Temple Beth Tikvah Home
July 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

July Celebrations
TBT Board Members
Board Officers:

 President:
   Jeanne Freeman
   [email protected]

 Vice President:
   Naomi Chudowsky
 Secretary:
   Marijane Krohn
   [email protected] 
 
 Treasurer:
   Lester Dober
   [email protected]

 Past President:    
   Mark Schindel
   [email protected]
 

 Members-at-Large:

    
   Marilynn Jacobs
   mkjsend2bend@
   bendbroadband.com

   Chuck Shattuck
   [email protected] 
   
TBT Commitee Chairs
 Adult Education
   Mary Jane Eisenberg 

 Bikkur Holim
   Suzanne Schlosberg
            -and-
   Evie Lerner
 
 Calendar Master
   Ann Rosenfield
 Chevra Kadisha 
   Ralph Uri
 
 Communications/PR
   Ann Rosenfield 
 
 Facilities
   Mark Schindel

 Finance
          ---TBD---                  
 Fundraising 
   Kim Rafilson    
   [email protected]

 Library
   Beverly Adler
   [email protected]

 Member Engagement
   Marilynn Jacobs
   mkjsend2bend@
   bendbroadband.com

 Membership
   Terry Reynolds
   [email protected]

 Men's Group
   Joe Jezukewick
   [email protected]

 Music
   Lauren Olander
 
 Onegs
   Tully Ellsberg
   [email protected]
            -and-
   Jan Freeman Bauer
   janetlynnfreeman
   [email protected]
            -and-
   MJ Krohn
   [email protected] 
 
 Religious Education
   Kathy Schindel
 Rituals
   Ralph Uri 
             
 Social Action
   Burt Litman 

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
Temple Beth Tikvah is pleased to welcome our newest members:

 Steve and Charlene Dimond
Missi Baldwin 
 
July Calendar of Events 

JULY EVENTS SCHEDULE 
   July  5  12:00 p.m. - Weekly Torah Study @Stonebriar
   July  8    6:00 p.m. - Shabbat in the Park 
   July 11  12:00 p.m. - Weekly Torah Study
   July 16  10:30 a.m. - Shabbat Torah Service
   July 18  12:00 p.m. - Weekly Torah Study
   July 20    7:30 a.m. - Back Door Caf�
   July 24  11:59 p.m. - Deadline for August Newsletter
   July 25  12:00 p.m. - Weekly Torah Study
   July 27    4:00 p.m. - TBT Men's Group
   July 29    7:00 p.m. - Erev Shabbat Service

ON THE HORIZON
   Aug. 4th - Men's Group BBQ at Bethlehem Inn
   Sept. 10th - Havdallah With a Purpose
   Oct. 2nd-3rd - Rosh Hashanah
   Oct. 11th-12th Kol Nidre/Yom Kippur

July Torah Study
Weekly-Monday noon: Tues 7/5* @Stonebriar,
                                  7/11, 7/18, 7/25 @Evie's

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

TBT Highlights
Shabbat in the Park
 
Kabbalat Shabbat
and Potluck
in
Shevlin Park!

Friday, July 8th 6:00 p.m.

 
Join us for a Kabbalat Shabbat at the picnic area in Shevlin Park! 

Plates, silverware, meat and vegie hamburgers, and buns are provided. Please sign up for a side dish in the potluck section.  We also need help to set up between 5:00 - 6:00, or help to clean up.

Although there are some tables, it may also be advisable to bring chairs or blankets for extra seating. You may bring your own alcoholic drinks if desired.
 
Come enjoy a lovely Shabbat with friends in a beautiful setting! Please RSVP to your Punchbowl email invitation so we can know to expect you. If you did not receive the invitation, please contact Evie Lerner: [email protected].
      
Adult B'nai Mitzvah Course

Torah w/star (color) Thus far, seven Temple Beth Tikvah members have indicated interest in beginning an Adult B'nai Mitzvah course, subsequent ceremony, and celebration. There is plenty of time for more to come forward.

