Congregation Ahavas Sholom

Ahavas Sholom News

     Rabbi's High Holiday Message:

One of my favorite Biblical figures is Yosef Ha'Tzaddik, Joseph the righteous one (son of Patriarch Jacob). Joseph's life is a microcosm of the indomitable national Jewish spirit. Despite all the travails he endured throughout his life, he forever remained the eternal optimist, believing all along the way that it was G-d's Divine providence that orchestrated the flurry of events and not the machinations of his brothers, butlers, Pharaoh and Potiphar. But even heroes have moments of weakness, and Joseph was no different. The story is well documented as to how he almost succumbed to the advances of Potiphar's wife. What perhaps is not equally well-known is the reason for his ultimate resistance. The Talmud in Tractate Sotah (36b) tells us that at the very moment of irreversible decision, an image appeared before him. It was the face of his elderly father Jacob in the window. The image even began to speak - Joseph! Your brothers are destined to be inscribed upon the stones of the ephod (priestly vestment) and you are among them. Do you want your name to be erased from among them and be called a companion of harlots? The chilling picture of his father along with his searing words calmed Joseph down. His father saved him from spiritual oblivion. I always assumed that the scene which Joseph witnessed was a prophetic vision. Someone the likes of Joseph was privileged to enjoy that sort of Divine intervention at a crucial moment. But what about the rest of us? We also have defining moments when decisions must be made that could affect our eternity. What is the recourse for the common Jew? The Ohr Ha'Chaim Ha'Kadosh writes (Leviticus 19:3) that we are no different than Joseph. For it was not a prophetic vision that Joseph saw, but rather a conjuring of his own imagination. During his own personal trial it was he who thought back to his long lost father and remembered the expectations that were held for him. Joseph mustered the inner-strength when he most needed it to remember who he was and more importantly what he could still become if he were to choose wisely. One of the greatest failings that afflicts the human condition is the inability to believe in who we really are, and again more importantly, what we really can be. The line of decision between virtue and sin can be a very fine one. All too often the choices we make are the result of not believing that each and every one of us were capable of crossing over the line to a life of virtue. Joseph in his greatness realized that he could still make a choice that would put him on the right side. He enlisted everything at his disposal to ensure that outcome. His feat was not only a lesson for himself, but for the Jewish People as well. Sometimes the impetus to make the right choices is not based on the images that we do see but rather on the pictures that we don't see. I recently returned from a UJC mission to Israel. On the last day (second day) of the trip we had some time to visit the newly renovated Holocaust museum at Yad Va' Shem in Jerusalem. After an intense journey through one of the darkest annals in our history, we arrived in a room that featured photographs of victims who perished. The combination of the architecture along with the vivid photos made the experience all the more real. The goal of the museum curators was most definitely achieved. As I walked out from the darkness of the past into the bright glare of the Jerusalem sun, the following thought dawned on me. By the grace of G-d, my picture was not on the wall. That has to mean something. My decisions must take on new significance. Whatever it takes to muster the right choices, I must oblige. That same epiphany can be shared by all of us. We all can make good and better decisions that can greatly affect ourselves, our synagogues and community in the coming year. Let us all join together and choose life and the eternal blessings of the Torah. Best Wishes for a happy and healthy New Year; a year of peace, good health, and success, and most importantly, redemption for the Jewish People. Ke'siva V'chasima Tova

Personals:

Mazel Tov to:
Rabbi Zvi & Chaya Aviva Katz on the birth of their son, Mordechai Yosef
Bonnie & Eric Schramm on the arrival of their daughter, Leora
Faye & Ed Mellman on the birth of their grandson, Gavriel Menachem, son Aaron & Lisa Mellman of Silver Spring, MD
Marlene & Yankie Tewner on the birth of their granddaughter, Batya (Chloe Agnete), daughter of Leiby & Sarah Tewner of Pittsburgh
Sylvia & Murray Ebner on the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson, Zachary Ebner, son of Mark & Nicole Ebner
Franklin & Sandra Furman on the high school graduation of their daughter, Elana Furman, from CSG
Barry & Debbie Vinar Hellman on Barry receiving a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech University
Rabbi Yosef & Tova Hauser on Rabbi Hauser receiving his master's degree in administration
Rebbe Yehudah & Navah Lowy on the engagement of their daughter, Rahel to Robby Block, of Chicago
Shelley & Jack Levey on the marriage of Shelley's daughter, Rachael Leah to Aaron Harris
Geraldine & Marty Hoffman on Geraldine being honored by the Columbus Jewish Foundation at its 50th anniversary celebration

