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D'Var Torah
Parashat
Balak
for July 7, 2012
Numbers
22:39 - 23:26
using the Triennial
Year II schedule
Haftarah:
Micah
5:6 - 6:8
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What's Happening
This Week At Beth Or
Monday, July 2
Tuesday, July 3
Wednesday, July 4
Happy Independence Day!
Chit Chat will not meet today.
Thursday, July 5
Event Committee Meeting 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 6
Kabbalat Shabbat Services 8:00 pm
Saturday, July 7
Adult Torah Study 10:15 am
Sunday, July 8
Monday, July 9
Membership Committee Meeting and
Presentation 7:30 pm
Tuesday, July 10
Wednesday, July 11
Chit Chat at Starbucks 10:00 am
Executive Committee Meeting 7:30 pm
Board of Directors Meeting 8:00 pm
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 Temple Beth Or Events
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Save The Date
Saturday, July 21
Bibliodrama: Jacob and Esau
Saturday-Sunday, July 28-29
Tish'a B'Av
August 4
Bibliodrama: Joseph: Coat, Dreams, Brothers' Schemes
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 Temple Beth Or
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Shabbat Shalom! 
Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Friday evening, July 6,
at 8:00 p.m., led by Rabbi
Mark Kram, whose topic will be
"Happy Fourth of July".
Oneg Shabbat is sponsored by
Ellen Siegel. |
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D'var Torah
D'var Torah - July 4th week - Congratulations America for 236 years!We jews have always had a somewhat tentative and cautious relationship with our governments in the copuntries in which we lived over the ages. After all, we've been unwelcome residents or even expelled from a long list (see Tisha B'Av liturgy).Except for a couple of states at the beginnings of our nation's history, it's been different here.
Freedom of religion and support from the government - take a look at George Washington's warm welcome to the Jewish congregation in Nweport Rhode Island. Look at the high offices held and significant advisotry positions held by fellow Jews. We've done exceptionally well in the united States. Amazingly so.
So we pause for BBQs and outdoor fun (please use a lot of sunscreen!); family and friends; fireworks (be careful!) and song; to welcome in a new year of freedom to be who we wish to be in a land which affuirms our choices of personal privilege.
We also offer this prayer - from our Siddur Kol Haneshamah, in the Torah Service: "Sovereign of the universe, mercifully receive our prayer for our land and its government. Let your blessing pour out on this land and on all officials of this country who are occupied, in good faith, with the public needs. Instruct them from your Torah's laws, enable them to understand your principles of justice, so that peace and tranquility, happiness and freedom, might never turn away from our land. Please, Wise One, God of the lifebreath of all flesh, waken your spirit within all inhabitants of our land, and plant among the peoples of different nationalities and faiths who dwell here, love and brotherhood, peace and friendship. Uproot from their hearts all hatred and enmity, all jealousy and vying for supremacy. Fulfill the yearning of all the people of our country to speak proudly in its honor. Fulfill their desire to see it become a light to all nations.Therefore, may it be your will, that our land should be a blessing to all inhabitants of the globe. Cause to dwell among all people's friendship and freedom. And soon fulfill the vision of your prophet: "Nation shall not lift up sword against nation. Let them learn no longer ways of war." And let us say: Amen."
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Mark Kram, Temple Beth Or, Miami, FL
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Chit Chat at Starbucks...
...won't take place this week, in observance of the Independence Day holiday.
Chit Chat is a weekly discussion group that meets on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. that usually meets at Starbucks in the Suniland Shopping Center on US 1.
To be included in the Chit Chat notification list, please send your email address to Mike Leslie at
hebrewnatl@aol.com
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Thank You!
...to those who generously donate to
Temple Beth Or
Linda Mayers, on behalf of "the Golden Goddesses," in memory of Douglas J. Elliott
Elliott, Irene & Tom, in memory of Daniel David Hechtman.
