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 Tonight!
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Matching Funds Challenge
The year-end Matching Funds Challenge is on; take this opportunity to automatically double your gift to Beth Jacob!
Here's how to donate:
You can watch our progress by checking the 2014 Year-End Challenge Campaign thermometer at beth-jacob.org!
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This Shabbat Morning!
Hanukkah Celebration for Kids in Shul
During services, Saturday, Dec. 20, 11 am (or so)
Kids of all ages celebrate Hanukkah together with dreidel, singing, and treats. Parents of young ones, come join in!
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Final Week!
Selfie Directory
 Due to popular demand, we are in the process of compiling a Beth Jacob roster book. We again will offer you the option of including (or not) e-mail addresses and determining what phone numbers or children's information appear in the roster section. This part is strictly an "opt in" affair; your children or e-mail addresses will not be listed in the directory if you do not respond.
Now here is the fun part! We are asking you to send in family "selfies" for your picture! That's right everyone, gather the kids, the dogs and cats, hamsters and parakeets - and you! - and snap that picture. Send us pictures in your backyard, at Disney World, biking the Mendota Bridge, or maybe on the couch in your home. Or perhaps you took a family picture this past summer, something to post on Facebook or Twitter. We want good, clear, color pictures from your phones or your cameras.
Submit your pictures and info to us at
Due to popular demand, the picture deadline is now Sunday, Dec. 21, after The Beth Jacob "Hanukkah Happy Hour". If you like, you can get help with a selfie at the event!
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Thursday, December 25th
4:00-6:00 pm
 Not a chilly reception, but a Chili reception! That's right everyone, join the Beth Jacob family for a tasty bowl of vegetarian chili, cornbread, sweet treats, beer and other beverages. No cost to you, but donations are most welcome. Sponsored and cooked by the super fun Kesher Committee. Interested in helping cook on Sunday, Dec. 21st? Interested in joining the FUN committee? Contact Linda Perry at boblindaperry@msn.com.
So we know how much to prepare, please click here to RSVP.
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A Beth Jacob Learning Moment
 Children in Iyunim are learning about the Jewish calendar and its weekly and monthly cycles. During this darkening time of year, children are learning about Or and Choshech - light and darkness - from the beginning of the Torah to our celebration of Chanukah. This past Sunday, Iyunim children and families learned about Chanukah and how we as a community bring warmth and light into our lives in the middle of winter, and had a lot of fun rolling colorful candles out of beeswax. For children age 3 through first grade, this year marks the launch of our new education program called Iyunim: Jewish Explorations @ BJC. Iyunim is hands-on, exploratory learning, anchored in our foundational values. We are working with children to create a learning community that evokes and explores.
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Beth Jacob Blood Drive
Sunday, January 18th
Come give the gift of life at the Beth Jacob Annual Blood Drive!
 Questions? Contact Sharon Benmaman. Want to volunteer? Contact David Honan. |
An Introduction to Classic Jewish Texts
Sundays, 10 AM, 60-90 min. each
 Want to jump-start your knowledge of basic Jewish learning? Discover the foundations of Judaism? Come to learn about classic texts. You may come to just one, some of them, or all of them. No need to register- just show up! - January 18 TANACH ( the bible ) - Rabbi Yossi Gordon
- January 25 The TALMUD ( Mishna/Gemara ) - Emily Filler
- February 1 The MIDRASH - Louis Newman
- February 15 The HAGGADAH - Earl Schwartz
- February 22 The SIDDUR - Rabbi Shosh Dworsky
This class is free and open to the community.
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Contemplative Chanting
With Sara Lynn Newberger & Rabbi Emma Kippley-Ogman
Second Thursdays of the Month - 7:00 - 8:00 PM at Beth Jacob
(1/8, 2/12, 3/12, 5/14, and 6/11)
Singing is a physical experience, involving breath and muscles, ears and mouths. When we are touched by the music, the whole of our bodies come into play. When we sing with others, we are connected by and within the music. In chanting, we sing a melody multiple time giving us time to enter the chant as its melody (and words) enter us, feeling ever more deeply the effect of the music in each repetition. Chanting is a form of meditation that opens the doors of the heart, it focuses attention on the present moment, the place where the Divine Presence can be experienced. Whether wordless or with words, repetition of the chant helps clear the mind of chatter, and connects us to each other and the Divine. Allowing some quiet between the chants or niggunim enables us to absorb the energy of the chant.
Join us on Thursday evenings as we ready our hearts for Shabbat. No experience or prior knowledge is required. Co-sponsored with Hineini, A Center for Adult Jewish Learning and Contemplative Practices at the Talmud Torah of St. Paul. There is no set cost for these sessions, though donations will be accepted.
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PLEASE NOTE:
 Monday night Talmud Class and Tuesday Afternoon Parasha Study Group resume this week on Mon., Dec. 22 and Tues., Dec. 23 respectively.
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Beth Jacob Info:
Calendar
(Link active after 2 pm Fri.)
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In This Issue: (Click Link to Jump Directly to Article) |
Last Shabbat of the Month!
After Kiddush at 12:45 pm
Everyone truly is welcome! Sing to praise G-d, to open your heart, to make something beautiful together, or all of the above. The focus is on liturgical songs with harmony, chants, rounds, and niggunim.
Please volunteer to lead a song or make a song request a week and a half ahead of the date, so Aaron Hodge Silver, our songbook designer, can get it ready. Questions, comments, requests, and to VOLUNTEER TO LEAD A SONG, call or e-mail Pam Winthrop Lauer: wpdj@usfamily.net, 952-432-7038.
Childcare will be available.
*Ozi v'Zimrat Yah = G-d is my Strength and my Song.
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Erev Shira
An Evening of Israeli Song
Saturday, Jan. 3, 7 pm
Bring your voice, and an instrument if you play; we will provide song sheets, chords, and refreshments!
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Our Judaism
Rabbi Allen shares some thoughts from Israel on egalitarian minyanim (or lack thereof) in Jerusalem.
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Jew in the Pew: Saturday Mornings
