|
D'Var Torah
Parashat
Matot-Masei
(for July 16, 2012)
Numbers
32:1 - 33:49
using the Triennial
Year II schedule
Haftarah:
Askenazic:
Jeremiah 2:4-28; 3:4
Sephardic:
Jeremiah 2:4-28; 4:1-2
|
|
|
|
What's Happening
This Week At Beth Or
Monday, July 16
Tuesday, July 17
Wednesday, July 18
Chit Chat at Starbucks 10:00 am
Ritual Committee Meeting (open to membership) 7:30
Thursday, July 19
Friday, July 20
Kabbalat Shabbat Services 8:00 pm
Saturday, July 21
Bibliodrama: Jacob and Esau 10:00 am
Sunday, July 22
Monday, July 23
Tuesday, July 24
Wednesday, July 25
Chit Chat at Starbucks 10:00 am
|
 Temple Beth Or Events
|
|
Save The Date
Saturday-Sunday, July 28-29
Tish'a B'Av
August 4
Bibliodrama: Joseph: Coat, Dreams, Brothers' Schemes
March 16, 2013
Evening of music, good food and memories to honor
Dr. Michael Newman
|
 Temple Beth Or |
Shabbat Shalom! 
Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Friday evening at 8:00 p.m.,
with Rabbi Mark Kram on
the bima. Rabbi Mark will speak
about "Tough (or tender) Choices."
Oneg Shabbat will follow the service.
|
D'var Torah
Parashat Matot-Massei
This week's Torah reading is a "double reading", consisting of two parshiot (Torah sections): Matot ("Tribes" or "Rods"-- Numbers 30:2-32:42) and Massei ("Journeys" -- Numbers 33:1-36:13).
Today, we focus on the first half - Matot - and its meaning and relevance for our lives.
It's important to bring to you, my Beth Or congregants, the richness of the tradition through the eyes of brilliant rabbis from all different points of view, including my own. This week, the interpretation of the Torah portion that spoke to me was based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. He spoke of life - how we develop"hardness" in our character having experienced life. And other times when we seek to rid ourselves of that same hardness at the same time. We describe in negative terms an individual as a "tough" person, even as we admire him or her as well. We will denounce, in ourselves and others, behavior that is "obstinate" and "unyielding," but also agree on how important it is to have "backbone", to stand one's ground, and not be swayed from one's principles.
As we go through life, we decide when to be firm or flexible; tough or pliant. That contrast is exemplified in the words of Chassidic master Rabbi Bunim of Pshischa who said that: "A person should have two pockets in his coat. In one pocket he should keep the verse, 'I am but dust and ashes'; his second pocket should contain the Talmudic saying, 'A person is commanded to say: For my sake was the world created.'" At different times in our days or our lives, we reach into one pocket or the other.
There are two names the Torah uses for the tribes of Israel. The Torah refers to Israel's tribes as both shevatim, "branches," or matot, "rods," expressing the idea that they are offshoots from a common stem, distinct from each other yet parts of a greater whole.
The wisdom of the Rebbe taught that, "While shevet and mateh are both synonyms for 'branch,' the shevet is a pliant, flexible bough, while mateh connotes a 'stiff stick' or 'rod.'" In us are both possibilities.
Making the right determination to act as one or the other is what we learn as we mature. Grey hair hopefully reflects greater knowledge and ability to choose wisely.
May we always grow in wisdom in making these choices.
SHABBAT SHALOM!
Rabbi Mark Kram Temple Beth Or, Miami, FL |
The Temple Beth Or Community Extends a Hearty Welcome...
to Linda Levin, who will be serving as a consultant to the Temple. Linda has worked with Rabbi Mark Kram at the University of Miami Hillel and the Florida Hillel Council and was most recently Membership and Outreach Coordinator at Temple Israel. In her role as consultant here, she will be available on the basis of 20 hours each month to work with lay leadership and committee chairs to help coordinate our efforts in the areas of coordination and publicizing of programming, leadership development, and membership retention and recruitment.
In order to be most effective, Linda needs to get to know us and what we're about. A good way for her to do that is to talk to as many individual members as she can. So don't be surprised if you get a phone call from Linda one of these days. And if you do, please feel free to spend some time with her.
This consulting relationship was made possible by those of our members who are participating in the Bridge to the Future fundraising campaign. To learn more about the campaign, call Shep Faber at 305-858-1895 or send an email to yogishep@mac.com.
Shalom & shavuah tov,
Shep
0723 |
|
Chit Chat at Starbucks...
will meet as usual this Wednesday!
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
|
|
Thank You!
to those who have generously
contributed to Temple Beth Or...
