Sad News
We are saddened to note the passing of a long-time member, Marilyn Bornstein. Please send condolences to her daughter, Beth. Our thoughts are with her during this difficult time.
We are saddened to note the passing of a long-time member, Marilyn Bornstein. Please send condolences to her daughter, Beth. Our thoughts are with her during this difficult time.
“We saw the great spirits work in almost everything; sun, moon, trees, wind, and mountains. Sometimes, we approached him through these things. Was that so bad? I think we have a true belief in the Supreme Being, a stronger faith than that of most whites who have called us pagans… Indians living close to nature and nature’s ruler are not living in darkness.” Walking Buffalo Stony
Dear Friends,
Of late I have become interested in Native American spirituality and culture. At the annual Rotary Thanksgiving meeting, I was honored to address the gathering with a message about that holiday. The history of the Pilgrims and the Indians is far more complicated than Grammar school version. I recommend the following you tube summary called The Real Story of Thanksgiving:
One of the cogent points revealed is that the holiday was actually a day of fasting, not the more gluttonous celebration that characterizes our observances. Additionally, it records the political intrigue that led to a peace which was only sustainable for less than a half century. Our holiday of thanksgiving is also relatively new having been originated with Lincoln’s proclamation. There is a cynical Israeli saying; “A nation is founded when a group of men get together and lie about their origins.”
It is said that slavery is the first sin of America. Given the racism that continues to this day, that is not hard to assert. Another assertion is that the treatment of the American Indian could easily contest that view. It is sad to say that the plight and suffering of Native Americans, First Nations etc. continues unabated. Mortality is very high, along with alcoholism and other afflictions that mark the condition of these peoples. In my charitable efforts I support a Catholic orphanage that sustains Native American culture and helps “lost children.” (St Joseph’s Indian School, see page
It strikes me as a far cry from the obscene practice of taking young children in the 19th and 20th centuries from the homes in order to convert them, westernize them and “civilize them.” It is a dark history.
I also tend to focus on the gift of Native American spirituality. Called by one scholar “Religions of place,” their faith is centered on feeling a part of Nature, not over it or beneath it. In our climate challenged times we would do well to celebrate such attitudes summed up by statements like “My brother the river!” Here is one sensitize Native American review:
“Sell a country! Why not sell the air, the clouds, the great sea, as well as the earth? Did not the Great Spirit make them all for the use of his children? “ Tecumseh (shooting star) Shawnee
Best Wishes,
Rabbi Liebowitz
Greetings,
November was a whirlwind of a month with a lot of hustle and bustle around the Temple. It started with all the planning and preparation for Sisterhood’s Annual Bake Sale. Sweet goodness could be smelled throughout the social hall as cakes, cookies, and other delights were prepared. That doesn’t even begin to take into account all of the hours spent in volunteers’ homes, baking and cooking for the big day. As in years past, I worked as a cashier. It’s always fun listening to the stories of buyers. One customer told me she has been coming to the Bake Sale for the last 25 years purchasing cheesecakes along with other treats. She said our cheesecake may be the secret to why she’s married today. When I asked why, she said she gave her then boyfriend a piece of the Sisterhood’s cheesecake shortly after they started dating. Fast forward twenty-five years, he still reminds her every year to come back for more! And as in the past, the Bake Sale was a huge success. Thanks go to everyone who participated by contributing money, time, and effort.
On the heels of the Bake Sale we hosted the SC Jewish Historical Society’s meeting. As an outsider looking in, it felt like a high school reunion as the halls were flooded with individuals from near and far who made the trek to attend. Learning about Spartanburg’s past, meeting people who grew up in our Temple, and visiting Spartanburg’s original Temple were all memorable events. As some of our members reminisced about the “old days” during a panel discussion, it felt as though I was sitting around their kitchen tables. We hosted about 150 people throughout the weekend. The success of the event would not have been possible without the hard work of some of our congregants and Rabbi Liebowitz who spent countless hours planning and working in preparation for the event.
Finally, the Congregation just elected its Board members for the upcoming year. For those of you who have served on the Temple Board, or the Board of any other organization, you know it can be rewarding, and at times challenging. As President, I have been fortunate to serve with a great group of people the last two years and look forward to the upcoming year as the Board works to serve the best interests of our Congregants and Temple.
It takes everyone’s financial support, time, and energy to ensure that the Temple offers what you want from YOUR Temple. Don’t hesitate to contact me or any other Board members with your suggestions or to volunteer around the Temple. Your ideas and input are always welcome and appreciated.
Warmest regards,
Sandy
12/3 Shannon Smiley
12/5 Marilyn Bornstein
12/7 Ariella Garrell
12/8 Trey Swanson
12/14 Bogdan Gheorghiu
12/15 Stefanie Keen
12/15 Sharon Packer
12/15 Alexandra Poliakoff
12/18 Richard Keen
12/20 Louise Garrell
12/21 Greg Feldman
12/23 Jake Levi Orseck
12/27 Nancy Henderson
12/28 Gary Koshak
12/29 Louis Carnevale
12/29 Elaine Hyman
12/31 Dave Wood
12/1 Max Cohen
12/1 Hannah E. Nabow
12/2 Lidia Teszler
12/3 Barnet Freedman
12/3 Isadore Lazarowitz
12/3 Israel Massey
12/3 Harry Reimer
12/3 Abe Smith
12/3 Dina Weisz
12/4 David Falcon
12/4 Evalynn Poliakoff
12/5 Ida Gelburd
12/5 Simon Hecklin
12/5 Harry Levine
12/5 Julian N. Spigel
12/6 Eva Adelman
12/6 Marsha A. Horn
12/7 Maxwell H. Goldberg
12/8 Helen Klausner
12/9 Bernie Fleishman
12/9 Harry Koshak
12/9 Esther Minsky
12/10 Max N. Davidson
12/10 Hammah B. From
12/10 Rebecca Price
12/11 John Barbarash
12/12 Marvin Hyman
12/14 Sylvia F. Gray
12/17 Seymour Feinstein
12/18 Clara Barbarash
12/18 Martha Glazer
12/22 Morris Siegel
12/23 Tiffany Greenfield
12/24 Samuel Price
12/24 Rabbi Laurie Skopitz
12/28 Max Lichtenstein 1
2/28 Frances Schwartz
12/29 Paula Rabiner
12/31 Phil H. Singer