B"H
 
Temple Beth Or     בית אור
 House of Light 
  
      b&s wedding       
 www.TempleBethOr.us 
 
To find out what's new... 
Join Us on FaceBook:  Temple Beth Or Reno
 
 
 Find us on Facebook 
 
 There you'll find our Passover picture album and we'll keep you updated with our latest events! 
 
Next Shabbat Services 
 
June 4, 2010
Ufruf of Josh Hersz and Amy Malissa
(Special Aliyah before they are married -
calling up to Torah) 

 Rabbi's House
Join us for services and
Dairy Potluck
5:55 pm
Bring in Shabbat with Torah, music
and meet new friends.
 
 
 שלום שלום שלום

 

President's Message:
 
Before Temple Beth Or, my most recent congregation was Shir Hadash, a Reform congregation in Los Gatos, California and where my sons became bar mitzvah and I became a bat mitzvah.   In some ways TBOR reminds me of the way Shir Hadash started 30 years ago.  My brief tenure as Temple Beth Or's president has been interesting and educational.  I never would have thought I would be learning so much about Jewish life after being Jewish all my life.  Our tradition has so much to offer.
 
On Shavuot (May 18th), I'll be sharing some of my insights and information during our all night study session.  If you have an area of Jewish learning that you would like to share, please contact me ASAP so I can add you to our schedule.
 
For the third year in a row, Rabbi Beyer met on April 22 with the Bible Study group from St. Peter's Episcopal Church.  This year's study session was on the prophet Jeremiah.         
 
I'm pleased to announce that Sierra Crunch, a local manufacturer of granola, is under the the rabbinic supervision of Rabbi Beyer.  They were interested in pursuing kosher certification and contacted us.  Rabbi Beyer, is a certified mashgiach (supervisor of kashrut).  She koshered their kitchen (along with the help of Hillel - - thanks Jackie and hubbitzin Dr. Tom!), and has provided them with a hechsher (kosher labeling).  You can support them by purchasing at Whole Foods.  Check them out at www.SierraCrunch.com   
 
Sierra Crunch
photo by Dr. Tom  
REB with Sandy Meyer of Sierra Crunch  
 
MITZVAH OPPORTUNITIES
 
Chevre Kaddisha is a group which attends to the ritual purification of the body following death.  This consists of washing, ritually purifying and then dressing the body in white garmetnts which symbolically recall the garments worn by the Koen Gadol (High Priest).  The body is then placed in the casket.  This month, Rabbi Beyer worked with Hillel in providing training.  We still need more people who are interested in providing this mitzvah.  If you are interested, please contact Rabbi Beyer.
 
As most synagogues, we are often working on fundraising.  
So far we have raised over $100 from those of you who search the internet and those who purchase using our GoodSearch site.  If you do have yet have GoodSearch on your toolbar, please consider signing up.  All those pennies add up.  Many thanks to those of you who have already done so!
 
Please consider donating towards a siddur (prayerbook) in memory or in honor of a loved one or special event.  The cost is triple chai ($54) and your preferred inscription will be put inside one of our prayerbooks that we regularly use, which have both the Shabbat and holiday services.
 
Many thanks to those who have already donated to our Silent Auction.  We still need more donations for our
First Anniversary Simcha (celebration) scheduled for Sunday, June 6th at 4pm!  It's hard to believe that we've been in existence nearly a whole year.  We've had such amazing growth.  Come celebrate it with us.  Do you have an item or a service you would like to donate for the Silent Auction?  Please let me know by Shavuot (May 19th). 
 
We're grateful to all of you who have helped us so far.  We've come so far in just one year!  Thank you so much for your continued support.   

I look forward to seeing you all at our next event. 

שלום,  
 
Nicole Appel, President  
 
 

שלום שלום שלום שלום שלום שלום

Shalom Chevre, 
       A drash (brief sermon) entitled "An Eye For An Eye," written by me, was posted on the Academy for Jewish Religion's website.  See a copy HERE or at the end of this newsletter.       
       We continue on the 49 day period between the 2nd day of Passover and Shavuot counting the Omer.  Today is the 45th day of counting.    The Omer is a measure of barley (about 2 quarts) which was brought on the 2nd day of Passover to the Temple.  Each day brings new opportunities for us to work on becoming better human beings.  It's a special time of personal refinement before receiving the Torah at Shavuot (May 18th).  More info HERE which provides daily spiritual expercises.
    During the period of the Omer, one special day of celebration is Lag b'Omer (33rd day of the omer season).  Often we celebrate with bon fires which were a symbol of the great light of R' Shimon bar Yochai, who passed away on that date.  He was a student of R' Akiva and the kabbalistic work, the Zohar, is attributed to him.  It is said that children celebrate with bows  and rubber-tipped arrows for several reasons:  1) R' Akiva used to have his students carry them so that the Romans thought they were hunting, when they were really studying Torah which was not allowed under their rule at that time; 2) a reminder of the Bar Kochba revolt; and 3) to commemorate that no rainbows were needed during R' Shimon's lifetime due to his saintliness.  Bows and rainbow have the same Hebrew name.  More info HERE.       
    This year, for Lag b'Omer, I had the special privilege of interviewing Harry Reichemberg, a Holocaust survivor, for StoryCorps.  His story will be archieved at the Smithsonian.  For more about Story Corps see HERE.  
     Our last j101 class until fall meets on Shavuot.  We will be doing an all night study session starting out at Temple Emanu-El at 8pm until about 9:30pm.  We will resume our learning at 10pm at TBOR about 10pm and continue as long as we have participants.  Last year we studied until dawn...and there's a few people who are determined to study all night.  We need people who are interested in presententing - especially in the late, late night.  
 
