JULY EVENTS

   July  5   9:00 a.m. - Munch & Torah

             10:45 a.m. - Shabbat morning Torah Service

   July  8   7:00 p.m. - Zaslow Book Talks

   July  9   5:30 p.m. - Men's Club at Bethlehem Inn

   July 11  6:00 p.m. - Kabbalat Shabbat Picnic at Shevlin

   July 13  7:00 p.m. - TBT Board Meeting

   July 25  7:00 p.m. - Erev Shabbat Service

             11:59 p.m. - Deadline for August newsletter

   July 26 10:00 a.m. - Bat Mitzvah of Corrine Smith

ON THE HORIZON

   August 17th - TBT Annual Picnic at Pioneer Park

   August 30th - Men's Club Family Rafting Trip

   September 24th - Erev Rosh Hashanah

   October 3rd - Erev Yom Kippur (Kol Nidre)

For more details about any TBT events, see our complete schedule of Services, School activites and Events online:

http://www.bethtikvahbend.org/calendar.

Book talks by Rabbi and Debra Zaslow, Tuesday, July 8th, 7:00 p.m. at the Methodist Church.  

Bringing Bubbe Home 

A Memoir of Letting Go Through Love and Death by Debra Zaslow is an honest and inspiring memoir of a rabbi's wife who brings her 103 year-old grandmother home to live and die with her family. As Debra midwifes her grandmother to the other side, the two of them sit soul-to-soul in moments of stark tenderness.

Jesus: First-Century Rabbi 

by David Zaslow 

Takes a fresh look at the historical Jesus and the Jewish roots of Christianity. Using cutting-edge, scholarly research, Reb David dispels the myths of disparity between Christianity and Judaism without diluting the unique features of each faith.

Book signing and refreshments served.  RSVP to Tully at tullyel@gmail.com if you will attend and also if you would like to help with refreshments or act as greeters.

In the coming year I would like to see our congregation __________________________,

so that ___________________________________________.

Here's what folks would like to see happen:

A number of people indicated that they would like to see Temple Beth Tikvah grow and particularly find a way to get more young families involved so that we could feel more like a big, extended family than a congregation, develop an action plan around finding a physical home, and sustain more rabbinic time.

Interest in having our own religious school and in growing a youth group were also indicated as important goals so that we could better integrate children and teens into our services and social action projects.  There is a deep interest in bringing old and young together.

Another important aspiration expressed was to more deeply commit ourselves as a congregation to improving the quality of life in Central Oregon.  Wouldn't it be great if people from the general population in Bend associated Temple Beth Tikvah with compassion and care in the greater community?

It was also wisely pointed out that we need to bring more people into appropriate leadership opportunities so that we benefit from the talents and gifts among our membership.  We are blessed to have scientists, scholars, doctors, lawyers, teachers, nurses and caregivers, business owners, artists, musicians, and civic leaders among us.  

Finally one respondent indicated an interest in studying the US Constitution and Bill of Rights together, so that our treasure trove of Jewish history and ethics becomes part of our decision making process as Americans.

It is an honor to be part of a congregation like Temple Beth Tikvah.  We are young as an organization and just starting to define ourselves as a community.  This year will be a great year to weigh in and get involved with Temple Beth Tikvah. 

I believe each of us has a personal responsibility to the congregation to put aside some time to think about what it is each of us wishes to contribute to Temple Beth Tikvah in the coming year.  Make a plan.  Call the rabbi or the president or a friend in the congregation and initiate a conversation about what you'd like to do as a member to build our Jewish organization.  There is room for idealism and checking in with reality.  What's important is that we talk to one another and through conversation decide where to put our efforts and attention.

Our Board and Committee chairs will be making decisions this summer about what goals make the most sense for expending energy and time.  Other aspirations will be planned for in coming years.  Be a part of this process.  Put in your two cents or push up your sleeves.  Together we are about to embark on a wonderful journey.  Thank you for coming along.

