by Betsy Jameson

Why I Support LIFE & LEGACY

In 1998 I was offered a position at the University of Calgary. Before I accepted, I needed to know that there was a good Jewish congregation in Calgary for me and my son. Temple B’nai Tikvah was the only choice – it was then the only Calgary congregation that would let me on the bimah. But it offered much more.  From the first service we attended, we found a warm and welcoming egalitarian community, a congregation committed to inclusion and diversity, that combined worship, learning, and tikkun olam. Temple became my Jewish home. I celebrated my Bat Mitzvah here at age 59, my son and daughter-in-law were married here, my grandsons were welcomed into Jewish community here.

Three years after I joined Temple, Rabbi Howard Voss-Altman invited me to join the Temple Board. I’m still there, still moved by the diverse commitments to Judaism that inspire Board members to support Temple’s worship, services, and community.

I support LIFE & LEGACY because I want to ensure that Temple B’nai Tikvah endures. I want it to be there to welcome newcomers and connect us, however we engage Jewishly. My two most important reasons are my grandsons. I want our congregation to be there for them as they attend Shabbat School and celebrate their Bar Mitzvahs, to be there for them as adults if they remain in Calgary. I trust that wherever they may go some generous people are now ensuring that another congregation will be there to welcome them. LIFE & LEGACY expresses my gratitude for this community. It is my small contribution to ensuring Jewish community l’dor v’dor, from generation to generation, for all our children and grandchildren.

JOIN LIFE&LEGACY PROGRAM

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 by Betsy Jameson

President’s Message – January 2018

A bit over eighteen years ago a stranger rang my doorbell, handed me a beautiful basket with a challah and bottle of wine, smiled, and said, “Welcome to B’nai Tikvah.” New to Temple, new to Calgary, new to Canada; her smile and that welcome basket lit up my day.

It’s an annual mitzvah now lovingly orchestrated by Deb and Paul Finkleman, with a terrific band of volunteers who assemble and deliver the baskets. I thank them, and join them in welcoming the newest members to B’nai Tikvah.

As with so much at Temple, this mitzvah reminds me that it takes a community to grow and renew a community. Our Adult Education Committee has worked to produce the new Java and Torah Saturday study sessions, the adult Hebrew class (great preparation for the upcoming adult B’nai Mitzvah class), and Rabbi Rick Kline’s course on Preparation for the End of Life. Jennifer Eiserman kicked off this year’s Lunch and Learn with a talk on the Rothko Chapel. Social Action volunteers are making school lunches for hungry kids, researching pressing social issues with MAC-G, and working at our new Satellite Food Bank. Shabbat School is humming; the Youth Group and our new Rugelach Program vibrate with youthful energy. The Caring Community is cooking away each month, and reaching out to isolated and ill members. Two short-term committees are reviewing our constitution and by-laws and assessing what we need to do to maintain our building in coming years.

The fun continues. On November 28, Yair Lootsteen, Deputy Chair of the Israel Movement for Reform Judaism, will speak at Temple on the topic “Against All Odds – The Remarkable Story of Reform Judaism in Israel Today.” Ordinarily, for the December Kol Tikvah, I’d put this talk in the past tense, but our terrific Kol Tikvah team has come in ahead of schedule recently. Whether Mr. Lootsteen will soon speak or has just spoken when you read this, please join me in thanking Lori Hartwick who worked so hard to bring him to Calgary.

Three events are definitely forthcoming. On December 6, my old friend and colleague Don Smith will speak at our next Lunch and Learn. The author of books on Grey Owl, Long Lance, Honoré Jaxon, and Calgary’s Grand Theatre, Don always entertains and informs.

I am eagerly anticipating our next contemporary Israeli music concert on December 14, an Arik Einstein Tribute concert of classic folk songs of Israel with a trio led by Miki Gavrielov, one of Einstein’s co-writers. Thanks, as always, to Steve Eichler for all he does to bring great music to Temple.

And Chanukah is coming! Please join us for the Temple Chanukah celebration, and please add a gift for our Temple Tzedakah box: toiletries for Calgary’s homeless, or food for Miriam’s Well.

I wish you all the most sizzling latkes and sufganyot, the luckiest dreidel spins, and the joy of a community enriched by your energy, interests, ideas, and spirits. Chag Chanukah sameach.

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 by Betsy Jameson

President’s Message – Summer 2017

It’s been a good year at Temple B’nai Tikvah.

We welcomed Rabbi Mark Glickman as our fourth settled rabbi. The Reform movement prefers the word “settled” to “permanent” rabbi—no rabbi signs a lifetime contract. The transition to a new rabbi is like any new relationship—it takes time, usually at least 18-24 months. But a year into our relationship, I hope we are together for a very long time. It is a joy to work with Rabbi Glickman, to learn from him, to experience his warmth, intelligence, humour, compassion, and his care for our congregation.

