Friday I made challah for the first time. I had been buying it from the grocery store, but I decided it was time to add yet another part of Shabbat to our family's observance. As I worked the dough on the board, I thought about the generations of women who came before me, that spent their days kneading bread. I thought about the women of the Torah and how they cared for their families in much the same way. And for the first time, I really felt Jewish. It's different for Converts. Not only is this a religion, being Jewish is also an ethnic classification and while it's easy enough to study and become religiously Jewish, it's touching that ethnic part that is more difficult. Harder still to actually feel that connection to a people that have been through so much for so long. And because I did not convert for marriage, getting to that place has been even harder for me. I didn't marry into a family with established rituals and habits that are Jewish. We are creating them as we go.

I write this post as I wait for the housing inspector to come look at my house for our pre-out. The packers will come next week and on the 10th of July my home of record will be in Montgomery Al. I have hated living in Panama City for the 2+ yrs we've been here. (We were stationed here for 8 months over 10yrs ago and I didn't like it any more then either.) But finding the Temple, finding all of you, and finding my way has been a gift to me. I am sad and reluctant to leave because of all of you. I am glad that I can stay connected to the Temple by doing this blog.

There are so many people I want to thank for making me and my family feel welcome in the Temple, too many to list by name. But I did want to take time to mention a few people who really touched my life and who I will miss while we are gone. (We may be moving back in 10 months.)

Helaine Norman: Helaine took my phone call when I made the first real reach for my Jewishness in over 20 yrs. She was kind and compassionate and endlessly patient with me and my questions. Since that day she has remained so. She works harder than any person I know at a job for which she gets no pay, little help, and almost no time off. Beyond that, she is an excellent example of what a Jew should be. I'm glad to be able to call her my friend and I'll miss her warm smile and giving heart.

Paul and Lori Zipes: Paul was also endlessly patient with my questions and worries about my children. And he never balked about taking them into his Sunday Shul class even when he found out that my boys had been raised with no concept of G-d or religion at all. They both work tirelessly for the good of this Temple's children and in fact the future of Judaism.

Stephen and Jacob Sickerman: Stephen has to be one of the warmest, most friendly and open people I've ever met. He's never failed to have a smile and be willing to give of his time to talk with me and even to tell me about how his family does things. I'm grateful for that time, and glad I got to know him. Jacob is a remarkable young man. I am impressed and pleased to see a teenage boy who willingly gives of himself to help with younger kids. Giving up his Sunday mornings to help the Shul kids understand their Judaism better. But more than that, he's an example to all the children of what being a teenager can be like. Instead of all the morose and out of control examples of teens that they normally see. I hope my boys will be like Jacob Sickerman and that's the highest compliment I can give.

There are others I should thank of course, and please know that I do thank you even if you aren't mentioned by name here. You all have changed my life for the better and that is an immeasureable gift to me and my family. I'll miss you all and hope to see you again in the near future.

Mishkan T'filah

The congregation will be getting new prayer books soon. The one we use now, Gates of Prayer, was first published in 1975. This new book has taken some twenty years to come to print and will offer Reform congregations a new format for their services. This new book will offer a two-page layout which has each prayer has a translation from the Hebrew, a transliteration, a commentary, and a "spiritual reading" that relates to the prayer. (You may visit the website for the prayer book here: http://www.ccarpress.org/mishkan/)

We have been given the opportunity to order our own copy when the Temple places their order. The price per volume will go down from the single issue price as we will be ordering in bulk. We are still waiting for a quote on the price for personal orders and a deadline for ordering. I will post this as soon as I find out. Personal orders MUST BE PAID IN ADVANCE of the temple order.

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OK, here's the deal folks! The Prayer book the temple will be ordering is the one for Weekdays, Shabbat, and Festivals. The cost is $30.00 and the deadline for ordering, which means having your money at the Temple is 07 July. Please let Helaine know if you will be purchasing your own copy and how many you want BEFORE the deadline. She will be sending the order for the Temple and personal orders will be included with that order.

Perform Tecun Olam (Repair of the World)

A dinner to benefit the most needy of our Panama City community.

