Baron Hirsch Plans Friday Night Dinner in Conjunction with OU Community Scholars Weekend

Baron Hirsch Congregation will be hosting a Family Friday Night Dinner on February 5.  The dinner is being held in combination with the Orthodox Union Community Scholars Weekend which will feature OU Executive Vice President, Rabbi Steven Weil as Scholar-in-Residence. 

“Spending Shabbat evening with family and friends is an important part of being a member of our community.  We are excited to have Rabbi Weil in Memphis and sharing a delicious meal with us” says Rabbi Shai Finkelstein, Senior Rabbi of Baron Hirsch.

The evening will begin with Kabbalat Shabbat services at 5:00PM, followed by the dinner at 6:30PM.  Dinner guests will enjoy a delicious meal of gelfite fish, chicken soup, stuffed chicken breast, risotto, carrot kugel and more.  Additionally, there will be a special menu of baked chicken tenders, pasta and mixed vegetables, just for children.  Reservations for the dinner can be made by calling 683-7485.  The cost is $20 per adult and children 12 and under pay their age, due to limited seating those who want to attend the dinner are urged to reserve as soon as possible.

After the dinner, Rabbi Weil will speak at 7:45PM, no reservations are needed to hear Rabbi Weil speak.  For teens there will be a special Oneg at 7:45PM led by Rabbi Moshe Isenberg, Associate Regional Director of the Midwest NCSY.  Childcare will be provided during Rabbi Weil’s lecture. 

Baron Hirsch’s Friday Night Dinners are among the congregation’s more popular events.  Held several times throughout the year, people of all ages and backgrounds attend, and the entire social hall is filled with warmth and Shabbat spirit.  “I love having the ability to enjoy Shabbat with so many of my friends in such a relaxed and fun atmosphere,” stated one member following the last dinner.

For more information or to make dinner reservations contact the Baron Hirsch office at 683-7485. 

Shalach Manot Forms 2010

Introduction Letter
Shalach_Manot_Flyer_2010.pdf

Membership List
Shalach_Manot_Master_List_2010.pdf

Order Form
Shaloch_Manot_Order_Form_2010.pdf

David Cooper Elected President of Baron Hirsch

Baron Hirsch Congregation held its annual general membership meeting and elections on January 17, 2010.  The meeting, which was held in the Marsi Moss Social Hall of the congregation, began with a gala brunch.

Presiding over the meeting was Sidney Mendelson, who was completing two years of service as president of the Baron Hirsch.  Rabbi Shai Finkelstein, Senior Rabbi of the congregation, presented the major annual awards.

In his opening remarks, Rabbi Finkelstein praised both the leadership and the membership for the tremendous efforts that have led to many successes, and the feeling of closeness which exists within the congregation.  In speaking about Mr. Mendelson, Rabbi Finkelstein stated, “For two years I cannot recall a time in which Sidney did not say ‘henaini – here I am’, and this call was always with passion, feelings, love and care for the shul at large and for each member in particular.”

Congregation member Mark Hayden received the Louis Turetsky Memorial Chesed Award.  In expressing his feelings about the special nature of Baron Hirsch, Mr. Hayden remarked, “We’re lucky here- we’ve got a fine clergy, great clerical staff, nice membership and a lot of cute kids. How could you not smile at that?” Mr. Hayden further stated that he is motivated to do things for the shul and community in order to give something back.  “Whether it is giving to a community or in this case giving back to our synagogue, just give something back to an institution that’s filled and enriched our lives,” Hayden urged.

Frank Udelsohn was the recipient of the Sam Abraham Memorial Award as the 2009 Member of the Year.  In accepting the award, Mr. Udelsohn mentioned how proud he was to receive the same award that his father, of blessed memory, received as president of Baron Hirsch back in 1977.  Furthermore, he stated, “I have been chosen from a group of many who volunteer on a daily basis for our great and wonderful shul.” Mr. Sidney Abraham, son of the late Sam Abraham, presented the award which carries his father’s name.

In his remarks on the state of the congregation, Mr. Mendelson reported on the growing involvement in many of the congregation’s classes and events.  “I am very proud to have had the honor in serving the Baron Hirsch Congregation over the last two years. The congregation has accomplished so much by working together thanks to our Senior Rabbi, Rabbi Shai Finkelstein,” stated Mr. Mendelson.  “We have grown in so many ways, which include membership, additional new classes, along with an increase in shul volunteers. I am proud of our new incoming president, David Cooper, along with the executive committee and Board of Trustees as I know under their leadership that Baron Hirsch will continue to prosper. I look forward in continuing to serve Baron Hirsch, which has become such an important part of my life, in the years to come.”

Sidney Goldstein, representing Goldstein & Associates P.C., gave the financial report to the membership.  Bernard Lipsey, chairman of the congregation’s nominating committee, presented the slate of officers and trustees for the approval of the membership.

David Cooper, who was elected president, is Executive Vice President of Cooper Companies.  He is the immediate past president of the Margolin Hebrew Academy/Feinstone Yeshiva of the South, and serves on many other boards throughout the community. 

Others elected to positions as officers were: Irvin Skopp - 1st Vice President/Gabbai Rishon; Pace Cooper - 2nd Vice President; Gary Makowsky – Vice president; Marty Belz - Vice President; Harold Wormser - Treasurer; Morris Thomas - Secretary; Elliot Wender - Gabbai Shaynee; Louis Safier – Assistant Gabbai, Eric Schubert – Assistant Gabbai and Gerald Ballin – Warden. 

Elected to the Board of Trustees for two-year terms were: Robert Cohen, Allen Exelbierd, Dr. Lauren Levinson, Neal Loskovitz, Lyda Parker, Emily Steinberg, Dr. Ellis Tavin, Sarah Thomas, Frank Udelsohn and Adrian Weissman.  Elected to the Board of Trustees for a one-year term were Lee Baum and Dr. Marc Silberberg.

Monday Night Guest Lecturer Series Continues at Baron Hirsch

Mr. Yossi Cohen, Judaic Studies Teacher at Memphis Jewish High School, will be the next speaker of the congregation’s popular Monday Night Guest Lecture Series, announced Rabbi Shai Finkelstein, Senior Rabbi of Baron Hirsch and head of its Educational Institute.  Mr. Cohen will begin his series on Monday, February 1st at 7:00PM. 

The topic of the upcoming series is “Choice in the Book of Bereshit”.  The first lecture on February 1st will be entitled “The Choice between Isaac and Ishmael as Seen through the Torah, Art and Ancient Law.” On February 8th he will speak about “The Choice between Jacob and Esau as Seen through the Story.  Finally, on February 15th Mr. Cohen will conclude his series with “The Choice in Judah and Josef; from Judah to Judah HaMacca
Yossi Cohen is a graduate of the Har Etzion Hesder Yeshiva in Alon Shvut, Israel.  He received a B.Ed. in Bible and Talmud from Herzog College in Israel and a M.A. in Land of Israel studies and Archeology from Bar Ilan University in Israel.  Prior to arriving at Memphis Jewish High School, he taught at Bnei Akiva Yeshiva High School in Hashmonaim, Israel. 

Each month, the congregation invites a different guest lecturer to deliver a three week mini-series on a topic of their expertise.  Mr. Cohen will be leading the fourth series this year.  Over the past several months Baron Hirsch has welcomed other guest lecturers including, Rabbi Dr. Gil Perl, Dean of Margolin Hebrew Academy/Feinstone Yeshiva of the South, Rabbi Avi Goldberg, Rosh Kollel of Torah MiTzion Kollel of Memphis, AND Rabbi Uriel Lubetski, upper school principal of MHA/FYOS.  The class continues to bring in people of all ages and backgrounds to learn about a variety of topics.

All classes begin at 7:00PM and the series is open to all members of the community.  Classes take place in the Margolin Bet Midrash of the synagogue. For more information, please contact the Baron Hirsch office at 683-7485 or visit the synagogue website at http://www.baronhirsch.org

Renowned Author George Gilder to Speak at Baron Hirsch

Baron Hirsch Congregation is proud to announce George Gilder, the noted author of The Israel Test, will be speaking on Sunday, January 24th.  The event will take place in the Belz Sanctuary at Baron Hirsch at 7pm and the event is free and open to the public.  This special event is made possible by Barbara and Ira Lipman.  Baron Hirsch and Temple Israel have joined together to help promote this event and to extend its reach to all members of the community. 

George Gilder is the founder and publisher of Gilder Publishing, a technology research and consulting company, and co-founded the Discovery Institute, a leading think tank based in Seattle.  Mr. Gilder is also the most quoted living author in speeches given by former President Ronald Reagan.  He served as a speechwriter for former President Nixon.  George Gilder is the author of fifteen books, including the international best-seller, Wealth & Poverty. 

Rabbi Shai Finkelstein, Senior Rabbi of Baron Hirsch spoke about the Mr. Gilder’s upcoming appearance.  “This is going to be an event that you will not want to miss.  To have such a noted author and thinker is a fantastic opportunity to learn and connect to our beloved homeland, the State of Israel.  The state of Israel brings all Jews together and it is only fitting that Baron Hirsch and Temple Israel, along with my friend and Senior Rabbi Micah Greenstein, join together in this endeavor.  As an Israeli I was pleased with Mr. Gilder’s accurate portrayal of the Israeli economy and inner strength.  I am very grateful for Barbara and Ira Lipman’s support in bringing Mr. Gilder to Baron Hirsch.”

Temple Israel’s Senior Rabbi Micah Greenstein also shared his excitement about the upcoming event.  “To be a Jew is a blessing and a gift, one which we often take for granted in America - especially when it comes to the sheer existence and miracle of the State of Israel.  In the acclaimed new book, “The Israel Test,” well-known writer and Episcopalian, George Gilder, reawakens the call every Jew and every American ought to hear.  How blessed Baron Hirsch and Temple Israel are to have Ira Lipman bring to Memphis for the entire community a speaker whose message is not to be missed; and how delighted I am to partner with Rabbi Shai Finkelstein and invite the entire community, on behalf of our two congregations, to this great event.”

In The Israel Test, Gilder makes the case for Israel, portraying a conflict of barbarism, envy and death against civilization, creativity and life.  Gilder reveals Israel as a leader of human civilization, technological progress, and scientific advance.  Tiny Israel stands behind only the United States in its contributions to the hi-tech economy.  Israel has become the world’s paramount example of the blessings of freedom.  And yet Israel is the most hated nation in the world today.  Why?  Israel is hated for her virtues, for her achievements; for all that she has done well.  Israel is hated, as the United States is hated, because Israel is successful, because Israel is free, and because Israel is good. 

For more information contact the Baron Hirsch office at (901) 683-7485.

OU Community Scholars Weekend

OU_Community_Weekend.pdf

Synaplex Shabbat Flyer

Synaplex_Shabbat_Flyer_1-16-10.pdf

George Gilder Event

George_Gilder_Flyer.pdf

Baron Hirsch to Honor Members at Annual Meeting

Baron Hirsch Congregation announced this week that Frank Udelsohn would be receiving the 2009 Sam Abraham Member of the Year Award, and that Mark Hayden would receive the 2009 Louis Turetsky Chesed Award.  The awards will be presented at the congregation’s annual general membership meeting and elections, which will take place on January 17, 2009.  The meeting, which will begin at 11:30AM, will be preceded by a brunch at 10:30AM.

In making the announcement, Congregation President Sidney Mendelson stated, “Our leadership is proud to be honoring two people who exemplify the spirit of volunteerism and self sacrifice that are so important to a successful organization.  Both of these individuals give countless hours of their time both to the synagogue and to the Memphis community at large.”

Frank Udelsohn has been a member of the Board of Trustees for 4 years, and is currently President of the Baron Hirsch Men’s Club.  “Not a week goes by where Frank is not involved in some aspect of the shul,” observed Mr. Mendelson.  “Whether it is bringing siddurim and chairs to a shiva home or working on an upcoming event, Frank is always ready to give of his time to the congregation.” For many years, Frank has been active in coordinating singles programming at the shul, and has also been a volunteer for Camp Darom and other youth activities.  He and his wife, Bracha, have sponsored many youth activities, including the congregation’s High Holy Day youth programs and its popular Chol HaMoed Youth Day.

“Frank is a prime example of how one should feel towards their synagogue,” observed Rabbi Shai Finkelstein, Senior Rabbi of Baron Hirsch.  “While he is an active member who regularly attends services, classes and other programs, he also realizes the need to give back however he can.  We are proud to honor Frank, and to have him and Bracha among our most active and committed volunteers.”

The Louis Turetsky Chesed Award is being presented to Mark Hayden.  Mark devotes a tremendous amount of time to activities both at Baron Hirsch and the community.  “Mark’s impact at Baron Hirsch has been tremendous,” stated David Fleischhacker, executive director of the congregation.  “He is always ready to help others who are in need, and is always available to lend a hand around the synagogue.”

Currently, Mark is a member of the Board of Trustees.  He is a regular volunteer who helps out at numerous events.  Mark is a favorite of the children of the congregation, whether he is popping popcorn for a youth event, or handing out candy to a smiling child on Shabbat.  In addition to the public events, he helps out in many ways that people never see.  Whether it is taking care of the plants around the synagogue or delivering directories to member’s houses, he is someone who can’t say no.  Mark also spends a lot of time visiting and calling people who are ill, or who need extra assistance or even just a friendly face. 

Rabbi Finkelstein will present the awards to all of the honorees.  Sidney Mendelson will deliver the State of the Synagogue address, and preside over the meeting.  While only members may participate in the elections of officers, anyone is welcome to attend the brunch and meeting.  The cost of the brunch is $15, and reservations may be made by contacting the synagogue office at 683-7485.

Baron Hirsch to Host Synaplex Shabbat Focusing on Environmental Issues

Baron Hirsch Congregation will be hosting a Synaplex Shabbat this Shabbat, January 16th.  This Shabbat will be the first of the month of Shevat, in which we celebrate Tu B’Shevat, the holiday we celebrate nature.  To correlate with Tu B’Shevat, the theme of the Synaplex Shabbat will be ways to lessen your impact on the environment and things you can do in your everyday life to be less wasteful and conserve.

Services begin at 8:30AM in the Belz Sanctuary with the popular Education Minyan beginning at 9:30AM.  The Education Minyan is led by Rabbi Shai Finkelstein, Senior Rabbi of Baron Hirsch.  This special minyan is held once a month and is a combination service and class.  The service runs from 9:30AM until 10:20AM. Following the service, participants return to the main Shabbat minyan.

At 11:00AM, our Synaplex program will begin with Senior Rabbi Shai Finkelstein introducing environmental issues from a Torah point of view.  Rabbi Finkelstein stated “This issue of ‘going green’ and being responsible for our world is deeply rooted in our tradition.  Separation between products and materials are not a foreign concept in Orthodoxy.” Baron Hirsch Member Anne Reef will speak and share ideas about taking small steps around the home and little lifestyle practices in hopes that they will help us all make a positive difference.  Anne was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa and she and her husband, Dr. Ellis Reef came to Memphis in 1988.  Ms. Reef has undergraduate and graduate degrees in English, Human Resources and English Literature.  She is currently completing work to receive her PhD in Textual Studies.  The majority of her literary research has focused on how the environment is portrayed in literature.  She cites living though a severe water shortage in South Africa as one of the defining moments in her life.  The water shortage caused households to be given only 10 gallons of water each day for all functions, including drinking water, bathing, laundry, cooking, gardening, etc. 

Following the presentation at 11:45AM, there will be a special Kiddush that celebrates the first environmentally friendly Kiddush at Baron Hirsch that will use only recyclable materials.  All members of the community are invited to attend this Synaplex Shabbat. 

Welcome

Baron Hirsch is a modern Orthodox Zionist congregation that seeks to engage its membership in experiencing all aspects of Jewish life with a strong commitment to Am Yisroel, Eretz Yisroel and Torat Yisroel.

We invite you to experience our Jewish southern hospitality here in Memphis, Tennessee. We pride ourselves in hospitality so warm and friendly you will come back again and again. Our Jewish values will make you feel right at home. Please browse our site.

Baron Hirsch is now partnering with All Judaica.com to bring you one of the largest selections of Judaica, books and ritual items available anywhere - and the shul benefits from every purchase when you click through the link below!

Baron Hirsch Announces Next Guest Lecturer for Monday Evening Series

Rabbi Shai Finkelstein, Senior Rabbi of Baron Hirsch and head of its Educational Institute has announced its next guest lecturer for their popular Monday Evening Guest Lecture Series, Rabbi Uriel Lubetski.  Rabbi Lubetski will begin his series on Monday, January 4th at 7:00PM.  Each month, the congregation invites a different guest lecturer to deliver a three week mini-series on a topic of their expertise. 

Recent guest lecturers include Rabbi Dr. Gil Perl, Dean of Margolin Hebrew Academy/Feinstone Yeshiva of the South and Rabbi Avi Goldberg, Rosh Kollel of Torah MiTzion Kollel of Memphis.  Both have enjoyed a wonderful response from the many participants. 

Rabbi Uriel Lubetski is the Upper School Principal at Margolin Hebrew Academy/Feinstone Yeshiva of the South.  He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, a Master’s Degree in Information Systems, a Master’s Degree in Jewish History, Rabbinical Ordination from Yeshiva University, and is a doctoral candidate in Educational Administration.  Previously he served for nine years as a teacher and Assistant Principal at Yeshiva University High School for Boys in New York and three years as the Upper School Principal at Yeshivat Rambam in Baltimore. 

The upcoming series will be entitled “The Events of the First Crusade (1096) & its Effect on Ashkenazic Jewry.” The January 4 class will focus on The Christian perspective, wow were Jews viewed by their Christian neighbors? How were Christian/Jewish relations regulated during this time period? What motivated the Christians of the time period to attack or defend the Jews?  The second lecture on January 11 will discuss Jewish perspective, how did the Jews respond to these attacks? What led to the extreme behavior of martyrdom?  The final lecture on January 18 will be about effects of 1096, what lasting effects did the events of 1096 have on the Jewish community?
All classes begin at 7:00PM and the series is open to all members of the community.  Classes take place in the Margolin Bet Midrash of the synagogue. For more information, please contact the Baron Hirsch office at 683-7485 or visit the synagogue website at http://www.baronhirsch.org

History

The first burial at the Baron Hirsch Cemetery dates back to 1847.  For nearly 160 years, the cemetery has been an integral part of orthodox life in the Memphis Jewish community.  Over te past 100 years the cemetery has expanded to over ten acres of property owned by Baron Hirsch.  Currently the cemetery is using five acres of land which respectfully represents over 3,400 burials.  There is approximately enough land in the cemetery to contain an additional 1,400 grave sites without any additional expansion based on the current configuration of the grounds. 

If you walk throughout the Baron Hirsch Cemetery you will get a Jewish history lesson unlike any other.  You will see the names of people who were absolute pillars in making sure that Memphis was a well developed and strong Jewish community.  Through the many rows of graves which represent thousands of our ancestors, immediate family and friends, these sacred grounds tell a story in Jewish history.  From the Yellow Fever epidemic, World Wars I & II and the Holocaust, much Jewish blood and tears have been experienced by members of Baron Hirsch at our cemetery.  Over the years it has been with great pride, dignity and financial support from everyone that the Baron Hirch Cemetery has been able to share its history and love with all its members and friends who visit the cemetery. 

Map to Baron Hirsch Cemetery

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Baron Hirsch Plans Annual Chanukah Dinner

Baron Hirsch Congregation will host its annual Chanukah Dinner for its membership and the community on Friday evening, December 11th.  The dinner, which coincides with the first night of Chanukah, will take place in the Marsi Moss Social Hall.

“Chanukah is one of the special times during the year that we gather together at the synagogue to celebrate,” observed Sidney Mendelson, president of the congregation.  “We are preparing for a large crowd, and expect to have over 300 people join us for this festive occasion.”

The evening will begin with Kabbalat Shabbat services at 4:35PM, followed by the dinner at 5:45PM.  A wonderful menu has been developed, and will include delicious potato latkes, grilled chopped steak, spinach and broccoli kugel, and more.  There is also a special children’s menu featuring latkes, hamburger steak and pasta.

This year’s Chanukah dinner not only coincides with Shabbat, but it is also being scheduled in conjunction with a special Scholar-in-Residence weekend.  Last week, the Baron Hirsch Educational Institute announced that it will be hosting Professor Marc Shapiro for the entire Shabbat.  Professor Shapiro, a well sought after speaker, will give three lectures over the course of Shabbat.  The overall theme of the series is “Orthodoxy: Facing the Challenges of the Modern World”.

