January 2011/ Tevet 5771
Todah Rabbah, Ellen, Tina and Ed!
I had the great pleasure to speak with a fifth-year
rabbinical student at my alma mater, the Hebrew
Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, near
the end of December. Sandra is currently writing
her rabbinical thesis on the phenomenon of
“para-rabbinics” in the Reform Movement, and
she interviewed me about Temple’s decision to
invest in becoming a “multiple-shaliach
congregation” several years ago. She was curious
to know how Ed Solomon, Ellen Goodman, and
Tina Wolfe our sh’lichei kehillah (literally,
“emissaries of the community”) functioned, what
roles they fill, how they had been accepted by the
community, and more.
I think Sandra expected a brief call, but we
wound up speaking for just shy of an hour (tip of
the day: if you want a good chunk of a rabbi’s
time, call him or her on December 23; it’s a very
quiet day, he’s lonely, and he won’t let you hang
up!). Her very well-structured interview, and her
willingness to speak with me about what she’d
learned left me feeling very good about the
decision we made, and the fruits it has borne.
Ellen went first, in 2003 and 2004. Ten-day
sessions at HUC-JIR each summer, retreats
during the intervening winter, and ongoing
study with her classmates led to her certification
as a “Synagogue Associate.” Ed and Tina
followed in 2004 and 2005. With three sh’lichim,
Temple was well-covered when I left El Paso for
several weeks during the summer of 2005 on
sabbatical. Leading services, teaching Torah
Number 617
study, providing pastoral support, and (sadly)
officiating at several funerals…our sh’lichim did it
all.
But Ed, Ellen and Tina are not just “pinch-hitters”
for the rabbi when he is away. They have been
my partners on the bima for Sabbath and holiday
worship. Furthermore, they have each continued
to grow in skills and talent, and have taken on
leadership in various aspects of Temple’s
religious life. Ed has become an outstanding
Torah chanter and Hebrew teacher, Ellen a gifted
life-cycle officiant, and Tina a sensitive and
caring mentor for those choosing to become
Jewish. Temple would be a different, and poorer,
place without their enthusiasm and dedication.
From my conversation with Sandra, I learned
that Temple really hit the “sweet spot” as far as
para-rabbinical training is concerned. Shortly
after Ed and Tina’s cohort, the program was
significantly pared back, and relocated. A much
shorter program, without the exposure to the
HUC-JIR faculty, took its place, and our
movement seems to be poorer for that fact. But
our congregation has been blessed, many times
over, by the actions we took several years ago.
May the blessings only continue, for many years
to come.
Thank you, sh’lichim!
Rabbi Bach
Messages from the Mountain
Worship Schedule January—February
December 31-January
Parashat Va’era
Friday, December 31
Candlelighting, 4:54 pm
Oneg Shabbat, 5:45 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:15 pm
Saturday, January 1
Torah Study, 9:30 am
Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 am
Havdalah, 6:25 pm
January 7-8
Parashat Bo
Friday, January 7
Candlelighting, 5:00 pm
Oneg Shabbat, 5:45 pm
Family Shabbat Service, 6:15 pm
Baby-naming of Mateo Briseno
Saturday, January 8
Torah Study, 9:30 am
Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 am
Havdalah, 6:30 pm
January 14-15
Parashat Beshalach
Friday, January 14
Candlelighting, 5:05 pm
Oneg Shabbat, 5:45 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:15 pm
Saturday, January 15
Torah Study, 9:30 am
Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 am
Shabbat Shirah — A Service in Song
Havdalah, 6:36 pm
Page 2 January 2011/Tevet 5771
January 21-22
Parashat Yitro
Friday, January 21
Candlelighting, 5:12 pm
Oneg Shabbat, 5:45 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:15 pm
Saturday, January 22
Torah Study, 9:30 am
Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 am
Havdalah, 6:43 pm
January 28-29
Parashat Mishpatim
Friday, January 28
Candlelighting, 5:18 pm
Oneg Shabbat, 5:45 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:15 pm
Saturday, January 29
Torah Study, 9:30 am
Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 am
Havdalah, 6:49 pm
February 4-5
Parashat Terumah/Rosh Chodesh Adar
Friday, February 4
Candlelighting, 5:25 pm
Oneg Shabbat, 5:45 pm
Family Shabbat Service, 6:15 pm
February 5
Torah Study, 9:30 am
Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 am
Havdalah, 6:55 pm
January 2011/Tevet 5771 Page 3 Messages from the Mountain

January Birthdays
January 1 January 10 January 18 January 28
Judah Lesser Eddie Knipp* Mimi Lait Levi Eisenberg
Carla Levin Juan Valdez Jerry Levy Gene Finke
Del Raney David Schecter Anna Sofia Loeb*
January 11 David Schonberg Lola May
January 3 Sally Strelitz Elaine Prensky
Marilyn Rotwein* January 19 Danielle Scher
January 12 Vanesa Lomeli
January 4 Michael Alkov Carmen Yates January 29
Connor Goldsberry Jaime Arbona* Ofek Belkin
Wesley Holderman Ruth Stolaroff January 20 Ellen Gulbas
Leah Pearlman Ruth Katz
January 5 January 14 Ann Rothstein
Simon Karch Randi Cabrera January 30
Miriam Yarber January 22 Jane Rosen
January 15 Lane Frank
January 6 Rita Burman January 31
Judah Horn* Stuart Kahn* January 23 Bob Duran
Garrett Levin Sofia Escobar Stephen Valdes
January 16 Sue Feldblum*
January 7 Benjamin Hirsch Marlene Golden
Beth McCoy Alexandra Holderman Jaime Papa
Sydney Reiter Madison Holderman
Tania Schwartz* January 24
Alison Westermann* January 17 Sarah Ames
Abe Ettinger Paul Lazovick*
January 8 Shirley Washer* Tina Wolfe
Nicky Munch*
January 25
January 9 Madison Nadler
Josiah Meyer Graham Ogle*

January Anniversaries
January 2 January 8 January 17 January 29
Dick & Robin Krasne Allan & Amy Goldfarb Frank & Susan Kamoroff Meyer & Mindy Marcus

