Congregation Ahavas Sholom

  2568 E. Broad Street
  Columbus, OH 43209

  Phone: 252-4815
  Rabbi's Study: 252-2568
  Fax: 252-1316
  E-mail address: ahavas@beol.net
  Web site: www.ahavas-sholom.org

  Rabbi
  Jonathan Rosenberg

  Officers
  Chairman of the Board
      David Schwartz

  Co-Presidents
      Yhezkel Levi
       Dr. Warren Sobol

Vice Presidents
      Dr.David Portman

  Treasurer
      Sanford Lefkowitz

  Recording Secretary
      Dr. Judith Groner

  Bulletin Staff
  Editor: Karan Tanenbaum

  Production: Natalie Berenstein

  

Ahavas Sholom News

Rabbi's Message:
Among the special facets of Purim is the realization that the winter season is on the wane. Purim always seems to be the capstone of a season that carries with it a sense of foreboding. The long dark nights of winter coupled with the cold elements seem to generate a greater sense of pessimism than do the bright and comfortable days of summer. By the time Purim rolls around, we feel that we really earned the celebration by dint of our endurance of the season.

This past winter has been unusually fraught with uncertainties and worry. In a passage of a mere six months, the ever-complicated world has become even more complicated. What was originally viewed by many as a bold move on behalf of peace has been relegated to yet another inconclusive gesture on Israel's part to bring the ever-elusive calm. With the grave illness of Prime Minister Sharon (he should be well) and the ascension of Hamas to power, the hopeful evacuation of the last summer seems to have transmogrified into the feeble mistake of the winter. It doesn't help that statements are emanating from Iran that literally hark back to the rhetoric of another madman whom the world fought against some sixty-five years ago. The scenes from across the globe of wild and virulent demonstrations over Danish cartoons only add to the gnawing fear that world events are percolating beyond a safe boiling point.

All of the above does not seem congruous with the joy of Purim. Or does it? Hindsight , they say, is 20-20. It also proves to be quite selective. Human nature is such that we tend to forget the struggles of the present once they have passed into the glory of the past. If present day events produce anxiety and disconcert, imagine how the Jews of Shushan and the entire world felt during their winter prior to the miracle. Just as we must contend with the rhetoric of a modern day madman in modern Persia, they too, had to deal with the decree of their archenemy in ancient Persia. Sometimes the parallels in history are too obvious to notice.

The point is that no one knows the future. The Jews of Persia had no guarantee that suddenly everything would turn for the better. They bravely faced the crisis in the best way they knew. They fasted and prayed and exerted as much effort as humanly possible to have the decree rescinded. This time-proven formula needs to be resurrected in our day. Thank G-d, we are not facing a decree the likes of Haman and the sort. But at the same time, we cannot fool ourselves into believing that times are as placid as ever, brimming with optimism.

The best way for the Jewish People to combat fear and uncertainty is to return to what we were meant to do. It behooves all of us to make a greater effort to attend services in Shul both during the week and on Shabbos. The secret of the Jews' success in the days of Mordechai and Esther was the power of unity. The more we bond together as a Shul and community, the more G-d bonds with us. And the more bonding with Hashem, the more protection we have from the dangerous currents that lurk beyond.

Our tradition teaches us that Purim also marks the beginning of yet another special season. And that is the season of redemption. As we gear up to celebrate an eternal miracle that was wrought such a long time ago, let us bond together and pray that the greatest miracle of all will soon be upon us.

Rabbi's Mailbox:
December 1, 2005

Dear Rabbi Rosenberg:

This year's JCC Bookfair featured over 1300 Jewish distinct book titles for sale, and over 700 people attend the fourteen lectures featuring both local and national authors.

Thank you for your participation as a sponsor for this year's JCC Bookfair. Bookfair is an important element in the cultural and educational Jewish community of Columbus. It is a reminder of the vast contribution that Jewish writers have made. Lectures and books provide avenues to enhance learning about Judaism, Jewish culture, practice, and even entertainment.

We are grateful for your continued support to this annual program.

