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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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Celebrations
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Celebrations in December honor the following:
Birthdays:
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Lester Dober December 1
- Ruth Ruder December 1
- Howard Koff December 4
- Terry Reynolds December 4
- Ruby Peterson December 8
- Galen Krohn December 10
- Jesse Isaac Fishkin December 15
- Lawrence Schechter December 17
- Mark Schindel December 18
- Florence Beier December 19
- Gary Held December 24
- Susan Levin December 26
- Susan B. Richman December 26
- Beverly Adler December 28
Anniversaries:
- Dan & Laurel Fishkin December 4
- Janet L. Freeman-Bauer & Larry Bauer December 4
- Ron & Bonnie Ruby December 11
- Dara & Russ Ward December 12
- Burton Litman & Jeanne Freeman December 13
- Michael & Mickey Freundlich December 23
- Carl & Judith Schlosberg December 25
- Leslie Conley & Joseph Jezukewicz December 27
(blind spacer)
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Board Officers:
Co-Presidents:
Sheila Luber
Ann Rosenfield
Secretary:
Mary Jane Eisenberg
Treasurer:
Lester Dober
Past President:
Jeanne Freeman
Members-at-Large:
Paul Jacobs
Kerrie Zurovsky
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Adult Education
Mel Siegel
Bikkur Holim
Suzanne Schlosberg
-and-
Evie Lerner
-and-
Linda Brant
Calendar Keeper
Kathy Schindel
Chevra Kadisha
Ralph Uri
Communications & PR
Kathy Schindel
Facilities
Mark Schindel
Finance
Chuck Shattuck
Fundraising
TBD
Membership &
Member Engagement
Jeanne Freeman
Music
Julie Geveshausen
Newsletter
Eileen Katz
Onegs
Jan Freeman Bauer
Rituals
Alex Charney Cohen
Religious Education
Sara Jo Slate
Social Action
Lynne Connelley
Webmaster
Mark Schindel
Youth Group
Jillian Frankl
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Quick Links
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December
Calendar of Events
School Activities
All activities at Shalom Bayit unless otherwise noted.
Sunday School 2:30-3:45 - 12/2
(note time change for Chanukah)
Sunday School 10:00 am: - 12/16
Hebrew School 4:00 pm: - 12/4, 12/11, 12/18
Other Events and Activities
December 2 - First Night of Chanukah
December 2 -
4:30 pm - Community
Menorah Lighting at the Old Mill, sponsored by Chabad
December 7 - 5:30 pm TBT Chanukah Party and Shabbat
December 11 - 1:00 pm Board Meeting
December 15 - 9:00 am Torah Chanting
December 15 - 10:00 am Shabbat Torah Service
December 15 - 7:00 pm Havdallah With a Movie
December 19 - 7:30 am Back Door Cafe
December 21 - 7:00 pm Erev Shabbat Service
Torah Study
Weekly-Friday 10:00 am at Evie's: 12/7, 12/14, 12/21 12/28
ON THE HORIZON
January 19 - Havdallah with a Purpose at Ronald McDonald House, stay tuned.
For more details about any TBT events, see our complete schedule of Services, School activities, and Events online:
https://bethtikvahbend.org/events/
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TBT Chanukah Party
Jan Freeman-Bauer
We hope to see everyone at our annual Chanukah celebration, Friday December 7 from 5:30-8:00. TBT is providing a light dinner and plenty of fun and song! See you there!
Please refer to your Punchbowl invitation or contact Jan Freeman-Bauer at [email protected]
We need a count to help us plan, and help is still needed with cleanup.
Jan
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Adult Learning
Mel Siegel
Havdallah with a Movie
Havana Curveball
Thirteen-year-old Mica takes to heart his Rabbi's dictate to help "heal the world," and launches a grand plan to send baseballs to Cuba-a country with a mysterious pull. He knows only that Cubans have few resources, love baseball, and gave his Jewish grandpa refuge during the Holocaust. His filmmaker parents know a curveball is coming...