The first of Professor Shapiro’s lectures will be held immediately after the dinner at 7:15PM, and is entitled, “Rabbi Jehiel Jacob Weinberg & the Challenge of Halakhah and Modernity”.  During the lecture, a special youth program will take place, which will include a congregation wide dreidel contest for children of all ages.  Adults and youth will join back together following their programs for a community oneg.

The cost of the dinner is $20 per adult, and $12 per child (ages 5 – 12).  Children 4 and under are free.  Reservations can be made by sending payment to the Baron Hirsch office.  Despite the large numbers that will be accommodated, a sell out of the event is expected, and the congregation urges those interested to make their reservations as soon as possible.  For more information, please contact the congregation office at 683-7485.

December 2009 Edition

Chanukah_LChayim_2009.pdf

Baron Hirsch to Host Scholar-in-Residence for Chanukah

The Baron Hirsch Educational Institute announced this week that it will be hosting Professor Marc Shapiro for the weekend of December 11 – 12.  Professor Shapiro, a well sought after speaker, will give three lectures over the course of Shabbat.  The overall theme of the series is “Orthodoxy: Facing the Challenges of the Modern World”.

Making the announcement were Pace Cooper and Dr. Ellis Tavin, co-chairs of the adult education committee at Baron Hirsch.  “Professor Shapiro is a much sought after speaker who has lectured at many of the prominent synagogues across the country,” said Mr. Cooper.  “We are very honored that he will be spending this special Shabbat in Memphis.”

“Of all his areas of expertise, we have specifically designed a program centered on several famous personalities in the Modern orthodox world,” added Dr. Tavin.  “Professor Shapiro will be able to share his unique insights on topics that are of great interest.”

The first lecture will take place on Friday night, December 11th at 7:15PM, and is entitled, “Rabbi Jehiel Jacob Weinberg & the Challenge of Halakhah and Modernity”.  Rabbi Weinberg was the most unusual and creative halakhic authority of the twentieth century.  His life is the story of twentieth century Jewry and how one man struggled to ensure that halakhah remain relevant to Orthodox Jews.  The lecture will follow the congregation’s annual Chanukah dinner, which begins at 5:45PM.  A special youth program will take place during the lecture.

On Shabbat morning, December 12th, Professor Shapiro will speak following morning services.  The lecture, which will begin at 11:00AM, is entitled “Rabbi Isaac Herzog & the Challenge of Halakhah in Building a State”.  Rabbi Herzog, whose passing fifty years ago we are now commemorating, was forced to deal with issues Jews hadn’t thought about in 2000 years. The creation of a State of Israel meant that all sorts of halakhic problems needed to be solved. Was it possible to run an army and police force according to halakhah? How can Shabbat be observed in a completely Jewish settlement when halakhah always assumed that there would be a non-Jew available to perform certain required actions? How does one bring the Shulhan Arukh up to date, and apply it to a society that was never contemplated by earlier halakhists. That was Rabbi Herzog’s mission and legacy.

The third lecture will take place at 3:30PM on Shabbat afternoon, and is entitled “Rabbi Shlomo Goren – Building the Halakhah in the Modern State of Israel”.  Rabbi Goren had a vision of Judaism in the reborn state of Israel. A new era had begun and Judaism must respond accordingly.  This meant that the halakhah of the galut must come to terms with the new reality and the halakhists are called upon to create a Land of Israel halakhah. If it sounds radical, it was, and the lecture will examine the views and controversies of Rabbi Goren, the brilliant Chief Rabbi of Israel.

Professor Shapiro holds the Weinberg Chair in Judaic Studies at the University of Scranton. He is the author of Between the Yeshiva World and Modern Orthodoxy and the Limits of Orthodox Theology, both of which were National Jewish Book Award Finalists. He also is the author of Saul Lieberman and the Orthodox and Studies in Maimonides and His Interpreters. 

Professor Shapiro’s visit is made possible through the Scholar-in-Residence fund at Baron Hirsch, established by Larissa and Ben Baer.  The lectures are free of charge and open to the entire community.  For more information, or to make reservations for the Chanukah dinner, please contact the synagogue office at 683-7485.

Scholar-in-Residence Brochure, December 2009

Scholar-in-Residence_Brochure_-_Shaprio.pdf

Baron Hirsch Announces New Season of Guest Lecture Series

The Baron Hirsch Educational Institute announced this week its schedule for the upcoming Fall season of its Monday Evening Guest Lecture Series.  Each month, the congregation invites a different guest lecturer to deliver a three week mini-series on a topic of their expertise.  All classes will take place in the Margolin Bet Midrash of the synagogue.

This program, now in its second year, saw as many as 50 participants in sessions last year. Senior Rabbi Shai Finkelstein is the director of the Educational Institute.  “In addition to the many wonderful weekly classes we offer, we also wanted to give our members greater access to the many talented educators and speakers who we have in our community,” said Rabbi Finkelstein.  “We appreciate them lending their talents to this special program.”

The first mini series will begin on Monday, November 9th at 7:30, and will be given by Rabbi Dr. Gil Perl, Dean of Margolin Hebrew Academy/Feinstone Yeshiva of the South.  This three week series is entitled “Chasidim vs. Mitnagdim: A Look into the Eye of the Storm”.  The first lecture on November 9 will focus on the birth of Chasidut and its startling spread.  The second lecture on November 16 will look at the Vilna Gaon and the opposition movement to Chasidut.  The last lecture on November 23rd will examine the rise of the yeshivot and the ideology of Torah study.  There is no charge for any of these classes, and no background is necessary.

Rabbi Dr. Gil Perl is in his third year as Dean of MHA/FYOS. He has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania with a double major in Intellectual History and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. He went on to complete a Master’s and Doctorate at Harvard University in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations. He received smicha from Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanon Theological Seminary, where he served as an instructor of Jewish History in Yeshiva College and was honored as Professor of the Year for 2005-2006. Rabbi Perl also served on the administration of YU’s boys’ high school, first as the Director of Admissions and then as the Associate Head of School. Before coming to YU, Rabbi Dr. Perl served as an instructor of Jewish Law at the Prozdor Hebrew High School in Newton, Massachusetts, and later as Head of the Jewish Law department. He was also an award winning Teaching Fellow at Harvard University.

A second mini-series will be held on Monday evenings beginning November 30th by Rabbi Avi Goldberg, Rosh Kollel of Torah MiTzion Kollel of Memphis.  Future series in January and February will be given by Mr. Yossi Cohen of the Judaic Studies faculty of the Memphis Jewish High School and Rabbi Uriel Lubetski, upper school principal of MHA/FYOS.

For more information, please contact the Baron Hirsch office at 683-7485.

Baron Hirsch Education Minyan Returns on October 31

Baron Hirsch Congregation will begin a new season of its popular Education Minyan on Saturday morning, October 31st.  This special minyan is held once a month and is a combination service and class.  Over the last several years, scores of individuals have participated in this interesting and enlightening group.  The service runs from 9:30AM until 10:20AM. Following the service, participants return to the main Shabbat minyan. 

Rabbi Shai Finkelstein, Senior Rabbi of Baron Hirsch, says of the Education Minyan: “Like in any relationship you need to know the other partner.  Davening is a relationship between us and G-d.  In this minyan you can learn about yourself and your partner, G-d.”

Rabbi Finkelstein leads the Education Minyan, which gives participants a chance to learn the origin of the prayers we say, including the meaning behind them and the philosophy behind their arrangement. 

This year, the minyan will continue to focus on the different parts of the Amidah, the silent prayer.  The service is open to anyone in the community, and no background is necessary.  Upcoming dates for the Education Minyan are November 21st and December 19th.  For more information, please contact the synagogue office at 683-7485.

Final Plans Announced for Rabbi Skopp Tribute Weekend

As community members prepare to gather this weekend to honor the memory of Rabbi Cantor David W. Skopp, Baron Hirsch Congregation completed plans for its weekend tribute, which will be held on October 24 – 25.  “Our leadership has worked on this program for the past six months,” stated Sidney Mendelson, president of the congregation.  “When someone dedicates over a half century of their lives to one institution or community, there are a lot of people who want to take part in saying thank you.”

In fact, scores of people have contacted Baron Hirsch over the past number of months with their memories.  “We have heard stories, seen pictures and collected articles written by friends and relatives,” observed Senior Rabbi, Shai Finkelstein.  “It is amazing to see just how many people Rabbi Skopp touched throughout his life.”

Among the final plans announced this week was the selection of Pace Cooper as the master of ceremonies for the Tribute Dinner to be held on Sunday evening, October 25th.  Mr. Cooper, a vice president of the congregation, also served as chairman of the tribute dinner committee. “Rabbi Skopp holds a very special place in my heart, and in the hearts of my family,” Mr. Cooper said in discussing his role.  “He has been part of our lives for so many decades, and it was an honor to work on this tribute to him.”

Highlighting the dinner will be a special video presentation which was produced by Marcy Melman.  David Cooper, first Vice President of the congregation, served as the committee chairman for the video production.  “I think that everyone who knew Rabbi Skopp will enjoy this video.  We interviewed family, friends, students and congregants, and heard a lot of interesting stories and recollections,” said Mr. Cooper.

Another major highlight of the dinner will be a concert by Cantor Shimon Craimer, who is the guest artist for the weekend.  Cantor Craimer, who is currently the Chazan at the Riverdale Jewish Center in New York, has been called “the rising star of Jewish music” by the Chief Rabbi of the British Commonwealth, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. 

Cantor Craimer will also conduct services along with Baron Hirsch’s own esteemed Cantor Ricky Kampf over Shabbat on October 24, when a new Torah will be dedicated in Rabbi Skopp’s memory.  “This will be a Shabbat service that no one will ever forget,” observed Pace Cooper, “We are fortunate to have two chazzanim whose beautiful voices will be enjoyed by all who attend.  And if that is not enough, we will also have the joyous opportunity to welcome a new Torah into the congregation.”

Everyone in the community is invited to attend and participate in the Shabbat services, which begin at 8:30AM in the Belz Sanctuary.  Regarding the tribute dinner on Sunday evening, the reservation deadline is passed, but you may call the synagogue office to inquire about available seats.  The office can be reach at 683-7484.

Baron Hirsch Educational Institute Announces New Class Focusing on the State of Israel

“Hereby declare the establishment of a Jewish State in Eretz-Israel to be known as the State of Israel” “It will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants, irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture.”

The Declaration of Independence of the State of Israel, 1948

The Baron Hirsch Educational Institute is proud to announce a new series of Shabbat afternoon classes taught by Rabbi Shai Finkelstein, Senior Rabbi of Baron Hirsch and head of the Baron Hirsch Educational Institute.  The State of Israel became one of the most important components of our Jewish identity as individuals and as a nation.  Israel gives us a sense of pride and belonging.  While Israel fought and continues to fight for its survival and safety the social and the religious structure of our nation continues to be formed.  Israeli society is a mix of many people from different backgrounds, walks of life and religious and political affiliations.  This fabric of our Israeli society poses many challenges for our nation and it is the core of this new series of classes. 

We will discuss how the State of Israel is a paradox; within the state there is an intrinsic conflict between having a Jewish state and having a democracy.  The central idea of Israel as a Jewish state and the complications and flexibility of this definition, as made by David Ben-Gurion in the Israel Declaration of Independence, will be the central theme of our discussions. 

When one begins to delve deeper into the establishment of Israel we find with much uncertainty.  Each class will focus on several of the challenges that Israeli society faces as a result of its fractionations.  What does it mean to be a Jewish state?  Is it a state for all Jews or only for religious Jews?  Should the Jewish state be a theocracy, a democracy, or a compromise of both?  How do changes in the demography of Israel influence the status of the state?  What is the status quo in Israel and will it change?  What do Jews in Israel and Jews in the Diaspora have in common?  What is the validity of the Israeli government and its officials?  The entire State of Israel balances internal challenges; these social, religious and political issues lie in the heart in the establishment of the state as a Jewish and a democratic state. 

The new series will meet each Shabbat afternoon, with the first session taking place on October 17th at 5:00PM.  All following October classes will be held at 5:00PM, classes during the month of November will be held at 4:00PM.  The first session will be entitled “The Validity and the Status of the Israeli Government from a Torah Perspective.” The classes will be given in the Margolin Bet Midrash of Baron Hirsch, and are open to the entire community.  For more information about this class or any of the classes offered at Baron Hirsch contact the office at (901) 683-7485 or visit the synagogue website at http://www.baronhirsch.org. 

The Baron Hirsch Educational Institute strives to offer courses that will enrich every lifestyle and background. Classes in all areas of Torah learning such as our Women’s Parsha Class, Major Events in Jewish History, Lunch and Learn are only a few of the learning opportunities available at Baron Hirsch..  Over the last three years, hundreds of community members have benefited from the daily classes which are offered through the Educational institute. 

Baron Hirsch Youth Department Schedules Sukkot Activities

The holidays are always a busy time for the Baron Hirsch Youth Department, and this year is no exception.  Two popular activities are back once again this Sukkot for children of all ages.

On Sunday, October 4, there will be both a Sukkah Hop and a Sukkah Treasure Hunt.  Both events meet at the Baron Hirsch Sukkah promptly at 4:30PM.  Where they go from there, is one of the great mysteries of the world.

The Sukkah Hop is designed for children from ages 3 – 8, along with their parents.  They will visit several area sukkahs where they will enjoy snacks, songs, and stories.  An always popular stop for the Sukkah Hop is the home of Senior Rabbi Shai and Bilha Finkelstein.  “Bilha and I always look forward to hosting the children in our Sukkah,” stated Rabbi Finkelstein, “It is a pleasure to eat with them and share some thoughts about the holiday.” After making several more stops, the Sukkah Hop returns once again to the Baron Hirsch Sukkah.

For ages 9 – 13, the synagogue offers a very challenging Sukkah Treasure Hunt.  Participants divide up into four teams and must solve a variety of clues that take them from Sukkah to Sukkah throughout the neighborhood.  To solve the clues, the children must use math skills, know people in the neighborhood, and also have general knowledge of the holiday.  No one knows how many Sukkahs will be visited – the number over the years has varied from 10 to 25!  Groups are led by the high school members of Memphis NCSY.  Every member of the winning team receives a prize at the end.

This year’s Sukkah Hop and Treasure Hunt are sponsored by Elaine & Fred Miner.  Nearly 100 children participate in these events, and they are open to anyone in the community at no charge.

The other event returning this year due to popular demand is the Chol HaMoed Youth Day at Putt Putt Fun and Games, which will be held on Tuesday, October 6.  This year’s Youth Day will offer more activities than ever before at a new low price.  Thanks to the sponsorship of Bracha and Frank Udelsohn, the cost of admission will be just $8 for Baron Hirsch members and $10 for everyone else.

“Both of these prices are wonderful deals, and significantly lower than the actual cost of the event,” said David Fleischhacker, Executive Director of Baron Hirsch.  “We appreciate the Udelsohn’s sponsorship, allowing us to offer this event to more people.

All participants will receive unlimited putt putt, bumper boats and kiddie rides.  They also receive a limited amount of game room tokens and go kart rides.  The congregation also supplies a variety of snacks and craft projects.  This year’s program will feature several new snack items.

Also new this year will be Putt Putt’s newest attraction - the Sky Trail.  Sky Trail is nine elements of horizontally strung cables, ropes and boards that create obstacles or challenges. The obstacles and challenges are strung between support structures at a 12 feet height.  While this attraction is not included in the package, all participants will be entered in a drawing to win one of 10 free passes for Sky Trail.

The event begins at 1:00PM.  The special Baron Hirsch pricing will be available to anyone who arrives by 4:00PM.  The drawing for the Sky Trail passes will take place at 2:00PM.  Participants may stay at the park as long as they wish.

These two Sukkot events are a continuation of a string of holiday activities at Baron Hirsch.  Over 120 children took part in the High Holy Day youth program each day of Rosh Hashanah and on Yom Kippur.  Children enjoyed a full days of games, songs, learning, and snacks which were professionally supervised.  Snacks for the holidays were sponsored in memory of Elaine & Robert Udelsohn by their children.  New games for all age groups were made available through an anonymous donation made in honor of Sondra and Marvin Ballin’s new great grandson.  Parents were grateful that their children had a safe and organized place to spend the day while they were in services.

Rabbi Skopp Tribute Weekend to Feature Guest Cantor Shimon Craimer

Baron Hirsch Congregation announced that Cantor Shimon Craimer will be the guest artist for its upcoming tribute weekend in memory of Rabbi Cantor David W. Skopp, Z”L.

Cantor Craimer, who is currently the Chazan at the Riverdale Jewish Center in New York, has been called “the rising star of Jewish music” by the Chief Rabbi of the British Commonwealth, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks.  In making the announcement of his appearance, Pace Cooper, chairman of the tribute weekend, stated, “We are thrilled that Cantor Craimer has accepted our invitation to sing at this historic event.  His mastery of cantorial music is a perfect way to honor Rabbi Skopp, who is remembered by so many by his beautiful voice and by the services he led at Baron Hirsch for nearly 40 years.  In addition, Cantor Craimer is also one of the biggest names in Jewish music today, and his wide range of talent will inspire and entertain those of all ages and backgrounds.”

Cantor Craimer will perform on several occasions while in Memphis.  He will sing at the Shabbat morning services on October 24th at Baron Hirsch, at which time a Torah will be dedicated to the memory of Rabbi Skopp.  Cantor Craimer will join Cantor Ricky Kampf in the Torah dedication service, as well as in leading much of the Shabbat service.  He will also entertain with a concert during the tribute dinner on Sunday evening, October 25th. 

Cantor Shimon Craimer was born in London in 1978 into a family with musical
connections on both sides and was fascinated by music from a very young age. His musical talents were strongly encouraged and his exceptional singing voice was recognized by his teachers at Hasmonean High School and in the Ner Yisrael Community (London), where he became a regular leader of the Shabbat and Yom Tov services. After learning in Israel at Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh, Shimon studied at London’s Trinity College of Music. During his student years at the college, where he earned his degree, he sang in the college choirs, performing in many important concert venues.

Besides possessing a beautiful lyric tenor voice, Shimon is an accomplished pianist. He has appeared with several of London’s Jewish choral groups and as a member of the accompanying quartet for such popular cantorial performers as Avram Fried and
Mordechai Ben-David. Craimer has also conducted the Hendon Adath Yisroel Congregation choir and served as a lay cantor at several orthodox synagogues in Greater
London, and he has performed as soloist in cantorial concerts throughout Great Britain. He has also officiated as well as sung at concerts in Israel (with Avram Fried), the United States (with the Negina and Neshoma bands), Gibraltar, Switzerland, Denmark, Belgium, and the Irish Republic.

From 1999 until 2003 Craimer served as cantor of Edgware United Synagogue in London, succeeding such internationally well-known cantors as Joseph Malovany, and he officiates regularly at celebrations and special services in London’s Jewish community.  He then moved to the United States where he became the cantor of the Riverdale Jewish Center.

The entire community is invited to attend the Shabbat services to participate in the Torah dedication and to hear Cantor Craimer perform the services.  Tickets for the tribute dinner may be purchased through the Baron Hirsch office for $75 per ticket.  For more information, please contact Baron Hirsch at 683-7485.

High Holiday Service Times Announced

Selichot - September 12
Class by Rabbi Finkelstein, “Preparing for Selichot"- 11:15 P.M.
Selichot Services - Midnight

Erev Rosh Hashanah - September 18
Candle Lighting - 6:44 P.M.
Mincha/Maariv Service - 6:45 P.M.

First Day of Rosh Hashanah - September 19
P’suke D’zimra - 8:00 A.M. (Beginning of Services)
HaMelech-Shacharit - 8:30 A.M.
Childcare (9 months - 11 years) - 9:00 A.M.
Ark Service - 9:30 A.M.
Reading of Torah - 9:45 A.M.
Greetings from Sidney Mendelson, President - 10:15 A.M.
Rabbi’s Drasha - 10:25 A.M.
Musaf Service - 10:45 A.M.
Mincha/Maariv -6:30 P.M.
Candle Lighting not before 7:43 P.M.