Members & Friends ~

 At last, it is summer in Central Oregon, what a beautiful time to enjoy the lovely outdoors.  For Temple Beth Tikvah this summer, besides the usual services and education happenings, we have a number of outdoor activities planned - including several picnic events, a River Rafting excursion, hikes, and other gatherings.  Stay tuned to our Newsletter notices and e-mail reminders to get the details on these events so you can make sure to take advantage of them.  We look forward to your joining us for a fun summer!

Meanwhile, June had some significant events worth noting.  At our Annual Congregational Meeting on the 10th, we elected our three new Board members (Marti Fields Johnson, Fred Rafilson, and Mark Schindel) and approved our new Budget.  At the Board Meeting on the 22nd, the new Board agreed on the following assignment of Officers: Mark Schindel will continue as President, Michael Rosenfield, will continue as Vice President, Jeff Adler, will continue as Treasurer, and Justin Finestone will be Secretary.  We greatly appreciate their willingness to take on these important leadership roles.  

Finally, on the 28th, we had a wonderful service and celebration as Abi Hershenson became Bat Mitzvah.  It was such a joyous and special opportunity to share this occasion with the Rabbi and her family.  For me, and I'm sure for many others, it was a unique experience to watch a Rabbi get to officiate at her own child's Bat Mitzvah.  What a proud moment!  And we have the exciting privilege of celebrating another Bat Mitzvah this month on July 26th with the Smith family for Corrine.  What an abundance of happiness to enjoy this summer.

June also happened to be a busy medical month for several of our members.  Three members had serious surgeries, which thankfully all went well.  We wish a speedy recovery to full health and activity to all three.  Fortunately, through the exceptional generosity and care by our TBT community, they and their families are being well-supported through this time of need.  We gratefully thank all those who have provided care and assistance to our fellow congregants.

B'Shalom,

Mark Schindel

We all have items that we aren't using. This is a great way to clear out your excess and share it with those who need it most at no cost to them. All donated items are Tax Deductible.

Acceptable donations include:       

     *    Clothing that is clean, folded and sorted

     *    Shoes and boots

     *    Purses and bags that are like new

     *    Housewares, dishes, pots, pans, silverware and

           utensils

     *    Clean folded bedding

     *    Towel

     *    Rugs

     *    Curtains

     *    Toys

     *    Books

     *    Sporting equipment

     *    Working small appliances such as toasters,

           microwave ovens, etc...

     *    Holiday items in good repair

     *    Furniture in good repair

Unacceptable items include: Computers, monitors, printers, stereos, electronics, TV's, radios, DVD's, CD's, movies, magazines, phone books, underwear, socks, swimwear, lingerie, baskets, knick knacks and plant pots.

Drop off donations August 14th - 15th between the hours of 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. Please allow time for volunteers to check your items to ensure they fit into one of the acceptable donation categories. Bring your donations to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2555 NW Shevlin Park Road Bend, or 52680 Day Road La Pine.

Would you like to help out this worthwhile community project? Volunteers help set up the event and collect donations as they come in. Volunteer hours are two-hour time commitments. Donations are dropped off August 14-15th between the hours of 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. The event is open to the public August 16th at 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Please join us and specify the location you would like to serve. Contact the Great Giveaway at (541) 241-6733 or email cogga.info@gmail.com.

The Great Giveaway makes a special effort to reach out to organizations that work with women, children, veterans and the elderly that have need of such items and would not normally be able to afford it.  Now in its 12th year, the Great Giveaway has provided clothing and house wares for 1,000s of Central Oregonians in need of help.

Please support Central Oregon Great Giveaway with your donations and with your volunteer time. Find out more at http://www.cogga.net.

  An Invitation to The Nonviolent Life:  Jesus, Gandhi, Dorothy Day, and Martin Luther King, Jr., all lived nonviolently. You are invited to three (free) reflection/conversations on a book by John Dear about The Nonviolent Life, focusing on the practice of nonviolence (1) toward ourselves, (2) toward others, and (3) toward our world.  The series will conclude with an (optional) activity in September designed by participants to promote nonviolence in our part of the world.

Meetings will take place on dates/times in July-August to be arranged with those expressing interest, at a Bend location (TBA).   Please contact Betsy Lamb by 6/28, at felamb@yahoo.com (541-633-7354 if you lack email) with questions or to sign up.  You are encouraged - but not required - to order the book from paceebene.org or amazon.com.

