Greetings!
Rosh Hashanah services were so beautiful this year. People are still remarking about the large number of children who attended our children's services. It seemed as though the stream of children wouldn't end as they entered the sanctuary for the shofar service; they filled the front 2 rows and floor space by the bima. Every year I love watching their faces as Alan Rubin sounds the shofar. Don't forget that the next opportunity to hear Alan blow the shofar will be when we mark the end of Yom Kippur, right before our break-fast, more about that later. Thank you to everyone who helped prepare for the services, who helped during the services, and cleaned up after the services. Thank you to our haftorah readers, Bob Shwartz and Mike Smith, and to our ushers, Jonathan Rappaport and Judy Playe. Thank you to Wendy Gonsenhauser for coordinating the children's services, and to Shelley Dubin for coordinating everything.
Our High Holiday services continue this Tuesday night with Kol Nidre and end with our break-fast at the conclusion of the Yom Kippur service on Wednesday. If you haven't signed up yet for the break-fast, please do so that we can plan accordingly. You can sign-up through the sign-up genius link below in the newsletter. For those of us that will be feeling the effects of caffeine deprivation, coffee would be greatly appreciated. If you do sign up to bring coffee, the easiest way is probably to get it from Dunkin Donuts down the road, one box of regular and one box of decaf usually does it. And please don't forget that everything brought into the synagogue must be nut-free.
This week we welcome our newest addition to the Beth Tikvah mishpacha; Rebecca and Mike Derry and their children Alana and Alexi.
Religious school begins next week! Our first day of religious school is Sunday September 27. It's not too late to enroll in school this year. If you have friends who are interested in sending their children to our school, please have them email Cindy Avergon.
Next week, Wednesday September 30 from 5:30 - 6:30, we will enjoy "Supper in the Sukkah". Weather permitting we will eat in the sukkah, otherwise we will dine in the social hall. The plan is to have pizza for dinner. The cost is free for children and $5/adult. We are looking for volunteers to bring salads and desserts. This is not just for religious school students - everyone is invited to attend. Please let us know if you are attending by signing up here.
At this point, all members of the Beth Tikvah mishpacha (family) should have received an email welcoming you to the new Beth Tikvah website with your login instructions for the member portal. If you haven't received this email, please let me know and I will resend it to you.
I haven't received any kvells in a while. Surely, someone has good news to share with the Beth Tikvah mishpacha! Please send me your kvells by Thursday each week.
See you at Kol Nidre.
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From the Rabbi - Our Torah Scrolls |
You may have noticed at Rosh Hashanah services that we have two sifrei Torah, or Torah scrolls. One belongs to us. The second is on long-term loan from Beth Shalom of the Blue Hills in Milton. Having a second Torah scroll makes life much easier, as we used to have to borrow one each year from Beth Israel in Worcester.
Our sincere thanks to Rabbi Fred Benjamin of Beth Shalom and to his congregation for their generosity in lending us their Sefer Torah!
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High Holiday Services at Beth Tikvah |
Every year we receive questions about children and High Holiday services at Beth Tikvah. Hopefully, this will answer some of the questions.
Question 1 - Who can attend children's services? Answer 1 - All children are welcome to attend our children's services. Our students may bring friends and relatives with them. Please go to this page for more information on the children's services and to reserve a space for your child. For security reasons, we strongly recommend that any children attending the children's services have an adult present at the adult services. If the accompanying adult is a non-member, that person will need a reservation. Question 2 - When does the children's services start?
