November 16–22, 2020
29 Cheshvan–6 Kislev 5781
November 16
November 17
November 18
November 19
November 20
November 21
November 22
Sisterhood Book Discussion—The Color of Love: The Story of a Mixed-Race Jewish Girl by Marra B. Gad
Tuesday, November 17 | Zoom Room Opens at 7:30 p.m. for Schmoozing; Discussion Begins at 7:45 p.m.
Join Sisterhood's first book club meeting of 5781, when Nina Koppelman facilitates the discussion of The Color of Love: The Story of a Mixed-Race Jewish Girl by Marra B. Gad, a memoir about a mixed-race Jewish woman who, after 15 years of estrangement from her racist great-aunt, helps bring her home when Alzheimer’s strikes. The book explores what you inherit from your family—identity, disease, skin tone, hate and, most powerful of all, love.
 
Sisterhood has three copies available for circulation. The book will be quarantined for three days after it's returned before going to the next on the list. Those interested in borrowing a copy should email sisterhoodtbegn@gmail.com with their name and "book" in the subject line. You'll be notified when a copy is available. RSVP to sisterhoodtbegn@gmail.com for the Zoom link.
Send Us Your “Unselfies”—Photos of How You Give Back!
 
Rabbi Shimon, the Righteous, talks about the three “pillars” that the world rests upon: Torah, Avodah (service) and Gemilut Chasadim (acts of loving kindess). Pirkei Avot 1:2
 
As we approach Thanksgiving, let’s give thanks by doing for others and our world, and let’s recognize our Gemilut Chasadim, our acts of loving kindness, over the past few months. Did you support a worthwhile charity? Prepare a meal for the hungry? Donate clothes to those in need? Adopt a rescued pet? Strengthen your recycling efforts? Lend a hand to someone who needed it?
 
During the month of November, we invite you to participate in TBE’s volunteer offerings or engage in opportunities in the greater community—and we want you to share your photos for us! It can be an action photo of you cooking for the hungry, a picture of the community organization you're supporting or a shot of you holding a sign describing an unselfish act you have done! Tell your story and inspire others to do good. Post a picture of your good deed on your social media page. In your photos and online, please note or tag Temple Beth-El of Great Neck, too!
 
Our Unselfie slideshow will be shown at Erev Shabbat Services on Friday, November 20. 
Please send your photos to Rabbi Tara at rabbitara@gmail.com.
For questions or more info, please be in touch with the TBE main office.
Volunteer to Pack Bags for Thanksgiving with the Rotary Club of Great Neck
Sunday, November 22 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This holiday season, the Rotary Club of Great Neck will continue its 30-year tradition and plans to provide a complete Thanksgiving turkey dinner to more than 1,000 families in need. You and your family are invited to help provide a joyous Thanksgiving by packing bags.
Introduction to Hebrew
Mondays through December 14 | 7 p.m.
This eight-session course, taught by educator David Woolfe, is geared toward those who either don't read Hebrew or who are very rusty and need a refresher. The 45-minute classes will cover Alef to Tav (Hebrew letters A to Z) as well as vowels. By the end of the course, students will be able to recognize and read Hebrew!
RSVP to David Woolfe at dwoolfe@tbegreatneck.org. Join the class on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87292970105?pwd=ajBaRkVqSXBubXA2M2l6NjhvSEZKUT09; Meeting ID: 872 9297 0105, Passcode: Hebrew.
Pirke Avot (Did Our Rabbis Really “Know It All”?)
Mondays through November 23 | 8 p.m.
Educator David Woolfe will teach a five-session introduction to the Mishnah through the “Sayings of the Rabbis.” During the 45-minute sessions, students will meet some of the quirky and impressive voices that defined the beginning of our tradition and will learn why our “oral tradition” is so important to Jewish life.
RSVP to David Woolfe at dwoolfe@tbegreatneck.org. Join the class on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86969204328?pwd=eWtEalEwMXFQZmxRTzRiTEt2ME5VUT09; Meeting ID: 869 6920 4328, Passcode: Mishnah.
Lunch and Learn: Exploring Race & Racism as an American Jew
Tuesdays, November 17, December 1, December 15, December 29, January 12, January 26, February 9, February 23 | 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. 

In this time when issues of race and racism divide our nation and weigh heavily upon our hearts, we have been given the opportunity and the moral imperative to examine, more deeply, issues of race as they relate to us in our personal lives and as they impact our communities and the soul of our nation. 

Join Rabbi Tara for a 10-session Lunch & Learn Zoom class exploring issues of race from a Jewish perspective. Class discussions will draw upon biblical texts, rabbinic commentary, modern day Jewish responses, guest speakers and two books: Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson (in November and December) and Caste by Isabel Wilkerson (in January and February).

Reading these books is suggested but not required in order to participate in the class. To register, RSVP to dweintraub@tbegreatneck.org or 516-487 0900, ext. 116. For questions, email rabbitara@gmail.com. Lunch & Learn will meet on alternate Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89700287492?pwd=Y29saFlLN3doazNtNGdpeXJ4UzAzdz09.
Prior to the first class, please watch Rabbi Angela Warnick Buchdahl’s Yom Kippur sermon at https://youtu.be/FNhG8aW6gbI or read it at https://globaljews.org/articles/identity/we-jews-are-not-a-race-a-rabbi-of-color-speaks-personally-on-yom-kippur/
Campfire SongShare
Tuesdays, November 17, December 15, January 5 | 7 to 8:15 p.m.
Remember those days when we gathered together at summer camp after dark, around a crackling fire, to sing songs—folks songs, Jewish folks songs, Israeli songs, protest songs, songs of freedom—songs that lifted our spirit? Join Cantor Adam to relive those days around a virtual campfire on Zoom. Have a song to share or a request for one? Grab your guitar, and email Cantor Adam with your ideas at adavis@tbegreatneck.org. RSVP to dweintraub@tbegreatneck.org, so we can prepare enough s’mores. Gather around the campfire on Zoom at http://bit.ly/CantorAdamZoom.
Big Issues of Our Time 
Tuesdays, November 24, December 8, December 22 | 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.

