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Temple Beth Tikvah News October 2010
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Come be a part of our growing Reform synagogue. All are welcome!
Welcome to new members:
Maty Konigsberg and David Kleber
Sidney and Marcia Garon
Debbie and Jereon, & Jack Walhof
Loren and Scott, & Gabriel and Jessica Radzik
Ari Halpren and Lisa Cena and Vida
Jamie and David, & Logan Danek
Marshall and Lisa, & Laz Glickman
Upcoming events:
Oct. 17 10:30 a.m. - Board meeting
Oct. 29 6:00 p.m. - Kabbalat Shabbat service
Oct. 31 12:00 p.m. - Scholastic book fair co-sponsored with JCCO
On the horizon:
Nov. 3 Board-sponsored dinner for Bethlehem Inn
For more details on any of these events, see our complete schedule of Services, School activities and Events online: http://www.bethtikvahbend.org/events.html.
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 Join Us for Simchat Torah! October 1st Simchat Torah, Hebrew for "rejoicing in the Law", celebrates the completion of the annual reading of the Torah. Simchat Torah is a joyous festival in which we affirm our view of the Torah as a tree of life and demonstrate a living example of never-ending, lifelong study. Torah scrolls are taken from the ark and carried or danced around the synagogue seven times. During the Torah service, the concluding section of Deuteronomy is read, and immediately following, the opening section of Genesis, or Bereishit as it is called in Hebrew, is read.
Join Temple Beth Tikvah for this joyous celebration during Shabbat services on Friday, October 1st at 6:00 pm. Both of the Temple's Torah scrolls will be included in the service - reading of the last verse of Deuteronomy from one and the first verse of Genesis from the other.
Services will include Israeli music and dancing and will be followed by an Oneg Shabbat. |
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 You are Invited to Shabbat 101 - Oct. 15th
Shabbat, one of the most important of all Jewish holidays has three qualities: rest, holiness and joy. We light candles, say Kiddish over wine and recite Hamotzi over challah. Shabbat is primarily a day of rest and spiritual enrichment. The word "Shabbat" comes from the Shin-Beit-Tav, meaning to cease, to end, or to rest.
There are two parts to fulfilling Shabbat: to remember it and observe it. Remembering Shabbat includes a lot more than not forgetting to observe it. One must remember the significance of Shabbat, as a commemoration of creation.
Come celebrate Shabbat with Temple Beth Tikvah on October 15th at 6:00. Rabbi Ettman will conduct a brief service followed by a traditional Shabbat dinner. Children are encouraged to attend because they will be making Challah covers during part of the service. We will use the Challah covers during the dinner that includes an educational component for all of us - thus Shabbat 101.
Lisa Glickman and Marcia Uri have offered to cook chicken and roasted root vegetables for everyone who attends Shabbat 101. If you would like to participate in setting up this event, please contact Leslie Conley via email: leslie.conley@bendbroadband.com.
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Greetings from Rabbi Glenn Ettman
 Dear Temple Beth Tikvah Family,
This past High Holy Day experience was truly one of the greatest I have ever been a part of. We were blessed to have our wonderful community come together. Our services were enhanced by our singing and participation. And I hope we all learned at least one new thing.
In addition to continuing to learn in our own lives, and keeping up the momentum, I want us to continue something else. On Yom Kippur afternoon, we read from a section of the Torah referred to as the Holiness Code (Leviticus Chapter 19). Within it we hear, in some ways, a recapitulation of the Ten Commandments but with more descriptions. Each word is very important and meaningful, but couched in the text we find what I believe to be the hardest commandment we have in Judaism.
In the middle of this section of the Torah, we read "V'ahata L'reyecha C'mocha," which translates as, "You should love your neighbor as yourself." Now these words don't necessarily sound too hard. In fact, it is precisely from these words that the great Rabbi Hillel of Talmudic times derived his teaching, "Do not do unto others as you would not want done unto yourself." Further, this quote from Leviticus is where another Rabbi, (whose legacy went onto to symbolize other things,) Jesus, derived what we know as the "golden rule" - do unto others as you would want done unto yourself.
These sentiments are so beautiful and meaningful in our everyday lives. So what then makes the original statement so hard? "Loving your neighbor as yourself" is hard because it presupposes you love YOURSELF! It may be easy to love our neighbors or to think about acting wisely or justly towards them. But without actually loving ourselves, it is as if our actions are somewhat hollow. The message of this section of the Torah is that we must first love "the I"; then we can have an influence in the larger world.
We are reminded of this commandment ten days into the New Year. This is not just a quick New Year's resolution that gets swept with the confetti of celebrations past, but rather a challenge for each of us. And so that is my challenge to you. What are the ways that you can be proud of yourself in this coming year? How will you be able to try to fulfill this commandment? What can you do that makes you feel proud?
All it takes is one thing...I look forward to hearing from each of you what you are doing. Blessings always,
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President's Message
 Greetings,
On Yom Kippur we remembered our call for repentance, prayer, and charity.
