Temple News
Two Rabbis
TBS is so honored this year to have two rabbis serving our congregation. Our first experience with Rabbi Bill Gordon took place at our High Holiday services this year at Airtel Plaza Hotel. He was wonderful!
Rabbi Bill Gordon
Rabbi Gordon comes to us via member, Mary Slotnick, who met him at a social gathering, told him about TBS and he offered his services to us in whatever capacity we might need him. As those who attended holiday services discovered, he is a very warm, delightful man, whose theme in life heavily concentrates on inclusion and being of service. Several times during the services, Rabbi Gordon turned to me and said, "I love your services - everyone participates!"
Rabbi Gordon, originally from New Jersey, settled in California in 1970 with an impressive resume. Now, after almost 50 years in the rabbinate, having worked across the United States (Missouri, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio, and California) in all branches of Judaism and in varied arenas in addition to holding pulpits: counseling, consulting, directing, administering, Air Force a nd many others, TBS is extremely fortunate to be students of his wisdom and knowledge.
Rabbi Bill retired from his last position at the Jewish Home for the Aging in 2007, but as a man of service, he will never retire from teaching, administering and advising to the Jewish community; he is always looking for somewhere to serve.
We were able to meet many of Rabbi Bill's family at Rosh Hashana services and they were likewise very warm and caring people. His wife, Deena, works very closely by his side and also sang in our choir at the Holy Day services. We look forward to Rabbi Bill's veteran perspective on Judaism.
We look so forward to having Rabbi Bill this year with an experienced and wise perspective on Judaism.
Our second Rabbi for this year is a familiar face to many of us. Now ordained, Rabbi Deborah Graetz Goldmann, was our student rabbi from HUC for 2006-07 and a member of TBS for two years before that. We are thrilled to have Rabbi Deborah back with us.
Rabbi Deborah Goldmann
Rabbi Deborah was born in Argentina and grew up in Brazil. Her family moved to the US when she was 13. She has had a hearing loss since childhood and said, "I am good at math, and I remember learning the stories from the Torah, but for the life of me, I cannot tell you how I learned math or the Torah stories. All I remember was always sitting in the very front row, virtually in the teacher's face. This puzzles me because I have a hearing loss, and I did not wear hearing aids as a child."
Neither Argentina nor Brazil offered services for deaf or hard of hearing, so she became a really good lip reader. Once in the US, she started becoming aware of her deaf identity and was offered services for assistance in the classroom.
Rabbi Deborah is fluent in three languages: Spanish, Portuguese and English and also has basic Sign Language skills, so learning languages is not new to her.
She wrote, "There is only one place in my life that has come easy for me, and that is my love for Judaism. Both my parents are very involved in the Jewish community: my father is a reform rabbi and my mother volunteers in numerous activities, from helping the gift shop to acting as the treasurer for sisterhood. In my life, Judaism has been strong in Argentina, in Brazil and remains strong here in the United States, so it comes as no surprise that I chose to enter the Jewish world professionally." [You can see Rabbi Deborah's original biography on our website by clicking here]
This year will be filled with many changes and new discoveries for TBS. We are moving to a new location and we are celebrating 50 years of life. We will be challenged, no question, but we also have 50 years of tradition that hasn't changed and a TBS family that is close-knit and strong. As we read in our Holy Day prayers: change is not easy, but with the wisdom and guidance of two rabbis this year, perhaps the discomfort and unease that comes with change will be alleviated. We sincerely hope you will join us during the year and celebrate 50 years of a precious one-of-a-kind Temple Beth Solomon of the Deaf.
In Memorium
Helen Krakover
We mourn the recent passing of beloved founding member, Helen Mae Krakover. Helen was a resident of the California Home for the Adult Deaf, before becoming ill and a resident of Pilgrim Towers before that. She was pre-deceased by her husband Hyman and together they were among the pioneers who established TBS' 50-year legacy. She was a grandmother of six, great-grandmother of nine and great, great grandmother of two. We share our deepest sympathy with the family: Rose & Bud Schaffer, Bert & Phil Carlson and their families. Her memory will be a sweet, sweet blessing and her gentle spirit will be so missed.
Honors
On September 25th, in observance of Deaf Awareness Month, Councilman Greig Smith of the 12th District, presented a commendation from the city of Los Angeles to Joyce Linden for her achievements and service to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
Joyce Linden and Councilman Greig
Smith
Councilman Smith said: "Joyce is a resident of Chatsworth and has worked for decades as a teacher specializing in special education and communication for deaf and hard-of-hearing students at Los Angeles schools, and at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). CSUN's Deaf Studies Department and the National Center on Deafness at CSUN are leading deaf institutions in the nation that we are proud to have in our community. Joyce's work has greatly contributed to the ability of deaf and hard-of-hearing people to communicate and participate in social, professional and academic worlds. Congratulations!"
If you are looking for the electronic edition of the CN click here.