Congregation Tiferet Israel
Austin, TX
9 Tammuz 5781 -- June 19, 2021
What's the Spiel?
Parshat Chukat
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Schedule of Services
at B'nai Abraham
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We encourage everyone to daven privately when unable to attend services. Use the private time to connect to Hashem. Public prayer definitely adds to our prayer experience. Yet we also have the capacity to create a profoundly meaningful private experience with the Divine. Let us seek such an experience in the coming days.
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Thank you to Miriam Bodian for sponsoring Kiddush in gratitude to the CTI community and in honor of her move to Israel. |
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A welcome to our newest CTI Member!
Jared Sichel
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Congregation Tiferet Israel extends its deepest condolences to the Scheinberg family and the Rodfei Sholom community upon the loss of their spiritual leader, Rabbi Aryeh Scheinberg. The burial will take place on Monday in Israel. If you wish to make a contribution in memory of Rabbi Scheinberg z’’l, please go to www.rodfeisholom.com under the donate section.
May Rabbi Scheinberg’s memory forever serve as a bracha for Klal Yisrael and Kol Yoshvei Tevel.
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Membership Renewal Applications
for July 1, 2021 thru June 30, 2022
At a Special Congregational Meeting held on December 9, 2020, the Members approved the following rates for the upcoming Membership Year.
- Regular Members - $2,000; Associate Members - $600
Payments may be made by a single payment or 12 monthly installments.
Please change monthly credit card auto-pays and bank bill pays to provide for monthly payments of $167.00 for Regular Members and $50.00 for Associate Members.
The Membership Renewal Application includes a checkbox for Members wishing to discuss dues reduction on a discreet and confidential basis.
If you are not a Member and wish to apply to become a Member, please use the online application form. Membership Dues for New Members will be based on a full or pro-rated 12-month Membership Year.
Please return your Membership Renewal Application at your earliest convenience. The first payment for the new Membership Year is due on July 1, 2021. Monthly payments are due on the first day of each month.
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Mark Your Calendars!
At the Congregational Meeting in May, Arthur Altman described the Strategic Plan in the President's Report. The next step for the Congregation is to approve the strategic plan and the hiring of a part-time youth educator.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING OF TIFERET ISRAEL OF AUSTIN WILL TAKE PLACE ON WEDNESDAY JUNE 30, 2021 AT 7:00 PM. THE MEETING WILL BE HELD VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM.
THERE ARE TWO AGENDA ITEMS:
- CONGREGATIONAL APPROVAL OF THE CTI STRATEGIC PLAN AS APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- CONGREGATIONAL APPROVAL TO HIRE A PART-TIME YOUTH EDUCATOR
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE STRATEGIC PLAN DOCUMENTATION AND CLICK HERE FOR THE CTI YOUTH EDUCATOR JOB DESCRIPTION .
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 878 4321 9331
Passcode: 103906
Dial by your location
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
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CTI Mask and Social Policy Update
With the advice and consent of the medical committee, the CTI Board of Directors approved adopting the revised Shalom Austin COVID 19 safety recommendations effective immediately. The new Shalom Austin policies are as follows:
Indoors
· Masks are optional indoors for individuals who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We will not be asking for proof of vaccination at this time.
· Masks are required indoors for adults who are not vaccinated.
· Masks are required indoors for staff, regardless of vaccination status.
· Masks are required indoors for children under 12 years of age, unless eating or drinking.
Outdoors
· Masks are optional outdoors for individuals who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
· Masks are required outdoors for individuals who are not vaccinated whenever 3 feet distancing cannot be maintained.
· Masks are optional for children outdoors; however, children are encouraged to wear masks when in close proximity (3 feet or less) unless eating, drinking or engaged in sports.
· Masks are required for staff outdoors when working in close proximity (3 feet or less) of children under 12, regardless of vaccination status.
We will continue to evaluate and make changes to our COVID health protocols as warranted by local conditions and medical guidance. Further changes will be communicated appropriately.
These changes take into account the fact that many congregants are or will soon be vaccinated against COVID. With this in mind here is a message from Rabbi Dan:
"The Torah commands us, “You shall therefore keep My statutes, and My ordinances, which if a person does, he or she shall live by them” (Vayikra 18:5). According to the Talmud, this teaches us that the Torah and mitzvot were given to us so that we should live, and not die due to their observance (B. Talmud, Shabbat 74a). Everything we do is in the service of life and safeguarding the welfare of others. We will not check into people's personal decisions. However, we will rely on the Torah’s admonition and the Jewish value, that nothing is above the preservation of life.