During the prior month of Elul, it was our job to ask friends and acquaintances for forgiveness and acceptance. I ask all of you for your forgiveness if I have offended or hurt you in any way in the past year. The act of Repentance is easy. Finding the courage to do so is not always so simple, but once done, it is always gratifying.
During our last adult education session, Rabbi Ettman taught us about "kavanah," which is the "intent" or "mindset" for prayer. The most important part of prayer is the introspection it provides. We need to have an awareness that we are speaking to G-d, otherwise we are not praying but merely reading. I try to pray with kavanah in synagogue and at home and feel confident that I have my own unique, meaningful connection with G-d.
And then there is Tzedakah. So many ways to translate that word. And how much is enough? There's no easy answer to that question. How do you decide how much to give? Is it based on what you have done in the past? Is it based on what you think is needed? Is it based on what your parents taught you to give? During the coming year I encourage each of you to think about doing 18 acts of tzedakah.
Keep in mind, that is less than two acts a month. It can be in the form of an act of kindness or any philanthropic act that is meaningful to you. You could donate money or your time to Bethlehem Inn, sponsor an oneg, volunteer at your children's school, make a donation in honor of your family, tell someone you appreciate them, help someone in a time of need, etc.
There are many people that already contribute well above this number and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. There are others that have contributed generously financially, and I thank you for that, but time contributed would be invaluable. We need people to donate their ideas, skills and passion to our community.
I hope everyone commits to the growth of our temple and to our individual spirituality. We need everyone's help in continuing to grow and provide a wonderful place for all of us to call home.
As we look back at the year 5770 and think about things we want to change, and we look forward to 5771 with the intent to better ourselves, think about the intangible gifts you can give to others. If we all strive to live our lives in a morally righteous way, I believe we will all and be inscribed in the book of life, and be blessed, with love, health, friendship, and peace. B'Shalom,Lisa UriPresident, Temple Beth Tikvah |
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TBT Library
 TBT is in the process of developing a Jewish Library. At present we have 72 books ranging from novels to Tanakhs, from history to travel in Israel. We also have three music CD's and four VHS on the Holocaust. If you would like to donate books or other media with a Jewish theme, contact Tully Ellsberg at tulleyel@aol.com or Bev Adler at fiberartist@bendcable.com. |
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Thanks to:
Jerry and Phyllis Greenbach for creating a terrific and tasty Tashlich at Pioneer Park.
Rabbi Ettman - for leading us in memorable and spiritual services for the High Holy Days.
High Holy Days committee and everyone who helped set up and clean up for the holidays. |
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TBT Board Notes
Your TBT Board meets monthly and everyone is invited to attend. The next board meeting is Sunday, October 17th - location tbd. Dates and times of Board meetings are on the TBT calendar at www.bethtikvahbend.org/events.html.
If you would like to read the minutes of previous board meetings you can request a copy board from Board Secretary Ralph Uri: raduri@bendcable.com.
Rabbi Ettman is available via email. If you want to set up an appointment please email him at: rabbiettman@bethtikvah.org. His office hours are Friday, October 15th, from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
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Religious Committee - Sukkot Thanks
Lauren Olander, Chair
 On Sukkot: Following on the heels of High Holy Days for countless generations the Jewish people have taken time each autumn to stop and give thanks for the harvest. An important means of celebrating the bounty of nature and our gratitude for it is by the building of sukkot (huts/booths) that are reminiscent of the temporary shelters used by the Jewish people as they lived and traveled in the desert after the exodus from Egypt and the slavery they endured.
Thanks to Dan, Laurel and Jesse Fishkin, who hosted the Sukkot by having our youth create decorations and meaningful expressions of gratitude. Children decorated the sukkah and we enjoyed a wonderful evening meal including sweet smells of harvest as we inhaled the lemony and sweet smelling etrog. We shook the branches of the lulav in all directions to show that God is everywhere.
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 Education Committee - TBT Participating in PJ Library Program
David Uri, Chair
The Education Committee and TBT Board have proudly approved participation in the PJ Library program. All families with children between the ages of 1 and 8 will be receiving (beginning later this year) an age-appropriate Jewish book on a monthly basis as well as selected texts for parents. This is made possible by the Harold Witherspoon Foundation and the Oregon Jewish Federation; TBT and the JCCO as well. Books are sent at no cost to parents. We will also be incorporating some of the books in our Sunday School Program. For more information please see www.pjlibrary.org.
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 Social Committee
Linda Brant and Harriet Richard Co-chair
-If you've ever wanted to learn how to make jewelry this is your chance, Saturday, October 30, 1:00-4:30 at the home of Seanna Jollo. Seanna lives at 19939 Birch Lane and will be glad to supply directions, 541 480-6222. Please RSVP to Linda Brant 542 382-3422 that you will join us. Seanna will provide coffee and dessert. However, it would be nice if you would bring a bottle of wine to ease our frustrations as we learn, and for Seanna as a hostess gift. A teacher will be available to teach us all the intricacies of making just the right piece of jewelry for you, or as a gift for Hanukkah.