Second Day of Rosh Hashanah - September 20
P’suke D’zimra - 8:00 A.M. (Beginning of Services)
HaMelech-Shacharit - 8:30 A.M.
Childcare (9 months - 11 years) - 9:00 A.M.
Ark Service - 9:30 A.M.
Reading of Torah - 9:45 A.M.
Rabbi’s Drasha - 10:15 A.M.
Shofar - 10:35 A.M.
Musaf Service - 10:45 A.M.
Tashlich - 4:45 P.M.
Mincha/Maariv - 6:30 P.M.
Yom Tov ends - 7:41 P.M.

Shabbat Shuvah - September 26
Shacharit - 8:30A.M.
Shabbat Shuva Drasha - 5:00 P.M.
Mincha - 6:20 P.M.

Erev Yom Kippur - September 27
First Mincha Service - 2:00 P.M.
Second Mincha Service - 6:15 P.M.
Candle Lighting - 6:31 P.M.
Kol Nidre - 6:30 P.M.
Greetings: Sidney Mendelson - 6:50 P.M.
Rabbi’s Drasha -7:00 P.M.
Ma’ariv - 7:20 P.M.

Yom Kippur - September 28
P’suke D’zimra - 8:30 A.M. (Beginning of Services)
Hamelech-Shacharit - 9:00 A.M.
Childcare (9 months - 11 years) - 9:00 A.M.
Reading of the Torah - 11:00 A.M.
Rabbi’s Drasha - 11:30 A.M.
MEMORIAL SERVICE - 11:50 P.M.
(Yizkor)
Musaf Service - 12:15 P.M.
Yom Kippur Teach- In 3:15 P.M.
Mincha Service - 4:30 P.M.
Rabbi Finkelstein’s Neilah Remarks - 5:55 P.M.
Neilah - 6:05 P.M.
Ma’ariv Service - 7:20 P.M.
Blowing of the Shofar - 7:30 P.M.
Yom Kippur ends - 7:30 P.M.

September 2009 Edition

High_Holy_Days_2009.pdf

Baron Hirsch Announces Memorial Tribute for Rabbi David Skopp

Baron Hirsch Congregation announced this week that it will host a special tribute weekend in memory of Rabbi Cantor David W. Skopp on October 24 – 25, 2009.  Rabbi Skopp, who passed away last November, served the congregation for some 57 years – from the time he came to Memphis in 1951 until shortly before his passing in 2008.

“Rabbi Skopp influenced generations of people throughout the Memphis Jewish community,” said Sidney Mendelson, president of the congregation.  “Throughout his career, he touched the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals.  Even years into his retirement, he frequently officiated at the life cycle events of many families.”

The tribute weekend will be held in the week following Rabbi Skopp’s first yahrtzeit, and will provide a meaningful and elegant way for the Jewish community to remember its longest serving member of the clergy.  The tribute will begin with a special Shabbat morning service on October 24th.  “Rabbi Skopp is remembered not only for his beautiful voice, but for his warmth and for the relationships he built throughout his life,” observed Rabbi Shai Finkelstein, Senior Rabbi of the congregation.  “It is most appropriate that the tribute will begin in the Belz Sanctuary on Shabbat morning – where he sang and formed relationships for many years.”

The weekend will continue with a gala dinner which will be held on Sunday evening, October 25 in the Marsi Moss Social Hall of Baron Hirsch.  The dinner program will include a video tribute as well as a concert from one of today’s cantorial stars.  Irvin Skopp will conduct a siyum, marking the conclusion of a year long Torah learning project which he undertook in his father’s memory.  Rabbi Shai Finkelstein will deliver a tribute to Rabbi Skopp.

All of the congregation’s past presidents are serving as honorary chairs of the tribute weekend.  In addition, all of the congregational rabbis of Memphis will serve on the tribute committee.  “The outpouring of love that we have seen from our community towards Rabbi Skopp has been truly inspiring and warm,” observed Pace Cooper, Vice President of the congregation and one of the chairs of the dinner.  “We hope that everyone who felt a bond with Rabbi Skopp will participate in this special weekend.”

As part of the tribute, Baron Hirsch is currently preparing a journal of memories which will be distributed to those attending the dinner.  The congregation hopes to create a list of all those who became close with Rabbi Skopp through their Bar Mitzvah training, wedding ceremony, or participation in the choir.  Those who had a special connection with Rabbi Skopp are asked to contact the Baron Hirsch office so that they can be included in the tribute project.  The committee asks that you contact the office at 683-7485 or by sending an email to april@baronhirsch.org.

There are numerous opportunities available to become a sponsor of the dinner or to submit your memories or pictures in the journal.  Please contact the office to participate. Reservations for the dinner will be taken beginning in early September.

July/August 2009 Edition

LChayim_-_Tisha_BAv_2009.pdf

Ways you can Help Camp Darom’s Chesed Day!

Baron Hirsch’s Camp Darom will be holding a Chesed Day this Monday, July 6th.  There are several ways you can help!

Book Drive
We will be helping with a book drive that is being run by the Memphis Jewish Federation. 

FOR THOSE WHO LIVE IN 38120 - Just call the office & ask that campers come to your home to pick up books. Please leave the books outside your front door on Monday, July 6.  Campers will come by between 1 & 5 in the afternoon. 

FOR THOSE WHO LIVE OUTSIDE 38120 - Bring your books to the shul anytime Sunday & Monday.

Camp Darom will work on this project on Monday, but it will continue throughout the community throughout the summer.  So anyone who is out of town, needs more time, cannot get out, etc can still participate at a later date.  Books only, no magazines, no textbooks. 

Swim-a-Thon
On Monday, Camp Darom will hold a Swim-a-Thon benefiting Camp Simcha, a camp for Jewish children suffering from life threatening diseases, such as cancer.  Please click on the link below to download the form in order to sponsor a specific camper, or to help our overall effort. 

Swim-a-Thon_Sponsor_Form.pdf

Camp Darom to Sponsor Benefit Concert Featuring Shlock Rock

Camp Darom announced this week that it will be sponsoring a concert featuring Shlock Rock as the culmination of its annual Chesed Day program.  The concert will be held in the Marsi Moss Social Hall of Baron Hirsch Congregation on Monday, July 6 starting at 6:00PM.  Tickets for the concert, which is open to the entire community, are just $5, and may be purchased at the door on the night of the concert.

While Camp Darom is based in Natchez Trace State Park, every year, the entire camp comes to Memphis for Chesed Day, a day dedicated to community service and performing good deeds for others.  This year’s Chesed Day will likewise feature many activities during the day where the campers will help others throughout the community.  “We decided that this year, we wanted to invite the entire Memphis community to join in on one of our projects, and thus the Shlock Rock benefit concert was born,” explained David Fleischhacker, business director for Camp Darom and executive director for the Baron Hirsch Congregation.

“Our focus will be to create a fun and energizing concert where we can raise funds for a fantastic cause,” added Rabbi Avichai Pepper, director of Camp Darom.  “All of the concert’s proceeds will be donated to Camp Koby, a project of the Koby Mandell Foundation.” Camp Koby provides children of families struck by terror with a place where others understand. Surrounded by their peers, specially trained counselors and professional therapists, children naturally share their stories and express their feelings.
Most important, kids love Camp Koby because it is fun with exciting programs specially tailored for each age group. Children feel free to have an incredible time.

Camp Koby consists of a youth camp for ages 9-13 and a teen camp ages 14-17. Follow up programs consist of 2-4 day reunions during the year and an on-going Big Sister /Big Brother program. Bringing the children together during the year gives them the comfort and support of an emotional network that nurtures them. Many parents say that their children look forward to the camp all year. The fun and support the kids receive give them the strength to return to life with increased vigor and emotional stability. Most important, they know they are not alone.

Camp Koby is named for Koby Mandell, who at 13 was killed by terrorists, along with his friend Yosef Ishran, on May 8, 2001, in a cave in the rocky countryside that surrounds his family home in Tekoa, Israel.

Shlock Rock is a Jewish rock and roll band formed by Lenny Solomon in 1986.  Since then the band has released 27 tapes and CD’s covering all types of music from parody to original and children’s. Their mission is to encourage Jewish pride, identity, awareness and the promoting of Jewish continuity through music. Shlock Rock has performed over 2,000 shows in the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Israel and England, and they have performed in Memphis many times.

Lenny Solomon is the lead singer and founder of the band.  He also plays keyboards, accordion and harmonica. He was born in New York City and lived in Queens until he made aliya in 1996. He now lives in Bet Shemesh, a town between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, with his wife Gillian, and their four children. He comes from a long line of cantors going back many generations. Lenny’s first band was Kesher, a contemporary Jewish pop group formed by Lenny in 1983. Kesher (which in Hebrew means connection), released albums in March 1984, June 1985 and December 1987. Lenny wrote the music for 17 out of the 28 songs on the three albums. He performed with Kesher across the USA until 1988 when Shlock Rock became a full time career.

The band was born in the middle of the night. In December 1985, Lenny and the band rented the 39th Street Music studio in New York for two weeks from midnight to 8:00am. It was the only time slot they could afford in a studio which was home to some of the stars of the music scene. Top musicians joined the sessions and Learning is Good was released in January 1986.

It took Shlock Rock Learning is Good nine months to become the hottest selling album in the Catskills. After their initial success, Lenny wrote 11 more parodies and in February 1987 Purim Torah was released. At around the same time the Jewish Public School Youth Movement (JPSY) asked Lenny to arrange and produce an album. The result was Jewish Pride, a collection of original English and Hebrew songs which was released in March 1987.

Camp Darom was the first, and still the only, Summer sleep-away program under Orthodox auspices in the South.  Now in its 31st year, it is nationally known for its exciting activities, talented staff and educational programs. It offers a unique mix of camp life, fellowship and Jewish learning.  Camp Darom is a project of the Baron Hirsch Congregation, which has recognized the importance of Jewish camping as part of a child’s educational experience.  This year’s session is sold out, and is attracting children from over a dozen communities, including Atlanta, Nashville, Huntsville, New Orleans, Denver, Phoenix and Miami.

Camp Darom is held at the magnificent Natchez Trace Nature Reserve.  The bunks and all indoor facilities are modern and air-conditioned.  The campsite is surrounded by a 40,000 acre park, and offers plenty of venues for all sports, swimming, boating, hiking, nature, horseback riding, music, drama, arts and Torah study.  The camp also offers a strong Israel-oriented program, led by an experienced staff, many of who have lived or studied in Israel. 

For more information on the Shlock Rock benefit concert or Camp Darom, please contact the Baron Hirsch office at (901) 683-7485.

Baron Hirsch Announces Program for Holocaust Tribute

A unique and inspiring program has been planned for a community wide “Night of Recognition” honoring Memphis Holocaust survivors and the 25th anniversary of the Tennessee Commission on Holocaust Education.  The program, which will take place in the Belz Sanctuary of Baron Hirsch Congregation, will take place on Sunday, May 17 at 6:30 in the evening.

“We felt that this program was important for our community,” said Rabbi Shai Finkelstein, Senior Rabbi of Baron Hirsch.  “It is important for us and our children to witness the victory of the survivors – how they faced the worst tribulations only to build new lives that inspired others.

All Memphis congregations are helping to promote the event, and the community Rabbis will be participating.  In addition, several congregations have signed on as sponsors of the evening, including Beth Sholom Synagogue, Temple Israel and Young Israel of Memphis. 

Highlighting the event will be the premiere of a new documentary called “Generation to Generation”.  Produced by Mark Wender, the film is about something that holocaust families dared not even dream about so many years ago…the future.

Experiencing the joy of generations moving forward is an absolute source of pride and accomplishment for any family but experiencing such an event is truly a miracle for the families of Benny Freidman and Esther Schachter because Benny and Esther are the grandchildren of Holocaust survivors.

When Sam and Freda Weinreich immigrated to the US and settled in Memphis the ashes of the Holocaust had barely settled in Europe.  Their homes and families in Poland were gone…all they had was each other, their faith and a new start within an Orthodox community. 

Years later they found themselves intertwined with another family who shared a similar past when their daughter, Marilyn married Milton Schachter, the son of Holocaust survivors.  The link continues with the marriage of Esther to Benny, a native of Israel.

The evening will also celebrate the work of the Tennessee Commission on Holocaust Education, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2009.  Allen Exelbierd, a member of the commission, will provide an introduction to the Commissions work.  During the program, the audience will hear from three past recipients of the Belz-Lipman Holocaust Educator Award – Monnie DeBerry, Duanne Eliff and Rochelle Kutliroff.  Given annually by the commission to three educators, the Belz-Lipman award recognizes outstanding educators who excel in the teaching of the Holocaust. 

Monnie DeBerry is an 8th grade literature teacher at Hardin County Middle School.  In addition to receiving the Belz-Lipman Holocaust Educator of the Year award, she has also received the 2009 Tennessee Education Association Distinguished Educator of the Year award for Hardin County and the 2009 State of Tennessee Distinguished Educator of the Year, She is a Tennessee Holocaust Commission Teacher Fellow and is also 2008-09 United States Holocaust memorial Museum Teacher Fellow.

Duane R. Eliff, a teacher in Hardin County Schools, received the Belz-Lipman Holocaust Teacher of the Year award in 2003.  He has taught for eleven years, and has been involved in Holocaust studies for twelve years, since he was a student teacher.  He has created and implemented a nine week unit on Holocaust in eighth grade Literature, and all 130 of his students learn from this curriculum.  Mr. Eliff takes a group of students to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. each year, and is currently a United States Holocaust Museum Teacher Fellow for 2008-2009.

Rochelle Kutliroff has been teaching since 1967, and is currently the general studies principal for grades 7 – 12 at the Margolin Hebrew Academy/Feinstone Yeshiva of the South.  Having begun teaching about the Holocaust in the late 1980’s, she received the Belz Lipman award in 2004.  She has taught on every level from elementary through high school, and has run numerous programs and used Holocaust literature to write plays, specifically from Hasidic Tales of the Holocaust, Gertrude Samuel’s Motele, and The Upstairs Room.  Mrs. Kutliroff has taught and tested pilot programs for Facing History and Ourselves, and has attended seminars on Holocaust education in many cities across the country.  Her high school students have interviewed survivors and written papers based on oral histories. 

During the program, a special presentation will be made to each of the survivors, and all of the Memphis congregational rabbis will participate.  Second and third generation children will sing at both the beginning and end of the program, and a light reception will follow.

Chairpersons of the event include Allen Exelbierd, a board member of the commission; Dr. Irv Cherny, past president of Baron Hirsch; Mark Wender, past president of Baron Hirsch and producer of several widely acclaimed Holocaust films; and Emily Steinberg, who serves on the Board of Trustees of Baron Hirsch and is a past president of Hadassah.

There is no cost to attend this special evening, and the entire community is urged to attend. For more information, please contact the Baron Hirsch office at 683-7485.

Baron Hirsch to Celebrate Mother’s Day with Special Brunch

Are you looking for a way to honor a special woman in your life?  The Baron Hirsch Sisterhood has just made it a little easier!  On May 10th, the Sisterhood will be hosting a Mother’s Day Brunch in the congregation’s Marsi Moss Social Hall.

Madelyne Daneman, president of the Sisterhood, invites all community members to attend.  “It would be our pleasure to honor mothers at Baron Hirsch and all the other community congregations, in celebrating this very special day.  By making reservations for this event you can honor the important women in your life with a scrumptious brunch buffet and quality time with some of the most important people in the lives.”

With limited options for kosher dining, this will be the first opportunity that many Memphians have had to take their mothers out to eat in a number of years.  “We are very proud to be making this service available to the community,” said David Fleischhacker, executive director of the congregation. 

While the sisterhood is making all of the preparations for the brunch, the Baron Hirsch Men’s Club has stepped forward to help prepare and serve on the day of the event.  “We want the ladies of our sisterhood to enjoy this event as well,” observed Frank Udelsohn, Men’s Club president.  “So we are making sure that our men will be available that morning to make sure that everything runs smoothly.

The buffet will include a variety of delicious selections that will please every age.  The sisterhood has been working for several weeks collecting recipes that they are sure that both adult and child will enjoy.  A special area will also be set up for young children to make their own Mother’s Day Cards, and other surprises are in store as well.

The cost of this event is $15 for adults and children pay their age.  Advanced reservations are strongly recommended, and can be made by contacting the Baron Hirsch office at (901) 683-7485 or by emailing gwen@baronhirsch.org.  There will be two seating options guests may select from, one at 10:30AM and another at 11:30AM.  Please indicate your preference when making your reservation. 

Baron Hirsch Educational Institute Announces New Four-Week Series

Rabbi Shai Finkelstein, Senior Rabbi of Baron Hirsch Congregation, will begin a new series titled “Is Morality Dependant on Jewish Law?” The classes will begin this Shabbat afternoon, May 2nd.  In describing the series, Rabbi Finkelstein stated, “In this series we will explore this philosophical and theological question that concerns every Jew.  Is the moral content of Judaism incorporated in Jewish Law and therefore finds its fullest realization within the Halachic framework, or can morality be independent of Halacha?”

Some of the questions to be discussed will include what was the ethical code of the world before the Torah was given?  What will a Jew do when there is conflict between Halacha and worldly ethics?  Is the Halacha recognized “behind the line of the law” and what does that mean? 

The new series will meet each Shabbat afternoon, with the first session taking place on Saturday, May 2nd at 6:30PM.  The sessions will be given in the Margolin Bet Midrash of Baron Hirsch, and is open to the entire community.  For more information about this class or any of the classes offered at Baron Hirsch contact the office at (901) 683-7485 or visit the synagogue website at http://www.baronhirsch.org. 

The Baron Hirsch Educational Institute strives to offer courses that will fit every lifestyle and background.  Even for those who cannot commit to a full length class, a number of brief learning opportunities are also available such as the weekly ‘Call Torah Class’ which is taught over the phone.  Over the last two years, hundreds of community members have benefited from the daily classes which were offered through the Educational institute. 

Baron Hirsch to Honor Survivors and Tennessee Commission On Holocaust Education

Baron Hirsch Congregation announced this week that it will host a community tribute to Memphis Holocaust survivors and the 25th anniversary of the Tennessee Commission on Holocaust Education.  In making the announcement, Congregation President Sidney Mendelson stated, “We are honored to host this important evening of recognition, and hope that everyone – from children to adults – will join us for this special evening at 6:30PM on Sunday, May 17.”

Highlighting the event will be the premiere of a new documentary called “Generation to Generation”.  Produced by Mark Wender, the film is about something that holocaust families dared not even dream about so many years ago…the future.

Experiencing the joy of generations moving forward is an absolute source of pride and accomplishment for any family but experiencing such an event is truly a miracle for the families of Benny Freidman and Esther Schachter because Benny and Esther are the grandchildren of Holocaust survivors.

When Sam and Freda Weinreich immigrated to the US and settled in Memphis the ashes of the Holocaust had barely settled in Europe.  Their homes and families in Poland were gone…all they had was each other, their faith and a new start within an Orthodox community. 

Years later they found themselves intertwined with another family who shared a similar past when their daughter, Marilyn married Milton Schachter, the son of Holocaust survivors.  The link continues with the marriage of Esther to Benny, a native of Israel.

“This film and our program will celebrate the victory of our heroic survivors over the Nazis who sought their destruction,” observed Rabbi Shai Finkelstein, Senior Rabbi of Baron Hirsch.  “Through the determination of our survivors, we have seen new generations emerge and prove to the world that one can triumph over the worst evil.”

All of the Holocaust survivors who live in Memphis will be recognized at the program.  A special gift will be presented to each of them through the participation of all of the community Rabbis. 

The evening will also bring honor to the Tennessee Commission on Holocaust Education, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2009.  The Tennessee Holocaust Commission was created in 1984 by an act of the State Legislature. As its first formal act, The Commission created a memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. It stands on the grounds of the State Capitol. Ever since, the Commission has sponsored annual Days of Remembrance in locations statewide including an observance on the Capitol grounds.

New legislation in May 1996 recreated the Commission as the Tennessee Commission on Holocaust Education. The name change recognized the primary role of the Commission as education--at all levels and for all citizens.  The Commission provides a variety of educational services and opportunities. It sponsors conferences for students, secondary school teachers, university faculties and the general public in addition to other special Holocaust programming.

During the program, the audience will hear from several past recipients of the Belz-Lipman Holocaust Educator Award. Given annually by the commission to three educators, the Belz-Lipman award recognizes outstanding educators who excel in the teaching of the Holocaust.  Past recipients of the award have gone on to attend international conferences, been appointed as teacher fellows to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and served as educational liaisons for the THC.