January 4 January 11 January 22

Damon & Janice Cross- Scott & Tania Schwartz Bob & Sara Shiloff*
land*
January 12 January 23
January 5 Jerry & Julie Kallman* Irvin & Alicia Nadler
Dick & Marlene Fass
January 15 January 24
January 6 Merton & Laura Goldman John & Gloria Lavis
Andrew & Peggy Feinberg *Special 5 or 10 year Birth-
January 16 January 26 day or Anniversary
January 7 Peter & Tova Herman Ben & Ruth Taber
Rick & Leslie Otis
Messages from the Mountain Page 4 January 2011/Tevet 5771

Mazel Tov! Congratulations…

...to Major General Howard B. Bromberg, United States Army, for the Presidential appointment to the rank
of Lieutenant General and assignment as Deputy Commanding General/Chief of Staff, United States Army
Forces Command, Fort McPherson, Georgia. He most recently served as Senior Commander for Fort Bliss,
Fort Bliss, Texas.
...to John Briseno and Samantha Pittle Briseno on the birth of their son, Mateo; grandparents are Alan and
Mimi Pittle.
...to Erin Purvin and Jeremy Wynn, who were married on December 19 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Parents are
Jon and Tobi Purvin; grandparents are Gene and Muriel Tucker, and sisters are Robyn Purvin and Stacy
Berry.
...to Stacy and Buck Shapiro on the birth of their daughter, Brooklyn Paige; grandparent is Jan Reed; Great
grandparents are Jay and Marilyn Mendeloff and Robert and Phyllis Shapiro.
...to Marne and Derek Van der Voort on the birth of their son, Peter; Great grandmother is Judy Leonard.

Hamakom Y’nachem—May God Bring Comfort...

...to Beth McCoy on the death of her cousin, Marlene Rivkin Hyman.
...to Joan Eftis on the death of her son, Sander Starr.
...to Beth McCoy on the death of her uncle, Morton Rivkin.

B’ruchim Haba’im—Welcome New Members!

We welcome our recent new members, Jennifer and Ron Pratt and their children, Julia and Curtis. Jennifer is a
fundraising professional, working with area schools and organizations. Ron is a deputy with the Sheriff's depart-
ment and is also enlisted in the Army Reserves. Julia is in 7th grade and enjoys playing the oboe. Curtis, a 5th
grader, loves martial arts.

We also want to welcome new member, Ilana Kresch from Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Do you know someone who is new to town, new to Judaism, or interested in getting involved with a synagogue? Please help
them be in touch with Susan Jaffee at 532-5959 or sjaffee@templemountsinai.com.

Albertson’s Cash-Back Fundraiser

Please remember to use your key tag each time you shop for groceries at Albert-
sons. All you need to do is have the card scanned when you check out. Temple will
earn 1% of your shopping total each time you scan the card, at no additional cost to
you. If you need additional key tags, they are available in the Temple office.
January 2011/Tevet 5771 Page 5 Messages from the Mountain

Lunch and Learn, January 11 at 11:45 am

Our next Lunch and Learn will be Tuesday, January 11 in Zielonka Hall at Temple.
The session will begin with lunch at 11:45 am, followed by study and conversation.
This month, Rabbi Bach’s topic will be, “What do we mean by ‘faith’?”
Lunch is $10, and reservations may be made by calling the Temple office, or online.
Your RSVP helps us purchase food wisely — please let us know if you’ll be attending.

Israel—January, 2012
Announcing Temple Mount Sinai’s next trip to Israel – January 1-12, 2012
If you are interested in making a pilgrimage to Israel with us, please plan to attend
a trip interest meeting on Tuesday, January 18, at 7 pm at the Temple. You may
RSVP for the meeting by contacting Alanna Bach. At the interest meeting, we will
present the itinerary and pricing for the land portion of the trip. Airline pricing
will be available in mid-February.
If you have any questions, please contact Alanna Bach at 328-6062 or
abach@templemountsinai.com

Weekly Meditation, Tuesdays beginning in January

A weekly meditation “sit” will begin in center, and one of the facilitators will offer
January, 2011, on Tuesday evenings at 6 some focus and instruction for practice.
pm. There will also be time at the end for ques-
Rabbi Bach is joined by co-facilitators Mary tions and sharing. But come prepared to sit
McIntyre and Nancy Schwartz. All three in silence, opening heart and mind to what
have some experience meditating. They arises.
share a commitment to a regular medita- For more information and to confirm your
tion practice, and recognize that a group interest in attending, call Mary at 915-490-
environment provides support for that 7359 (for those who called last Spring,
practice. please call again so we can update our po-
Our weekly sits will be held in the Krupp tential attendee list).
Chapel, and will consist, for the most part Sits begin on January 11, and continue each
of...sitting. We will open with a chant to Tuesday following.
Messages from the Mountain Page 6 January 2011/Tevet 5771

Women of Reform Judaism

The Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) at Temple Mount
Sinai hosted our annual Chanukah Dinner on Friday,
December 3rd. The evening began with a wonderful
Shabbat service, featuring Shir Chadash (our choir) and
some cherished Chanukah songs. Nearly 100 people at-
tended services and dinner, which began with each ta-
ble lighting their family chanukkiot, filling the room
with a warm glow. The dinner consisted of traditional
Chanukah fare, including potato latkes and sufganiyot
prepared lovingly by WRJ members. And there was a
twist this year! WRJ members donated briskets that
they prepared, which allowed for a wonderful diversity
of styles (sweet, BBQ, etc), each delicious in its own
right. Rabbi Bach had made a reference to "loaves and
fishes," which seemed very appropriate because the turn
-out was a bit larger than expected, but with all the food donations along with the
hard work of our members, lead by WRJ President Amissa Burton, everyone was able
to enjoy a delicious meal with a few leftovers to spare! Thank you to everyone who
helped make cookies, briskets, prepare tables (the napkins were folded so beauti-
fully!), coordinate everything and help with clean-up!
Members of WRJ enjoyed their second an-
nual Game Night in December. The casual
get-together at the home of Becky Myers be-
gan with Alanna Bach lighting candles for
the seventh night of Chanukah and leading
us in a brief, insightful discussion about the
holiday. The rest of the evening was filled
with the clicks of Mah Jongg tiles and
laughter. Mah Jongg winners included Les-
lie Beckoff, Stacy Berry, Sue Feldblum, and
Marilyn Silverstein, but everyone was a winner as a good time was had by all, begin-
ner and veteran player alike.
January 2011/Tevet 5771 Page 7 Messages from the Mountain

