Contact Us
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Temple Beth Tikvah
P.O Box 7472
Bend, OR 97708
541-388-8826
Make a secure online donation or payment to Temple Beth Tikvah
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May Celebrations
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Celebrations in April honor the following:
Birthdays: Eric Fridstein May 1 Lorraine Schechter May 2 Suzanne Schlosberg May 2 Sara Charney Cohen May 5 Ed Connelley May 7 Burton Litman May 8 Michelle Mahony May 8 Bruce Levin May 9 David Uri May 11 Steve Dimond May 14 Gerald Greenbach May 16 Judith Schlosberg May 17 Chris Arathoon May 18 Zac Zlatkus May 18 Rosa Cook May 21 Mel Siegel May 26 Riley Goldstein May 28 Zack Charney Cohen May 30 Marcia Koff May 31
Anniversaries: Jay & Sheila Ross Luber May 17th Marilyn & Chuck Shattuck May 26th Gerald & Phyllis Greenbach May 31st
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Board Officers:
President: Jeanne Freeman jgfree925@gmail.com
Vice President: Naomi Chudowsky
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Lester Dober
Members-at-Large:
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Adult Education
Mary Jane Eisenberg
Bikkur Holim
Suzanne Schlosberg
---and ---
Evie Lerner
Calendar Master Ann Rosenfield
Chevra Kadisha
Ralph Uri
Communications/PR
Ann Rosenfield
Facilities
Mark Schindel
Finance Mark Schindel
Fundraising - TBD -
Membership Engagement
Terry Reynolds
-and-
Marilynn Jacobs
Religious Education
Kathy Schindel
Rituals
Ralph Uri
Social Action
Burt Litman
Website Development
Sheila Ross Luber
Youth Group
Naomi Chudowsky
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TBT Event Planning
Quick Guide
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Step One:
Step Two:
with date, time, location, & details to have event added to the calendar.
Step Three:
If there are any changes to your event date, time, or location, email Ann so calendar can be updated ASAP.
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Special Interest Group Contacts
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Book Club Marilyn Shattuck mpshattuck@gmail.com
Cross Country Skiing Ann Rosenfield ann@rosenfield online.com
Downhill Skiing Larry Barker and Jo Ann Ray joannbray1940 @gmail.com
Families With Young Children Allison Cogen allisoncogen@ gmail.com
Knitting & Yarn Arts Sara Charney Cohen sarrava@gmail.com
Mah Jongg Beverly Adler fiberartist@ bendcable.com
Movie Club Sara Charney Cohen sarrava@gmail.com
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Quick Links
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Forward this newsletter to a Friend
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May Calendar of Events
MAY EVENTS SCHEDULE
May 1 12:00 p.m. - Weekly Torah Study at Evie's
5:00 p.m. - Adult Hebrew Class
May 2 3:30 p.m. - TBT Board Meeting
4:00 p.m. - Hebrew School
May 5 2:30 p.m. - Family Kitchen Dinner
May 7 10:00 a.m. - Sunday School
May 8 12:00 p.m. - Weekly Torah Study
5:00 p.m. - Adult Hebrew Class
May 9 4:00 p.m. - Hebrew School
May 12 6:00 p.m. - Shabbat@Home
May 13 9:00 a.m. - Adult B'nai Mitzvah Judaica Class
10:30 a.m. - Shabbat Torah Service
May 14 --- Lag B'Omer ---
May 15 12:00 p.m. - Weekly Torah Study
5:00 p.m. - Adult Hebrew Class
May 16 4:00 p.m. - Hebrew School
May 17 7:30 a.m. - Back Door Cafe
May 21 10:00 a.m. - Sunday School
May 22 12:00 p.m. - Weekly Torah Study
5:00 p.m. - Adult Hebrew Class
May 23 4:00 p.m. - Hebrew School
May 24 11:59 p.m. -
June Newsletter Deadline
May 26 7:00 p.m. - Erev Shabbat Service
May 29 12:00 p.m. - Weekly Torah Study
5:00 p.m. - Adult Hebrew Class
May 30 4:00 p.m. - Hebrew School
Time TBA - Shavuot Program
ON THE HORIZON
June 11th - Annual Congregational Business Meeting June 24th - Bat Mitzvah of Leila Slate July 8th - Bar Mitzvah of Maxwell Friedman July 21 - Shabbat in the Park
May Torah Study Weekly-Monday noon: 5/1, 5/8, 5/15, 5/22, 5/29
May School Activities - at Shalom Bayit unless noted otherwise Sunday School - 10:00 a.m: 5/7, 5/21 Hebrew School - Tues. 4:00 p.m: 5/2, 5/9, 5/16, 5/23, 5/30
For more details about any TBT events, see our complete schedule of Services, School activities, and Events online: www.bethtikvahbend.org/calendar
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Havdallah and a Movie - May 6th
The theme for May's events is
"Contemporary Israel"
While preparing to enter the Israeli military for his compulsory service, young Joseph Silberg learns he was accidentally switched at birth with the son of an Arab couple from the West Bank -- a shocking revelation that sends both families reeling. (Netflix) The Director is Lorraine Levy
May 6th, 2017
Location: First Presbyterian Church
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Snacks and Beverages are welcome!
