don’t let not finding the perfect textstop you from learning at all. Just be aware of thedownfalls of the text available to you, and you canalways change if the opportunity presents.The following are being considered alphabetically,not by order of importance. Only you can decidewhich are most important in your use. For the daily chapter and lots of resources, visithttps://929.org.il. (If the site somehow shows upin Hebrew, click the top right corner of the screento change to English.) We’ll be reviewing the pastweek’s readings each week after Shabbat lunch.Contact Tessa at office@agudathshreveport.com tolead one of our weekly discussions, or fill out theform on our website: agudathshreveport.com/929class-leading. The current schedule is as follows:Genesis 1-5: Class on February 12Genesis 6-10: Class on Febuary 19CommentaryFont ChoiceHebrewLanguageMapsMargin sizePage thicknessPicturesPriceText SizeTranslatorWeightGenesis 11-15: Class on February 26Genesis 16-20: Class on March 5Non-text texts* AudiobooksSefaria app/sefaria.orgEreadersPhone appsSadly, Shreve Memorial Library/Green GoldConsortium does not have a Jewish version in theirelectronic catalog, either in audio or ebook.*Note these options are not usable during Saturdayafternoon classes due to the laws of Shabbat, but the7Congregation Agudath AchimFebruary 2022
Shabbat ShalomFebruary Schedule of ReadingsSaturdaySaturdaySaturdaySaturday8February 5February 12February 19February 26Congregation Agudath AchimTorah ReadingHaftarahTorah ReadingHaftarahTorah ReadingHaftarahTorah ReadingHaftarahTerumahExodus 25:1 - 27:19I Kings 5:26 - 6:13TetzavehExodus 27:20 - 30:10Ezekiel 43:10-27Ki TisaExodus 30:11 - 34:35I Kings 18:20-29VayakhelShabbat ShekalimShabbat MevarekhimHahodeshExodus 35:1 - 38:20II Kings 12:1-17February 2022
North Louisiana AnnouncementsSisterhoodJewishFederation NewsSave the (rescheduled) Date!Scholar in Residence: BenzyKogenFriday, April 8 - Sunday, April10, 2022Ben Zion(Benzy) Kogenis a Consultantfor Leadershipand Education.He has devotedhis career tosenior leadershippositions withinthe Jewishcommunity—inthe worlds ofJewish Education and Nonprofits.February though a short month is important: it’sJewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month,Valentine’s Day, and look at all our Februarybirthdays!Like a Pledge Drive Challenge - my challengeto y’all is to up the ante, to be more involvedin showing love and respect for all our familymembers, friends and synagogue, not only thismonth but also year long.Some suggestions - donations, communication,attendance, etc.Sa n dra Gin s b urgSisterhood PresidentBenzy serves as a faculty member of theMelton School for Adult Jewish Studies(of the Hebrew University). His courseoffering includes both Undergraduate andGraduate students in the areas of JewishHistory, Jews and Islam, Jewish Ethics,Samuel 2, and Beyond Borders.Founder and creator of “Your ShabbatGuest,” a program of enhanced Shabbatcelebration, learning, and growth, Benzyis a master educator who has devotedhimself to the building of communitiesand the enhancement of Jewish life.For more information visit us at jewishnla.org9Congregation Agudath AchimFebruary 2022
FebruaryCelebrationsHappy BirthdayCameron BarnettFebruary 2Elisa CampbellFebruary 11Jackie FleschmanFebruary 2Dr. Antolio WassermanFebruary 15Daniel LachmanFebruary 3Adam SchwartzFebruary 17Wendi Bretner MarrusFebruary 4Alex LeBlangFebruary 18Patricia ParkerFebruary 4Barbara JosephFebruary 19Josiah Yoshi BrooksFebruary 5Caleb OrillionFebruary 23Tammy WillsonFebruary 6Amy G. TurnerFebruary 25Tamara CollinsFebruary 7Curtis StaibFebruary 26Jonathan ZweigFebruary 8Richard DechowitzFebruary 27Bernard LobelFebruary 10Leon TchinkindasFebruary 27Les Alan LobelFebruary 11Anne KawalerFebruary 28Oneg ShabbatYasher Koach to ourOneg sponsorsThank you to the following members forsponsoring an Oneg and Kiddush lunch inJanuary:Thank you to the following members forsponsoring an Oneg and Kiddush lunch inFebruary:January 22: Agudath Achim Men’s Club,Dr. Karen & Bob Gordon, Deena & BobLachmanFebruary 4: Rebecca & Andy AustinJanuary 28: Ellen Soffer & Allen OrganickFebruary 18: Jason OllerFebruary 11: Dorothy & Bernard Lobel, inhonor of Bernard’s birthdayFebruary 25: Tessa Miller & Curtis Staib, inhonor of Curtis’s birthday10Congregation Agudath AchimFebruary 2022