At this point we are discussing a mid-week (Wednesday?) evening Hebrew course that will be open to all members as well as the Adult B'nai Mitzvah students. It will be team-taught by Kathy Schindel, Sara Charney Cohen, and Rabbi Hershenson. First we will learn to decode the letters and vowels. Then we will work on reading skills, grammar that will be helpful in breaking down big words, and vocabulary related to prayers and our Torah portion.

Our Jewish Learning will likely take place monthly on Saturday mornings preceding or following Temple Beth Tikvah's monthly Shabbat Morning Service. We will explore Jewish literature, historical contexts to radical shifts in Jewish thought, as well as Jewish ritual practice in community and in the home.

If you're an adult interested in doing a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, and would like to be part of this Adult B'nei Mitzvah class, Please send Rabbi Johanna Hershenson an email at [email protected], to indicate your interest.
 
                                                                                  Back to Top
Divrei Tikvah  RJohannaHeadShot
From Rabbi Johanna Hershenson

Our ancient rabbis, Hillel and Shammai, are known to disagree on essentially every matter before them. Hillel tends to have a more lenient view of Jewish law and Shammai has a more stringent view. The Talmud narrates a particular argument
between Hillel and Shammai that seems to go beyond all arguments. At the end of the day the BAT KOL, the divine voice, chimes in and says:

Eilu veilu divrei Elohim chayim - These and these are the words of the living God.

But, the law will be according to Hillel.

These and these are the words of the living God - Both Hillel and Shammai are correct in their assessments of the matter they are arguing. But for the sake of the community moving forward, one opinion will rule. The other opinion will remain in print and will be raised again and again in later arguments.

The Talmud goes on to say that Jewish law will be according to Hillel rather than Shammai for three reasons:

1. Hillel's demeanor is pleasant and approachable.

2. Hillel exudes humility even when he wins the argument.

3. Hillel seeks to understand Shammai and others' arguments and respectfully addresses them in his own discourse.

Sometimes in the Reform Jewish movement, without thought, we assume everybody fits in to the clich� that Jews are liberals and left-leaning. And many of us are. But not all of us.

Since the 1960's, an average 25-30% of the identifying Jewish population has voted Republican. Some years lower, others higher.

The outrageously divisive primary and caucus season we experienced this spring suggests our summer conventions and fall presidential campaign will be full of vulgarity, us-and- them rhetoric, and who knows what other lows in public discourse we haven't yet witnessed?

Jewish law is according to Rabbi Hillel not because he was right, but rather because he was a pleasant person to be around, he was humble, and he was careful to listen and respectfully address his opponent's arguments.

I think that as this summer unfolds and fall takes hold, we will notice who among us are Democrats and who among us are Republicans. We will notice who is for Hillary and who is for Donald.

I hope that we learn from our tradition that, as Jews bound in community together, we have an obligation:
  • to listen to each other compassionately;
  • to assert our point of view with respect, kindness, and humility;
  • and, most of all love one another just the same as before.

Our congregation should be a safe environment for intelligent discussion around issues that are divisive. Where else in society can we explore how our values, words, and deeds intersect? Temple Beth Tikvah should be that place for us.

Ken yehi ratzon...
May it be God's will - May it be our pursuit.



~~ Rabbi Hershenson's office hours are by appointment. If you would like to set up an appointment, please contact her by email at: [email protected], or by phone at 541-213-9880.

Please note that Rabbi Hershenson will be on vacation June 19th - July 7th , traveling in England.

Feel free to email her as she will regularly check email, but be prepared for a slow response. She will have international texting. It is best to text an urgent matter for a quicker response.

                                                                                  Back to Top
President's Message
From TBT President
Jeanne Freeman
 

Dear Members & Friends,

Thank you for your vote of confidence, for the faith you have that I can lead our congregation. It is an honor to be selected as president of Temple Beth Tikvah.

The job of any president is to preside over an organization, to be its CEO, to "supervise, direct, and control the affairs of the Temple," per our bylaws. But I can't be a successful president without help from all of you.

In business and in other organizations, effective presidents and leaders are those that know how to recognize the strength in the people around them, to bring in the best people, and to delegate responsibility to them so they can get the job done.