Help the most needy of our community and get a "sneak peak" at one of the newest dining establishments to our area, The Red Elephant Pizza and Grill. Bring the family, have a good meal with a donation of only $10/person and help the homeless too!

WHEN: Friday, June 27, 2008 (from 5:00pm to 9:30 pm)
COST: $10 donation per person
(check or cash)
WHERE: 2499 Highway 77
Just north of the Panama City Mall, in the Gilberg Plaza

Seating will be limited. RSVP between 10 and 4 Mon- Fri, NO LATER THAN JUNE 25th:
625-6030 or 258-8469 or 276-6450

All donations benefit Catholic Charities' Homeless Day Resource Center (HDRC).

Questions? Contact Bill Mayhew at 814-2519.


*Each donation includes entree, beverage, with an appetizer and dessert (for the table).

Pictures from the Annual Meeting

The meeting last night was very interesting for me as a new comer to the congregation. I was pleased to see the Zipes get the volunteer of the year award and I don't know that the board could have picked a better pair for this year! As a parent of two Sunday Shul students, I know how hard they worked each and every week for the students. But you know, more than just for the students, they are working for the future of the Jewish people. A good solid foundation in Jewish history, tradition, and practice helps kids become adults that remain active Jews. To do so with warmth, sensitivity and a sense of fun means that the kids come away with a good feeling about their Jewishness and will be more likely to pass that along to their children. In a world that seems to be slipping more and more into the secular, the work the Zipes are doing is all the more important. Thank you is simply not enough to express how much that means to me as a parent, but it's all I have.

The new board was installed last night. It's nice to see some faces are the same and some are new. I think the Board is poised to meet the challenges of the coming year and we will all benefit from their hard work.

June's President's Message

We're off to a new fiscal year after having our new Board of Trustees elected and installed on June 18th. It was nice to see such good attendance. We easily met our required quorum. The budget was presented, the committee reports presented and questions answered.

Congratulations to Paul and Lori Zipes, Volunteers of the Year! Darren Haiman, Education Chair, had the pleasure of presenting their certificate to them while their daughter Anna watched. Paul attended the Institute of Southern Jewish Life (ISJL) last year and came back filled with so much enthusiasm for the curriculum that he asked the board if he could be the religious school's Director. Both he and Lori literally brought back to life a dead program. Paul named it "Sunday Schul" and they diligently worked to make the program a success. With the help of skilled teachers and parents who believed in the program, the school flourished and the children received a year of "quality" Jewish education. A bonus is the sense of belonging and bonding it brought about. And let's not overlook Paul's hard work and initiative in creating a wonderful website for our temple, facilitating our ability to reach the community. We are so happy to acknowledge Paul's and Lori's dedication to our temple!

I wonder how many of you really know what an honor it is to serve this congregation, and for me to serve as its president? When I was asked if I would take it on, I had to think about it. I loved my full-time job but had only thought about retirement. I shuddered at the thought of taking on the serious responsibilities of this temple’s management, and the idea of speaking publicly scared me even more. And, you might laugh, but I
knew I was being asked because no one else wanted to do it. Down deep, however, I knew that it was an honor; and it would give purpose to my life. After discussing it with Jim, my dear and supportive husband, I did accept. I don’t think I have to tell some of you that, unbeknownst to me at the time, it could not have come at a more challenging time in the history of this congregation. At times I wished I had not accepted and thought, “What have I gotten myself into, and why am I doing this?”

Now, well into my second year, with the exception of falling in love and raising my children, without a doubt, it has been the most gratifying experience of my life. I sincerely wish for others to know this feeling of fulfillment. I am determined to make it easy for others to step into temple leadership roles so they too can experience the richness it has given me. I was introduced to many new things, contacts with whom I have made good friends, Jewish resources and knowledge. Eventually I became more comfortable speaking in front of a crowd. It was heartening to learn more of the goodness in you, the people of our congregation. I am also humbled to be able to have been able to work with the particular individuals who served on the Board of Trustees. On behalf of that Board and the congregants, thank you to all who help make our congregation exist. Below is a summary of the State of the Temple for the past year. I look forward to the second year as your President.