DonationsIn Beloved Memory ofCarol GoodmanPaul ShapiroSelma MoskowitzNathan LevineRachel FrumerDorothy RosenfeldDavid GoodmanByBeatrice LipptonIriving LipptonRonnie SchorrHerman and Helen CharskiRachel NottageSam & Esther FoxGeorge & Rosa AblonArnold BlackAbie WirthLawrence, Jonathan, & Lauren GoodmanJackie FleschmanSandra & David GinsburgSusan Levine & FamilySusan Levine & FamilyYetta GilbertJacob, Lawrence, Sara, Jonathan, & LaurenGoodmanDr. Howard LipptonDr. Howard LipptonAbie & Sharon CharskiAbie & Sharon CharskiDr. Thomas StrainJack & Judith FoxJack & Judith FoxJack & Judith FoxJack & Judith FoxIn Honor ofByFor the Recovery ofByCemetery FundGeneral FundDr. Howard LipptonBarbara Ginsburg JosephDavid GinsburgRebecca & Andy AustinSandra & David GinsburgDr. David & Susan GrossPaula & Bill CorneliousCarolyn SheehanSandra & David GinsburgSandra & David GinsburgElaine Hartley & Rachelle GomolskyJackie FleschmanCheryl ShirleyDr. David & Susan Gross11Congregation Agudath AchimThe Rothkopf Greenberg Family FoundationTorah RepairDr. Howard LipptonFebruary 2022
FebruaryYahrzeitsWeek ofJan. 30 - Feb. 5Week ofFebruary 6 - 12Week ofFebruary 20 - 26Week ofFeb. 27 - March 5Ralph Simon SegallMollie Rose GelfandGoldie SternbergLibby Goodman BloomAnn GamzeJoey TebeleRebecca MurovFrieda WilenzickBarry G. ProvisorMary YellenDarlene SwiftIsaac TebeleFranca De BenedettiJack ColeDavid GoodmanRoy RobertsonPatricia SiegelDaniel DechowitzCondolencesWeek ofFebruary 13 - 19Rachel BersinAbie WerthHelen Sternberg ArnoldEnrico De BenedettiMaxine LevineColeman WilliamsFannie RubensteinLouis SchorrIrving LipptonJanice G. GrossBernard RosenfeldMay thei rMe m o rybe for aBl e s si ngWe are saddened to share the passing of:Ronnie SchorrHaMakom y’nahem etkhem b’tokh sha’ar aveilei Tzionvirushalayim.May the Omnipresent bring comfort to his family and friendsamong all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.12Congregation Agudath AchimFebruary 2022
February 2022SunShevat - Adar I 5782WedTuesMon1Shevat 302Adar I 1Rosh Hodesh Adar I Rosh Hodesh Adar IExploring Judaism7:00 pm6Adar I 57Adar I 68Adar I 79Adar I 8Exploring Judaism7:00 pm13Adar I 1214Adar I 1315Adar I 14Purim Katan16Adar I 15Board Meeting7:00 pmExploring Judaism7:00 pm20Adar I 1921Adar I 20Office ClosedPresident’s Day22Adar I 2123Adar I 22Exploring Judaism7:00 pm2713Adar I 26Thurs3Adar I 2613? Relevant?Commandments7:00 pm10Adar I 9613? Relevant?Commandments7:00 pm17Adar I 164Adar I 3Candle Lighting5:33 pmKabbalat Shabbat7:30 pm11Adar I 10Candle Lighting5:39 pmKabbalat Shabbat7:30 pm18Adar I 17Sat5ParshatAdarI4TerumahShabbat Shaharit10:00 amKids’ Shabbat Shindig11:00 amTurn It & Turn It Again1:00 pmHavdalah 6:42 pm12Adar I 11Parshat TetzavehShabbat Shaharit10:00 am929: Age Old Text,New Perspectives1:15 pmHavdalah 6:48 pm19ParshatAdar I 18Ki TisaShabbat Shaharit10:00 am929: Age Old Text,New Perspectives1:15 pm613? Relevant?Commandments7:00 pmCandle Lighting5:45 pmKabbalat Shabbat7:30 pm24 Adar I 23 25613? Relevant?Commandments7:00 pm28 Adar I 27Congregation Agudath AchimFriFebruary 2022Adar I 24Candle Lighting5:51 pmKabbalat Shabbat Ask the Rabbi7:30 pmHavdalah 6:54 pm26 Adar I 25Shabbat MevarchimShabbat ShekalimParshat VayakhelShabbat Shaharit10:00 am929: Age Old Text,New Perspectives1:15 pmHavdalah 7:00 pm
Congregation Agudath Achim9401 Village Green Dr.Shreveport, LA 71115Phone: 318.797.6401www.agudathshreveport.comGeneral on Agudath AchimFebruary 2022
Feb 2, 2022