WRJ Book Group meetings are always popular with our sister-
hood members and this year's book takes a look at Jewish women
in a sisterhood in Memphis, Tennessee. We will be discussing The
Ladies Auxiliary by
Tova Mirvis on the
first Tuesday of the
month, January 4, at
your choice of time
and place. At 11:30 am,
we will meet at Montevista, 1575
Belvidere, for lunch ($8.00 for non-
residents) and a book review led by Al-
ison Westermann. At 7:00 pm, we will
meet at the home of Laura Tate Goldman for dessert and a book review led by Cindy
Graff Cohen. Even if you haven't read the book,
please join us at either time/place; we'll fill you
in on the novel's basic story and issues. Copies
are available at the Sunland Park Barnes & Noble
store behind the counter (under the name
Cohen). Please let Cindy know by Sunday, Janu-
ary 2, if you are attending: 833-4526 or 203-3538
or cindygraffcohen@gmail.com

Leaves and Stones on the Temple’s Tree of Life

Do you know that you can honor or remember a loved one with a leaf or a stone on the
Tree of Life? This beautiful work of art is displayed on the wall in the foyer at Temple just
outside the Sanctuary.
For a minimum donation of $300 for a leaf or $3,000 for a stone, the brass will be engraved
according to your instructions and will remain on the Tree of Life forever. Your donation
becomes part of the Foundation Trust and benefits Temple Mount Sinai in perpetuity.
For more information, contact Sally Parke at the Temple office at 532-5959.
Messages from the Mountain Page 8 January 2011/Tevet 5771

Religious School Mitzvah Day

Mitzvah Day & Taco Lunch Fundraiser ... Successful and Enjoyable
On Sunday, December 12, we gathered in Krupp Chapel. As students walked into the Chapel, they
placed their donated items on the Bimah. Rabbi led us in T’filah, Michelle Blumenfeld thanked the
students and faculty for their donations and encouraged all to continue doing Acts of Random
Kindness throughout the year. Grace gave an overview of the Mitzvah Day activities for the morn-
ing.
After T’filah students and teaching assistants helped take all the items from the Chapel to the Re-
source room to be sorted for delivery. Every one then returned to their classrooms for a G’Milut
Chasadim lesson from 10:00 – 10:45 am.
This year we decided to honor the elderly with our main mitzvah project. Michelle Blumenfeld
volunteered to head this year’s Mitzvah Day projects and Becky Horowitz, with Visiting Nursing
Association’s, helped to identify their clients’ specific needs: baby wipes, new wash cloths, Ensure
or Boost drinks, Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash, Carnation Instant Breakfast, fitted and flat sheets
for hospital beds (extra long), plus the items that went into the gift bags.
At 10:45 the students started working on their Mitzvah projects:
The Pre-kinder through second grade (led by teachers and teaching assistants) worked on “Well
Wishes” cards to put in the gift bags. The third through eighth grade students decorated forty
cloth bags for the forty patients, assisted by VNA nurses. The bags included a lightweight throw
blanket, shampoo, rinse, body cream, toothpaste, toothbrush, notepad and pen, wooden handle
bell, M&M’s and two lollipops.
Becky Horowitz, VNA-Hospice representative, visited the classrooms to thank the students for
their donations and to talk about Hospice and answer the students’ questions. Our VNA guests
were very grateful for all the items donated by our students, parents, faculty and our Religious
School.
Additionally, we collected items donated by students (“Hidden Treasures “Mitzvah Project) during
this time. Everything we collected will be donated to the children at La Clinica Guadalupana.
At 11:30 am, we all gathered in Schwartz Hall for lunch and socializing. We sold tacos, salsa,
drinks and yummy treats and we raised $470. The money collected at this lunch is being saved for
a special Religious School Tzedakah Project “Packages From Home”. Money we raise at the next
Taco Lunch Fundraiser (planned for March 6 during our Cultural Celebration), will be added to the
$470 to buy packages for an Israeli Army Unit.
A very special "THANK YOU" to everyone for their generous donations, to Simon Bir, David
Wolfe, Ed Solomon, Elisa Gluck, JoAnn Farley, the Feldt's, Shana/Carly/Gabe Levin, and Ellen
Goodman for all of their help in the kitchen, to Sally Parke, Joyce Davidoff, Ethan Reiter, Meredith
Heins, Matthew Bowman, Leah Gluck, Gabe and Carly Levin for helping out during the sale. We
also truly appreciate Frank's assistance during our Religious School projects and events.
On Monday, December 13, Michelle delivered the forty gift bags to VNA. Thank you Michelle!
January 2011/Tevet 5771 Page 9 Messages from the Mountain
Messages from the Mountain Page 10 January 2011/Tevet 5771