Here are only some of the highlights of our first year together:

In September, we enjoyed a welcome-back barbecue as we geared up for a new year. Shabbat School began with extraordinary teachers and the lively professional leadership of Jenny Laing.

In October, we used our new siddur, Mishkan Hanefesh, for all the High Holidays. Thanks again to Al Osten for this generous gift. An inspiring talk from Dr. Gayla Rogers initiated a new Lunch and Learn program. We’ve since enjoyed talks by Dr. Adrienne Kertzer, Rabbi Glickman and Sari Shernofsky, Don Braid and Sydney Sharpe, and Katie Baker. We welcome ideas for future programs.

November brought a major milestone with Rabbi Glickman’s installation and the opportunity to learn from his mentor, Rabbi Gary Zola, who joined us as the Moshe Yedlin Scholar-in-Residence through the generosity of Deborah Yedlin and Martin Molyneaux. And who can forget renowned Israeli musician Noa’s moving rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” just after learning of Cohen’s death. Thanks to Steve Eichler, who continues the tradition he initiated of contemporary Israeli music at Temple B’nai Tikvah.

December brought a personal highlight for me, when Rabbi Glickman and I attended the Shallet Seminar for congregations in transition to new rabbis—an invaluable opportunity to learn, reflect, and set goals together. And we started our new holiday dinner project at Discovery House.

February brought a beautiful high-energy Tu B’Shevat Seder with our Shabbat School, followed in March by an awesome Purim celebration with Rabbi Glickman leading Shabbat services in his Queen Esther costume. If you missed it, you’ll want to save the date for 5778. I always love our annual Women’s Seder — another date to save for next year.

May highlighted our place in the larger Jewish and Calgary communities, starting with the Negev Dinner, honouring our own Al Osten, masterfully MC’d by Steve Eichler—a man of so many hats—and chaired by Donna Riback. Mega Mitzvah Day highlighted the Shabbat School students’ tikkun olam projects, collected food for Miriam’s Well, and gathered a mountain of bottles to help support the Ghanam family. Our wonderful Drop-In Centre volunteers cooked our annual Mega Mitzvah Meal for grateful guests. And Temple hosted the community Yom Ha Zikaron commemoration, a two-year “tradition” to be continued.

In June one of the goals Rabbi Glickman and I set in December came to fruition, as we expanded the roles of two part-time professional staff, Director of Education Jenny Laing, and our new Music Director, Katie Baker. Katie, who grew up in Temple, builds from the musical foundations that Norm Yanofsky established. Norm and Deb Finkleman will continue to provide music at services. President’s Message Betsy Jameson 4 This year, too, the Ways and Means Committee initiated a long-hoped-for planned giving campaign. Social Action began a new association with the Metro Alliance for the Common Good, and will soon partner with St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church to staff a south Calgary satellite distribution centre for the Calgary Interfaith Food Bank.

None of this could have happened without the dedication of our staff and countless volunteers. I especially want to thank Danny Oppenheim, Sheila Hart, Connie Harding, David Even-Har, Ken Sullivan, and Phil Horovitz for all they do to keep Temple running. And huge thanks to Rabbi Glickman, Katie Baker, Jenny Laing, and all the gifted Shabbat School teachers.

I have been blessed with an extraordinary Board of Trustees and Executive Committee who devote countless hours and enormous care to Temple. I especially thank the Board Members who are ending their terms: Andy Kubrin, Elaine Hashman, Elise Thomas, Lori Hartwick, Ted Switzer, and Bruce Winston. Thanks as well to Roz Mendelson, who has chaired an exemplary Transition Committee and the High Holidays Committee.

A huge thanks to Cynthia Simmons, who served as Temple President over twenty years ago, rejoined the Board, and did an exemplary job as Treasurer. We faced a challenging situation when neither our First nor Second Vice President could succeed me as President. Cynthia, with typical grace and dedication, has stepped up to serve as First Vice President next year. I hope she may inspire other members to volunteer in the future.

As I write this, we urgently need a Treasurer. If you can do it, please call me. The coming year will bring more highlights, more milestones. We will begin our new Rugelach Program for our youngsters. And there will be a huge, eagerly anticipated change: Dr. Caron Glickman has just sold her dental practice. I am almost as happy as Rabbi Glickman that we’ll soon have her here most of the time.

It’s been a good year. I look forward to the challenges and adventures that lie ahead. May we, together, continue to grow from strength to strength.

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