January 11th 2014 - 10th of Sh'vat 5774 
  BJC Logo Purple  
BJC photo
Candlelighting - 4:33 pm
Havdalah - 5:35 pm
We Did It!
Thermometer
 
What an amazing outpouring of support and commitment you all have shown to the Beth Jacob community in these last two weeks! With over 180 individual donors, in amounts ranging from $15 to $15,000, we raised a total of $78,657, which means we reached our goal of matching the $75,000 pledged to Restricted and Endowment Funds. To everyone who helped in this important fundraising drive, whether you pledged, contacted others to encourage them to make a pledge, whether you donated in person, online, or anonymously, thank you for your support for Beth Jacob's work, both here at shul and in the wider community!
 
Helping our Neighbors
The devastating New Year's Day fire in Cedar-Riverside harmed members of the already vulnerable Somali community.  We at Beth Jacob are a community concerned with the welfare of our neighbors, refugees in particular.  We have an opportunity to step up to help.  Please donate through the Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota.
Blood_Drive
Beth Jacob Congregation
Blood Drive 
Sunday Jan. 19
9:30 am - 2:30 pm
 
Yes, that's right, 3 LIVES.
So, what are YOU doing on Sunday 1/19? 
 
Nervous? First time? Not a needle fan? Click here!
 
Click here to sign up
for a time slot to donate.
 
Questions? Contact Sharon Benmaman.
 
To volunteer to help, contact Dave Honan.
 Educator
Beth Jacob Educator Search

 

Over the next few months, Beth Jacob will be searching for a dynamic Jewish educator to take the lead in further strengthening and expanding our programs in youth and family learning.  Although the exact parameters of the job will be tailored to the particular strengths of the successful candidate, we will be looking for someone to re-envision, lead and implement our youth Shabbat and holidays morning programming; to engage families with children in innovative models of family learning; to be involved with the supervision of our youth leaders; and to work with our educational partner organizations to integrate our youths' formal and informal learning contexts.

 

We will be searching both through formal and informal channels.  If you know anyone who might be suitable for this position, please feel free to pass their names along to David Itzkowitz, who is chairing the search: [email protected].

 

Job Description

 

We will be updating you all on the search as it progresses.

Learners_Minyan_Class
Now: Starts This Monday - Sign up now!
Learner's Minyan Course
With Rabbi Emma Kippley-Ogman

 

Learners Siddur Have you ever felt awkward, frustrated or overwhelmed in a synagogue service? Now is your chance to make yourself at home with the inspiring liturgy of our tradition. Join us to unravel the structure, choreography, and meaning of the Shabbat morning service. No previous background in Hebrew or Jewish education is necessary, just the desire to learn.  


This class will be held on Monday evenings from 7:15-8:45 pm on the following dates:
Jan. 13, 20, & 27; Feb. 3, 10 & 24; March 3, 10, 17 & 24.

Participants must register for this 10-week course.

Thanks to a special contribution, childcare is available for the evenings of this class from 7:00-8:45 pm.

Questions?  Feel free to contact Rabbi Emma:
[email protected], 651-452-2226.
Chanting
Ozi v'Zimrat Yah!
God is my Strength and my Song:
Meet to Praise God with Harmony!
Shabbat afternoon, January 11, 12:45 pm

Do you enjoy singing liturgical rounds and chants in harmony with other singers? If so, meet in the chapel after kiddush to make harmony together with a focus on prayer and praise.  Don't worry if you can't carry a tune, we'll seat you with someone who can.  Do you have a song to teach and lead? If so, please send the words in advance to Pam Winthrop Lauer, who will put together a song sheet.  We'll launch this on January 11, which will be Shabbat Shirah (the Shabbat of Song). Feel free to be in touch with ideas or questions.
Rabbi_Allen_out
During January...
 
Just two years ago, the Board of the Congregation adopted a plan conceived by Rabbi Allen and developed further by the Executive Committee to provide for a full-time Assistant Rabbi to serve the congregation. We have been blessed with the addition of Rabbi Kippley-Ogman, and already see the benefits of this plan's wisdom. The congregation would not have been able to make this happen without Rabbi Allen's offer to generously restructure his compensation in return for additional personal time away. During the last three weeks of January, Rabbi Allen will be travelling and will be away from the congregation. During this time, Rabbi Kippley-Ogman will continue to be available to provide all rabbinic support for the congregational community. While Monday evening Talmud will not be meeting, plans are underway to continue having Tuesday Afternoon Parashat Hashavua. Stay warm and stay connected!
Snowshoe
20s/30s Snowshoeing
Sunday, January 19

20s-30s Logo
Tu Bishvat is coming! It is traditional to have a special seder and experience nature. Since we live in Minnesota, we are going on a snowshoeing hike! Join the Beth Jacob 20s and 30s Community as we explore the beautiful nature around us, while having a Tu Bishvat seder on the way.  

We'll meet at 10:45 am at the Beth Jacob parking lot and car pool from there. We will go to Wild River State Park, and afterwards enjoy some hot chocolate while warming up next to the fire. If needed, rental cost for snowshoes is $15/adults and $10/children.
 
What to Get a Tree for it's Birthday 
Shabbat morning, January 18

Farmer Martha OrHai Black (of Avodah Farm) will give the d'var Torah. She will speak about the common needs of all living things for clean air and water, a stable climate, healthy and biologically active topsoil, and how organic farming supports these fundamental needs for us and future generations.
Jew_in_Pew
Jew in the Pew
Torah
With Rabbi Lynn Liberman

 

Shabbat mornings, 9:15-10 AM

Jan. 18, 25; Feb. 8, 22

 

Join Rabbi Lynn Liberman to discuss the weekly Torah portion through the lens of thought-provoking commentaries.
BJUSY_Kinnus
BJUSY Talent Show
January 18, 7 pm
At the St. Paul JCC
BJ Guy - Dancing Green
Please come out and support BJUSY by attending the show! It'll be a great show, and tickets and ad sales from this event are a major source of income for our programming budget!