I am fortunate to be surrounded by an amazingly talented group of people - you, the members of Temple Beth Tikvah. Whether your skills are from your life's work or your life's experience, I need you to share those talents with me and with our synagogue.

New leaders are stepping up to chair committees and our members are joining in. Plans are being made for our new year beginning now. The calendar is filling with Shabbat Services, Torah Study, Adult Education, Havdallahs and more. There is enthusiasm for the year ahead and it's contagious. There are little jobs and big jobs. Tell me where you like, and want, to put your energy and I'll find you a job.

We celebrated Kabbalat Shabbat this past month at the Sun Mountain Fun Center where I met some of our youngest members and families who were new to TBT. We sang; we welcomed Shabbat; we prayed the Barchu and the Sh'ma; we read together; we said Kaddish. Rabbi Hershenson asked what we had accomplished in the past year and what we looked forward to in the summer ahead and voices young and old shared. We were in the banquet room, behind the arcade and it was a delightful start to Shabbat - informal, but no less meaningful than if we were in the sanctuary. And then we got to bowl - which was good for a great deal of laughter!

Join us this month for Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday, July 8th at Shevlin Park. Come together in fun and in prayer and let us continue the joyous work, the holy work, of continuing to build our synagogue community.

Shalom,
Jeanne Freeman

                                                                                  Back to Top
URJ Spotlight
Meet Your URJ URJ logo

Since its founding in 19th-century Germany, the Reform Movement has embraced modernity, incorporating innovation into all facets of Jewish tradition, education, and life. Reform Judaism's commitment to social justice for all - women, the disabled, and, indeed, people from all faiths and backgrounds who lack civil and human rights - is a key pillar of the movement, contributing to its popularity among North America's Jews.

The Reform Jewish Movement comprises nearly 900 congregations in the U.S. and Canada, more than 1,200 congregations worldwide, and the organizations and institutions that support the lay leaders, clergy, and Jewish professionals among its ranks.

Meet your URJ is a new column in our newsletter. We will use it to share the benefits TBT has from membership; information about URJ; and policies and platforms of the Reform Movement.
 
RJ Web Builder - An Exciting New Benefit!!

We recently began having issues with our TBT marketing website, www.bethtikvahbend.org. Due to an upgrade in the software platform that we did not have, our webmaster was running into difficulties adding new events to the site. We were quoted between $1,450 and $2,500 to upgrade our software to the new version, and we were told that we'd pay as much again for future platform upgrades. Ouch!

URJ to the rescue! RJ Web Builder is a custom platform of state-of- the-art websites for URJ synagogues. It's built on the same upgraded Joomla system that we need, and the cost is FREE to upgrade to the new version! Hosting the site is also included, and it's FREE too! We will begin working with RJWB this summer and hope to have a new site to debut in the fall.
 
Position of the Reform Movement on the Environment
tree around earth
As heirs to a tradition of stewardship that goes back to Genesis and teaches us to be partners in the ongoing work of Creation, we cannot accept the escalating destruction of our environment and its effect on human health and livelihood. It is our sacred duty to alleviate environmental degradation and the human suffering it causes instead of despoiling our air, land, and water. For more than 40 years, the Reform Movement has been committed to protecting the environment. Relevant Union for Reform Judaism Resolutions include:
In 1991, the URJ passed a comprehensive resolution on the environment calling on the governments of the U.S. and Canada to protect endangered species; protect and create new wilderness areas; ensure clean air and water; and prevent environmental injustice to poor and minority communities. The same year saw passage of a New North American Energy Strategy, a Resolution supporting energy efficiency and conservation, developing of non-nuclear energy alternatives, and opposing expansion of offshore oil drilling.

The 2009 Resolution on Climate Change and Energy ties together many of these concerns in a comprehensive statement on the need for all congregations and institutions of the Reform Movement to take action to protect our environment from the emerging threat of climate change through local actions and advocacy. You can read more about positions specifically focusing on climate change and energy here.
 
The Rosh Hashanah sermon "Guardians of the Earth," presented by Rabbi Mark Kaiserman of Temple Emanu-El of West Essex, Livingston, New Jersey is also a great resource.

