Ruth Abusch-Magder, Rabbi

Barbara Rothbeind, President

October 2022

  VOTE! It is a Jewish message. It is an American message. It is an important message. And it is a message worth repeating every election year.

From biblical times to the modern era, as Jews we have been taught that we have an obligation to be part of public life, to engage communally and take an active role in choosing leaders. Deuteronomy 22:13 instructs us to “.. not hide yourself” while The Babylonian Talmud notes that “A ruler is not to be appointed unless the community is first consulted”.

Today, Reform Jews are called upon “to fulfill the sacred work of creating a more just, compassionate world” and to advocate for causes in which we believe: women’s issues, the LGBT community, and those most vulnerable in society, to name a few. We cannot support those directives if we do not vote. We vote as individuals, but as Jews our vote insures that Jewish voices are heard in the public square.

Likewise, as a citizen in a democratic country we have an obligation to vote to insure the health of that democracy. The voting booth is the only place all Americans are equal and the ballot box is the only way we can affect change. If you like the way things are, vote to keep them that way. If you don’t like the direction in which our country is going, vote for a change. Every vote counts. One vote might not impact who is elected president, but collectively one vote can influence the course of events.

While presidential elections create more excitement, it is the midterms that have the biggest impact on us personally. We vote for judges who rule on the legality of legislation and representatives to the state legislature who help determine the dollars that are allocated to our communities. The County Commissioners are responsible for appointing members to over twenty county boards, including Health, Social Services, Airport Authority and Library. Those appointees then decide what direction the boards will take. In addition the commissioners are in charge of the finances of Moore County. We put our children’s future in the hands of those we elect to the Moore County Board of Education.

In all of the races, the candidates we elect will have the ability to change Moore County. What kind of change do you want? Vote to make sure that is the change you will get.

During the run up to the 2020 election, I found this vignette in a modern Jewish commentary shared by Rabbi David Russo that underscores the Jewish significance of participating in the vote:

A man came before the Chazon Ish (Russian-born Orthodox rabbi in Israel) saying he did not have enough money to pay his taxes therefore he would not be able to vote in the upcoming election. The rabbi’s response: “You should sell your tefillin and pay the taxes….. tefillin you can borrow from another but the right to vote you cannot get from someone else…”

Voting is a privilege not shared by all the citizens of the world. Election Day is

November 8.  See you at the polls – with or without your tefillin.

Marcey

13agree@gmail.com

Over Sukkot, I had the opportunity to sit in a Sukkah and learn from Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg. The topic of study was Tochecha or rebuke. In today's world, calling people out on bad behavior is seen all over the place, from well-worded opinion pieces to nasty notes left anonymously on social media. Whether articulate or accurate or completely misplaced, rarely do these efforts create change in the world. And often, I wonder if these public critiques do more for the ego of the author than anything else. 

Yet the Torah teaches that we have a responsibility to do Tochecha. So our conversation with Rabbi Ruttenberg focused on what the Torah means when it says rebuke and what is the goal of doing it. The first text we looked at was from Leviticus 19, "You shall not hate your kinsfolk in your heart. Reprove your kin but incur no guilt on their account. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against members of your people. Love your fellow as yourself."

The first thing I noticed was that the goal of the Torah-mandated rebuke was to avoid carrying around hatred in your heart. In other words, if not saying something means you will continue to seethe under the surface, then you have an obligation to reach out. But this is no random spewing in the public square. The Torah is clear, that it has to be done with the same love and care for the feelings of the other as you have for your own heart. Nor is rebuke meant to be a form of vengeance. You need to take care so that the reproach does not do damage. Implied is the understanding that a rebuke done with anger will likely continue the cycle of hate and resentment. 

Moreover, in this short passage, no less than four times does kinship and relationship come up. Tochecha does not take place in a vacuum but rather in the context of relationship with the other. We are not meant to randomly criticize strangers in the supermarket or reprimand on social media people we have never met. We are meant to have thoughtful and productive conversations about feelings and difficult interactions with those we are in close connection with. Those conversations are meant to be done in a loving manner, with the value of the relationship being the central focus. 

So while it may feel good to just get things off our chest or rant and rage against that which we do not like, from the Torah's point of view, we are obligated to approach the other in critique only when we are working towards building a more sacred and respectful connection. 