Lori and Samuel Dubbin, Rabbi's Discretionary Fund, in thanks to Rabbi Mark Kram
Shirley and Jerry Pollak, in memory of Douglas Elliott
Marti and Tom Gammon, in memory of Douglas Elliott
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Beth Or's Program Calendar for 2012-2013
The initial version of the Temple Program Calendar for the coming year is available at :
Beth Or Event Calendar
Please bookmark this site so that it's easily available and will allow you keep up with what's going on at the Temple as well as be a part of the process of keeping it current and accurate.
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It's Membership Time...
...and we're innovating!
Membership renewal packets have been prepared and are heading to your mailbox OR your email inbox!
Digital transmittal option:
Those members who have expressed interest in receiving renewal packets via email and those we know can successfully receive docx. documents as attachments will see their packets arriving in their email inboxes either June 19 or June 20.
Traditional mail service:
About half of our members can expect to see a large white envelope from Temple Beth Or in their snail-mail box by this weekend.
The "No-Form" renewal:
While we want to make sure we have up-to-date information -- names, phone numbers, addresses, emails, and so on -- if your demographic information hasn't changed, you can simply let the office know that you want to renew your membership in the same category: Individual, family, Chai, etc. Please do this via email if possible so we have something in writing for our records. You'll be contacted if we need to clarify or confirm anything.
Automatic (if not automated) dues payments:
Members may pay dues, oneg shabbat fees, Torah School and B'nai Mitzvah tuition, and Bridge to the Future donations by giving the office a credit card number and authorizing us to divide up their total amount and charge the card in monthly or quarterly increments. All credit card information will be held in a passworded file!
Please, please, feel free to email or call the Temple with any questions.
305-235-1419 |
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BIBLIODRAMA: MIDRASH IN ACTION
You are invited to join our own Rabbi Mark Kram and Dr. Nancy Kirsner as we preview an exciting new program exploring Old Testament stories and their contemporary meaning in our lives today. No prior knowledge of the Bible or stories or psychodrama is required ! Just come and have fun with us - everything you need shall be provided. Bring an openness and a beginner's mind. Come to one or all.
WHAT IS BIBLIODRAMA ?
Bibliodrama is a form of role-playing in which the roles played are taken from biblical texts. The roles may be characters, objects, images, or scenes from the Bible.
Enacted and enlivened in the present moment, this form of interpretive play is often called the action version of Midrash.
ALL SATURDAYS: July 21, 10 am to noon: Jacob and Esau - Sale of the Birthright
August 4, 10 am to noon: Joseph - Coat, Dreams, Brothers' Schemes
August 25, 10 am to noon: Judah and Tamar
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SCHOOL SUPPLIES ARE NOW BEING COLLECTED
It's that time again . . .
Each year Beth Or collects school supplies for the residents of the Children's Home Society. There has always been a fantastic response to this drive and the supplies are greatly needed and appreciated by them.
AMONG THE SUPPLIES NEEDED ARE . . .
Paper
Pencils
Pens
Notebooks 
Duotangs
Paste
Glue Sticks
Bookbags
Backpacks
Rulers
Crayons
Scissors (not pointed)
School starts August 20 so the deadline for donating is August 9 to allow time for delivery, sorting and distribution to those in need. There will be a collection box in the Oneg Room.
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Childrens' World Montessori School
on Beth Or's campus needs a few good students, Toddler- 6thGrade. Small classes, certified teachers, excellent staff:child ratio.
Contact Head Teacher Mary Argumedo 305-506-8087
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Kids' Socks and Underwear
New, please!!
Jane Weinstock is collecting new socks and underwear for the kids at the homeless shelter in Homestead, a part of the Chapman Community Partnership for the Homeless.
Hit the sales, grab the "two-fers" and bring in the goods. A collection box will be in the Oneg Room for your contributions. Many thanks!
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Membership Committee Meeting
July 9 at 7:30 p.m. at TBO
The meeting will include a presentation from a
Jewish Hip Hop group who is proposing that they conduct Jewish Hip Hop classes to teens in our area in the Lighthouse Cafe, when it is not otherwise in use.
This is part of our outreach to various target groups in an effort to attract new members.
Please come and hear the presentation so you can provide input. We will also hear an update from Joannie Grillo on potential grants for other programs we are seeking to bring to Beth Or in our quest for increasing membership and to enhance the membership experience. Hopefully we'll also have specific dates presented for our Friday Night Shabbat invitationals.
