Temple Beth Tikvah Monthly News

Join TBT for our annual Passover Community Seder on Saturday, April 7 at Aspen Hall. Doors open at 5:00 pm and the Seder begins promptly at 5:30 pm. Rabbi Ettman leads this warm, welcoming, family friendly evening. Tate and Tate is catering a delicious buffet meal with your choice of Honey Roasted Chicken, Maple Brined and Smoked Salmon, or Grilled Polenta with Mushroom-Tomato Ragout. The Seder is open to members and their guests and to the public.

You are welcome to bring non-ceremonial wine to enjoy with your dinner. Ceremonial wine will be provided and served at each table.

The Seder costs $30 per adult for TBT members and $35 for non-members. The cost for children aged 6 through 12 is $15 for member and non-member children. Children aged 5 and under are free.

Go to the TBT website for more information about the Seder and to complete the online reservation form. The form includes your meal preference. The reservation form, along with your check, must be received by March 31st. We apologize that we cannot accommodate last-minute reservations or payments at the door. Questions? Contact Suzanne Schlosberg at (541) 330-0609 or schlos1@gmail.com.

Help Wanted:

Easy Ways to Help Out with Seder

SEDER PLATES NEEDED:

We're all looking forward to another festive and memorable community Seder. If you have a Seder plate that we can use for the evening, please call Suzanne Schlosberg to let her know and bring your empty plate to her. Remember to put your name on the bottom of the plate. And, please, no priceless antiques or family heirlooms.

TBT BAKERS AND COOKS WANTED:

A favorite at the Seder is haroset, that sweet taste of Passover. Please call Leslee Kalov at 650-279-9135 to let her know that you are able to make haroset.

The best part of any meal is dessert - and that's especially true when dessert is made with some extra love. While Tate & Tate is serving the meal this year, we are asking our members to again provide desserts. Last year's desserts were delicious and we're looking forward to sampling old and new recipes. Please call Pam Hamilton at 541-617-9242 to let her know what you can bring. Pick-up foods - cookies, bars, etc - are what we need.

Check Out Our NEW Website!

www.bethtikvahbend.org

It's a new address and a new look; you might want to change your bookmark. There's more information and more photos. And there is now a link to the TBT library if you'd like to borrow a book. Check out all the titles at www.bethtikvahbend.org/education/library.

Many thanks to Jeanne Freeman and the website committee -- Paul Spencer, Drew Cogen, Justin Finestone and Leslie Conley for making this happen.

Bikur Holim
Visiting the sick and helping those in need.

Two members of our community have agreed to organize Bikur Holim for the rest of our congregation. Suzanne Schlosberg is the key contact for members age 50 and under, while Evie Lerner is the point person for those of us 50 and older. If you know of a member in need, whether ill, grieving or just lonely, please contact either Suzanne or Evie who can provide a helping hand.

Did You Know?

When you make a donation to the Temple you can specify it go to one of our many funds:

General Fund: supports the congregation's current budget.
Youth Education Fund: supports our Religious school programs, including Sunday School, Hebrew School and B'nai Mitzvah classes.
High Holy Days Fund: provides for High Holy Days Services.
Music Fund: supports musical programs.
Library Fund: supplements our library with books and supplies.

Next time you want to honor or remember someone, just make a note as to where you want your tribute donation to go. (If no fund is specified, your donation will be added to the General Fund.)

Greetings From Rabbi Ettman
Rabbi Ettman Photo

Dear Friends,

Vasuli Mikdash V'shechanti B'tocham

Make me a sacred space, so that I may dwell among them. (Ex. 25:8)

Take a look at these amazing words from our Torah text (which we recently read). Digest them. Ponder them. Be curious about them. While these words are specific instructions relating to the building of the Tabernacle itself, they really provide for us a message to live by. A message that is profoundly important to each member of our community.

Let's take a look at the text.

"Make me sacred space" - Our community is still new. We are admittedly feeling some of the growing pains. We are looking boldly to go where we want to go and are forced to realize that we can't grow up too fast. While we grow, we need to remember that we are creating a sacred space. We are charged to create an environment that fosters special moments. And we pray that our hard work yields beautiful results - like God commands the Israelites. But there is more...

"...so that I may dwell among them". The Torah text reminds us that IF we create sacred spaces, God will dwell among each and every one of us. The beautiful reality of the text is that God will not dwell within IT (meaning the holy space), rather within the people of the community itself.

At this juncture, may we heed these words and continue to challenge ourselves. Holiness is found in the lives of each member of our community. Rabbi Ed Feinstein of Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, reminds us that a synagogue "is a model of the world as we would have it. It is an example we set before our children that contains Jewish ideals brought into life." If we continue to work towards making our community holy, God continues to dwell within each of us.

My friends, may this be our prayer, our hope and our dream.

Always,

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

President's Message
From TBT President Lisa Uri

I'd like to thank everyone who came to the TBT Board meeting in February to discuss the needs of our congregation. During this time we were able to come together, exchange ideas and listen to one another in a constructive manner.

We should all realize that we are going to continue to experience growing pains as we figure out what the next few years hold for us. Just like a fledgling bird, we are finding our wings to fly. Jumping out of the nest and not knowing what's in store requires the support and faith of everyone to help find our way. And it appears that we are not yet ready for taking that leap.