In his Psalms, King David tells us, “Truly, wait quietly for God, O my soul, for my hope comes for Him. He is my rock and deliverance, my haven; I shall not be shaken” (Tehillim 62:6-7). We all seek the day when we can return to normalcy. We all seek the day when masks and social distancing will become things of the past. As our congregation continues to valiantly recover from the hardships of COVID 19, we do so with optimism, hope, and caution. Those who have not been fully vaccinated should take to heart the Torah's words, and continue to follow CTI policy to keep themselves and others safe."
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CTI is delighted to invite Reagan Weil, Executive Director of the Southwest Jewish National Fund, to share some inspiring words and action items concerning how we can show our support and love for the Jewish State. Please take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn about what you can do to help our brothers and sisters in Israel, and to help strengthen the Jewish people during these turbulent times.
Mr. Weil will be addressing the congregation on June 19th at CTI.
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Start off your week right with Virtual Havdalah, live streamed straight from the shul! Check in and hang out online afterwards!
Saturday, June 19, 2021 * 9 Tammuz 5781
9:22PM
Virtual
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 388 159 837
Passcode: 018724
Dial by your location
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Click here for more information on future CTI Virtual Havdalahs.
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Are you interested in learning more about the laws, customs, rituals and philosophy of Shabbat? Would you like to enhance your observance of Shabbat, and make it a central feature of your life? If so, please join Rabbi Dan for CTI’s newest class -- “Building a Palace in Time: The Many Meanings of Shabbat.”
In this class, we will not only explore how to keep Shabbat, but why we do so in the first place.
- Why is Shabbat so preciously unique to the Jewish people?
- Why did God make the observance of Shabbat so essential for a spiritual relationship with Him?
- How does Shabbat and its observance help us better understand ourselves as individuals and as a community?
- How do all of the laws and observances of Shabbat help us better understand and experience
- what spiritual freedom is really all about?
“Building a Palace in Time: The Many Meanings of Shabbat” will operate like a book club and will meet via Zoom on Sunday evenings, from 7:00-8:00, beginning on April 11th. With each new unit, a different book will be assigned, and we will work through each book according to scheduled readings and thought prompts. Individual members are responsible for obtaining the assigned books, all of which can be easily found on Amazon.com.
Our first book will be The Sabbath, by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. In this book, we will delve into the deeper meaning of Shabbat, its purpose, its eternal import on Jewish life and on the Jewish people, and how the gift of Shabbat has shaped civilization.
This class is free of charge. No prior background is required, and all are welcome and encouraged to attend!
For more information, please contact Rabbi Dan at [email protected], or (512) 410-0336 ex. 101.
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A Life of Torah: A Conversation with
Rabbi Dr. Aaron Rakeffet-Rothkoff
June 22 @ 10AM (CST)
Dovi Safier interviews noted scholar, author, and teacher, Rabbi Dr. Aaron Rakeffet-Rothkoff, who has taught thousands of students throughout his more than half century at Yeshiva University and various institutions of higher learning in Israel.
He is the author of several popular books including The Silver Era, Bernard Revel: Builder of American Orthodoxy and his memoirs entitled “From Washington Avenue to Washington Street” as well as several others books and sefarim. Rabbi Rakeffet was a close student of Rabbi Joseph B Soloveitchik and also studied under Rabbi Aharon Kotler in Lakewood. In the 1980’s, Rabbi Rakeffet and his wife Malka traveled to the Soviet Union several times on behalf of the Mossad’s clandestine Nativ unit. Rabbi Rakeffet has been a member of the Gruss Kollel faculty since its inception in 1976 and teaches weekly classes to his devoted talmidim who join in person and across the world virtually.
DOVI SAFIER is an entrepreneur and investor who also enjoys researching unexplored chapters of Jewish History. He is the co-author of a weekly history column in Mishpacha Magazine entitled “For The Record”. Dovi resides in Lawrence, NY with his wife Diana and 5 children. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Orthodox Union and is active on behalf of several communal institutions.
Fill out the form here to register for this pre-recorded program.
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ACT FAST: How to Identify, Treat, and Prevent Stroke
June 24 @ 10AM (CST)
Objectives:
- Understand what a stroke is and be able to recognize stroke symptoms
- Understand importance of timely 9-1-1 notification
- Know the causes of stroke and how to prevent
Presented by: Margaret Huynh, DO
Dr. Huynh is an Assistant Professor of Neurology at Weill Cornell Medicine. She is a Board-Certified Neurologist. She takes care of stroke patients and sub-specializes in severe neurological injuries in the intensive care unit.