SHAVUOT at TBOR begins at 10pm

Barbara Ries, our singer/guitarist, Jewish music 10:00pm
Nicole Appel, President, On Being "President," 10:30pm
Gail Ferrell, Jewish Ritual, 10:45pm
Diane Black, Secretary to Bd, The Story of Ruth, 11:15pm
Reb ElizaBeth, The Mysteries of Shavuot, 11:45pm
Allan Schwartz, Conservative Reponsa on Aliyot, 12:15am
Reb ElizaBeth, The Oven of Aknai, 12:30am
 
Study various topics of Judaism:  12:45am ... until dawn?
Daaven at dawn.
 
We'll have lots of coffee and cheesecake.  We'd love to have you join us.  Come learn with us!
 
      Many Blessings to you and your family,  reb
 
Rabbi ElizaBeth Beyer
 
 
Episcopal Class
Learning Jeremiah with St. Peter's Episcopal Class
 April 22, 2010
 
שלום שלום שלום שלום שלום שלום
 
 
HILLEL UPDATE 
Out and About in Reno with Temple Beth Or
 
HILLEL at Temple Beth Or May 7th
 
Jackie and Danielle, our Nevada Hillel Co-Presidents attended Shabbat services at Temple Sinai on Friday April 16th.
 
"We decided to attend services there because John Louie, the advisor of Nevada Hillel, mentioned that they would be having Israeli Dancing after services that evening. Jackie really enjoys Israeli dancing, and since she didn't want to go alone, Danielle decided to accompany her. As it turned out, Danielle enjoyed the Israeli dancing as well.   
 
The service on Friday was special, as it was Yom Ha'atzmaut. In honor of Israel Independance Day, Temple Sinai had a 7 flame candelabra set up, and prior to the service, they passed out cards to the attendees.  Jackie and Danielle both unknowingly volunteered themselves to read quotes on the cards, and other members went up to light the candles. Some of the people that we met on Friday night were Rabbi Teri Appleby and her husband John Leo. All in all, it was a lovely Shabbat evening, followed by an Oneg with hummus, pita, watermelon, and desserts." 
 
Shalom Uvrachot,
 
Danielle Simon and Jaclyn Laichter
Nevada Hillel Co-presidents
Temple Beth Or Birthdays, Anniversaries & Yahrtzeits

 Birthdays:
 
Gary Hannington                          5/1
Josh Stoll                                   5/5
Mira Kurka Hannington                  5/9
Pamela Zohar                              5/17
Robert Lowe                                5/20
Tom Beyer (the Hubbitzin!)            5/25
 
Anniversaries:
 
Steve and Barbara Ries                 5/2/2009 

Yahrtzeits:
 
Allan Simon                                4/25/2010
(grandfather of Danielle Simon)
 
Robert Levine                              5/4/1994
(Father of Barbara Ries) 
 
Mary Miller Rowen                       5/14/1991
(Mother of Marc Rowen) 

Ida Friedlander                           5/18/1977
(Mother of Sanford Friedlander) 

Dinah Kahn                                  5/18/1998 
(Mother in Law of Ken Goldman)
 
Temple Beth Or extends
a very warm welcome to our newest Members:
 
Scott Jordan
Marc Rowen
 
 *******      
Welcome to our Newest FaceBook Friends:
   
Neva Donovan
Linda Duffie
Joel Flamenbaum
Carisse Gafni
Mira Kurka
Shawn Lowe
Marilyn Roberts
Philip Shalitt
Barbara Stoll
 
We would also like to recognize and thank those that made recent donations to Temple Beth Or: 
 
Karen Gold
Dr. Mark Rosenberg
Sierra Crunch
 
Matt Feiertag in honor of the Marriage of: 
 Mr. & Mrs. David Feiertag on March 27, 2010
 
And A Very Special Angel This Month:
Richard and Nurit Mermin 

 
 Rosh Chodesh Sivan
 
May 13 
4:39 15/18pm 
 
  
Please click here to forward to anyone interested...
 
 
Talmud Study in English 

 Mondays 12-1pm 

Place: TBOR
 
Come learn!
 
 No class May 24th.
Global Day of Jewish Learning
November 7, 2010 join us for the event.  Rabbi Steinsaltz will complete his monumental  translation of the Talmud.  A major siyum is planned.  Stay tuned for details.  INFO
 or call Gwynn. 
j101 Class SHAVUOT
 May 18, 2010
We start at Temple Emanu-El 8-9:30pm
Then will be at TBOR 10pm-?
Last Class Until After High Holidays!
 
