newsheader
This Week At Beth Or

Your guide to upcoming programs,  
activities and news 

December 9, 2014
   snowy-mountain-cottage.jpg
  

 

 "Like" the Temple Beth Or Facebook Page at

 

www.facebook.com/BethOrMiami     

 

...and be sure to "check-in" on your mobile device when you are at the Temple, and add your comments about services and events that you attend at Beth Or!

  

In This Issue
 
 

Rabbi
Mark Kram   
 
 
 
 
D'Var Torah
  
  
December 13. 2014  
 
Vayeshev

Genesis 38:1 - 38:30 
(using the Triennial Year 2 calendar)
 
Haftarah

Amos 2:6 - 3:8
 
 
 
 
Beth Or Links

Our Website 

Board Of Directors 

Committees 



Other Links




Contact:

Kathy Fisler 
bethortemple@aol.com
 
305-235-1419
 
Office Hours:
Tuesday  10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday: Noon - 3:00 pm.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
 
What's Happening This Week at Temple Beth Or
ca  


Tuesday, December 9

Wednesday, December 10      
Chit Chat 10:00 a.m. 
       
Thursday, December 11     
Weight Watchers  10:00 a.m.
Executive Committee Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Board of Directors Meeting  8:00 p.m. 
(please note this is a change from the usual 
       Wednesday evening scheduling) 
 
Friday, December 12   
Kabbalat Shabbat 
  
Saturday, December 13 
 
Sunday,  December 14
Red Tent Women's Reading Group  1:00 p.m. 
 
Monday, December 15
Adult Education: How about those Maccabbees?!!
     7:30 p.m. 

  

Tuesday, December 16
First Night of Hanukkah
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Committee 7:30 p.m. 

  

Wednesday, December 17   
Chit Chat  10:00 a.m.
Second Night of Hanukkah

Thursday, December 18
Weight Watchers  10:00 a.m.
Third Night of Hanukkah
  
Friday, December 19 
Kabbalat Shabbat   
Fourth Night of Hanukkah  8:00 p.m.  with latkes, music, a special Oneg Shabbat and more!  
 
 
star
 Temple Beth Or 
 Events 
 
Save the Date!  

mark your calendar

December 21, 2014
Theatre at Gablestage

December 24, 2014
Chinese Food Night!

January 13, 2015 
Positive Psychology 2 begins

January 17, 2015
Progressive Dinner

January 31-February 2, 2015 
Jews in the Woods  I Camping Trip

March 21, 2015 
Lighthouse Cafe with Ruth Wyand



community noticeTemple Beth Or
Community Notices
  
Shabbat Shalomshabbat shalom

Friday, December 12  

Join us this Friday evening at 8:00 for Kabbalat Shabbat with lay leader Ellen Siegel on the bima.

Oneg Shabbat will follow the service, provided by Carol Horvitz Nutt and Mary Horvitz.

Holiday Collection for  

Chapman's Babies     baby-items.jpg

 

....Starting NOW!!! 

 

In lieu of collecting toys or gifts for the holidays, we are going to collect needed items for Chapman's babies.  Most needed are diapers, formula, bibs, bottles and the like.   


The last day of the collection will be  Friday Dec. 19th.  A box is currently in the Oneg Room for your convenience.

  dad_baby.jpg

 

 

Red Tent Women's Reading Group

The next Red Tent meeting will be on December 14 at 1:00 p.m. at the Temple, hosted by Marcy Prince.  Linda Faber will lead discussion of The Paris Architect, by Charles Belfoure.


Beth Or Annual Holiday Bazaar
florist-woman-sale.jpg

Many, many thanks! 

 

O'Hannukkah, O'Hannukah, your menorahs are brightly burning.!

Please join April and Rhoni as we celebrate Hannukah Shabbat, Friday December 19th. We are having a thank you and holiday celebration for the TBO community and especially those who schlepped,  shopped and supported our holiday bazaar. A yummy sweet oneg will be provided.


 

It's Theatre Time!  

 

Sunday, December 21, curtain time 2 p.m. 

 

 

The Beth Or Programming Committee has arranged a special group rate through GableStage for the upcoming play, "Bad Jews".  The New York Times called the play "the best comedy of the season; delectably savage and supremely funny".  

   

The play tells of a beloved grandfather, who had died, and the treasured family heirloom, with religious significance, that is up for grabs.  A Manhattan apartment sets the scene for a touching and hilarious show dealing with family, faith, and legacy.

   

In order to secure our special group rate of $40 per person (instead of $50), we must have ten or more people attending.    