Temple Mount Sinai/Congregation B’nai Zion

Chanukah Family Event
As one of our parents commented, “From be- united in Zielonka to create an edible Cha-
ginning to end, this year’s Chanukah Family nukiahs. At 10:35, families in group one and
program was WONDERFUL. My son had a group two swapped activities.
blast painting his glass menorah cups and his Our Chanukah program began at 11:15 in
father’s hands, we loved the story-time with Schwartz Hall. Pre-Kinder through second
Rabbi Chaya (she gets so passionate and ani-
grade students (dressed in Chanukah deco-
mated and the kids loved her) and the edible
rated white T-Shirts) sang three Chanukah
menorah room was perfect and so much fun.
songs; “I have a little Dreidle”, “S’vivon” and
Best of all for us, was the special performance
“I Am a Latke”. TMS seventh and eighth grade
up on the stage in Schwartz Hall when my
students preformed the story of Chanukah, di-
son joined the “big kids” as they sang Chanu-
rected by Tina Wolfe. Everyone enjoyed the
kah songs. All in all, bravo and thank you for
program.
all the work that went into planning such a
great event.”. Right after the program, Rabbi Chaya and
On Sunday, December 5, as families entered Rabbi Bach lit the Chanukah candles and led
the Chapel, Lisa Mitchell (B’nai Zion), Mere- the blessings, then Grace asked the families to
dith Heins, Maddie Goldfarb, and Alex and help themselves to Latkes and Chanukah cook-
Daryl Stein checked-in our B’nai Zion and TMS ies. Kaylen Duran handed out gelt and drei-
families and provided them a pre-printed dels to enjoy as families socialized, and a Cha-
nametag indicating the time frame and activi- nukah Goblin picture-taking session was avail-
ties for the entire Chanukah Family Event.. As able in Schwartz Hall.
families were greeted, they were handed Cha- A very special “Thank You” to our latke mak-
nukah activity sheets and Chanukah silly ing crew – Simon Bir, Arlene Sonnen, David
bands. Wolfe, Jaime Papa and Ed Solomon. They
We gathered in the Chapel. Rabbi Bach led us whipped up over 400 yummy latkes.
in Chanukah songs and the dreidel spiel and Thank you, Tina Wolfe and Michelle Blu-
right after, Grace gave families an overview of menfeld for your help making the Chanukah
the morning’s activities. cookies. Debbie Marcus and Randee Mansfield
Families were divided into two groups; group (TMS Gift Shop) we appreciate your support of
one went downstairs to the classrooms to work our Religious School. We had a wonderful set
on a Chanukah craft. During this time, the par- up crew: Helene Solomon, Carly Levin, Shana
ents in group two stayed with Rabbi Bach for a Levin, Angela Feldt, Monica Escobar and
Chanukah lesson and their children were es- Monica’s two nephews who created the picture
corted to the Library for a storytelling (Hershel taking poster of Hershel and the Chanukah
and the Hanukkah Goblins) session with Rabbi Goblins. As always, we certainly appreciate
Chaya. After 20 minutes of learning and story- Frank Hernandez for the hard work that goes
telling, group two parents and children re- into in setting up before the events and picking
up after the events. “Thank You” Frank.
January 2011/Tevet 5771 Page 11 Messages from the Mountain

Got pictures of life at TMS

that you’d like to share?
Post them to our Facebook Page at
http://www.facebook.com/tmselpaso
Messages from the Mountain Page 12 January 2011/Tevet 5771

MSTY/mini-MSTY News
On Saturday, December 11, 8 members of MSTY/mini-MSTY and 6 members of BETY/BEMY (from
Las Cruces), along with 4 advisors, met at Bob-O's at 3:00 pm to play laser tag. We played 3 rounds
and the kids had a blast. We then packed up at 5:15 pm and headed to Temple. At Temple, we made
dinner (pasta, bread, and salad), while everyone else did a mixer to get to know each other better. We
had a havdalah service and dinner. Even though there wasn’t a great turnout for this event, everyone
that attended had a really good time. Hopefully this will become an annual event.

There are a couple of upcoming events this month. The ADL Confronting Anti-Semitism workshop is
on January 9 (details are below). The NFTY (National Federation of Temple Youth) Social Action
Weekend (SAW) will be held January 20-23 in Phoenix. It is a wonderful annual event when the kids
get an opportunity to participate in community service with their Jewish peers from the Southwest
region.

Gesher — Learning for Young Children

Gesher (bridge in Hebrew) is a hands-on Jewish learning program run by Temple Mt. Sinai for
children from birth through four years and their parents. Throughout the year children and par-
ents explore Jewish holidays and Jewish ethics through the vehicle of play.
Our rich curriculum, designed by Marci Karch, includes singing, movement, stories, craft pro-
jects, snacks, and more. Gesher meets at Temple Mt. Sinai in Zielonka Hall from 10 to 11 am ap-
proximately twice a month. There is an $80 per family registration fee for this program.
We hope your family will join us for a year of Jewish fun and learning. Please contact Marci
Karch at marcikarch@hotmail.com or 585-7833 for complete registration information. It is not
necessary to be members of Temple Mount Sinai to join this class.

ADL—Confronting Anti-Semitism Workshop

January 9, 2011
Plan to attend a helpful workshop with your children on Sunday, January 9, 2011 to learn
how to respond to anti-Semitic jokes and remarks. This program is brought to you by CLAL:
Community Learning and Leadership and presented by the Anti-Defamation League
Southwest Region, based in Houston.
10:00 am- Noon Grades six through eight - Temple Mount Sinai
2:00 pm-4:00 pm Grades nine through twelve—JCC 405 Wallenberg
Parents and students are strongly encouraged to attend together. All youth welcome, regardless of
affiliation. No charge. Please RSVP to jfed5@elpbizclass.com or 584 4437.
January 2011/Tevet 5771 Page 13 Messages from the Mountain

