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D'Var Torah
Parashat
Ki Tavo
(for September 8, 2012)
Deuteronomy
26:12 - 28:6
using the Triennial
Year II schedule
Haftarah
Isaiah
60:1 - 60:22
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What's Happening
This Week At Beth Or
Monday, September 3
Tuesday, September 4
Wednesday, September 5
Chit Chat at Starbucks 10:00 am
Thursday, September 6
Friday, September 7
"Be Our Guest" Membership Kabbalat Shabbat
Service 8:00 pm
Saturday, September 8
Torah Study 10:15 am
Selichot Service 8:00 pm
Sunday, September 9
Torah School Open House 10:00 am
Monday, September 10
Tuesday, September 11
Wednesday, September 12
Chit Chat at Starbucks 10:00 am
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 Temple Beth Or Events
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Save The Date 
Sunday, September 16
Erev Rosh Hashana Service
Monday, September 17
Rosh Hashana Service
Tuesday, September 18
Rosh Hashana Informal Service
September 19
Executive Committee Meeting
Board of Directors Meeting
Tuesday, September 25
Erev Yom Kippur Service
Wednesday, September 26
Yom Kippur Service
Break the Fast
Sunday, September 30
Sukkah Raising
Wednesday, October 3
Sukkoth Celebration
Friday, October 5
Sukkoth Potluck Dinner and Shabbat Celebration
November 9
New Member Shabbat
November 10
Spaghetti Dinner
March 16, 2013
Evening of music, good food and memories to honor of Dr. Michael Newman |
 Temple Beth Or |
Shabbat Shalom! 
Kabbalat Shabbat Service
this Friday at 8:00 p.m., led by Rabbi Mark Kram, who will ask us, "Are You Doing Anything to Get Ready for the High Holidays?"
The Oneg Shabbat is sponsored by Rose Spector, in honor of her father, Morris Spector's birthday. Mazel Tov!
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D'var Torah
Ki Tavo - September 7-8, 2012
Rabbi Mark S. Kram, Temple Beth Or, Miami, FL
Are you doing anything to get ready for the High Holidays? Have you scheduled your hair appointment? Sent your suit to the cleaners? Planned holiday meals and invited family or friends?
My High Holiday preparation began during the High Holidays last year. Considering what I liked (and didn't), gathering stories, and looking ahead to 2012. Last spring a scholar in residence spent a day with rabbis - I don't know whether I'll use any or some of her material yet. It continued all summer focusing on topics, ideas, reading, thinking, making notes.
And then Elul - the month of preparation when rabbis - and Jews - kick into "high gear." And now, it's almost here.
Saturday night is Selihot - a special service which focuses on starting over for the New Year - a Forgiveness service. Familiar tunes, familiar liturgy - kind of a warm-up for the following weeks. But back to this week. In the annual cycle of readings, "When you come into the land...." falls this weekend. For me it connects the High Holidays with the designated topic, assigned Torah reading for this week. It speaks to me because of the amazing connection between this Shabbat and the HH:
"You have selected the Lord this day, to be your God, and to walk in God's ways, and to observe God's statutes, God's commandments and God's ordinances, and to obey God."
RASHI teaches that we do not find any equivalent expression in the Scriptures which might give us a clue to the meaning of these words. However, it appears to him that the expression הֶאֱמִיר denotes separation and distinction. [Thus, here, the meaning is as follows:] "From all the pagan deities, you have set apart God for yourself, to be your God, and God separated you to Himself from all the peoples on earth to be His treasured people."
The first (and perhaps ONLY) thing you and I need to do for the HH or Shabbat or throughout the year is to be in relationship with God. That's it. To feel close to God. If we are, then to be a Jew who wishes to transform my life follows. If we were to see ourselves in relationship with God, how would our year or our lives proceed? Think about it; reflect on it; meditate or pray on it. It could make ALL the difference!
