Monthly e-newsletter - November 2015
 
We are pleased to announce in collaboration with several Charlotte Jewish agencies, Temple Beth El has taken a lead role in developing and hosting our community's first ever Global Day of Jewish Learning. Babysitting and pre/post Religious School care are available. Be sure to check out the full schedule. Although registration is not required for this free event, your response is appreciated for planning.
 
Other items of interest this month include the Interfaith Thanksgiving service, events highlighting our interest in Israel and how one woman's legacy blooms. We hope you will find this edition of The Voice to be a great read.  We value your feedback, so please email suggestions to our Executive Director, Laura Bernstein.
COMMUNITY
Global Day of Jewish Learning-Register now!
 
Join TBE for the Global Day of Jewish Learning! In addition to singing, dancing and (of course) eating, you will learn how to love more deeply and heal the world.
All events are free and there will be babysitting. See the full schedule of events and register. Be counted for this amazing event.
Building Healthy Relationships
 
Thanks to everyone who attended October's "Ten Tips for a Healthier Relationship," a workshop created and presented by Rabbi Judy Schindler and LCSW and Collaborative Divorce Coach Ann Kreindler-Siegel. Whether offering spiritual, clinical or practical advice, both felt the key to a healthy relationship was to honor and respect one another, never attacking one's character or failings, even in conflict. 

If you missed the event or you would like to review the Ten Tips, read Rabbi Schindler and Ann Kreindler-Siegel's blog on the topic.
 

Richard Simmons (left) and Steve Bivens were pleasantly surprised by their free gifts at the workshop on healthy relationships led by Ann Kreindler-Siegel (left) and Rabbi Judy Schindler. It was moderated by Marsha Stickler (right) of Shalom Bayit and TBE's subcommittee on domestic abuse.
Making a Difference
Ted Hessberg: Sterling Elementary tech support!

We salute Ted Hessberg, who has volunteered for the TBE/Sterling Elementary partnership for the past five years. He started out tutoring in reading, arithmetic and mentoring, but changed his role about two years ago.

Before he retired, Ted was a systems analyst, programmer and database designer. He decided to put his IT talents to work to refurbish computers for the students and families of Sterling Elementary.

"I refer to the project as a win, win, win. Students who didn't have computers at home, won. The computers won because they stayed out of the landfills. I won most of all," said Ted.
Help Ted help Sterling Elementary
 
You can help Ted continue this mitzvah by donating your old computer equipment. Computers may be desktops or laptops but all must be in good working order and meet specific criteria. Please email Ted Hessberg for more details.
GIVING
Dzidra Hombs Beautification Fund

Inta Lidz's mother Dzidra Hombs, a World War II refugee from Latvia, spent six years in German Displaced Persons camps before emigrating to the U.S. and settling in Oklahoma.

The daughter of an arborist and rose cultivator, Dzidra passed her lifelong passion to her four daughters who continue her legacy growing their beautiful gardens.

Dzidra passed away last May, and to honor her memory, Inta and Bob Lidz have started this fund. Inta will be using her talents in the garden at the TBE entrance with our other garden volunteers.
Thanks to John and Gail Baron
 
TBE recognizes those individuals and families who have planned to leave gifts to TBE as a result of our Create a Jewish Legacy (CJL) program. We thank John and Gail Baron for their gift!
ACTION AND JUSTICE
Room In The Inn

Since 1996, the Urban Ministry Center has partnered with colleges and congregations of many faiths (including TBE) to open their facilities to provide shelter and food for homeless people during the winter months, from December 1 to March 31.

The basic goal is to keep homeless people from freezing on cold winter nights. A greater goal is to provide a more personal relationship to our homeless neighbors, and to foster a deeper understanding of the complexity of the issue.

Help is needed to honor TBE's commitment. Click here for more information.  Email Patty Torcellini if you would like to be involved.
Support your passion at TBE
 
TBE congregants continually find new projects and initiatives to support as an expression of their faith and what is important to them. We appreciate the financial support of these funds and recent contributions.
 
Whether it's education, sacred study, gardening, art or social justice, there's a way to support your passion. Email Sara Schreibman to start the conversation!
In This Issue
Get Involved!
Click on the links below to view more from the many groups that make up the TBE Community.
We Need Your Help!

Contact our Executive Director to learn more about volunteer opportunities.

Save the Dates:
40th Annual MeckMin Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

Tuesday, Nov. 24
7:00pm service
6:45 prelude
St. Paul Baptist Church (1401 Allen St.)