From the Healing Resource Center

Grief Digest is a publication purchased by the Jo Ann your throat or chest, digestive problems, sensitivity
Rothbardt Petersen Healing Resource Center. There are to noise, heart palpitations, queasiness, nausea,
many wonderful articles to read and explore. If you headaches, increased allergic reactions, changes in
would like more information, contact Susan Jaffee at appetite, weight loss or gain, agitation, and
532-5959 or sjaffee@templemountsinai.com. generalized tension—these are all ways your body
Nurturing Yourself, The Physical Realm may react to the loss of someone loved. If you have
a chronic existing health problem, it may become
By Alan Wolfelt, Ph.D.
worse. The stress of grief can suppress your
Reprinted with permission from Grief Digest, immune system and make you more susceptible to
Centering Corporation, Omaha, Nebraska, physical problems.
402.553.1200.
Right now you may not feel in control of how your
Your body may be letting you know it feels body is responding. Your body is communicating
distressed. Actually, one literal definition of the with you about the stress you are experiencing!
word “grievous” is “causing physical suffering.” Keep in mind, however, that in the majority of
You may be shocked by how much your body instances, the physical symptoms described above
responds to the impact of your loss. are normal and temporary.
Among the most common physical responses to Good self-care is important at this time. Your body
loss are troubles with sleeping and low energy. is the house you live in. Just as your house requires
You may have difficulty getting to sleep. Perhaps care and maintenance to protect you from the
even more commonly, you may wake up early in outside elements, your body requires that you
the morning and have trouble getting back to sleep. honor it and treat it with respect. The quality of
During your grief journey, your body needs more your life ahead depends on how you take care of
rest than usual. You may also find yourself getting your body today. The “lethargy of grief” you are
tired more quickly—sometimes even at the start of probably experiencing is a natural mechanism
the day. intended to slow you down and encourage you to
Sleeping normally after a loss would be unusual. If care for your body. Be certain to “talk out” your
you think about it, sleeping is the primary way in grief. Many grieving people have taught me that if
which we release control. When someone in your they avoid or repress talking about the death, their
life dies, you feel a loss of control, so you don’t bodies will begin to express their grief for them.
want to lose any more control by sleeping. The The following “Twelve Commandments of Good
need to stay awake sometimes relates to the fear of Health” are good advice for anyone, but especially
additional losses. Therefore, you may stay awake for anyone in mourning. While this is by no means
because you want to prevent more loss. Some an all-inclusive list, it should get you off to a good
grieving people have even taught me that they stay start. Quit procrastinating and adopt that now
awake hoping to not miss the person who died in famous Nike mantra, “Just do it!”
case he or she returns. If you have this experience,
1. Stop Smoking Right Now
be assured you are not crazy. It is a normal part of
searching and yearning for the person who died. Smoking can kill you. Stopping smoking can add
years to your life. The main ways smoking kills are
Muscle aches and pains, shortness of breath,
feelings of emptiness in your stomach, tightness in (Continued on page 14)
Messages from the Mountain Page 14 January 2011/Tevet 5771

by heart disease, lung disease or cancer. Again, if The American College of Sports Medicine now
you smoke you are being self-destructive. It’s recommends weight training for every adult. The
poison, pure and simple. Tobacco kills more than earlier you start weight training, the more muscle
350,000 Americans every year, making it the leading you will keep in older age. Muscle conditioning is
cause of premature death in the United States. If vitally important, yet often neglected. There are two
you can’t stop on your own, get help. aspects to muscle fitness: endurance and strength.
2. Eat Less Fat In a weight-training program, lifting lighter weights
with more repetitions increases endurance, while
Perhaps you realize you should eat less fat, but you
lifting heavier weights with fewer repetitions
eat it anyway. Why? Because is tastes good and it’s
increases strength. As you age, muscle strength
a habit. In rebuttal: There are a lot of other things
declines more quickly than endurance.
that taste good and you can change bad habits. Fat
clogs your arteries and causes heart attacks and The reality is that if you don’t use your muscles, you
strokes. My family physician wife, Susan, tells me will lose your muscles. Get help from a professional
that foods high in saturated fats are the worst trainer to assist you in creating the right weight
offenders. These foods also tend to high in training program for you.
cholesterol ad do some of their damage by building 5. Exercise Your Mind and Spirit
up a plaque on the walls of your arteries. These The demands of grief—on top of your everyday
buildups are what lead to heart disease. The reality commitments—prime you for plenty of stress.
is that the more your blood vessels are narrowed by Building in some regular physical exercise lets you
fat and cholesterol, the less oxygen will be circulated “get away” from the demands of an all-too-often
in your body and the more fatigued you will feel. hectic life. Exercise will help you experience an
The American Heart Association recommends enhanced sense of well-being.
getting no more than 30 percent of your daily
Exercise has a calming effect on the body and the
calories from fat. The less the better.
mind. We know that people who regularly exercise
3. Exercise Your Heart say they handle pressure better, feel more confident
Think of your heart as an engine in your car. Let’s and are happier and less depressed than those
say you abuse it by driving it thousands of miles people who don’t exercise. In other words, exercise
and never performing maintenance on it. And then not only benefits the body, it benefits the mind and
one day in the middle of a drive it just stops. Don’t the spirit. Even if you think you are in great
abuse your heart. It is the engine that keeps you physical shape, exercise anyway.
alive. Each day it beats one hundred thousand times 6. Get Adequate Sleep
and pumps sixteen hundred gallons of blood over
Sleep is restorative. It allows you to live. Sleep
sixty thousand miles of vessels. Your heart is your
allows your mind and body a chance to perform day
best friend. Support it every chance you have.
-to-day maintenance and repairs. Choose to get
One way to support your heart is to condition it. enough sleep. Determine how much you need to
Aerobic conditioning trains your heart, your blood, feel your best and then make every effort to get it.
your lungs in ways that they can deliver more Try to go to bed at a similar time each night, and get
oxygen faster and more efficiently to the body. Just up at a similar time each morning. Begin to
30 minutes of exercise at least three times a week can completely relax an hour or so before you go to bed.
keep your heart and lungs healthy. Do what you Limit caffeine and alcohol intake.
most enjoy. Walking, jogging, swimming and
7. Establish a Relationship with a Physician
cycling are very good forms of aerobic exercise.
4. Exercise Your Muscles
(Continued on page 15)
January 2011/Tevet 5771 Page 15
(Continued from page 14)
Making our health a priority requires creating a
relationship with a trusted physician. Do you
know that some people spend more time selecting a
veterinarian for their pets than they do selecting a
doctor for their bodies? That’s if they pick a doctor
at all. Simple as it may seem, finding and making
use of a good doctor can be one of the most
practical choices you can make toward leading a
healthier and longer life. Think of physicians as
coaches—trained professionals—who know how to
help keep you healthy. If you don’t already have
one, find one now and work to create a health-
partnership.
8. Slow Down
Being too busy to see a doctor is only one symptom
of a fast-paced, hurry-up lifestyle. For many
people, the feeling of being rushed permeates their
entire life. Are you living out the “squeeze it all in”
mentality? Are you simply too busy? Do you have
to leave one commitment early to go to another?
If you can allow yourself to slow down, your
perception will change. Life will become easier and
more enjoyable. You will work smarter. You will
discover that your quality of life is generated from
within instead of being imposed from the outside.
As you slow down you may find that much of what
you previously thought was essential can actually
be postponed, delegated, or even ignored. Instead
of waiting to enjoy your life when everything is
done, allow yourself to enjoy the journey.
9. Rest and Relax
Set aside time every day for some rest and
relaxation—a minimum of thirty minutes. (I can
hear some of you right now. “I just don’t have
time!”) Don’t fall into the trap of thinking your day
off or weekend off are your time for rest and
relaxation. You may find yourself running around
trying to pack everything you haven’t had time to
do into this short time. Build in rest and relaxation,
and when you do, don’t feel guilty. Your times of
rest are every bit as important as your times of
being productive. Remember, rest restores!
Messages from the Mountain
10. Stay Fluid
Many people aren't aware that one of the easiest
ways to stay healthy is to drink lots of water. Think
of water as the oil that lubricates the mind and the
body. The universal recommendation is six to eight
glasses (10-12 ounces each) of water a day.
11. Laugh—A Lot
Humor is good medicine. Research demonstrates
that laughter stimulates chemicals in the brain that
actually suppress stress-related hormones. Also,
respiration and circulation are both enhanced
through laughter. If you’re in grief, you may not
feel like laughing very much right now. But as
your journey progresses, find ways to build
laughter into your life.
12. Invest in Major Relationships
When it comes to your physical, emotional and
spiritual wellbeing, don’t underestimate the
importance of your family and friends. Whether
it’s your spouse, significant other, children or close
friends, the people you turn to for support can play
an important role in your wellbeing.
Connected relationships with your family and
friends can motivate you to take care of yourself—
to eat right, exercise and get regular medical care.
Your family and friends can be an important buffer
from the stresses of everyday life. Yet, like a
garden, family and friend relationships must be
tended. You can’t expect to get much, if anything,
out of these relationships if you are too busy.
Slowing down from your busy life and spending
time with family and friends will invite you to
experience intimacy, play, compassion, respect,
kindness, joy and gratitude. If you are able to be
truly present to your family and friends—without
agendas, expectations, and preoccupations—you
will feel more connected to each other by love.
Messages from the Mountain Page 16 January 2011/Tevet 5771

