November 14, 2015 - 2 Kislev, 5776
BJC Logo Purple
BJC photo
Candle
  Candlelighting: 4:29 pm
Havdalah: 5:29 pm
Hess
This Saturday Night!

In response to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's recent statement, Yizhar Hess, Masorti's CEO in Israel said: "Masorti regards the statement as a sign that Conservative and Reform Judaism are moving towards our goal of full recognition by the Jewish State and that we are entitled, as members of the Jewish people, to have a full and equal seat at the table of Israel's religious life. We confirm that initial discussions have already begun and we express our whole hearted intention to see that the principles and details of this statement become an immediate reality in Israel."

Hear more from Yizhar Hess about the Masorti movement, Israel, and more, Saturday evening!

 
YoT
5776 is the Year of Torah (YoT) at Beth Jacob, a year-long celebration of Torah and community. There will be many events, the highlight of which will be the restoration of one of our Sifrei Torah. Everyone can participate in this hands-on restoration project, led by Beth Jacob Congregational Educator and Sofer D. Marcos Vital.

Parasha Connection: November
This Shabbat, November 14 
  • During Services:
    Interactive D'var with Holly Brod Farber
  • Post-Kiddush Learning:
    Exploring Birth Order with guest Cheryl Becht

Join us for Parshat Toldot: we will have lentil soup at kiddush, Holly Brod Farber will give a d'var exploring questions raised by the Torah portion, and finally, we will have a Post-Kiddush Learning session featuring Cheryl Becht, who will speak on birth order, and the issues that surround it. Join us!

Torah Leyning Class 

Egalitarian Torah Join experienced Torah leyner Phyllis Gorin as she guides us through the steps of learning to chant Torah. Graduates will be able to take on a parasha on their own and will join the ranks of our expert Torah readers. The class will culminate with a Torah Reading in March. We do ask that all learners have a working ability to read Hebrew (you don't need to know what it means, and you don't need musical talent). If you miss classes, there will be make-ups.

Torah Restoration Event: Nov. 

The first step in fixing a Torah is cleaning the Torah! Beth Jacob community will have our first opportunity this year to participate in the physical restoration of our scroll under the guidance of D.Marcos Vital, our sofer and educator. You'll learn what a Torah is made of, and what it means to restore and take care of a scroll, and most importantly, get your hands working to clean our Torah!

All ages are welcome to come and learn and encounter the scroll. Kids above the age of Kindergarten will be able to help clean the scroll.

Get Your Torah Questions Answered
Do you have questions about how you make or restore a Torah? Ask a Sofer! Specifically, Sofer D.Marcos Vital. Click here to ask a question (or check out the answers to questions others have asked), and D.Marcos will give you an answer!
Spain
Beth Jacob Trip to Spain 
JOIN RABBI ALLEN FROM MAY 8 - 16, 2016
Info Meeting Tues., Nov. 17 at 7:30 pm

Join us for an informational meeting about the trip, and Professor Alejandro Baer will share a few words about growing up in Spain, and why a trip to Spain is important.


Journey to Spain with Beth Jacob! Rabbi Allen will be leading a shul trip, exploring the history and culture of the Jews of Spain.


Contact Rabbi Allen (Rabbi@Beth-Jacob.org651-452-2226) if you're interested or have questions. If you would like more information or an itinerary
RamahCamp Ramah Info Meeting
Grades K-6 & families: Tue., Nov. 17, 4-6 pm
Grades 7-10 & families: Tue., Nov. 17, 6-7 pm

Come to Beth Jacob and hear about Camp Ramah from Ramah Director Jacob Cytryn, and eat delicious pizza!

 
the_20_30
20/30s Community
20s-30s Logo
The Beth Jacob Twenties & Thirties Community has lots to do; mark your calendars, and head to the FB group to RSVP so you don't miss any of the upcoming festivities!
 
November is Mitzvah Month!

  • November, Tuesday 17: Volunteer at Second Harvest Heartland: Golden Valley location, from 6-8 pm
     
  • November, Thursday 26: BJC 20&30 joins BJC's Walk to End Hunger @ MOA
     
  • December, Sunday 6: Chopped: Latke Edition Presented by BJC 20's & 30's Community
The most current info (with RSVP links) is always on the Facebook page: facebook.com/groups/BJC2030
Angles
Rabbi Arik Ascherman
Thursday, Nov. 19, 7 pm

Join us at Beth Jacob to hear Rabbi Arik Ascherman, head of the Israeli Rabbis for Human Rights, speak on the current Situation in Israel.
 
Adult
Karaoke Dance Party 

Eat, Drink, and Sing the Night Away!

The Kesher Committee is excited to announce an exciting event for adults from age 21 to 120 on Saturday evening, November 21, at Beth Jacob from 7:30 -10:30 PM. Come sing karaoke, dance, snack, and play games. There's something for everyone! We'll supply snacks, beer, soda, dessert and lots of fun and friendship. If you want to help us offer liquors for mixed drinks, bring a bottle of your favorite spirits. Suggested donation for attendance is $5 per person. If you have questions or want to help out with this event, contact Linda Perry (boblindaperry@msn.com).