AD DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MON., JAN. 13!
Matt
Matthew Levitt
New Jewish Music
February 16, 4 pm
Admission $5
 
Join us at a "Beit Cafe" (coffee house) right here at Beth Jacob as Matthew Levitt performs his original Jewish music.  He recently released his second Jewish music CD, "Prophets, Volume 1," which will be available for purchase at the show. 
 
 
Matthew Levitt's new CD of Jewish music is full of exciting new melodies and arrangements that draw on a multitude of influences and inspirations.  "Prophets, Volume 1," is an eclectic collection of music that moves effortlessly though Hassidic niggunim, Middle Eastern maqam, Latin rhythms, and North American folk.  This is the second CD of Jewish music by Matthew Levitt.
 
You can hear Matthew's music at www.matthewlevitt.net.  
Sky_Tinged
Sky Tinged Red Reading Group

Dora Zaidenweber and her family recently published her father's memoir of his time in Auschwitz. Are you interested in reading Sky Tinged Red as a group on Sunday mornings? If so, contact either Cynthia Launer (612-750-1664) or Elaine DuFresne (651-457-4066).

Beth Jacob Info:

 

Calendar

 

 
 
 
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BJ3Fri
Beth Jacob 3rd Shabbat


Monthly Shabbat Potluck Dinner

In January, featuring a
 group Tu Bishvat Seder!
 
Fri., January 17th

 

 

5:30 pm: Lively, Songful Kabbalat Shabbat Services

 

6:30 pm: Vegetarian Potluck Shabbat Dinner

Minyank_Katan Minyan Katan Logo
 
 
10:45 - 11:30 am

 

Minyan Katan is a joyful, playful shabbat morning service for kids birth-kindergarten with their grownups.  All are welcome! 

 

1st & 3rd Sat. of the Month

Next Meetings:

Jan. 18, Feb. 1

 _________________________________

 

Click link above for more info! 

Kehillat_Shabbat 
Kehillat
Shabbat
 
 
This is an "B" week for Kehillat Shabbat  Madrichim.

Click to read the Kehillat Shabbat News!

 _________________________________

 

Click link above for more info! 

Anchor
We need greeters!
We all know how much people like to have a friendly face welcome them as they walk in the door here at shul. Greeting is good for the congregation, the guest, and for the greeter! What better way to start a Saturday than have someone say 'Shabbat Sholom' and what a great thing to be able to say again and again! Please sign up today for a Shabbat morning welcoming people to Beth Jacob.
Add your name to the list and be one of those who makes this shul a welcoming community. Again, thank you!
Shira
Erev Shira
An Evening of Israeli Song
Saturday, Feb. 1, 7 pm

Bring your voice, and an instrument if you play; we will provide song sheets, chords, and refreshments!

Purim_Shpiel
Purim Shpiel
This year Beth Jacob will be having a Purim Shpiel!  If you are interested in performing or helping to write (or both), let Frances know! 
Ham_Bake
Hamentaschen Baking
Sunday, February 9;
Sunday, February 23  
10 am - 2 pm
 
  Help bake Hamentaschen for Purim- we need your help! No experience necessary!

Adult_Jewish_Learning
Congregational Learning Logo Adult Jewish Learning 

  

 

 
Monday Night Talmud Class
With Rabbi Allen

7:00 Pre-learning Schmooze and Munch

7:15 Class Begins

  

There will be no class on Jan. 13, 20 & 27. Class will resume on Feb. 3.

Study the words and thoughts of Rabbinic tradition as a living text in our modern world.  

 

  

 

Open Torah

Parashat HaShavuah: Tuesday Afternoons

With Rabbi Allen - 4-5:00 pm
Study of this week's Torah portion.   

   

 
Bagels
Bracha and Bagel: Wednesday Mornings
With Rabbi Kippley-Ogman after Minyan
  Our learning chug (circle) meets for half an hour over breakfast, digging into rabbinic text related to the cycle of the Jewish year.



Torah Jew in the Pew: Saturday Mornings
With Rabbi Lynn Liberman - 9:15-10 am

Dec. 14, 28; Jan. 11, 23; Feb. 8, 22  

Join Rabbi Lynn Liberman to discuss the weekly Torah portion through the lens of thought-provoking commentaries.
Community Events
For our full Community Events calendar, click here
Engage


 Ramah

With the frigid temperatures around the country this week, we know you're dreaming about summer!

If you plan on sending your child to Ramah next summer and intend to apply for a scholarship through Beth Jacob, please register for camp by January 20 and complete the Beth Jacob scholarship application by February 5. We are in touch with Rabbis Allen and Kippley-Ogman, and are keeping them informed of the registrations. Click here to register now. Click here to complete the Beth Jacob scholarship application.

Feel free to contact Beth Jacob at 651-452-2226 regarding financial concerns. For additional info on the 2014 Ramah experience, please contact Jacob Cytryn at 312-606-9316, ext. 222 or at [email protected].

B'Shalom,

Jacob Cytryn                         Benji Bearman
Director                                 Chief Operating Officer


Keren_Or


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651-452-2226  |  [email protected]  |  www.beth-jacob.org