HATIKVAH
Beth Tikvah Synagogue Newsletter         
March 31, 2016

Like us on Facebook
Greetings! 
        
    It's been a really busy week at Beth Tikvah. Last Wednesday we had so much fun celebrating Purim. Over 80 adults and children, most in costume, blotted out the name of Haman with their groggers, listened to Rabbi Mike, Mike Smith, and Barry Robins read the megillah, sang along with the Beth Tikvah band, and ate yummy hamentashen. The fun began with our Purim Pizza provided by Russell Schwartz. Thank you to everyone who helped set up and clean up, especially Bill Amsden and Mike Smith who stayed till the very end.
     Friday night was our annual Scout Shabbat service. It was great to see so many scouts (adults too) in uniform.  Of course there were plenty of non-scouts too enjoying the vshamru wave. Thank you to the Spring and Shwartz family for providing the Kiddush and to Adriane for baking the scrumptious challah.
     Then we had Trivia Night!  Six teams competed to be the Beth Tikvah Stump Trivia Champs. The Tabbs team, Ski bums, retook the title after winning the tie-breaker against the Northborough Neighbors. My team, Drumpf2016?, barely held on to third place. Wendy again organized a great raffle and silent auction. There are still a few silent auction items available. The silent auction closes on Sunday at noon. Thank you to everyone who helped with set up and clean up and for bringing such tasty appetizers and desserts. More pictures from Purim and Trivia Night will be posted on the Beth Tikvah website.
     This evening many of us attended the presentation, Jewish Genetics Across the Generations, by Dr. Jodi Hoffman. It was very informative. Rabbi Gurevitz uploaded an audio recording of the presentation to share with our congregations. You can hear the presentation here.
     This weekend will be just as busy. We begin with a warm, spiritual, participatory, egalitarian Shabbat morning service beginning at 9:30 AM. We encourage the whole Beth Tikvah mishpacha (family) to come and celebrate with the Smith family as Aaron Smith is called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah.
Sunday morning is our next Adult Education class, "Why Be Jewish Part 1" with Rabbi Mike.
     Next month we have a progressive dinner scheduled for Saturday April 16. The way a progressive dinner works is that we all gather in one house for dinner, then we split among 3 or 4 homes for dinner (about 5 couples per house), and then we all meet again for dessert. Those hosting a dinner provide the dinner. Everyone else will provide either an appetizer or a dessert. If you are willing to open your home for appetizer or dessert, or host one of the dinners, please let me know. We used to hold these progressive dinners at least once a year and they were so much fun. It is a great way to make new connections with your Beth Tikvah mishpacha (family).
      Finally, next month is Passover.  I am again doing a "Seder Match". Do you have room at your Seder table?  Are you looking for a Seder to attend? Please email me if you have room at your table. Let me know how many people and any preferences regarding age. If you are looking for a Seder to attend, please email me and let me know if there are any allergy issues.
 


 top 
In This Issue
From the Rabbi
     
If Purim is over, then Pesach cannot be too far away. 
 
You may recall that one of the traditions for Pesach/Passover is that Jews do not only not eat hametz, or food with leavening, but we are not supposed to own it, be in possession of it, or derive any benefit from it.   To that end, the rabbis developed the tradition of "selling" hametz for the duration of Pesach. 
 
I serve as an agent for selling your hametz, if you appoint me.  You release it to me, and I sell it to a minister friend of mine.  The sale is suspended at the end of the holiday.
 
It is customary, but not required, to give Tzedakah when selling your hametz.  So feel free, when you submit your sale form (attached), to make a contribution to Beth Tikvah.
 
Rabbi Mike
Progressive Dinner
     Come join us for the re-launch of an old Beth Tikvah Tradition, the Annual Progressive Dinner on Saturday evening, April 16. The way a progressive dinner works is that we all gather in one house for dinner, then we split among 3 or 4 homes for dinner (about 5 couples per house including the hosts), and then we all meet again for dessert. Those hosting a dinner provide the dinner. Everyone else will provide either an appetizer or a dessert. If you are willing to open your home for appetizer or dessert, or host one of the dinners, please sign up below. If we don't get enough hosts we will need to adjust our plans, so please sign up by April 3rd.

Sign Up Now!


 

Please email me if you have any questions regarding the progressive dinner.


Adult Education - Spring Classes
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).

