Temple Beth Tikvah Monthly News

There's a lot going on at TBT this first weekend of December! In addition to the usual schedule of Shabbat services and Adult Ed, we've got something special happening each of the three days. See below for details on all events: Join Us

Dec. 2nd - Special Presentation on BRCA, Cancer & Jews

Following an abbreviated Kabbalat Shabbat service with Rabbi Ettman, Temple Beth Tikvah will host Amy Theberge, Community Relationship Manager of the American Cancer Society on Friday, December 2nd. Ms. Theberge will be speaking on the BRCA mutations and their prevalence in the Ashkenazi Jewish population. The presentation includes a history of the population, a brief DNA science lesson, and talk about testing and screening guidelines. Service begins at 6:30 in the sanctuary. The Special presentation will take place downstairs during the Oneg and will begin shortly after the service ends at approx. 7:30.

Dec. 3rd - Red, White & Rabbi

On Saturday, December 3rd from 5:00 - 7:30 p.m., stop by Portello Wine Café at 2754 Northwest Crossing Drive in Bend for an informal gathering. Have a glass of wine, chat with the Rabbi, and visit with your TBT family.

Dec. 4th - Community Chanukah Party

On Dec 4th, the TBT Sunday School will be hosting a community Chanukah party. We have invited
unaffiliated families in Bend to celebrate with us as well as inviting all families of the JCCO. Please come join the celebrations, beginning at 4:00 p.m.

Thanksgiving and Chanukah Books in the TBT Library

Here's a sample selection of some of the Thanksgiving and Chanukah books we have in the TBT Library. Check them out by contacting Tully Ellsberg. Books on shelf

Molly's Pilgrim

Weaving a gentle message about learning from other cultures into an easy-to-read story, Molly's Pilgrim is a thoughtful look at the problems of a young immigrant. Third-grade Molly is miserable in her new school, where she is constantly taunted about not speaking English perfectly and being Jewish. When her mother makes a doll for the class Thanksgiving project, Molly is even more humiliated: the doll looks like a little Russian girl, not a Pilgrim. But as Molly and her classmates learn, "Pilgrim" can mean anyone who travels to find freedom: like Molly and her family. Although set around the turn of the century, Molly's sympathetic narrative could be that of any "pilgrim" today. Ages 5-8

The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Hate

This picture book tells the true story of an inspiring event: when windows with Hanukkah menorahs become targets for rock throwers in Billings, Montana in 1993, thousands of non-Jewish people put pictures of menorahs in their windows, dramatically reducing the number of hate crimes in their city. Ages 5-10

Light the Lights

One of very few pictures books about interfaith holiday celebrations, Light the Lights is the story of a little girl named Emma whose family happily celebrates both Hannukah and Christmas. Ages 4 & up

While the Candles Burn

Taking an unusual and interesting approach to Hanukkah stories, this collection features eight tales which aren't specifically about Hanukkah, but which express some of the traditional themes and meanings of the holiday. As introductions to the stories point out, Hanukkah is celebrated in different ways by Jews around the world: one of most interesting stories, an original, modern-day tale, is set at a bilingual Israeli/Arab school to express a theme of reconciliation and peace-a part of Hanukkah celebrations in Greece. (This school, Oasis of Peace, actually exists in Israel!) Ages 5+

Greetings From Rabbi Ettman
Rabbi Ettman Photo

Dear Friends,

Chanukah is so much more than a holiday filled with Jelly Donuts and Chanukiot (and well timed during the secular holiday season). Chanukah is also an important holiday that celebrates the Justice, Freedom and the power of faith.

Each night, after you light your candles, sing your songs, give your gifts and eat your food, perhaps we can all do one thing more to help realize the power of this holiday. I encourage you to visit one web site dealing with a significant cause in our world today; some place dedicated to promoting Justice, Equality and Freedom. After all, we are celebrating a great miracle that happened long ago, this is our way of helping bring miracles to our time.

Also, as a way of enhancing this new ritual, what if each family member offers a blessing or a wish according to each candle. By doing this, we would thereby put into effect four central Chanukah themes; FREEDOM, which the Maccabees won; DEDICATION, the literal translation of the word Chanukah; FAITH, the willingness to take a step towards living out God's values even if our resources to do so seem inadequate; and LIGHT, the defiance of our darkest time of the year by working to brighten our world and realizing our place as a light among the nations.

I encouraged each one of our families to choose their own sites and to place them in their own order, but here are some suggestions to get started:

Consider these "8 Crazy Sites for your 8 Crazy Nights..."

(1) For global hunger, www.oxfam.org or www.hungernomore.org;

(2) For global AIDS, www.globalaidsalliance.org;

(3) For the genocide in Sudan, www.savedarfur.org;

(4) For Israel http://rac.org/advocacy/issues/issueisr/ or www.jstreet.org;

(5) For the environment, www.coejl.org;

(6) For all of the above, and more, www.rac.org, the Religious Action Center of our Reform Movement;

(7) For breast cancer awareness, www.thebreastcancersite.com;

(8) For today's issues, http://occupywallst.org/.