Thank you to:
Mark Ermine, Sonny Romanoff & Tuvia Schottenstein for donating quality, premium, superb coffee for our daily morning service coffee refreshments
Jack Levey for donating a bottle of scotch for Kiddush
Sonny Romanoff for putting up the mirror in alley
Drs. Dan & Leslie Chase for donating 30 Tehillim to the Shul's Library
Gary Covel for donating a bottle of scotch

Condolences To:
Rabbi Jonathan & Aviva Rosenberg and family on the loss of Aviva's father, Robert Entin
Yankie & Marlene Tewner on the loss of Yankie's father, Bela Tewner
Mrs. Emil Rosen on the loss of her husband, Emil

Donations:
Kiddush:
Sherri & Rick Cohen in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Josh
Shelley & Jack Levey in honor of the marriage of Shelley's daughter, Rachael Leah to Aaron Harris
In honor of the students who have come home from vacation and for the students who are leaving to further their education

Shalosh Se'udos:
The Ryabinky Family in honor of the first anniversary of Luda's employment as the shomeret for the ladies.
Dr. Richard & Liba Shakarchi in hoda'ah to HaKadosh Baruch Hu for 9 wonderful years of marriage
Rabbi Noach & Bitsy Burr in hoda'ah to HaKadosh Baruch Hu
Nutis & Sobol families in honor of Scott Shulman
Lana & Gary Covel, Dr. Matt & Betty Goldish, Agi & Jonathan Hartstein, Rabbi Yosef & Tova Hauser, Etzi & Hal Miller, Marlene & Yankie Tewner and Dr. Rick Turkel in honor of the Sheva Brachos for Rachael Leah & Aaron Harris
Barbara & Marvin Vinar in honor of their newest grand-
daughter, Mia Yael, daughter of Sherri & Rick Cohen
Barbara and Marvin Vinar in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson, Josh Cohen, son of Sherri and Rick Cohen

Torah Repair Fund:
Thea & Pearson Press in memory of Ariela Turkel, beloved daughter of Dr. Rick Turkel
Thea & Pearson Press in memory of Allen Fishman, husband of Marilyn Fishman
Tari & Stuart Modes in memory of Ariela Turkel
Ellen & Sonny Romanoff in memory of Ariela Turkel and Yankie Tewner's father, Bela Tewner
Ruth Gross in memory of Ariela Turkel, Yankie Tewner's father, Bela Tewner and Aviva Rosenberg's father, Robert Entin
Karan & Paul Tanenbaum in memory of Yankie Tewner's father, Bela Tewner
Karan & Paul Tanenbaum in memory of Aviva Rosenberg's father, Robert Entin
Tari & Stuart Modes commemorating the Yahrzeit of mother, Rose Modes
Ruth Gross & Melissa Gross commemorating the Yahrzeit of beloved mother & grandmother, Mary Gross
Ellen & Sonny Romanoff in honor of Luda Ryabinky receiving her doctorate
Ellen & Sonny Romanoff in honor of Irv Baker 's recovery
Ellen & Sonny Romanoff wishing a refuah shelaimah to Andrew Gordon
Ellen & Sonny Romanoff welcoming Leora to the family of Eric, Bonnie, Eli, and Michael Schramm
Ruth Gross wishing a speedy recovery to Chani Capland's parents

Youth Fund:
Ruth Quinn commemorating the Yahrzeit of Leonard Quinn
Ruth Seff with gratitude to Hashem for celebrating her 91st birthday

