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D'Var Torah
Parashat
Mishpatim
(for February 9, 2013)
Exodus
23:20 - 24:18
using the Triennial
Year III schedule
Haftarah
for Shabbat Shekalim:
II Kings
12:1 -12:17
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What's Happening
This Week At Beth Or
Tuesday, February 5
The Israeli-Palestine Peace Process
7:30 pm
(see J Street Speaker at Beth Or below)
Wednesday, February 6
Chit Chat at Starbucks 10:00 am
Thursday, February 7
Friday, February 8 Kabbalat Shabbat Service 8:00
Friday - Sunday, February 8 - 10 Jews in the Woods (space is still available!)
Saturday, February 9
Bibliodrama: Moses and The Burning Bush 10:15 am
Sunday, February 10
Red Tent Women's Reading Group 1:00 pm
Monday, February 11
Tuesday, February 12 Adam Ashby's Eagle Project TBO Benefit
Wednesday, February 13
Chit Chat at Starbucks 10:00 am
Executive Committee Meeting 7:30 pm
Board of Directors Meeting 8:00 pm
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 Temple Beth Or Events
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Save The Date 
February 23
Adult Purim Celebration
February 24
Purimspiel with the Torah School
March 1
Shabbat Across America
March 3 - 5
2013 AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, DC
March 10
Big Cypress Nature Walk
March 16
A celebration of music, good food and memories to honor Dr. Michael Newman
March 17
GMJF Matzah, Mitzvah and More Volunteer Project
March
Thom Elliott's One-Man Photography Show at Pitman
Photo Supply Shop
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 Temple Beth Or |
Shabbat Shalom! 
Kabbalat Shabbat this Friday, at 8:00 pm. with Rabbi Mark Kram on the bima. The topic will be Passages and Children.
The Oneg Shabbat will be sponsored by Gail and Elliott Manning.
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D'var Torah
Passages and Children
Last weekend my family experienced a very special moment. Our middle son, David, was engaged. It was a heavy week. With multiple calls to David, his fiancée's parents, making arrangements for a surprise "popping of the question," and a lot of family celebration. His fiancés parents came to Miami. the question was asked and answered (the answer was yes!). And "poof," our family has grown!
Is this what it means when the Torah instructs us to "pir'u ur'vu u'milooh et ha'aretz." be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth!?
Needless to say we are excited - God-willing, ultimately anticipating a wonderful expansion of the Kram family tree next year.
But the miracle of seeing two young people on the pathway to join their lives together, is incredible. And the magic of the moment, realizing and being in the moment - realizing that this really happened is amazing. Awesome. Incredible.
There are so many times in our lives when we are blessed with overflowing happiness and emotion. For Mindy and me, this was surely one of those times. Surrounded by family - all of our kids - and our new machatunim-to-be and our new daughter-to-be (Lea gets a sister!) was a moment to be treasured.
I know life is not always bursting with emotional happy times such as this. I know that the cycle of life at times throws us curve balls. But when these times come, savor them, relish them, delight in them. For we know not what may come next.
Spencer Johnson wrote a small book entitled, "The Present." It reminds us how to focus on what we have now, rather than to only look to the future - with either worry or concern; or to the past with either regret or guilt.
Last weekend, we were in the moment. I pray for many more moments for you and for us like that amazing weekend when pretty much all else around us just slipped away...
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Mark
PS: This Shabbat is Shabbat Shekalim - the time when all Israelites would bring a half-shekel to the temple for the upkeep of the Tent of Meeting (where God and Moses met during the trek through the wilderness). There will be more than a few shekels spent on the wedding weekend - but gladly! |
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Chit Chat at Starbucks...
Chit Chat is a weekly discussion group that meets on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at Starbucks in the Suniland Shopping Center on US 1.
To be included in the Chit Chat notification list, please send your email address to Mike Leslie at
hebrewnatl@aol.com
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Bibliodrama's Back!
It's Moses and the Burning Bush this week, and we'll see what a REAL brush fire does for you!
If you haven't experienced Bibliodrama, this is not your kid-style Bible Story hour. We delve into the characters and explore them in human terms -- people just like us -- and create our own Midrashim!
Saturday, February 9, at 10:00 a.m. at Beth Or!
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Thank you, thank you!
to those who have generously donated to Beth Or...
Rhoni Tannebaum, for the donation of greeting cards for birthday, anniversary, and other celebratory recognition.
Celia Belsky, in honor of Bert Tesserot's 60th birthday |
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Beth Or Website Update...
The New Website is Live!! Check it out directly from here:
www.bethormiami.com 
The installation of new WI-FI equipment is complete, and now you can access the cyber universe from our entire campus.
