A FOUNDERS WEEKEND, chaired and organized by Jan Schochet, was held November 19-20, 2004. We are pleased to report that results were way beyond expectations, as families of founders, long-time members, and families of past presidents came to Asheville from all over the country for this occasion. They were indeed honored by their presence and by their participation in the Friday evening shabbat service.
The service, taken from the 1940 Union Prayer Book, was accompanied by authentic Reform synagogue music of that era, beautifully rendered by Cantor Debra Winston, organist Vance Reese and choir consisting of Gary Mitchell, Jonathan Ross, Pam Simmons and Susan Jarrett. The only concession to modern Reform was the use of Sephardi pronounciation of Hebrew instead of Ashkenazi which was common prior to the early 1970's.
On Saturday we were treated to a spirited panel discussion surrounding the earlier days of the Asheville Jewish community; an eye-opening dissertation on Rabbi Sidney Unger by Dr. James Martin; a delicious buffet lunch prepared and served by Brotherhood; and a concert of early synagogue music presented by Cantor Winston and organist Vance Reese, with lots of questions and comments from eager listeners.
Gerry Haller and Buddy Patton.
Rosalie Schrier, Lulla Shermis.
Maurice Gettleman, Rabbi Ratner.
Bob Carr, Kerry Friedman, Karl Straus.
Frank Edwinn, Miki Caplan.
Irene Braun, Jan Schochet.
Margaret Ensley, Rosalie Schreier, Ed Wiley.
l. to r., Betty (Pollock) Golden, Miriam Kell, Buddy Riesenberg, Barbara Blomberg, Barry Schochet, Jan Schochet.
Miriam Kell, Buddy Riesenberg, Barbara Blomberg.
Jerry Dave makes a point.
Sylvia Straus (in pink), assisted by Deb Winston.
James "Red" Hoyle, member of Leo Finkelstein's "Sanctimonious Seven", neighbor of the Riesenbergs, and office supply vendor to the Jewish businessmen of Asheville.
Judy (Schreier) Barr's comments are observed by uncle Hyman Dave and Hyman's daughter Ellen Knoefel.
Dr. Larry Rosenberg.
Buddy Riesenberg holds microphone for Betty Golden. Guest speaker Dr. James Martin is in front.
Dr. James Martin speaks about Rabbi Sidney Unger.
Hyman Dave.
Leah Karpen.
Former Beth HaTephila custodian Jasper Dunlap.
Clockwise from left, Barbara Blomberg, Marilyn (Blomberg) Patton, Miki Caplan, Dorothy Zageir Fligel (standing), Joan Zageir Rocamora, Adele Rose, Natalie Nachman, Shirley Cohen, Shirley Rapoport.
Jan Schochet, Dorothy Fligel, Joan Rocamora.
Cantor Debra Winston.
The long and short of Beth HaTephila's music programs: organist Vance Reese and cantor Deb Winston.