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Adult Education:
Israel Then & Now
Adult Education Class - May 16th, 2017
Location: Home of Lynne and Ed Connelley
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Topic: Israel: Then and Now
For this class Rabbi has asked that we read Ari Shavit's book:
But - PLEASE COME TO THIS ADULT ED CLASS! - even if you only read the Introduction, or a few chapters, or did not have time to read the book at all - please join us for class! This will be the last adult ed class before fall.
Snacks, Appetizers, and Drinks are Welcome!!
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Bat Mitzvah of Camille Smith
Please join Hallie and Tracy Smith
in celebration of the
Bat Mitzvah
of their daughter
Camille Alyse
Saturday, May 27th
10:30 a.m.
All
TBT
members are welcome.
Kiddush luncheon following the service.
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TBT Help Wanteds
Help Wanted for Annual Meeting
The Member Engagement committee needs helpers for our annual TBT meeting to be held on June 11th! Our committee is again responsible for putting this event together. Since last year's event was a great success, we have the template and will replicate it for this year, so planning should be easy. We just need a few more people to help. And it's a fun event!
If you would like to help, please contact Marilynn Jacobs
Newsletter Editor Wanted
Sara Charney Cohen has been editing our monthly newsletter for many years, but her schedule no longer allows for her to publish it on time. She would like to hand the baton to someone who can give the job the attention it deserves. If you would be willing to take on this task for our congregation, or would like more information, please contact Jeanne Freeman at jgfree925@gmail.com. Sara will provide training if desired.
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Divrei Tikvah
From Rabbi Johanna Hershenson
Just recently I watched a documentary on either Netflix or Hulu called Doubting Darwin. It juxtaposed Darwin's own journey into formulating ideas about evolution that would shake the foundation of Christianity with voices of the 45% of Americans who believe in Genesis rather than science.
45% of Americans believe or prefer to believe in religion rather than science.
These 45% of Americans aren't simply claiming a spiritual life - I value a spiritual life rather highly - they reject science as an assortment of so-called theories.
There is no indication in rabbinic texts that the rabbis or the ancient authors of the Torah believed the texts they passed down to us are meant to be taken literally. Truth often transcends fact and observation. Truth often underlies what captures our attention either for better or for worse.
Maimonides, wrote in the middle ages, that the language of Torah is multivalent, that is, means different things to different people in different times and places.
The right meaning emerges through an organic, democratic process - we find rabbis who speak to our sense of reason and the theologies we can accept.
Determining that the words of Torah, the first five books of the bible, are to be taken in at their surface meaning diminishes the power inherited traditions can have in our lives here and now. To reject what can be empirically and mathematically demonstrated in favor of faith in words that defy reason as a badge of honor is silly. It's like using ancient tools to accomplish today's tasks.
The gift of an inherited tradition is that we, the receivers of the gift, enter the game of life further down the game board than the generation/s that preceded us. We don't have to start at start. We get an edge. The challenge is learn how to use the inherited tradition as an edge, as a tool that can move us forward in our own evolutionary process than could our parents.
It is up to us to do something with the information, tradition, rituals, and ideas we inherit. What is the teaching? The message? How can this piece of information or ritual enrich my experience here and now?