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Austin Jewish War Vets Post 757 is very interested in gaining new members. We meet monthly on Zoom and would like to invite all of your veterans to our meetings. They are welcome to sit in as guests.
To join in our next JWV Zoom meeting please contact:
Charlie Rosenblum
Commander, Post 757
Jewish War Veterans of the United States
Austin, Texas
(254) 368-5715
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As a service to the wider community, the Orthodox Union has researched various online platforms and has organized, collected and curated many key resources in one centralized location for your convenience. Please visit together.ou.org for a wide range of information covering the following areas: Adults, Leadership, Parenting, Seniors & Elders, Technology, Torah and Youth. Check back at together.ou.org as updates will occur regularly.
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CTI is virtually open for all classes! Attend online with video and audio, or join through phone call alone. Visit tiferetaustin.org for more information on how to join these exciting classes:
TYT Tuesday Night
The Book of Ezekiel
Tuesday 7:00pm
The Book of Ezekiel is one of the most mysterious but essential books of the Tanakh. Who was Ezekiel? When was he prophesying? Were his prophecies meant for his time or the distant future? In this TYT series, we will take an in-depth look at the life, times and ageless message of the Prophet Ezekiel in a way which will make his contribution to Jewish texts, history and destiny truly come to life! A priest stuck in exile, dreaming of the perfect Temple in a perfect homeland - a man pinning for spiritual life, but only experiencing physical privation - what is his message really all about? God asks Ezekiel to do many strange things - things even contrary to Jewish law! Were they literally true, or were they merely metaphorical? Come and join the CTI Tuesday evening Take Your Tanakh class, as together, we learn about the Prophet Ezekiel!
TYT Wednesday Mornings
The Book of First Samuel
Wednesday 8:15am
In this class, we will examine the life, times and trials of the Prophet Samuel, the last Judge of Israel. The story of Samuel begins the saga of Israel's history, its kings, wars and promises. First Samuel introduces us to a large swath of Jewish history, ranging of King Saul and King David, to questions of military ethics, religious boundaries and moral questions. The Prophet Samuel may be best known for anointing David, but his legacy and story are essential for every Jew to learn, because with Samuel the story of the Jewish people's redemption begins!
Mishne Torah k'Seder Friday Mornings
Mishne Torah k'Seder
Friday 8:15am
Come and join Rabbi Dan on Friday mornings at 8:15am for an in-depth exploration of the Rambam's Mishne Torah. This class will go through the Rambam's classic work on halakha (Jewish law), in a way which both engages and transforms the reader on a spiritual and intellectual level. Why did the Rambam write the Mishne Torah? What was he trying to achieve? How does the Rambam's interpretation of Jewish law, theology, history and culture differ from his rabbinic contemporaries who also wrote comprehensive Jewish legal works? What were some of the great disputes this work sparked, and why? You don't want to miss out on this great opportunity to learn what the Mishne Torah is all about.
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Questions? Suggestions? Interested in Volunteering? Please contact our Committee Chairpersons.
Finance Committee: Gary Gerstenhaber
Fundraising Committee: Beth Shapiro
Membership Committee: Sarah Wander
Chesed Committee: Lynn Kane
Kiddush Committee: Henna Tatham
Ritual Committee: Joel Tendler
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The next CTI Board meeting is Wednesday, July 14 at 7:00pm. If you are a CTI Member you can login to our website and see all scheduled Board meetings by clicking here.
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For those new to the community, check out this introductory video
featuring Rabbi Dan and a few of our wonderful CTI community members!
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Birthdays
Malkah Esther Yetta Roth on June 22
Ken Schumer on June 24
Anniversaries
Adam Sales & Liliana Martinez on June 21
If you have any birthdays or anniversaries you would
like to add, please update your profile on our website.
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Yahrzeit Remembrances
Philip Kleinstub, Father of Betty Glosser, on Sunday 10 Tammuz
Theresa Reichman, Mother of Doreen Joffe, on 10 Tammuz
If you have a Yahrzeit that you would like the congregation to acknowledge, or if you have a correction that needs to be made, please update your profile on our website.
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DONATIONS
Thank you to Anonymous donors.
Thank you to Marcia Sobel-Fox for her donation in Honor of Rabbi Millner.
