Congregation Beth Shalom

Latest Issue - News & Schmooze

Amber's Message:

Shana tova! I hope you've had a sweet year so far. It was so special to celebrate Rosh Hashanah together last week.

Just a reminder that our Kol Nidre service is Tuesday, September 18th at 7pm. Please make every effort to be on time; we will not be letting anyone into the sanctuary during the Kol Nidre prayer, so as not to cause distractions during this very solemn moment, which happens 5-10 minutes after the service begins. After practicing with our fantastic group of musicians, and I can tell you that you are in for a treat.

Morning services begin at 10am on Wednesday the 19th, followed by Yizkor (beginning roughly around 12:20-12:30). We ask that only mourners (anyone who has lost a loved one at any time, not just in the past year) stay for the Yizkor service.

Also on Wednesday, Rabbi Allen will be teaching about the history and presentation of Kol Nidre at 3pm, followed by a Family Service at 4:30pm, Neilah (concluding service) at 5pm, and our break-the-fast potluck immediately afterwards. Bagels, lox, and cream cheese will be provided. Please bring your favorite meatless, shellfish-less dish. 

Babysitting will be available for Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur morning, but not for Yizkor or Neilah.

For some reflection before/during Yom Kippur, you can find the questions that Rabbi Allen presented here.

By the way - we're thinking ahead to Sukkot and are looking for volunteers to build the sukkah on Saturday the 22nd (bagels included). Please let me know if you can help. Mark your calendar for an awesome party in the sukkah on the 29th at 6pm, with food, dancing, and beer.

May this be a time of deep transformation. May we emerge from the day of atonement (or at-one-ment) with more clarity, more light, more compassion, and closer to who we want to be.

G'mar chatimah tovah,

Amber

-Amber Ikeman, Director of Music and Community Engagement

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Sara's Spiel:

With school back in session and the crisp, cold nights of Fall returning, the temple is busy preparing for the High Holidays.

In addition to all of the service-related preparations, Ashley Mansfield and Dana Flatow have been busy sprucing up the inside of the temple, Hy Adelman and friends pruned the landscaping outside, and Shalom Kids are putting the finishing touches on the new foyer mural to kick off what we hope will be a sweet new year. We are grateful for everyone’s contributions.

Religious school classes have begun. The b’nei mitzvah class will be commencing it’s weekly Skype session with Rabbi Lotker, which features discussion of topics in the book Tough Questions Jews Ask. A big thank you to all of you who volunteer to teach the youngest members of our community. They are our future, and your efforts are very much appreciated.

For the High Holidays, Rabbi Secher, Amber, and the ritual committee under the leadership of Janel Cariño, have planned a wonderful series of services. Please plan to join us. Whether you are a long-time affiliate, or new to us, we would love to see you.

L'shalom,
Sara Schwerin, Temple President