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CHAILITES
March 29, 2017
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(Dates and times are also on the TBC website calendar.)
  • Thursday, March 30, 4:20 pm: Religious School in session
  • Friday, March 31, 7:30 pm: Shabbat Services
  • Sunday, April 2, 9:30 am: Passover Celebration during Religious School
  • Monday, April 3, 7:00 pm: Wilton Interfaith Clergy Panel Discussion: 'What does it Mean to be a Community?' with Rabbi Bearman.
  • Wednesday, April 5, 4:20 pm: Religious School in session
  • Thursday, April 6, 4:20 pm: Religious School in session
  • Friday, April 7, 6:00/6:30 pm: Shabbat Family Service with PreNeg. (RSVP for PreNeg here!)
Special Shabbat Torah Service, Friday March 24, with TBC Past-President David Abraham chanting  from the Torah; also celebrating the National Weekend of Prayer for Transgender Justice ( More pictures!)
Rabbi's Sermon for the National Weekend of Prayer
for Transgender Justice

Selection from last Friday's Sermon by Rabbi Bearman: ".... This weekend religious organizations and congregations around the country, including Temple B'nai Chaim, are participating in the National Weekend of Prayer for Transgender Justice.  One of the guiding principles of this weekend of prayer addresses the importance of this program: "We acknowledge that organized religion has often been an unsafe space for transgender people, and we commit to providing safe and sacred space to children, youth, young adults, adults, and elders of all gender identities and expressions, supporting each other in deepening our understandings of ourselves and one another in community." Read full sermon!
Community Forum and Fundraiser for Syrian Refugees
Saturday, April 1, 3:00-5:30 pm 

The Building Bridges Club of Staples High School will host an event with a documentary film "Salam Neighbor" (produced by two Westport Greens Farms Academy graduates, Chris Temple and Zach Ingrasci) followed by a panel discussion and audience Q&A, at the Staples auditorium on Saturday, April 1st from 3:00 to 5:30 pm. This informative discussion by various experts will shed light on the current refugee situation and provide opportunities to help Syrian refugees during one of the largest humanitarian crises in modern history.  US Representative Jim Himes, Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe, and Westport-sponsored refugees will also speak. More information here.
No Torah Study This Week, Saturday, April 1

The Torah Study Group recommences next Satruday, April 8, at 9:30 am. We'll be studying the Haftarah portion, Malachi 3: 4-24.
Coming Together: What Does It Mean to Be a Community?
Monday, April 3, 7:00 pm
    
 
Wilton Clergy/Wi-ACT/WLA Interfaith Clergy Panel Discussion Series begins in March. Rabbi Bearman will be participating in the panel on April 3rd. Sessions are held at Wilton Library. Registration Strongly Suggested.
Save the Date: Shabbat Family Service, Friday, April 7!

Join us for another fun Shabbat family service starting at 6:00 pm with a kid-friendly Preneg (pizza & veggies). At 6:30 pm, song, story and worship will be followed by a birthday celebration and oneg with a certified nut-free option at the dessert table. If you will be attending the preneg, make sure to RSVP. And save May 5 for the next Shabbat Family Service!
Pick Up Your Lost and Found Items!

TBC has collected a number of jackets, fleeces and other items which have been left at the Temple over the winter.  Please check the coat closet and reclaim your lost items.  All unclaimed items as of April 7th will be donated to Goodwill.
TBC Strategic Plan Update

From TBC President Cindy Baulsir: Many thanks to all who completed the congregational survey in support of our strategic planning effort.  We had a strong response from households where participants were representative of the demographics of our congregation.  Results will be shared with the congregation as part of the final Strategic Plan.

In the meantime, the Strategic Planning Team will work with our external consultant to begin using these results as the basis for understanding our core values, priorities and how to best meet those priorities.  Over the next few months, the Team will continue to refine the direction, meet with the Board and present the vision to the congregation at the congregational meeting in May.

Pleases contact Dina Gumins or Cindy Baulsir if you have any questions/comments. We welcome your input - the future vision of TBC is all of ours!
Latest Federation for Jewish Philanthropy
Newsletter Features Rabbi Bearman

The latest Federation for Jewish Philanthropy of Upper Fairfield County newsletter features great upcoming events and FJP Community Voices guest columnist, Rabbi Rachel Bearman of Temple B'nai Chaim in Georgetown. Click here to read!
TBC Event: Recent Archaeological Discoveries in the Holy Land -
Wednesday, April 19, 7:30 pm
 
Archaeological discoveries in Israel are always controversial and fascinating. Come hear about recent historical discoveries!  A crossroads of civilizations over many thousands of years, Israel has seen many important archaeological sites and artifacts come to light over the past few years changing our views on the history, cultural practices, and ways of life in the Holy Land.