Prayer Book Fund:
Ruth Gross in memory of her brother-in-law, Israel Gross
Ruth Gross wishing a speedy recovery to Irv Baker, Andrew Gordon, Irv Szames & Lainie Beim
Ruth Gross wishing mazel tov to Bonnie & Eric Schramm on adopting Leora
Ruth Gross wishing mazel tov to Shelley & Jack Levey on the marriage of Shelley's daughter, Rachael Leah to Aaron Harris

Rabbi's Discretionary Fund:
Diane & Patrick Wiesel in memory of Aviva Rosenberg's father, Robert Entin
Larry Pollak in memory of Aviva Rosenberg's father, Robert Entin
Larry Pollak in memory of Ariela Turkel

Aliyah Fund:
Arthur Feldman
Chaim Glazer
Yoel Harris
Bradley Holman
Charlie Libicki
Rabbi Ben Zion Mellman
Rabbi Henoch Morris
Max Moskowitz
Deuel Palmore
Pearson Press
Yosef Romanoff
Moti Ryabinsky
Dr. Warren Sobol
Paul Tanenbaum
Marvin Vinar
Dr. Phil Weinerman

Shul Fund Donations:
Drs. Warren & Marlene Sobol and Family in memory of Aviva Rosenberg's father, Robert Entin
Rabbi Henoch & Chaya Morris in memory of Aviva Rosenberg's father, Robert Entin
Lea & Tuvia Schottenstein in memory of Aviva Rosenberg's father, Robert Entin
Tari & Stuart Modes in memory of Aviva Rosenberg's father, Robert Entin
Drs. David & Miriam Portman in memory of Aviva Rosenberg's father, Robert Entin
Mara & Michael Ryan in memory of Aviva Rosenberg's father, Robert Entin
Tina Byer in memory of Aviva Rosenberg's father, Robert Entin
Faye & Ed Mellman in memory of Aviva Rosenberg's father, Robert Entin
Drs. Warren & Marlene Sobol and Family in memory of Yankie Tewner's father, Bela Tewner
Lea & Tuvia Schottenstein in memory of Yankie Tewner's father, Bela Tewner
Drs. Warren & Marlene Sobol and Family in memory of Ariela Turkel
Gayle & Sanford Bloom in memory of Ariela Turkel
Irene & Bill Marocco in memory of Ariela Turkel
Drs. David & Miriam Portman in memory of Ariela Turkel
Sanford Lefkowitz in memory of Ariela Turkel
Jane, Paul & Emily Nelson in memory of Ariela Turkel
Drs. Phil & Julie Weinerman in memory of Ariela Turkel
Anne Shindel in memory of Ariela Turkel
Faye & Ed Mellman in memory of Ariela Turkel
Drs. Phil & Julie Weinerman in memory Joel Fisher's father
Drs. Warren & Marlene Sobol and Family in memory of Patrick Wiesel's father, Ernest Wiesel
Drs. David & Miriam Portman in memory of Patrick Wiesel's father, Ernest Wiesel
Lea & Tuvia Schottenstein in memory of Patrick Wiesel's father, Ernest Wiesel
Drs. Phil & Julie Weinerman in memory Patrick Wiesel's father, Ernest Wiesel
Sherry & Bob Goldenberg in memory of their uncle, Emil Rosen
Drs. Phil & Julie Weinerman in memory Rabbi Avram Elbaz' mother
Drs. Phil & Julie Weinerman in memory Jerry Regosin's mother
Drs. Warren & Marlene Sobol and Family in memory of Rabbi Jonathan Rosenberg's grandmother
Drs. David & Miriam Portman in memory of Eleanor Kaduk
Gayle & Sanford Bloom in memory of Judy Berenstein
Irene & Bill Marocco in memory of Judy Berenstein
Drs. David & Miriam Portman in memory of Judy Berenstein
Jane, Paul & Emily Nelson in memory of Judy Berenstein
Ruthie & Yitzchak Gold in memory of Judy Berenstein
Charlotte Nathans commemorating the Yahrzeit for her grandmother, Sarah Swartz
Ruth Quinn commemorating the Yahrzeits for her beloved brother, Dr. A. Bert Thall, beloved son, David Quinn and beloved sister, Adeline Shar
Phyllis Zierler commemorating the Yahrzeit for her beloved grandfather, Barnett Swissman