For more information on this service, or to volunteer to sing in the choir, click here.
Hanukkah Family Concert


Sunday, Dec. 13
5:00 pm
McGlohon Theater

Enjoy outrageously Hip Jewish Rock with ShiraKline. Tickets go on sale Nov. 1.
Upcoming Events:
Life events:

Worship-wise:
MIss a Sermon?
All our clergy's sermons are available via PDF download on the Sermons section of our website.
Fall services:
We have a variety of services to meet the many needs of our congregants. Check the Fall Service Schedule to determine which worship experience is best for you and your family.  
Stuck in traffic? Bookmark our streaming services so you can listen to the start of worship in your car - and when you arrive, join us!
Rabbi Search Update:  

Skype interviews are now complete, and we plan to bring in top candidates soon. Visit TBE Inside News to see a full update from our Rabbi Search Committee.
The Significance and Importance of ISRAEL
Cantor Mary Rebecca Thomas remembers finding Israel

I remember excitedly raising my hand in school so I could sign up to write a paper about my people's home - Israel. It was mine and I longed to share it with my friends.

I CantorMary remember when my grandfather and uncle brought me back the wooden camel from their trip when I was 7. My grandfather quit smoking when they were in Israel. Israel changes people, they said.

I remember stepping off the plane at Ben Gurion airport and feeling as if all of the stories, longings and desires to connect with my ancestors - even the ones who were then living, but had been so transformed by Israel experiences - had come together, as if in a single focal point of existence and authenticity.

I remember cafe hafuch, schnitzel, shoko cham, salatim, bourekas and shakshukah. 

Come to Israel. Find your story. (Read Cantor Mary's full story.)


Zionism vs. Arab Nationality
Doron Harel has been our Israel Educator and Guide for 13 years and has led a dozen TBE Israel trips. Join us Tuesday, Nov. 3, for a Lunch and Learn.
Congregational Trip to Israel: 
June 15-26, 2016
 
Join Rabbi Judy and Cantor Mary on this fun and exciting family trip of Israel.

Participants will get the opportunity to strengthen community and relationships while deepening our understanding and appreciation of Israel. Trip highlights will include digging for treasures at Belt Guvrin, hiking up Massada and floating in the Dead Sea. Join us.
Clergy Connection: Thanksgiving, Gratitude and the Gifts of Reform Judaism by Rabbi Judy Schindler

During November, there will be two great assemblies of gratitude. Early in the month, a group of about twenty TBE congregants will travel to Orlando to connect with thousands of Reform Jews at our national Biennial Convention. We will celebrate our successes of the past and present as we envision our future and continually strive to create vibrant Jewish communities across the country. Later in the month, many of us will gather around our respective tables for the national holiday of Thanksgiving.

RabbiJudySept09Author and American Jewish thinker, Dennis Prager, called Thanksgiving "An American Yom Tov." He added, "It says an immense amount about America that it long ago created a national holiday just for the purpose of giving thanks-one which American Jews should celebrate with particular enthusiasm."

Historians claimed that the prayers of gratitude the pilgrims were said to have uttered upon arriving on our land are steeped in Jewish practice. In coming to this new land, rituals evolved for offering gratitude and creating community that would include the national holiday which so many of us savor.

Rabbi Judy continues to share the great innovations the Reform movement has brought to America. Read these and much more in the November issue of the Charlotte Jewish News.
Chanukah Room is Open:  New inventory has arrived!
 
Chanukah is December 6th! Visit Discovered Traditions Gift Shop and find everything you need to make your family celebration complete from menorahs to gelt. 
  
Shown is our collection of breathtaking menorahs from Michael Aram. See these and a selection of great gifts for all ages. 
 
Visit us Monday through Friday from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm, Fridays before services and Sundays during Religious School.

Camp is the Cure for the Winter Blahs
The days are getting shorter, and the temperatures are lower as winter approaches!

To brighten our outlook, TBE brought representatives from Camp Coleman and 6 Points Sports and Sci-fi camps to visit our third to sixth graders.

Be sure to ask your students about the visit and register soon since space is limited and filling quickly! Watch for information about the camp financial assistance process from Beth Warshauer. TBE sent 55 students to URJ camps last summer and sent more campers to 6 Points than any other synagogue in the world. We love camp and want all our kids to have this wonderful summer experience! 


 Publication of this newsletter is made possible through the generosity of the Donald and Barbara Bernstein Endowment Fund.

 

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