As American Jews our understanding of Israel is woefully similar to our understanding of Judaism. We aren't sure what we want to pass down to our kids and grandkids, but we can't help but want them to have something.
It is not always easy to relate to the image of the early pioneers from Russia and Poland and the region who turned from white collar training to pushing their sleeves up and getting dirty. Yesterday's heroic Irgun and Stern Gang ambushes against the British Mandate would be called terrorism today. The occupation of territories and the challenge of managing local inhabitants who are reasonably dissatisfied with the nearly 60 year stalemate has worn our attention spans thin. A rabbinic court having say over matters of personal status in our lives like who we can and can't marry or where we can be buried after we die is a totally foreign concept to us.
The truth is that Israel is what we remember and even more so isn't at all the perceptions we've taken for granted. The overwhelming demographic among Jews in Israel is nonreligious. Religious Jews comprise some 20% of the Jewish population and that number includes progressive religious Jews like Reform and Conservative. Jewish holidays are celebrated traditionally among that 20% but as days off for family and recreation for the other 80%! Yes visiting antiquities in Israel is awesome. But take a look at Israel's innovations: harvesting water, technologies, medicine, film and literature, etc.
The real gift Israel and Zionism has given the Jewish people is not the David and Goliath battle that pervades any reference to Israel in our culture... The real gift is normalcy and access to anything that interests us as Jews. Zionism sends off bells and whistles warning of nationalism and inherent racism to many people on the planet. It doesn't refer to a simple acknowledgement that the Jewish people have a rightful home in Eretz Yisrael like we'd like to think it does. And yet I believe Zionism is why I can go camping, trail running or hiking, and even four wheeling. Zionism is why my husband, a nice Jewish boy, can also ride a motorcycle. Zionism renewed the Jewish people with a tribal sense of self, (where I come from,) and courage to access all that history denied us: physical strength and sport, innovative prowess in science and math, connection to land and hard labor, art and music.
Of course I support the state of Israel's right to exist and importance to Jews as a refuge and a homeland. I also recognize the displacement and intimidation of local people, Palestinians, that cannot be justified by religious right to the land of our ancestors. What Zionism gives to the Jewish people and how Israel behaves as a democratic, Western nation in the middle of an Arab world are two distinctly different truths that must coexist. Shared history and cultural mythology point to one truth. Values and the laws intended to manifest those values point to another truth. The intersection of these truths can be confusing, but in my opinion are not unlike gaining spiritual wisdom or comfort/insight from the Book of Genesis and simultaneously gaining knowledge from scientific evidence for how the physical world as we know it came into being and impacts our existence.
Belief isn't a crap shoot in a casino or a back alley. Belief in something is about trust rooted in historic patterns and what we know to be consistently true. Evidence has always been a part of belief in Jewish discourse. We do not betray or abandon our beliefs when we find them challenged or when we find that they are works in progress that we refine over time and appear differently than they did when we started.
In our efforts to build a more connected Temple Beth Tikvah community, we could all stand to ponder our personal relationship with concepts like belief and truth. Don't hesitate to share with me if you feel so moved,
johannahershenson@gmail.com
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~~ Rabbi Hershenson's office hours are by appointment. If you would like to set up an appointment, please contact her by email at:
johannahershenson@gmail.com
, or by phone at 541-213-9880.
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President's Message
From TBT President Jeanne Freeman
Dear TBT members & friends,
In just this past week, I have been impressed by the amazing bond, support, and spirit that exist among the members of our community.
This past Saturday I had the great pleasure of attending the first of six b'nai mitzvahs that will take place for our 6th and 7th graders this year. I knew that Eliana Canas was singing and I was excited to hear her. I knew that even though she isn't my child or grandchild, that I would get teary-eyed at some point during the service as we acknowledged her accomplishment and her acceptance as an adult in our Jewish community.
What I didn't know in advance is how I would kvell at what else I saw.
Our 6th and 7th graders have created a beautiful bond. They are a team; they are friends; they support each other. They walk as one. They have their arms around each other at services. They are all inclusive of each other. You may think that this is typical of their age, but think again. These kids are not in public school together. They live in Sisters, in Bend, in Sunriver. Their bond is their Judaism, their shared history, their experience of Sunday school and b'nai mitzvah, their participation in the recently formed Jewish Youth Group, and Temple Beth Tikvah.