Rabbi Ruth Abusch-Magder, Ph.D

(she/her)

Rabbi of the Sandhills Jewish Congregation

October 2022

I would like to thank Rabbi Ruth, Cantor Contzius, The Board members and all the

volunteers who made this year’s High Holiday Services so meaningful. Most of all

let me thank everyone who joined us in person so that we could worship together

as a community. For those who worshipped at home, I hope the streaming

experience was a helpful upgrade.

There is still one day of Sukkot left so if you are able to stop by Temple and fulfill

the mitzvah of eating in the Succah please do. The religious school children and

parents did a wonderful job decorating this year and I would like as many of you

as possible to enjoy its beauty. As an additional surprise Rabbi Brickman stopped

by on Sunday and led the Sukkot celebration.

Additionally, Roey Mendel will be leading our Lay Shabbat this coming Shabbat. I

hope many of you will attend because we will have a special Simchas Torah

celebration.

These are definitely times to celebrate and enjoy each other’s company. So

please join our community as we get more comfortable being back together in

person. Of course, we will still zoom the shabbat services for those unable to

attend in person.

Please continue to check your email often as we will be sending out zoom

invitations and updates frequently.

Also, to those of you who have paid you annual dues and contributed so

generously I say THANK YOU!!! Because of the generosity of so many we have

never turned anyone away from membership or Religious School. So please,

those few who have not yet paid your dues, do so as soon as possible.

I look forward to “seeing” many of you this Shabbat!!

Please stay safe and I wish everyone the best of health. If there is anything you

need, please feel free to contact me.

Shalom,

Barbara Rothbeind

President SJC-Beth Shalom

Upcoming October Events

Friday, October 21, 7:00 PM - Lay Led Shabbat Service

Please join us as Roey Mendel leads the service, including reading from the Torah. Everyone will be invited to do Torah blessings. The Torah reading will be The first in B’reshit, (Genesis) Oneg Shabbat will follow the service.

This will be in person and on Zoom, link to follow. 

Sunday, October 23, 12:30 PM - Rosh Chodesh 

A women's study group, led this month by Lorna Clark-Rubin, will be discussing the parshah from Noach. Both men and women are invited to participate.

This will be in person only at Temple.

Save these dates in November...

Friday, November 18, 7:00 PM - Shabbat Service

Join Rabbi Ruth for Shabbat services. Oneg Shabbat followig services.

This will be in person and on Zoom.

Saturday, November 19, 10:00 AM - Torah Study

Discussion led by Rabbi Ruth,  in person only.

Saturday, November 19, 5:00 PM - Havdalah Service

Dedication of new pavilion will follow the service.

This will be in person.

Sunday, November 20, 4:00 PM - Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

An interfaith service of thanksgiving returns. This is the 15th year that SJC-Beth Shalom will be sharing this special tradition with other local congregations.

Due to continued precautions, refreshments will not be served. Please note time/place.

Sunday, November 20, 4:00 PM

Congregational Church of Pinehurst

895 Linden Rd, Pinehurst.

High Holidays 5783-2022 in Pictures

Our High Holy Day observances marked the first time our congregation could gather together since 2019. It was a pleasure to enjoy the warmth of the services with Rabbi Ruth and Cantor Contzius, and to reconnect with each other. Thank you to Mindy Fineman for capturing it in pictures. They include Rosh Hashanah services, the Oneg and the children's Yom Kippur service. Tashlich, attended by 61 people, and Sukkot decorating are also included.

             High Holiday pictures

pictures from Tashlich   pictures from Sukkot decorating

Book Club

The next book club selection is "Atomic Anna"

by Rachel Barenbaum. Atomic Anna is about three generations of brilliant women who work together as they travel through time to prevent the Chernobyl disaster. It is part historical fiction and part science fiction.

Discussion of this book will take place Sunday, November 13 at the home of Harriet and Karl Ecker, 40 Oxton Circle, Pinehurst.

RSVP 910-295-6988. Dinner, at a place to be determined at that time, will follow. 

Cooking With Carol

Tuesday November 15, 10am - 11am join Carol as she features three appetizers: Baked Cream Cheese Rangoon Rolls, Crispy Artichoke Hearts and Italian Panko Fried Mushrooms. She will also have one dessert, Aunt Ethel's Apple Tart. The class will help to get ready for the holidays. RSVP to Carol: ardcarol@nc.rr.com.

September's class was a big success.

Two kinds of Honey Cake that are traditional for Rosh Hashanah were sampled, along with bagels with just 3 ingredients. Everything was delicious! Thank you Carol!

