Congregation Tiferet Israel 
Austin, TX
1 Nisan 5782 -- April 2, 2022
What's the Spiel?
Rosh Chodesh Nisan - Parshat HaChodesh - Tazria
Schedule of Services
at B'nai Abraham
We encourage everyone to daven privately when unable to attend services. Use the private time to connect to Hashem. Public prayer definitely adds to our prayer experience. Yet we also have the capacity to create a profoundly meaningful private experience with the Divine. Let us seek such an experience in the coming days.  

CTI Announcements
Welcome to our newest member, Scott Weingarten!
CTI, please join us as we honor Dan Kraus and Phil Loewy - our 2022 IGNITE honorees!
 
Learn about how our support of the Annual Campaign inspires Jewish journeys and elevates Jewish life in meaningful and transformative ways.
Come celebrate our incredible Jewish community!
Sign up today- Kosher options are available.         
 

Please Note: 
1. Shalom Austin is committed to holding this event safely and its COVID protocols will be appropriate for the time. More information will be provided as we get closer to April 3.
2. Unlike IGNITE! Home Edition (which we promoted as a family-friendly virtual event); this year’s IGNITE! is adults only. Shalom Austin is offering a discounted rate for parents who have kids in preschool to help offset babysitter costs.
**** ATTENTION CTI LADIES! ****

Come and relax with your CTI “sisters” at a special women’s only event on Wednesday evening, April 6th at the home of Beth Shapiro. We’ll be serving two of the basic feminine food groups (wine and chocolate), at this CTI Members-only event (but members can invite a friend to join in). RSVP required to attend.
National Council of Jewish Women April Luncheon and Speaker from Safe Alliance

Join NCJW at 11:30am on Thurs, April 7th in support of SAFE Alliance, a non-profit that that serves victims of abuse, assault, violence, and trafficking. The event will be outdoors at a home in Northwest Hills. We will have lunch and a presentation from Lindsay Contreras, Director of In-Kind Giving. We will be collecting items for Safe Alliance clients. Click here for info on donations to Safe Alliance, the event and registration: https://ncjwaustin.org/events/safe-alliance-event/
Passover is Just Around the Corner! 
 
The first Seder is Erev Shabbat (Friday Night), April 15th, 2022.
  
 
Chametz Sale forms can be delivered electronically to Rabbi Dan or submitted by hand, which is preferable. The best time to submit in person is following weekday morning minyan, which begins at 7:05AM, and Sunday morning minyan which begins at 8:20AM. 
 
If you are submitting electronically, please fill out the form, scan it, and email it to Rabbi Dan at rabbidan@tiferetaustin.org before Thursday, April 14th at 12:00PM so as to give the Rabbi time to actually sell the Chametz before Shabbat and the Chag. If you would like to arrange for an in-person meeting with Rabbi Dan, please call (512) 410-0336 ex. 101 to make special arrangements. 
 
If you would like to give Maot Chittin, a donation to those in need to help them prepare for Passover, please send in a check to CTI, or use the CTI website and mark your contributions as Maot Chittin. Todah rabbah!
 
The 2022 Orthodox Union Passover Guidelines for Food, Preparations and all things Pesach-related can be found here.
 
Chag Kasher v'Sameach!
CTI will have a booth at the Shalom Austin Yom Ha'Atzmaut celebration on May 5, from 4:00-7:00pm. We will facilitate an activity allowing participants to send letters to IDF soldiers. If you would like to volunteer to run the booth, please send an email to CTIYouth@tiferetaustin.org
Shalom Austin Mask Policy Update

Given the significant decline in the occurrence of COVID cases in the Travis County area (which is currently listed as being in Stage 2, and continuously dropping), the Medical Committee has unanimously agreed that:

  • Masks should no longer be mandatory at any CTI-related functions
  • Kiddush can move back inside, without any restrictions
  • Individuals who feel safer wearing masks at Shul-related events should feel free to continuing doing so
  • Anyone who has symptoms should NOT attend synagogue.

As always, we will continue to review and address the situation related to COVID on an as—needed basis, and make updated recommendations, as necessary.