Before the service I visited with some of the parents of the b'nai mitzvah kids and I happened to sit behind some of them during the service. And I heard in their conversation and saw in their relationship a similar bonding to that of their children.
These parents and grandparents come together in support of their children and of each other as they participate in the planning of their child's b'nai mitzvah.
The following day, Kathy Schindel, our Religious School director, shared with me conversations from the parents of some of our youngest members. The Tot Shabbat program begun by Rabbi Hershenson has evolved into a monthly at-home program and kids and parents are having a wonderful time! The kids are creating the friendships in pre-school, kindergarten and first grade that will take them on their journey together to b'nai mitzvah, and their parents are discovering and developing their own new friendships.
(If you'd like to be on the email list to participate in the Tot Shabbat program, email Jessica Hammerman at
jesshamm@gmail.com. )
Checking into Facebook I found this post from Suzanne Schlosberg: "
A lot of people these days wonder whether it's even worth joining a synagogue. Why bother? Here's why: because your fellow Jews are the people you can count on. Exhibit A: Friday morning, the boys had a ski competition. When we got up to the mountain, we realized Ian had left his helmet, goggles and gloves at home. If I had driven home to get them, I would have missed Toby's first-ever Nordic race (Toby won - go, Toby!). But Ian obviously could not compete in ski jumping without his helmet! Paul was at a meeting in Redmond. I thought: Who would drive up to the mountain for me in an "emergency"? I called
Terry Reynolds
, who passed on the message to Gary, who made the special delivery. Thanks a million, Gary! I am grateful to be a member of TBT and wish that more Jews would see the value in joining."
This month I joined the ranks of those who have undergone shoulder surgery. I have been fed, iced, hugged, called, supported in a multiple of ways by so many of you. I am richer for knowing you and for being the recipient of your love and nurturing.
Thank you for all you have done for me. Thank you for all that you do for each other. Thank you for making Temple Beth Tikvah the loving, caring community that it is.
B'shalom,
Jeanne
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TBT Board Notes
Next Board Meeting: Tue. June 6th, 3:30 p.m.
Location: Stonebriar Apartments Clubhouse
Your TBT Board meets on the first Tuesday of each month and everyone is invited to attend. Dates and times of Board meetings are on the TBT calendar at:
bethtikvahbend.org/calendar.
If you would like to read minutes of previous board meetings, you can request a copy from Board Secretary Marijane Krohn:
mak11@pitt.edu.
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Ritual Committee News
Ralph Uri, Committee Chair
The month of May is shaping up to be quite eventful. Friday,
May 12th,
is our third Shabbat@Home for the 2016/17 season. These events have proven to be quite popular in the past. Please sign up and get to meet fellow TBT members in a relaxed and informal setting. Several hosts are lined up to open up their homes so please respond quickly as capacity is not unlimited.
Friday, May 26th, we will celebrate our monthly Erev Shabbat at FPC. This will be followed by a Saturday morning Bat Mitzvah service on May 27th at FPC honoring Camille Smith. Please join us to honor her and her family as she is called up to the Torah to take her place as a young woman in our community.
The final ritual event for the month will be held at the Environmental Center on
Tuesday, May 30th, when we celebrate the holiday of Shavuot.
Check the TBT Happenings for the times for these events.
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Shalom Teva Youth Group News
Our middle and high school youth groups both had wonderful Passover events, with special guest appearances by Rabbi Hershenson.
The weekend before Passover, Jillian Frankl hosted a Passover sleepover for our middle school COJY members at her beautiful home in Sisters. The eight tweens enjoyed games, cooking matzo crack and apple cake, and holding a mock seder, followed by s'mores, a movie, and sleepover craziness.
Pictured as the Plagues from left to right: Jonah Henneberg, Katie Jackman, Beryl Keyser, Camille Smith, Sophie Chudowsky, Leila Slate, Chase Frankl and in front, our newest member, Sutter Libby.
In addition, a wonderful Seder was hosted and conducted by our own local BBYO teen chapter - Shalom Teva. The teens enjoyed reciting prayers, singing Dayenu, asking the four questions, telling the story of Passover, talking philosophy with the Rabbi, and all the other good things a Seder has to offer. And of course, no Seder would be complete without hiding the Afikomen - congratulations Sophie!