1.)We had lovely High Holiday Services conducted by our student rabbi, Sarah Smiley.
2.)Our membership numbers were stable. We have members who have moved or are moving away, but at the same time we have prospects who are calling about moving to our area, wanting to join, some asking about Religious School for their children.
3.)We celebrated three bar mitzvahs, including Michael Reisman’s adult bar mitzvah.
4.)We are training a young man for his bar mitzvah in November.
5.)We have re-vitalized our religious school program with the ISJL religious school curriculum under the leadership of Paul and Lori Zipes, and it is flourishing.
6.)Members of our congregation including Georgie Hartzog, Stephen Sickerman, Jacob Sickerman, Ed Nagler, and Lori Zipes taught the students in Religious Shul.
7.)Paul Zipes and Jacob Sickerman will be attending the ISJL conference this July to help make our Religious Schul even stronger.
8.)We sent Paul Zipes to represent our congregation at the URJ Biennial.
9.)We held adult B’nai Mitzvah and Hebrew classes weekly on Saturday afternoons, and although Michael Reisman who taught the class is moving away, we plan to continue a self-study class. (Anyone interested, please contact me.) When the student rabbi and ISJL fellow are in town the class will be led by them.
10.)We now have a Caring Committee Chair, Georgie Hartzog.
11.)We have accepted an invitation to participate in a newly formed interfaith organization for the purpose of helping the Panama City community in times of crisis. Barbara Shykoff has agreed to represent us.
12.)Lee Lapensohn is chairing a new by-laws and policies and procedures committee that will review and up-date the documents.
13.)Our damaged Torah is now being repaired.
14.)We added to our congregation's history when a family celebrated their conversion in our temple, and we have another member going through conversion study.
15.)We created a new updated website that is still a work in progress.
16.)We expressed appreciation to the retiring editor of our newsletter Stephen Sickerman, and welcomed a new editor, Karen Swanay.
17.)We now have a blog, and it is linked to both our website and the Union for Reform Judaism’s website. The information in the blog and website will be more current as they can be updated daily if necessary unlike a monthly newsletter. In addition, we will be sending a one-page informational bulletin to the small number of congregants who do not use email.
18.)We had a successful fund-raiser, the one-man Bernie Dean show, The Rothchilds.
19.)Our Chanukah and Purim Parties were very successful and well attended. The religious school celebrated a breakfast in our Sukkah.
20.)Student rabbi, Sarah Smiley conducted our community Passover Seder with over 100 people in attendance. Lois Oswald provided the leadership to make the Seder a success.
21.)Our Casino Night fundraiser under the outstanding leadership of Nathan Miller was a fun-filled evening and netted over $8,000 to help fund our Sunday Schul and pay for new prayer books and the Student Rabbi.
22.)We plan to have a new temple directory for distribution by the High Holidays.
23.)Services are being held twice a month during the school year and once a month during the summer under the leadership of our student rabbi and several of our members. The student rabbi conducts a Torah service.
24.)Aviva and John Mallary opened their home for our first new member dinner to welcome new members to our congregation.
25.)Our board members will participate in an August workshop conducted by a URJ facilitator to help our temple develop a long-range strategy to achieve our goals.
26.)We operated within our current budget parameters and have developed a balanced budget for the coming year.
27.)A full slate of board officers and trustees has been elected and installed for the year 2008-2009 / 5768-5769.

Lashon Ha-Ra

From Judaism 101: Speech and Lashon Ha-Ra

http://www.jewfaq.org/speech.htm

When non-observant people talk about how difficult it is to observe Jewish law, they usually mention the difficulty of observing Shabbat or keeping kosher or other similarly detailed rituals. Yet the laws that are most difficult to keep, that are most commonly violated even by observant Jews, are the laws regarding improper speech. This is a very important area of Jewish law; entire books have been written on the subject.

