Maybe the Torah and the Jewish school year are meant to be looked
at together. We have school almost every Sunday,
preceded by Shabbat --- an island of time to rest and reflect, or, perhaps
the calm before the storm. At Pesach, registration for
the next school year is in the works. School winds down with the
Counting of the Omer, and concludes close to Shavout. Prior
to the fall holidays is a time for evaluation, soul searching, and
planning for the new year. At Sukkot, we begin to
reap the harvest of our work as school moves into full swing and some of
our plans bear fruit. Too soon it will be time to begin the cycle again.
The Torah describes the special offerings and sacrifices that are part
of each holiday. for us, we need to give ourselves permission,
as Jewish professionals, as busy parents, and families,
to step back from our everyday world to create a
sense of the sacred. If we take some time to worship,
reflect, study and connect with God and Judaism, we can return to the
everyday with a feeling of renewal.
It is my hope that the prescription of the Torah to "follow the set times of the Lord," will guide
us through as we create a sense of order in our school as well as in our
personal and spiritual lives.
Toby Koritsky
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From the Preschool Director
The preschoolers have experienced a great beginning in their
early education of our Jewish faith. All were very involved in crafts, stories, and music
relating to the fall holidays. The group learned the
significance of the symbols of the high holidays --- apples, honey, shofars,
and the round challah. The teachers told of Jonah and the whale, and all of
us discussed forgiveness for our wrong doings and how we can behave in the
coming year.
A classroom sukkah was made along with beautiful decorations to hang in the
one outdoors. Fruits and vegetables were cut open and tasted. Their sizes
and textures were compared. As always, Simchat Torah flags were made for the celebration.
This year, our involvement included examining, naming, and making parts of the Torah.
In keeping with the fall season, and our secular learning, all of us are
identifying different kinds of leaves, and noticing seasonal changes
in our homes, weather, outdoors, animal lives, etc. At the same time,
we are counting, sorting, and baking with apples.
You are welcome to come in and admire our beautiful handmade
autumn classroom decorations. Obviously,
the children are all settled in and are very busy. Their
individual needs are being met, and we look forward to another
exciting and successful year in which our little ones will
grow, learn, and make new friendships that we hope will last beyond preschool.
Rolene Karp
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In the Beth El Family . . .
[This feature is only available in the printed bulletin this month.]
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Board Briefs
Review of high holiday services was the major item of discussion at the
October meeting. The extensive services were conducted with few problems.
Cantor Fine's voice and rendition of the prayers were
especially commended as was our new organist, Mark Dwyer, though
he needs to become better accustomed to the loudness of
the organ. Following a recommendation from the ritual committee,
the board voted to accept, in principle, the adoption of the Gates of
Repentance machzor [high holiday prayer book]. The spirituality of its prayers and
the importance of its gender sensitive language both make it a preferred
machzor for the high holidays. A vote for the purchase was postponed to a future
board meeting, after the ritual committee presents firm figures for cost.
The board also voted to include a line on the temple statements for
voluntary dues to the American Reform Zionist Association (ARZA).
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Relgious School Parking and Pick Up!!!
Please note that it is very important that we all follow the
one-way signs in the parking lot. Also, please do not block
the moving traffic when waiting to pick up students. If you are going to be late,
please call and we will have students wait inside the building.
Sudents should not be left alone in the parking lot. Thank you.
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Beth El Annual Jewish Book Fair
The Beth El Temple Center library is sponsoring a Jewish book fair
to be held on:
- Sunday, November 17th: 9 am to noon
- Monday, Nov. 18th: 3:30-6:00 pm and 7-9 pm
- Tuesday, Nov. 19th: 6:30-7:30 pm
- Wednesday, Nov. 20th: 3:30-5:30 pm and 7-7:30 pm
We will have books and tapes for children of all ages and adults on
many topics.
Books may be purchased directly, or we will take orders on all books
that sell out, or any other Judaica books not included in the fair. For
more information, call Rose at the office, 484-6668.
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With Appreciation. . .
We would like to take this opportunity to tell
everyone how thrilled we are for the honor bestowed upon us,
on Saturday evening, October 5th.
Our heartfelt thanks to the committee who worked so hard to make this
an unforgettable evening, and to
you, our friends, who helped to make all this possible.
Thank you very much,
Stan and Ellie Trebach
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Jewish Philosophy Study Group
The Jewish Philosophy Study Group will next meet on Wednesday,
November 6, 1996 at 7:30 pm at the temple. We will discuss the kabballah
specifically in regard to mysticism. There will be copies of the reading in
the Adult Education box at the temple office. Anyone can
come and join the group, and new members are always
welcome. You do not need to have any prior knowledge. If you
have any questions or concerns, please call me.