Ask yourself, how can we make Chanukah Miracles Today?

With Blessings of Light, Hope and Happiness,

Rabbi Ettman is available via email. If you want to set up an appointment, please email him at: rabbiettman@bethtikvahbend.org. His office hours are Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

President's Message
From TBT President Lisa Uri

Over the next few months the TBT Board of Directors, and the membership as a whole, are going to make some decisions regarding our future and the direction of our congregation. First and foremost, we are going to explore the possibility of having religious activities throughout the month by seeking a rabbi or cantor who would reside in Bend and more regularly serve our community.

Rabbi Ettman has really done an amazing job for us, and he very well may continue to act as our rabbi. We love having him in town, but it is unfortunate that currently he is only with us once a month. Therefore, we felt it would be wise to open a search for a spiritual leader who can become a "Bendite." Rabbi Ettman is most definitely aware of, and involved in, this process. His plans for the future are not yet entirely certain and are evolving, as are ours.

As you probably know, we recently did a quick survey of the membership and we were pleased with the results. Most members are happy with the quality of our services, our music, adult education, Torah study, and Sunday school. But there is also room for improvement in some areas, and we need your input. TBT's planning committee will be conducting a series of small group forums to get your thoughts in some key areas, such as what you would like out of our spiritual leadership, our values, educational programs, social activities, our volunteer work, etc. You will be contacted sometime over the next couple of months by a member of the planning committee.

We want to reiterate that none of this precludes Rabbi Ettman from possibly continuing with our current arrangement, or some variation of our current arrangement. We will keep you informed as these processes unfold, and if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. We should all be proud of our progress and excited about our potential growth in the future.

B'shalom,

Lisa Uri

Taizé Service December 1st

All members of TBT are invited to participate in an hour of prayerful Taize music and silence at our monthly ecumenical Evensong Service, 7pm, Thursday, December 1, at St. Francis Catholic Center (St. Clare Chapel,) 2450 NE 27th St., Bend. For more information call 541-383-4179.

Back Door Café - a Mitzvah Waiting for You

Back Door Cafe Compassionate Care Ministry

HELP WANTED: The Back Door Café needs cooks, servers, and cleaning crew on Wednesday mornings between 7:30 - 11:00 am; come for any hour or stay the morning. No experience necessary. Generous payment in thank-you's and grateful smiles.

THE JOB: Setup begins at 7:30 - setting the tables, making coffee, starting oatmeal, making PB&J sandwiches for guests to take for later in the day, preparing the pancake mix or French toast for grilling. By 8:15 the guests begin arriving for an 8:30 breakfast start. We cook and serve till 10:30 when cleanup begins and we're out by 11:00.

The Back Door Café opened the end of June at the Methodist Church to provide breakfast for those in need. The Café began serving pancakes and hot oatmeal, cold cereal and fruit to about 12 people.

This past Wednesday, we served stuffed French toast, sausage, hot and cold cereal, fresh fruit, milk, juice and coffee to nearly 50 men, women and children - all came back for seconds, some had thirds! But when it might be your only meal, you need to fill up. Those who come for breakfast are often there for the Methodist Church's compassionate care ministry, which provides bus passes, food, help with utility bills, prescriptions and more for those in need.

There are young couples with toddlers, 20-somethings who've lost jobs and are going to COCC for retraining, middle-aged people that are out of work. Some are sleeping on friends or relatives' couches, some outdoors in the cold. There are a few self-described hobos. They are all trying to make their way through this difficult time and are very appreciative of the help and a meal.

If you'd like to come by and help out, just call Jeanne Freeman to schedule. If enough people are interested we can do a TBT Wednesday. If you'd like to make a donation, both food and cash are welcome. For more information, please email Jeanne at jfreeman@bendbroadband.com.

Weekend In Quest Coming in Feb.

For all Judaic Studies Enthusiasts

"Weekend in Quest", a Shabbaton sponsored by the Institute for Judaic Studies, and co-sponsored by Temple Beth Tikvah, is scheduled for February 24, 25 and 26, 2012, in Astoria, OR. This is an opportunity to study with an outstanding scholar, celebrate Shabbat and visit with old and new friends for a weekend. Professor Oren Kosansky, associate professor of anthropology at Lewis & Clark College, will speak on the Modern Moroccan Jewish experience. For more details, please refer to the website http://weekendinquest.org. The registration form is a part of the website. A new feature this year is the ability to use Paypal to register and pay online. For more information please contact Addie Banasky at addieban@comcast.net, or Mimi Epstein at mimiepstein42@comcast.net.

TBT Board Notes
Next Board Meeting: December 13th, 7:00 p.m.

Your TBT Board meets monthly and everyone is invited to attend. Dates and times of Board meetings are on the TBT calendar at http://bethtikvahbend.org/calendar.

If you would like to read the minutes of previous board meetings, you can request a copy from Board Secretary Kathy Schindel: schindelke@aol.com.