For the article links and additional information, http://www.rac.org/position-reform- movement-environment
 
                                                                                  Back to Top
Board and Committee News
TBT Board Notes 

On June 12th, we had a wonderful Year-end Social Gathering at the beautiful Cascades Academy campus. There, we also conducted our Annual Congregational Meeting business of electing new Board members and approving our Budget for next year. Our congratulations to the three newly elected Board members: Jeanne Freeman, Marilynn Jacobs, and Chuck Shattuck.
 
Then, at the recent Board Meeting on June 26th, the new Board chose the Officers for the coming year:
   
President - Jeanne Freeman  
Vice President - Naomi Chudowsky 
Secretary - Marijane Krohn  
Treasurer - Lester Dober  
Board Members At Large
Past President - Mark Schindel  
 
The new Board is looking forward to another wonderful year for TBT and needs everyone's support and assistance to continue our many enjoyable and meaningful events and activities.
 
Wishing everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July holiday weekend.

B'Shalom,
   Mark Schindel 


Next Board Meeting:  Wed. Aug. 3rd, 6:30 p.m. 
Location:  Stonebriar Apartments Clubhouse

Your TBT Board meets on the first Wednesday of each month 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 Marijane Krohn:  [email protected].
 
Ritual Committee News colorful star
Ralph Uri, Committee Chair

The TBT ritual committee is looking forward to the upcoming year. We have been busy scheduling our services and making our programming more inclusive of the diverse nature of our membership.

We will celebrate Shabbat twice each month including a more traditional Erev Shabbat celebration supplemented by an alternate Shabbat event. The latter will be in a more relaxed setting and will consist of alternating Kabbalat Shabbat, Family Shabbat and Shabbat at Home venues. We are also planning for Tot Shabbats, an early service for our youngest members to learn, participate and enjoy their Judaism. We are gathering input from families to create the space and time for Tot Shabbat.

For the month of July 2016 we will have a Kabbalat Shabbat at Shevlin Park on Friday, July 8th.  Our monthly Torah Service is set for Saturday, July 16th. The July Erev Shabbat service is scheduled for Friday, July 29th. Look for the "TBT Happenings" for more specifics on each of these events.  

As chair of this year's ritual committee, I and my committee members - Diane Dober, Tully Ellsberg, MJ Krohn, Gary Liberson, Lauren Olander, Ann Rosenfield, and Mark Schindel- are committed to making the ritual experience at Temple Beth Tikvah more meaningful, rewarding and relevant.  We invite any comments, suggestions, and ideas you may have to be passed along to one of us.  

We ask that you make a commitment to spiritually enrich your and your families' lives by making regular attendance at these events a priority. We all share in the responsibility to maintain a vibrant Jewish community here in central Oregon. Thank you.
 
Adult Education Events 
Burt Litman, past Adult Education Chair

Havdallah and a Movie featured the movie DeliMan and was enjoyed by all those attending both for its humor and history of the origin of "Jewish" delis in the US. The chopped liver, knishes, pickles and other deli type noshes further enhanced the enjoyment of the evening. Thanks to Ralph Uri for obtaining the DVD, and to Mary Jane Eisenberg, MJ Krohn, and Mel Siegel for organizing the event.

In the last meeting of the second section of Making Prayers Real, the Rabbi reviewed the sequence and intention of the prayers in our Erev Shabbat Service. Understanding the purpose of this structure can enhance ones participation in the prayers and service. Thanks to Rabbi Hershenson for her thoughtful and stimulating presentations in this series.

Jewish Teen Group Forming
Gerald Greenbach, Committee Chair

In just a few months, Temple Beth Tikvah teens, along with all Central Oregon Jewish youth, will come together in the formation of an affiliated Jewish Youth Group.  This means that our post-Bar/Bat Mitzvah teens will be able to travel to, and enjoy regional, state-wide, and national conventions and confabs; meet other Jewish teens, make life-long friends, and be a part of the emerging Jewish youth interests.  

TBT has formed a committee to assist in the formation of the local chapter.  Committee members are Sara Charney Cohen, Fred Rafilson, Naomi Chudowsky, Jeanne Freeman, Mark Schindel, Ralph Uri, David Uri, and Gerald Greenbach, as acting chairperson.

