Temple Beth Tikvah Home
May 2016
Temple Beth Tikvah News
 
Come be a part of our growing Reform synagogue. All are welcome! Top
 
In This Issue
Contact Us
Join Our Mailing List

May Celebrations
TBT Board Members
Board Officers:

 President:
   Mark Schindel
   schindelme@yahoo.com

 Vice President:
   Fred Rafilson
 Secretary:
   Naomi Chudowsky
 Treasurer:
   Lester Dober
Members-at-Large:

   Marti Fields Johnson
   martifieldsjohnson@
   gmail.com

   Joe Jezukewicz

   Marijane Krohn
   mak11@pitt.edu       
   
TBT Commitee Chairs
 Adult Education
   Burt Litman

 Bikkur Holim
   Suzanne Schlosberg
            -and-
   Evie Lerner
 
 Calendar Master
   Ann Rosenfield
 Cemetery
   Ralph Uri
 
 Communications/PR
   Jeanne Freeman
 
 Facilities
   Mark Schindel
            -and-
   Ralph Uri
 
 Fundraising
         --- TBA---
   Contact Mark if interested 
 
 Music
   Lauren Olander
 
 Membership
   Terry Reynolds
   tlrsboard@yahoo.com
     
 Member Engagement
   Marilynn Jacobs
   mkjsend2bend@bend   
    broadband.com
 
 Religious Education
   Kathy Schindel
 Rituals
   Marijane Krohn
            -and-
   Mark Schindel
 
 Social Action
   Jeanne Freeman

Bend Jewish Library
Bend Jewish Library logo

Type in Bend Jewish Library to enter.

An asterisk "*" in the search field will bring up a full list of titles.
Newsletter Sponsors
Tully's Yoga Ad
 


TBT Event Planning
Quick Guide
Special Interest Group Contacts
Quick Links
May Calendar of Events 

MAY EVENTS SCHEDULE 
   May  1  10:00 a.m. - Sunday School
   May  2  12:00 p.m. - Weekly Torah Study
   May  3    4:15 p.m. - Hebrew School
   May  4    4:30 p.m. - Yom HaShoah - Holocaust
                                  Remembrance Program at COCC
   May  5       ---  Yom HaShoah  ---
   May  6    2:00 p.m. - Family Kitchen Dinner
   May  7    6:30 p.m. - Havdallah and a Movie
   May  9  12:00 p.m. - Weekly Torah Study
   May 10   4:15 p.m. - Hebrew School
               11:59 p.m. - Membership Survey Deadline
   May 11      ---  Yom HaZikaron  ---
                6:30 p.m. - Adult Ed. - Making Prayer Real
   May 12      ---  Yom HaAtzma'ut  ---
   May 13   6:00 p.m. - Kabbalat Shabbat at Tully's
   May 14   9:00 a.m. - Shabbat Torah Study
               10:30 a.m. - Shabbat Torah Service
   May 15    3:00 p.m. - Family Yom HaAtzma'ut Program
                 6:30 p.m. - TBT Board Meeting
   May 16  12:00 p.m. - Weekly Torah Study  
   May 17    4:00 p.m. - Hebrew School
   May 19    5:00 p.m. - Men's Club at CHI
   May 23  12:00 p.m. - Weekly Torah Study
   May 24    4:15 p.m. - Hebrew School
               11:59 p.m. - June Newsletter Deadline
   May 26       ---  Lag B'Omer  --- 
   May 30  12:00 p.m. - Weekly Torah Study
   May 31    4:15 p.m. - Hebrew School

ON THE HORIZON
   June 11th - Tikkun Layl Shavuot
   July 1st - Family Kitchen Dinner

MAY School Activities
All activities at Shalom Bayit unless otherwise noted.
Sunday School: - 5/1 10:00 a.m., 5/15 3:00 p.m.
Hebrew School 4:15 p.m: - 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/24, 5/31

MAY Torah Study
Weekly-Monday noon/Evie's: 5/2, 5/9, 5/16, 5/23, 5/30
Monthly-Saturday 9:00 a.m. at FPC Library: 5/14

For more details about any TBT events, see our complete schedule of Services, School activities, and Events online:
www.bethtikvahbend.org/calendar
    Survey

TBT Highlights
Important For TBT Members:
5-Minute Online Membership Survey


TBT's new Member Engagement Committee is looking for avenues to engage our members and strengthen our community. Because the most important thing about TBT is our members, we want you to tell us about yourself and your interests.  