Tributes from November 21 to December 20

Amelia G. Krohn Basic Judaism in memory of Ken Given by Edward
in memory of Joseph Heller by Fifi
Collection Heller-Kaim & Evelyn Schwartz, Mark & Dori
in memory of Evelyn Axelrod by Fenenbock, Nancy Heydemann,
in honor of Lynn Krohn's Special Robert & Merle Navarro, Bob & Sara
Birthday by Matt & Elizabeth Krohn Wendy Axelrod Shiloff, Bob & Jane Snow, Ed & Lory
in honor of Bree Meyer’s Bat Mitzvah Oppenheimer, Ann Louise Leeds
by Josh & Jenny Meyer
Campership Fund in memory of Leona Goldfarb by Bob
in memory of Dorothy Kovan by Bob & Shirley Goldfarb
& Susie May Floyd Fierman Religious School in memory of Reba Swiff by Mark &
Fund Dori Fenenbock, Dick & Marlene
in memory of Judy Blumenfeld by
Bob & Susie May in memory of Edy Fierman by Gary Fass, Nancy Heydemann
& Judith Weiser, Aaron & Judith in memory of Ruth Robinson by Ed
in memory of Sam Hoffman by Larry Chinn, Marc & Pam Bernat, Tom &
& Joyce Anenberg & Lory Oppenheimer
Edna Gordon, Bob & Elaine Krasne,
Marty & Bonnie Colton, Jay & in memory of Sadie Hoffman by Chet
Caring Community Fund Kathryn Hollander, Deborah Epstein & Jan Frame
in memory of Sander Jeffrey Starr by
in memory of Dorothy Kovan by
Harris & Kay Hatfield
Keith & Becky Myers Friedman/Bloom/Rothstein Outdoor
in memory of Ken Given by Gershon Chapel
& Barbara Ettinger in memory of Dorothy Kovan by Sam Jeffrey Levy Fund
& Gayle Belford in memory of Judy Blumenfeld by
in memory of Jack Hirsch by Phil & Madge Plese
Cemetery Fund
Ann Rothstein in memory of Ken Given by Madge
in memory of Ken Given by Valerie
Plese
Barnett
General Donations Fund
in appreciation of Temple Mount Josh & Frances Kahn Endowment
Choir Fund
Sinai by Gordon Mahon, Douglas For Youth Fund
speedy recovery to Bill Spier by Bill Waters in memory of Joshua N. Kahn by
& Marcia Dahlberg
in honor of Albert Schwartz's Special Alan & Jean Kahn
Birthday by Skip & Teresa Schwartz
Ethel Oppenheimer Flower Fund in honor of Miriam Goldfarb's Jo Ann Rothbardt Petersen Healing
in memory of Anna F. Rosenberg by Special Birthday by Ann Louise Resource Center
Ruth Braun Leeds in memory of Judy Blumenfeld by
in memory of Corrine Alice Coleman in memory of Dorothy Kovan by Phil & Judy Bargman
by Steve Rosenberg Larry & Joyce Anenberg, Marty & in memory of Ken Given by Phil &
in memory of Elayne Bernat by Julian Bonnie Colton, Norma Levenson, Bill Judy Bargman
Bernat & Anne Spier, Irene Oppenheimer,
Ed & Lory Oppenheimer in memory of Larry Gladstone by
in memory of Francine Raileanu by Phil & Judy Bargman
Jerry & Haidi Appel in memory of Edy Fierman by Ed &
Lory Oppenheimer
in memory of Henry Cohen by Sue
Feldblum in memory of Judith Nankin by Larry
& Joyce Anenberg
in memory of Jack Marcus by
Mildred Marcus in memory of Judy Blumenfeld by
Nancy Heydemann, Marc & Mimi
Spier
January 2011/Tevet 5771 Page 17
Krasne Discretionary Fund Prayer Book Fund
in appreciation of Bob & Elaine in appreciation of Shari & Stuart
Krasne Happy Chanukah by Allen & Schwartz Happy Chanukah by
Marlene Levine Svetlana Ulrich
in honor of Jennifer & Jason in appreciation of Temple Mount
Schwartz's Marriage by Bob & Elaine Sinai by Azucena Monzon, Douglas
Krasne Waters
in memory of Bob Washer by Bob & in honor of Becky & Keith Myers'
Elaine Krasne Special Wedding Anniversary by
in memory of Dorothy Kovan by Bob Stuart & Shari Schwartz
& Elaine Krasne in memory of Dorothy Kovan by Bud
in memory of Judy Blumenfeld by & Charlotte Ramenofsky, Bill &
Dick & Robin Krasne Marcia Dahlberg
in memory of Judy Nankin by Marty in honor of Jennifer & Jason
& Bonnie Colton Schwartz's Marriage by Bill & Marcia
Dahlberg
in memory of Ken Given by Marty &
Bonnie Colton, Bill & Anne Spier in memory of Bob Washer by Bill &
Anne Spier
speedy recovery to Bill Spier by Bob
& Elaine Krasne in memory of Rebecca Horwitz,
Philip Terk & Abe Hill by Bob & Sara speedy recovery to Harriet & Marvin
speedy recovery to Scott Stein by Shiloff
Dick & Robin Krasne
in memory of Sander Starr by Bob &
Sara Shiloff
Landscape Special Projects Fund in memory of Sonia Katz by the Katz
in memory of Bruce Keidan by Children
