Welcome
We stand with the Jewish community of Pittsburgh, praying for healing, and mourning the lives that were lost in the devastating shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue. We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and support from the Bozeman community at our Solidarity Gathering on October 28th.
If you would like to show your support in another way, we are encouraging contributions to The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh's Victims of Terror Fund. Donations help the victims and the community with psychological services, medical bills, reconstruction, enhanced security, and more.
Let's continue to come together as a community, take action, promote peace and erase hate.
Latest Issue - News & Schmooze
Amber's Message:
Hi friends,
How incredible to see so much support at our Solidarity Gathering - not just from one another, but from the interfaith community and the greater Bozeman community as well. Though the Pittsburgh shooting was a stark reminder that anti-Semitism is alive and well, we were also reminded that so many stand with us here at home.
Abraham Joshua Heschel said, "There are three ways to mourn - to weep, to be silent, and to sing." This has shaken the Jewish community nationally, and all of our fear, anger, and sadness is one hundred percent valid. I hope you've found some time to process it in your own way - to cry or talk with family and friends, and to sit with it in silence as sometimes there are just no words. Next, we will sing together, which can be both a release as well as a way to heal. Another way to heal is to carry on; to continue to be the strong and vibrant Jewish community that we are. That's how we can triumph over hatred, how we have survived for thousands of years in the face of persecution.
We gather together on Friday, November 9th for a Shabbat service and oneg at 6pm. Rabbi Mike's sermon will address the reasons for anti-Semitism, and how we can move forward as a community. He will also be available after the service to talk with anyone who needs to, as well as throughout the weekend by appointment (email him to schedule: lotker [at] aol [dot] com). Torah study will continue as usual on the 10th at 9:30am, and at 7pm that day we'll have a game night. There will be games for both kids and adults - including the Jewish edition of Apples to Apples (one of my favorites). We will provide some light snacks; please bring additional games and drinks if you'd like them. On Sunday, the b'nei mitzvah class will meet with a youth group from Christ the King Church to discuss the similarities and differences between our religions, followed by an Adult Ed session on how Christianity evolved from Judaism.
Chazak, chazak, v'nitchazeik - be strong, and we will strengthen one another.
Amber
Amber Ikeman, Director of Music and Community Engagement
amber@bethshalombozeman.org
(406) 556-0528 x202
Sara's Shpiel:
The past couple of weeks have been very, very difficult. The shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh has made me feel shock, sadness, fear, and deep anger. But at the same time, I have also felt very proud - proud of being Jewish and proud of our whole community for coming together the way that we did at the Solidarity Gathering. The last feeling that I have had - which has stuck with me unabated from the minute the gathering ended - is a tremendous sense of responsibility for the temple and for all of you.
I spent the rest of the week focused on temple security. The good news is that we are plugged in to the tremendous resources of the URJ, and we were able to get an immediate online education (along with 1,300 other temple leaders!) about how we can continue to make our temple feel safe and be safe. Steve Crawford, Chief of Police in Bozeman, personally attended our Solidarity Gathering on Sunday, and the department has assured me that they remain committed to our safety. The board will be discussing some security enhancements this week, but I do not anticipate that they will fundamentally change our culture or the way in which we function as a Jewish organization.
I look forward to seeing all of you, in full force, at Shabbat services and our other upcoming events. Everything is always better when we are together.
Shalom,
Sara Schwerin
Board President
Congregation Beth Shalom
Upcoming Events
Please see calendar for full list.
- November 20, 2018
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Family Promise Volunteer Training
November 20, 2018 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Journey Church, 1794 E Baxter Ln, Bozeman, MT 59718, USA
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- November 24, 2018
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Torah Study
November 24, 2018 9:30 am - 11:00 am
2010 W Koch St, Bozeman, MT 59718, USA
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- November 28, 2018
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Shalom Kids Class
November 28, 2018 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
2010 W Koch St, Bozeman, MT 59718, USA
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- November 29, 2018
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Online Adult Ed Class: "What Happens After I Die?"
November 29, 2018 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Anywhere
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- November 30, 2018
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Shabbat Service & Oneg
November 30, 2018 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
2010 W Koch St, Bozeman, MT 59718, USA
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- December 1, 2018
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Torah Study
December 1, 2018 9:30 am - 11:00 am
2010 W Koch St, Bozeman, MT 59718, USA
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- December 2, 2018
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Teen Hanukkah Event
December 2, 2018 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Bozeman Breakout: Escape Room, 2304 W Main St, Bozeman, MT 59718, USA
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Our Mission
Congregation Beth Shalom is a place where affiliates of all ages come together to be a learning and spiritual community who joyfully pray together and celebrate Jewish history and tradition. We cultivate in our affiliates a lifelong connection to Judaism through the lens of the Reform and Renewal movements.