We have created a 5-minute survey that is short, fun and easy! This is a valuable way for us to make TBT and all that we offer even better - based on your responses! The information will be tabulated and presented at the Annual Meeting and TBT Social Gathering in, June. 

Each adult in the household should complete his or her own survey. 

Members have been sent an email with a survey link. the link is included here for convenience, but is intended for members only. Thank you.

Click here for Membership Survey.

PLEASE COMPLETE THIS SURVEY  
BY MAY 10!
 
We have discovered that only one survey can be submitted for each email address, so if you use a shared email address, please request a hard copy to complete. If you did not receive the email, or if you need a hard copy, please contact Beverly Adler: fiberartist@bendcable.com.
 
Please complete the survey promptly.   
Your feedback is important.
 HavdallahMovie
Havdallah and a Movie

Saturday, May 7th @ 6:30 pm
First Presbyterian Library

 
She said, "The matzoh ball soup is too salty."
He asked, "Did you try it?"
She replied, "No, it looks too salty!"
 
Join us for mouth-watering humor and history in this documentary on the Jewish delicatessen. Our guide and star of the film is Ziggy Gruber, co-owner of a large deli in Houston and the grandson of the original owner of the Rialto Deli, the first kosher deli to open on Broadway in New York City in the 1920s. The deli is the love of Ziggy's life. The film tours other famous Jewish delis in Manhattan, Queens, Los Angeles and San Francisco and tells their histories. The film shares the cultural aspects of the food and how the culture and the desire for this food are disappearing. In interviews, Larry King, Jerry Stiller, Fyvush Finkel, Freddie Roman, and Alan Dershowitz, and various deli owners, express their love for the deli.

For a brief time we had a good deli in Bend, but it no longer exists and a new one has not opened to replace it. Any investors out there?

Bring your favorite deli snacks and beverages to share and enjoy the movie.    

RSVP to Burt Litman:
bjlitman@gmail.com
.      AdultEd
Making Prayer Real
Adult Learning Encounters in Five Modules    

Temple Beth Tikvah
Adult Education Learning Course

Wednesday evenings, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church Library  

"At its best, religion is myth, jazz, poetry, and play...When we take it too seriously we rob ourselves of joy, lose all hope of discovery, and suck the very life out of faith."  
- Rabbi Rami Shapiro

"When we free ourselves of rules and expectations and explore Judaism with an open mind, we encounter moments of awe, deepen our relationships with others, and find meaning in the situations of our lives." 
- Rabbi Johanna Hershenson
 

Making Prayer Real
Join Temple Beth Tikvah members and friends in a playful and relevant exploration of Jewish prayer and prayers, meditation, and lessons in spiritual practice.
 
"A time to tear down and a time to build up..."
- Ecclesiastes


Spring Module 2016 - Listening Deeply 
THE SHEMA AND HER BLESSINGS  
Making Prayer Real (P'sukei d'Zimra - Verses of Song)
  • May 11 - Mindfulness and deep listening

RSVP to Burt Litman at
bjlitman@gmail.com. Snacks and beverages welcome; please let Burt know what you'll bring.
  
 
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Never Had a Bar or Bat Mitzvah?

Torah w/star (color) If you're an adult interested in doing a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, and would like to be part of an Adult B'nei Mitzvah class, email Rabbi Johanna at johannahershenson@gmail.com, and look for more details coming soon!
 
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Mark Schindel photo President's Message
From TBT President Mark Schindel 

Members & Friends ~

At a recent Torah Study session, we explored the interesting dilemma facing the Israelites during their wanderings after their exodus from Egypt. What was their expected level of interaction with the Divine in their new found freedom - an active role or a more passive one? On the one hand, it was clear that God was able to perform amazing "miracles" on their behalf, so taking a passive role and simply enjoying the wonders whenever they occurred seemed like an easy route. On the other hand, the many commandments that God outlined for the Israelites to follow as part of their covenant expected a very active role in learning how to be a more compassionate, fair, just, moral, and ethical society.

