B"H
 
Temple Beth Or     בית אור
 House of Light 
  
      b&s wedding       
Tu b'shevat Seder at 5:55pm 
the Rabbi's Home on Jan. 30, 2010
Free for Members; $10 Suggested Donation for NonMembers 
 Please RSVP ASAP so we know how many to plan for!
 
*******
 
Next Shabbat Services 
 
February 5, 2010
Bar Mitzvah of Sagen
Shabbat Service and a delightful oneg with music will be sponsored by Sagen's family 
 
In the midst of our joy for Sagen, there is sadness.  One of Sagen's bar mitzvah teachers, Michael Bland, z"l died unexpectedly on Jan. 8, 2010.  May his memory be for a blessing.  He will be missed.   Please join us at UNR Ballroom C when Sagen will be called up to Torah and our study will be in Michael's memory.
 
 Sagen and his family moved here from Florida about 7 years ago.  He likes rummikub, a game invented in Israel 50 years ago, and chess.  Sagen is quite a musician and plays the trumpet, piano and violin. 
 
UNR 
Joe Crowley Student Union, Ballroom C 
 Free Parking in the Garage or Lot
 
   
                                5:55pm- 9:00pm  
 
Everyone is welcome. 
Call for directions - or see our website for them.  
 
 Shalom Congregation TBOR, 
 
       Thank you for this opportunity to introduce myself.  My name is Nicole Appel and I have been a member of TBOR since HHD 2009.  I am new to the Reno area and settled in Verdi.  Previously, I lived in San Jose for 25 years and was a member of Shir Hadash in Los Gatos.
 
       I am excited to be a part of Temple Beth Or and recently have been elected by the Board to be President Elect.  Up until this time, R' ElizaBeth has been the Pro Tem chair and has now stepped down from that position to spend more of her time doing rabbinic work (and less administration).
 
      I will be responsible for creating vision for our direction, along with the Board and each of you.  In addition, there are a number of administrative duties.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions for me.  I look forward to working with the chevre.  
 
 L'shalom,
 
  Nicole Appel, President Elect 
 
 שלום  שלום שלום 
Shalom Holy Chevre (Holy Group),   
        We brought in the secular New Year with Shabbat services on January 1, 2010.   Those pictured in the aliyah have made a commitment to Jewish study this year.  Many thanks to guitarists Barbara Ries and Ken Goldman.         
 Jan 1 2010 Shabbat service
Jan 1, 2010
 
             Hillel co-presidents Jackie and Danielle will attended Hazon, a Jewish conference in the Bay Area on ethical eating, over winter break.  Here's their report...
 
HAZON REPORT FROM HILLEL CO-PRESIDENTS 
 

     From December 24th to 27th 2009, I attended the Hazon Food Conference at the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, California. There were over 600 atendees from all over the United States and five other nations. It was a jam-packed five days, and at times it was difficult to choose which session to attend, as there were so many interesting topics being covered.

You may be wondering, what is Hazon? Briefly, Hazon, which means vision in Hebrew, is a Jewish Food movement that is working to create both a healthy and sustainable Jewish community and world.  For more information on Hazon, you can visit their website at www.hazon.org.

             The conference began with a tour for Hazon participants of the Monterey Aquarium. After visiting some of the touch pools and hands on exhibits, I realized that if I wasn't already a junior at UNR, that I would seriously consider changing my major to marine biology. There was even a behind the scenes tour of the aquarium, where I got to learn about the inner-workings of many of the exhibits, and I even fed some rainbow trout by hand.

            The conference was jam-packed with so many sessions to choose from. Categories of sessions to choose from ranged from do it yourself cooking classes to food ethics and sustainability to Jewish aspects of food and nutrition. I won't go into detail on every single session I attended, but I will highlight a few of the sessions that really seemed to stick out in my mind.

            One of my favorite sessions covered the topic of keeping kosher in America. The sessions was led by a conservative Rabbi from Southern California and Sue Fishkoff, a Bay area author and journalist who has been researching Kosher law for her upcoming book. Having never kept kosher my entire life (yet), I realized that there are so many fine details and tiny considerations that need to be taken into account for kosher law. I also learned some fascinating facts about Kosher Law. In case you aren't already aware of this Kashrut breakthrough, as of last month, Tootsie Pops are now kosher. Even more fascinating,  China is the number one producer of Kosher products.