Julian Harlowe
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Sisterhood Rosh Chodesh Group
For our November meeting, we will have a tour of the Daughters of
Israel Mikvah [ritual bath], 101 Washington Street, Brighton on
Tuesday, November 12th, at 6:30 pm. We will meet for coffee afterwards to discuss
what we have learned. If anyone is interested in touring the
mikvah, please call Sheila Doctoroff by November 10th.
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Sisterhood Book Discussion Group
The group will meet on October 28th at a member's home. For more
information, contact Marsha Mattison.
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Adult Education
This month adult learners at Beth El Temple Center,
will have the opportunity to learn how, as Jews, we may interpret the
stories and teachings of the bible to understand our own lives
and times. "How can the bible's words bring us a clearer understanding of our
humanity and also bring us closer to God?" Join Rabbi Kraus
for our class of "Midrash and Meaning," when we will begin to study
both ancient and contemporary examples of Midrash. Mondays,
7:30 - 9:00 PM, November 25, December 2, 9, and 16. A donation to
Beth El Temple Center for $18 for the total four sessions is requested.
Also, please join us for "Lunch with the Rabbi," Thursday,
noon, November 7th. A light lunch will be provided by adult ed.
As of this writing, I am uncertain of the topic for discussion, but
it is certain to be both provocative and interesting.
Due to a scheduling conflict, the Sunday morning learning
workshop, "Judaism and the Nature of Spirituality," will not be
happening on November 24th; it has been rescheduled to
December 15th, at 9:30 AM.
Arlene Feinberg, Chair
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Budget Committee
The budget committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 13th
at 7:30 pm has been cancelled.
All committee chairs and anyone with financial requests for the
fiscal year 98 budget should submit their preliminary
budget requests by Wednesday, November 27th, to
me, Karen Pike, via the temple office.
The first official budget committee meeting for the
year will be rescheduled to Wednesday, December 11th at 8 pm, in
the library.
Karen Pike, Chair
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Outreach Committee
On Sunday, November 24th at 9:30 am, the outreach committee is sponsoring
a pot luck and discussion for parents
of children who are married to a non-Jewish spouse. The
discussion will be facilitated by Susan Farber, LICSW. It will be held
at a member's home. Please contact Stephen or Bettina Winter to RSVP.
(General information is available on-line about the
Reform outreach program, and
regional
outreach programs.)
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Religious School Committee
October was a very busy month for our school. The first
Junior Congregation of the year was well attended. The participants
enjoyed the Torah reading and a story. All students are encouraed to attend these services where they
have the opportunity to lead and participate.
Parent meetings for grades 1, 3, and 4 were held last month. These are opportunities to learn more about the
curriculum and share parent goals.
The grade 5 trip to the Jewish Community Center Art Studio in Newton, will take
place on November 17th. The students will have an opportunity to make their own
hanukiot. Parent drivers will be needed for carpools.
The Religious School Committee had a speaker from the Bureau of Jewish Education
leading us in a discussion of Family Education and our goals for our
program. Those who attended learned from her and each
other about our goal's for Beth El's programming for families. If you are interested in having your vies
heard, please join us. The next school committee meeting will be
held on Monday November 4th at 7:30 pm in the Sloane Bride's Room.
Hildy Dvorak, Chair
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SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE
[This feature is only available in the printed bulletin this month.]
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Brotherhood
The next meeting is November 4th at 7:30 pm.
[The full feature is only available in the printed bulletin this
month.]
Joseph Tovares, Brotherhood President
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Sisterhood
[This article is abridged from the printed bulletin to save some
typing.]
Cradle Roll's Hanukah Party is Sunday, November 17th. If you know
a child between the ages of 2 and 5 that is not currently
on the list, please contact Amy Kraus or Merle Kummer to find
out more details.
There will be an open Sisterhood board meeting on November 25th at the temple,
7:30 pm. Any nonboard member who would like to attend this meeting should call Sharon Feinberg
so that we can have an approximate head count.
The Judaica shop will have special hours for Hanukah on Sunday,
November 17th from 9 to 11 am, and Monday, December 2nd, from 4 to 6 pm.
The Mothers and Babies Group welcomes new participants. If you have
a newborn to 2 year old and wish tthe company of similar moms and children,
please call Jane Levin.
Sharon Feinberg, Sisterhood President
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