Lyndon & Randee Mansfield in memory of William Katz by the
in memory of Judy Blumenfeld by Katz Children
Sue Bendalin, Paquita Litt in memory of Aida & Moses Halkin
and Sonia & William Katz by the
Lauterbach Youth & Campership Katz Children
Fund in memory of Josh & Frances Kahn
in memory of Ken Given by Bernie & by Sandi & Mike Carpenter
Judy Lauterbach in memory of Sarah & Blane Katz
and Sonia & William Katz by the
Katz Childen
MAZON Donation
In memory of Richard Carvajal by
in memory of Dorothy Kovan &
Bill & Jessica Carvajal
Norma Aaronson by Edward &
Evelyn Schwartz
in memory of Judy Blumenfeld by Rabbi Bach's Discretionary Fund
Jim & Marian Daross in appreciation of Rabbi Larry Bach
by Michael Tomor, Stan Nankin,
John & Gloria Lavis, Leonard Starr,
Nathan Goldman Zadie Fund
Joan Starr-Eftis
in memory of Edy Fierman by Estelle
in appreciation of Rabbi Larry Bach
Goldman
& Sammy Holaschutz by Jon &
Arlene Sonnen
in honor of Nancy Schwartz's new
granddaughter, Eden Adele Peled by
Barbara Berliner
Messages from the Mountain
in memory of Bob Washer by Peter
Shugart
in memory of Dorothy Kovan by Bob
& Jane Rosen, Barbara Berliner
in memory of Jack Hirsch by Bob &
Jane Rosen
in memory of Judith Nankin by
Arnold & Lila Bowman
in memory of Judy Blumenfeld by
Bob & Jane Rosen
in memory of Ken Given by Bernie &
Judy Lauterbach, Barbara Berliner
in memory of Oscar David Leeser by
Arthur & Rhoberta Leeser
speedy recovery to Beth Lipson by
Bob & Jane Rosen
speedy recovery to Cheryl Gordon
by Bob & Jane Rosen
Roth by Bob & Jane Rosen
SKIP Donation
in appreciation of Temple Mount
Sinai by Robert & Jane Warach
Onegs and Kiddushes
in honor of Bree Meyer's Bat Mitzvah
by Josh & Jenny Meyer, Simon &
Grace Bir
in memory of Anne Elizabeth
Hawkinson by Lietzie Belford
in memory of Fan & I.B. Goodman by
Gershon & Barbara Ettinger
in memory of Helen Kern by Martin
Kern
in memory of Jon Heller by Fifi
Heller-Kaim & Boris Kaim
in memory of Leo Rosen by Sig &
Olga Rosen
Messages from the Mountain Page 18 January 2011/Tevet 5771

Reform Movement Think Tank

The future of the North American Jewish community is being shaped by divergent forces unlike those we
have confronted in the past. The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), Central Conference of American Rab-
bis (CCAR) and Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) are convening a Think
Tank to provide creative leadership in addressing these trends and are asking for input from the public.
Feedback will be used to direct the Think Tank's discussions and will help identify core issues, trends
and challenges to the Reform Jewish community. This work will result in a shared understanding about
future possibilities and directions for the Reform Movement. Think Tank discussions will include topics
such as:
• Communal: How does technology change the nature of community building and affiliation?
• Financial: The nature of community in an era of "free" and financial uncertainty.
• Post-Denominationalism: What does it mean to be a denomination/movement in a culture that is in-
herently anti-institutional?
Congregations and individuals are invited to participate in several public forums that will impact the
work of the Think Tank and the future of Reform Judaism. Organizers will be soliciting feedback from all
participants at the conclusion of the forum and will be sharing this feedback with the Think Tank. Please
visit www.urj.org/thinktank for more information.

Congregation Mount Sinai Cemetery

If you have not yet obtained plots in the Temple Cemetery for yourself and your family
members, now would be an excellent time to do so before the price increase takes effect on
February 2, 2011. If you desire to purchase a plot or plots at the current price of $1,000 please call
Sally Parke at 532-5959 at your first opportunity. If you wish to extend your payments, an
approved payment plan of 20% down, with equal installments over the next 4 years, is available.
Just a reminder, our Cemetery hours are Sunday through Friday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm and closed
on Saturday.