TBC member Jeffrey Bendremer will present this fascinating lecture.  Jeff is currently on the faculty of the College of New Rochelle.  With over 30 years of experience in archaeological fieldwork, Jeff has participated in numerous excavations including at Tel Aphek, Israel, and in Connecticut and Rhode Island, as well as directed 21 archaeological field schools for the University of Connecticut and Indiana University, among others.  
Save the Dates!  
Schoke Jewish Family Service Programs and Activities 
March-April 2017

Schoke Jewish Family Service has a great set of upcoming programs, including a Passover Food Drive, support groups for those seeking employment, help with financial fitness, exercises for brain fitness, and others. Schoke can also provide information and eligibility assistance for financial help to purchase food. Click here for more information! 
Lectures and Spring Events at the Carl & Dorothy Bennett Center
for Judaic Studies at Fairfield University

Topics include: academic boycotts of Israel, Jewish art, a musical setting of Anne Frank's diary, the Israeli Airforce.  Click here for more information.
Share Your Simcha - Sponsor a Preneg, Oneg or Flowers!

Share Your Simcha - Sponsor a Shabbat, Oneg, Preneg or the Flowers! A wonderful way of celebrating special simchas, such as birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, the birth of a child or grandchild, is sharing your nachas with the entire congregation by sponsoring the Shabbat Oneg, Preneg or Flowers for the Friday of your special week. No special occasion? You can still sponsor a Shabbat! We will arrange for the flowers, food and set-up, all you do for your family to sponsor is make a minimum donation of $125 for an Oneg, $180 for a Preneg or $250 for the flowers at http://bit.ly/tbconpns.

Inscribe Your Leaf on the Tree of Life Today!

Whether you celebrate a birth, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, wedding, anniversary or other special event, inscribing th
e event on the leaves of the Tree of Life will ensure your memories shine brightly at Temple B'Nai Chaim for years to come.


It's easy to order - just fill out the Tree of Life order form. Each leaf costs $300 and will be engraved upon receipt of the completed order form and full payment. Your leaf will be placed on the tree within 6-8 weeks after the order is placed. Examples of leaves may be seen here.  Contact treeoflife@templebnaichaim.org if you have any questions. 

Yahrzeits, March 31- April 6, 2017
(See also the  Monthly Yahrzeit List on the TBC Website.)

Zeicher tzaddik livrachah!  May the memory of the righteous be for a blessing!

Sara Heft Friday 3/31/2017 remembered by the Heft Family
Sue Barasch Saturday 4/1/2017 aunt of Moses Alexander
Verna Nurick Saturday 4/1/2017 mother of Rachel Langberg
Gertrude Garnett Sunday 4/2/2017 great grandmother of David Mann
Fannie Klein Sunday 4/2/2017 grandmother of Jaime Kapel
Dr. Stephen D. Wilk Sunday 4/2/2017 father of Jodie Nevas
Benjamin Prentiss Tuesday 4/4/2017 grandfather of Valerie Rosenson
Clifford Steinberg Tuesday 4/4/2017 father of Daniel Darst
Belle Herman Wednesday 4/5/2017 aunt of Mitchell Farber
Edith Sloan Wednesday 4/5/2017 grandmother of Pamela Karpen
Seymour Bendremer Thursday 4/6/2017 father of Jeff Bendremer
Ernestine Lizan Thursday 4/6/2017 grandmother of Meryll Wolfman

It is traditional to light a memorial candle on the eve of the yahrzeit at home and to recite Kaddish when lighting the yahrzeit candle. It is also a custom to make donations in memory of loved ones around the time of yahrzeit.

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Temple B'nai Chaim
-
82 Portland Avenue, P.O. Box 305, Georgetown, CT 06829
Phone: 203 544-8695 - Fax: 203 544-9706
Cantor: Jon Sobel
President: Cindy Baulsir
Office Manager: Kim O'Rielly
Education Manager: Jennifer Haynos
Facility Use/Rental: Kim O'Rielly