Join us on December 15 at 7:00 pm. Location to be announced. RSVP to Mel Siegel at [email protected] Those who RSVP will be asked to bring a nosh.
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Message From
Co-Presidents
Sheila Luber and Anne Rosenfield
No matter which side of the political divide, there is no room for the unprecedented hatred and violence against Jews this past year. It is sobering. It is scary. And we stand together in disbelief that at the close of 2018, for whatever reasons, antisemitism has percolated to the surface in America. As Jews and members of a Jewish temple, we feel vulnerable and mourn this injustice in our souls.
As co-presidents of our congregation, we want to assure you that we are doing everything possible to ensure the safety and security of you, our dear family and friends at TBT. Rabbi Johanna has demonstrated exceptional leadership mobilizing a security task force drawn from our remarkably talented membership to develop a Safety and Security Action Plan. She has recruited Dan Fishkin, Alex Charney Cohen, Kory Friedman and Adam Heyman, who have stepped forward to lead this effort. Each person is uniquely qualified to contribute to the process and they have all generously volunteered their time and talents to do so.
The task force has met and is developing a plan for everywhere we congregate as members of TBT. The focus is on protecting children, teachers and parents at community religious school, and members and their families gathering for events at First Presbyterian and other venues. They are turning to federal, regional and local resources and partners, as well as taking advantage of relevant information and materials from the Union for Reform Judaism, the FBI, Homeland Security, and the ADL. The plan will incorporate common-sense steps with implementation after the first of the new year. In the meantime, one or two capable volunteers will greet members and pay attention to the surrounding environment during the upcoming Hanukkah celebration.
Please enjoy the holiday season knowing that we are working to make all of our events and services safe and secure.
L'shalom,
Sheila and Ann
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Divrei Tikvah 
From Rabbi Johanna Hershenson
Waking
from turkey induced delirium and waking to the season's first sparkly, crystal snow, I can already smell Chanukah's potatoes and onions frying in oil. I look forward to seeing everybody at our annual Shabbat-during-Chanukah-party, December 7, 5:30 PM, in Heritage Hall at First Presbyterian Church. Latkas. Dreidels. Music from Julie, Jo, and Jared (J-cubed?). Light Dinner. Chanukiah lighting ceremony, singing, and storytelling.
Chanukah is a holiday that reinforces values upon which the United States of America was founded and our legislative and judicial branches are designed to protect in perpetuity. One strength of Alexander the Great was his style of governance. Alexander the Great allowed the local cultures inside his empire to continue to practice their traditions. Many aspects of Hellenistic culture dangled like bright, shiny objects local leaders embraced and integrated into their own way of being in the world. Rabbinic literature evolved and thrived under Hellenistic influence. Philosophical and legal literature emerged among rabbis who were so influenced by Hellenistic culture; Greek words find their way into the Mishnah and Gemara, the Talmud.
The first book of Maccabees was known to be written in Hebrew but survived only in Greek translation. The second book of Maccabees retells the account of the war focusing more closely on Judah and his family.
The story resonates in the underlying anxiety many Jews share. Generations after the death of Alexander the Great, his empire divided among the dynastic families of his generals, a king by the name of Antiochus ruled the Syrian region of the empire. He governed in a manner that clashed with local cultural traditions. Mattathias of Modi'in, a leader of a Jewish clan called Hasmonean, refused to entertain the narcissism of Antiochus. He would not desecrate his sacred space with a statue of Antiochus; he would not desecrate his body with non-kosher food. His sons joined him in resistance and the Maccabean war was ignited.
The Hasmonean descendants of the Maccabees eventually adopted many Hellenistic practices that offended Jewish culture and law. The rabbis distanced themselves from the Maccabees by not mentioning the war or the Hasmonean clan in its discussion of Chanukah. The rabbis were prepared to adopt Hellenistic knowledge and democratic style of legislation and adjudication, but the imitation of a homoerotic gymnasium and gluttony in libation and foodstuffs eroded their trust in Hasmonean governance. With regard to Chanukah all the Talmud says is: Mahi Chanukah? What is Chanukah? Chanukah is when we remember the miracle of the oil when the Great Temple was rededicated after the war. And, that is it.
