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Little Minyan NewsletterMarch 2010

Little Minyan is a participatory, egalitarian Havurah located in Columbus, Ohio, that began in May, 2006.  Our public website is at www.littleminyan.org  

Worship Opportunities and Holidays

Please join us for:

Erev Shabbat service – The Little Minyan Worship Design Team will conduct an erev Shabbat service on Friday, March 12, at 7:30 PM.  It is located at the Covenant Presbyterian Church, 2070 Ridgecliff Road, Upper Arlington.

Shabbat Morning Service – This will be on March 27, at 10:00 AM.  Conducted by Rabbi Wendy Ungar, this service is also at the Covenant Presbyterian Church.

LM Passover Seder – The LM community seder will be on Saturday, April 3, at 5:30 PM.  Watch this website and/or your e-mails for more information.

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Community Learning Team

Winter Hike - Despite the cold, cold weather and the deep, deep snow, 13 hardy people came to the CLT “Meet the Trees of Whetstone Park” activity led by Sharon Tinianow on February 14.  After the hike the participants had hot chocolate, cookies, and a nice warm fire at the finish. 

 

March Study – On March 8 at 7:15 PM the CLT will discuss Torah roots of ecological consciousness.  Our discussion will be based on the book, “The Splendor of Creation,” by Ellen Bernstein.  In this short book, Bernstein, one of the founders of the Jewish environmental movement, provides a midrash on the creation story.  Bernstein's reflections bridge the divide between humans and nature, weaving together the Genesis story and contemporary environmental awareness.  Contact dianecentolella@columbus.rr.com if you are interested in attending.  We encourage those who would like to read Bernstein's book. The book is available at http://www.amazon.com/Splendor-Creation-Biblical-Ellen-Bernstein/dp/082981664X

 

Some time near the end of March the CLT plans a discussion session where participants will talk about the book “Pesach” by Marge Piercy.  Watch for more information.

 

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Donations 

Donations made to other groups in Honor of Little Minyan Members: ·         Mike and Toni Selsley made a donation to the International Medical Alliance of Tennessee in honor of the work of Randi Cohen. 

Donations should be made out to "Little Minyan" and mailed to Gil Nestel, Little Minyan Treasurer, 245 Arden Road, Columbus, OH 43214.

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Family Education by Karen Scholl 

In preparation for Purim, Mini Minyanites got hands-on with the holiday’s four mitzvot. They started by creating Purim baskets that they filled with sweets to bring to their families and friends, Mishloach Manot  – sending gifts. They prepared hamantaschen in a variety of flavors, for us to enjoy at our own Seudat Purim – festive Purim meal. In conjunction with the Little Minyan’s ongoing involvement at the Clintonville Resource Center, arrangements were made for the children to join the monthly volunteer session for Matanot l’Evyonim – gifts to the poor. And finally, as part of the larger community celebration, families came together in costume to craft (groggers and banners), compete (hamantaschen bake-off) and to hear Mikra Megillah – the reading of the Megillah. A special thanks to Debra and Tova Seltzer for their craft supply donation, which made our evening even more festive! 

The Mini-Minyan is a small and welcoming group. If you are interested in participating in the Mini-Minyan or know a family looking for a Reconstructionist bend in the Jewish education of their children, please contact Emia at eo10@cornell.edu or 267-5974.

 Member News 

Alex Tobin's Bar Mitzvah will be on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 10:00 am.  The Service will be held at The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law, Room 344.  Mazel Tov to Alex and the Tobin family!

 

The Centolellas recently returned from a short vacation in Los Angeles where the temperature was in the 70’s during the daytime and the sun was shining.  They also visited their daughter, Kelly .

 Judy Borus recently had major surgery and is now recovering at home. We wish her a speedy and complete recovery.

 

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Membership Committee

Shabbat Pot-Luck Dinners Delicious and Fun! By Rose Solomon
 
On February 19, seventeen Little Minyanites enjoyed Shabbat dining and schmoozing at the homes of Steve and Maria Rosenthal and Barb and Tip House.  Winter weather loosened its hold just in time for the hosts to clear driveways and participants to get themselves safely to the dinner table with their contributions of food and wine.  A big thank-you to the Rosenthals and Houses for opening their homes for the first such dinners of 2010.  Watch for information about further Shabbat pot-lucks in late spring.  If you'd like to volunteer in advance to host a future dinner, please email Rose Solomon at rmsolomon56@hotmail.com.
 
Connections!

Over the past few months, you’ve learned about our new members.  Now it is time to become reacquainted with our existing members.  Each month, going alphabetically down the directory, you’ll learn a bit more about the favorites of your fellow Minyanites.  It will be a fun way to connect and build community.  Thanks to Peggy Berger and Paul Linden and Saul and Linda Blumenthal for sending us their information.  Enjoy!

 Peggy Berger 

Hometown?  Plainview, NY (on Long Island)

 

Pets?  Luke, my sweet 16+ year-old dog

 

Favorite holiday?  Pesach and Yom Kippur

 

Favorite book, author, or magazine?  Authors: Jacqueline Winspear, Orson Scott Card two of my favorites. There are so many more – including Paul Linden, my husband!