Assistive listening devices are available at the entrance to our chapel and sanctuary.
Please ask a greeter for assistance.
If you have inadvertently left Temple with one of these devices, please return it as soon
as possible. These headsets are programmed to be used only in our Sanctuary and
Chapel, and many of them have disappeared, meaning that they are not available for
congregants who use them at services. If you find you have one of these (perhaps in that
drawer with all the yarmulkes!), please return it to the Temple office so that it may be
put back into service.
Thank you for your cooperation.
January 2011/Tevet 5771 Page 19 Messages from the Mountain

Yahrzeits for January 2011

December 31, 2010- Irving Potashkin Blanche A. Goldberg Yetta Sandler
January 1, 2011 Harry Rosenbloom Harry Goldstein Glennon Schall
Lillie Alpern Robert Louis Rosenthal Ricki Gross Lillie Talpis
Solomon Appel Mel Schwartz Josephine Holguin Aaron Vooles
Jeanette Braunstein David Sopkin Bertha Juda
Mary Cherno Gladys Kenoffel February 4-5, 2011
Mollie Cohen January 14-15, 2011 Helen Krapin Horst Arndt
Lee Crawford Mona Aarons Samuel Lauterbach Melittia Axelrod
David Dichter Milton Amstater Max Levenson Anna Bailen
Benjamin S. Feinberg Meyer B. Berkman Fred Levy Bertha Berg
Milton Fink Idas Brannon William Levy Janet Berkenfield
Alfred Finke Arthur Bromberg Leonard Lipson Gisela Bernat
Harry Jacob Finke Rae Bromberg Hilde Mason Lucy Bleiberg
Sherman Bernard Given Alma Curry Albert Nedow Barney Brickman
Anna Gopin Walter Daniels Max Prensky Sarah Brody
Frieda Gordon Ruth Dula Sidney Prensky David Coleman
Hedwig Grunebaum Rudolph Edelman Frieda Schatz Roberto Duran
Sarah Katz Regina Freier Eisner Maurice Schwartz Raul Falcon
Coleman Kovan Lillian Cousins Fiedell Molly Steinman Raymond Garmel
Ida Ovsay Mary Gold Ralph T. Talpis Max Eli Goldberg
Bernard Rothbardt Stanley Robert Golden Lillian Tucker Leah Gordon
Edward Rubin Geroge Gregory Cruz Villegas Aaron Heller
Sam Scherotter Joseph Halkin Al Weiss Hannah Horwitz
Herbert M. Schwartz Freddy Kahn Florence Adler Jacob
Dorothy Solomon Edith Kallman January 28-29, 2011 Simon Kahn
Laura Sommer Rifka Kozakish Marcelina Alvidrez Sandra Kern
Chad Michael Vojtas Sara Krasne Abe Barnett Leon Krupp
Isabell Weinblatt Hyman Mendeloff Robert Borschow Charles Lowenbert
Harold Novak Jack Armond Cohn Shannon McQueary
January 7-8, 2011 Fannie Schwartz Rebecca Cohn Harold Nussbaum
Rose Appel Nandor Schwartz Jack Domnitz Michael (Mickey) Robalin
Manuel W. Blaugrund Clarence Rochmill Solnick Edith Schill Feinberg Mildred Rosenbloom
Lena Brent Cheri Spier Meyer Furman William Saltzman
Ada F. Calisher Sandra Tyler Pauline Glazer Henry Scherr
Nell Carvajal Frieda Goldberg Jeffrey Schweitzer
Edward Cohn January 21-22, 2011 Estelle Harrison Mary Smith
Mark Cohn Louis Alpern Gene Hawkinson Gertrude Spier
Rose Fidell Cousins Armando Alvidrez Ruth Kern Anna Turetsky
Audrey Given Evelynne Belford Morris Kozak Celmira Vaughn
Sylvan Golden Bernice Bibo Robert Lait Rose Weinberg
Werner Kohlhagen Merton Bilsky Juanita Maddux
Jennie Levy Rose Cohen George Michael, Jr.
Lewis Levy Jean B. Feinberg Herbert Potashkin
Marion Ogron Phyllis Fruithandler Janice Levy Rosenberg
 NON-PROFIT
Temple Mount Sinai
ORGANIZATION
4408 North Stanton Street U.S. Postage
El Paso, TX 79902 PAID
EL Paso TX
Phone: 915-532-5959 Permit No. 1386
Fax: 915-533-0092
www.templemountsinai.com

Mailing Address

Staff
Rabbi ............................................................... Larry Bach
Rabbi Emeritus ............................................... Ken Weiss
Temple Mount Sinai is the
Administrator ................................................ Sally Parke
Administrative Assistant ....................Buddy Schwartz
Reform Jewish congregation
Religious School Director................................ Grace Bir
Outreach Director ........................................Susan Jaffee
serving El Paso, Texas.
Youth Advisor ............................................... Stacy Berry
Rabbi’s Assistant ........................................... Elisa Gluck We are a congregation of
Building Manager .............................. Frank Hernandez
House Keeping ......................................Ramona Pinales supportive, caring and
Accompanist ........................................... Linda McClain
diverse people with a rich
Officers
David Kern ................................................................. President history.
Shari Schwartz ................................................. President-Elect
Marian Daross ....................................................Vice President
Greta Duran........................................................Vice President
Temple is a place for prayer,
Ellen Goodman ..................................................Vice President
David Leffman ...................................................Vice President ritual, spirituality, education,
Jon Sonnen ..........................................................Vice President
Stephanie Calvo ..........................................................Secretary wholeness and healing, social
Marcia Dahlberg ............................ Immediate Past President
action and celebration.
Trustees
Rick Amstater, Joyce Davidoff, Join us as we explore,
Scott Feldt, Lori Gaman, Susie Goldman,
Jack Heydemann, Maria Klein, Hal Marcus,
Susan May, David Novick, Debby Robalin,
through these elements of
Phil Rothstein, Mark Schrier, Jane Snow
sacred living, the richness of
Jewish faith and tradition.