Temple Beth Tikvah Monthly News

Which comes first: the blessing over the wine or the hamotzi? What do the two Shabbat candles symbolize?

Join us for Shabbat 101 and you will learn the answers to these and other questions about our most important holiday!

TBT members and their guests are invited to this wonderful evening of learning, dining, and singing Shabbat songs. The children will be decorating candlesticks!

Mark your calendar and remember to RSVP (check your email for the Evite) for TBT's 2nd Annual Shabbat 101 Dinner on Friday, February 3rd at 6:00 p.m. This will be a family-friendly evening with music and activities for the kids. You are welcome to bring wine for dinner, and please bring a challah cover.

Greetings From Rabbi Ettman
Rabbi Ettman Photo

Dear Friends,

This week, when I am next in Bend, (February 3-5, 2012,) we will be celebrating our annual Shabbat 101. Shabbat 101 is a wonderful way to join as a community, learn a little more about how we can make Shabbat meaningful in our lives, and a great chance to eat very delicious food!

This month, I encourage each of us to take a moment and begin to figure out how we can each bring one new dimension of Shabbat into our lives. For two years, I have been continually impressed by the exhaustive amount of work many of us are continuing to do in order to create our community. But what also infuses creativity is learning with one another and growing.

Rabbi Lawrence Kushner suggests that Shabbat should be about "what you CAN do" rather than any prohibitions that may inhibit your celebration.

My challenge question to each of you is this: "What is your idea of a Shabbat?" and "What is one element of your Shabbat that you will bring this WEEK (and month)?"

For example, Irra's and my Shabbat includes a nice dinner with the blessings on Friday night (accompanied by a nice glass of Pinot Noir) and then our Saturday involves something fun and playful - never anything work related. The Torah explains that we must "ONEG SHABBAT" -literally, enjoy Shabbat. So what is it that you want to enjoy? And moreover, what is it that you are GOING to enjoy?

In this day and age we all want to work hard and do as much as we can. But, we must also rest and be refreshed.

May we each find a moment, this month more than any other, to rest and to be refreshed.

Always,

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

Greetings,

As many of you already know, Rabbi Ettman is leaving us at the end of our fiscal year - June 30th . We are sorry to see him go but so grateful for the time he has been with us.

We have begun the process of finding a new spiritual leader for TBT. The board has selected Adam Diskin to lead our spiritual leader search committee. Working with him are Lester Dober, Corrie Grudin, Sara Charney Cohen and David Kalov. We are thrilled to have such a diverse and thoughtful group of people responsible for this task. We have been fortunate, since our formation in 2008, to be led by wonderful clergy, and I am confident we will continue that trend. The board has decided that, in order to continue to grow our congregation, we would like to have someone working part-time for us, but living in Bend as part of our community. We have posted job descriptions on clergy websites and the URJ is also aware of our search. Please contact Adam if you know anyone who might be interested in this position.

We are always changing and growing. Right now we are in a state of significant transition. The spiritual leader search committee is devoted to this process and I have no doubt they will find candidates who recognize how special TBT is and who will promote continued spiritual fulfillment and membership growth. Please give them your confidence and support as they do their job. If you have any questions about the process, feel free to email me.

I am very much looking forward to meeting our new spiritual leader candidates in the next several months, and I am ready to embrace what the future holds for TBT.

Additionally, I would like to thank everyone who made our wonderful weekend with Cantor Bruner possible, thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor and hard work by Lauren Olander. Everyone enjoyed having her here and we truly hope to share more weekends like that with her. Thank you Cantor Bruner!

B'shalom,

Lisa Uri

Invitation to Taizé

Taize candles

All members of TBT are invited to participate in an hour of prayerful Taizé music and silence at our monthly ecumenical Evensong Service, 7pm, Thursday, February 2, at St. Francis Catholic Center, (St. Clare Chapel), 2450 NE 27th St.,Bend. For more information call 383-4179.

Jews, God and History - Feb. 5th
Introduction to Judaism/

The Jewish Roots of Christianity

Instructor: Rabbi Jay Shupack Jewish Roots class logo

An 8-week course offered every Sunday from February 5th to March 25th - 1:00 to 2:30 PM - Nativity Lutheran, 60850 Brosterhous Rd, Bend

We will explore Jewish History from Abraham to Constantine (1800 B.C.E until 300 or so C.E.) Class includes Jewish humor, Jewish music, and images that will surprise you! Learn about Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, King David, and the Prophets using the original Hebrew texts. Learn about people you've probably never heard of such as Yochanan Ben Zakai, and Bar Kochba and how they influenced Jewish and Christian History and thought. You will learn about Israel, the Jewish calendar and holidays, ancient beliefs and modern practices and issues. Learn Judaism's core values and how they apply to our lives today. There will be some discussion time at the end of each class.

This class is for Jews and non-Jews.

Texts: "Jews G-d and History" by Max Dimont. Bring your Bible.

$40 fee. Please arrive 20 minutes early to register at first class.

Contact: Rabbi Jay at: jshupack@juno.com or call 541-389-9854 for more info.

Save These Dates!