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We encourage you to use electronic payments by credit card or eCheck through CTI's website at www.tiferetaustin.org when fulfilling the mitzvah of giving Tzedakah to mark family events and milestones, including Yahrzeits, and in honor of CTI and our community.
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Spiel sponsorships are now available for a donation of $18. Advertise your business or dedicate an issue of the spiel in memory of a loved one or to celebrate a Simcha. Contact admin for more details.
Donations can be made via our website at www.tiferetaustin.org, by pressing "Make a Donation" in the sidebar, using the "Donate to CTI" button on the top left of this email, or by sending your check to: Tiferet Israel P.O. Box 27254, Austin, TX 78755. Please make check payable to Tiferet Israel and please indicate what the donation is for.
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- Allene Novy-Portnoy; Hannah Bassa bat Sarah Osnat
- Avshalom ben Hannah Bassa
- Cindy Newman
- Debbie Tendler; Devorah Rachel bat Rivka Leah
- Janet Goldberg; Shayna Masha bat Chasha Mina
- Ken Friedman
- Rebecca Millner; Rivkah bat Shoshana
- Sheina Ruchel bat Henya Leah
- Tzvi David ben Rivka Golda
- Yoel Simcha ben Chaya Risha
- Sulta bat Nedgma
- Zvi Aharon ben Bayla
- Yaira bat Sarah
- Shimon ben Sarah
- Hinda bat Yehudit
- Tamar bat Chaya
- Ilana bat Gheita
- Joel Tendler; Yehoshua Mordechai ben Tziporah Perel
- Barb Altman; Devorah Yeril bat Leah
- HaRav Avram Meir ben Eli Yosef v'Shira Chanah.
- Rabbi Harold Liebowitz, Ha Rav Chaim Alter ben Necha.
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- Shoshana bat Yocheved
- Miriam bat Rachel v'Mordechai
- Alta Shoshana bat Shulamit
- Meir Psachia ben Tziril
- Geni Berman Abitbol
- Beilya Golda bat Leah
- Yosef Yehoshua ben Sarah
- Jonathan Malawer (Yosef ben Bracha)
- Bowie Alarcon
- Fivel ben Sarah HaLevi
- Cindy Duckworth; Dinah Yehudit bat Sarah
- Adam ben Chanah
- Rafael ben Sheindal Leah
- Aharon Asher ben Chaya Naomi
- Esther Malka Fraida bat Serel Chaya Raiza
- Kalev Boaz Chai ben Aliza
- Esther Reva bat Malka
- Avraham ben Rut
- Peter Janson, Faival ben Tzur
- Sheva Eva bat Bella.
- Dorit Iken, Dorit Chana bat Orah
- Moshe ben Rut
- Shulkah Malka bat Tziporah
- Yehudit bat Sara
- Chandal bat Basia
- Shmuel Dovid bat Malka
- Anthony Ben Devorah
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Wishing all Cholei Yisrael a Refuah Shlayma.
Dear Tiferet Friends,
If you placed a name on the Refuah Shelayma list and G-d willing the person is well,
please let us know. Also, if you have a friend or family member who needs
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Online Shopping that Benefits CTI
Don't forget to bookmark our special links to AmazonSmile and Artscroll.com -- you will have the same shopping experience and CTI gets a generous percentage of your shopping dollar. Please bookmark and start shopping!
AmazonSmile will make a donation to CTI based on the amount of your eligible purchases made on the AmazonSmile website. The AmazonSmile website looks identical to the regular Amazon.com website, except that when you log in the banner at the top of the window shows that you are on the AmazonSmile website and displays the charity that you are supporting. There is also an additional item in the dropdown menu labelled “Your AmazonSmile”. The AmazonSmile page offers a convenient shortcut icon or bookmark for your browser to take you to AmazonSmile for your shopping.
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Using the CTI Website
Logging in is easy via the login button at the top of the web page. Your login ID is your email address.
Once logged in, many of the fields are pre-filled for you, to make it easier and quicker to register for an event or make a donation, and so on.
But that's not all! You will also have access to the online Member Directory, the CTI Bylaws, the minutes of Board meetings and the President,Treasurer and Rabbi Reports and other documents, all under the Resources tab. With more coming all the time!
If you have any questions or comments about the website, please contact our webmaster Joel Tendler at [email protected].
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Phone: 512-410-0336 ext 101
Phone: 512-410-0336 ext 102
Secretary: Lynn Kane
Phone: 512-410-0336 ext 103
Phone: 512-410-0336 ext 105
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