If you've received an email regarding this meeting, it is because you have expressed an interest to help in Temple Beth Or's membership growth, retention and engagement. If you know of anyone else who wants to participate in this important program, bring 'em along!!!!
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Garden and Grounds 
Beth Or's ORGANIC GARDEN continues to grow!
Though our Organic Garden lacks a green-thumb Team, we have:
a) a dozen new Collard plants working to survive the summer heat
b) 5 new Banana trees (Red Dwarf, Sweet Heart, Ice Cream, Goldfinger, Sweet Heart, Mona Lisa varieties) and
c) Working closely with nature we also raise some Wild Edibles
More News:
- The Beth Or Irrigation system will be upgraded thanks to a $2,800 grant.
- The Potting Shed has a fresh coat of 'Leprechaun Green' paint and was tidied up by Noli Matzulis.
- We support the Childrens' World Montessori School's organic gardening efforts under the direction of Lead Teacher, Mary Argumendo.
Do's and Don'ts:
- Don't step on a bed (your weight compresses the soil, reducing 'friability')
- If you don't know what to do-ASK
- Learn as much as you can about organic-veganic methods- Rodale's magazine is a good resource
Kavanah by Rabbi Mark "...to help build up our people, our institutions and our strength so that we continue to l'takein olam b'malchut Shaddai, to 'repair the world under the kingdom of heaven.' Let's get our hands deliciously "dirty" in this endeavor as we grow and sustain our beloved community."
Veganically Yours,
Jeff Tucker,
Garden Manager
Would you like to help in the gardens, particularly on Sunday mornings? Just email Marcy Prince at mprince@miamidade.gov.
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Holiday Bazaar Heads-Up
The date for our next holiday bazaar is SUNDAY NOVEMBER 18. There are NO Dolphins games either here or away! Save-the-dates emails are going out to the vendors who've been with us in the past.
April Miller has graciously agreed to co-chair with Rhoni Tannebaum, and we'll be passing along more detailed information as we get closer to the event.
If you know anyone who like to participate as a vendor, please have them contact Rhoni Tannebaum at rtclowns@bellsouth.net. Remember our space is limited and fills up quickly.
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 Greater Miami Jewish Federation
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Holocaust Memorial Launches "Zachor Society"
As another symbol of the local community's commitment to the preservation of the Holocaust Memorial of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, 15 individuals and/or private foundations have become charter members of the Memorial's "Zachor Society."
"Zachor" means to "remember," and the Society will help to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive through support of the Memorial - adding to the funding the Memorial already receives from the Annual Greater Miami Jewish Federation/UJA Campaign.
The launch of the Zachor Society took place recently at the home of Lidia and Jimmy Resnick. Jimmy's late father, Abe Resnick, was one of the founders of the Holocaust Memorial. The event, chaired by Charles Treister, featured remarks by Norman Braman, Founding Chairman of the Memorial, and Kenneth Treister, FAIA, Memorial sculptor. Andrew Koffsky, a recent March of the Living participant, shared his experiences visiting sites of the Holocaust.
Each year, more than 100,000 people visit the Memorial to participate in its programs and learn about the Holocaust. In addition to providing a serene venue for survivors to pay tribute to their loved ones, the Memorial emphasizes education by opening its doors to thousands of schoolchildren annually and by hosting seminars for teachers. Also offered are outreach programs for college students and their professors; a speakers bureau; and free community-wide programs in observance of Holocaust Education Week, Kristallnacht (The Night of Broken Glass) and Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day).
There is no charge to visit the Memorial or attend its programs. The Memorial is maintained through the generous support of members of the community.
Rabbi Solomon Schiff is the immediate past Chair of the Holocaust Memorial, and Andrew C. Hall is the Chair.
Those who are interested in learning more about the Holocaust Memorial and its programs may contact Sharon Horowitz, Director, at 305.538.1663 or
info@holocaustmmb.org. Individuals interested in the Zachor Society may contact Simon S. Kaminetsky, Director of Philanthropic Initiatives at the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, at 786.866.8453. |
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