Passover Seder

April 7, 2012

Please save the date for our annual TBT Passover Seder to be held at beautiful Aspen Hall. Plan to attend a warm, welcoming, family friendly evening led by Rabbi Ettman. We will have a delicious meal catered by Tate and Tate.

Casino Night Extravaganza

June 2, 2012

Set aside June 2nd for a very special fundraising event. You can wheel and deal at Temple Beth Tikvah's version of a Monte Carlo Casino. In addition to games of luck, skill and chance, there will be a special silent auction, a wine wall, and a champagne glass raffle for a fine piece of jewelry. Mark your calendars now and look forward to more information in the coming months!

TBT Board Notes
Next Board Meeting: February 16th, 7:00 p.m

Location: The Loft

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

Religious Committee and Music Report

Lauren Olander

chair, Religious and Music committees

Star of David b/w Thank you to everyone who came out in the snow, rain and cold last weekend to celebrate the music and honor the memory of Debbie Friedman during our first Artist-in-Residence weekend with Cantor Margaret Bruner. As Rabbi Ettman shared with us last year, upon the passing of Debbie Friedman, "Debbie's music may seem simple and it was intended to be that way. As a teacher of mine once explained, her music goes where you expect it to go. The notes take you on a journey..."

This past weekend we were honored to take a journey with Cantor Bruner starting with Friday night family services, continuing into Adult services, a Saturday morning Torah service and completing our journey with a Sunday morning educational experience learning about the influence of Debbie's music. Very special thanks go out to Julie and Jo, who once again moved our souls and hearts to many places through the beauty of their music and to Mark Barringer, whose guitar playing added a whole feel to our Sunday morning experience. Debbie's music played by such amazing musicians, brought smiles to our faces, warmth to our hearts, tears to our eyes and even moved two of our congregants to make life changing decisions! A special thanks goes out to the Fishkin family for hosting our wonderful onegs on Friday evening, Mark and Kathy Schindel for opening their home on Sunday morning, and to Ann and Michael Rosenfield for hosting the Cantor during her visit in Bend.

For some of you who may not be aware, we were able to host such a beautiful Artist-in-Residence weekend because of the wonderful generosity of an anonymous donor within our community. If anyone else is interested in making a donation to the music fund so we may continue to have such wonderful weekends and events, please do not hesitate to do so or contact me directly.

We look forward to another lay-led Friday night on February 24th. There will be a family service at 6PM, congregational dinner at 6:40pm along with Kiddush and Hamotzi, followed by a late service at 7:30pm which will be led by the Adult Post B'nai Mitzvah Class. Join us!

Social Action Update

Beverly Adler

co-chair, Social Action Committee

Many thanks to our Sunday/Hebrew School families for cooking and serving at Bethlehem Inn during January. Participating families include: Brant, Cogen, Charney Cohen, Chudowsky, Diskin, Finestone, Fishkin, Radzik, Rosen, Schlosberg, Smith, Totland and Uri. A huge thank you goes to Hallie Smith for organizing this family Mitzvah.

MARCH Newsletter Deadline: February 20th

This newsletter is emailed to both members and non-members 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 - February 21st

The TBT monthly Men's Night is generally held on the third Tuesday of each month. The next TBT Men's Night will be Tuesday, February 21st, 5:30 p.m. at the Platypus Pub, located at 1203 NE Third Street, Bend, Oregon 97701 541-323-3282. This microbrewery has earned a reputation for great suds and pub food. All men of TBT are welcome. For more info, contact Lawrence at susarch@bendbroadband.com.

2nd Annual TBT Ladies' Game Day and Lunch - Feb. 25th
ladies game night 4

Last year's event was so much fun, we're doing it again! All women of TBT are invited to the 2nd annual Ladies' Game Day and Pot Luck Lunch on Feb. 25th, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Please check your email for the Evite which has location and pot luck details. Please RSVP by Feb. 20th so hosts Vivian Freeman and Lorraine Shapiro know how many to expect and what dish you will bring. The game is ON!

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 Terry & Gary Reynolds, in honor of Cantor Margaret Bruner for an inspirational musical weekend.
From Terry & Gary Reynolds, thanking Lauren Olander for organizing the Cantor Bruner weekend.
From Ralph & Marcia Uri, thanking Cantor Bruner for an energizing and musical weekend.
From Gary & Terry Reynolds, thanking the anonymous donor for your generous donation for the January music weekend.
From Marcia & Ralph Uri, to Lauren, Julie, Jo, and Mark - Thanks for your amazing music and your contributions.
From Terry & Gary Reynolds, thanking Lorraine Shapiro for making the beautiful cover for our Founders Plaque.
From Ralph & Marcia Uri, congratulating Lawrence Schechter and Lorraine Shapiro on their engagement.
From Gary & Terry Reynolds, Mazel Tov to Lorraine and Lawrence.
From Terry & Gary Reynolds, wishing a speedy recovery to Jeanne Freeman.
From Marcia & Ralph Uri, sending speedy recovery wishes and lots of sleep to Jeanne Freeman.
From Terry & Gary Reynolds, in memory of Wolfe Nichols.
From Shelley & Corrie Grudin, in honor of Vic Chudowski's conversion.
From David Dietz & Harriet Richard, congratulating Vic Chudowski on his conversion.

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 be 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.