Member News

We welcome new members

Our Congregation is pleased to introduce new members Irene and Mark Rabinowitz. Both Irene and Mark were born and raised in the Philadelphia area and met as counselors at summer camp. They are avid skiers and golfers. Irene has been a fitness trainer and instructor for over 20 years. Mark is a lawyer. Irene and Mark love Pinehurst but still maintain a house in PA to be close to daughter Katie and son Michael.

We also welcome to our SJC family Sara and Andrew Maddox and Wendi and Bob Nosanchuk and will share their stories in future newsletters.

Nancy Odorkirk's Birthday Mitzvah

For her 60th birthday, Nancy is fundraising for le Tour de Femme, in support of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and the UNC Health Angel Fund, providing free mammograms and serving breast cancer patients in need. In addition, she would love to honor someone in this effort. For any donation, she will share the story of an honored breast cancer survivor (or a memorial to a loved one who put up a brave fight.) Please email a story and an image to the link below:

Click here for link

Please note the following changes to the calendar:

• Bob & Lynn Sotsky’s correct phone number is 310-486-0864
• Matt Weinshel’s email address is maw0122m@gmail.com
• New Members:                                                             

Wendi and Bob Nosenchuk, 80 Pomeroy Drive, Pinehurst, NC 28374, 201-874-91.

Honoring the Memory of Ralph Jacobson

Tuesday, November 1, 2:00 PM

Jacobson Fellows Dedication

The inaugural lecture of the Jacobson Fellows, in memory of Ralph Jacobson, will take place at Sandhills Community College. This will be followed by the dedication of the 

Vivian and Ralph Jacobson Learning Terrace.

Vivian would like to share this invitation with the congregation. The public is invited.

Thursday, November 10, 1:30 PM 

Ralph Jacobson Putting Challenge

Hosted by the Military Officers Association of America, Sandhills Chapter, this is the 1st

Annual Ralph Jacobson Memorial Putting Challenge. This challenge was one of Ralph's favorite events. The Jacobson family is its main sponsor, in honor of Ralph's love of becoming an American citizen, and serving in the US army. This is open to all veterans.

We remember our loved ones during our October Shabbat Services

10/01 Erma Carlson

10/01 Don Sherman

10/02 Aaron Weisser

10/03 Gladys "Goldie" Auster

10/04 Marie Miles* **

10/06 Sheldon Lance**

10/08 Ernst Jacobson

10/13 Irvin Fox

10/13 Dick Palin

10/14 Edna Forgosh*

10/16 Gertrude F. Blanken

10/17 Joseph Rothbeind* **

10/18 Pauline Ruth Hoders

10/19 Ruth Deborah Braverman**

10/20 Arthur Rosenblum

10/23 Jeannette Ada Braverman**

10/23 Robert Greenblatt

10/23 Dan Ross

10/24 Miriam "Mimi" Meltzer

10/25 Edwin Mantel

10/25 Edward Mirman

10/26 Ida Berman

10/26 Ralph Jacobson

10/27 Phyllis Clorman

10/29 Saul Deutch

10/29 Sylvia Strosberg

10/30 William Shriberg

**Indicates Hebrew date

*Indicates Yahrzeit Donation

We remember those we have lost in the past year

Ellen Levine (11/2021)

Meryl Ross (12/2021)

Samuel Rothbeind (12/2021)

Stan Gelber (1/2022)

Arthur Gerstenfield (1/2022)

Karen Howell (2/2022)

Ron Kottler (5/2022)

Dr. Paul J. Carroll (5/2022)

Jill Fleisher (6/2022)

Seymour Sander (7/2022)

Thank you to those who made donations during the month of September

Please note that donations listed here are those that were received and processed by the end of the month listed. In order to guarantee inclusion on this list, please make sure that you send in your check by the 20th of the month. 

General Donations

• Terry Canter
• Harriet & Karl Ecker
• Jules & Mark Epstein
• Ione Katz
• Carolina Foundation for Jewish Seniors
• Carol Pierce

Yahrzeit Donations

• Terry Canter, in Memory of Belle L. Silverman
• Carol Pierce, in Memory of Donald Pierce

Rabbinic Fund

• Liz & Jonathan Richman

Traditional Donation Card

Sending a donation card is one way to support SJC-Beth Shalom.  Our cards are $10.00, and that includes postage. Or buy a package of ten for $100.00. That way, you always have one in reserve.

Donation Card Packages

Members can now purchase packages of five cards (pictured below, slightly smaller size) for personal use. The cards are blank and sell for $25.00 for a 5 card package. Members will be able to write a personal message and send the cards themselves.