Our rabbi search committee has explored the option of finding a half-time resident spiritual leader for 2012 - 2013. After reviewing the resumes submitted and considering the congregation needs, the committee recommends that we should now focus on finding a candidate who can serve in a similar capacity as our two previous Rabbis. We are in a time of transition and need to create a stronger lay infrastructure. At the direction of the board the search committee is proceeding to work with the URJ to seek the best spiritual leader for TBT at this time. Our focus is to find someone who will work with the lay leaders to provide guidance for our congregation and development for our programs.

We have many needs for the next year. We are looking for a Religious Education director for Sunday school, a Chairperson for facilities, and someone to head the Social Committee. As we are not yet in a financial position to hire an education director or administrator, the Board is asking members of our congregation to step up and help with these key roles.

My role as president, and as a parent of young children, is to create a strong, loving, respectful, warm, and tolerant community where our children can learn about what it means to be a Jew; and one where adults have a place to learn, be introspective and find a place to explore their spirituality and find a sense of peace. I hope that is the goal of most of our community and I hope we can all find a way to get there by working together.

B'shalom,

Lisa Uri

Weekend Shabbaton in Ashland
April 20-22 at Havurah Shir Hadash

Havurah Shir Hadash Shin logo

Havurah Shir Hadash Synagogue presents a weekend shabbaton with Reb Zalman and Eve Ilsen. The Omer: Making it Count!

You are invited to participate in this rare opportunity to learn, laugh, and pray with these two renowned and beloved teachers. April 20-22, 2012 in Ashland, Oregon.

Registration forms and FAQ's available at www.havurahshirhadash.org. For more informationcontact ayala@ashlandhavurah.org.

TBT Board Notes
Next Board Meeting: March 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

Hands around the world drawing
Social Action Update

Beverly Adler

co-chair, Social Action committee

Your gifts at work:

"Thanks to TBT and other organizations, gift bags were given to financially strapped families. In one instance a single mom was cheered by our donation. Recently her dad, uncle and brother drove to the Willamette Valley to see relatives and hit black ice that caused their car to flip. It was totaled. This worried single mom was very appreciative of the food and gas cards donated to her from organizations such as ours," said Linda Brant.

April Newsletter Deadline: MARCH 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 sarrava@gmail.com by the 20th of each month. As always, you will continue to recieve "e-minders" before important events take place.

Shalom,

Sara Charney Cohen

TBT Men's Night - March 20th

Join us for the next TBT Men's Night on Tuesday, March 20th, 5:30 p.m. at the newly expanded Deschutes Brewery, located at 901 SW Simpson Ave. Bend, OR 97702 (541) 385-8606.

Our private tour begins promptly from the main office at 5:30 p.m. Grub and brew to follow. All men of TBT are invited to this annual event. Please RSVP to Lawrence to reserve your spot: susarch@bendbroadband.com.

Got Photos?

Your Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words!

man with camera Do you have photos that you've taken at TBT events? Will you please share them with us?

Our website has been updated and improved as an even better communication tool for our current and prospective members, but we'd love to have more photos of the people and happenings at TBT.

Please send your digital images to Jeanne Freeman, jfreeman@bendbroadband.com,for inclusion in our website.

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 Memory of Wolf Nichols.
From Kathy & Mark Schindel - in Memory of Nathan Bernstein.
From Burt Litman & Jeanne Freeman - in Memory of Bertha Litman.
From Jeff & Beverly Adler - in Memory of Evelyn Chernoff's Mother.
From Cheryl & Neal Schlackman - in Memory of Gertrude Warwick.
From Marcia and Ralph Uri, to the Music Fund -
to Evelyn Chernoff in Memory of her mother.
From Terry & Gary Reynolds - Thanking Cantor Margaret Bruner for an inspirational and musical weekend.
From Marcia & Ralph Uri, to the Music Fund - to Cantor Bruner - Thank you for an energizing and musical weekend.
From Lester & Diane Dober, to the Music Fund -Thanking Lauren Olander for an absolutely spectacular "Artist in Residence" weekend.
From Terry & Gary Reynolds - to Lauren Olander, Thank You for organizing the Cantor Bruner weekend.
From Marcia & Ralph Uri, to the Music Fund -
To Lauren, Julie, Jo, and Mark - Thank You for your amazing music and your contributions.
From Terry & Gary Reynolds - Thank You to the anonymous donor for your generous donation for our Cantor Bruner Weekend.
From Terry & Gary Reynolds - to Lorraine Shapiro, Thank You for making the beautiful cover for TBT Founders Plaque.
From Terry & Gary Reynolds - Mazel Tov to Lorraine and Lawrence - You know what!
From Marcia & Ralph Uri, to the Music Fund - to Lawrence Schechter and Lorraine Shapiro - Congratulations on your engagement.
From Terry & Gary Reynolds - wishing Speedy Recovery to Jeanne Freeman.
From Marcia & Ralph Uri, to the Music Fund - To Jeanne Freeman - Wishes for a continued speedy recovery.
From Lester & Diane Dober, to the Music Fund - in Honor of the Conversion of Vic Chudowsky.
From Bonnie and Ron Ruby - Congratulations to Vic Chudowsky on his conversion.
From Jeff & Beverly Adler - Honoring Tully Ellsberg's graduation certification as a Yoga Teacher.
From Cheryl & Neal Schlackman - in Honor of the Bar Mitzvah of Joshua Chasen.
From Cheryl & Neal Schlackman - in Honor of the Special Birthday of Marilyn Weinberg.

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.