The program will also enjoy the participation of the 2nd and 3rd generation choir, and will be followed by a light reception.

Chairpersons of the event include Allen Exelbierd, a board member of the commission; Dr. Irv Cherny, past president of Baron Hirsch; Mark Wender, past president of Baron Hirsch and producer of several widely acclaimed Holocaust films; and Emily Steinberg, who serves on the Board of Trustees of Baron Hirsch and is a past president of Hadassah.

While there is no cost to attend the program, the congregation is seeking sponsorships to help offset the costs of the event.  In addition, any proceeds will help support the congregation’s Shoah and Tekuma program, which teaches teens the history of the holocaust and the founding of the State of Israel, and leads annual missions to either Israel or Washington.

For more information on the program, or to sign up to be a sponsor, please contact the Baron Hirsch office at 683-7485.

Baron Hirsch Sale of Chametz Information

Sale of Chametz Information
Any chametz owned by a Jewish person during the week of Passover is forbidden for use or benefit forever.  Therefore, it is important that everyone dispose of chametz in one�s possession prior to the holiday.  To achieve this end, it is possible to appoint an agent to sell one�s chametz for the Passover period.  Rabbi Finkelstein or Rabbi Feigenbaum will be available at the Synagogue for you to meet and arrange for the sale of your chametz on the following dates and times:

Sunday, March 29
8:30 � 9:00AM
6:45 � 7:10PM

Monday, March 31
12:15 � 1:00PM

Wednesday, April 1
11:30 � 12:15PM
6:45 � 7:10PM
Thursday, April 2
6:45- 7:10PM

Sunday, April 5
8:30 � 9:00AM
6:45 � 7:15PM

Monday, April 6
6:45 � 7:15PM

Tuesday, April 7
6:45 � 7:15PM

Wednesday, April 8
7:30 � 8:30AM

The final time for arranging for the sale of your Chametz is at 8:30AM on Wednesday morning, April 8.

Please download the form below and give to Rabbi Finkelstein directly.  If you need special assistance or cannot meet him at the above mentioned time, please call the office.

Sale_of_Chametz_Form_2009.pdf

Baron Hirsch Pesach 5769 Service Schedule

Tuesday, April 7
Search for Chametz after - 8:08PM

Wednesday, April 8
Erev Pesach
Shacharit - 6:30AM
Birkat HaChamah *see below - 7:00AM
Siyum for the First Born - 7:15AM
Thank you to Dr. Jack & Esther Forman for sponsoring the annual breakfast in honor of the yahrzeit of David Ross, father of Esther Forman.
Latest time to eat Chametz - 10:29AM
Latest time to burn Chametz - 11:45AM
Candle Lighting - 7:09PM
Mincha/Maariv - 7:15PM
Start Seder after - 8:09PM

Thursday, April 9
1st Day of Passover
Shacharit (note later time) - 9:00AM
Mincha/Maariv - 7:15PM
Light Candles/Start Seder after 8:10PM

Friday, April 10
2nd Day of Passover
Shacharit (note later time) - 9:00 AM
Candle Lighting - 7:11 PM
Mincha/Maariv - 7:15 PM

Shabbat, April 11
Shabbat Chol HaMoed
Shacharit - 8:30 AM
Shir HaShirim
Mincha/Maariv - 7:05 PM
Shabbat Ends - 8:12 PM
Tuesday, April 14
Eve of 7th Day
Candle Lighting - 7:14 PM
Mincha/Maariv - 7:20 PM

Wednesday, April 15
7th Day of Passover
Shacharit - 8:30 AM
Mincha/Maariv - 7:20 PM
Light Candles after 8:15 PM

Thursday, April 16
8th Day of Passover
Shacharit - 8:30AM
Yizkor appr 10:00AM
Mincha/Maariv - 7:20 PM
Yom Tov Ends - 8:16 PM

Note: One should wait for one hour following the conclusion of the holiday to eat any Chametz which was sold in order to allow time for it to be purchased back.

* * *

Birkat HaChamah

The mitzvah of Birkat HaChama is observed when one sees the sun return to its original position, as it was during the week of Creation.  This mitzvah was last performed in 1981, and will not occur again until 2037.  What makes this occasion even more rare is that this year, Birkat HaChama falls on Erev Passover, which has happened only a handful of times since creation.

Join us for Shacharit at 6:30AM, following which we will all go outside to say the special blessing.  The Siyum for the firstborn will follow.

Baron Hirsch’s Shalach Manot Project Returns

Baron Hisch is excited to announce that the Baron Hirsch Sisterhood Shalach Manot Project is returning this year.  This year’s project gives you the opportunity to do three mitzvot in one! You can send Shalach Manot to fellow members.  You can also support Israel with your order, this year all products are made in Israel.  Finally, you can help the needy, a portion of the proceeds for each basket will go towards feeding needy children in Israel. 

Forms have been mailed to all members and are available in the office.  Also you can download PDF files of the form below.  The deadline for all orders is February 25.  Contact the Baron Hirsch office for more details. 

Shaloch_Manot_Information.pdf
Shaloch_Manot_Order_Form.pdf
Shalach_Manot_Member_Roster.pdf

Sidney Mendelson Re-Elected President of Baron Hirsch

Baron Hirsch Congregation held its annual general membership meeting and elections on January 25, 2009.  The meeting, which was held in the Fogelman Foyer of the congregation, began with an espresso bar and reception.

Presiding over the meeting was Sidney Mendelson, who was completing his first year of service as president of the Baron Hirsch, and being re-elected to a second one year term.  Rabbi Shai Finkelstein, Senior Rabbi of the congregation, presented the major annual awards.

Congregation members Elaine Miner and Josh Kahane received the Louis Turestsky Memorial Chesed Award.  Of Mrs. Miner, Rabbi Finkelstein said, �Elaine is always willing to help with her contagious smile and energy.  I am especially moved when I see the smiles on the faces of the elderly members of our community who come to our Kol Rena So-Shuls luncheon, which Elaine heads.  I know how much effort Elaine puts into these events and how much goodness she brings to this world.� Elaine serves on many committees within the congregation.  In addition to chairing the Kol Rena So-Shuls, is an active member of the Chesed committee, and is a past president of the Baron Hirsch Ladies Auxiliary and a past member of the congregation�s Board of Trustees.

In presenting the award to Josh Kahane, Rabbi Finkelstein stated, �Josh helps in nearly every facet of the Memphis Jewish community.  But his special efforts are directed at bringing new families to our community.  By doing this Josh is helping the entire community to ensure a strong future and continuity.� Josh was instrumental in founding Memphis Area Jewish Young Couples (MAJYC), a social group for young families in the Memphis area.

Hilda & Walter Fleischhacker were the recipients of the Sam Abraham Memorial Award as the 2008 Members of the Year.  �Rarely does a week go by that I do not see Walter and Hilda volunteering in some capacity in the shul.  For them Baron Hirsch is like their second home and they create a very positive and stimulating atmosphere.  Their devotion to Baron Hirsch is admirable.� stated Rabbi Shai Finkelstein of the Fleischhackers.  Following Rabbi Finkelstein�s remarks, the award was presented to the Fleischhackers by Sidney Abraham, son of the late Sam Abraham for whom the award is named.

In his remarks on the state of the congregation, Mr. Mendelson reported on the growing involvement in many of the congregation�s classes and events.  He looked forward to continuing to provide the very best in services to the members of the congregation and the community.  Mendelson also thanked his executive committee, the board of trustees, and particularly thanked Gary Makowsky, who completed his term as secretary, and Jay Daneman, who completed his term on the Board of Trustees.

Morris Goldstein, representing Goldstein & Associates P.C., gave the financial report to the membership.  Robert Cohen, a member of the congregation�s nominating committee, presented the slate of officers and trustees for the approval of the membership.  Sidney Mendelson was re-elected president of the congregation. 

Others elected to positions as officers were: David Cooper - 1st Vice President/Gabbai Rishon; Josh Kahane - 2nd Vice President; Pace Cooper � Vice president; Marty Belz - Vice President; Harold Wormser - Treasurer; Irvin Skopp - Secretary; Elliot Wender - Gabbai Shaynee; Louis Safier � Assistant Gabbai, Eric Schubert � Assistant Gabbai and Gerald Ballin � Warden. 

Elected to the Board of Trustees for two-year terms were: Josh Baer, Larissa Baer, Marvin Ballin, Mark Hayden, Gary Makowsky, David Mendelson, Diane Mendelson, Judy Moss, Rachel Siegel and Brad Somer.  Elected to the Board of Trustees for a one-year term was Neil Loskovitz.

Baron Hirsch to Honor Members at Annual Meeting

Baron Hirsch Congregation announced this week that Hilda and Walter Fleischhacker would be receiving the 2008 Sam Abraham Member of the Year Award, and that Elaine Miner and Josh Kahane would receive the 2008 Louis Turetsky Chesed Award.  The awards will be presented at the congregation�s annual general membership meeting and elections, which will take place on January 25, 2009.  The meeting, which will begin at 11:30AM, will be preceded by an espresso bar and reception at 10:45AM.

In making the announcement, Congregation President Sidney Mendelson stated, �Our leadership is proud to be honoring four people who exemplify the spirit of volunteerism and self sacrifice that are so important to a successful organization.  Each of these individuals gives countless hours of their time both to the synagogue and to the Memphis community at large.�

Hilda and Walter Fleischhacker are regular volunteers at the synagogue, and can regularly be seen working on its behalf.  �Not a week goes by where we do not see Hilda and Walter in the office helping out in some capacity,� observed Mr. Mendelson.  �Whether it is preparing a mailing, labeling appeal cards, helping in the office, or counting the tzedukah collections from the daily minyan, they are always ready to give of their time to the congregation.� The Fleischhackers are also extremely devoted to the congregation�s Camp Darom program, where they help with driving, cooking and other errands, as well as supporting the camp�s scholarship fund.  Hilda is also part of the shul�s knitting group, which meets twice a month to benefit a number of important projects. 

�Hilda and Walter are prime examples of how one should feel towards their synagogue,� observed Rabbi Shai Finkelstein, Senior Rabbi of Baron Hirsch.  �While they are active members who regularly attend services, classes and other programs, they also realize the need to give back however they can.  We are proud to honor this couple who are among our most active and committed volunteers.� While Baron Hirsch is the primary beneficiary of Hilda and Walter�s volunteer efforts, they have also devoted much time to the Memphis Jewish Home, Memphis Pink Palace Museum and Hadassah.

The Louis Turetsky Chesed Award is being presented to two individuals.  Elaine Miner devotes a tremendous amount of time to Chesed activities both at Baron Hirsch and the community.  �Elaine�s impact at Baron Hirsch has been tremendous,� stated David Fleischhacker, executive director of the congregation.  �She is always ready to help others who are in need, and take leadership roles in a number of projects.� Currently, Elaine heads the Kol Rena So-Shuls volunteers, and makes sure that the monthly senior luncheons are well prepared and attended.  She also serves on the congregation�s Chesed Committee, and is involved in many of their efforts.  She is a former president of the Baron Hirsch Ladies Auxiliary and a past member of the Board or Trustees.  Together with her husband, Fred, the Miners are involved in many Baron Hirsch activities, and have sponsored special youth events throughout the year.

Elaine�s efforts on behalf of Baron Hirsch are just one part of what she does in the community.  She is an active member of Hadassah, having served as Vice-President, and more currently as membership retention chairman.  She was recognized as Hadassah�s Volunteer of the Year at the Memphis Jewish Federation Women�s Recognition Luncheon, and has been honored as the Member of the Year by Hadassah.  Elaine serves as secretary of the Sam Schloss Bnai Brith Lodge, and is a regular volunteer at the Memphis Jewish Home.

Also receiving the Louis Turetsky Award is Josh Kahane, who is being recognized for his efforts throughout the community, including his involvement in helping new families who are moving to the community.  �Josh has taken southern hospitality to a new level,� observed Mr. Mendelson.  �When a new couple shows interest in moving to our community, Josh is the first one ready to help them with hospitality, with settling in, and with helping to integrate them into our community.� Josh is the 2nd Vice President of the congregation, and is the founder of the Memphis Area Jewish Young Couples (MAJYC) group.  �We are proud of the work Josh has done to improve the social environment for young Jewish couples in Memphis,� added Mr. Fleischhacker.

Josh is a Vice President of the Margolin Hebrew Academy/Feinstone Yeshiva of the South, and is a recent recipient of their Ish Chesed Award for his tireless efforts on behalf of the school.  He is a volunteer coach of the school�s varsity basketball team, and is the main organizer of the annual Cooper Yeshiva High School Invitational Tournament.  He services on the Board of Directors for the Memphis Jewish Federation, and is a member of the Lemsky Committee.  He is also incoming counsel for the Memphis Jewish Community Center.  Josh is an attorney with the law firm of Harkavy Shainberg Kaplan & Dunstan PLC, where he continues the firm�s long tradition of giving back to the community through volunteer service.  He receives much help from his wife, Elana, who is extremely involved in youth programming at Baron Hirsch, and is on the Chesed Committee of MHA/FYOS.

Rabbi Finkelstein will present the awards to all of the honorees.  Sidney Mendelson will deliver the State of the Synagogue address, and preside over the meeting.  While only members may participate in the elections of officers, anyone is welcome to attend the reception and meeting.  For more information, please contact the synagogue office at 683-7485.

Rabbi Finkelstein’s Appearance on ABC24 Eyewitness News

If you were unable to view Rabbi Finkelstein and Andy Groveman�s appearance on ABC24's Eyewitness News Midday click on the video player below to view.

Rabbi Finkelstein’s Appearance on WREG Channel 3

If you were unable to view Rabbi Finkelstein and Andy Groveman�s appearance on WREG�s Live @ 9 show this morning please read the instructions below on how to view the video.  The newstation has made the video available online. 

1. Click here for the link to take you to the Live @ 9 homepage

2. Once there scroll down and click on the heading �Live @ 9 Wednesday, January 7�

3. A new window with the video will open.  Rabbi Finkelstein and Mr. Groveman�s appearance is 5 minutes, 18 second into the video.  You can use the fast forward button on the video player to skip to their portion of the interview. 

Senior Rabbi Shai Finkelstein to Lead New Shabbat Afternoon Series

It is not only Indiana Jones who is looking for treasures or Nicolas Cage who is looking for an American national treasure. It is our own Jewish people that for centuries have been searching and looking for some of the vessels from our Holy Temple. One of the most famous items is the Menorah that was lit in the Temple. The Menorah became the symbol of the Knesset, the Israeli house of congress, and the symbol of the State of Israel. The mysteries despairing of the Menorah from the Temple created many speculations about its location. One of the most well-known places for a bas-relief of the Menorah is the Arch of Titus in Rome. Titus, who captured Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple, took the Temple�s holy vessels as a spoil to Rome in order to show his strength.
Part of the spoil was the Menorah. But was it the real Menorah or a counterfeit one? Does the Menorah still exist or was it hidden by the kings of Israel?

This will be the topic for a new series of classes by Rabbi Shai Finkelstein, Senior Rabbi of Baron Hirsch and head of the Baron Hirsch Educational Institute.  �This is an exciting topic that relates history, mystery, tradition and legend. The Menorah is a symbol of our Jewish history and our future in the State of Israel. Upon completion of this series we will feel more knowledgeable and closer to our tradition� said Rabbi Finkelstein.

The new series will meet each Shabbat afternoon, with the first session taking place on Satruday, January 10th at 4:00PM.  The sessions will be given in the Margolin Bet Midrash of Baron Hirsch, and is open to the entire community.  For more information about this class or any of the classes offered at Baron Hirsch contact the office at (901) 683-7485 or visit the synagogue website at http://www.baronhirsch.org. 

The Baron Hirsch Educational Institute strives to offer courses that will fit every lifestyle and background.  Even for those who cannot commit to a full length class, a number of brief learning opportunities are also available such as the weekly �Call Torah Class� which is taught over the phone.  Over the last two years, hundreds of community members have benefited from the daily classes which were offered through the Educational institute. 

Cemetery Plot Listing

Please click below to find an alphabetic listing of those interred in the Baron Hirsch Cemetery
Cemetery_Plot_Listing.pdf

Cemetery Map

Click below to open a diagram of the Baron Hirsch Cemetery
Baron_Hirsch_Cemetery_Diagram.pdf

Baron Hirsch Hosts Decorated Israeli Diplomat

Baron Hirsch Congregation announced today that Yehuda Avner, former consul of Israel in New York and Israeli ambassador to Ireland and Australia, will deliver a public lecture titled �60 Years of Israel: A Personal Perspective� on Friday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the synagogue, 400 S. Yates Road.

Immediately preceding Ambassador Avner�s talk, Baron Hirsch will host a traditional family style Sabbath dinner beginning at 6 p.m. David Fleischhacker, Baron Hirsch�s executive director, anticipates that 300 people will attend the dinner, while the lecture will draw an even larger crowd. 

�We are thrilled that Ambassador Avner, one of the most sought after speakers on the Jewish circuit, is coming to our congregation,� Fleischhacker said. �He is an icon of Israeli history who will share with us the insights he has gleaned during a storied career spanning Israel�s entire existence.�

A native of England, Avner immigrated to pre-state Israel in 1947. He served in the Haganah volunteer army during the siege of Jerusalem in 1948, the year Israel declared its independence, and was a founding member of Kibbutz Lavi, one of Israel�s few religious Zionist collective settlements, in the lower Galilee. 

Avner was an adviser to Prime Ministers Levi Eshkol, Golda Meir, Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres, and Menachem Begin. In addition to his tenure as consul in New York and ambassador to Ireland and later Australia, he was a counselor for the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. and inspector general of the Israel Foreign Service. The author of �The Young Inheritors: A Portrait of Israel�s Children,� Avner currently serves as a diplomatic consultant to the Israeli government.

Avner�s visit to Baron Hirsch, which is co-sponsored by Israel Bonds, is part of the synagogue�s yearlong celebration of Israel�s 60th birthday. Other programs this year paying tribute to the Jewish state included a celebratory prayer service on Israeli independence day in May, the rededication of two refurbished Torah scrolls � one for the congregation�s use and one bound for the Israeli Defense Forces � in August, and the Belz-Parker Artists Ascending Concert featuring the Ariel String Quartet of Jerusalem in October.

There is no cost to attend Avner�s lecture. Complimentary child care will be available at the synagogue during the talk, courtesy of Israel Bonds.

Reservations are required for dinner. The cost is $20 for adults and $12 for children ages 5 through 12. Children under 4 years of age are admitted free. To make reservations, contact the synagogue office at 901-683-7485.

Baron Hirsch Congregation, the largest Orthodox synagogue in the Mid-South, seeks to engage its diverse membership in experiencing all aspects of Jewish life through a strong commitment to the Jewish people, the land of Israel, and the Torah. Under the leadership of Senior Rabbi Shai Finkelstein and Assistant Rabbi Aaron Feigenbaum, Baron Hirsch aims to serve the spiritual needs and interests of the Memphis Jewish community through daily prayer services, more than a dozen weekly classes, and a variety of educational and social programs throughout the year for children, teens, adults, and senior citizens.

Baron Hirsch Educational Institute Announces Several New Series

Having just celebrated Simchat Torah, we now begin a new cycle of Torah reading and learning.  There is no better time for individuals to commit to an increase in their own personal Torah study and to strengthen their connection to their heritage. The Baron Hirsch Educational Institute is a fantastic way to accomplish this goal.  As we read the first parsha of Bereshit on Saturday, October 25, a new semester of the Educational Institute will formally begin with over 17 distinct classes offered each and every week.

�Jews in a Christian World�, �The Origins of Orthodoxy�, �Exploring the Prophets� and the return of the popular Shabbat Educational Minyan all mark the beginning of an exciting and active new semester for the Baron Hirsch Educational Institute.

Over the last two years, hundreds of community members have benefited from the daily classes which were offered through the Educational institute.  While all of the popular classes of the past year are continuing, a number of new offerings promise to increase attendance to a significantly higher level.

