HATIKVAH
Beth Tikvah Synagogue Newsletter         
November 29, 2015

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Greetings! 
  
      I hope everyone had an enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday. It's hard to believe that we are almost at the end of the year. Chanukah is only a week away! Next Sunday, December 6 at 9 AM, Rabbi Mike will lead an adult education session on Chanukah. Then, on Wednesday afternoon, December 9 at 5:30 PM, everyone is invited to our Chanukah celebration. Join us for latkes, games, chanukiah lighting and a play by our talmidim (students). For more information, check in our newsletter below.
     This past Friday night, some of us got together to "unplug and connect" at our lay-lead Kabbalat Shabbat service. It was wonderful to see Jacob Robins home from college for Thanksgiving weekend and we all enjoyed the service he led with his father, Barry. 
     This coming Saturday is another opportunity to "unplug and connect" at a Shabbat service on December 5 at 9:30 AM. In addition to our regular, warm, spiritual, participatory service, Jordan Chastanet will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah. 


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In This Issue
Chanukkah Chanukkah Party
      Come celebrate the holiday with the Beth Tikvah Mishpacha (family). Latkes, sufganyiot, activities! The fun begins at 5:30 PM! Join the dreidel tourna
ment!
 
      Bring your chanukiah (1 per family) for the group candle lighting!  

    Our talmidim (students) have been working on a play to entertain us all. Thank you to everyone who brought in recyclables today. I'm not exactly sure what they are doing with them, but it has something to do with the play.

We do need help with this event.  Please sign-up by either selecting the link below or emailing me.

Sign Up Now!
  
Beth Tikvah and Friends Ladies Night at the Movies and Dinner
     Our next Ladies Night at the Movies and Dinner is tomorrow, November 30. We will be meeting at Pizzaria Uno for dinner at 5:45 PM. We will see the movie "Spotlight" at Westborough Regal Cinemat at 7:15 PM (meeting in the lobby around  7 PM). 

     Please let me know if you plan to join us for dinner and/or the movie so I hold enough seats.
A Great Cultural Opportunity!
     I want to encourage you to take advantage of a wonderful Jewish cultural opportunity coming to our area early next month (OK, it's in Newton, but it's not that far-I make the trip all the time!)
 
    Mordecai Rosenstein is an internationally known Judaic artist, and he will be coming to Temple Emanuel in Newton December 2-6.   There are numerous opportunities to see Mordecai's work and to interact with him- the details are in the accompanying attachments - Artist Reception  Rosentstein Poster Board.
 
     Mordecai does some incredible things with Hebrew letters.  Once you are familiar with his style, you can spot his work easily, as it's very unique.  His art is also very colorful and attractive.  I know Mordecai (it's a Philadelphia connection), and he's very engaging and quite a character!  We have a few of Mordecai's pieces, including paintings and ritual items. 
 
     So if you're free for any of the multiple sessions that are being offered, I recommend your taking advantage of this great opportunity!
 
Rabbi Mike

Worcester JCC Author Series
    Acclaimed National Book Award Finalist, Jim Shepard to Stop at the Worcester JCC on National Book Tour
 
    Jim Shepard, author of, The Book of Aron, will give a talk at the Worcester JCC, Tuesday, December 1, 7:00 pm, 633 Salisbury Street, Worcester. 
 
    The Book of Aron is an understated and moving novel of the Warsaw ghetto during the Nazi occupation as seen through the eyes of a street-wise boy.  Called a masterpiece by the Washington Post, this book is destined to join the shelf of essential Holocaust literature.
 
    Shepard, author of six previous novels, including "Like You Would Understand Anyway" which was a finalist for the National Book Award, teaches at William College.
 
   Free and open to the public.  Book signing and dessert reception follow author talk.
 
RSVP appreciated:  [email protected]  or 508-756-7109 x 232


Adult Education
          The final Fall session will take place on Sunday December 6 from 9 - 10 AM. A Close Look at Chanukah: a study session led by Rabbi Mike Swarttz on the historical sources for the holiday, such as the Book of Maccabees and the Talmud, and how they inform our understanding and observance of the holiday.

     These sessions are for anyone interested in learning more about Judaism in an intimate, informal, discussion-oriented environment at Beth Tikvah.  No advance registration required, all are welcome!
  
Youth Group
     Thanks to everyone who came to Movie Night.  It was a really cute movie.  The next Youth Group activity will be Sunday, December 13th directly after school.  We will be making gifts for seniors.  The kids can pack lunches to eat in the big room.  Please RSVP to Abbe at [email protected].  The more kids who come ... the more gifts we can give to seniors for Hanukkah!
scholarshipJFCM Overnight Camp Scholarships
     Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts is pleased to announce the limited availability of camp scholarships for the summer of 2016. Children attending resident camp for at least three weeks are eligible to apply. All Jewish children from Central Massachusetts are welcome to apply.
     Qualifying camps must be not-for-profit Jewish camps with strong Jewish educational and experiential components.
Preference will be given to families that donate to the Federation's Annual Campaign.