Sincerely,
Sally Brown
Bookfair Chair

Debra Rosenthal
Bookfair Coordinator

Committee News:
Hospitality/Chessed Committee:Chairs - Laura Nutis and Daniella Weinerman
Our committee is designed to help members in need and to arrange accommodation and meals for visitors to the area. Part of our services include arranging meals for mothers who have just given birth, helping families with meals if their loved ones are in the hospital or recovering from surgery at home, and setting prospective members or visitors up with families over Shabbos. We welcome your suggestions and would like to hear from you if you are interested in getting involved in this big chessed opportunity!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Social Committee: Chair - Ruth Pack-Adler
The Social Committee is starting off this new board season with a special movie night. We viewed the film Ushpizin at the Drexel, and then headed to Cup O'Joe afterwards. Next up will be the always exciting Ahavas Sholom Purim festivities, including a gourmet dinner (details to follow), traditional schpiels and dancing to the sounds of the Mazel Tov Orchestra. We look forward to everyone from the community gathering at Ahavas Sholom for what is always an evening of ruach and merriment.
As always, our Shul dinner is a highlight of our social calendar. Save the date -- June 11th.
In addition, we hope to have many more exciting social events throughout the year...let us know what activities interest you.

Second Annual Cholent Cook Off:
This year's cholent cook off was a huge success as approximately 200 people enjoyed Shabbos lunch together and voted for their favorite cholent of 2006. Seven teams competed for the title of best cholent at the Second Annual Cholent Cook Off on Shabbos Shemos, January 21. Ira Nutis and Rabbi Zvi Katz took first place with their Top Dog Cholent. Laura Nutis and Ruth Adler, with their bean-less cholent called Ain't No Beans About It, tied for second place with Sheldon and Marilyn Estreicher's Here's the Beef! Cholent. Cantor Baruch Shifman's Morah Mina's Cholent required two large pots to cook and serve. Way to go Cantor Shifman! Also enjoyed were Number One Cholent by Liba Shakarchi and family, C.A.S.T. Iron Cholent from Lily Friedman and the Congregation Ahavas Sholom's Teen Minyan and A Long Slow Burn from Eric Schramm and family. The winning team was announced by Dr. Bruce Kay, representing last year's winner, the Star K, Chof K O-Kay Cholent.

A special thank you and Yasher Koach goes to Joel Wolff who individually numbered over 1500 serving cups, each keyed to one of the seven cholents, so that the 200 judges could keep track of which cholent they were sampling. A very special thank you goes to Lana Covel, my co-chair for the event, for helping with the cook off and for making the backup chili cholent. To Dan Meyers - thank you so much for donating the Frost Top soft drinks which are always a special treat and enjoyed by all! To Chani Capland a very big thank you for donating the delicious challah rolls!

I'd also like to thank Natalie Berenstein who helped with running off flyers, taking reservations and fielding phone calls for this event. To Thea Press, thank you for all your help and guidance. And to everyone else who helped set up, serve and clean up - thank you for all your help! We are all looking forward to having the community join us for next year's cook off!

Thank you, Shelley Levey

Personals:
Mazel Tov to:
Jerry & Ina Regosin on the birth of their new granddaughter; daughter of Yaffa Rachel & Noam Shalom
Rabbi Avrohom & Elisheva Berenstein, of Rochester, NY, on the birth of their son, Raphael Yitzchok. Mazel Tov to the grandfather, Michael Berenstein and to the great-grandmother, Ruth Seff
Frank & Boots Nutis on the birth of their new great-grandson Ilan Tamir Leubitz; grandson of Sheila & Michael Cutler of Scranton, PA
Jeff & Wendy Jonas on the birth of their son, Ari Reuven
Stuart & Tari Modes on the birth of their new grandson, Yosef Yehudah Zev Modes, son of Bobby & Chantel Modes of Cleveland
Rabbi Doniel & Esther Pransky on the birth of their son, Efrayim
Rabbi Yaakov & Sara Weinrach on the birth of their son, Ephraim
Ari & Esther Braun on the birth of their son, Nat. Mazel Tov to the entire family
Dr. Leonard & Susan Pollack on their son, Yehuda Chaim becoming a Bar Mitzvah
Yhezkel and Yael Levi on their son, Nitzan becoming a Bar Mitzvah
Andrew & Tricia Rosenstein on their son, Samuel becoming a Bar Mitzvah
Drs. Dan & Leslie Chase on their daughter, Emily becoming a Bas Mitzvah
Tuvia & Lea Schottenstein on their daughter, Yael becoming a Bas Mitzvah
Dr. Ronit Avitsur, of Israel, on her engagement to Israel Chamiel
Phyllis Flancbaum on the engagement of her son, Meir to Atara Hiller
Dr. Yoav Taub on his engagement to Yael Goldfeder, of Baltimore, MD
Dr. Richard & Liba Shakarchi on the marriage of Liba's sister
David & Cathy Schwartz on the marriage of David's nephew
Rabbi Noach & Bitsy Burr on the marriage of Bitsy's brother