Greta Larrison-Malkin, in memory of Merle Schlessel,
father of Marla and Lane Schlessel
Amy Lomaskin and Mel Tenen, in memory of
Mark Lomaskin, Amy's husband
Ossie and Harry Hanauer in memory of Sigmund
Tancer
Norma Rosenfeld, in memory of Chaim Kass
Sheila and Marvin Silverberg, in memory of Sigmund
Silverberg, Marvin's father
Gail and Norman Gelvan
Mimi Eagar, in memory of Joseph Oberstein,
Mimi's father
Shirley & Jerry Pollak, in thanks to Michael Henry
Sharyn Marks, on the yahrzeit of Florence Boss,
Sharyn's grandmother
|
 Ritual Committee Invitation
We invite you to join us for a
Ritual Committee Meeting at Beth Or, Wednesday, July 18th, at 7:30 P.M.
We will discuss music at services, and consider a proposal from Andy Sussman to provide monthly musical support at Beth Or. Andy is the song leader and cantorial soloist st Temple Beth Chai.
We also need to plan out the rest of the summer, discuss service leaders and look towards planning the fall.
If you cannot attend the meeting and have any comments about the agenda, or would like to add other items to the agenda or discuss Ritual matters in general, please email or call Jeff Kaminsky, Ritual Chair @ (305) 663-1218, kaminskyjef-bethor@yahoo.com
Hope to see you there!!
B'Shalom and Todah Rabah |
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.
|
|
It's Membership Time...
Current Members:
If you have not received a membership renewal package either by US Postal Service or by email, please contact the Temple office by phone or email below.
Interested in Beth Or?
Give us a call or an email, and we'll put see that you get everything you need and have all your questions answered.
Please, please, feel free to email or call the Temple with any questions.
305-235-1419 |
|
BIBLIODRAMA: MIDRASH IN ACTION STARTS THIS SATURDAY!
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.
STARTING THIS SATURDAY:
July 21, 10 am to noon: Jacob and Esau - Sale of the Birthright
TO BE FOLLOWED BY:
August 4, 10 am to noon: Joseph - Coat, Dreams, Brothers' Schemes
August 25, 10 am to noon: Judah and Tamar
|
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)
For those who have not yet contributed school supplies for Children Home Society residents, Publix Supermarkets Back to School sale is now being held. A large array of supplies are available at fantastically low prices and buy one/get one free offers. Stop by your neighborhood Publix and see how you can help fill the needs of the residents without emptying your wallet.
Remember . . . this is one of our most successful and appreciated undertakings. There will be a collection box in the Oneg Room until August 9. |
|
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!
|
|
Garden and Grounds 
Beth Or's ORGANIC GARDEN continues to grow!
Though our Organic Garden lacks a green-thumb Team, we have:
a) Collard plants & Brocolli plants are 'hanging in there'
b) new Banana trees (Red Dwarf, Sweet Heart, Ice Cream, Goldfinger, Sweet Heart, Mona Lisa varieties) were joined by new, edible Nopali Cactus plants
c) We see a future in our Wild Edibles, mostly in the Purselane Family
More News:
- Beth Or Irrigation system has been Upgraded with computerized controls, a high-tech Rain Gauge thanks to a $2,800 grant. This is expected to save 40-60% water by calculating plants' true needs based on humidity, temperature, rainfall, season, etc.
- Our Huge Crop of Kosher Compost in in quiet production as micro-organisms and insects degrade, digest and convert discarded plant material to rich, living humus
- The Childrens' World Montessori School readies for another season of organic gardening under the direction of Lead Teacher, Mary Argumedo.
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 great educational and practical resource
Would you like to help in the gardens, particularly on Sunday mornings? Just email Marcy Prince at mprince@miamidade.gov.
|
|
And speaking of Green Stuff...
Irrigation Retrofit Rebate Program
Sign up and receive:
- a free irrigation assessment
- a rebate for retrofitting your irrigation system to improve efficiency
Irrigation assessments are performed by the Urban Conservation Unit for homeowners and Homeowners Associations. Participants can receive rebates for retrofitting the irrigation system to improve water efficiency. Homeowners can receive up to $400 for up to 3 years and Homeowners Associations can receive up to $2,850 for one year.
Participants must fill out the application form below and receive the irrigation assessment before retrofitting the irrigation system.
Join today and commit to protecting our water resources
Contact: Laura A. Vasquez, UofM Coop Extension
305.248.3311 x239
http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/
|
In and For Our Local Community |
PJ Library Story Hour at Books & Books
Join the Gordon Schools of Beth David Congregation for a children's story and activity about kindness to animals and Noah's Ark on Sunday, July 22 at 10:30 am at Books & Books in Coral Gables, 265 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables, FL (305) 442-4408.
Ms. Melissa Shub, teacher at the Gordon Schools' Early Childhood Center, will read "Noah's Bark" by Stephen Krensky, and will help the children make a fun, animal-themed art project.
|
|
 Greater Miami Jewish Federation
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