SPIRIT: Gratifying Communication
APRIL 5 @ 10AM (CST)

With Pesach approaching, we will look at ways to increase our Gratifying Communication. In the talk, we will examine:
  • How to identify the goals of any communication.
  • How to communicate so we are understood and heard.
  • How to hear and listen effectively with the ultimate goal of a low stressed Pesach, filled with kindness and caring of ourselves and others.
Presented by: Faye Wilbur, LCSW-R, Director of Community Relations , Mishkon, The Jewish Board
As a service to the wider community, the Orthodox Union has researched various online platforms and has organized, collected and curated many key resources in one centralized location for your convenience. Please visit together.ou.org for a wide range of information covering the following areas: Adults, Leadership, Parenting, Seniors & Elders, Technology, Torah and Youth. Check back at together.ou.org as updates will occur regularly.
CTI is virtually open for all classes! Attend online with video and audio, or join through phone call alone. Visit tiferetaustin.org for more information on how to join these exciting classes:


TYT Tuesday Night 

The Book of Judges
Tuesday 7:00pm

The Book of Judges teaches us about unexpected and underestimated spiritual and political leadership. Prior to the establishment of the Jewish monarchy, the nation was constantly enmeshed in fighting foreign enemies, spiritual and moral backsliding, oppression, as well as tribal in-fighting. It was a vicious cycle. The Judges came about in order to resolve these political, spiritual and moral issues and to set the people on the right track. Who were the Judges of Israel? How were they chosen, and why? While names like Shimshon, Devorah, Gidon and Yeftach may be familiar, their stories, complex personalities and murky legacies require a great deal of study. In this brand new TYT series, we will explore the life and times of the Judges of Israel – who they were, what they did, and what their contributions to Jewish history are all about. You won’t want to miss out on learning about these early leaders of the Jewish people, whose stories and personalities are as captivating as their contributions to the Jewish people are timeless. 


TYT Wednesday Mornings 

The Book of Second Samuel
Wednesday 8:15am

Come and join the TYT community and learn about the life and times of King David! II Samuel explores how a young David establishes both his kingdom and his kingship. Despite great promise, potential and ability, David is nevertheless beset by external and internal enemies, fighting both physical and spiritual wars. Come and see how David struggles to unite a broken and battered kingdom, establish a capital city and win the support of his people, while at the same time, striving to remain true to God’s Torah and lead a righteous life. No longer the ruddy youth, playing the harp and running for his life, II Samuel takes us through the long journey of David’s maturation process, omitting nothing, all the while exploring larger questions of morality, repentance, power and politics. While we extol David as one of the greatest Jewish heroes and leaders of all time, this book will frame his life and story in its proper context, look under the surface, and examine the complex personality of King David! This class meets each Wednesday morning, except of Jewish holidays, at 8:15am. 


Mishne Torah k'Seder Friday Mornings

Mishne Torah k'Seder
Friday 8:15am

Come and join Rabbi Dan on Friday mornings at 8:15am for an in-depth exploration of the Rambam's Mishne Torah. This class will go through the Rambam's classic work on halakha (Jewish law), in a way which both engages and transforms the reader on a spiritual and intellectual level. Why did the Rambam write the Mishne Torah? What was he trying to achieve? How does the Rambam's interpretation of Jewish law, theology, history and culture differ from his rabbinic contemporaries who also wrote comprehensive Jewish legal works? What were some of the great disputes this work sparked, and why? You don't want to miss out on this great opportunity to learn what the Mishne Torah is all about.
Questions? Suggestions? Interested in Volunteering? Please contact our Committee Chairpersons. 

Finance Committee: Gary Gerstenhaber
Fundraising Committee: Beth Shapiro
Membership Committee: Sarah Wander
Chesed Committee: Lynn Kane
Kiddush Committee: Henna Tatham
Ritual Committee: Eric Shapiro
The next CTI Board meeting is Wednesday, April 13 at 7:00pm. If you are a CTI Member you can login to our website and see all scheduled Board meetings by clicking  here.
For those new to the community, check out this introductory video 
featuring Rabbi Dan and a few of our wonderful CTI community members! 
Birthdays

Lauren Churi on April 2

Natalie Ledeen on April 5

If you have any birthdays or anniversaries you would
like to add, please update your profile on our website.

Yahrzeit Remembrances

Herman Spertus, Father of Philip Spertus, on Friday 7 Nisan

If you have a Yahrzeit that you would like the congregation to acknowledge, or if you have a correction that needs to be made, please update your profile on our website.
DONATIONS 

Thank you to Anonymous donors.

Thank you Mark & Pixie Cohn for their donation in memory of Joel and Debbie Tendler made to the Alex Sole Education Fund.
 