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Mark
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High Holy Days Schedule
(Services will take place at the locations indicated: either at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 11295 SW 57th Avenue, Miami, or at Temple Beth Or, 11715 SW 87th Avenue, Miami)
Saturday, September 8
Selichot Service 8:00 pm at Temple Beth Or
Sunday, September 16
Erev Rosh Hashana Service: 8:00 - 10:00 pm
in the church sanctuary
Dessert and beverage reception: 10:00 - 11:00 in
the church's Ludder Fellowship Hall
Monday, September 17
Rosh Hashana Morning Service: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
in the church sanctuary
Dessert and beverage reception: 1:00 - 3:00 in
the church's Ludder Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, September 18
Rosh Hashana Informal Service: 10:00 am - noon
at Temple Beth Or
Tuesday, September 25
Erev Yom Kippur Service: 8:00 - 10:00 pm
in the church sanctuary
Wednesday, September 26
Yom Kippur Service: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
in the church sanctuary
Neilah and Havdalah Service: 5:00 pm at
Temple Beth Or
Break the Fast at Temple Beth Or
(reservations and separate charge for this event; time to
be announced)
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And speaking of High Holy Days...
Are you available to serve as an usher at High Holy Days service? We'll have lots of guests and folks who are new to our services, and a warm greeting and an escort to their seats will welcome them to our community.
If you can serve in this capacity, please get in touch with Marti and Tom Gammon as soon as possible.
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Break the Fast
Join us for
Break the Fast
at
Temple Beth Or
following Yom Kippur Services
(time to be announced)
Lox and Bagels
and
a delicious assortment of
salads, desserts and beverages
will be served.
$20 - Adults and Children over 12
$12 - Children 6 - 12
Children under 6 and Adults over 100 Free
Reservations and Money must be received at the Temple by September 21
If you have any questions contact Bette Spector
(305)382-0762
or
BetteSpector@gmail.com
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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
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Thank You!
to those who have generously
contributed to Temple Beth Or...
Edward Stys, in appreciation for being able to attend
services
Eileen Somerset, in memory of Minna Lund
Eileen Somerset, for the donation of a microwave
oven for the TBO kitchen
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Beth Or Torah School Open House this Sunday,
September 9
Beth Or is having a Torah School Open House on
Sunday, Sept 9th 10:00 am - 12:00 noon
Unfortunately Jeff and Chelsea will be out of town, so I would like to invite all the Torah School Families to help present the Beth Or Torah School, with Rabbi Mark, Dan and myself.
Come this Sunday with your ideas!
Can't wait to see you
xxxx
Rowena |
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...
The High Holidays approach!
Thanks to those members who have been contacting the office in the last week or so with renewals!
With High Holidays approaching, please contact the office via phone, email, or U.S. Mail to make sure your membership status is where you want it to be!
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 |
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The Holiday Bazaar Approaches!
The Bazaar committee has out the contract for the November 18th event to numerous prospective vendors.
The Bazaar Committee is looking for a vendor who can bring Judaic items to sell. Please contact Rhoni Tannebaum April Miller if you know someone who would like to join us. Tables are still available for other merchandise.
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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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Garden and Grounds 
House & Grounds accomplishes most tasks, of necessity, using paid labor. But when needs arise for volunteers we'd like to have your name on a list. In return we promise not to:
a) bug you
b) ask for the impossible.
Please advise Kathy (TBO office: 305-235-1419) of your willingness to provide a bit of help when mutually convenient, and thanks!
Jeff Tucker
Would you like to help in the gardens, particularly on Sunday mornings? Just email Marcy Prince at mprince@miamidade.gov.
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In and For Our Local Community
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Create Meaningful Memories at JCS' Milk & Honey
HANDS-ON VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY ON SUN., SEPT. 9, 9-11:30AM
Jewish Community Services of South Florida will be starting the New Year off on a sweet note for hundreds of elderly, disabled and homebound people on Sunday, September 9th, at its annual Milk & Honey. Volunteers will not only assemble and deliver free kosher food baskets, but spend time visiting with recipients to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, which begins on September 16th.
Co-Chair Marty Scheck explained, "This wonderful event is something our seniors, as well as the volunteers and children, look forward to all year long. Volunteers spend one-on-one time sharing the joy of the holiday with seniors who often have no family. It's a mitzvah that truly comes from the heart."