 

If you are interested, please provide a check payable to GableStage in the amount of $40 per attendee.   You can give the checks to Kathy at the Temple office, or mail to Amy Lomaskin, 10860 SW 124 Street, Miami, FL 33176, to arrive by December 12th.  Amy cannot accept checks after that date as they must be taken to the theater in order to secure the group rate and tickets.

 

  Please join us for what is sure to be an enjoyable afternoon!

 

 

Wish List -- 
Stuff Beth Or could really use!   
It's time to renew our BJ's Wholesale Club* membership @ $50 for the coming year. 

*In case you're wondering why it's BJ's and not Costco, it's just a matter of geography.  Kathy does most of the shopping and BJ's is much closer! 
  

Chinese Food Night

chinese-food-banner.jpg


 
 Second Annual Chinese Food Party

 

December 24- 7:00 
at the Spectors--8822 SW 146 Ct.

Menu pages are available on the email that was circulated to the Temple email list.  If you had trouble viewing those four pages, please let the Temple office know.  We have copies that can be sent out. 

Hurry, please!  The RSVP/ordering deadline is December 19.
  • Decide what you want to eat
  • Send a check made out to Morris Spector or Bette Spector for the cost
  • Let Morris and Bette know what to order for you. 
  • The Spectors will provide soda and dessert. 
  • If you want wine or something stronger please bring it with you.

 


 

Positive Psychology 2 Starts in January 

An 8-week open event facilitated by Dr. Nancy Kirsner.  All are welcome!

Positive Psychology has ushered in an
era of well being and happiness by focusing on what works and is strong in you.

Research and reality teaches us that we are at our best when we live in our strengths and in relationships.  Our Jewish fundamentals and Positive Psychology converge, creating a rich context of meaning, purpose and pleasure -- the main ingredients of Happiness and Wellbeing.

Class session dates:  Tuesday evenings
January 13 and 20,
February 3, 10, 17, and 24,
March 3 and 10.

To register, please email nancykirsner@gmail.com. 
For any questions, call Dr. Nancy Kirsner at 305-274-8283. 

Cost to participate: 
  • $10 per class if taken individually
  • $60 for the series of classes for Beth Or members if paid in advance or at the first session
  • $80 for the series for non-members if paid in advance or at the first session

All proceeds go to Temple Beth Or

Checks should be made payable to Temple Beth Or

  
  
Progressive Dinner 
 
Invitations are on the way to your mailbox!
fancy-eggroll-appetizer.jpg
  Note the earlier start time!!


  

We are delighted with our host volunteers so far for the January 17, 2015 Progressive Dinner.  However, we could still use a couple more volunteers. This event has a great turnout every year and we want to accommodate everyone's dinner request. You can contact Annette or Irene to let them know you'd like to host.    

  

annette075@aol.com

1stroke@gmail.com

 

Phones: Annette: 305-542-8573

              Irene: 305-310-8219 

  

 

The date for the 2015 Progressive Dinner is

January 17, 2015. We are looking for volunteers to host the entree portion of the

evening and Irene and I were wondering if you would be willing to serve as a host

house?

 

Our 2015 Progressive Dinner will be start off at the home of Ilien & Keith Hechtman and we will conclude at the home of April & Scott Miller. We are grateful for the generosity of both families for helping us to make the 2015

Progressive Dinner a very special evening.

 

Once the guests leave the Hechtmans they head to their assigned host house.  Hosts are responsible to serve a salad, main dish with some side dishes, bread,  and something to drink. Temple Beth Or provides each host house with two bottles of wine -- one red and one white.

  wine-sm.jpg

You and your guests eat and talk for a couple of hours and leave and head to the Miller home by 10 p.m. for the dessert portion of the night.  

It's a great way to rekindle old friendships and make new ones.

 

Irene and Annette do all the behind the scenes arrangement of assigning folks to the

houses and so forth.

 

It's great fun and we hope you'll consider hosting.  Please let us know as soon as possible whether you'll be able to be a host. Feel free to respond by email or you can call either Irene or if you have any questions. We look forward to hearing from you.

 

 
dinner.jpg
 
everglades
Jews in the Woods   

 

 

Friday, January 31 - Sunday, February 2, 2014

At the exotic, bayside Flamingo Campground in Everglades National Park

 

Activities (will be decided based on weather and wind conditions):

 

Friday evening, 8:00 PM: Kabbalat Shabbat under the stars.

Saturday morning, 10:30 AM: Sweet and simple Sabbath service.

Saturday and Sunday during the day: Cruise on a mangrove adventure canoe trip, brave a swamp tromp, see the feathered wildlife on a bird walk, and make plaster castings of animal footprints.