In our discussion about this biblical dilemma, we recognized that even today, it sometimes seems appropriate to simply take the time to passively observe and marvel at the Divine beauty and wonders of nature, the universe, humans, and even ourselves. But, what really seems to resonate with people and create more meaning in their lives is being actively engaged in caring, helping, building, improving, and doing what is fair, just, moral, and ethical to constantly heal the world.

I see the parallels in Temple Beth Tikvah. Members have chosen to join our congregation for many different reasons, and it might be more accurate to expect each member has more than one reason for their choice to join. In any case, some may prefer a more passive role in just enjoying the many events and programs that we are able to offer. Others may want to make a difference and actively participate to create and nurture those events and programs for others to enjoy.

The reality is that this is not an "either-or" option. You can, and should, do both. There are certainly times when it is nice to simply take advantage of the wonderful activities and social connections that membership has provided us, being thankful for the work of others that make it possible. However, there is an equal responsibility at times to actively get involved in whatever ways fit your time, talents, and interests to help TBT provide the best programs, events, and connections that we can ALL enjoy.

To illustrate, this year we had a couple move to Bend and join Temple Beth Tikvah. For several months, they attended various events that interested them, including the Shabbat@Home dinners. As they became more connected to other members in the congregation, they felt more comfortable in taking a more active role in our operations. This led to their taking the lead on one of our key Committees and building a strong team to help address an important area necessary for our future growth and prosperity that will benefit ALL of us.

Presently, we could use some assistance with onegs, ritual event planning, Sunday School parent-teacher planning, fundraising ideas and planning, communications/marketing, and several other areas. Also, with the continual popularity of our Shabbat@Home we could use additional members willing to host these dinners. So, if you would like to get the most out of your membership with TBT, then I would suggest that you look for ways to become active. There are so many opportunities to help with our events and programs. We will all greatly benefit from your participation.

B'Shalom,
 Mark Schindel
   Board
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TBT Board Notes
Next Board Meeting:   May 15th, 6:30 p.m. 
Location:  Stonebriar Apartments Clubhouse

Your TBT Board meets monthly and everyone is invited to attend. Dates and times of Board meetings are on the TBT calendar at:  bethtikvahbend.org/calendar

If you would like to read minutes of previous board meetings, you can request a copy from Board Secretary Naomi Chudowsky:  naomic@bendbroadband.com.
 
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Committee News
Social Action Updatetikkun olam earth
Jeanne Freeman, Social Action Chair

The April Back Door Café crew served breakfast to more than 70 folks. Thanks to Beverly and Jeff Adler, Joe Jezukewicz, Lorraine Schechter, Marilyn and Chuck Shattuck, Ralph Uri and Karen Higgins.

We've now scheduled Back Door for the third Wednesday of each month. If you're interested in participating our upcoming dates are May 17th, June 15th, and July 2nd. Please contact Jeanne Freeman if you'd like to help out.

Our next Family Kitchen is Friday evening May 6th.

The Social Action team would like to host one more Havdallah with a Purpose this year. If you have an organization that you'd like to present to our members, contact committee chair, Jeanne Freeman at jgfree925@gmail.com, or speak with any of our members.
  
Adult Education Events 
Burt Litman, Education Chair

On May 7th, we will present the third Havdallah and a Movie. The movie will be the documentary "Deli Man." See above for details. Bring your favorite deli snacks and enjoy the movie.

Last month the second module of "Making Prayer Real" started. This module ends on May 11th. The discussion of the meaning of the prayers we recite in our services and on other occasions will continue. Attend the class and get a better understanding of the role prayers play in our life, which can lead to a more meaningful service experience.

Many Thanks for a Memorable Seder!
Liz Levinson, Seder Committee

Temple Beth Tikvah Passover Seder...2016

In a perfect setting, the membership of TBT enjoyed their Passover Seder on April 23rd.  There were 111 in attendence along with their families and family guests.
Mt. Bachelor Village Conference Center was the site and it was our own private "home-like" venue. 
 
In addition to a unique "Taste of Seder Symbols" table, we were entertained by the children in a separate "show-room" where they had prepared a skit depicting the Exodus from Egypt, complete with costumes and a "silken" Red Sea or Sea of Reeds!!
 