The Power of Speech

Judaism is intensely aware of the power of speech and of the harm that can be done through speech. The rabbis note that the universe itself was created through speech. Of the 43 sins enumerated in the Al Cheit confession recited on Yom Kippur, 11 are sins committed through speech. The Talmud tells that the tongue is an instrument so dangerous that it must be kept hidden from view, behind two protective walls (the mouth and teeth) to prevent its misuse.
The harm done by speech is even worse than the harm done by stealing or by cheating someone financially: money lost can be repaid, but the harm done by speech can never be repaired.

For this reason, some sources indicate that there is no forgiveness for lashon ha-ra (disparaging speech). This is probably hyperbole, but it illustrates the seriousness of improper speech. A Chasidic tale vividly illustrates the danger of improper speech: A man went about the community telling malicious lies about the rabbi. Later, he realized the wrong he had done, and began to feel remorse. He went to the rabbi and begged his forgiveness, saying he would do anything he could to make amends. The rabbi told the man, "Take a feather pillow, cut it open, and scatter the feathers to the winds." The man thought this was a strange request, but it was a simple enough task, and he did it gladly. When he returned to tell the rabbi that he had done it, the rabbi said, "Now, go and gather the feathers. Because you can no more make amends for the damage your words have done than you can recollect the feathers."

Speech has been compared to an arrow: once the words are released, like an arrow, they cannot be recalled, the harm they do cannot be stopped, and the harm they do cannot always be predicted, for words like arrows often go astray.

Tale-Bearing

There are two mitzvot in the Torah that specifically address improper speech: Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale-bearer among thy people (Lev. 19:16), and ye shall not wrong one another (Lev. 25:17, which according to tradition refers to wronging a person with speech).
Tale-bearing is, essentially, any gossip. The Hebrew word for tale-bearer is "rakhil", which is related to a word meaning trader or merchant. The idea is that a tale-bearer is like a merchant, but he deals in information instead of goods. In our modern "Information Age," the idea of information as a product has become more clear than ever before, yet it is present even here in the Torah.
It is a violation of this mitzvah to say anything about another person, even it is true, even if it is not negative, even if it is not secret, even if it hurts no one, even if the person himself would tell the same thing if asked! It is said that the telling of gossip leads to bloodshed, which is why the next words in the Torah are "you shall not stand aside while your fellow's blood is shed." The story of Do'eig the Edomite (I Samuel Chs. 21-22) is often used to illustrate the harm that can be done by tale-bearing. Do'eig saw Achimelekh the Kohein give David bread and a sword, a completely innocent act intended to aid a leading member of Saul's court. Do'eig reported this to Saul. Do'eig's story was completely true, not negative, not secret, and Achimelekh would have told Saul exactly the same thing if asked (in fact, he did so later). Yet Saul misinterpreted this tale as proof that Achimelekh was supporting David in a rebellion, and proceeded to slaughter all but one of the kohanim at Nob.

The person who listens to gossip is even worse than the person who tells it, because no harm could be done by gossip if no one listened to it. It has been said that lashon ha-ra (disparaging speech) kills three: the person who speaks it, the person who hears it, and the person about whom it is told. (Talmud Arachin 15b).

In Jewish law, all things are considered to be secret unless a person specifically says otherwise. For this reason, you will note that in the Torah, G-d constantly says to Moses, "Speak to the Children of Israel, saying:" or "Speak to the Children of Israel and tell them:" If G-d did not specifically say this to Moses, Moses would be forbidden to repeat his words! Nor is there any time-limit on secrets. The Talmud tells the story of a student who revealed a secret after 22 years, and was immediately banished from the house of study! (Talmud Sanhedrin 35a ??? Rabbi Ami***)

The gravest of these sins of tale-bearing is lashon ha-ra (literally, "the evil tongue"), which involves discrediting a person or saying negative things about a person, even if those negative things are true. Indeed, true statements are even more damaging than false ones, because you can't defend yourself by disproving the negative statement! Some sources indicate that lashon ha-ra is equal in seriousness to murder, idol worship, and incest and adultery (the only three sins that you may not violate even to save a life).