�Jews in a Christian World� is the title of a new six part series which will be taught by Senior Rabbi Shai Finkelstein.  The series will be given on Shabbat afternoons, beginning on October 25 at 4:45PM in the Margolin Bet Midrash of the congregation.  �As Jews who live in a mainly Christian society, we are often faced with social and halachic questions in how to deal with our non-Jewish neighbors,� explained Rabbi Finkelstein.  �This series will analyze a variety of situations that we face on a regular basis � whether in business and social settings.  We will discuss the issues, and the response to these everyday questions from an historical, social and halachic perspective.�

The topic of the October 25 class is �Forming Halachic Fundamentals vis-�-vis Social & Historical Environment�.  Topics for the remainder of the series include �Practical Ramifications for Living among Our Christian Neighbors�, �Business with Non-Jews and Gifts for Christmas�, �Entering Churches: Practical Ramifications for Funerals, Weddings & Tourism�, �Interfaith Relationships� and �Using Church Facilities & Property�.  The class time for the first two sessions is 4:45PM, with the remaining classes after the clock changes being at 3:45PM.

A second new program which promises to be quite popular is Baron Hirsch�s new Thursday Evening Guest Lecture Series.  Each month, the congregation will invite a different guest lecturer to deliver a two or three week mini-series on a topic of their expertise.  All classes will take place in the Margolin Bet Midrash of the synagogue.  The first mini series will begin on October 30th at 7:00, and will be given by Rabbi Dr. Gil Perl, Dean of Margolin Hebrew Academy/Feinstone Yeshiva of the South.  This three week series is entitled �The Origins of Orthodoxy� and will examine events in the early to late 19th century that were pivotal in creating the ideological movement known today as Orthodox Judaism. 

The first lecture on October 30, entitled “Early Reformers and the Traditionalist Response”, will focus on what is known as the Hamburg Temple Controversy of 1819 and the ensuing rift it created in the Western European Jewish community.  The second lecture on November 6, entitled “Torah ‘Im Derech Eretz: The Legacy of Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch”, will look at the group of German rabbis whose attempts to combine the best of secular learning and culture with traditional Jewish observance are seen today as the precursors to Modern Orthodoxy.  The last lecture on November 13, entitled “All That Is New Is Forbidden: The Emergence of Ultra-Orthodoxy”, will examine the historical roots of the more fundamentalist strain of contemporary Orthodoxy known either as Ultra-Orthodoxy or Haredi Judaism.  While each lecture will be completely comprehensible on its own, taken together they aim to provide historical perspective and unique insight into the Orthodox world as we know it today.

A second mini-series will be held on Thursday evenings in December, and will feature topics and classes by Mr. Aviezer Gellman, Dean of Jewish Studies for Memphis Jewish High School.  Future months will include mini series by Rabbi Avi Goldberg, Rosh Kollel of Torah MiTzion Kollel of Memphis and Rabbi Joshua Spodek, Principal of the Cooper Yeshiva High School for Boys. 

A third major new initiative in this year�s Educational Institute syllabus includes an in depth study of the books of the prophets.  Entitled �Exploring the Prophets�, this class taught by Assistant Rabbi Aaron Feigenbaum is held each Monday evening at 7:00PM starting on October 27.  Classes are held in the Margolin Bet Midrash of the congregation.  �The books of the prophets are filled with the history of the Jewish people, and have many relevant lessons for today,� said Rabbi Feigenbaum.  �There is always something new to learn when you study the prophets, which makes this class perfect for both the novice as well as those seeking a refresher.� This semester�s class will study the book of Shoftim (Judges), which covers the 400 year period following the time of Joshua, when the land of Israel was conquered, leading up to the time of the anointing of King Saul, Israel�s first king.

In addition to these many new initiatives, a number of successful classes from the past will be continued.  One program which is returning in a newly improved format is the popular Baron Hirsch Shabbat Education Minyan.  �The Education Minyan has always been a place where people could come and learn about the order of prayer, and the philosophy and meaning behind the prayers we say,� said Rabbi Finkelstein.  �This year, we will focus much more on the contents of specific prayers.� The Education Minyan�s goal is to give individuals a better understanding of the what we say in our prayers, and to make people more comfortable in our services. 

The Education Minyan will be held on the first and third Shabbat of each month, beginning on Shabbat, November 1st.  The first session will be led by Rabbi Finkelstein and will focus on the silent prayer.  The second session will be led by Rabbi Aaron Feigenbaum and will focus on the prayer of Shema.  The Education Minyan, which meets in the Parker-Margolin Tabernacle close to the main sanctuary, begins at 9:30AM, and runs about 50 minutes.  Following the minyan, participants return to the main minyan for the sermon and Musaf service.

Wednesdays continue to be a day filled with many learning opportunities.  Rabbi Finkelstein gives a parsha class for women at 10:30AM in the Hanover Library of Baron Hirsch.  Rabbi Feigenbaum gives a weekly Lunch and Learn at the offices of BA Framer at Noon.  Finally, Rabbi David Radinsky gives a class on �Major Figures and Events in Jewish History� on Wednesday evenings at 7:00PM.  All three of these classes have seen significant increases in participation over the last year. 

The Baron Hirsch Educational Institute strives to offer courses that will fit every lifestyle and background.  Even for those who cannot commit to a full length class, a number of brief learning opportunities are also available.  For instance, every Tuesday at noon, anyone can call in to a brief 10 minute Dvar Torah on the parsha given by Rabbi Finkelstein.  Anyone may use the toll free number 1-866-266-3378 to dial into this call.  Once connected, enter conference code 9016837485.  For those who miss the live class, recordings of the Call Torah class are also available on the congregation�s web site at http://www.baronhirsch.org.

Also included in the category of short classes are Rabbi Finkelstein�s Parsha Class which is held every Saturday morning at 8:15AM prior to Shabbat services.  Additionally, Rabbi Feigenbaum presents a 10 minute thought for the week immediately after havdala each Saturday evening.  This class is entitled SNL for �Saturday Night Learning�, and is a great way to start off a new week.

While this is an extensive list, it still does not cover every class that is offered through the Educational Institute.  Those interested in a complete listing of this semester�s courses are urged to visit the Baron Hirsch website at http://www.baronhirsch.org, or to call the office at 683-7485. 

Every class offered by the Baron Hirsch Educational Institute is free of charge and open to the entire community.  Reservations are not required, simply come and learn, and join the beautiful journey of seeking knowledge.

Baron Hirsch Offers Wide Range of Sukkot Events

In our prayers, we refer to Sukkot as �Zman Simchatenu�, the time of our rejoicing.  This year, once again, Baron Hirsch Congregation is offering a full schedule of activities throughout the holiday which will add to the joy of the season.

These events, many of which take place in and around the Sukkah, are meant to bring the happiness of the season to people of all ages and backgrounds.  Over the years, many of these programs have grown in popularity, and have become established traditions on the calendar of the synagogue and the community.

Sukkot holiday services are of course the foundation of the holiday�s observance.  Morning services on the first two days of Sukkot, which are on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 14 and 15, begin at 8:30AM.  Services on Shabbat Chol HaMoed, October 18, are also at 8:30AM.  A complete list of other service times may be found in the Hebrew Watchman.

One of the more popular programs for youth during Sukkot is the Chol HaMoed Youth Day, which will once again be held at Putt Putt Fun& Games on Summer Avenue.  This year�s event takes place on Thursday, October 16.  While the event begins at 1:00PM, most participants stay the entire afternoon, often into the early evening.  This event regularly draws over 100 youth of all ages.  For just $13, kids receive a bracelet entitling them to unlimited putt putt, and hour of go-karts, unlimited bumper boats and other rides, a batting cage token and game room card.  Baron Hirsch also provides snacks and drinks included in the admission price, and a craft project is always available in the pavilion for those who want to take a break from the games.

This year in particular, all participants will receive a special prize which will allow them to remember the event.  Chol HaMoed Youth Day is being sponsored by Bracha and Frank Udelsohn.

Another fun event for children is the congregation�s annual Sukkah Hop and Treasure Hunt.  Both of these events will be held on Shabbat afternoon, October 18.  Children ages 3 � 8, and their parents, are to meet outside the Baron Hirsch Sukkah at 4:30PM.  They will travel to three local sukkahs where they will have snacks, hear stories and sing songs. 

For older childen, ages 9 � 13, there will be a grand Treasure Hunt which will also begin at 4:30PM.  After meeting at the shul at 4:30PM, children will be divided into teams.  Clues will lead them from Sukkah to Sukkah throughout the neighborhood in a race against time.  All members of the winning team will receive a prize.  The Treasure Hunt and Sukkah Hop are sponsored by Elaine & Fred Miner.

On Sunday evening, October 19, Baron Hirsch will host its annual Family Sukkah Party.  This fun and lively event is enjoyed every year by both children and adults.  Everyone will enjoy the delicious food and the friendly atmosphere of eating in the shul Sukkah.  The meal will be accompanied by live music, provided by Cantor Ricky Kampf and members of the Torah MiTzion Kollel.  For children, there will be a wide variety of activities, from inflatable rides to the magic of Mr. Mike�s balloon creations.  The cost of this wonderful evening is just $10 per adult and $8 for children.  There is no charge for children 4 and under.

The holiday season culminates at Baron Hirsch with the celebration of Simchat Torah.  Beginning on Tuesday night, October 21, Hakafot will feature singing and dancing with the Torahs and the biggest candy bags a child can imagine for all those who are young at heart. 

The celebration continues on Simchat Torah Day with hakafot once again, and the excitement of finishing the Torah reading cycle of the past year, and beginning once again with Bereshit.  A grand Simchat Torah Lunch will be served following services at 1:15PM.  The lunch costs just $5 per person, and reservations are required in advance by contacting the synagogue office.  The lunch is sponsored by Bernard & Sue Ann Lipsey.

All Baron Hirsch programs are open to the entire community.  For more information, please contact the synagogue office at 683-7485.

Baron Hirsch Holiday Service Times 5769

Rabbi Shai Finkelstein, Officiating
Cantor Ricky Kampf, Musaf
Accompanied by the Baron Hirsch Choir, directed by Dr. Stanley Friedman & the Baron Hirsch Boys Choir directed by Robert Malkin
Rabbi Aaron Feigenbaum, Torah Reading
David Fleischhacker, Shacharit
Dr. Stephen Wachtel, Shofar

Erev Rosh Hashanah - September 29
Candle Lighting - 6:28 P.M.
Mincha/Maariv Service - 6:30 P.M.

First Day of Rosh Hashanah - September 30
P�suke D�zimra-Beginning of Services - 8:00 A.M.
HaMelech-Shacharit - 8:30 A.M.
Childcare (9 months - 11 years) - 9:00 A.M.
Ark Service - 9:30 A.M.
Reading of Torah - 9:45 A.M.
Greetings: Sidney Mendelson, President - 10:15 A.M.
Rabbi�s Drasha - 10:25 A.M.
Shofar - 10:45 A.M.
Musaf Service - 10:55 A.M.
Tashlich - 4:45 P.M.
Evening Mincha/Maariv - 6:30 P.M.
Candle Lighting - not before 7:27 P.M.

Second Day of Rosh Hashanah - October 1
P�suke D�zimra-Beginning of Services - 8:00 A.M.
HaMelech-Shacharit - 8:30 A.M.
Childcare (9 months - 11 years) - 9:00 A.M.
Ark Service - 9:30 A.M.
Reading of Torah - 9:45 A.M.
Rabbi�s Drasha - 10:15 A.M.
Shofar - 10:35 A.M.
Musaf Service - 10:45 A.M.
Mincha/Maariv - 6:30 P.M.

Shabbat Shuvah - October 4
Shacharit - 8:30A.M.
Shabbat Shuva Drasha - 5:00 P.M.
Mincha - 6:10 P.M.

Erev Yom Kippur - October 8
First Mincha Service - 2:00 P.M.
Second Mincha Service - 6:00 P.M.
Candle Lighting - 6:16 P.M.
Kol Nidre - 6:15 P.M.
Greetings: Sidney Mendelson - 6:35 P.M.
Rabbi�s Drasha - 6:45 P.M.
Ma�ariv - 7:05 P.M.

Yom Kippur - October 9
P�suke D�zimra-Beginning of Service - 8:30 A.M.
Hamelech-Shacharit - 9:00 A.M.
Childcare (9 months - 11 years) - 9:00 AM
Reading of the Torah - 11:00 A.M.
Rabbi�s Drasha - 11:30 A.M.
MEMORIAL SERVICE (YIZKOR)- 11:50 P.M.
Musaf Service - 12:15 P.M.
Yom Kippur Teach In - 3:15 P.M.
Mincha Service - 4:30 P.M.
Rabbi Finkelstein�s Neilah Remarks - 5:50 P.M.
Neilah - 6:00 P.M.
Ma�ariv Service - 7:05 P.M.
Blowing of the Shofar - 7:14 P.M.

Erev Sukkot - October 13
Candle Lighting - 6:09 P.M.
Mincha/Maariv Services - 6:10 P.M.

First Day of Sukkot - October 14
Shacharit - 8:30 A.M.
Evening Mincha/Maariv Services - 6:10 P.M.
Candle Lighting - not before 7:08 P.M.

Second Day of Sukkot - October 15
Shacharit - 8:30 A.M.
Mincha/Maariv Services - 6:10 P.M.

Hoshana Rabbah - October 20
Shacharit - 6:30 A.M.
Candle Lighting - 6:00 P.M.
Mincha/Maariv Services - 6:00 P.M.

Shemini Atzeret - October 21
Shacharit - 8:30 A.M.
MEMORIAL SERVICE (YIZKOR) - Appr. 10:00 A.M.
Mincha Service - 6:00 P.M.

Erev Simchat Torah, - October 21
Ma�ariv/ Hakafot - 6:45 P.M.
Candle Lighting, not before 6:58 P.M.

Simchat Torah - October 22
Shacharit - 8:30 A.M.
Hakafot - 9:30 A.M.
Torah Reading - 11:30 A.M.
(including the children�s Aliya, Completion and Restarting of the Torah)
Musaf - 12:45 P.M.
Luncheon - 1:15 P.M.
Mincha, Maariv - 6:00 P.M.

Baron Hirsch to Screen New Documentary on Anti-Semitism

Baron Hirsch Congregation has announced that in advance of Selichot, it will hold a viewing of a new documentary �The Monster Among Us� on Saturday, September 20 at 10:15PM.  The documentary, by filmmakers Allen Mondell and Cynthia Salzman Mondell, focuses on the resurgence of anti-Semitism in Europe.

The synopsis of the movie is as follows: Sixty years after the Holocaust, a new brand of anti-Semitism has reared its ugly head again in Europe. It has the same purpose, but a different face.  It is directly connected to radical Muslim beliefs and actions that have spread from the Middle East to Europe.  Anti-Semitism has surfaced on university campuses, in the media, on the streets, at political demonstrations, on the internet and in seemingly innocent social situations.

Jews from all walks of life in six different European countries tell of being attacked in their neighborhoods, of cemeteries desecrated, of synagogues burned, of being ostracized at work. Young and old describe their fears and their plans for the future.  Many wonder if they should uproot their families, leave their homes and businesses to seek safer havens in either Israel or the United States.
The viewer has to ask, �If it were the l930�s and I was hearing stories of what was happening in Germany, what I would do?� British activist Daniel Frohwein warns, �Not all Muslims are bad, but a lot of them have been lied to, and a lot of what they�re being subjected to is going to leave a legacy of disaster and bloodshed that the world really doesn�t want to face up to.�

Filmmakers Allen Mondell and Cynthia Salzman Mondell explain the inspiration for the film.  Cynthia�s brother-in-law is French, and while he has been living in the United States for 30 years, his parents, siblings and cousins live in Paris.

The Mondell�s had been hearing reports of vandalism at Jewish cemeteries and synagogues and physical attacks on Jews in France. When this was mentioned to the couple�s brother-in-law, he began to tell them that, in addition to the anti-Semitic acts, his own family was considering leaving the country for Israel or the United States.

The couple wondered how this could be happening just 60 years after the Holocaust - and it was taking place in many other European countries. A trip to Berlin in April of 2004 - to a conference on anti-Semitism in Europe today, hosted by the German government - was the beginning of a journey that took them to six different countries, and 170 hours of interviews with both Jews and non-Jews, expressing their personal concerns and feelings about this situation.

Following the showing of the film, Selichot services will be held at midnight in the Belz Sanctuary, and will be led by Cantor Ricky Kampf, accompanied by the Baron Hirsch Choir under the direction of Dr. Stanley Friedman.

Selichot are special prayers for forgiveness, which are said during the High Holiday period.  They are begun on the Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah, and said on a daily basis through Yom Kippur.  While on most days Selichot are generally said before the regular morning service, it is a widespread custom to recite the first selichot at midnight.
The viewing of the film is open to the entire community and there is no cost to attend.  For more information about Selichot evening, contact the Baron Hirsch office at (901) 683-7485. 

Baron Hirsch Dedicates Two Torahs

After many months of preparations and anticipation, the moment arrived.  On Sunday, August 17, more than 600 Baron Hirsch families and community members gathered at the home of Baron Hirsch Senior Rabbi Shai & Bilha Finkelstein under a beautiful sky and a temperature that was unusually mild for Memphis in the summer, to celebrate the completion of two totally refurbished Torah scrolls.

When the two Torahs were brought out of the home onto Shady Grove Road, the excitement of the moment was evident on the face of every adult and child.  The Torahs were carried by Mr. Ed Brucker and Dr. Danny Weiss, representing the two families who dedicated the Torahs.  Each Torah was carried under its own Chupah, or canopy, with the poles being held by many of the individuals who dedicating weekly portions or books within the Torah.  In the procession, children and adults carried Israeli flags as they escorted the Torahs through the streets.  The Chuppot, which were decorated in blue and white, were designed by Tracey Mendelson, who along with her husband, David and Craig and Cathy Weiss, served as chairpersons of the procession.

The Torahs were dressed in new mantles, which were custom designed and created by local artist, Judy Levin.  Judy has made original mantle designs for many other congregations, including Anshei Sphard Beth El Emeth, Temple Israel, and Young Israel of Memphis.  For the Baron Hirsch covers, Judy chose to depict the city of Jerusalem, both in connection to the event of the day, as well as to fit the ambience in the sanctuary under the Henig windows which depict scenes of the return to Zion and Jerusalem.  The beautiful artwork on a stunning red background made a lasting impression on all who saw them. 

As the assembly made its way from Shady Grove and up Winter Oak Lane, they were led by a group of talented musicians including Allen Rippe, Rabbi Aaron Rubinstein and Stanley Friedman. 

Under the shadow of the Baron Hirsch building the group broke out in dance, reminiscent of the dancing that King David did before the Ark of the Covenant as he brought it to the holy city of Jerusalem.  The Torahs were led into the Foyer of the congregation, where once again the excitement of the moment led everyone to dance and show respect for the Torah.  The many community leaders, Torah project donors and congregation members who were present joined in the celebration before the new Torahs.

The Torahs were then brought into the Belz Sanctuary, where an event of equal magnificence took place exactly 20 years earlier when the new sanctuary and facilities were dedicated.  Marc Hanover, immediate past president of the congregation, welcomed the crowd and announced that the final letter would now be written in each Torah.  Rabbi Zerach Greenfield, a renowned sofer (scribe) and a member of the prestigious Machon Ot Institute in Israel, wrote the final letters.

One Torah, which was designated by the congregation to be used at Baron Hirsch, was dedicated in memory of Dr. Henry and Dorothy Dan Weiss by Danny and Saralyn Weiss.  Danny and Saralyn came forward to stand with the sofer as he wrote the final letter.  The second Torah, which was designated by the congregation to be given to the Israel Defense Forces, was dedicated in memory of Alan Phillip Brucker by the Brucker family.  Standing with the Sofer as he wrote the final letter were Alan�s parents and wife, Isadore & Mae Brucker and Ruth Brucker.

Rabbi Shai Finkelstein then recited a prayer for the welfare of the Brucker and Weiss families who dedicated the Torahs.  The Baron Hirsch Choir, under the direction of Dr. Stanley Friedman, then sang Shehecheyanu � the traditional blessing which thanks Hashem for allowing us to reach an important milestone.

It was then time to formally place the new Torahs in the Ark.  Many of the existing Torah scrolls were brought out of the Ark to greet the new Torahs.  Led by Cantor Ricky Kampf, the congregation sang as Torahs were carried by Bernard Lipsey, Gary Makowsky, Fred Miner and Marty Belz.  These Torahs joined the new Torahs in a procession which led them around the entire sanctuary, so that all of the men, women and children could have the opportunity to greet and kiss the new scrolls.

When it came time for the final procession towards the ark, families who dedicated the 10 books within the two Torahs were called forward to participate.  Representatives of each family stood in two lines in the center of the sanctuary.  As the choir sang in the middle, the Torahs were passed from hand to hand to show the passing of the Torah from generation to generation.