- Please let the social committee know if you have ideas for other fun projects, hikes, game nights, speakers, or other frivolous pursuits that you would like to help plan. We all need to let off steam and have a good laugh and what better way than to do so with a community of friends.
- The social committee asks for your help this year with cleanup. Each rabbinic weekend, we are asking one of our committees to take half and hour after the oneg and assist with putting away tables, chairs and food.
- For the lay led service, the people leading the service will be responsible for cleanup. The social committee will be glad to supply the sweet table unless a congregant has offered to sponsor that Shabbat.
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TBT Tributes
You may honor the lives and achievements of your friends and relatives via a tribute with a donation to TBT. You can do this by sending a check and the name and address of the person being honored to TBT at P.O. Box 7472, Bend 97708. Donations are made to the temple's general purpose fund.
Temple Beth Tikvah gratefully acknowledges the following contributions:
- From Neil and Cheryl Schlackman to honor birth of Leo Sklar, grandson of Vicki & Bruce Sklar.
- From Harriet Richard and David Dietz for Beverly Adler's speedy recovery.
- From Terry & Gary Reynolds in fond memory of Phyllis Borne.
- From Jo-Ann Ray & Larry Barker in memory of Phyllis Bourne.
- From Neil and Cheryl Schlackman in blessed memory of Gert Eisenberg.
- From David and the Uri girls in recognition of Lisa Uri and all that she does for our Jewish community.
- From Lynn Connelley - Thank you for the referral for a Realtor that came through our website.
- From David and Lisa Uri - Many thanks to the High Holy Day committee for allowing TBT to have another wonderful High Holy Day experience.
- From David and Lisa Uri - Thank you to Rabbi Ettman for his enthusiasm and warmth. We are thrilled to have him as part of our TBT family.
- From David and Lisa Uri - Thank you to Lauren Olander for all of her hard work on every TBT religious event.
- From David and Lisa Uri - Happy 4th birthday to Amanda Uri.
- From David and Lisa Uri - Thank you to the Fishkin family for hosting a wonderful Sukkot service.
- High Holy Days donations from:
Paul and Liz Levinson
Bruce and Susan Levin
Gary and Judy Liberson
Gerald and Phyllis Greenbach,
Howard and Marcia Koff
Terry and Gary Reynolds
Leslie Conley and Joe Jezukewicz
Marilyn and Phillip Ettman, Thanks for making us feel so welcome.
Carl and Judith Schlosberg donation to cover babysitting costs for HH.
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Bits 'n Pieces
Volunteer Needs
Sponsor an oneg: Harriet and Linda, co-chairs of the social committee, would like to recruit you to sponsor an oneg following a Friday night service. Your baked goods or cash contribution toward sponsorship are highly appreciated. Contact Linda Brant lindybrant@aol.com or Harriet Richard davidharriet@gmail.com.
E-Scrip
Did you know you can earn money for TBT every time you use your Safeway Club Card? Ask your friends and family to sign up and they too will be helping TBT.
You can access eScrip by clicking on this link and following these simple steps.
- On the home page choose "members/supporters"
- On the second page, click on "sign up"
- On the next page - choose "Group Registration" and type in Temple Beth Tikvah. You will then be given an option between two TBT's. Choose TBT in Bend, OR.
- Type in your information and Safewat Club Card number. (Note you are not obligated to put in more than one card number.)
The newsletter is being emailed to both members and non-members around the 28th day of each month. If you have something you want to include in the newsletter, please email it to leslie.conley@bendbroadband.com by the 20th of each month. As always, you will continue to receive "e-minders" before important events take place.
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TBT Men's Nite - Oct. 20th
The next TBT Men's Nite will celebrate our first year of gatherings and regulars as well as new men are asked to bring their significant others for this one. It will be held on Wednesday, October 20th at 5:30 for happy hour. Please hold the date. The venue will be finalized soon and those who RSVP will be notified by email. Please RSVP to Lawrence: susarch@bendbroadband.com.
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| Newsletter Sponsors
Please mention their ads and remember to thank our sponsors next time you're in one of these shops:
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TBT Board and Committee Chairs
Board officers:
Board members at large:
Committee chairs:
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| About Temple Beth Tikvah
Temple Beth Tikvah is a new Jewish congregation based in Bend, Oregon. We are affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism and are excited to become the first Reform synagogue in Central Oregon.
Our members come from a range of Jewish backgrounds, including Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist and Renewal. Temple Beth Tikvah welcomes interfaith families and Jews by choice.
We are committed to providing a Jewish education for our children as well as stimulating educational activities for adults. We value social action and strive to provide a Jewish cultural, social and religious experience in Central Oregon.
Temple Beth Tikvah is a warm and enthusiastic community that includes families, singles and "empty nesters." We are a mix of long-time Bend residents and newcomers from around the country who moved here to enjoy Central Oregon's beauty, active lifestyle and quality of life.
Please contact us at 541-388-8826 or info@bethtikvahbend.org for more information.
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