It is forbidden to even imply or suggest negative things about a person. It is forbidden to say negative things about a person, even in jest. It is likewise considered a "shade of lashon ha-ra" to say positive things about a person in the presence of his enemies, because this will encourage his enemies to say negative things to contradict you!

One who tells disparaging things that are false is referred to as a motzi sheim ra, that is, one who spreads a bad report. This is considered the lowest of the low.

It is generally not a sin to repeat things that have been told "in the presence of three persons." The idea is that if it is told in the presence of three persons, it is already public knowledge, and no harm can come of retelling it. However, even in this case, you should not repeat it if you know you will be spreading the gossip further.

When Tale-Bearing is Allowed

There are a few exceptional circumstances when tale-bearing is allowed, or even required. Most notably, tale-bearing is required in a Jewish court of law, because it is a mitzvah to give testimony and that mitzvah overrides the general prohibition against tale-bearing. Thus, a person is required to reveal information, even if it is something that was explicitly told in confidence, even if it will harm a person, in a Jewish court of law.

A person is also required to reveal information to protect a person from immediate, serious harm. For example, if a person hears that others are plotting to kill someone, he is required to reveal this information. That is another reason why the commandment not to go about as a tale-bearer is juxtaposed with "you shall not stand aside while your fellow's blood is shed."

In limited circumstances, one is also permitted to reveal information if someone is entering into a relationship that he would not enter if he knew certain information. For example, it may be permissible to tell a person that his prospective business partner is untrustworthy, or that a prospective spouse has a disease. This exception is subject to significant and complex limitations; however, if those limitations are satisfied, the person with the information is required to reveal it.

In all of these exceptions, a person is not permitted to reveal information if the same objective could be fulfilled without revealing information. For example, if you could talk a person out of marrying for reasons other than the disease, you may not reveal the disease.

Wronging a Person through Speech

Leviticus 25:17 says, "You shall not wrong one another." This has traditionally been interpreted as wronging a person with speech. It includes any statement that will embarrass, insult or deceive a person, or cause a person emotional pain or distress.

Here are some commonly-used examples of behavior that is forbidden by this mitzvah:
You may not call a person by a derogatory nickname, or by any other embarrassing name, even if he is used to it.
You may not ask an uneducated person for an opinion on a scholarly matter (that would draw attention to his lack of knowledge or education).
You may not ask a merchant how much he would sell something for if you have no intention of buying.
You may not refer someone to another person for assistance when you know the other person cannot help (in other words, it's a violation of Jewish law to give someone the run-around!).
You may not deceive a person, even if no harm is done by the deception; for example, you may not sell non-kosher meat to a non-Jew telling him that it is kosher, even though no harm is done to the non-Jew by this deception.
You may not sell a person damaged goods without identifying the damage, even if the price you give is fair for the goods in their damaged condition.
You may not offer a person a gift or invite a person to dinner if you know that the person will not accept.
You may not compliment a person if you do not mean it.

Disaster Relief by Emily Grotta

Disaster Relief
While Iowa is just beginning to clean-up from this week’s devastating floods, the waters that ravaged that state are now moving south into states along the Mississippi. Rabbi Lane Steinger, director of the Midwest Council, has been in steady contact with the leaders of the affected communities (see his report at www.urj.org/relief/floods) and will monitor the conditions in communities that are downstream from Iowa. Anticipating the massive recovery effort that will be needed to help the communities ravaged by floods return to normal, the Union has opened its Disaster Relief Fund for donations. Donations may be made online or send to the Union at 633 Third Ave., New York, NY.

Canadian Residents: If you wish to donate and receive a tax receipt, please send your donation directly to:
Canadian Council for Reform Judaism 3845 Bathurst St., Suite 301 Toronto, Ontario M3H 3N2

The End of the 07/08 School Year at TBI by Paul Zipes

This past Sunday (June 1st) was the official last day of Sunday Shul for the 2007/2008 school year. It happened at the Joseph's beautiful house in the Cove. They graciously hosted the pool party to end a fun and educational year. It was a lot of fun swimming eating and playing together. Mrs Zipes ended the "take 5" program by awarding students with educational and not-so educational prizes and gifts. Next school year will start in late August. Stay tuned for registration information to be posted soon. Finally, I want to thank all TBI members and supporters for funding that helped make this school year possible. I hope everyone continues to show support for our growing education program. Please remember the Jewish saying, "As my father (or mother) planted for me, so I will plant for my children” (Ta’anit 23a). Finally, I want to tell everyone that with the money collected by our school kids for tzedakah, we planted trees in Israel. We received a nice certificate that is framed and hanging in the Temple. Look for it next time you visit.