Committee News

Education News

by David Uri, chair

On Dec 4, the Sunday School will be hosting a Chanukkah party. We have invited unaffiliated families in Bend to celebrate with us as well as inviting all
families of the JCCO. Feel free to drop by to help the kids celebrate, sing songs and make crafts.

A representative of Camp Kalsman, URJ Camp in Arlington, Washington, will be making a short presentation and will be available to answer questions. First time campers are eligible for a $1000 grant towards enrollment. If you are interested in more information on camp or the first time camper grant, please join us at the presentation or follow the links above. There is also more information about first time camper grants for PJ Library subscribers on the PJ Library website.

Hands around the world drawing Social Action Updates

Beverly Adler and Bonnie Ruby, co-chairs

Book Fair

Thank you to the TBT volunteers who worked at the Barnes & Noble book fair on Sunday, November 06, 2011. They include Vivien Freeman, Jo-Ann Ray, Harriet Richard, Ann Rosenfield, Bonnie Ruby, and Lorraine Shapiro. Further, Suzanne Schlosberg generously spoke about her ventures in creating The Good Neighbor Cookbook as one of the guest speakers during the fair. We especially want to thank the many temple members who came and shopped that day.

Bethlehem Inn

Once again, BI residents were appreciative of our yummy dinner. Thank you to our cookers, bakers and servers: Audrey Ellen Cook, Vivien Freeman, Harriet Richard, Ann Rosenfield, Bonnie Ruby, Marcia Koff, Marcia Uri, Jill Muinch, Vic & Sophia Chudowsky, Kathy Schindel, Lynne Connelley and Beverly Adler.

I want to thank the Safeway troopers who took time out of there day to stand and promote the Bethlehem Inn Food Drive on November 20th. Huge hugs are extended to Lorraine Shapiro, Lawrence Schechter, George Brandt & Maxwell Friedman, and Jeffrey Adler for helping.

Havdallah With A Purpose - St. Charles NICU

Our gift bags runneth over! TBT once again donated a plethora of preemie and newborn items so that numerous gift bags can be made for the families of babies in the NICU at St. Charles. We have stuffed animals, sleepers, knitted hats & booties, diapers, quilts and other lovely baby items. Generous cash donations that exceeded $140 will allow us to fill in any gaps once we know what we still need. Fourteen gift bags are filled to the brim! Thank you, TBT!

The following is a note we received from one of the NICU nurses:

A Thanksgiving Story

by Sara Mosher, RN, BSN, MHA; NICU Clinical Practice Coordinator

"We in fact already gave a bag to a boy family. The family just moved out of a hotel, into emergency housing, have literally NOTHING, and were soooo thrilled to get some clothes, blankets, a stuffed animal, diapers and a diaper bag. We also gave them a Bringing Your Baby Home card that made the mom tear up! They were incredibly thankful. Especially this week being Thanksgiving, it was nice to be able to show this family that there are generous people in our community who care about making their day home special!"

Thank you TBT members; your continuous gifts are cherished by other people who are less fortunate.

January Newsletter Deadline: December 20th

This newsletter is emailed to both members and non-members at the end of each month. If you have something you want to include in the newsletter, please e-mail it to leslie.conley@bendbroadband.com by the 20th of each month. As always, you will continue to recieve "e-minders" before important events take place.

Shalom,

Leslie Conley and Sara Charney Cohen

TBT Men's Night - Special Date:

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 21st

Although the TBT monthly Men's Night is generally held on the third Tuesday of each month, in December it will be on the third Wednesday in order not to conflict with the first night of Chanukah. The next TBT Men's Night will be Wednesday, December 21st, 5:30 p.m. at Tetherow Grill Restaurant located at 61240 Skyline Ranch Road
Bend, OR, 541.388.2582. All men of TBT are invited. For more info, contact Lawrence at 541-408-3638 or at susarch@bendbroadband.com.

A Special Note of Thanks

To my wonderful extended family in the TBT:

My heart swells with gratitude for the overwhelming response from so many of you during my recent surgery and recovery. I'm doing well, and plan to see many of you at upcoming services and social gatherings. Thanks for your thoughts, presence, prayers, and gallons of Jewish penicillin.

Shalom,

Lawrence

TBT Tributes

You may honor the lives and achievements of friends and relatives via a tribute with a donation to TBT. You can do this online or by sending a check and the name and address of the person being honored to TBT at P.O. Box 7472, Bend, OR, 97708. Donations are made to the Temple's general purpose fund unless otherwise specified.

Temple Beth Tikvah gratefully acknowledges the following contributions:

From David Dietz and Harriet Richard, sending Get Well Soon wishes to Ron Ruby.
From Neil and Cheryl Schlackman, congratulating The Silvers of Merion Station, PA, on Paige's bat mitzvah.
From Neil and Cheryl Schlackman, congratulating Dr. & Mrs. L. Kaliner of Haverford, PA, on the bat mitzvah of their granddaughter Amanda.

About Temple Beth Tikvah

Temple Beth Tikvah is a growing Jewish congregation based in Bend, Oregon. We are affilliated 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 stimulation 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.