We are now ready for advertiser & sponsor ads. Please get the word out and post it in the Newsletter.
Get noticed by your temple!
Camera-ready business card size ads will be rotated through the website for $180 per year.
Send ads by e-mail to drmikebethor@comcast.net
and the check to temple.
The Temple Directory is available in PDF to members.
Webmaven:
Dr. Michael Newman
305-632-1663
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Red Tent Women's Reading Group
 The next meeting of the Red Tent will be on on Sunday, Feb.10 at 1:00 P.M. at Andrea Loring's home. Sharyn Marks will do a wonderful job leading us in a discussion of The Walk by Richard Paul Evans, the story of a man who loses everything he has and walks away from -- but maybe toward -- his life. |
TBO Fundraiser at Wall's Old-Fashoned Ice Cream Shop
Tuesday, February 12, 5 - 7 pm
Eagle Scout Project Fundraiser will benefit Beth Or!
Scout Adam Ashby's ambitious project will beautify our School Building with pavers, planter boxes & paint.
Everyone is invited to Wall's Old Fashioned Ice Cream Tuesday Feb. 12th, 5-7 p.m. at 8075 SW 67th Ave., Miami 33143.
For details 305-740-9830.
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Jews in the Woods
Last-minute reservations can still be made for February 8 - Sunday, February 10, 2012, at the lovely, exotic, bayside Flamingo Campground in Everglades National Park.
Call Ellen directly at 305-332-5544.
(...and while we're on the subject, stay tuned for informaion on the March 10 Big Cypress Nature Walk with Everglades Ranger Ellen Siegel...)
Housing: TENTS ONLY! (due to Hurricanes Rita and Wilma, the lodge and cabins were totaled.) We will be in sites in Loop B. Check at the entrance kiosk for exact location.
Food: All food is bring your own. For Saturday evening, we are having a potluck, so please have enough to share with others. Being sensitive to Tal Bashit (using resources wisely) bring your own dishes and utensils. We will not be providing paper or plastic dishes or flatware. There is a convenience store and a modest food trailer in Flamingo so you can buy food, but the selection is very limited.
Fee: $20 per tent. Please send your check to the Temple, 11715 SW 87 Avenue, 33176, marked "JITW 2013". If you just come for the day or for dinner, please make a $15.00 contribution to the Temple. You must register by February 1st to guarantee a tent spot.
There is a separate $10.00 per car entrance fee for the park, payable at the front gate. This is good for a week in all parts of the park.
Park activities are also available for a separate fee, such as bike rentals, canoe rentals, boat trips, etc.
Activities
- Saturday morning, 10:00, very short Sabbath service
- Saturday and Sunday during the day: potential activities include a mangrove adventure canoe trip, a bird walk, a swamp tromp, a bayside treasure hunt, plaster casting animal footprints, a sunset boat cruise. We will make each decision based on weather and wind conditions during the day, and there will be a bulletin board at our campsite with details for those who wish to join us for a few hours or a day.
- Saturday evening, 6:00 pm, Havdallah Under the Stars. Your pot-luck contribution will be shared at this time. We will also have a patriotic flag burning ceremony just before bed and after the s'mores!
Registration: Email Ellen Siegel,
ellen@siegelplanners.com with the n umber of campers. You can also reach me at (305) 332-5544. Remember, your check to Beth Or is the only way to guarantee a tent space.
Bring: food, tents, all cooking gear (pots, pans, stove, utensils), toiletries, towels, sleeping bags/pillows, sun protection, binoculars, cameras, folding tables and extra chairs, rain gear, jackets, bug repellent.
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 Shabbat Across America (and at Beth Or!) On Friday night, March 1, 2013 hundreds of synagogues across the continent will take part in an historic national Jewish event to celebrate what unifies all Jews - Shabbat! Everyone is invited... singles, couples, families - all ages. "Turn an ordinary Friday night into something extraordinary!" That's the magic of Shabbat Across America and Shabbat Across Canada. By participating in this continent wide event, you will not only have the opportunity to experience Shabbat, but you will be sharing your experience with tens of thousands of Jews across North America. No matter what your affiliation or which Shabbat Across America or Shabbat Across Canada location you choose to attend, NJOP's annual Shabbat program will give you a "taste" of Shabbat. Explanatory services, traditional rituals, delicious meals and lively discussions are all important components of the Shabbat experience, as well as the opportunity to spend the evening with like-minded people, friends and family. Shabbat Across America or Shabbat Across Canada is for every Jew, and those who are unable to go to a registered location can participate in their own homes or in gatherings with friends/family. For help in creating a Shabbat evening, try one or all of the resources provided by the National Jewish Outreach Program. Visit www.njop.org. |
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Swamp Tromp
Sunday, March 10
...and don't forget to set your clocks forward before bed the night before!