We want to give a big Thank You to Evie Lerner for hosting our Thanksgiving on Shabbat on June 20th.  We had a big crowd, beautiful weather to be outdoors and we enjoyed wonderful turkey with all the fixings.  We are also grateful to Miriam Snyder, Lynne Connelley's daughter, who is visiting from out of state.  She did a great job leading the singing and prayers during our service which we threw together very last minute when we realized that our rabbi was not going to be able to attend.  Lots of our members helped with the event and it was really special.

The month of June ended with the Bat Mitzvah weekend for Abi Hershenson with services on Friday evening and the bat mitzvah on Saturday. 

Mark your calendars for another great Shabbat event on Friday, July 11th.  We have reserved the pavilion at Shevlin Park and will be hosting a BBQ Shabbat dinner with services to follow.  It will be another fun evening for all ages with lots of food, singing and fun. Please watch for an Evite which will be going out soon.

Also in July we will have our Munch and Torah study and service on Saturday, July 5th.  Adult education, previously scheduled for July 8th, will be postponed to allow for attendance at the Rabbi & Debra Zaslow book talks on that evening. We will end the month of July with the Bat Mitzvah of Corrine Smith. Services are on Friday, July 25th and Saturday, July 26th.

We hope you are enjoying our monthly services at a private home or park instead of the church.  We will continue hosting a Shabbat dinner and service outdoors while the weather is warm in August and September.  Let us know what you think about what we are doing, and let us know if you would be willing to host a Shabbat service at your home.

Back Door Café

Thank you to the many volunteers who arise early on a Wednesday morning to help feed breakfast to those in need.  The dedicated crew cook, serve and cleanup for more than 50 hungry people. Guests were served breakfast by our veteran crew; many thanks to Linda and George Brant, Jeanne Freeman, Jerry Greenbach, Joe Jezukewicz, Ann and Michael Rosenfield, Kathy Schindel and Ralph Uri. We will next be serving breakfast on Wednesday, July 9th. Contact Jeanne Freeman at jfreeman@bendbroadband.com to participate.

Bethlehem Inn

It's barbecue time at the Bethlehem Inn! On Wednesday, July 9th the Beth Tikvah Men's Club will be cooking for the Inn's residents. To participate, contact Lawrence Schechter susarch@bendbroadband.com.

- The Auction was discussed.  This would be the main, and possibly the only, TBT fundraising event for the year, with a target of raising funds needed for multiple years. The recipients of the funds would be community needs, educational programs, and youth activities.  It was felt that the event should be expanded to possibly include a "gala", a silent auction, an award to person/persons in the general community that TBT can honor, promotion and sales of tickets/tables to the general community, involve members of the organizations which will benefit from the event (all or any of the above).  We should try to have some guarantors for the minimum basic expenses.  The committee should try to have the main outline for the event within three months of Board approval (not later than the High Holidays).

- The issue of "energy" to carry out this major fundraising event was discussed.  It was felt that all TBT members, including the "new blood" members, could accomplish this undertaking.  A preliminary target would be to raise $25,000.00, apportioned among the participating charities.

This newsletter is emailed to both members and non-members each month.  If you have something you want to include in the newsletter, please e-mail it to sarrava@gmail.com by the 24th of each month.  As always, you will continue to receive "e-minders" before important events take place.

Shalom,

Sara Charney Cohen

Temple Beth Tikvah is a growing Jewish congregation based in Bend, Oregon.  We are affilliated with the Union for Reform Judaism and are excited to be the first Reform synagogue in Central Oregon.

We are committed to providing a Jewish education for our children as well as stimulating educational activities for adults.  We value social action and strive to provide a Jewish cultural, social and religious experience in Central Oregon.

Temple Beth Tikvah is a warm and enthusiastic community that includes families, singles and "empty nesters."  We are a mix of long-time Bend residents and newcomers from around the country who moved here to enjoy Central Oregon's beauty, active lifestyle and quality of life.

Please contact us at 541-388-8826 or 

info@bethtikvahbend.org for more information.