Greetings!
This past weekend was quite busy, from Shabbat services Saturday morning to a Mommy, Daddy, and Me Program on Sunday morning, and our Annual Coffee House in between. Thank you to the Dubrovsky and Hollander families for providing the kiddush for our service. Thank you to everyone who read Torah, Molly Secrest, Judy Narod, Barry Robins, and Josh Robins. As usual, it was a wonderful, educational, and spiritual service.
The Coffee House Saturday night was amazing. Wendy Gonsenhauser put together a great program. Here are some tastes of the performances that night.
| Leonid Shapiro - Yiddish Music |
| Mitch Gordon and Joel Shapiro |
Each year our students in the religious school choose a charity to support at the Coffee House. This year, our kitah vav (6th grade class) chose Fugees Family, an organization devoted to working with child survivors of war. We raised over $100 for this charity Saturday night. For more information about this charity, click here. Thank you to Abbe, Shelley, Adriane, Daya, Jack, Sara, Adam, Wendy and Brad for setting up and cleaning up. Thank you to everyone who brought yummy baked goods and other foods. Thank you to all of our excellent performers and thank you to everyone who attended and made it such a special evening.
See you on January 22 at our joint service with Congregation Bnai Shalom at 7:30 PM. It's our turn to host this year!
Finally, check out all the events going on in the kehillah (community) over the next couple of months!
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From the Rabbi |
"Now What?: Questions and answers for those who have chosen Judaism" is a five-week class offered by Mayyim Hayyim, the community Mikvah in Newton.
A brief description of the class is:
"Your conversion class was just the beginning. These five sessions will deepen your understanding, boost your confidence, and answer questions that surfaced after you got out of the water. Interactive and experiential learning for people who chose Judaism - no matter how long ago that was. Partners are encouraged to attend."
The instructor is Rabbi Lesley Gordon, who is connected with the Jewish Discovery Institute, which is co-sponsoring the program. I know Rabbi Gordon, and she is a talented, engaging and knowledgeable teacher.
This program begins on Thursday, March 3. Classes will take place 7:00-9:00 pm. To register:
Rabbi Mike
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Kvell and Tell |
Rana and I are pleased to invite you to Maya's exhibit of her senior project (see details below) at the Dorr Museum on the campus of College of the Atlantic, 105 Eden St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, marking the end of her undergraduate student years.
Dear friends, family, colleagues, teachers, and mentors,
I am pleased to announce the opening for my senior project gallery exhibition, which showcases my experiences with observation, field work, illustration, and humility on the Somes-Meynell Wildlife Sanctuary in Somesville, ME. The project was conducted over 18 weeks and is culminated in this collection of illustrations, photographs, botanical matter, and reflections.
I would be delighted if you would join me on Sunday, January 24th at 3:00pmto celebrate the opening of this show.
If you have a kvell (good news, milestone, etc.) to share, please email me by Thursday night for the weekly newsletter.
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Adult Education - Hold the Dates |
February 7: Jewish Aerobics - The Choreography of Services. Ever wondered why we bow, stand, and turn at certain times during the services? Ever wanted to practice having an aliyah at the bimah? Come learn!
March 6: Torah Study - an Adult Ed favorite, a chance to read, reflect, and discuss this week's Parsha with other adults.
April 3: Why Be Jewish? (Part 1) This session was conceived during a previous Adult Ed session. Rabbi Mike will lead us in a conversation about the very profound question of - when we have a choice, why choose to be Jewish? As this is a very important and complex question, we will continue the conversation in the fall of 2016 (Part 2).
May 1: Counting the Omer/Torah Study - We'll count the Omer together and discuss why, coupled with a reflection and discussion of this week's Parsha.
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JFCM 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.
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Freelander 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.
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New - Beth Tikvah Synagogue Bar/Bat Mitzvah Facebook Group
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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.
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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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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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B'Shalom, EJ Dotts President Beth Tikvah Synagogue [email protected] |
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Upcoming Events
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