Condolences To:
Gary & Lana Covel and family on the loss of Gary's uncle, David Rich
Rabbi Yosef & Tova Hauser and family on the loss of Rabbi Hauser's uncle
David & Pat Gold and family on the loss of David's aunt
Rick & Sherri Cohen and family on the loss of Rick's brother, Andrew Robert Cohen

Donations:
Kiddush:
Jerry Regosin in memory of his mother, Martha Regosin
Berenstein/Seff Family commemorating the first Yahrzeit for Judy Berenstein, a'h
Drs. Dan & Leslie Chase in honor of the Bas Mitzvah of their daughter, Emily
Yhezkel & Yael Levi in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Nitzan

Shalosh Se'udos:
The Berenstein Family in appreciation to all those who came to the cemetery for the unveiling of Judy Berenstein, a'h
The Berenstein Family commemorating the Yahrzeit for Michael's father, Yaakov Nuta ben Shmuel
The Berkovich Family commemorating the Yahrzeits of Aaron's grandmother and Elena's great-grandfather
The Sobol Family commemorating the Yahrzeits for Warren's grandmothers, Hadassah bas Avraham Lev and Gittel bas Moshe
Agi & Jon Hartstein commemorating the second Yahrzeit for Agi's grandmother, Doris Dreifus
Rabbi Yosef & Tova Hauser commemorating the Yahrzeit for Rabbi Hauser's father, Meir ben Shmuel HaCohen
Rick & Sherri Cohen in memory of Andrew Robert Cohen, Avrohom ben Baruch Yaakov, HaCohen -- to mark the end of Shloshim
Drs. Phil & Julie Weinerman and Drs. David & Miriam Portman commemorating the Yahrzeit for Julie & Miriam's father, Dr. David Davidson
The Berenstein family in gratitude to Hashem
Moshe & Malka Makias & Family commemorating the Yahrzeit for Moshe's father

Shabbos Afternoon Beis Medresh, Kollel class & Groups for boys on Parashas Va'yeshev:
Jeff Jonas in memory of his father, Robert Jonas

Rabbi's Discretionary Fund:
Rabbi Noach & Bitsy Burr
Dina & Eli Cieplinski in appreciation to Rabbi Rosenberg
Dr. Richard & Liba Shakarchi in honor of Rabbi Noach & Bitsy Burr, Dr. Matt & Betty Goldish, Tuvia & Lea Schottenstein and Rabbi Baruch & Shoshana Weil and families

Aliyah Fund:
Rabbi Avrohom Berenstein
Yehudah Bitton
Michael Burr
Dr. Dan Chase
Barry Cooper
Gary Covel
Mark Ermine
Rabbi Zvi Katz
Charlie Libicki
Ed Mellman
Rabbi Henoch Morris
Dr. David Portman
Pearson Press
Jerry Regosin
Boris Ryabinky
Rabbi David Schapts
Tuvia Schottenstein
Harold Shindel
Dr. Warren Sobol
Paul Tanenbaum
Dr. Phil Weinerman
Dr. Daniel Wuensch

Youth Fund:
Andrew & Dr. Tricia Rosenstein in honor of the Wednesday night class

Building Fund:
Ruth Gross & Melissa Gross in memory of father and grandfather, Chaim Gross
Ruth Gross in honor of our two new presidents: Dr. Warren Sobol and Yhezkel Levi
Ruth Gross in appreciation to Faye & Ed Mellman and Agi & Jon Hartstein