Pictured from left to right - Sid Rafilson, Corinne Smith, Illeana Hilsee, Sophia Chudowsky, Rachel Uri, and Fisher Keyser.
Coming up:
April 28th-30th - BBYO Election Conclave; 6 of our BBYO teens are going to Seattle for this convention.
May (date tbd) - BBQ at the Libby home, more info to come.
Both youth groups welcome new members! Please contact
naomic@bendbroadband.com if you know of someone in grades 6-12 who might be interested; no temple affiliation required.
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Nominating Committee
In early June we will hold Temple Beth Tikvah's 2017 annual meeting and election of new Board members. Four positions will be open. The terms of office for Naomi Chudowsky, Lester Dober, Marijane Krohn, and Mark Schindel are ending.
A Nominating Committee has been formed consisting of Naomi Chudowsky, Jessica Hammerman, and Michael Rosenfield.
TBT members are encouraged to submit their names for the Board. If there is a member you believe is an excellent board candidate, please present his/her name. If you are interested in running or have a recommendation, please send a note to Naomi Chudowsky naomic@bendbroadband.com no later than May 15th, 2017 (we would appreciate hearing from you as soon as possible).
According to the current TBT by-laws, all nominees to the Board must be "members in good standing;" that is, current in their financial obligations to TBT. The Nominating Committee will present a slate of candidates for TBT members to consider. In addition to the recommended slate, any member in good standing may add his or her name to the ballot. Members must submit nominations no later than two weeks prior to the annual meeting.
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JUNE Newsletter Deadline: MAY 24th
This newsletter is emailed to both members and non-members each month. If you have something you want to include in the newsletter, please e-mail it to Sara:
sarrava@gmail.com by the 24th of each month for the following month's publication. As always, you will continue to receive "e-minders" before important events take place.
Shalom,
Sara Charney Cohen
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Save This Date!
Shabbaton Weekend with Rabbi Shefa Gold
Healing the Spirit, Transforming the Mind, Deepening the Love
September 8th-10th, 2017
Shalom Bayit Synagogue,
Bend Oregon
"Chant is
the bridge between the inner life and the outer expression,
between the solitary practice and the shared beauty of fellowship."
In preparation for the High Holy Days. this Shabbaton Weekend Includes:
*Friday night service*
*Enchanting Saturday morning Torah Service*
*Saturday afternoon Women's Workshop exploring sacred phrases through study, melody, harmony, rhythm and meditation*
*Evening Havdalah celebration and catered dinner*
*Sunday - applying the magic of Hebrew Chant*
Cost: $36 for Friday night only, $72 for entire Shabbaton weekend
(For info: Tully Ellsberg 541-410-9044 or Ellyce Whalen ellyce2009@hotmail.com)
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You may honor the lives and achievements of friends and relatives via a tribute with a donation to TBT. You can do this online, or by sending a check and the name and address of the person being honored to TBT at P.O. Box 7472, Bend, OR, 97708.
Donations may be designated to a specific fund, including:
- the Youth Education Fund,
- the Music Fund - including Adopt-a-Musician,
- the Library Fund,
- the Rabbi Fund,
- the Rabbi's Caring Fund,
- the Social Action Fund,
- the Corrie Grudin Memorial Fund,
- the Youth Group Fund,
- or to the General Fund.
Donations listed below were made to the Temple's general purpose fund unless otherwise specified.
Temple Beth Tikvah gratefully acknowledges the following contributions:
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About Temple Beth Tikvah
Temple Beth Tikvah is a growing Jewish congregation based in Bend, Oregon. We are affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism and are excited to be the first Reform synagogue in Central Oregon.
Our members come from a range of Jewish backgrounds including Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist, and Renewal. Temple Beth Tikvah welcomes interfaith families and Jews by choice. We are committed to providing a Jewish education for our children as well as stimulating educational activities for adults. We value social action and strive to provide a Jewish cultural, social, and religious experience in Central Oregon.
Temple Beth Tikvah is a warm and enthusiastic community that includes families, singles, and "empty nesters." We are a mix of long-time Bend residents and newcomers from around the country who moved here to enjoy Central Oregon's beauty, active lifestyle, and quality of life.
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