Saturday evening, 6:00 PM: Potluck and Havdalah under the stars. We will also have a patriotic flag burning ceremony just before bed after the s'mores!

 

Housing: TENTS ONLY!  You must make your own standard non-electric site reservation.  Reservations ($16 per might) can either be made at
http://www.recreation.gov/campsiteFilterAction.do?sitefilter=STANDARD+NONELECTRIC&startIdx=0&contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70976or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

Food: All food is bring your own. For Saturday evening we are having a potluck, so please have enough to share with others. Bring your own dishes and utensils. There is a convenience store and a modest food trailer in Flamingo so you can buy food, but the selection is very limited.

 

Fee: There is a $10 at the park entrance fee plus your $16 per night park service campsite fee - see Housing above.

 

Bring:

All 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, bikes 

 

 

Email Ellen Siegel, gladesgirl1@bellsouth.net  with the number of campers and your contact information. You can also reach her at (305) 332-5544.




gardening-bucket.jpg Green Stuff!

Beth Or's  ORGANIC  GARDEN 
ontinues to grow!

 

Put the 'Or' in 'Organic"

  

H&G thanks Glenn Patron for illuminating our monument sign with solar-powered spotlights.

 

 

Beth Or's
Minipark is the mulched area between the gravel parking lot and our main building.  Still under construction, it

provides safe passage walkways from parking lot to building on a mulch bed instead of rough terrain, tree roots and encroaching vegetation.

Watch for additional improvements as we add sitting area, etc.~ House & Grounds

 

 

 

Certified Florida Master Gardeners Wilfredo and Candy Candelaria will support

Beth Or's Organic Garden and Campus Edibles Program for 2014-15.

They will help train volunteers and provide education for Green Thumb congregants

who want to practice organic, sustainable vegetable, fruit and medicinal cultivation.

Watch for opportunities to cultivate your own plot at Beth Or or help our next communal crops of:  bananas, papayas, other edibles, herbs and medicianals!

 

We're also submitting a grant proposal to improve the irrigation for many edibles on campus!

  

Do's and Don'ts:

  • Don't step on a 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

Check out this site:  Derek Fellows Grows 

 

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, '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."

 

 

Story:  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 Organic/Veganic Gardening. We will carefully select the veggies and herbs to maximize output, balanced cultivatino, companion planting, insect control, etc. With today's high prices 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.

 

 

Chit Chat  
             
 
Chit Chat meets at Beth Or Wednesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. to read and discuss items in the news or out there in the world.  We concentrate primarily on issues of
Jewish interest.  

If you want to be included on the Chit Chat email list, please contact Mike Leslie at hebrewnatl@aol.com
.
   
TBO Members' Page

Wishlist for TBO Friends

Jeff Tucker is looking for: 
  • A digital converter box for non-digital TV's
  • A good antenna -- rabbit ears or similar
  • Movie DVD's
  • Ladies' shoes size 8-1/2
  • Ladies' cosmetics
  • Men's slippers
  • Warm blanket
  • Full-sized sheets
Jeff is collecting these items for Noli and Keke. Please contact him at tuckbrc@bellsouth.net
to make arrangements for donations.
In and For Our Local Community

 
The Gospel According to Jerry

is playing for one more weekend, December 12-14, at the New Theatre at the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center. 

It's wonderful, written by a rabbi, and it's all about Judaism.  

Check out the center's website at 
www.smdcac.org
for information and tickets.
 

 

Mental Health Programs Open to the Public
...at Temple Beth Am, 7-9 p.m. as follows:

Wednesday, December 10: Honest Talk: Innovative Approaches to Treatment: Groundbreaking new approaches to mental health

All events are free and open to the community.

For more information, visit www.tbam.org/mentalhealth 

JCS Alliance's Team Blue Card
in the Miami Marathon
 
Sunday, January 25, 2015, Downtown Miami

100% of your support will benefit Holocaust Survivors living in Miami-Dade County served by Jewish Community Services.
 
Who can participate?  Anyone over the age of 18 can run or walk.  Walkers are expected to finish within 4 hours for the Half and 7.5 hours for the Full.

What is the minimum fundraising expctation?  $250 for the Half and $500 for the Full, plus the individual self-registration fee at the race.

What are the Team Membership Benefits?  Guaranteed race admission to the 2015 New York City Marathon*, discounted entry fee, complimentary racing gear, personal fundraising webpage.
*$3,000 minimum fundraising amount

For more information, call Marian Mendelsohn at 305-403-6539, or emailmmendelsohn@jcsfl.org

marathon-runners.jpg