Deadline for submitting applications is January 31, 2016.

Applications can be submitted three ways:
Email: [email protected] - please put camp scholarship in subject field. All emailed applications will receive a reply that they have been received.
Fax: 508-798-0962
Mail: JFCM, 633 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609 Attn: Camp Scholarship
If you have any additional questions, please contact JFCM at 508-756-1543.
 
 

FreelanderFreelander Camp Scholarships
    Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts
The Freelander Family Jewish Camping Initiative
In cooperation with the Foundation for Jewish Camp
SUMMER 2016 Summary
 
Goal
The goal of the Initiative is to promote and support Jewish overnight camping among Jewish families in Central Massachusetts. 
 
Parameters
The program is a partnership among the Freelander family, the synagogues, and the Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts.
 
Each participating synagogue will eligible to receive $1,500 grants to 2nd-3rd-4th-5th grade students who will attend a qualifying Jewish overnight camp for the first time for at least one month.
 
Participants
Synagogues in Central Massachusetts
 
Who is eligible?
  • Families in good standing, belonging to the synagogue. 
  • The oldest child who is currently in 2nd-5th grade and will be a first -time camper.
  •  A family can participate regardless of financial need.
  • The child must be the oldest sibling in the family (if there are siblings).
  • Both the oldest child and the siblings have not gone to overnight camp before.
  • The family has not received the scholarship before. 
What camps qualify?
Qualifying camps must be not-for-profit Jewish overnight camps with strong Jewish educational and experiential components.  Each participating synagogue will determine which overnight Jewish camps qualify for this program. 
 
The role of the synagogues
Promote camping among its members; Identify prospect families; Work with families to recruit campers.
 
The role of the Federation
Coordinate and administer the program; hold the funds and distribute grants to camps; assist synagogues with marketing and promotion of the program; serve as a liaison to the Freelander family.
 
Deadline - 
Applications must be received by January 31, 2016.
 
How to enroll campers
Each camper/synagogue must fill out the attached JFCM Camp Scholarship form and submit it to the Federation in order to be eligible for the scholarship.


New - Beth Tikvah Synagogue Bar/Bat Mitzvah Facebook Group
    A "Beth Tikvah Synagogue Bar/Bat Mitzvah Group" page has been created on Facebook.  It is intended to assist those who are planning Bar or Bat Mitzvahs and who are looking for advice and suggestions from those who have had previous experience in the areas of locations, themes, vendors, etc.  It is a closed group so if you're interested in joining, or if you have a friend you think would be interested, please send a request to Abbe Allexenberg.
  
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:

Sign Up Now!  

    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).

Sign Up Now!

    Please sign up by the end of September. After that, we will assign the open slots.
  
Membership
   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
 


 

Kvell and Tell
If you have a kvell (good news, milestone, etc.) to share, please email me by Thursday night for the weekly newsletter. 


B'Shalom,

EJ Dotts
President

Beth Tikvah Synagogue

[email protected] 

About Beth Tikvah
Beth Tikvah provides a warm and relaxing place to worship, study and share with other Jewish families.  It is an inviting and spiritual place which provides a unique opportunity for families to grow together under a Jewish umbrella.  We encourage each individual to contribute his or her skills and ideas to maintain our Jewish heritage and history so that our children appreciate their Jewish roots.
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EventsUpcoming Events
11/30/15 - Ladies Night at the Movies and Dinner

12/5/15 - Shabbat morning service - Bat Mitzvah of Jordan Chastanet, 9:30 AM

12/6/15 - Chanukah study with Rabbi Mike Swarttz, 9 - 10 AM

12/9/15 - Chanukkah Party, 5:30 PM

12/18/15 - Friday night service, 7:30 PM

Youth Group
Sunday December 13, after school - Make gifts for seniors at Senior Center. Contact Abbe for more information.


events
Community Events
 
Jewish Federation of Central Mass Young Adult Division
Are you a Young Jewish Adult 22-45 looking to connect with your peers living in and around the Central Massachusetts area?Then join YAD on facebook and find out what's happening in our area.

Volunteers Needed

Torah Reading (contact Rabbi Mike)

 

Leading Wednesday Evening Minyan (contact Michael Smith)

 

 

 

Form Fillable PDFs

A lot of the links connect to form-fillable pdfs.  You may need to follow these steps to save your filled out form:

1. Save to your computer first. 

2. Open the file you saved

3. Fill in the information and save it with a new name. 


 

 If you don't wish to save the form, just fill in the information and print.