Torah Repair Fund:
Sonny & Ellen Romanoff in memory of Rick Cohen's brother, Andrew Robert Cohen, in memory of their dear friend, Judy Berenstein, on her first Yahrzeit, and in memory of their beloved grandfather, Chaim Gross, on his Yahrzeit
Dr. Richard & Liba Shakarchi in appreciation to HaKadosh Baruch Hu
Sonny & Ellen Romanoff in honor of the birth of a son to Rabbi Avrohom & Elisheva Berenstein

Prayer Book Fund:
Ruth Gross in memory of Rick Cohen's brother, Andrew Robert Cohen
Ruth Gross in honor of Ellen & Sonny Romanoff's 36th anniversary
Ruth Gross in honor of the birth of her new great- grandson, Avraham Yaakov Eliezer, son of Marc & Dina Romanoff, of Skokie and grandson of Ellen & Sonny Romanoff

Shul Fund Donations:
Frankie Schottenstein in memory of her husband, Irving
Faye & Ed Mellman in memory of Rick Cohen's brother, Andrew Robert Cohen
Lea & Tuvia Schottenstein in memory of Rick Cohen's brother, Andrew Robert Cohen
Lea & Tuvia Schottenstein in memory of Rabbi Rosenberg's grandfather, Sam Rosenberg
Agi & Jon Hartstein in memory of Aviva Rosenberg's father, Robert Entin
Jeffrey & Wendy Jonas in memory of father, Robert Jonas
Ellen & Sonny Romanoff in memory of Mrs. Eleanor Kaduk, mother of Sherri Greenberg
Leah Corcoran commemorating the Yahrzeit for Herman Carlstein
Faye & Ed Mellman commemorating the Yahrzeit for Jack Cooper
Agi & Jon Hartstein commemorating the Yahrzeits of Agi's grandparents, Agnes Neubauer and Maximilian Neubauer
Gayle & Sanford Bloom commemorating the Yahrzeit of Goldie Blaustein
Leah Bernstein commemorating the Yahrzeits of Rebecca & Herman Horowitz
Ruth Quinn commemorating the Yahrzeits of beloved father & daughter
Leah Corcoran commemorating the Yahrzeit of Ben Carlstein
Ellen & Sonny Romanoff in honor of the birth of Yaakov Ephraim Mellman, son of Rabbi Ben-Zion & Miriam Mellman and grandson of Faye & Ed Mellman
Faye & Ed Mellman in honor of the birth of their grandson, Yaakov Ephraim Mellman, son of Rabbi Ben-Zion & Miriam Mellman
Mark & Lisa Ermine in honor of Jason Ermine's 19th anniversary of his Bar Mitzvah and reciting the Haftarah
Sanford Lefkowitz
Jim & Joan Goodman
Ari & Ann Deshe
Dr. Daniel & Natalie Cohen
Moshe & Adina Rhein
Dr. Ben Gertner
David & Pat Gold
Rabbi David & Shulamit Ginsburg
Lana & Gary Covel
Jeanie & Jay Schottenstein
Dr. Paul & Kathy Pollack in honor of Sonny & Ellen Romanoff's anniversary and in honor of the birth of their new grandson, Avraham Yaakov Eliezer; and in honor of Dr. Warren & Marlene Sobol for all they do for Jewish education in Columbus and at Ahavas Sholom
Stacy Leeman & Gary Liebesman in honor of baby- sitting on Shabbos
Lea & Tuvia Schottenstein in honor of Mark Ermine
Dr. Rick Turkel in appreciation to Dr. Warren & Marlene Sobol and to the community for their kind and caring outpour- ing of meals and other assistance during the past year
Agi & Jon Hartstein for Yizkor
Agi & Jon Hartstein in honor of the birth of Yaakov Ephraim Mellman, grandson of Faye & Ed Mellman
Agi & Jon Hartstein in honor of the birth of Avraham Yaakov Eliezer Romanoff, great-grandson of Ruth Gross
Faye & Ed Mellman in honor of the birth of Tari & Stuart Modes' grandson, Yosef Yehudah Zev Modes, son of Bobby & Chantel Modes of Cleveland
Dr. Tricia & Andrew Rosenstein in honor of Eric Schramm's assistance with the Torah reading for their son's Bar Mitzvah
Dr. Warren & Marlene Sobol & Family in honor of the birth of babies to Ari & Esther Braun (Nat); Elena & Aaron Berkovich (Yaakov Moshe); Rabbi Tzvi & Ilana Tuchman (Rivka); Rabbi Doniel & Esther Pransky (Efrayim); and Rabbi Yaakov & Sara Weinrach (Ephraim)
Dr. Warren & Marlene Sobol & Family in honor of Ari & Esther Braun for learning and time spent with the teens
Dina & Eli Cieplinski in honor of Julia's 3rd birthday
Patrick & Diane Wiesel wish Nitzan Levi, Yael & Chezy and the entire family mazel tov, success and good fortune in honor of Nitzan's Bar Mitzvah
Lea & Tuvia Schottenstein in honor of Daniella Weinerman
Elaine & Harold Shindel in gratitude to Hashem for brother's recovery
The Libicki Family for peace upon Israel
Dr. Warren & Marlene Sobol and Family in honor of the birth of a new grandson to Michael Berenstein, nephew to Natalie Berenstein and great-grandson to Ruth Seff
Dr. Tricia & Andrew Rosenstein in honor of: Bitsy Burr for her chesed to their guests, Ira Nutis for his work on the Teen Minyan, the anonymous donors for an incredible Tu B'Shevat dinner