To Bay County's Jewish Community - With Love by Michael Reisman

One of my dearest friends has a sticker on the back of her car reading: Gratitude is the Best Therapy. And Gratitude is something many of us, including me, can certainly practice more.


As many of you already know I’m in preparation for a big move out of state to to attend the University of South Carolina, in Columbia, the state’s capital.

So far I’ve found a beautiful and affordable place to live, not too far from the city center where the University is located. It’s a bed and breakfast-style place (no breakfast), but very nice, and a low weekly rate.


I’m taking this time to reflect upon the many things that the people of this area have given me and am reiterating some of the things I said during my talk at my recent Bar Mitzvah.

So here is my gratitude list (chronologically):
I’m grateful to Kenn Handschuh for getting me involved in the dedication of the new building, and for continuing to invite me to services frequently.
I’m grateful to Cameron Yordon also for inviting me to the synagogue weekly while I was teaching at his high school. At the bar mitzvah he reminded me that he had been in the Bay High Band Room wearing a T-shirt that said in Hebrew something like, “Israel Army Special Forces”, which of course I tried to read. When I asked him what it said, he asked me if I was Jewish. As soon as he found out I am he invited me to the synagogue. He continued to do this all the time, repeatedly, just about every week for several months. When I was ready (at the first anniversary of my father’s death), I came and have been pretty active since.

I’m grateful to the members of the synagogue who welcomed me into the fold.
I’m grateful to Sonny and Alma Glass who became my friends.
I’m grateful to Sonny also for beginning to coach me to get me ready for the Bar Mitzvah. Doctors are the worst patients and teachers can be difficult students. Thanks for your patience with me.
To Sharon Yordon for including me in the synagogue’s music. Sharon, I appreciate all the hours of rehearsal and coaching, lending me books, and making copies for me, and the lunchtime review sessions when I was particularly nervous about an upcoming event.Thank you also for singing for the Bar Mitzvah service on April 18.
I’m grateful to have been able to serve, to sing and play for Life Events and Holy Days.
I would like to thank my Adult Hebrew Class for helping me prepare for the Bar Mitzvah and to Liz Berman for some last-minute preparation two weeks before the big event.
I would like to thank the Members of the Board for the beautiful tallit and the gift of the Shabbat Candle Set. They are beautiful and I know that I will get many years of use out of them, remembering the love and support of this small community with the big heart.
I especially want to thank Helaine Norman for taking all the nervous calls, for being my party planner and organizer, and honestly making sure that my big day went off without a hitch. Helaine, it never would have happened without you.

Last, but not least, I want to thank and acknowledge many people who helped provide for the Oneg for the Bar Mitzvah:
To each of the following a big thank you!
My thanks to Liz Berman for the Cake.
My thanks to Marilyn and Don Nations for the Fruit Platter, and the Capers, pickles and olives.
My thanks to Karen and John Swanay for the Trifle and Fruit Dip.
My thanks to Phyllis Hissong for the Fresh Vegetable platter & Dip and Salted Nuts
My thanks to Nathan and Anne Miller for the Bagels and Lox
My thanks to Helaine and Jim Norman for the Cream Cheese.
My thanks Stephen and Carolynn Sickerman for the Sliced Tomatoes and Onions and Beautiful Centerpiece.
My thanks to Sharon Yordon for the Blintz Soufflé.
My thanks to Lois Oswald for the Crackers and Cheese.
Aviva and John Mallary and Paul and Lori Zipes for the Salads.
And to the Temple for supplying the Challah, Coffee, and Soda, and the place to hold the event.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.