_________________

We encourage you to use electronic payments by credit card or eCheck through CTI's website at www.tiferetaustin.org when fulfilling the mitzvah of giving Tzedakah to mark family events and milestones, including Yahrzeits, and in honor of CTI and our community. 

 
***
Spiel sponsorships are now available for a donation of $18. Advertise your business or dedicate an issue of the spiel in memory of a loved one or to celebrate a Simcha. Contact admin for more details. 

Donations can be made via our website at www.tiferetaustin.org, by pressing "Make a Donation" in the sidebar, using the "Donate to CTI" button on the top left of this email, or by sending your check to: Tiferet Israel P.O. Box 27254, Austin, TX 78755. Please make check payable to Tiferet Israel and please indicate what the donation is for. 
  
Refuah Shelayma to: 
  • Allene Novy-Portnoy; Hannah Bassa bat Sarah Osnat 
  • Avshalom ben Hannah Bassa
  • Cindy Newman 
  • Janet Goldberg; Shayna Masha bat Chasha Mina
  • Ken Friedman
  • Rebecca Millner; Rivkah bat Shoshana
  • Sheina Ruchel bat Henya Leah
  • Tzvi David ben Rivka Golda
  • Yoel Simcha ben Chaya Risha 
  • Sulta bat Nedgma
  • Zvi Aharon ben Bayla
  • Yaira bat Sarah
  • Tamar bat Chaya
  • Ilana bat Gheita
  • HaRav Avram Meir ben Eli Yosef v'Shira Chanah.
  • Rabbi Harold Liebowitz, Ha Rav Chaim Alter ben Necha. 
  • Baruch Akiva Ben Rivka
  • Miriam bat Helen
  • Rivka Michal bat Sarah Chana
  • Lori Garza 
  • Shoshana bat Yocheved
  • Miriam bat Rachel v'Mordechai
  • Alta Shoshana bat Shulamit
  • Meir Psachia ben Tziril
  • Geni Berman Abitbol
  • Beilya Golda bat Leah
  • Yosef Yehoshua ben Sarah
  • Jonathan Malawer (Yosef ben Bracha)
  • Bowie Alarcon
  • Fivel ben Sarah HaLevi
  • Adam ben Chanah
  • Rafael ben Sheindal Leah
  • Aharon Asher ben Chaya Naomi
  • Esther Malka Fraida bat Serel Chaya Raiza
  • Kalev Boaz Chai ben Aliza
  • Esther Reva bat Malka
  • Avraham ben Rut
  • Peter Janson, Fievel ben Devorah
  • Sheva Eva bat Bella.
  • Dorit Iken, Dorit Chana bat Orah
  • Moshe ben Rut
  • Shulkah Malka bat Tziporah
  • Yehudit bat Sara
  • Chandal bat Basia
  • Shmuel Dovid bat Malka
  • Anthony Ben Devorah
  • Shayna Leah bat Yehudit
 Wishing all Cholei Yisrael a Refuah Shlayma. 

Dear Tiferet Friends, 
If you placed a name on the Refuah Shelayma list and G-d willing the person is well, 
please let us know. Also, if you have a friend or family member who needs 
prayers for healing, again please let us know at admin@tiferetaustin.org  
Online Shopping that Benefits CTI

Don't forget to bookmark our special links to AmazonSmile and Artscroll.com -- you will have the same shopping experience and CTI gets a generous percentage of your shopping dollar. Please bookmark and start shopping!

To Get Started with AmazonSmile

AmazonSmile will make a donation to CTI based on the amount of your eligible purchases made on the AmazonSmile website. The AmazonSmile website looks identical to the regular Amazon.com website, except that when you log in the banner at the top of the window shows that you are on the AmazonSmile website and displays the charity that you are supporting. There is also an additional item in the dropdown menu labelled “Your AmazonSmile”. The AmazonSmile page offers a convenient shortcut icon or bookmark for your browser to take you to AmazonSmile for your shopping.

Using the CTI Website
Logging in is easy via the login button at the top of the web page. Your login ID is your email address. 

Once logged in, many of the fields are pre-filled for you, to make it easier and quicker to register for an event or make a donation, and so on.

But that's not all! You will also have access to the online Member Directory,    the CTI Bylaws, the minutes of Board meetings and the President,Treasurer and Rabbi Reports and other documents, all under the Resources tab. With more coming all the time!

If you have any questions or comments about the website, please contact our webmaster at admin@tiferetaustin.org.