November 17, 2020 - 1 Kislev, 5781
BETH EL BEACHES
Rabbi: Michael Matuson, D.H.L., D.D.
Cantorial Soloist: Laurie Simmons
2020-2021 Executive Board Member
President: Charlie Frohman
Vice President: Rachel Marcus-Hendry Mitchell
Interim Treasurer: Chip Morris
Secretary: Joy Shultz
2020-2021 Committee Chairs
Worship & L/T Finance: Neal Goldman
Facilities: Ron Van
Education Director: Vickie Kennedy
Membership: Grace Belkin
Library: Bobby Adler
Archives: Chip Morris
Education: Ilyse Greene
BETH EL HAPPENINGS
Come be part of Shabbat services

As we continue to join together for Shabbat via Zoom, please note that we are now offering attendees to read prayers that are meaningful to them during the service. If you are interested in reading a particular prayer during a service, please contact Neal Goldman at nealg18@novusba.com with the page number of the prayer in the Mishkan T’filah prayer book. Please indicate whether you would like to read during the upcoming Friday evening or Saturday morning service. All prayers will be read towards the end of services.

Please send this information no later than noon the Thursday prior to the service. We look forward to continuing to join together as best as we can during these challenging times to support each other and our community. The online version of the Mishkan T’filah can be found here:
Please note that the office will be closed next week. We hope you have a happy Thanksgiving.
IMPORTANT!
New Protocol for Rabbi's Thursday morning zoom discussion group and Friday morning zoom Torah study. As of this week, please rsvp in advance (no later than the day before) if you are planning to attend. Thank you for your time and understanding. You can email Elissa at elissa@bethelbeaches.org

ALL SERVICES AND EVENTS AT BETH EL ARE SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. WE WILL BE RE-EVALUATING ON A WEEKLY BASIS!
We can all use some good news. Please submit anything you would like to share with your Beth El family by Thursday at 5 PM to elissa@bethelbeaches.org.

  • Share your joys, accomplishments, bragging rights of someone you love, children, grandchildren or anything else that is good and you want to shout it from the rooftop. Your Beth El family wants to share in your happiness.

I can't wait to hear from you and all the good news!
Grace Belkin
Membership Chair

Okay already....
They want me to tell you about my adventures, so here goes. Picture this: New Year’s Eve Day, 1984. Dr.’s appointment in Manhattan on East 86th Street at 2:30. Leave Dr.’s office at 4:00, pay parking garage ticket, run over an empty plastic grocery bag, car seems to lose power, only able to go 25 mph, make it through the tunnel, down the N.J. Turnpike, cars speeding past me sitting on their horns the whole time, made it to Exit 9, pulled into toll booth yelling to the attendant that I couldn’t stop to pay the toll because the car was dying. And it did! Pushed car to side, ran back to pay the toll, called Lew to pick me up. Made it back in enough time to meet our friends for New Year’s Eve dinner in East Brunswick at 8:00. Frozen Mai Tai never tasted so good! Stressful! That’s the same today. Stressful! We recognize that! We’re developing new programs, trying to make the best of a challenging situation. Rachel Marcus Mitchell is always looking for new ideas. If you have an idea, give her a call. Please watch the eblast for updates and ideas. We hear you!!!

BETH EL RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
Together Educating And Motivating (TEAM)
Contact MISS VICKIE for more information at vickie@bethelbeaches.org
Tzedakah Project
Replenish the Pantries Food Drive
 
During these challenging times we know that food insecurity is, unfortunately, a huge concern in many families. There are families who are utilizing food banks for the first time. Local food pantries are experiencing exceptionally high demand and facing critical shortages. This is due, in part, to the rise in unemployment and homelessness in our community linked to Covid19. The food pantries do a fantastic job of providing for those in need but they need help keeping their pantries stocked.