To register for this session - click here.

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.

To register for this session - click here.

     
Food Drive
There will be boxes in the lobby for food collection.  We will collect through religious school on Wednesday April 13. This is a good opportunity to get rid of that Chametz.

     
Westborough Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk/Run
One of our goals at Beth Tikvah Synagogue is to reach beyond our synagogue walls and work with the greater community to do Tikun Olam (repair of the world). This year, we have an opportunity to participate in the Westborough Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk/Run on Sunday Morning April 10 at the Westborough Swim and Tennis Club. Pancreatic cancer is the nation's fourth leading cause of cancer deaths, and that its low survival rate has not improved in 25 years. Members of our own Beth Tikvah mishpacha have been impacted by this disease.  Please click here to join or sponsor Team Beth Tikvah.
     
Mommy Daddy and Me
Come join our informal play group for parents and their children on Sunday April 10, 2016 at 9:30 AM.

Brought to you by a joint program with Beth Tikvah Synagogue and PJ Library, this group which meets once a month, will give parents the opportunity to exchange ideas while their children play and participate in age appropriate Judaic crafts/activities. This program is open to everyone with children between the ages of 1 and 4. Come join the fun!

Reservations are not required, but are appreciated. Please click here to reserve your space.

Future date:  May 1.
     
Women's Seder
Congregation B'nai Shalom's annual Women's Seder is Thursday April 146-9pm. This is open to the whole community. The potluck dinner begins at 6 pm  

Please RSVP to Janice Hirshon at [email protected] who is helping to ensure a balanced a delicious menu!

Schedule:
6:45-8:15pm Seder
8:15pm Dessert break
8:40-9pm Conclusion of the Seder.

This year's theme is change.
Participants are invited to think about how the change from winter to spring affects them, and are asked to bring an object or word or phrase that symbolizes  change for them.
     
Jewish Heritage Night at the Red Sox
Come join us at Jewish Heritage Night for some Red Sox fun!

Check out the t-shirts they are giving away this year featured on the flyer. You can order your game tickets directly at www.jewishcentralmass.or/redsox.  For those who don't want to drive themselves or carpool, trains stop right at Fenway.
 

     
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.
Join Our Mailing List
EventsUpcoming Events
4/2/16 - Shabbat Morning Service, Bar Mitvah of Aaron Smith, 9:30 AM

4/3/16 - Why Be Jewish, 9 AM

4/9/16 - Shabbat Morning Service, Bar Mitzvah of Elijah Choate, 9:30 AM



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.

------------------------

Temple Emanuel Sinai Presents
SOUNDTRACK OF OUR SOULS: WOMEN'S VOICES IN JEWISH MUSIC
Saturday, April 2, 2016 at 7:30 pm
Temple Emanuel Sinai
661 Salisbury, Street, Worcester
Featuring the music of American songwriters Debbie Friedman, Sue Horowitz, Beth Schafer, Peri Smilow and Julie Silver and Israeli singers Chava Alberstein, Noa, Yehudit Ravitz and Naomi Shemer.
Click here for more information.
-----------------------------
Worcester JCC Author Series
B.A. Shapiro, Author of The Art Forger, to Discuss her New Novel, The Muralist
Thurs. April 7, 2016  7 PM
Worcester JCC
633 Salisbury Street,
Worcester
The Muralist traces the life and mysterious disappearance of a brilliant young artist on the eve of WW II.  Entwining the lives of both historical and fictional characters, and moving between the past and the present, The Muralist plunges readers into the divisiveness of prewar politics and the largely forgotten plight of European refugees who were refused entrance to the United States. 
Following the talk, there will be a book signing and dessert reception.  Free and open to the public
Co-sponsored by Southern New England Hadassah
-----------------------------
Julio Liquors and Congregation Bnai Shalom
Kosher for Passover Wine Tasting
Thursday April 7, 7 PM
Julio's Liquors
140 Turnpike Road
Westborough, MA
Complementary tasting of kosher wines in Julio's Metro Station (lower level) with special guest speakers Rabbi Rachel Gurevitz, Ph.D. & Kosher Wine Specialist William Mendall of Monseiur Touton Selection.
Space is limited to 70 people
Click here to reserve a space




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.

 


Beth Tikvah Synagogue | 45 Oak Street | Westborough | MA | 01581