            I also enjoyed the two do-it-yourself sessions that I attended. On Friday morning, I learned how to make mozzarella cheese from a Jewish dairy farmer in Ohio. I don't think I'd ever seen non-homogenized milk before that day, but boy was it delicious. Cheese is a staple in my diet, so maybe one of these days I will be brave enough to make some on my own. Sunday morning was a typical Jewish clich� of a hands on demonstration of how to make boiled sourdough bagels. I even left with a little souvenir from Hazon, my very own cup full of sourdough starter. Seeing as I have been out of town for the last two and a half weeks, I am praying that the starter is still alive in my refrigerator in Reno. I am very excited to embark on some of these cooking adventures.

            Obviously, at a Jewish conference Shabbat was celebrated, and the Saturday morning progressive Shabbat service was so awesome. I don't think two hours of a Shabbat service have ever passed so quickly. These two inspiring and passionate female Rabbis led the service. It was a combination of music, dance, prayer, relaxation, and connection to Judaism. One of the rabbis, even does traveling Shabbat services, so Rabbi Elizabeth, if you ever need a break from your life as a Rabbi, I know who you can have substitute for you.

            Hopefully, I have imparted a well-rounded report of some of the highlights of the Hazon Food Conference. Looking forward to seeing you at the next TBOR Shabbat.

 

Todah VeShalom,  Danielle Simon, CoPresident at Hillel 

  
               
      May we go from strength to strength!
 
UPCOMING EVENTS
 
       j101 class will be meeting on Tuesday Jan. 26th at 6:30pm.
       Rashi class will meet on Wednesday Jan. 27th at 6:30pm.
        Tu B'shevat Seder on Saturday Jan. 30th at 5:55pm.  Come celebrate the mystical tradition started in the 1500's in Safed, Israel. 
   
   
TBOR certainly welcomes your donations.  Remember there are many ways to give:  we recycle cell phones, accept used books and, of course, gifting in your time as a volunteer would be great too.  Most importantly, we welcome you to join us.  May all good things come to you and your family.
 
 ברכות
Blessings,
Rabbi ElizaBeth Beyer and the TBOR Board   

 Rabbi ElizaBeth Beyer
 ******************
 Rosh Chodesh 
Shevat
 
Jan 15 1:43 11/18 pm
 
 
Please click here to forward to anyone interested...
 
 
j101 - JUDAISM, CONVERSION CLASS AND MORE
    Last month Diane Black presented on Jewish ritual.  We talked about mikvah, hand washing, tefillin and much more.  Topics ranged from an halacha (J law) to kavannah (intention).  This class is not a basic class and it's fun. 
     Upgrade your Jewish learning.  Come enjoy a lively presentation of the Jewish concepts.  Our next class will be Tuesday January 26, 2010.               
     This class will meet monthly through Shavuot 2010 with "homework" assigned (Learn the Prayers CD and Teluskin's J Literacy).  Everyone is welcome to attend one more more of these classes. 
            RSVP if you are interested.  
 
MUSICIANS

 We meet once a month to learn music.   Want to join us?     Call  322-5542 

TORAH WITH RASHI

Come study a premiere Torah commentary in Hebrew.  Everyone is welcome regardless of Hebrew knowledge.  Jan. 27 from 6:30pm-8:30pm 

Come learn with us!

We mourn the recent passing of Cookie Schiff on Jan. 12, 2010.  A memorial service will be held February 3, 2010.
 

Tzedakah

The Hebrew word is commonly translated as charity but the three letter root is justice.  Tzedakah is an important part of living a spiritual life that is seen as an act of justice and righteousness. In Judaism, giving to the poor is required, even by those who are in need themselves.  
 
 Maimonidies, Mishneh Torah, Gifts to the Poor, 9:12
 
    One who settles in a community for 30 days becomes obligated to contribute to the charity fund together with the other members of the community.  One who settles there for 3 months becomes obligated to contribute to the soup kitchen.  One who settles there for 6 months becomes obligated to contribute clothing with which the poor of the community can cover themselves.  One who settles there for 9 months becomes obligated to contribute to the burial fund for the burying the commity's poor and providing for all for their needs of burial.
     If you've "settled" in our community.  Ask what you can do to help.   
 
FUND FOR HAITI
In light of the devastating earthquake which has left thousands dead, please consider giving to the American Jewish World Fund.  http://ajws.org/   
Temple Beth Or is a transdenominational Jewish congregation that is unaffiliated with a specific denomination in order to better serve and honor the rich diversity of our chevre.  Our services range between Reform and Conservative, with some elements of Renewal and Reconstructionism.  We are an evolving group dedicated to Jewish values and learning.  If you have not yet found a synagogue where you feel at home, drop in for one of our services.  We'd love to have you join us.  
 
For more information contact Rabbi ElizaBeth Beyer at  322 5542.  Email  comments or questions to her [email protected]    

For information on Jewish Renewal   https://www.aleph.org/