Committees, Brotherhood, and Sisterhood. . .
November
Worship Schedule
Special Services
Wednesday, November 26th
Community Thanksgiving Service 7:30 PM
(First Armenian Church, 380 Concord Ave.)
Sabbath Services
Friday, November 7th and Saturday, November 8th
Shabbat Evening Service 8:00 PM
Shabbat Morning Service 10:00 AM
Lech L’cha (Genesis 12:1-17:27)
Friday, November 14th and Saturday, November 15th
Family Service/Pot Luck 6:15 PM
NOTE: Special DATE this month!
Regular Shabbat Service 8:15 PM
NOTE: Special TIME
Jr. Congregation Service (downstairs) 8:15 PM
Shabbat Morning Service 10:00 AM
Sisterhood’s "Seniors Shabbat"
Va’yera (Genesis 18:1-22:24)
Friday, November 21st and Saturday, November 22nd
Shabbat Evening Service 8:00 PM
Shabbat Morning Service 10:00 AM
Chayei Sara (Genesis 23:1-25:18)
Bar Mitzvah of Barney Keller,
son of Jonathan & Inez Keller
Friday, November 28th and Saturday, November 29th
Shabbat Evening Service 8:00 PM
(November "simchas")
Shabbat Morning Service 10:00 AM
Toledot (Genesis 25:19-28:9)
Bat Mitzvah of Leah Jacoby,
daughter of Jonathan & Robin Jacoby
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From the Rabbi
As I write this, I have just received notice that our Director of Education, Toby Koritsky, has been honored with the prestigious title of "Reform Jewish Educator" (RJE). The title is awarded to Jewish Educators who have fulfilled stringent requirements in the areas of Education/Educational Administration and Judaic studies as well as a supervised educational internship. It is granted by an impressive commission composed of representatives from five major institutions in Reform Jewish life (our congregational organization, our Rabbis’ organization, our Cantors’ organization, our seminary and our Educators’ organization).
Our Temple family has already recognized Toby’s excellence as a creative Educator and a Jewish spiritual leader. It’s wonderful that our movement will also recognize this fact when they honor Toby during the upcoming national convention in Dallas. I hope we, also, will have a public opportunity to honor Toby’s achievement during an upcoming Shabbat service. Stay tuned for more details...
Still on the topic of my wonderful colleagues and the Dallas convention, our own Student Cantor, Geoffrey Fine, has been honored with an invitation to help conduct services for the 3,000 Reform Jews who will attend the convention. That invitation, too, is quite an honor. We are delighted that the rest of the country will have the opportunity to learn what a treasure we have in Belmont.
Speaking of which, Geoffrey will complete his studies and be invested as Cantor this coming spring. That event and Geoff’s desire to seek a full-time position puts our congregation at an important crossroads in its relationship with him. In November and December, the Ritual Committee and the Board of Trustees will be considering whether we are ready to commit to a full-time Cantor. There are, of course, many elements to take into account in making this decision. But it will be critical to know what our community at large desires. Please be sure to make your views known to a leader of the congregation during these next two months.
I consider these two, terrific colleagues one of the greatest blessings of my work here. And I know they are among our congregation’s most precious resources. Please be sure to wish them both mazal tov on their marvelous achievements!
-Rabbi Jonathan E. Kraus
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President's Message
I was sitting in my kitchen with a cup of coffee reading the New York Times. It was the Sunday after Rosh Hashanah and I was still feeling the "glow" from the days spent at shul, the feelings of connectedness with Judaism, with our Beth El Temple friends, with my sister whom I don’t see often enough. I was feeling very at peace with myself and my world.
Then I came across the article about the Promise Keepers rally on the Washington Mall. The article grabbed my attention and held it to the exclusion of the other news stories. Certainly I had nothing in common with the ralliers. Here were hundreds of thousands of white Christian men, primarily from lower socio-economic backgrounds, leaving their women companions behind to "find themselves" and repent for their own sins and those of a secular and socially-troubled America. They had come to a mega "spiritual pep talk", looking for the secret of how to live righteously. They were looking for "answers" to questions of their daily lives: How can I build a relationship with G-d? How can I be more responsive to my wife and children? How can I end my alcohol and drug addictions?