As the saying goes..."Many hands make work light" and that was in evidence at our Seder. From soup to macaroons, our TBT community brought it all together, with the able talent of the MBVCC chef, staff & event co-ordinator.

Rabbi Hershenson created a beautiful Haggadah in which the observance of Earth Day was incorporated.  A learning session relating to the Haggadah took place during the time the children were rehearsing for their skit in the "show room."

A special Thank You goes to all of the members who helped plan and organize the event: Sara Jo Slate, Naomi Chudowsky, Rose Jackman, Terry Reynolds, Jan Freeman Bauer, Jeanne Freeman, Marilyn Shattuck, and Rabbi Hershenson.

Another special Thank You goes to all who
made the evening memorable by their contributions of Seder symbols and desserts. Our bakers and makers include: Marilyn Lebowitz, Mickey Freundlich, Jeanne Freeman, Sara Jo Slate, Beverly Adler, Marcia Uri, Margaret Finestone, Laurel Fishkin, M.J. Krohn, Tully Ellsberg, and Terry Reynolds.

And, an extra special Thank You goes to 3 young women of our congregation, Sophie Chudowsky, Katie Jackman, and Leila Slate, who helped with the floral arrangements and table settings.

We at Temple Beth Tikvah hope that everyone had a sweet Passover.  
 

JUNE Newsletter Deadline:  May 24th 

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 Sara: sarrava@gmail.com by the 24th of each month for the following month's publication.  As always, you will continue to receive "e-minders" before important events take place.

Shalom,
Sara Charney Cohen
   MensClub 
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TBT Men's Club - May 19th 

In May, the TBT Men's Club gathering will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 19th, at CHI Chinese & Sushi Bar, located at 70 NW Newport Ave. Bend. (541) 323-3931. For questions or more info, please contact Mark Hershenson: markhershenson@me.com.
  YomHaShoah
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Community News
Holocaust Remembrance Program at COCC - Wed. May 4th, Yom HaShoah

On May 4th, at 4:30 p.m., the Central Oregon Community College's World Cultures Club will host a Holocaust Remembrance Day for the college and community. Local artist and writer - and TBT member - Isaac Peterson will speak on "The Paradox of Visual remembrance of the Holocaust." Everyone is invited to attend.     

 
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Song of Miriam Awards - June 5th 

Temple Beth Tikvah is proud to announce our 2016 Song of Miriam honoree:
Sara Charney Cohen.

Save the date for the Song of Miriam awards brunch, Sunday, June 5th, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center in Portland Oregon. Reservations can be made at the Jewish Women's Round Table website.  More information to follow via email.
    
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TBT Tributes
You may honor the lives and achievements of friends and relatives via a tribute with a donation to TBT. You can do this online, or by sending a check and the name and address of the person being honored to TBT at P.O. Box 7472, Bend, OR, 97708.

Donations may be designated to a specific fund, including:
   - the Youth Education Fund,  
   - the Music Fund - including Adopt-a-Musician, 
   - the Library Fund, 
   - the Rabbi Fund, 
   - the Rabbi's Caring Fund, 
   - the Social Action Fund, 
   - the Corrie Grudin Memorial Fund,
   - or to the General Fund. 

Donations listed below were made to the Temple's general purpose fund unless otherwise specified.

Temple Beth Tikvah gratefully acknowledges the following contributions:
  • From Marcia and Ralph Uri, in memory of Miriam Becker.
  • From Gary and Terry Reynolds, in memory of Pauline Segal.
  • From Shelley Grudin, in memory of Leo Grudin.
  • From Ralph and Marcia Uri, in memory of Johanna's mother and grandmother.
  • From Ralph and Marcia Uri, to the Music Fund, for Lauren's successful recovery.
  • From Jeanne Freeman and Burt Litman, to the Social Action Fund, in memory of Rose Freeman.
  • From Phyllis and Gerry Greenbach, in memory of Arthur Greenbach.
     
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About Temple Beth Tikvah

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

Our members come from a range of Jewish backgrounds including Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist, and Renewal. Temple Beth Tikvah welcomes interfaith families and Jews by choice. 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.
 
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