Donating the five books in the Baron Hirsch Torah were Dolly Angel, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in memory of Milton Angel (Sefer Bereshit); Paul & Diane Mendelson, Larry & Terri Mendelson and Sidney & Andrea Mendelson in memory of Bennie & Frances Mendelson (Sefer Shemot); Marc and Jan Hanover, in honor of their parents Avron and Ann Slutsky and J. Ronald and Adele Hanover (Sefer Vayikra); David Carney and family in memory of Betty Hanover Carney (Sefer Vayikra);
Dr. Larry & Diane Wruble, Dr. Seth & Lisa Kaufman, Dr. Gary & Dena Wruble and Dr. Steve & Simone Wruble (Sefer Bamidbar); and Jack & Marilyn Belz in honor of their children, grandchildren & great grandchildren (Sefer Devarim).

Donating the five books in the IDF Torah were Harold & Judy Wormser in memory of Adelaine Thomas (Sefer Bereshit); Marlin & Evelyn Graber and Roy & Tova Graber (Sefer Shemot); Ben & Larisa Baer (Sefer Vayikra); Tommy & Dolores Jagendorf in memory of Hans & Greta Jagendorf (Sefer Bamidbar); and Bernice Cooper, Pace & Aileen Cooper, Dr. Don Emerson & Laurie Cooper and David & Tova Cooper in memory of Irby Cooper.

Honored with taking the Torahs up the steps and placing them in the Ark were Herschel Rosenberg, Irvin Skopp and Dr. Michael Levinson.  Before being placed in the ark, the Baron Hirsch Torah was decorated with its new silver.  Dr. Ian Murray placed the beautiful new breastplate on the Torah, which he dedicated in memory of his father, Murray N. Murray.  Following that, Stanley Wender placed the new crown on the Torah.  The crown, which was dedicated by Razelle and Stanley Wender, was given in memory of Ben & Rose Loskove Margolin, Ellis & Bessie Alperin Wender, Shirley Margolin Parker and Janice Wender Adlestein.

With all of the Torah scrolls now in the Ark, the congregation sang the traditional Etz Chaim He, as well as Im Eshkahech Yerushalayim � the famous quote from Psalms which speaks of remembering the city of Jerusalem and placing it above our greatest joy.

Ed Brucker, past president of the congregation, spoke on behalf of the Brucker family in presenting the Torah to the IDF.  Mr. Brucker spoke of his late brother, Alan, and compared Alan�s concern for the wellbeing of all others to the highest ideals of Torah.  Accepting the Torah on behalf of the Israel Defense Forces was Lt. Colonel Rabbi Yedidya Atlas.  Rabbi Atlas, who came to Memphis to accept the Torah, spoke about the uniqueness of a Jewish army, and praised the congregation for its desire to connect to their brethren even without knowing them directly.

After accepting the Torah, Rabbi Atlas was presented with a second gift.  All of the children who attending this summer�s Camp Darom program were called to the pulpit.  Andrew Tavin, who served as a counselor during this past season, explained the details of a fundraising project undertaken by the camp to help soldiers in the Israeli army.  During the summer, the campers wrote letters to community members explaining the need of Bet Knesset Field Kits � a small box that can be taken into the field that gives a unit all of its needs in setting up a small synagogue.  After writing the letters, the campers delivered materials to some 150 local families and asked for their support in this project.  The result was the collection of some $1,800, which allowed the camp to donate one complete field kit.  Following Andrew�s remarks, the campers presented Rabbi Atlas with a giant check for $1,800.

Dr. Danny Weiss then spoke on behalf of his family in presentation of the Torah to Baron Hirsch.  In his remarks, Danny spoke about his parents, their special qualities, and the generations of connections that the Weiss family has had with Baron Hirsch.  Sidney Mendelson, president of Baron Hirsch, gratefully accepted the Torah, and thanked both families for their dedication.

Rabbi Rafael Grossman, Senior Rabbi Emeritus of the congregation, then addressed the crowd.  In his remarks, Rabbi Grossman spoke about the greatness of the congregation and the community, and how they have achieved more than many other communities that are much greater in size.  He also spoke of the move from the congregation�s prior home on Vollintine.

In his closing remarks Senior Rabbi, Rabbi Shai Finkelstein, spoke about the Jewish way to perpetuate our future. Building structures and buildings are important but the most important thing is to build bridges between Jews and building Jewish hearts. �Our Shul has a magnificent sanctuary and what gives it life are the hearts of Jews that are part of our Shul and community,� said Rabbi Finkelstein.  He thanked the entire congregation for taking part in this unforgettable occasion and asked the entire congregation to recommit themselves to the values of Torah, Israel and building Jewish hearts.

Following the program, a gala buffet reception was held in the Marsi Moss Social Hall where everyone celebrated the conclusion of a very special day.

Over 300 families participated in dedications in one of the new Torahs, and every one will be recognized in a permanent display to be placed in the Fogelman Foyer. 

Baron Hirsch Announces Program for Torah Dedication & Anniversary Celebration

Baron Hirsch Congregation has announced details for their special Torah Dedication and Anniversary Celebration weekend to be held on August 16 � 17.  The congregation will host several honored guests, and the weekend will feature a special Shabbat Kiddush, lectures, and a Torah procession and dedication ceremony.

The highlight of the weekend will be the Torah Dedication Service, which will begin with a festive procession on Sunday, August 17 at 3:30PM.  The procession will begin at the home of Rabbi Shai and Bilha Finkelstein, 5671 Shady Grove Road.  The two Torah scrolls which will be dedicated will be led under two Chupot, or canopies, surrounded by instrumental music, singing and dancing. 

The Torahs, which are being given in memory of Alan Brucker and Dr. Henry and Dorothy Dan Weiss, will be carried by members of their families.  The procession will makes its way down Winter Oak Lane and into the main entrance of the congregation.  Participants will then enter the Belz Sanctuary for the dedication service.

Rabbi Shai Finkelstein, Senior Rabbi of Baron Hirsch, will officiate at the service, accompanied by Cantor Ricky Kampf.  The Baron Hirsch Men�s Choir and Boys Choir will also participate.  Special speakers at the event include Rabbi Rafael Grossman, Senior Rabbi Emeritus of the congregation, and Lt. Colonel Rabbi Yedidya Altas of the Israel Defense Forces.

The service will begin with the writing of the final letter in each Torah.  The writing will be done by Rabbi Zerach Greenfield, a noted Sofer and member of Machon Ot.  He will be accompanied in the writing by Ed Brucker and Danny Weiss, representing the families who were the major donors of the Torah scrolls.  The new Torahs will then be escorted to the Ark.

The Torah that is being dedicated in memory of Alan Brucker is being donated by the congregation to the Israel Defense Forces.  Ed Brucker will make the formal presentation to Rabbi Atlas.  The Torah that is being dedicated in memory of Henry & Dorothy Weiss will be used by the congregation, and will be presented by Danny Weiss and accepted by Sidney Mendelson, president of the congregation.

Rabbi Rafael Grossman will address the congregation concerning the 20th anniversary of the dedication of the current facilities. Rabbi Grossman served as Senior Rabbi during the congregation�s historic relocation from Vollintine in Midtown Memphis to the Yates location in East Memphis.  Rabbi Shai Finkelstein will speak on the meaning of synagogue and the secret of the future of the Jewish people and Baron Hirsch.

Following the dedication services, there will be a buffet reception in the Marsi Moss Social Hall.  Childcare will be provided from 4:00-5:15 p.m. 

In celebration of this historic event, several special events will also be held the preceding Shabbat, August 16.  A special congregational Kiddush will be held following morning services.  In the afternoon, Rabbi Atlas will deliver a special class beginning at 6:15PM.  Rabbi Greenfield will speak during Seudah Shilisheet .  Rabbi Greenfield has many years of experience in the area of Torah restoration and rescue, and will share his experiences regarding 54 Torah scrolls that were rescued successfully from Iraq with the help of the Mossad and other Israeli governmental agencies.

All of the events surrounding the dedication and anniversary celebration are free of charge and open to the entire community.  For more information, please contact the Baron Hirsch office at 683-7485.

Baron Hirsch to Celebrate 20th Anniversary of East Memphis Facility

In August 1988, Baron Hirsch Congregation completed its move from its historic building on Vollintine & Evergreen to its new facilities on Winter Oak Lane in East Memphis.  The continuation of this latest chapter in the 140+ year old congregation will be celebrated with a festive celebration on Sunday, August 17. 

�These most recent twenty years of our congregation�s life have been among the most historic,� stated Sidney Mendelson, president of the congregation.  �We have welcomed so many important personalities in both the Jewish world and the American world.  We have celebrated hundreds of Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, births, and other special occasions.  We have been the focal point for our community coming together in support and in prayer for Israel during its times of need.�

Baron Hirsch had maintained a temporary location in East Memphis for a number of years.  However, as more of its members moved to the area, the congregation decided in the mid 1980�s to sell its beautiful edifice on Vollintine and move to where it could accommodate most of its families.  However, care was taken to keep as much of the congregation�s rich history.  The Ark which is the focal point of the Belz Sanctuary, as well as the stain glass windows which go along the northern and southern walls, were transplanted from the sanctuary on Vollintine.  Joining these items in the new sanctuary were four pillars of Jerusalem stone and four magnificent stained glass windows which adorn the eastern wall of the sanctuary.

The focal point of the celebration will be the dedication of two Torah scrolls, which has been a project that the congregation has been engaged in for the last three months.  One Torah scroll is being dedicated to the Israel Defense Forces in honor of the 60th Anniversary of the State of Israel.  A second Torah scroll will be dedicated in honor of the congregation�s 20th anniversary, and it will be kept in the Ark of the Belz Sanctuary and used regularly during the congregation�s services.

�We have chosen a Torah dedication to celebrate this anniversary, because it speaks to our congregation�s main goals,� said Rabbi Shai Finkelstein, Senior Rabbi of Baron Hirsch.  �We have many things to be proud of in our congregation, but most of all it is the ever increasing about of Torah study and learning that takes place within our walls.  More and more, people of all backgrounds and levels of observance are finding Baron Hirsch to be a place where they can learn and grow in Torah.  We invite everyone in our community to come celebrate this moment with us.�

The celebration will began at 3:30PM with a Torah Procession which will begin at the home of Bilha and Rabbi Shai Finkelstein and go directly up Winter Oak Lane to the main entrance.  The two Torahs which will be dedicated will be brought under Chuppot, canopies, with music and dancing.  The dedication service and anniversary celebration will immediately follow in the Belz Sanctuary, and a buffet reception will then be held in the Marsi Moss Social Hall.  The entire community is invited to attend. 

For information on the anniversary celebration and Torah dedication, please contact the Baron Hirsch office at 683-7485

Baron Hirsch Families to Dedicate Torahs

In celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the dedication of their East Memphis facilities, as well as the 60th Anniversary of the State of Israel, Baron Hirsch Congregation will be dedicating two Torah scrolls in a festive celebration on Sunday, August 17.  The two Torah scrolls have been in the process of being refurbished since May.  One of the scrolls will be re-dedicated in honor of Baron Hirsch�s facilities� 20th anniversary, and will be in permanent use in the Belz Sanctuary.  The second scroll will be re-dedicated in honor of the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel and will be donated by the congregation to the Israel Defense Forces.  Both Torahs will be given custom designed matching mantles, so that even though they will be located thousands of miles apart, they will forever be linked through this special project. 

President of the Congregation, Sidney Mendelson says �We are thrilled that so many of our congregation members, members of the community and friends of Baron Hirsch have chosen to participate in this mitzvah of writing a Sefer Torah.  Because we are dedicating two Torahs there are more opportunities for everyone to participate, whether it be in dedicating an entire Parsha or a single letter.�

Executive Director David Fleischhacker echoed Mr. Mendelson sentiments, by emphasizing how important this project is for the congregation and the community.  �The Torah that will be kept here at Baron Hirsch speaks to our dedication to the State of Israel and the Jewish people.  We are on a quest to secure the future of our Memphis Jewish community of our future generations.  We want our children and our grandchildren to always have this holy facility in which to raise their families and celebrate their simchas.�

Two families within Baron Hirsch generously stepped forward to dedicate the Torahs - the family of Alan Brucker, A�H, and the family of Dorothy and Henry Weiss, A�H.  These families wanted to memorialize their loved ones in a distinctive way by dedicating a Torah in their memory.  Rabbi Shai Finkelstein, Senior Rabbi of Baron Hirsch had unique memories of those being memorialized. 

�Alan had a heart of gold that generated love and compassion, to his family, his beloved farm and the animals he cared so much about.  Alan was a selfless man and always said �you don�t worry about me�.  He was gentle and kind and that was the impression he gave me from the moment I met him� said Rabbi Finkelstein. 

Of the late Mrs. Weiss, Rabbi Finkelstein said �Dorothy was one of the sweetest ladies that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.  The value of family was the most important value in her life and in the life of her late husband, Henry.  She always encouraged her family to reach high and treated everyone with kindness and compassion.  Dorothy was a real lady and she and Henry inseparable.  She was genuine and was able to imbue all of these values to her entire family.�

In addition to the dedications by the Brucker and Weiss families, many others have stepped forward to take part in this unique opportunity as well.  Ten families have dedicated one of the chumashim, or books within each of the Torahs.  Many others have dedicated entire weekly portions or other sections of the Torah.

Baron Hirsch�s Anniversary Celebration and Dedication will begin with a special Shabbat program which will feature several guest lecturers.  The dedication ceremony will begin on Sunday, August 17 at 3:30PM with a Torah Procession which will depart from the home of Bilha and Rabbi Shai Finkelstein, 5671 Shady Grove Road, and proceed up Winter Oak Lane and into the main entrance of the building.  The Torahs will be brought into the Belz Sanctuary, where the sofer (scribe) will write the final letter in each Torah, followed by the dedication service.  A buffet reception for all will be held following the program in the Marsi Moss Social Hall. 

The program has specifically been designed to be inspirational and enjoyable for people of all ages.  While adults and children are urged to attend the procession, childcare will be provided during the dedication service.

There is limited time to participate in the Torah dedication project, and to have an opportunity.  If you are interested in dedicating a Parsha, a verse, a word or a letter for either the Baron Hirsch Torah or the Israel Defense Forces Torah, contact David Fleischhacker at (901) 683-7485.

Camp Darom to Open 30th Season with New Director

Camp Darom, a project of Baron Hirsch Congregation, will begin its 30th season on Tuesday, July 1st.  Camp Darom is the only sleep away camp under orthodox auspices in the entire South.  From its inception in the mid-1970�s to the present season Camp Darom has remained the only Torah-observant camp in the entire South. 

Nearly sixty campers from eight different states will converge at Natchez Trace State Park in Wildersville, Tennessee, where the camp has been held for the past seven years.  This year Camp Darom is being led under the direction of new camp director, Rabbi Avichai Pepper.  In addition to Rabbi Pepper, the camp boasts an experienced staff from across the country and from Israel. 

Campers will enjoy a variety of fun filled and educational activities.  The camp will have sports for campers to participate in, as well as a Chugim like drama and army.  Enthusiastic campers will also have a chance to take a short road trip to enjoy the night swims at the Lexington City Pool, a favorite night activity complete with water polo and a fifteen foot high dive. 

On Sunday, July 13th, Camp Darom will hold its Annual Visitor�s Day at the park.  Friends and family will be invited to attend and to see exactly what their child is up to.  Additionally, the camp will hold its 2nd Annual Chesed Day, sponsored by Marty Grusin.  On this day campers will split up into groups and collectively participated in several distinct chesed and community service projects throughout Memphis.  Chesed Day will be a great opportunity to teach campers how they can give back to the community. 

New for the 30th season is the hiring of a new director, Rabbi Avichai Pepper.  Rabbi Pepper is a graduate of New England Rabbinical College and is currently employed as the Director of Student Activities and a teacher of Middle School Judaic Studies at Phoenix Hebrew Academy in Phoenix, Arizona. 

Rabbi Pepper brings with him several years of experience working with children and teenagers in a variety of settings.  Prior to his current position, Rabbi Pepper has worked in various positions at such institutions as Seattle Hebrew Academy, Bikur Cholim Machzikay Hadath, Northwest Region of NCSY, the Robert M. Beren Academy, Camp Dora and Camp Mishkon. 

David Fleischhacker, Executive Director of Baron Hirsch says �We are very excited to have Rabbi Pepper joining us for our 30th season.  His youth and enthusiasm for children and Torah is evident as soon as you meet him.  I know all of our campers are destined to have a great time this year with Rabbi Pepper�s leadership.�

Camp Darom is a superb sleep-away camp in a warm, caring religious environment that focuses on treating children to new experiences with personal attention, orthodox auspices and a love for Israel.  For more information visit http://www.campdarom.com or contact David Fleischhacker at 901-683-7485. 

Baron Hirsch Members Prepare for Israel Mission Trip

Members of Baron Hirsch Congregation are preparing to depart on a ten-day journey through some of the most historical, sacred and beautiful areas of Israel.  Members will leave on June 15 and return on June 26, the trip will be led by Rabbi Shai Finkelstein, Senior Rabbi of Baron Hirsch and a native of Haifa, Israel.  This is the second Israel Mission Trip Rabbi Finkelstein has led for members of the congregation. 

The trip will begin in Tel Aviv were attendees will examine the struggles leading up to the birth of the state of Israel.  There they will visit a multi-media museum dedicated to the elite Palmach unit of the Haganah and see stunning views at the magnificent Makhtesh Ramon in the Negev desert. 

Also on the itinerary is a visit to Eilat, where guests will go to the Eilat Underwater Observatory, where an astonishing variety of tropical fish and coral are visible in their natural habitat.  Visits to several areas of immense natural beauty will be enjoyed by travelers, including a cruise on the Red Sea, a tour of Timna National Park; a Dead Sea �float� at Mineral Beach and magnificent views of Jerusalem from Mt. Scopus. 

History will also be an important aspect of the trip.  Attendees will visit the fortress of Masada where the last Jewish freedom fighters faced the mighty Roman Empire 2,000 years ago.  They will also step back in time to the days of King David with a visit to the most recent excavations in the City of David Archaelogical Park.  As well as seeing the restored Jewish Quarter and examining the life of the city through the ages with visits to the Temple Institute, the Cardo, the Kotel overlook and the days of the Second Temple at the Kotel tunnels.  Hevron, which includes the Maarat Hamachpelah burial site of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs will also be visited.

Another important aspect of this journey will be visiting the Yad Vashem, Israel�s central memorial to the victims of the Shoah including the Children�s Memorial, the Avenue of the Righteous and the new Historical Museum. The Underground Prisoner Museum,which tells the stories of the pre-state underground groups (Haganah, Etzel and Lechi) and their members, and perpetuates the memory of those who were executed in the prison by the British.

The group will also visit the laboratories of Machon Ot, which is the world�s foremost experts in writing and restoring Torah scrolls.  Members of Machon Ot recently visited Memphis where they checked and registered Torahs at almost all of the city�s synagogues and schools.  While at Machon Ot, the group will actually be able to view the scribes as they work on one of Baron Hirsch�s Torahs which are being repaired and rededicated this summer.

Near the end of their trip, members of the group will visit Ethiopian Jewish Immigrants at the Mevaseret Tzion Absorption Center which is one of the projects supported by the Memphis Jewish Federation.

Baron Hirsch Congregation member Judy Wormser attended the February 2007 trip and will be going back for a second time next week.  Of the trip Mrs. Wormser says �Our first trip to Israel was a truly inspiring experience capturing the spirituality, history and learning of Judaism as we made new friends along the way.  The second trip is a continued journey of that experience.�

Team of Scribes to Visit Baron Hirsch

As part of the initial step in Baron Hirsch�s Torah Restoration Project, a group of scribes from Machon Ot in Israel will be visiting Memphis from May 27 � 29.
Machon OT is the foremost authority on restoration of Torah scrolls, Tefillin and Mezuzah scrolls.  Based in Jerusalem, Machon OT has led the way to many innovations in the world of Torah scribes. Known as the top experts in the field, they are approved by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.

The scribes will be presenting a public lecture and demonstration on Tuesday evening, May 27 at 8:30PM in the Belz Sanctuary of Baron Hirsch.  The program will focus on how modern technology and innovation has transformed the work of Torah scribes.  Participants will see first hand how a scribe can identify the history of a scroll � calculate its age, locate its origin, and more.  They will also learn how modern techniques are used to restore older scrolls which were once deemed unusable.  The lecture is free and open to all in the community.