In my opinion the pity is that we miss the story that resonates even more deeply than the universal human plea for light in the dark days of winter. The values celebrating diversity and embracing multiculturalism that we find so difficult to manifest today are the very values with which the inheritors of Hellenism struggled. The story of Chanukah is an illustration of a fail. Narcissism and authoritarianism erode the capacity of any collective of leaders to govern a diverse population. The Maccabean rebellion produced military and political victories that fallible descendants of the Hasmoneans could not sustain. Power and wealth led to greed, isolation, and ultimately rebuke.
What resonates is the challenge of integrating people who have their own cultural identity and traditions into a collective governed by shared values around safety, wellbeing, and sustainability. How do we become one, without giving up pieces of ourselves?
Friday morning Torah Study will explore this challenge in a series called December Dilemma. Join us by contacting Evie Lerner who hosts us in her home or email/text me. I have researched and selected a series of articles from different sources that explore the themes of continuity, assimilation, and acculturation. We will discuss the articles throughout the month of December.
Happy Chanukah! Please enjoy winter break safely and with people you love!
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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: [email protected], or by phone at 541-213-9880.
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TBT Board Notes
Next Board Meeting: December 11
1:00 to
3:00 p.m.
Location: Stonebriar Apartments Clubhouse, 21255 E. Highway 20, Bend.
Your TBT Board meets monthly and members are invited to attend. Dates and times of Board meetings are on the TBT calendar at: https://bethtikvahbend.org/events/
If you would like to read minutes of previous board meetings, you can request a copy from Board Secretary, Mary Jane Eisenberg [email protected].
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Social Action Update
Lynne Connelly
Our Diaper Drive to benefit Mt. Star Family Relief Nursery successfully continues. A huge thank you to members who bring boxes of diapers to TBT services and events for Lynne to take to Mt. Star and an even bigger thanks to those of you who drop off diapers periodically. Mt. Star is located at 2125 NE Daggett Lane, a few minutes east of Costco across from Ensworth Elementary School. Let's celebrate Chanukah by EVERYONE bringing cartons of diapers! It will be a beautiful way to end the year with Mt. Star.
TBT members have stepped up once again this year to participate in Assistance League's Secret Santa program by fulfilling Christmas wish lists anonymously for 20 low income seniors in facilities in Bend and Redmond. Your generosity is wonderful. I would like to note that many TBT members helped Assistance League staff Operation School Bell, a program which outfits over 1400 school children with new clothes at the beginning of school. This program of ALB is beyond generous, and we are proud of our members who help out.
Stay tuned as we organize our ongoing partnership with Habitat For Humanity to include working at the ReStore, Habitat's retail outlet that financially supports their building program. Bob Pollack will be reporting in the upcoming weeks on this. Please contact Bob at 310 622 5386 for more information or to volunteer your time with this worthwhile organization.
Lynne
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Youth Group Happenings 
Fisher Eisenberg
From the beginning of the Shalom Teva fall term in August we have
accomplished so much from
consistent quality programming to
booming
convention attendance to engaging in community service.
Shalom Teva members have spent hours volunteering at the Family Kitchen downtown and working with the people at MountainStar Nursery to provide birthday supplies for families who cannot afford them. We also began work with the Bend Food Project, where we have been collecting non-perishable food to donate to those in need.
Since August, we have hosted 8 engaging and high quality events, ranging from activities such as partying at the term kickoff, swimming at SHARC,
speed dating Hanukkah Harry event, learning about parliamentary procedure at business meetings, and exploring brotherhood and sisterhood during chapter overnights.
Upcoming Events Include:
- Global Shabbat/Hanukkah Party - Friday, December 7th
- Chapter Elections - Sunday, December 16th
One goal of our Shalom Teva chapter is to provide a safe and enriching environment for the teens involved in our organization. If you know of any Jewish teen in 8th to 12th grade who would like to join, please contact us! Reach out to us by text or call at 503-686-9023.