Come early to Temple Emanu-El - around 7:30pm and there will be food.  
Program starts at 8pm.   
 
 
calling all musicians, TBOR Needs you
 as we plan our High Holiday Music!
 

  TBOR's YouTube Channel

 
Shavuot Tuesday May 18th
7:30pm-ish until Dawn 
 

ALL NIGHT STUDY SESSION starting at Temple Emanu-El and moving to TBOR.  Progressive learning!  If YOU are interested in also doing an educational piece, please email or call us.  

 
What time would you be willing to teach and what topic?  Singing, Power Points, and Bibliodramas welcome.  
 

Parshat Emor
Torah Reading for Week of April 25 - May 1, 2010

"An Eye for an Eye"
 
Within this week's Torah portion, there are a number of Biblical laws which seemingly call for severe punishment, including the famous "an eye for an eye" passage. It says,
 
"If a man inflicts a wound on his fellow, as he did, so shall it be done to him; a break for a break, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth; just as he will have inflicted a wound on a person, so shall be inflicted upon him. One who strikes an animal will make restitution, and one who strikes a person shall be put to death. There shall be one law for you, it shall be for the convert and native for I am Hashem your G-d." Lev. 24: 19-22.
 
According to some, an "eye for an eye" is "one of the most misunderstood passages of the Torah;" and that only "unlearned" people would say that it was meant literally and then later the Sages of the Talmud reinterpreted it to mean one gives monetary compensation for injuring an eye. Artscroll commentary. Did the verse originally mean that only money compensation was required?
 
The Talmud says, "Let it not enter your mind" that Torah ever meant that verse literally. Bava Kamma 83b-84a. Indeed, the rabbis in the Talmud, on different occasions, have reinterpreted verses to enhance the literal meaning of the text and extract new interpretations relevant to their period of time. Accordingly, they have shown that certain literal biblical laws were never carried out in reality. Amongst these are the laws of bastardy, the rebellious son and the law of the sotah. Since the Torah is a living text, the rabbis were given the power of reinterpretation in every generation.
 
If we accept the word of the Sages that this verse should be understood in a more compassionate way, can we also extend this notion to other areas of Halacha (Jewish law)? Certainly there are many stern Biblical laws that are not followed today. For example, we no longer sell our daughters into slavery (Ex. 21:7), force women to marry their husband's brother if their husband dies (Deut. 25:5) or kill those who work on the Sabbath (Ex. 35:2). While we morally and culturally accept the prohibitions against bestiality and incest, we do not burn those convicted of such offenses in a fire. Lev. 20:14. Even some of the ancient Biblical laws, most people do not recognize as sins, such as wearing polyester or shaving one's beard. Lev 19:19, 27.
 
Moving closer to today's cutting edge cultural mores, we have several states which now recognize gay marriage. Even in the Talmud, some rabbis said that the primary, literal meaning of, "You shall not lie with a man as one lies with a woman" (Lev. 18:22) which has been used to castigate and disenfranchise multitudes, was not about homosexuality, but rather it was about having sex with someone who was androgynous. Yevamot 84a.
 
Today, there is even some sentiment that perhaps those who are blind, lame, or who have other physical "blemishes" may even be closer to G-d than those with perfect bodies. However, in Biblical times, those people were disqualified from being a priest who brings an offering to G-d. Lev. 21-16-21.
 
Have times changed? Has our sense of morality and ethics grown to be kinder and gentler? I'd like to think so. I'd like to think that we are working to emulate G-d. It's a journey. The Mysterious Oneness, which is both beyond our ability to intellectually grasp and also closer than the air we breathe, has granted us this lifetime to learn to become more conscious, compassionate, caring human beings. If we learn at least this in our lifetime, we will have accomplished much. Let us trade in our old "eye for an eye" mentality and work towards a more just and compassionate society where we see everyone as created "in the image of G-d."
 
See our E-NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
 

Tzedakah

    King David wrote, Psalms 41:2 "Fortunate is the one who acts intelligently toward the destitute person, on a day of trouble, Hashem shall rescue him."  The Hebrew word is commonly translated as charity but the three letter root is justice.  In our world, it's a basic Jewish value.  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. 
 
Click here to donate to Temple Beth Or in multiples of $18.  Why 18?  It's the number for chai (Hebrew letters chet and yud) which equals life.  Every Hebrew letter equals a number.  Jews often donate in multiples of $18.  L'chayim - "To Life!"       
 
 Make a Donation
     
 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.
      "Should your brother become impoverished, and his means falter with you, you shall support him so that he may live with you."Lev. 25:35.
If you're "settled" in our community, ask what you can do to help.  We have opportunities for donations to ongoing or new programs, directed giving, or, if you are not in a position to give financially, please volunteer your time.   
   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 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.  Even if you currently belong elsewhere, you are certainly welcome to come too.  Friday night Shabbat services are musical and filled with ruach (passion).  We'd love to have you join us.  Contact Rabbi ElizaBeth Beyer at 322 5542.  Email comments or questions to her [email protected]    

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