Beth El congregants are invited to join the Religious School for the Tzedakah Project. We are looking forward to the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of members of our community.
Details and suggestions:
  • Food will be collected at Beth El December 2-3. Members of the education committee will transport to the collection site. The food is then distributed to over 20 local food pantries.
  • What is needed (but not limited to):

 NO fresh items, anything packaged in glass or anything with an expired date
 Canned goods
  •  Pasta
  •  Rice
  •  Cereals
  •  Oatmeal
  •  Boxed Milk
  •  Cooking Oil
  •  Condiments
  •  Sugar
  •  Flour
  •  Coffee
  •  Tea
  •  Juices
  •  Cooking Oil
  •  Canned meats (tuna, salmon, chicken, etc,)
  •  Grocery store gift cards
Please read this article which was featured in this month's Jewish Life magazine from our very own congregant, Ron Rapaport. Register below to join in on the discussion and learn.
BETH EL BROTHERHOOD
BETH EL SISTERHOOD
Special Pre-Hanukkah Program, Sun Dec 6, 5 pm! We love Israel! But how is it that Israel, this young scrappy start-up nation with so many challenges, ranks happier than we do in the US? Come find out! and meet Stav Brener, our new Community Shaliach. Presented by Beth El Sisterhood, JTB (Jews at the Beach), Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida, and Stav Brenner.

Rsvp to Stav at jaxshlichut@jewishjacksonville.org for the Zoom link.
Drum roll, please! Sisterhood’s festive Mid-Hanukkah event!

This year we can not gather for our usual lively Hanukkah party and Gift Exchange. Instead, Tammy Shumer is assembling a scrumptious, delicious and
unique evening with several wines, snacks and games.
Beth El the Beaches Sisterhood
invites you to a
Hanukkah Wine Tasting.
Wednesday, Dec 16, 2020 at 6:30
Cost: $18
Tammy will prepare Wine Tasting Kits packed with everything we need for our actual wine tasting at home, while we join together to celebrate virtually.

Kits can be picked up at Beth El on Wed, Dec 16, OR Tammy will make a special delivery to you! Just let her know when you reserve.

Kindly reserve to Tammy at TLShumer@gmail.com or call (904) 434-2532. Reservation deadline is Monday, Dec 14.

In lieu of our customary gift exchange, please consider one of the Tzedakah
possibilities at the start of this mail.

— Contribute towards sponsoring a child through the Jewish Family and Community Service 2020 Holiday Program. Beth El Sisterhood will match our members’ contributions, up to $300. Any amount you send will go towards making a child’s wish come true!

— Replenish the Pantries- Support Beth El Religious School's Tzedakah Project.  Drop your non-perishable food donation off at Beth El from 3:00-6:00 on Thursday, December 3. (AND you will receive a Hanukah goodie bag to use during the virtual Beth El Synagogue Hanukah celebration on Sunday, December 13.) If you wish to send a monetary donation instead, we will be happy to shop.

— First Responders: Sisterhood’s tradition of honoring our First Responders on December 25 will look a little different this year! For safety, we will not gather together and prepare food; instead we will order food from Publix to be delivered. Your contribution toward this is appreciated. And, just as important as food, we want to bring our firemen and police officers cards of appreciation and thanks for their work.  

So! to participate, either 
* drop off non-perishable food on Dec 3; and/or 
* send a check of any amount to Beth El Sisterhood, and indicate how you would like to allocate your donation, First Responders and/or Sponsor a Child and/ or Replenish the Pantries; and/ or 
* please write a thank you card or note for First Responders and send to Beth El Sisterhood, marked “First Responders”
FRESH FROM THE KILN
ORDER YOUR RED-HOT BRICKS NOW!

Need that special way to remember a person or occasion? Purchase a BRICK that will become a part of the path leading into Beth El The Beaches Synagogue. The next time you are walking into Beth El, please take a moment to look down and take notice of the BRICKS leading to the front entry. These are abiding remembrances that warm your heart each time you enter Beth El.

You can still take advantage of this year’s Brick Sale. For only $100, you can purchase 2 bricks. The bricks become a permanent part of our synagogue. Our lively chair Paula Klausner will be delighted to help you.

Contact her at poopsiek@gmail.com or call her at 904-662-4339.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
BETH EL SPONSOR
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Have something you want to share with your Beth El family? Want to advertise your business for a small fee? Email me at Elissa@bethelbeaches.org and it will be featured in our weekly e blast.

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CONTACT US
Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue
288 N. Roscoe Blvd.
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

904.273.9100
STAY CONNECTED
GIFT

Looking for a gift to give that is priceless:

  • A personalized leaf or rock for our Tree of Life
  • An inscribed Prayer Book for our Sanctuary

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