 

 Favorite music or musical genre?  I love most music – especially folk, celtic, spiritual and classical. Pete Seeger is one of my heroes. Our own Bill Cohen plays the kind of music I love.

 

Favorite Restaurant?   Northstar Cafe, right now. I enjoy lots of restaurants.

 

Best vacation spot?  I love adventure. Going to new places and immersing in the environment or culture brings me great joy. My most wonderful vacation in recent years was hiking in Sedona and the Grand Canyon, a truly transcendent experience.

 

Spare time activities?  Who’s got spare time? Authentic Movement with my “movement sisters” has been one of my most meaningful experiences for the past 15-20 years. I like to walk, hike, garden with Paul, knit and hang with my friends. Going to the Farmer’s Market in Clintonville is a blast! And, of course, aikido.

 Paul Linden

Hometown?   Planted in New York. Sprouted in San Jose. Ripened in Columbus.

 Pets?   Luke, the dog. Favorite holiday?   April Fool’s day. Favorite book, author, or magazine?   Walt Kelly, Pogo. Favorite music or musical genre?   Scottish/Irish Spare time activities?   The activities that keep me from having any spare time are Aikido, writing, and gardening. Any other information you’d like to share?   A video clip I uploaded to YouTubehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeZF9zfu3yg (

Saul Blumenthal 

Hometown?   Philadelphia, PA

Pets?   Not now -I claim to be allergic to them. Had turtles when I was young.

Favorite holiday?   Any holiday that involves a lot of eating.  Thanksgiving and Passover rank very high.

Favorite book, author, or magazine?  Saul Bellow, Philip Roth, Elizabeth George.

Favorite movie?   How about TV?  I am a great fan of the "Mystery" and "Masterpiece Theater" series ( although I do miss Alistaire Cooke).


Favorite music or musical genre?   Everything classical, jazz, folk, Tom Lehrer.

Favorite Restaurant?   Refectory and most ethnic restaurants (especially Chinese).

Favorite Jewish food?   Any of Linda's cheesecakes.

Best vacation spot?   Any city that has good museums and restaurants. I also go for stained glass windows.

Spare time activities?   Homeowners association - currently treasurer and president.  Chamber Music Columbus - trustee and assistant treasurer. In season, doing income taxes as part of AARP tax aide program. Trying to beat Linda's times at Web Sudoku.

 Linda Blumenthal 

Hometown?  Brooklyn New York 

 

Pets?  Nope, just children

 

 Favorite holiday?  Pesach with our kids and grandkids 

 

Favorite book, author, or magazine?  My book group has always chosen wonderful books that I never would have read otherwise. Just finished “Love in the Time of Cholera” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.  

 

Favorite movie?  Anything foreign that's good enough to make it to the U.S. 

 

Favorite music or musical genre?  Classical, especially Baroque 

 

Favorite Restaurant?  Anything ethnic and well prepared 

 

Favorite Jewish food?  My brisket recipe 

 

Best vacation spot?  Maine coast, Alaska, and Provence

 

Spare time activities?  Spare time?? Knitting, reading, Crossword Scrabble Cubes, and still love working at multiple science writing jobs simultaneously 

 

Any other information you’d like to share?  Love teaching, from college chemistry to pre-school religious school (10+years experience). Ah, those manicotti mezzuzahs!

 

  If you're considering joining the Little Minyan, please contact Irene Donhowe idonhowe@columbus.rr.com for more information and a membership form. 

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Organizational information

The February 21 Advisory Council meeting was cancelled.  The next meeting is scheduled for March 21 at 9:30 AM at the University District Northwoods Building, 2231 N. High Street.

Any questions should be directed to the OMT members: Irene Donhowe idonhowe@columbus.rr.com; Steve Rosenthal steven.rosenthal@att.net; and Scott Lissner lissner.2@osu.edu .

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Social Action Team by Bob Gitter and friends

Our Social Action Team has been active on a number of fronts: 

 

LM Community Garden - From Peggy Berger we hear that the Social Action Team and Community Learning Team are collaborating to create a LM Community Garden on the Covenant Presbyterian Church land. Covenant Church has offered us 5 beds for our members. One of the beds will be a Tzedakah bed which will have vegetable starts donated by those of us who have gardens in our own yards. The food from this bed will go to those in need. The other 3 or 4 beds will be used by our families for their own use. On March 3, Paul Linden will teach our new gardeners the hows, whats, and whens of organic vegetable garden. If any LM members are interested in helping with the Tzedakah bed, please contact Peggy Berger at PeggyBrgr@gmail.com or 262-4384.

 

 Clintonville Community Resources Center - Micki Seltzer gives us news about our continued efforts with the Clintonville Community Resource Center.  The March volunteer session at the CRC will be on Thursday, March 25, 5-7 PM. If you can make it, please respond to Micki, 267-1341or mcseltzer@wowway.com).