Answer 2 - The children's services begins at approximately 10:30 AM, just before the reading of the Torah. Question 3 - Do parents attend the children's services? Answer 3 - Typically no, the children's services are designed to be age appropriate for your children. Question 4 - When do the children's services end? The children's services ends at approximately 12 PM. This year, we are handling the dismissal from children's services a little differently. children in the younger service will be dismissed to the babysitting room. Parent's may pick them up at their convenience before 1 PM. children in the older service will be escorted to the youth lounge where they will wait until the end of the Rabbi's sermon on Rosh Hashonah and yizkor service on Yom Kippur, at which time they will quietly join their parents in the main service. Question 5 - What about my older children (grades 7 and up) Children in grades 7 and up may volunteer to be assistants at the children's services. However, they must sign up in advance. Please contact Wendy Gonsenhauser to sign up. Question 6 - Will snack be served? A snack of apples and honey will be served at both children's services on Rosh Hashonah and only at the younger children's service on Yom Kippur. If you have any questions regarding children's services, please contact Wendy Gonsenhauser. If you have any additional questions regarding the High Holiday services, please contact Shelley Dubin. You can also find more information regarding reserving seats and recommended donations on our website. Return to top
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Yom Kippur Break-Fast |
Our community Yom-Kippur Break-Fast will take place right after Neilah on Wednesday September 23, approx. 7:30 PM. Since it is a potluck I am recommending the following people bring the suggested items based on the initial of your last name: A - H: desserts, beverages (COFFEE), grape juice I - P: bagels, cream cheese, butter Q - Z: main dishes (kugels, mac and cheese, salads) We can never have enough, so if anyone else wants to bring a main dish, please feel free. We also need help with set-up and clean-up. Please remember that all food brought into our facility must be nut free!
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2015-2016 Kiddush and Lobby Greeter Sign-ups |
Every Beth Tikvah family is requested to host one Friday Night oneg or Shabbat morning kiddush. We request that all Beth Tikvah board members usher at least one service.
You can choose the service you'd like to host by clicking here:
We are also asking all of our families to volunteer to be a greeter in our lobby on Sunday mornings and Wednesday afternoons when school is in session. Beth Tikvah takes pride in being warm and welcoming. Having greeters in the lobby when school is in session helps foster that ideal. Please use the sign-up genius link to pick your preferred date(s).
Please sign up by the end of September. After that, we will assign the open slots.
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Boston Jewish Music Festival |
The Boston Jewish Music Festival, in partnership with Culture Track and Temple Shalom of Newton, are bringing the legendary Israeli singer/songwriter, Ehud Banai , for his first performance in Boston in almost a decade. Ehud will be performing in an intimate, 'unplugged' style concert with percussionist and multi-instrumentalist Eran Porat on Thursday, October 15, 8 pm, at Temple Shalom in West Newton . Reserved seat tickets ($35-75) go on sale September 1 at 9 am.A multiple award-winning artist, Ehud Banai's music reflects his unique sensitivity to the play between Israel, Jews, and the modern world.This show will sell out so get your tickets early.We wish you a Shanah Tovah for a year of great music and even greater joy.
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Worcester JCC to Host Fighting for Phil Fundraiser
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A friend and member of the Worcester JCC, Phil Klausmeyer, of Holden was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. To help Phil and his family through this difficult time, the JCC is hosting a Fighting for Phil-a-thon on Sunday, September 20, 2015 from 1pm to 5pm. There will be a variety of fun fitness events suitable for all ages. This event will also provide an opportunity for friends, family, and colleagues to come together in support of an amazing person and his loving family.
Join us for Fun Fitness Activities for All Ages:
- Adults: Body Pump, Yoga, Zumba, Sh'a Bam, Grit and more!
- Kids: arts and crafts, face painting, mini sports clinics, fitnessobstacle course and more!
- Fun for the whole family in the indoor pool!
- 50/50 raffle and enter to win a 3-month membership to the JCC!
- Food and beverages in the courtyard!
- T-shirts for the first 100 people to register
How to participate
1. Donate your participation fee
2. Fill out participant form for each person attending
Donate at the JCC using your Visa, MasterCard, check, or cash (Not available on Saturdays).
Worcester JCC, 633 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609, Jody Fredman Special Project Director [email protected]
Visit the JCC's Facebook page for more info
The JCC is your community Center. The JCC is open to all regardless of color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability or economic condition.
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Membership
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Membership in a synagogue is an important decision. Beth Tikvah Synagogue is a growing congregation that enjoys the sharing of Jewish rituals and customs, a superior Religious School, and of course, fun and socializing. If you are not currently a member, and would like to be, please contact Benita Amsden.
You may submit your membership form and pledge form via our website. Or, you may use the forms below (please note the pdf instructions in the side bar) Membership Form
Pledge Form FAQ
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Religious School Registration |
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B'Shalom, EJ Dotts President Beth Tikvah Synagogue [email protected] |
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Upcoming Events
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