Holiday Donations:
High Holiday Aliyos:
Buddy Adler
Irv Baker
Michael Berenstein
Bernard Cohen
Steve Geiger
Sanford Lefkowitz
Jack Levey
Yhezkel Levi
Dr. Bruce Kay
Frank Nutis
Dr. Paul Pollack
Dr. David Portman
Pearson Press
Billy Schottenstein
Tuvia Schottenstein
Dr. Arnold Sobol
Dr. Warren Sobol
Dr. Phil Weinerman

Kol Nidre Donations for the Youth Program:
Buddy & Ruth Adler
Irving & Marcia Baker
Michael Berenstein
Aaron Berkovich & Elena Kuchik
Yehudah & Alegria Bitton
Rabbi Noach & Bitsy Burr
Drs. Dan & Leslie Chase
Todd & Eliza Delman
Jason & Deena Ermine
Mark & Lisa Ermine
Steve & Kim Geiger
Rabbi David & Shulamit Ginsburg
Rabbi Yosef & Tova Hauser
Edgar & Sofiya Karpovich
Samuel Katz
Stuart Kingsley
Yhezkel & Yael Levi
Ed & Faye Mellman
Dr. Judy Groner & Dan Meyers
Frank & Boots Nutis
Deuel & D'vora Palmore
Dr. Paul & Kathy Pollack
Drs. David & Miriam Portman
Pearson & Thea Press
Jerry Regosin
Alex & Susan Rosen
Boris & Luda Ryabinky
Chaviva Rosenberg
Andrew & Dr. Tricia Rosenstein
Dr. Victor & Susan Schmelzer
Beverley Schottenstein
Billy Schottenstein
David & Esther Schwartz
Ruth Seff
Dr. Richard & Liba Shakarchi
Harold & Elaine Shindel
Dr. Warren & Marlene Sobol
Allan Silverstein
Drs. Phil & Julie Weinerman
Patrick & Diane Wiesel
Joel & Diane Wolff
Betty Ziskind

Simchas Torah donations:
Buddy Adler
Jonathan Hartstein
Daniel Israel
Yhezkel Levi
Frank Nutis
Ira Nutis
Dr. Victor Schmelzer
David Schottenstein
Tuvia Schottenstein
Dr. Warren Sobol
Rabbi Tzvi Tuchman
Dr. Rick Turkel
Dr. Phil Weinerman

P'sicha honors:
Michael Berenstein
Mark Ermine
Jason Ermine
Ed Mellman
Jerry Regosin
Marvin Vinar
Patrick Wiesel