When: Meet at 12 noon at the Big Cypress Oasis Visitors' Center, or 11:15 at the Dade carpool site, or 10:30 at the Broward carpool site. We should be back at the Dade carpool site by about 5:00 pm.
What: Start with a picnic lunch, a slide show at the visitors' center, a short ranger talk about the area, use the restrooms, then let's hit the Florida Trail! This is what Mosaic is all about. Be adventurous, give it a try. Here ibis and wood storks roost, owls hoot, water flows, and life is teeming. The trail should be dry, but that will depend on rainfall prior to the hike. Our trip leader, Ellen Siegel, is a Mosaic member and is also a volunteer Everglades National Park ranger. She will share some of her knowledge of the area. Tree frogs are common here, but are not easy to spot. Air plants grow prolifically above, adn wild orchids can be seen overhead. Mosquitoes shouldn't be bad this time of year, but we'll take precautions. Midday is usually not too bad. This is the area where the movie "Adaptation" and the book "The Orchid Thief" took place. On the way back, you may want to join us for dinner at a local restaurant.
Where: Big Cypress Oasis Visitor Center, Big Cypress National Preserve, Ochopee (239-695-1201) on the Tamiami Trail (US 41) about 20 miles west of the Everglades Shark Valley entrance. It will be on the right, just a couple of miles past the Midway camping area. If you come to Monument Lake camping area or Monroe Station, you've passed it. We will carpool or walk together fromthe Visitor Center to the trailhead.
Directions: FL Turnpike to Tamiami Trail westbound exit (US 41), then west about 40 miles.
Carpool information will be available on request.
Bring: Brown bag lunch, water, hat, bug spray, long sleeve shirt, loose fitting long pants, and old sneakers and socks. Bring lots of ice water. Khakis are better than jeans, and the long pants and sleeves will help keep off the skeeters and keep you from getting scratched by vegetation. Bring a change of clothes for afterwards.
Cost: $3 for Mosaic members, and $8 for non-members
No RSVP is required. We'll go rain or shine, unless there is severe weather or lightning. |
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Rami Shapiro Speaking Engagement
On Sunday, March 3, Rabbi Rami Shapiro (our founding Rabbi) will be speaking at Temple Israel from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
A carpool caravan is suggested for this event, and those interested in attending should contact the Temple (305-235-1419) or email bethortemple@aol.com.
We'll make a list of who wants to go and who can take riders. The group should plan to meet at TBO and depart together at a time to be determined.
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Beth Or's Program Calendar for 2012-2013
The Temple's Program Calendar for the coming year is available at :
Beth Or Event Calendar
Please bookmark this site so that it's easily available and will allow you keep up with what's going on at the Temple as well as be a part of the process of keeping it current and accurate.
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 Garden and Grounds
Beth Or's ORGANIC GARDEN continues to grow! Let's put the Or in Organic. The Organic Garden's raised beds will soon have their minor wood repairs. The campus-wide sprinkler system is 95% finished. There's still time for new planting with harvest in the spring. Here's an offer for you: Are you willing to plant and care for this season's crop? Contact Jeff Tucker at tuckbrc@bellsouth.net to claim a raised bed. Jane Weinstock has already put dibs on her planting plot. Meanwhile, Amy Lomaskin has put in long hours working with Marcy Prince to enhance the appearance of our grounds -- bromeliads, ferns, orchids, and our jungle of trees are that much better for their efforts! Here are a few do's and don't's for bed gardening: - Don't step in the bed: your weight compresses the soil, reducing friability
- If you don't know what to do, ASK!
- Learn as much as you can about organic/veganic methods: Rodale's magazine is a good resource
Kavanah by Rabbi Mark: "...to help build up our people, our institutions and our strength so that we continue to 'L'takein olam b'malchut Shaddai,' or 'repair the world under the kingdom of heaven.' Let's get our hands deliciously dirty in this endeavor as we grow and sustain our beloved community. We are Shomrei Adamah, Guardians of the Earth or Keepers of the Garden of Eden. To start off, we will be practical and do whatever works, but we aspire to the highest standards of earth ethics summarized by Veganic Gardening. We will carefully select the veggies and herbs to maximize output, balanced cultivation, companion planting, insect control, etc. Square Foot Method optimizes density of various plants' space and creates orderly appearance. With today's high proces for quality veggies and herbs, a garden is economically desirable. Plus, it is part of a healthy lifestyle, good education, and a social communal experience. All those with green (or any color) thumbs are welcome to cultivate with us. |
J Street Speaker at Beth Or
"Last Chance for Middle East Peace? - The Role of U.S. Leadership to Achieve a Two-State Solution"
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
7:30 P.M
Temple Beth Or Sanctuary,
Join Rabbi Lawrence Troster of J Street Miami, Rabbi Mark Kram and the Temple Beth Or community for an important discussion about the role of U.S. leadership in bringing Israel and the Palestinians back to the negotiating table.