Shirley & Aaron Yablok commemorating the Yahrzeit of Lillian Yablok
Marcia & Irving Baker in honor of Michael Berenstein because he is a good guy
Dr. Martin & Mamie Kelsten in honor of Ira Nutis
Drs. Phil & Julie Weinerman wishing a refuah shelaimah to Irving Baker and Jimmy Goodman
Sherry & Bob Goldenberg in honor of the marriage of Rachael Leah Silverman, daughter of Shelley & Jack Levey
Penny Wenger & Charlie Libicki wishing a refuah shelaimah to Andrew Gordon
Phyllis Flancbaum in honor of Ira Nutis receiving the Lev Avos al Banim Award and in honor of Laura Nutis being the great woman behind the great man
Tobi & Ken Gold in honor of Ira Nutis receiving the Lev Avos al Banim Award
Barbara & Marvin Vinar in appreciation to Natalie Berenstein
Faye & Ed Mellman in honor of the birth of their grandson, Gavriel Menachem, son of Lisa & Aaron Mellman of Silver Spring, MD
Rabbi Daniel & Chanie Loew in honor of the birth of Tamar Shakarchi, daughter of Dr. Richard & Liba Shakarchi; in honor of the birth of Chana Shira Methal, daughter of Rabbi Avi & Miriam Methal and in honor of the marriage of Batya Lam & Jonathan Goldberg
Arthur Feldman in honor of Dr. Warren & Marlene Sobol & Family
Anonymous Columbus Jewish Foundation fund holder
Drs. David & Miriam Portman wishing mazel tov to Sherri & Rick Cohen on the birth of Mia Yael; Deena & Jason Ermine on the birth of Shayna; Rabbi Avi & Miriam Methal on the birth of Chana Shira; Dr. Richard & Liba Shakarchi on the birth of Tamar; Bonnie & Eric Schramm on the arrival of Leora
Lorel & Brian Babendir
Geri & Ed Ellman
Irene & Bill Marocco in honor of Yitzchak Gold's marriage to Ruthie Hazan
Karan & Paul Tanenbaum in honor of Rabbi Steve & Barbara Abrams, Rabbi Doniel & Esther Pransky, Rabbi Yaakov & Sara Weinrach, Rabbi Yosef & Tova Hauser, Hal Miller and Jack Levey
Drs. Warren & Marlene Sobol and Family wishing mazel tov to Rabbi Avi & Miriam Methal on the birth of their daughter, Chana Shira; Dr. Richard & Liba Shakarchi on the birth of their daughter, Tamar; Jason & Deena Ermine on the birth of their daughter, Shayna; Rick & Sherri Cohen on the birth of their daughter, Mia Yael; Rabbi Zvi & Chaya Aviva Katz on the birth of their son, Mordechai Yosef
Drs. Warren & Marlene Sobol and Family in honor of the marriage of Eddie & Lily Friedman's son Chad
Drs. Warren & Marlene Sobol and Family in honor of the arrival of Eric & Bonnie Schramm's daughter, Leora
Drs. Warren & Marlene Sobol and Family wishing a refuah shelaimah to Larry Pollak and to Andrew Gordon

Library Alert

We have been working hard to upgrade the library and acquire books of general interest. Unfortunately, many books have not been signed out and are missing from our shelves. These include books about or by Rav Shach, Rav Freifeld, Rabbi Frand, and Rabbi Forst, and books about Hallel and the 39 Melochos, among others. Please check your shelves for any books that you did not sign out and return them immediately to the library. If the missing books are not returned we may be forced to lock up the library , or have a non -circulation policy, decisions we would like to avoid. For those who have been conscientious about signing out books and returning them in a timely fashion, we say thank you, and hope you can continue to enjoy the privilege.