Beth Jacob Info:

 

Calendar

 
(Link active after 2 pm Fri.)

 
 
 
 
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In This Issue:
(Click Link to Jump
Directly to Article)
HebrewShabbat Siddur Hebrew 
One Sunday a month
9:30 - 10:45 am
Hebrew Alphabet
Once a month through winter and into spring, Lisa Hoff will teach how to read prayers in the Shabbat siddur, how to pronounce the words and understand their meaning.

Learn the prayers, or learn them better than you're doing them now.

Let Lisa know if you want to join the class!
OZY
O.Z.Y.*

What is O.Z.Y.*? A Shabbat afternoon time of sitting in close, concentric circles and singing songs, chants, niggunim, and rounds in harmony. Sing to praise God, to open your heart, to make something beautiful together.

All are welcome!

Childcare will be available. To volunteer to lead a song, or to suggest or request one, please contact Pam Winthrop Lauer at (952) 432- 7038 or wpdj@usfamily.net.

*Ozi v'Zimrat Yah: God is my strength and my song
DirectoryDirectory Updates
Selfie
Has your information changed since the directory was published?

Let us know here, as we will be issuing periodic updates.
Adult_Jewish_Learning
Adult Jewish Learning 
  Ongoing Classes 

 
Monday Night Talmud Class
With Rabbi Allen

7:00 Pre-learning Schmooze and Munch
7:15 Class Begins

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 from 3-4 pm
Study of this week's Torah portion.
 
 
Bagels
Bracha and Bagel: Wednesday Mornings
With Rabbi Tamar after Minyan (approx. 8 am)
New Series Begins in September: Tefilah and Text
Delve deep into the words of the prayerbook.  Explore their origins in Biblical text, theological underpinnings and their place in our lives today.
Delicious breakfast provided!


Judaism in the 
21st Century: 
A Discussion Group
Thursdays at 10 am
with Rabbi Tamar

How do we understand and express our Judaism in the 21st Century? As Jews we find ourselves compelled to respond to the challenges of our ever-changing world, scientific discovery and increased awareness of the suffering in our world. Arthur Green says that these experiences create "challenges to conventional theological views." We will use Green's book Radical Judaism to explore these ideas together and create an open space in which to share new ideas.


Jew in the Pew: Saturday Mornings
Torah
With Rabbi Lynn Liberman - 9:15-10 am 
Join Rabbi Lynn Liberman to discuss the weekly Torah portion through the lens of thought-provoking commentaries.
Class meets on 2nd & 4th Saturday mornings in the chapel.
Oct. 31; Nov. 14, 28; Dec. 12, 26.

Meditation: Saturday Mornings
9:15 am, 1st & 3rd Saturday mornings each month
Enhance Shabbat and to prepare for services. Mindfulness meditation helps to make our minds more spacious, perceptive and free. Each session will include a short teaching followed by a sitting period. No experience is necessary.
In collaboration with Hineni.
Community Events
For our full Community Events calendar, click here
Earl
Faith and Reason:
Four Formative Jewish Thinkers Confront Modernity
With Professor Earl Schwartz
St. Paul JCC
Mondays, October 19-November 16, 7-8 pm

$15/Session * $10 Member Value Price and Hineni Sustainer Price
You've heard their names, you've seen them quoted, but who are they? What did they think and why does it matter? This 5-part mini-series with master teacher Earl Schwartz will explore the work of Abraham Joshua Heschel, Martin Buber, Franz Rosenzweig and Rav Kook. Register by October 16 at stpauljcc.org
A joint program of the JCC and Hineni,  Adult Jewish Learning & Contemplative Practices, Talmud Torah of St. Paul. For information contact Beth Friend at 651-255-4735 or befriend@stpauljcc.org.
HMJDS

The Amos and Celia Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School is excited to offer a $3600 tuition grant to all new students entering the school at any grade for the 2016-17 school year. We offer private tours as well as grade-specific preview mornings for families who may be considering a transfer to HMJDS. To schedule a tour please contact Julie Ziessman, HMJDS Admissions and Outreach Director at 952.381.3500 or jziessman@hmjds.org. Applications are available for fall 2016, learn more here.

Parents of Young Adult Children Who Struggle
Caregiver

 
Newman
 
Sholom

AEpi 

Scholarship

This scholarship is for male students that are attending the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. To apply for this scholarship, it is not a requirement that you be interested in Alpha Epsilon Pi, or Greek Life at all. This scholarship is simply Alpha Epsilon Pi's way of saying thank you to the community for raising men who live up to our core values by promoting the advancement of the Jewish community and its values. The scholarship will be up to 500 dollars and will be awarded in the Fall of 2015. The deadline to apply for this scholarship is November 1, 2015.

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651-452-2226  |  bjcoffice@beth-jacob.org  |  www.beth-jacob.org