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Be a Shopping Hero
The holiday season is almost upon us. Whether you are shopping online or locally, you can support TBT with Smile.Amazon.com and Fred Meyer - and it costs you nothing extra!
The Amazon Smile and Fred Meyer Community Rewards programs donate money to Temple Beth Tikvah based on a percentage of your purchases. There is no cost to you and you continue to get any and all discounts that you are already signed up for with both companies.
Hanukkah is early this year, beginning on Sunday evening, December 2nd. Share the season's cheer....every time you shop at Smile.Amazon.com or locally at your Fred Meyers store.
Click Here for information on how to sign up for both rewards programs!
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January Newsletter Deadline: December 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 Eileen Katz:
[email protected] 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,
Eileen
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Chanukah Menorah Lighting
Celebrate Chanukah this year with the annual menorah lighting in the Old Mill District's Center Plaza on Sunday, Dec. 2. The Plaza is next to the Gap.
Sponsored by Chabad of Central Oregon, this year's ceremony will start at 4:30 p.m. Fire jugglers kick off the festivities before the lighting of the menorah. A chocolate coin drop, hot drinks, potato latkes and Chanukah music are set to follow!
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Taizé Service
Next Taizé: December 6
All TBT members are invited to Taizé - an evening of Interfaith prayerful meditation, peace, and silence. Taizé services are held the first Thursday of each month, October through May, 7:00 p.m. at St. Clare's Chapel, St. Francis Catholic Church, 2450 NE 27th St. in Bend, OR. Everyone is invited to attend and participate. Sponsored by the Sacred Art of Living Center and the Interfaith Community of Central Oregon.
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Temple Beth Tikvah gratefully acknowledges the following contributions:
- Chuck and Marilyn Shattuck in celebration of their granddaughter Morgan Lander
- Lisa Uri in memory of Doris Schlachman
- Gary and Anne Held in memory of Mildred Held
- Paul and Liz Levinson in memory of Sol Solomon and Jo Solomon
- Diane and Lester Dober in memory of Ida Livstone
- Gerald and Phyllis Greenbach in memory of Goldie Gervitz
In memory of Gary Reynolds:
- Jan Freeman Bauer and Larry Bauer
- Mary and Bernie Brown
- Alyson Belcher and Mary Jane Eisenberg
- Dan and Laurel Fishkin
- Sherry Fox
- Marti Fields Johnson
- Nancy and Buddy Kaye
- Gary and Judy Liberson
- Jo-Ann Ray and Larry Barker
- Gerri Sant
- Scott and Carol Schaeffer
- Ralph and Marcia Uri
Donations listed above were made to the Temple's general fund unless otherwise specified.
You may honor the lives and achievements of friends and relatives via a tribute with a donation to TBT. You can do this online by
clicking here, 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 Rabbi Compensation Fund,
- the Rabbi's Discretionary Fund,
- the Social Action/Tzedakah Fund,
- the Corrie Grudin Memorial Fund,
- or to the General Fund.
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About Temple Beth Tikvah
For Jewish families, retirees and singles at every level of faith in Central Oregon, Temple Beth Tikvah provides a comforting embrace for the soul of your DNA. We are a dynamic Reform Jewish congregation with friendly, giving, active people drawn to Bend and Central Oregon because of the active lifestyle we find here.
We come together in different ways, inspired and informed by our common thread of Jewishness. Whether you were born Jewish, love someone who is Jewish or choose to be Jewish. Practice Judaism a little, a lot or not at all. TBT can serve as the heart of your vibrant, connected life.
We can be your primary source of friendship, purpose, spiritual and intellectual pursuit. Or a side note adding flavor and dimension how and when you want. Whichever you choose, TBT offers an inclusive, communal foundation on which to build your relationships, experiences and practice. From social activities to social action, worship to study, participation to leadership. It's your choice, in this community of yours.
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