Judaism has extraordinary wisdom on the most pressing challenges and questions that we face. Join Rabbi Meir to deeply study the work of one of Israel’s greatest contemporary minds, Dr. Micah Goodman—a faculty member at Hebrew University in Jerusalem and a research fellow of the Shalom Hartman Institute.
 
The discussions will include: the bitterness and divisiveness of today’s political reality; annexation of the West Bank and normalization of relations with Gulf countries; and when bad things happen to good people (and vice versa).
 
The Challenge of Empathy in Times of Crisis will be the basis for the first session. Please watch Dr. Goodman’s lecture in advance (which includes more than we will be able to study) at
 
To register, RSVP to dweintraub@tbegreatneck.org or 516-487 0900, ext. 116. Meetings will be held at https://tinyurl.com/rabbimeirzoomroom.
Mourner's Support Group
Wednesdays | 10 to 11 a.m.
With the High Holy Days behind us, we are restarting our weekly Zoom Mourner's Support Group, which began early this past spring as a way to pierce some of the isolation for those in mourning during the pandemic. Our weekly grief support group is for TBE members who lost a loved one in recent months. We meet from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesdays, starting with a check in; then we share our experiences of the past week. Meetings close with the study of a brief passage related to grief and healing. No extended commitment is necessary to participate; come for a single session or join us each week. To receive the Zoom link, RSVP to Dafna Weintraub at dweintraub@tbegreatneck.org or 516-487-0900, ext. 116.
Hebrew Grammar—a Continuation of Conversational Hebrew
Wednesdays through November 25 | 8 p.m.
In this eight-session class taught by educator David Woolfe, expect less talk and more understanding. During these 45-minute classes, students will use modern Hebrew to understand basic Hebrew grammar, including the construction of present, past and future tense; definite article; and more.
RSVP to David Woolfe at dwoolfe@tbegreatneck.org. Join the class on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89319767448?pwd=YXFtamRvOFRwR2lkdjl0SS8rM2FoUT09; Meeting ID: 893 1976 7448, Passcode: Grammar.
Global Jewish Grooves
Thursdays, December 3, December 17, January 14 | 7 to 8:15 p.m. 
The diversity of Judaism is on display in Great Neck—with communities from Europe, Morocco, Iraq, Syria and Iran all represented. In spite of this, we rarely have the opportunity to experience our neighbors’ rich range of music. Each contributes to the tapestry of Jewish expression, so let’s learn a little about each culture’s music and see what we might be able to bring into our own community. Join Cantor Adam for a magic carpet ride around the globe, as we explore various Jewish communities and their music on Zoom at http://bit.ly/CantorAdamZoom. RSVP to dweintraub@tbegreatneck.org, so we have enough flying carpets. 
Torah Trope/Yad Squad
Thursdays, January 7, January 21, January 28, February 4, February 11 | 7 to 8:15 p.m. 
Have you ever thought about learning to chant Torah or wondered why we sing “V’Ahavta” the way we do? Maybe you learned to read Torah by memorizing but would like to learn what all those funny squiggly marks mean above and below the Hebrew letters. Discovery the rich tradition of Ta’amei Mikra, the flavor of the writing, with Cantor Adam. Class size is limited to facilitate attention to learners of all ages on Zoom at http://bit.ly/CantorAdamZoom. RSVP to dweintraub@tbegreatneck.org, so we have enough yadayim
The Courage to Kindle a Flame:
A Yoga Chanukah Event
Sunday, December 13 | 10 to 11:15 a.m.
Sharon, Elanit and Rabbi Tara Feldman will lead a yoga, meditation and inspiration event on Zoom. No previous yoga experience is necessary. Come with an open heart and mind. Participation is FREE for temple members; the nonmember fee is $18. Register here
Eternal Light Initiative: Our Annual Campaign
“If I am not for me, who will be for me?
And if I am for myself alone, what am I?
And if not now, when?” ―Hillel
 
Now more than ever, we ask for your help. We can do more. We can further feed, visit, seek, discover, advocate, teach, study, pray and grow. We have seen the good we do for so many, and we are excited for the future.
 
Please consider supporting our holy community and our annual fund through a donation to the Eternal Light Initiative. 
Registration is open for our new Kulanu Religious School—a merger of Temple Beth-El's Gershwind Family Religious School and Temple Israel's Mack Family Religious School. The program is offered in person and online.

Spread the word about the new Kulanu Gesher (Bridge) Program for 4-year-old students.
The program is open to entire community; synagogue membership is not required.
Sundays, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

For more information, visit our website or contact Rabbi Amy Roth.
For Shabbat at TBE
DIGITAL PRAYERBOOK To follow along during services, Click Here. If available, please consider using a second device to view the prayers so you can easily follow along.
BORROW A PRAYER BOOK Want to borrow a prayer book? Contact Dafna Weintraub. Please include your address for a local no-contact delivery, which will be made by congregant Doug Madenberg.
YAHRZEIT NAME READINGS For a name to be read aloud on Erev Shabbat, Click Here.
TRIBUTE DONATIONS To make a donation in memory or honor of a friend or loved one, Click Here.