How can the parties resolve the core issues and come to a mutually agreed upon end of the conflict? What can you, as an American Jew, personally do in order to be heard in the conversation?
J Street Miami is an organization of pro-Israel, pro-peace Americans supporting active American leadership to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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Matzah Mitzvah & More
Save the Date: Sunday, March 17
Make the Time
Together we can make a difference!
Be a Partner with Jewish Community Services at
Matzah Mitzvah & More
The Jewish Community's Annual Event
Bringing Passover Food Baskets and Holiday Joy
to Frail Elderly and Others in Need
Sunday Morning, March 17, 2013
Beth Or members and friends interested in participating in this event can contact Bette Spector at Bettespector@gmail.com. Bette will collect the names of volunteers to give to the Federation. Location assignments can be arranged for TBO members to carpool.
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Taglit - Birthright Israel
Do you know any young adults looking for a free trip to Israel this summer? 
Taglit-Birthright Israel with Israel Experience has two different options for college students and young professionals. During our 10-day trips, young adults explore Israel and then return home to become more involved in the Jewish community.
Are you looking for an unforgettable trip to Israel this summer?
On Taglit-Birthright Israel with Israel Experience, you'll spend 10 days witnessing Israel's natural beauty, networking with its innovators, examining its history, debating its politics, living it up in Tel Aviv, and participating in social action projects to leave your positive mark on Israel.
We have different trips for college students and young professionals.
For priority access, register here:
www.freejourneytoisrael.org/getmore/
This trip is a gift from Taglit-Birthright Israel.
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Celebrate 65 Years of Friendship
Join Rabbi Mark Kram and fellow Beth Or members Marcy Galinsky and Scott Fane in our nations capitol at the 2013 AIPAC Policy Conference, March 3-5.
The AIPAC Policy Conference offers pro-Israel citizen activists the opportunity to learn, lobby, and strengthen the U.S. - Israel frienship.
For more information about the conference, visit www.aipac.org, click on the "Get Involved" tab, and select "Policy Conference."
More information for the conference trip with Rabbi Mark will be coming soon!
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Holocaust Education Month
All events at various locations are free and open to the public. Speakers and presentations will run from February 6 through the 25.
For more information on events and locations, please contact the Holocaust Memorial at 305-538-1663 or
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Register for Summer Camp at Miami's 3 JCC's
Miami Beach JCC Klurman Family Day Camp
Open House and Pool Party March 10, 1-3 p.m. Everyone is welcome to have fun and learn about our summer camp!
Early Bird Registration Deadline: February 15.
Ongoing Registration while space is available.
Weekly camp options also available.
Give your child a summer of great friends, exploration, activity, excitement and education. We offer a fun filled program in our brand new facility which includes a gymnastics studio, swimming pool with and interactive splash pad, art studio, sports field, and a full size gymnasium in the center of Miami Beach. Join one of our camp groups or try out a specialty camp with Prime Time Sports (Basketball and Football), Dance with Expressions Performing Arts, Robotics with DBP Robotics and Gymnastics with our very own MBJCC coaches.
For more information, email camp@mbjcc.org,, call 305.534.3206. Contact: Michelle Mavorah, Camp Coordinator or Nataly Yusim, Program Director and Camp Director- nataly@mbjcc.org
Camp Sol Taplin of the Michael-Ann Russell JCC
Avoid the hassle of carpool lines and register for our FREE transportation pick-up and drop-off!
Early Registration Discount through Thursday, February 28
Camp Sol Taplin of the Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center is a safe, exciting, and transformative summer camp experience for children ages 30 months to 15-years-old.
 We offer Academy Camps, Swim Academy, Sports Academy, Variety Camps, Specialty Camps, Premier Camps, Extreme & Teen Camps, Special Needs offerings, and more.
For more information, call 305.932.4200 x145/146 or visit www.marjcc.org to download our Camp Sol Taplin brochure.
Dave and Mary Alper JCC
A summer of fun with 2, 4, 6 or 8-week sessions where campers choose from more than 50 Hobby Hour activities including canoeing, fishing, photography, rocketry and Lego/K'nex.
No Registration Deadlines
There's no place like camp at the Dave and Mary Alper JCC award-winning summer program for kids 13 mos. - 14 yrs. with a variety of camps including general, sports , performing arts and special needs.
For more information, call 305.271.9000 x271.
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