After the initial set up, organizational and funding needs, etc, our own Jewish teen leaders will undertake the direction of the group, its plans and projects.  They will lead the group.

We are excited that this organization is coming to fruition, offering a Jewish connection for the post Bar/Bat Mitzvah teens.  Call Gerald, 760-861-7373, for further information or to volunteer to assist.
    
Fundraising

It is time to re-enroll in the Fred Meyer Rewards Program that will benefit TBT.  Everyone should link their Fred Meyer card to TBT by referencing our organization number 82505.

https://www.fredmeyer.com/#/login?redirectUrl= 

%2Faccount%2Fcommunityrewards%2Fenroll

You will need to log into your account to register your card. 
 

AUGUST Newsletter Deadline:  July 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: [email protected] 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 
                                                                                  Back to Top
TBT Men's Club - Wed. July 27th 

Join the TBT Men's Group Gathering on Wednesday, July 27th, 4:00 p.m., at Larkspur Park next to the Senior Center on Reed Market Road. The event will be a Bocce ball night with bocce from ~4:00 p.m. - 6:00+. After Bocce, we'll head to Pour House Grill at 1085 SE 3rd Street, 541-388-2337, for grub and drinks!!!

Respond to Joe Jezukewicz, [email protected], so he can set up teams for a little competition.
                                                                                  Back to Top
Community News
Song of Miriam Award

The Jewish Women's Round Table holds a brunch every year to honor one woman volunteer from each of various Jewish organizations in Oregon & SW Washington. Temple Beth Tikvah has chosen Sara Charney Cohen as our Song of Miriam honoree this year.

A little about Sara:
 
Sara Charney Cohen brings creativity to all that she does for Temple Beth Tikvah in Central Oregon.
 
As newsletter editor for the past five years, Sara has battled with software into the wee hours; cajoled stories from those who don't write; pulled articles from those that can't meet deadlines; and most of all, she has entertained and informed our community of all that is happening each month. As a member of the Communications team, Sara brings her creative skills and technical experience to marketing the synagogue and creating our social media presence.
 
Sara's skills and imagination using yarn and fabric have delighted Beth Tikvah's members. For her first Passover Seder, Sara created a desert oasis complete with handmade camels for the children to take home. The following year, Sara's costumed "parade of plagues" was the hit of the Seder.
 
Sara has also taught in our Hebrew school for several years.  Her knowledge of Hebrew and Jewish prayers coupled with her patience and sense of humor are a recipe for success for her students. Following Hebrew class with Sara, the students are well prepared to begin Bar and Bat Mitzvah training.
 
She also served on the Rabbi Search Committee for two years. And when there is time at an oneg or social, Sara teaches Israeli dancing to the community.
 
Temple Beth Tikvah is proud to honor Sara Charney Cohen as our 2016 Song of Miriam nominee.


Ed. note: As editor of this newsletter, it feels awkward to include this article about myself, but I thank you all for the honor. As someone with eclectic interests and talents, and an unpredictable energy level that varies widely from day to day and week to week, I am grateful to have found a welcoming, appreciative community in TBT, where I am allowed to contribute as I am able. Thank you!

                                                                                  Back to Top
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 Tully Ellsberg, in memory of Thomas Ellsberg.
  • From Phyllis and Gerald Greenberg, in memory of Eva Greenbach.
  • From Vivian Freeman, in memory of Jean Summer.
  • From Liz and Paul Levinson, in memory of Joe Solomon.
  • From Liz and Paul Levinson, in memory of Annie Solomon.
  • From Liz and Paul Levinson. in memory of Harry Solomon.
  • From Liz and Paul Levinson, in memory of Mollie Magazine.
  • From Florence and Marlis Beier, in memory of Randy Beier.
  • From Bonnie Chaikind, in memory of her father, Emory Chaikind.
  • From Mary Jane Eisenberg and Alyson Belcher, in memory of Isaac Gold Kuhn.
  • From Gail and Larry Becker, in honor of the 50th anniversary of Marcia and Ralph Uri.
     
                                                                                  Back to Top
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 [email protected] for more information.
 
                                                                                  Back to Top