2009 Seder Pictures

Lee Lapensohn, Ritual Committee Chair, Student Rabbi Anne Strauss, Nathan Miller, Past President and Current Treasurer (after the seder)


Guests Joey, Beth and Paul Benamy at their seder table


Steven Momberger, always the helper after the seder, returning Haguddahs to the bookcase

Mom Linda and Daughter Hannah Joseph pretty as the picture!

Col. Ed Nagler, Sunday Shul Teacher posing with Ben and Anna

Lois Oswald, Marilyn Fenimore & Yvonne Gordon enjoying the evening together!

Dianna, Anne & Lori in conversation after the seder



The Wakstein Men at the Seder. Special Mention of Hy's Honor for being awarded the French Foreign Legion! Joe Guylay and Allen Bassin in the rear.

Ron and Sarah Feldstein, Melvin Eichholz and Michael Bamberg kibbitzing after the seder

Georgie Hartzog watching Sarah Brandt Haiman with the Student Rabbi. Marilyn Nations (Sarah Brandt's grandmother) with friend Mary Sitman enbracing, John and Aviva Mallary at their table in the rear.

2009 Seder Preparation

Marilyn Fenimore (holding the shank bones she cooked), Aviva Mallary, Liz Berman (holding the bowls of charosets Marge Euzent prepared), Lois Oswald

As always, these ladies worked tirelessly to pull off the Seder. The whole congregation owes them a thanks for all they do. We'd be in a sorry state without them.

Interfaith Dialogue by M. Fenimore

INTERFAITH DIALOGUE

An Interfaith Dialogue with Muslims, Jews and Christians was held on March 17th and 24^th at the Evergreen Presbyterian Church in Dothan, Alabama. The event was sponsored by Evergreen Presbyterian’s Minister Joe Johnson, Temple Emanuel’s Rabbi Lynn Goldberg and the Muslim Community of the Wiregrass’s Imam Raymond Rasheed.

From Temple B’nai Israel located in Panama City, Florida, Helaine Norman, President, and Marilyn Fenimore, Interfaith Chairperson, were there to further the understanding of commonality between the faiths, especially to share the Jewish philosophy of Tikkun Olam (community service/leaving the world a better place) and the SH’MA and its Blessings (Jewish faith prayer).

Even though the Muslim faith is suggested to be more complex than the Christian and Jewish faiths, we all have one G-d, Creator of the Universe to be the same. Allah (Arabic), Adonai (Hebrew) and the Father, Son and Holy Spirit Trinity (English) are the names spoken by the different faiths referring to the Creator of the Universe/G-d. We broke into groups (with each faith represented) to discuss our commonalities, which are derived from the most important tenants of the three faiths. The tenants from all religions are the following: love G-d, love one another, do no harm, leave the world a better place by giving to and helping others.

As we discussed the radical problems, Imam Raymond Rasheed, explained that Radical Islam is “a human problem, not a religious problem”. The conditions of “no place to live and nothing to eat” give to poverty and illiteracy, which gives to drug wars, uprisings and radical movements; and with given conditions, persons of any faith could become radical.

In summation, Muslims, Jews and Christians wish to be good citizens and neighbors by practicing their commitment to tolerance, charity, work, cooperation and interfaith activities for community betterment. Sharing faith is not about who we are, but who we are to other people. Understanding our humanity and our connection to others in our community is vital for peace. Peace begins with each of us!

IMPORTANT!!!

OPENING OF BOARD NOMINATIONS:

When: Wednesday, June 17, 2009.

Any member of the congregation wishing to run for an available office, please submit your name and the office for which you wish to run in writing to the Secretary of the Board of Trustees to be received no later than May 13, 2009:

Temple B’nai Israel

P.O. Box 16556

Panama City, FL 32405

Or, call Nathan Miller, Nominating Committee Chair, at 832-7704.

Nominations shall be closed following the regularly scheduled May meeting of the Board of Trustees, to allow for notification to the congregation, prior to the annual meeting in June, of the nominations including the recommended slate by the Board of Trustees.