The team from Machon Ot is coming to Memphis to check and evaluate all of the synagogue�s Torah scroll.  As part of the process, all of the Torahs will be added to Machon�s international registry of Torah scrolls.  The scribes will return to Israel with two of the Torahs which have been selected by the congregation to be repaired and rededicated as part of its celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the State of Israel and the 20th Anniversary of the Dedication of Baron Hirsch�s East Memphis facilities.  The scrolls will be brought back and dedicated at an August 17th celebration, following which one will reside permanently in the Baron Hirsch Ark and one will be donated to the Israel Defense Forces.

While in Memphis, the scribes are also available to check tefillin and mezuzot scrolls for a nominal charge.  Any items should be brought to Baron Hirsch on either Tuesday evening, May 27 or Wednesday morning, May 28. 

For more information on the work of Machon Ot, or the Baron Hirsch Torah Dedication project, please speak to David Fleischhacker at the Baron Hirsch office at 683-7485.

Audio Classes

Click below to listen to Rabbi Finkelstein’s “Call Torah” Classes:

Parshat_Yitro_5770.mp3 - February 2

Parshat_Beshallach_5770.mp3 - January 26

Parshat_Bo_5770.mp3 - January 19

Parshat_Va_era_5770.mp3 - January 12

Parshat_Shemot_5770.mp3 - January 5

*Note: Due to technical difficulties there was no recordings classes held November 24-December 15

Parshat_Toldot_5770.mp3- November 17

Parshat_Chaye_Sarah_5770.mp3 - November 10

Parshat_Vayera_5770.mp3 - November 3

Parshat_Noach_5770.mp3 - October 20

Parshat_Bereshit_5770.mp3 - October 13
**Holiday Break**

Parshat_Nitzavim-Vayelech_5769.mp3 - September 8

Parshat_Ki_Savo_5769.mp3 - September 1

Parshat_Ki_Tetze_5769.mp3 - August 25

Parshat_Shoftim_5769.mp3 - August 18

Parshat_Ekev_5769.mp3 - August 4

Parshat_Vaetchanan_5769.mp3 - July 28

Parshat_Devarim_5769.mp3 - July 21

Parshat_Mattos-Masei_5769.mp3 - July 14

Parshat_Chukas-Balak_5769.mp3 - June 30

Parshat_Shelach_5769.mp3 - June 16

Parshat_Behaaloscha_5769.mp3 - June 9

Parshat_Nasso.mp3 - June 2

Shavuot_5769.mp3 - May 26

Parshat_Bamidbar_5769.mp3 - May 19

Parshat_Behar-Bechukosai_5769.mp3 - May 12

Parshat_Emor_5769.mp3 - May 5

Parshat_Acharei-Kedoshim_5769.mp3 - April 28

Parshat_Tazria-Hachodesh_5769.mp3 - April 21

**Passover Break**

Parshat_Tzav_5679.mp3 - March 31

Parshat_Vayikra_5769.mp3 - March 23

Parshat_Vayakhel_5769.mp3 - March 17

Parshat_Tetzaveh_5769.mp3 - March 3

Parshat_Mishpatim_5769.mp3 - February 17

Parshat_Yitro_5769.mp3 - February 10

Parshat_Beshallach_5769.mp3 - February 3

Parshat_Vaeira_5769.mp3 - January 20

Parshat_Shemos_5769.mp3 - January 13

Parshat_Veyechi_5769.mp3 - January 6

Parshat_Vayigash_5769.mp3 - December 30

Parshat_Miketz_5679.mp3 - December 23

Parshat_Vayeshev_5769.mp3 - December 16

Parshat_Vayetze_5769.mp3 - December 2

Parshat_Toldot_5769.mp3 - November 25

Parshat_Chaye_Sarah.mp3 - November 18

Parshat_Vayera_5769.mp3 - November 11

Parshat_Lech_Lecha.mp3 - November 4

Parshat_Noach.mp3 - October 28

**HOLIDAY BREAK**

Parshat_Nitzavim.mp3 - September 23

Parshat_Ki_Tavo.mp3 - September 16

Parshat_Ki_Tetze.mp3 - September 9

Parshat_Shoftim.mp3 - September 2

Parshat_Reeh.mp3 - August 26

Parshat_Vaetchanan.mp3 - August 12

Parshat_Devarim_8-5.mp3 - August 5

Parshat_Masei_7-29.mp3- July 29

Parshat_Matot_7-22.mp3 - July 22

Parshat_Pinchas_7-15.mp3 - July 15

Parshat_Balak_7-8.mp3 - July 8

Parshat_Korach.mp3 - June 24

Parshat_Shelach.mp3 - June 18

*Note: Due to technical difficulties there was no recording of the June 3 class and because of the Shavuot holiday there was no class on June 10*

Parshat_Bemidbar.mp3 - May 27

Parshat_Behar.mp3 - May 13

Parshat_Emor.mp3 - May 6

Parshat_Kedoshim.mp3 - April 29

Parshat_Metzora.mp3 - April 8

Parshat_Tazria-Hachodesh.mp3 - April 1

Parshat_Shemini-Parah.mp3 - March 25

Parshat_Tzav.mp3 - March 18

Parshat_Vayikra-Zachor.mp3 - March 11

Parshat_Pekude-Shekalim.mp3 - March 4

Parshat_Vayakhel.mp3 - February 26

Parshat_Ki_Tisa.mp3 - February 19

Parsat_Tetzaveh.mp3 - February 12

Parshat_Terumah.mp3 - February 5

Parshat_Mishpatim.mp3 - January 29

Parshat_Yitro.mp3 - January 22

Parshat_Beshallach.mp3 January 15

Parshat_Vayechi.mp3 - December 16

Parshat_Vayigash.mp3 - December 11

Parshat_Miketz.mp3 - December 4

Parshat_Vayeshev.mp3 - November 20

Parshat_Vayishlach.mp3

Parshat_Vayetze.mp3 - November 13

Parshat_Toldot.mp3 - November 6

Parshat_Vayera.mp3 - October 23

SENIOR RABBI

Rabbi Shai Finkelstein

A native of Israel, Rabbi Finkelstein was ordained by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and received certification by Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, the eminent former Chief Rabbi of Israel.  He more recently received a higher ordination by the Association of Rabbinic Judges in Jerusalem, which certifies him to serve as a judge in an Israeli Monetary Court of Law.  Rabbi Finkelstein has been in Memphis since 2000 and has served as the Rosh Kollel of the Kollel Torah MiTzion housed at the Margolin Hebrew Academy /Feinstone Yeshiva of the South.  He has also served as the Adult Jewish Education Director at the MHA/HYOS.

Since 2004, Rabbi Finkelstein has also been a lecturer at the Bornblum Judaic Studies Program at the University of Memphis.  He teaches, as well, at the Florence Melton Adult Mini School at the Memphis Jewish Community Center (MJCC).  In addition to serving as Senior Rabbi of Baron Hirsch, Rabbi Finkelstein is a member of the Vaad Ha’Kashrut and Vaad Hachinuch.  He serves on the board of the Margolin Hebrew Academy/Feinstone Yeshiva of the South, Memphis Jewish Federation and the United Way of the Mid-South.

Rabbi Finkelstein and his wife, Bilha, have four children, Noga, Edya, David and Hadas.

CANTOR

Ricky Kampf

Cantor Ricky Kampf has been associated with Baron Hirsch since 1989.  In his first years, he served the congregation as the assistant Shalich Tzibur and Executive Director.  He received his cantorial degree from the Belz School of Jewish Music, and currently serves as the congregation’s Cantor.

Cantor Ricky’s melodious voice is a highlight of all of our Shabbat and holiday services.  His Kabbalat Shabbat service every Friday night fills the synagogue with excitement and energy, and his holiday work with both our Men’s and Boys’ Choirs make the High Holy Days very meaningful.  He also is a master Bar Mitzvah teacher, who has taught torah reading and davening to countless boys throughout the city.

Member Announcements

Visit the shul’s photo gallery to view pictures from our most recent events! Baron Hirsch Photo Gallery

If you have a family member in the hospital Baron Hirsch wants to know.  Current laws make it very difficult for us to get accurate patient information from hospitals.  Please contact April in Rabbi Finkelstein’s office so that we can be certain that everyone is visited and that we add everyone’s name to our Mi Shaberach list.

Mazel tov to Pammy & Glen Graber on the engagement of their son, Josh, to Leah Chatzky.  Mazel tov to grandparents, Evelyn & Marlin Graber.

Mazel tov to Meira & Yaakov Ehrenkranz on the birth of a son.  Mazel tov to grandparents, Cindy & Bart Ehrenkranz and to great-grandmother, Bernice Cooper.

Mazel tov to Josh Kahane for being named a member of Harkavy Shainberg Kaplan & Dunstan law firm.

Mazel tov to Shannon Mantell & Mark Nagrodzki on their engagement.  Mazel tov to parents, Julie Sorin and Dr. Gary Mantell.

Mazel tov to Geri & Hal Lanksy on the birth of a grandson, Mazel tov also to great-grandparents, Joyce & Bernard Lanksy.

Mazel tov to Pesha & Scott Ezenberg on the birth of a daughter.  Mazel tov to grandmother, Eden Friedman and great-grandmother Bertel Herz.

Mazel tov to Elisheva Goldstein & Moshe Rabinowitz on their recent engagement.  Mazel tov to parents, Dawn Posner Goldstein & Avi Goldstein and grandparents, Eileen & Marvin Posner and the late Shirley Posner, A”H.

Mazel tov to Abby & Scott Felsenthal on the birth of a daughter, Mollie Eden.  Mazel tov to grandparents, Mindy & Ed Brucker and Judy & Peter Felsenthal and to great-grandparents, Miriam & Jake Alabaster, Mae & Isidor Brucker and Marcia Moskovitz.

Mazel tov to Simone & Dr. Steven Wruble on the engagment of their daughter, Ariella, to Daniel Chernikoff, son of Mr. & Mrs. Allan Chernikoff of Brooklyn, New York.  Mazel tov to grandparents, Diane & Dr. Larry Wruble.

Mazel tov to Adrian & Larry Weissman on the engagement of their son, Brad, to Wendy Golubock, daughter of Bruce & Susie Golubock.  Mazel tov to grandfather, Larry Thomas.

Mazel tov to our camp directors, Alana & Rabbi Avichai Pepper, on the birth of a son.

Mazel tov to Sondra & Marvin Ballin and Donna & Robert Goodman on the marriage of their granddaughter.

Mazel tov to Achinoam & Uri Nachum on the birth of a son.

Mazel tov to Josh Kahane for being named one of the Memphis Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 for 2009.

Mazel tov to Trudi & Reid Evensky on the engagement of their daughter, Molly, to Brian Bernatsky.  Mazel tov to grandparents, Peggy & Sidney Evensky and Marcia & Michael Weiss.

Mazel tov to the Baron Hirsch Men’s Club team at the ASBEE BBQ Contest who won a 2nd place trophy for best booth name.  Members of the team included Larry Graber, Norman Itkowitz, Alan Jacobs, Ron Katz, Brian Rubin, David Schlesinger and David Winestone.

Mazel tov to Leor Reef for being selected as one of BBYO’s “Future 50”, he’ll be featured in The Forward as a BBYO all-star.  He has also been named to the Tennessee High School Soccer Coaches’ Association All-State Soccer Team. He is son of Anne & Ellis Reef and is the Regional Godol of BBYO for the Cotton States.

Mazel tov to Judy & David Green on the engagement of their daughter, Shira, to Sean Delmoor.  Mazel tov to grandparents, Joan & Phillip Baum and Joyce & Herb Green.

Mazel tov to the Baron Hirsch Men’s Club team at the ASBEE BBQ Contest who won a 2nd place trophy for best booth name.  Members of the team included Larry Graber, Norman Itkowitz, Alan Jacobs, Ron Katz, Brian Rubin, David Schlesinger and David Winestone.

This year’s Book of Remembrance honored the memory of Memphis Holocaust survivors who have passed away in recent years.  If you did not receive a copy of this book on Yom Kippur and would like to have one, please contact or visit the office.

Our Men’s Club is now working on an upcoming Treasure Hunt event for adults.  If you would like to help in the planning, please contact Frank Udelsohn.

Mazel tov to Natalie & Jerry Frager on the birth of a great-grandson.

Mazel tov to Ari & Shirli Freiden Gotlib on the birth of a son, Max Judah.  Mazel tov to grandparents, Debbie & Hugh Freiden and great-grandparents, Noreen & Bernard Freiden, Pesha Gordon and David Hamburg.

Mazel tov to Joanna & Lee Mendelson on the birth of a daughter.  Mazel tov to grandparents, Diane & Paul Mendelson.

Mazel tov to Sarah & Michael Tauer on the birth of a daughter.  Mazel tov to grandmother, Robin Tauer and great-grandmother, Ida Nash.

Mazel Tov to Willie & Lynette Friedman on the birth of a grandson to Rabbi Josh and Aviva Friedman in Israel

Mazel Tov to Sondra & Marvin Ballin on the birth of a great grandson, and to Renelle & Leslie Ballin on the birth of a grandson.

We gratefully acknowledge the donation of new games and toys for our holiday youth groups made in honor of Marvin & Sondra Ballin’s new great grandson, Miles Ballin.

We are proud to announce that a new leaf on our Tree of Life has been inscribed in honor of Ed Brucker on his 50th birthday by Brad & Shayna Somer and Family.  Mazel Tov, Ed!

We are pleased to announce that a new leaf on our Tree of Life has been inscribed in honor of Stanley Wender on the occasion of his 80th birthday by his family and friends.  Mazel Tov, Stanley!

We are pleased to announce that a new leaf on our Tree of Life has been inscribed in honor of Sue Ann & Bernard Lipsey on their 40th Anniversary by their friends.  Mazel Tov to the Lipseys on this special occasion.

Attention parents of college students: Please contact the office with your children’s address this week.  We would like to keep in touch with them!

Lulav & Etrog - Order yours today.  Contact the office by September 16.

Holiday Event Sponsors Needed - We need sponsors for our Sukkah party Chol HaMoed Youth Day, Break Fast, Simchat Torah evening Kiddush, and more!  Contact David Fleischhacker to discuss.

This week’s volunteer opportunities: Contact David Fleischhacker if you would like to help polish the silver in the ark, or if you can help set up the holiday prayer books on Sunday, September 13, Flexible hours, big mitzvah!

Ushers, please contact Madelyn Daneman at 754-1332 if you would like to take a one-hour shift as a greeter/usher during the holidays.

We have Corky’s BBQ Brisket and Sauce for sale! Brisket is nicely packaged in one pound containers for $25 per pound. BBQ Sauce is in ½ gallon bags for $8.  Visit the shul during office hours.

All boys in grades 2-8 are invited to be a member of our Youth Choir for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Everyone is welcome, and no experience or background is required.  Practices are every Monday, from 5:30-6:30PM in the sanctuary.  (Please enter the building from the Yates doors.) Our Men’s Choir has started rehearsing for the holidays.  If you have never been in the choir before, now is a perfect time to get involved!  Rehearsals are Mondays at 6:30PM.  Please speak to Cantor Ricky Kampf to sign up!

We have made arrangements to have monuments at the Baron Hirsch Cemetery power washed and cleaned for those who request for a donation of $50.  If you would like to have a monument cleaned at this time, please send your payment into the office with the names that are on the stones you wish to have cleaned.  You must send in your request by September 10 in order for us to complete the cleaning before the holidays.  Please speak to David Fleischhacker if you have any questions.

The Sally Kaplan Tzeh Ul’mad Fund helps our young people who are studying in Israel by giving them stipends that can be used for spending money.  At this time of the year, as many students are getting ready to depart for their year of study, the fund has its greatest need.  If you would like to help support this worthy cause, please send your donation to the shul office earmarked for the Sally Kaplan Fund.

Baron Hirsch Calendars for 2009/2010 are now available in the shul office for all members.  Please help us reduce our postage cost by stopping by the office during business hours to pick yours up.  We thank Canale Funeral Directors for once again sponsoring our calendars.

Mazel tov to Jessica Ilana Rothschild who was recently accepted into Stanford Law School and will be attending in the fall.  She is the daughter of Carolyn Marton-Rothschild and the granddaughter of Rose W. Marton and the late Rabbi Joseph M. Marton.

Mazel tov to Elana & Josh Kahane on the birth of a son.  Mazel tov to grandparents, Joanne & Joel Kahane and Ricki & Michael Krupp and to great-grandparents, Bettie & Al Thomas.

Mazel Tov to Freida & Sam Weinrich on the birth of twin great-grandchildren, a girl and a boy.  Grandparents are Sara & Berel Light and parents are Yoshie & Chaya Light.

We would like to thank Lisa & Seth Kaufman and Pam & Stuart Thomas for participating in last week’s anniversary kiddush.  We apologize for the omission.

Mazel tov to Josh Kahane on being awarded one of Yeshiva University’s four National Leadership Awards.  The award was presented by YU president Richard Joel at the ChampionsGate Conference in Orlando on July 17.

We are pleased to announce that a stone at the base of our Tree of Life has been inscribed in honor of the 80th birthday of Dessie Sewel by her children, Patsy, Alan, Matthew and Eva Gruenberg.  The Baron Hirsch Tree of Life is an excellent way to mark the special milestones in someone’s life.  Please contact the office to inquire about donating a leaf or a stone.

Mazel tov to Yehudit & Craig Berger on the birth of a daughter.  Mazel tov to grandparents, Esther & Steve Graber and to great-grandparents, Evelyn & Marlin Graber.

Mazel tov to Davida & Yoni Graber on the birth of a son.  Mazel tov to grandparents, Pammy & Glenn Graber and great-grandparents, Evelyn & Marlin Graber.

Mazel tov to Rebecca Wender & Joshua Chubak on their upcoming marriage.  Mazel tov to their parents & grandparents: Sally & Mark Wender and Shera & Dr. Bruce Chubak; Razelle & Stanley Wender, Lenora Klein and Phyllis Mandel Berkowitz.

Mazel tov to Barbara & Rabbi David Radinsky on the engagement of their daughter, Chani, to Daniel Friedman, son of Rabbi Zev & Renee Friedman of Lawrence.  Mazel tov also to grandmother, Freida Cooper.

Welcome back to Meirah Freiden, who recently returned from her year in Israel at Shalavim.

Mazel tov to Geri & Hal Lansky on the marriage of their daughter, Melisa to Steve Weisman.  Mazel tov also to grandparents, Joyce & Bernard Lansky.

Mazel tov to Carolyn Washer on the Bat Mitzvah of her granddaughter, Jacqueline Malish.

Mazel tov to Eli Reich on receiving his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from St. John’s University in New York.  He is the husband of Amara Levine-Reich and the son-in-law of Phylis & Sandy Levine.

Mazel tov to Audrey & Greg Siskind on the Bnot Mitzah of their daughters, Lily and Eden.  Mazel tov to grandparents, Madelyne & Jay Daneman.

Mazel tov to Madeline Tavin, who was elected to serve on the board of the Midwest Region of NCSY at last week’s regional convention.  Over 30 of our teens attended this convention ad Camp Chi in Wisconsin.

Mazel tov to Rabbi David Radinsky, who received the Teacher of the Year Award for Jewish Studies for the Margolin Hebrew Academy/Feinstone Yeshiva of the South.  Mazel tov to also to Julie Belz, who received the school’s Isha Chasida Award.

Save the Date for the Community Men’s Club Event, Sunday, August 16 at Baron Hirsch with University of Memphis Tigers Basketball Coach Josh Pastner.

Mazel tov to Benjamin Kampf on his Bar Mitzvah.  Mazel tov to his parents, Anat & Cantor Ricky Kampf, his siblings, Kaylee, Raquel, Ariel & Jack and his grandparents, Sandra & Isaac Haddad and Lottie Kampf.

Mazel tov to Drs. Jacob & Miriam Aelion on the marriage of their daughter, Anat, to Jeremy Brauer.

Mazel tov to Rachel & Joel Siegel on the birth of a son.

Mazel tov to Anna Zelig on receiving her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Washington University.  Mazel tov to her parents, Elise Meyer and Dr. David Zelig.

Mazel Tov to Sara Mendelson, daughter of Larry & Terri Mendelson, on being named to the Tennessee All State Lacrosse team as well as being honored as a member of the High School All American Team.