This yearly food distribution is strongly supported by a number of community leaders, including Co-Chairs Vanessa and Gary Ressler, Amy and David Scharlin and Hili and Marty Scheck. The JCS Alliance, a support group of young professionals whose Milk & Honey Committee Chairs are Amy Klosky, Jennifer Kramer, Dana Richards and Laura Sheridan, is also participating by going to Federation Towers to deliver food to the senior residents and provide music and refreshments.
The Milk & Honey Campaign raises funds to support JCS' nutrition programs and to provide special holiday food to those less fortunate in our community. JCS annually provides nearly 225,000 meals to seniors at five congregate meals sites or in their homes through Meals on Wheels, in addition to helping over 600 adults and children through the JCS Kosher Food Bank. Each year, JCS assists more than 25,000 clients of all races, religions and ages in Miami-Dade County though a vast network of senior, behavioral health and vocational support services.
Volunteers will meet at the Greater Miami Jewish Federation at 4200 Biscayne Blvd. starting at 9am on Sunday, September 9th.
To sign up to volunteer or make a donation, please go to: http://jcsfl.org/events/create-meaningful-memories-at-jcs-milk-honey//.
For more information, please contact Marian Mendelsohn* at 305.403.6539 or mmendelsohn@jcsfl.org
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Interest-free Loans Bridge the Gap for Miami-Dade County Students
At a time when so many families are struggling to pay for even the most basic necessities, finding dollars to send a child to college can be even more challenging. But thanks to the Jewish Educational Loan Fund (JELF), some Jewish Miami-Dade County students were able to find the "last dollars" they needed to participate in higher education.
For the 2012-2013 school year, a record number of applicants came to JELF seeking to fill the gap between the resources they assembled through grants, loans and scholarships and the real cost of their education. JELF responded to the rising need by loaning more than ever before in a single year - more than $89,000 to students in the Miami-Dade County area alone, a nearly 15% increase over loans the previous school year. In all, JELF has awarded more than $675,000 in interest-free loans to Jewish students throughout Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia for the coming school year.
Based in Atlanta, JELF makes need-based interest-free loans for post-secondary education, including college, graduate school and vocational courses of study. In South Florida, JELF is administered by Jewish Community Services of South Florida, a local partner agency of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.
Applicants for JELF loans must be residents of Miami-Dade County for at least a year and be eligible for financial aid through their school. Dollars provided through JELF are considered "last-dollar financing," bridging the final gap of all other funding sources.
While JELF currently administers over $3.6 million in outstanding loans, it has maintained its impressive 99 percent repayment rate. As students repay their loans, JELF uses those payments to make new loans, creating a circle of tzedakah. As one loan recipient recently expressed to JELF, "I just wanted to say thank you to JELF for another generous loan for my next school year. I will use the support to its fullest capacity in my path to my career and life!"
Applications for a JELF interest-free loan for the Spring 2013 semester will be available September 2-30, 2012. Applications for the 2013-2014 academic year will be available on JELF's website at www.jelf.org in March 2013. For additional information, contact JELF Executive Director Lara Dorfman at 770-396-3080 or visit www.jelf.org
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Greater Miami Jewish Federation
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Unique Volunteer Opportunity to Bring Comfort to the Sick and Lonely
Discover a remarkable and life-changing opportunity to bring comfort, spiritual solace and joy to people in need. For the fourth consecutive year, The Jewish Chaplaincy Program and Jewish Volunteer Center are seeking volunteers for the Refuat Ha-Nefesh Spiritual Care Program.
Open to those age 18 and older, the Refuat Ha-Nefesh Spiritual Care Program offers practical training on the mitzvah of bikur cholim (visiting the sick) and compassionate visits to people who are lonely or ill. Professional instruction and resources are provided in a group setting by rabbis, doctors and social workers, with topics including the Jewish philosophy in visiting the ill; issues and concerns facing the elderly; Jewish perspective on end-of-life issues and death; Jewish healing rituals; how to handle dementia and depression in seniors with compassion; Jewish medical ethics and more. In addition, participants are able to enjoy three hours a week of hands-on volunteerism in the community.