           

Thanks to the “mini-minyan,” we had a record number of 17 volunteers at our February session. Fortunately, the CRC coordinator, Beth, was forewarned and she had much to keep us busy. We all worked hard transferring items (donations from Indianola alternative school) from the van, checking for outdated cans, stacking items in the food pantry, and organizing the clothing donations. For the nine children, it was not only an opportunity to do a mitzvah but also fun and a chance to get to know each other in a non-religious school setting. Kudos to all the volunteers: Eric and Lynley Anderman with Jacob and Sarah, Josh Hawley with Callie and Eliza, Jodi Kushins with George and Rosa, Emia Oppenheim with Avi, Ezri, and Kaleb, Mike and Toni Selsley, and Micki Seltzer. Thanks also to Jodi for coordinating plans for this session

 

Mid-Ohio Workers Association - Bob Gitter made tamales as a fund raiser for the Ohio Workers Alliance.  He joined members of Covenant Presbyterian and other volunteers to raise funds for low wage workers.

 

 Ronald McDonald House - Liz Gitter reports Little Minyan will host a Ronald McDonald dinner at 6 PM on Tuesday, March 23.  The menu will be meat loaf, green beans, mashed potatoes and dessert.  We have purchased the mashed potato and green beans. 

 

We need donations of meat loaf and dessert, and people to set up and serve the food between 5:30 and 7:00 PM.  Food can be delivered to Ronald McDonald House, to the Gitter's residence on the evening of March 22.  Please email Liz.Gitter@gmail.com to indicate how you would like to contribute, or call 614-985-0632 with questions.

 

We also have a Ronald McDonald dinner scheduled Thursday, May 20 with a picnic menu.  Recommendations on menu are welcome.

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Update from JRF by Jessica Shimberg Lind

Below, please find an update of the many initiatives of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation (JRF), of which the Little Minyan is a member kehilla/community.  If you have any questions about the JRF please contact Jessica Shimberg Lind, jslind@columbus.rr.com, our liaison to JRF. Climate Change and JRF Sustainable Synagogue Initiative - JRF is proud to be a supporter of the Jewish Climate Change initiative - reflecting an inspiring level of collaboration between all Jewish movements and Jewish national agencies and environmental organizations that came together May 2009 at the first national gathering of national leadership on Judaism and Sustainability. The aim of the Jewish Climate Change Campaign is to engage the entire Jewish community towards taking action on climate change. In doing so we will be joining a global movement of 12 world faiths, each launching plans of their own. We invite you to visit http://jewishclimatecampaign.org to sign the pledge and join the campaign, and to offer any further suggestions as to the content of the plan and its recommendations. For JRF's ongoing work in sustainability see (http://jrf.org/Sustainable_Synagogue_Resources)  Haiti -JRF is encouraging our member communities and people everywhere to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Haiti due to the recent disastrous earthquake there. To expedite donations we are not setting up a separate donation fund, rather encouraging donations to our partner organizations who work directly on the ground in relief efforts. Our prayers and our concrete actions are directed at this time to the many people in Haiti, both Haitian citizens and the many international visitors, aid workers and support people who have lost their lives and those who have lost loved ones. We also pray for the healing of those injured by the earthquake. To see more about our efforts to help Haiti, please visit www.jrf/org/Haiti-Earthquake-Relief   

Healthcare Reform - JRF and our member communities have been actively supporting the need for healthcare reform in the United States. We will continue to join other Jewish religious movements and organizations to this end. Please join with other faith communities in the Interfaith Virtual Vigil of Prayer, Hope, and Action, a daily prayer and advocacy initiative from now until healthcare reform is passed.   As people of faith, we envision a society where each person is afforded health, wholeness, and human dignity. That vision as collectively articulated by the interfaith coalition Faithful Reform for Healthcare and the former "We Believe" interfaith action, embraces a system of health care that is inclusive... accessible... affordable... and accountable. For more information, please visit www.jrf.org/Health-Care-For-All.

      Omer - The counting of the Omer is a bridge between Pesach and Shavuot – between a moment of liberation and a moment of self-definition and direction at the beginning of our evolution as a religious civilization. It is an opportunity to deepen our study and close the gap between ideas and action for the tikkun (rebalancing, repair) of the challenges we face in our world. Since 2005, JRF has offered an Interactive Omer Study Project, highlighting resources, teachings, and wisdom gleaned from the Reconstructionist movement and our organizational partners, on a variety of social justice and spiritual topics. The focus for 2010 is "Growing the Soul of Self, Community and World." For more information, please visit http://jrf.org/omer/home. Pearl Distance-Learning Classes - These free distance-learning classes provide relevant information and strategies beneficial to congregational leaders and staff. The PEARL speakers partner with JRF staff and lay leaders with the objectives to keep congregations and havurot strong, grow leadership and continue critical Tikkun Olam work. Each class meets for 1¼ hour either by conference call or webinar and is supported by downloadable resources or previous PEARL audio files.  A resource packet will be available for each of these topics. We invite you to visit www.jrf.org/PEARL for more information.

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Thanks for reading this far and thanks to those who contributed ideas, information, or writing to this edition of the Little Minyan Newsletter.  If you have suggestions and/or comments or an urge to contribute by writing something, please contact the newsletter editor, Diane Centolella Dianecentolella@columbus.rr.com