The Annual Jack A. Belz-Leonid Saharovici Holocaust Education Award was presented on May 1st at the 160th Annual Award Convocation at Rhodes College to Sarah Finney, senior at Rhodes.

Mazel tov to Deanna & Leonard Lubin on the birth of a grandson.  Mazel tov also to great-grandmother, Minette Kochman.

Mazel tov to Margo & Joel Provisor of Modi’in, Israel on the birth of a daughter. Mazel tov to grandparents Diane & Michael Kaplan and Zara & Stephen Provisor of Raanana, Israel.  Mazel tov also to great-grandfather, Jack Bisno.

Mazel tov to Judy & Larry Moss on the birth of a granddaughter.  Mazel tov also to great-grandmother, Ruth Pollack.

Mazel tov to Dr. Larry Wruble on receiving a Humanitarian Award from Diversity Memphis.

Mazel tov to Janis & Brian Kiel on the birth of a grandson.

We are pleased to share with you that the Bnei Tzedek teen group of the Jewish Foundation of Memphis have awarded a $250 grant to support the work of our Baron Hirsch knitting group.  We appreciate their thoughtfulness, and wish our knitters continued success.

This past week, work was completed on the permanent display honoring the two Torahs which we recently dedicated on the 20th anniversary of our East Memphis facilities.  This display, which you can see in the Fogelman Foyer, will be updated on a weekly basis to show those who dedicated that week’s parsha.  An album of all the donors to this project is also available at the side of the display.  Special thank you to Leslie Shankman-Cohn for assisting us with this project.

CAMP DAROM

Baron Hirsch is proud to operate the only orthodox sleep away camp in the entire south.  Our program combines all of the traditional fun camp activities with a powerful Jewish experience which focuses on a modern orthodox approach to Torah and an emphasis on Zionism and the State of Israel.  In 2008, we will be celebrating our 30th season, and there are a lot of new, exciting programs in store. 

For more information, visit http://www.campdarom.com.

BARON HIRSCH PROGRAMS

Chesed Committee
When it learns of individuals who have a special need, this committee is ready to perform the mitzvah of Chesed.  Some of our current projects include delivering holiday food boxes to needy families, visiting patients in hospitals, bringing a Shabbat package to hospital patients, supporting families sitting Shiva, and delivering welcome gifts to new members of the community.

Kiddush Corps
The Kiddush Corps serves the shul in many rewarding ways. It facilitates members working together and creates new relationships, as it helps the shul prepare its Shabbat Kiddush and other events.  Members of the Kiddush Corps rotate their service and are assigned to a team which volunteers once every 6 � 8 weeks.  Individual workers as well as team leaders are needed.

Sisterhood and Men�s Club
These groups are designed to give the women and men of Baron Hirsch the opportunity to work together on projects which will benefit the shul and reach out to the community.  Some events are purely social, while others are done to benefit the congregation or others in the community.

Kol-Rena So-Shuls
Baron Hirsch�s senior program centers around the Kol Rena So-Shuls.  This group participates in get-togethers which meet once a month and include lunch and entertainment.  This program is open to all seniors in the community, and the price for participation is only $3.  Transportation is provided upon request.

Belz-Parker Artists Ascending Concert Series
For more than 40 years, the Artists Ascending Concert Series has brought some of the world�s most promising young classical musicians from around the world to Memphis to showcase their blossoming talents. Notable performers have included violinist Itzhak Perlman, conductor Daniel Barenboim, pianist Misha Dichter and violinist Gil Shaham � all of whom have gone on to achieve worldwide acclaim.  Concerts take place in the Belz Sanctuary, and are free of charge to the general community.  Our 2007/2008 season opens on October 14 with Jeremy Stein Cushman.

Israel Action Committee
This committee works to cultivate a strong connection between members of the congregation and the people and the State of Israel through education, creating trips, and encouraging teens to participate in Orthodox Movement programs in Israel.  It produces a regular newsletter of current events, encourages members to buy products made in Israel, and organizes shul programs, such as our Yom HaAtzmaut celebration. 

Holocaust Remembrance
The congregation, under the leadership of Leonid Saharovici, presents the Zachor Award to a person who contributed most to remembering the Holocaust. Past recipients include Benjamin Meade, President of the World Holocaust Gathering; Ernest Michel, former Executive Vice President of the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York; Professor Jan Karski, the Polish Diplomat whose book told of the Holocaust; Harvey Meyerhoff, founder of the United States Holocaust Museum; and Abraham Foxman, National Director of ADL.

CLASSES & PROGRAMS

Baron Hirsch offers a complete schedule of classes throughout the week which cover a variety of topics in Jewish life, and are led by members of our educational staff.  In addition to our educational program, our congregation�s committees are active in many additional programming opportunities � from holiday programs, to Chesed projects, to social and cultural events.  At Baron Hirsch, there is truly an opportunity that will interest every individual.

ELEMENTARY AGE CHILDREN

Baron Hirsch is expanding its programming for children in grades 1 � 8, our fastest growing age group in our youth department.  This year, look for increased offerings on both Shabbat and during the week.

Shabbat Morning Program
Every Shabbat morning, we have several age appropriate groups for children.  There is both free play as well as group games available, as well as a special youth service.  On special weeks, our children are treated to a program by the Torah MiTzion Kollel.

Shabbat Afternoon Program
This year, look for expanding programs for children on Shabbat afternoons.  All programs will start after the holidays, so please check back for more information.

Holiday Workshops & Events
Look for our craft workshops before each major holiday.  There are also many great holiday events, like Sukkah Hop & Treasure Hunt, Chol HaMoed Youth Day, Purim Carnival and much more!  Look in our upcoming events section to see what is coming up!

THE JEWISH COMMUNITY OF MEMPHIS

Welcome to Memphis!
Come join our vibrant and affordable Modern Orthodox community, featuring 3 bedroom homes under $200,000; daily minyanim and shiurim; beautiful neighborhoods with convenient shopping; excellent Jewish education for pre-K through 12; full youth program including NCSY and Summer Camp; eruv; mikvahs, kosher shopping, butcher and bakery; JCC with a state of the art facility and Jewish Home.  The Memphis Jewish community is a solid, stable, and vibrant one.  Blessed with three sizable shuls and two Orthodox Day Jewish High Schools, Memphis is a great place to raise a family.  Jews of Memphis are well placed to be able to provide job placement for those looking to establish themselves in this outstanding, “Jerusalem of the South.” Enjoy a more affordable and relaxed lifestyle.  Call the shul office at (901) 683-7485 for more community information.

KOSHER FOOD
Schnucks - 799 Truse Parkway; (901) 765-4880
- Deli
- Bakery � Look for Vaad label
- Large grocery section

Krogers - 540 Mendenhall Road S; (901) 683-8841
- Deli
- Large grocery section

Ricki’s Cookie Corner 901-866-CHIP
- Challah
- Bakery
- Pizza (Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday evenings)
- Seattle’s Best Coffee

Nosh-a-Rye Deli (Memphis Jewish Home) 36 Bazeberry Road, Cordova; (901) 758-0036
- Lunch
- Catering menu

THE ERUV OF MEMPHIS
Call the Eruv Hotline at (901) 761-ERUV (761-3788) for updates 30 minutes before Shabbat.  The Eruv encompasses a large area around Baron Hirsch.  Call for details.

JEWISH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
Margolin Hebrew Academy/Feinstone Yeshiva of the South; 390 White Station Road; (901) 682-2409
Memphis Jewish High School; 1203 Ridgeway Road; (901) 767-4818
Memphis Jewish Community Center; 6560 Poplar Avenue; (901) 761-0810
Memphis Jewish Federation; 6560 Poplar Avenue; (901) 767-7100
Jewish Family Service; 6050 Poplar Avenue; (901) 767-8511
Hillel - University of Memphis; 3581 Midland Avenue; (901) 452-2453
Memphis Jewish Home; 36 Bazeberry, Cordova; (901) 758-0036
Plough Towers; 6580 Poplar; (901) 767-1910

GENERAL MEMPHIS COMMUNITY
Memphis Chamber of Commerce
Memphis Zoo
Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
Elvis Presley’s Graceland
Pink Palace Family of Museums
FedEx Forum
Memphis Redbirds
Memphis Grizzlies

TEENS

Our teens are very important to us, and we at Baron Hirsch are committed to offering them a wide range of high quality program.  Our goal for the teen program is to give them a unique Jewish experience that they cannot get anywhere else, and to create fun and appropriate social activities.

Shabbat Teen Minyan
During the school year, our teens conduct their own Shabbat morning minyan at 9:00AM in the Bet Midrash.  This unique program allows the teens to master a number of skills � from reading the Torah, to leading the davening, to giving a Dvar Torah.  On two weeks during the course of the year, the teens lead the entire service in the Main Sanctuary for the adults.  A special Kiddush always follows the teen minyan in the lounge.

Shabbat Afternoon
Every afternoon, about 45 minutes before Mincha, the teens gather for a Torah study class.  Following the class, they have their own Mincha minyan, followed by a teen Seudah Shilisheet.

Shoah and Tekuma
This is a special program of classes which focuses on the history of the Holocaust and the founding of the State of Israel.  While mainly for 10th and 11th grades, all high school students are welcome to attend.  Those who attend most of the classes become eligible to participate in Baron Hirsch�s own unique teen mission to Israel.  This is a highly subsidized trip which gives teens a unique perspective on our homeland and its people.

Teen Lounge
Our newly refurbished youth lounge will be used for many great activities this year, such as Israeli movies, Onegs, holiday events and drop in days.  Every teen will be comfortable in this new space, and will be impressed by the room itself.

NCSY
Baron Hirsch maintains a Senior NCSY chapter.  In addition to running social activities, we attend several Shabbatonim each year.

TODDLER/PRESCHOOL

Baron Hirsch offers well supervised and fun playrooms for its youngest members.  Every Shabbat and holiday morning, we have two rooms filled with children ages 1 � 5 who enjoy a special program while their parents are in services.

Our groups are well supervised and children have many toys to play with.  We have also just completed a refurbishment of a playground which is designed and used exclusively for this age group.

Our staff also conducts a special toddler service so that the children learn at an early age about Tefila, and grow up to enjoy the experience.

COLLEGE CONNECTIONS

Baron Hirsch strives to keep in touch with its young adults who are currently at institutions of higher learning throughout the country and in Israel.  Here is a summary of some of our major initiatives that are in place.

College Send-Off Party
At the end of each summer, we host a party with departing college students, their families and our clergy.  It is an excellent way for students to depart without forgetting their connection to Baron Hirsch.

Student Packages
Throughout the year, our college outreach committee sends packages to students away from home.  These packages might include a menorah and candles for Chanukah, a Search for Chametz set for Pesach, or treats to enjoy on Purim or during finals.

College Newsletter
We publish a monthly newsletter for our students, which includes letters from Rabbi Finkelstein, as well as articles written by different students.

Do we have your contact information?  If you are a Baron Hirsch college student, make sure we know how to keep in touch with you.  Send your address and email to jill@baronhirsch.org.

BARON HIRSCH YOUTH DEPARTMENT

Baron Hirsch hosts a youth department of over 300 young people.  Our youth are our future, and we go to great lengths to program activities for all ages.

Please click on one of our Youth Department Divisions for more information.

SHABBAT SERVICES

Candle Lighting Times
Feb 5 - 5:15PM
Feb 12 - 5:22PM

Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat
Feb 5 - 5:15PM
Feb 12 - 5:25PM

Shacharit 8:30AM

Shabbat Afternoon Mincha
Feb 6 - 5:10PM
Feb 13 - 5:20PM

Shabbat Ends
Feb 6 - 6:16PM
Feb 13 - 6:23PM

DAILY SERVICES

Shacharit
Sunday/Legal Holidays: 8:00AM
Monday, Thursday, Rosh Chodesh: 6:20 & 6:45AM
Tuesday, Wednesday, Fridays: 6:30 & 7:00AM

Mincha/Maariv
Week of Jan 31 - 5:15PM
Week of Feb 7 - 5:25PM

WEEKLY CLASSES

*Please be sure to check the weekly Shabbat Notes for time changes & class cancelations*

SUNDAY

I.E. Hanover Lecture Series on World Events - 9:15AM
Taught by Rabbi Shai Finkelstein

MONDAY

Monday Night Guest Lecture Series - Next series with Yossi Cohen, February 1, 8 & 15 at 7:00PM

TUESDAY

Call Torah, Call-in-Class - Noon, Rabbi Shai Finkelstein
From your office, home, cell phone, landline, whether you’re in Memphis or any other city in the U.S., you can call in at no cost, to take advantage of our lunch & learn program.  We are offering a toll-free number to hear Rabbi Shai Finkelstein deliver a 15 minute class about the Parsha of the Week. First dial 1-866-266-3378 (toll-free) and then once prompted enter the conference ID# 9016837485 and then enter 3636 as the password. If you need assistance contact April in Rabbi Finkelstein’s office.

WEDNESDAY

Parsha Class for Women - 10:30AM
Taught by Rabbi Shai Finkelstein

Lunch & Learn - Noon
Taught by Rabbi Shai Finkelstein

Major Events in Jewish History - 7:00PM
Taught by Rabbi David Radinsky

SHABBAT
Weekly Parsha Class - 8:15AM
Taught by Rabbi Shai Finkelstein

Shabbat Afternoon Class - Israel: Democracy or Theocracy? - 4:15PM
Taught by Rabbi Shai Finkelstein
The discussion will focus on “Constitution for Israel”

Daily Learn Opportunities
Daily Halacha - led by Rabbi Finkelstein following the early weekday minyan. 
Daily Mishna - led by Rabbi Finkelstein between Mincha/Maariv

How to Find Us

Baron Hirsch is at 400 S. Yates Road in Memphis, Tennessee.  We are located one mile north of the intersection of Poplar & Yates Road.

Click here for a map:

Map to Baron Hirsch Congregation

Office Hours

Our office is open 8:00AM - 5:00PM on Monday - Thursday; 8:00AM - 3:00PM on Friday and Holiday Eves, and 9:00AM - Noon on Sunday. 

About Us

The Baron Hirsch Synagogue, founded more than one hundred forty years ago in Memphis, Tennessee, is a flagship of American Orthodox Judaism. From humble beginnings, with services held at private homes and on the second floor of a modest hotel, Baron Hirsch moved into its first edifice on Washington and Fourth in downtown Memphis in 1912. The congregation continued to grow and in 1950 built North America�s largest synagogue on Vollintine and Evergreen and emerged as the largest Orthodox congregation in the United States.

The new synagogue witnessed a doubling of membership, and its family members exceeded one thousand. Neighborhood transitions and American mobility necessitated finding an additional location in which the membership could be served as ever-growing numbers were moving to beautiful East Memphis. A satellite synagogue was established as Baron Hirsch acquired the Isaac Hayes estate and converted the mansion for its use. By the mid-1980’s it became clear that almost all Baron Hirsch members were in this area. The congregation accepted the challenge, and in 1988 dedicated a new and magnificent synagogue and campus contiguous to the property it already owned.

Today, Baron Hirsch continues to flourish as its members enjoy a vast array of services and activities. Meeting the challenges offered by contemporary need, Baron Hirsch has rightfully earned a world-wide reputation as a flagship synagogue. This large but very warm body of people represent a vast array of Jews in the broad spectrum of American Jewry. Baron Hirsch serves individual needs and demonstrates sincere concern for all of its members. The congregation has never been overwhelmed by its size. This open and welcoming institution has successfully proven that diverse ages and views can simultaneously experience profound spirituality, Torah learning and sheer delight within a singular synagogue home.

Services at Baron Hirsch resonate with song and inspiration, with the sounds of children�s laughter and the smiles of senior members. Varied programs attest to an ongoing dynamism.

PRESIDENT

Sidney Mendelson

Sidney Mendelson has been president of Baron Hirsch Congregation since January 2008.  Prior to that, he served as one of the congregation’s vice presidents. 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

David Fleischhacker

David Fleischhacker was appointed to the position of Executive Director in August 2003.  He received his M.B.A from Baruch College in New York, and his B.S. from Yeshiva University. A native Memphian, Mr. Fleischhacker has many fond memories of Baron Hirsch, especially of the years he attended Camp Darom. Starting as a camper at a young age, he grew to serve the camp in many different capacities, including being its Director for several seasons.

Prior to his return to Memphis, Mr. Fleischhacker was a lay leader of Congregation Etz Chaim of Kew Gardens Hills, one of the fastest growing young Orthodox shuls in the area. He served as an officer for eight years, and was President during the campaign and construction of the synagogue’s facilities.  Along with his wife, Chany, the Fleischhackers were honored twice by Congregation Etz Chaim. They were the Guests of Honor at the synagogue’s annual Journal Dinner in 1996, and were honored again with a special award at the Journal Dinner in June 2003.

SENIOR RABBI, EMERITUS

Rabbi Rafael G. Grossman
Rabbi Grossman served Baron Hirsch and the Memphis community for more than a quarter of a century.  He led the congregation through a difficult transition from its edifice on Vollintine in mid-town Memphis to the eventual construction of the present magnificent synagogue. The Rabbi established programs for people of all ages which included the South’s only sleep-away camp under Orthodox auspices, Camp Darom; the Southern Traditional singles, with its national weekend celebration; the adult education program which offers more than twenty classes per week, most taught by the Rabbi and highlighted with varied lectures featuring foremost lecturers and scholars in World Jewry. In 1998, the Rabbi established the annual Conference on Medical Ethics. Rabbi’s weekly lectures on Israel cover numerous religious subjects thereby establishing Baron Hirsch as the synagogue with one of the most extensive programs of Torah learning in the South. Rabbi Grossman’s leadership for the sale of Israel Bonds has afforded Baron Hirsch the distinct honor of selling more bonds per capita than any other congregation in the United States. His last pilgrimage to Israel raised the number of those joining him throughout the years to more than eight hundred.

Rabbi Grossman was the first Rabbi outside the New York area to be elected President of the Rabbinical Council of America. He now serves as Honorary President and chairman of the Rabbinical Council International. He is the author of Binah: The Modern Quest for Torah Understanding, a six-part series with Volumes II and III soon to appear. His scholarly papers have appeared in numerous journals and volumes, and his weekly column, “Thinking Aloud,” in the JEWISH PRESS and on numerous websites is now read by approximately 500,000 people, making him today’s most read Jewish columnist in the world. In December 1998, Rabbi Grossman was elected Chairman of the board for the Religious Zionist of America.

Contact Us

You can reach any of our staff by calling (901) 683-7485 during office hours.  Our staff is also accessible via email:

Shai Finkelstein, Senior Rabbi -

David Fleischhacker, Executive Director - exec@baronhirsch.org

Jill Dempsey, Program Director - jill@baronhirsch.org

Gwen Moody, Administrative Assistant - gwen@baronhirsch.org

April Blankenship, Assistant to the Senior Rabbi, Webmaster, General Information - april@baronhirsch.org

UPCOMING EVENTS

Aug 14 � Adult Choir practice begins for the holidays.  The choir will meet every Tuesday evening at 7:00PM.  We would love to have new members!  Please speak to Cantor Ricky Kampf.

Aug 15 � Kol Rena So-Shuls, Noon in the Marsi Moss Social Hall.  Cost is $3 per person and reservations can be made by contacting the office.  Luncheon menu will be fish sandwich, fries, slaw & fresh fruit shortcake.

Aug 16 - Boys Choir practice begins.  Our popular Boys Choir rehearsals start this Thursday from 6-7PM!  Practices are every Tuesday and Thursday from 6-7PM.  The Boys Choir performances are one of the highlights of the High Holy Days.  Speak to Cantor Ricky Kampf or Robert Malkin for details.

Aug 19 � College Send Off Party, new and returning college students are invited to join us for s send off party on Sunday evening at Ben & Jerry�s at 7:00PM.  Enjoy ice cream & live music in the courtyard.  There is no cost to attend and reservations are not required.

Sep 1 � Our poplar Synaplex Program Returns! Join us for our first synaplex of the new season.  Our topic will be �Wake Up Call� and is a great way to begin preparing for the holidays.  Following services, we will have a joint session with three dynamic speakers each addressing the topic for 15 minutes.  Our speakers for this new and exciting Synaplex will be our own Senior Rabbi Shai Finkelstein, Rabbi Dr. Gil Perl of the Margolin Hebrew Academy and Rabbi Avi Kannai of the Torah MiTzion Kollel.