I was touched by the similarities of the answers we are all searching for. As we come together at Beth El Temple Center, we too strive to be part of a community where we care for others and are cared for in return. We value our relationships and keep searching to better "connect" with each other. Also, we search for ways to carry the spirituality of our Temple experience back to the workplace and our everyday lives with our families. We vow to try harder, to care more, to find greater patience and compassion for each other. One of the rally participants was quoted as saying, "Our job is to have a lifestyle of integrity". I thought of the words of Aaron Feuerstein, the owner of Malden Mills who kept 3,000 workers on payroll while the textile plant was rebuilt after the disastrous fire, "...Jewish values must live in the workplace as well as the synagogue..." Aren't we all searching for the same values in our lives?
I was also touched by the differences of our search. I disagree with the tenets of the Promise Keepers and I certainly do not advocate what they stand for. We do not need to march on Washington or come together by the thousands on the Capitol Mall for a one-shot transformational moment. We do not have to leave our loved ones to "find ourselves". Our search may not be as dramatically impressive as theirs. Ours is a quiet, continual search.
And I am still at peace with my world, even more so after reading about the Promise Keepers. I find it interesting that we are searching for answers to similar questions. I find it wondrous that you and I are blessed to be part of the Beth El Temple Center and are here searching for answers our way, together.
Liz Karp
Co-President
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From the Preschool Director
The youngsters have been busy making friends with each other and adjusting to the school routine. We learned the significance of the symbols of the high holidays—apples and honey, the shofar and round chale. Beautifully decorated Judaic items were made to share with our families at the Rosh Hashanah dinner table. The children practiced saying L’Shanah Tovah while exchanging New Year cards. All of us took a Tashlich walk. In the sanctuary, Rabbi Kraus helped the class understand the Toeah scrolls while also blowing the shofar. As for Yom Kippur, all the 3 and 4 year olds insisted that they had not done anything wrong and therefore had nothing for which to be sorry…
At the same time, we’ve been enjoying the apple season with sorting, counting, tasting and baking. Seasonal changes in our homes and surroundings have been discussed while the preschoolers learned to identify the different leaves. At music, our songs have been about apples, squirrels, acorns and leaves!
Our other special news is about a gift of $500 from the Sisterhood for which we are very grateful! The money will be used to pay for some major playground repairs and hopefully new rugs for our classroom. Anyone wishing to give a financial contribution to our program can do so at anytime…
-Rolene Karp, Director
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SISTERHOOD FALL RUMMAGE SALE
SISTERHOOD’S FALL RUMMAGE SALE
Sunday, November 9, 1997
Noon – 3PM
Rummage Drop Off will be at Beth El on:
Thursday, November 6th 5:00PM - 8:00PM
Friday, November 7th 9:00AM – 2:00PM
And
Saturday, November 8th 6:00PM – 9:00PM
Please join us for wine and cheese this evening.
Help Support SisterHood.
Donate Your Rummage.
Volunteer Your Time.
If you can help, please call Shelley Rubin.
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Senior Shabbat Service
FYI…
On Saturday November 15th, Beth El Temple Sisterhood will once again be hosting its annual Senior Shabbat Service and luncheon. In conjunction with the JCC of Newton, visitors will be attending services and staying for a light luncheon. We invite the Senior members of our congregation to join us in welcoming our visitors by reserving a place at the table – in advance. Please call Rose at the Temple Office 484-6668.