Beginning November 12, 2012, the program runs through May 13, 2013. Training takes place bi-monthly on Monday evenings at Federation's Stanley C. Myers Building, 4200 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami. Certificates are awarded upon completion and the training is free of charge.
For more information or to apply, contact the Jewish Volunteer Center at 786.866.8414 or Volunteer@jewishmiami.org. The application deadline is October 31, 2012.
What past participants have said about the Refuat Ha-Nefesh program:
* "You go out to visit someone new and you find a new part of yourself."
* "You will encounter a new part of your future as you listen to the hopes and fears of those fighting health battles."
* "My challenge is to bring some Jewish spiritual feeling into my visits. I feel blessed with the opportunity to spend time with my new elderly friends and allow their memories to become my memories and share in the wisdom and warmth of their lives."
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Genealogy: Basics and Beyond
The Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Miami invites you to join us on Sunday September 23 , 2012 as we kick off our new year with speaker Jerry Naditch from the West Palm Beach JGS as he covers
" Geneaology: Basics and Beyond. "
His talk will cover new and old techniques to find your family!
Time: 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Place: Greater Miami Jewish Federation Building
4200 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami
Contact: 305-576-4000
Please bring a photo ID. There is plenty of free parking in the lot which can only be entered from the street (N Federal Hwy) at the rear of building. The gate to the lot is closed and there is a security box on the left side. |
REAL EXPERIENCE FROM AN INTERNSHIP IN ISRAEL
Spending 5 to 10 months kick-starting their career with world-class innovators who won't send them out for coffee, our interns are a real part of the action.
Here at Masa Israel Journey, we don't just help find the best internships, we also offer funding to help get there.
Go to www.MasaIsrael.org/Intern to see how we can help find and fund the perfect internship.
For more information, contact masa@gmjf.org or call 305.576.4000.
START HERE. GO FURTHER. |
Social Action Network/Jewish Volunteer Center Day of Service
On Sunday, September 9, the Social Action Network (ages 22-39) of the Jewish Volunteer Center (JVC) of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation will participate in a meaningful volunteer opportunity at the Ronald McDonald House, a home for families whose children are patients at Holtz Children's Hospital.
Together, volunteers will prepare dinner and dessert for the guest families staying at the house. The program will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Ronald McDonald House, 1145 Northwest 14 Terrace, Miami.
This volunteer opportunity is part of the week of the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance to honor the legacy of the 9/11 victims and survivors, as well as those who have given their lives in service during times of need.
The JVC has partnered with The Network, Federation's under-40 division, to provide an opportunity for members of the community to take part in the Jewish values of chesed (loving kindness), tzedakah (social justice) and tikkun olam (repairing the world) through service.
Jeremy Ben David and Alexandra Lehson are the Chairs for this event. The JVC Chair is Mark Kravitz. The Network Chairs are Amanda Adler and Scott Wagner.
Limited space is available. There is no cost to participate.
For more information, contact JVC Director Lori Drutz at Volunteer@jewishmiami.org or call 786.866.8414.
The mission of the Jewish Volunteer Center (JVC) of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation is to partner with Jewish and communal organizations in Miami to create a culture of volunteerism by providing a central clearinghouse for volunteers in the Miami Jewish community. Guided by the Jewish values of chesed (loving kindness), tzedakah (social justice) and tikkun olam (repairing the world), the JVC works to strengthen the entire community through high-quality, hands-on volunteer projects and service learning initiatives.
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Leo Martin March of the Living
April 4 - 17, 2013
CAJE tells us that information sessions are available in the South Dade area for the upcoming March of the Living at the following locations:
Greater Miami Jewish Federation Building, 4200 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, Wednesday, August 15, 7:00 p.m.
Bet Shira Congregation, 7500 SW 120 St., Miami, Thursday, August 16, 7:00 p.m.
March of the Living Parlor Meeting, located at a private home in the Palmetto Bay area, 7:30 p.m.; call 305-576-4030, ext. 144 for RSVP and address.
Seating is limited; please reserve your spot today!
Send your RSVP's to: LMMOLMIAMI@CAJE-MIAMI.ORG. Please provide the session date and the number of persons attending.
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