For more information contact

Bonnie Gillman: 910-420-2609 or bongee7@aol.com

Civic Engagement

ELECTION DAY NOVEMBER 8

How to Vote:

Absentee Ballot

request ballot by November 1, return by Election Day, in person or by mail to

Moore County Board of Elections

In Person Early Voting

(one stop vote/register at same time)

Agricultural Center, Carthage

Pinehurst Community Center

Tuesday, October 20 - Saturday, November 5, Weekdays: 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM

Saturdays 10/29, 11/5: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM; Sunday 10/23: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

On Election Day vote at your Moore County precinct from 6:30 AM - 7:30 PM

Check the Moore County Board of Elections for more information.

VOTE411 Personalized Voting Information

Having trouble knowing where to vote or the candidates' platforms? When you visit the nonpartisan VOTE411.org website from the League of Women Voters and enter you zip code, you can register to vote and find specific information on your candidates, what's on your ballot, your voter registration status, and your polling place. Candidates respond to questions and those unedited answers are part of the VOTE411 information package.

For the protection of our members and guests, the Board has put in place the following security precautions:

-all members are asked to wear their name tags

-our doors will be locked at 7:15 so congregants are urged to arrive on time

-anyone arriving after 7:15 will have to knock until a congregant opens the door 

-when members see someone they do not recognize, reach out - to both make them feel 

 welcome and to be aware of unfamiliar faces in our building (unless a member's guest)

-Oneg hosts (one or two) are asked to be greeters, hand out prayer books, name tags

-one greeter is to remain in foyer until 7:15 when doors are locked and sit in the back

*Local Realtor Betsy Auster is affiliated with NextHome In The Pines. She has experience working with new construction, investment properties, and resales. Betsy will donate 5% of her commission from each referral or sale she receives from Temple members to SJC! Please give her a call at (609) 707-3047, or email her at betsy@nhpines.com.

NextHome In The Pines is at 105 Bradford Village Ct. , Southern Pines, NC 28387

*Companion Care Offered: Dottie Bevilacqua has over 20 years of experience and offers services for seniors including running errands and taking people to appointments.  She is available part or full time in the Pinehurst/Southern Pines area. Reach Dottie at 347-339-5167.

* Sue Deutsch has created a website that provides a single source for listings of events, happenings and activities in the area. Please visit www.ThePinesTimes.com and like The Pines Times on Facebook.  

* Members Susan and Tom Miles have relocated their company Belevation to Biscoe, NC. Manufacturers of direct to consumers support garments for expectant moms, Belevation can be accessed from its website belevation.com or Amazon, or you can like Belevation on Facebook.

* Gary Miljour is a local mortgage lender with American Financial Network in Pinehurst. If you are in need of mortgage financing to buy a home or need to discuss refinance options, please feel free to reach him at 480-251-0002(cell) or reach him online at www.garymiljour.com for a free consultation. Gary has been a mortgage lender for 15 years. (NMLS#207208)

* Marks Tax Professionals are now located at 169 Beverly Lane, Fresh Market Plaza, Southern Pines NC 28387. Phone is 910-585-6800. We have been providing a better tax experience in the Sandhills for over ten years. You worked hard to earn it, we help you keep it. Call or email for an appointment, markadel@taxgurusofpinehurst.com, or visit our website at www.taxgurusofpinehurst.com.

*Jennie Sessler is a stylist at Fantastic Sams (next to the Harris Teeter on 211). If you need a haircut stop in to see Jennie or call for an appointment: 910-420-1686

Board of Directors

• President: Barbara Rothbeind - barbara.rothbeind@gmail.com
• Vice President/Communications: Marcey Katzman - 13agree@gmail.com
• Secretary: Audrey Kessler - audhaykes@hotmail.com
• Treasurer: Kevin Price - pinehurstkp@gmail.com
• Immediate Past President: Bernie Rosenblum - bernie.rosenblum7@gmail.com
• President Emeritus: Lowell Simon - lsimon@nc.rr.com
• Building/Grounds: Wendel Kronis - wendelrama@aol.com
• Community Outreach: Paul Rogow - progow@outlook.com
• Education: Michelle Goetzl - mbgoetzl@gmail.com
• Membership: Amy Walters - aswalters101@gmail.com
• Religious Programs: Mindy Fineman - mfineman@nc.rr.com
• Social/Program: Bonnie Gillman - bongee7@aol.com
• Board Member at Large: Sharyn Korwin - sharynkorwin@gmail.com