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Paula Lerner Photography
PAULA LERNER
PHOTOGRAPHY
Those of you who attended the Social Action Shabbat last April may remember the slide show on welfare recipients presented by Paula Lerner and her colleagues. This documentary work will be exhibited in November and December at Brandeis:
FAMILIES RECEIVING WELFARE
UNTOLD STORIES
A Documentary photo Exhibit with photographs by:
JOANNE CICCARELLO
PAULA LERNER
WENDY MIMRAN
HEATHER PILLAR
JANE TYSKA
November 5th- December 11th, 1997
At the Dreitzer Gallery in The Springold Theater Center
Brandeis University, Waltham
Opening Reception Wednesday, November 5th, 5-7PM
A presentation with project participants
will begin at 5:45PM
For directions to Brandeis, call 781-736-2000
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Thank You
Many thanks to our dedicated members who served by being "On-Call" for Yontiv this 5758…
Dr. Steele Belok
Dr. Rachel Berger
Dr. Daniel Karp
Dr. Kevin Kaufman
Dr. Jeffrey Levin-Scherz
Dr. Jerald Reisman
Sincerely,
Florence Cooperstein, R.N.
Dir. Of First Aid
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Fundraiser: Entertainment Books
THE NEW ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS FOR 1997-98 WILL BE ON SALE IN THE TEMPLE OFFICE ON OCTOBER 13, 1997. THE COST IS $30.00 AND THIS YEAR THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL BOOK FOR METRO WEST! PLEASE CALL ROSE...
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Jewish Philosophy Study Group
The Jewish Philosophy Study Group will next meet on Wednesday, November 12th at 7:30PM at the Temple. We will discuss the philosophy of Rabbi Joseph Caro.
There will be copies of the readings in the Adult Education box at the Temple Office. Anyone wishing to join the group is welcome to come. New members are always welcomed!
-Julian Harlowe
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Adult Education
Our class on Early Hasidism will be meeting on Monday evenings Nov 3, 10, 17 & 24. We began with 2 sessions in October. I realize that this class has not been highly publicized, so if you are interested in attending the last 4(of 6) sessions, please let me know.
Lunch with Rabbi Kraus is scheduled for Noontime on Thursday Nov 13. This month’s timely topic will be "Israel: Further Reflections on the Peace Process"
The Philosophy Study Group will be meeting Wednesday evening Nov 12. Please contact Julian Harlowe for more information.
Our monthly morning Midrash and Meaning group is scheduled for 7:45 AM Monday Nov 24.
Newcomers are welcomed.
Coming December 13:
A special Saturday Shabbaton:
"God and the Big Bang: Judaism, God and Science."
After services join us for lunch and a discussion on this topic lead by Rabbi Kraus.
We will meet later in the evening for havadalah service, desert and a panel discussion featuring scientists and scholars from our Beth El Community.
As always…Torah Discussion before services continues every Saturday 9:00 -10:00 AM.
-Arlene Feinberg, Chair
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Religious School Committee
During the High Holy Days, I think about the year past, as well as the new year. For me, it’s usually a time of personal reflection and goal setting. This year, as the new Chair of The School Committee, I spent some time thinking about the school and my goals for the school. I want the school to be a place where the congregation’s children and parents are positively involved in learning and the Jewish community. I encourage all of you, as parents and members of the community, to take a little time this fall to speak with your children about your goals for the school and their Judaic learning.
-Ronda Brenner, Chair
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SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE
Greetings…
Thank you to all who participated in the Temple Clean Up Day. The Temple sparkled during High Holiday Services due to your exhausting efforts.
Thank you also to all who contributed to the Holiday Food Drive which again this year was a huge success. Special thanks to Star Market Co. for their donation of 500 brown bags. If you forgot to return bags you may do so at this time. We especially need donations of juice and cereal for our monthly Family Table Commitment.
The month of November offers a chance for all of us to participate in the Thanksgiving Interfaith Service held each year on the night before Thanksgiving. Historically Beth El is known for contributing singers for the Interfaith Choir. How about trying it this year?
Some of you might already be thinking about Chanukah gifts! SAC House Pins make a lovely gift and aportion of the proceeds goes to charity. They will be on sale during the Holiday Sale in the Temple Lobby.
We hope you all received your copy of the SAC Volunteer Handbook. In it are details of Project Ezra, a potential volunteer opportunity coming up in December.
Our meetings are held on the second Sunday of each month, at 9:30am at the Temple. Please join us!
-Anne Emmerich, Secretary
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