June 2018      
 
    הקשר HaKesher  
                                                 "The Connection"      
  



   Come be a part of our growing Reform synagogue. All are welcome!
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In This Issue
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Celebrations
TBT Board Members
Board Officers:

 President:
   Jeanne Freeman
    
 Vice President:
   Sheila Luber
  
 Secretary: 
   Mary Jane Eisenberg
   
  T reasurer:  
   Lester Dober
  
 Members-at-Large:
    
   Marilynn Jacobs
  
   Chuck Shattuck
     
   
TBT Commitee Chairs
 Adult Education
   Mel Siegel
   
 Bikkur Holim
   Suzanne Schlosberg
         -and-
   Evie Lerner  
         -and-
   Linda Brant
   
 Calendar Keeper
   Ann Rosenfield
     
 Chevra Kadisha
   Ralph Uri
     
 Communications & PR
   Eileen Katz 
     
 Facilities
   Mark Schindel
  
 Finance
   Chuck Shattuck
     
 Finding Our Connections
   Sheila Luber
  
 Fundraising
   Char Diamond
           -and-
   Kerrie Zurovsky
     
 Library
   Beverly Adler
  
 Membership & 
 Member Engagement
   
 Music
   Julie Geveshausen
   
 Newsletter
   Marilynn Jacobs
    
 Onegs
   Jan Freeman Bauer
   
 Rituals
   Alex Charney Cohen
    
 Religious Education
   Kathy Schindel
     
 Social Action
   Lynne Connelley 
   
  Webmaster
   Mark Schindel
   
 Youth Group
    Jillian Frankl
   
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TBT Event Planning
Quick Guide
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TBT Highlights
TBT's Year-End Social Gathering & 
Congregational Business Meeting 
  

This TBT gathering will be catered by Kebaba and 
includes childcare with fun activities provided! 

 
When: Sunday, June 3rd 
3:45 PM - 6:00 PM 
 
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 230 NE 9th St. 
Wellness Room (Downstairs)
   
Com e and schmooze with the TBT members you know and meet our newcomers! Find out what's going on with your synagogue.

Highlights of our gathering include:
*Appetizers and dessert from Kebaba - BYOB!
*Games for young and old
 
Please RSVP to Mary Jane Eisenberg maryjanee112@yahoo.com
including regrets -  by Monday, May 28! (Let Mary Jane know how many people are attending and if you need child care.)

If you can't make it for the social, please arrive by 4:45 p.m. for our TBT Board election and budget approval.  
 
Board nominees and the proposed 2018-2019 Annual Budget will be mailed to all members prior to the meeting.
  
We look forward to seeing you there! 

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 TBT Highlight
Spotlight on Vivian Freeman!
by, Jana Zvibleman
                                                             

"Oh my G-d, I love music and to dance!" says Vivian Freeman, who is one of TBT's friendliest of the friendlies. "I love all kinds of music, social dancing, Zumba/Latin dancing -- and I'm even learning some basic hip hop steps . . . "
 
When she isn't exercising or dancing, Vivian has spent more hours than you could shake-a-stick-at working for our community. In one of her leadership roles, Membership Chair, she has made people feel welcome. A connector, she encourages people to interact more and get to know each other.
 
"I want people to feel there is a community that is there for them."
 
Before that, she raised a family and worked for almost 50 years in LA. She had four professional careers: She was a school educator; managed eight shopping centers; taught nutrition through Jenny Craig; and was a recruiter with her husband's employment agency. Oh, and she also was a part-time exercise instructor at a Jack LaLanne Fitness Studio.
 
After her husband passed away, 13 years ago Vivian followed her son, daughter, and their families from Southern California to Bend.
 
"I launched a new adventure," she says. "I'm spreading the wings!" NanaViv is blessed to live within a stone's throw of grandchildren and 10 minutes from the others. 
 
She is now more active than ever, she says, "I exercise a lot in the gym, and at home I have weights, treadmill, and a mat. My husband once got me a t-shirt that said 'Gym Junkie!'  I walk the kids' dogs. I hike, garden . . . and I love to travel. Recently I had a wonderful trip to New York City, where I danced non-stop from 7PM until 1AM, closing down the Bar Mitzvah celebration. I'm going to visit my hometown, a suburb of St. Louis, and to Phoenix in the early Fall." 
 
She has volunteered for many charities and organizations in the Bend community.
 
Vivian exercises her artistic side also.  "I love fashion and interior decorating.  I've also been working on a children's book - I'm waiting for my granddaughter, who's a fantastic artist, to illustrate it. But you can't print what it's about, 'cause someone will steal the idea!"
 
Any conversation with Vivian is peppered with the word "love" and brightened by her generous smile. But the conversation may be cut short, because Vivian is on the go. She sits still only to read, play mahjong, and attend classes.
"I just came from a Zumba Bliss class," she says. "Bliss! Do you want to go dance with me?"
     
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Adult Ed

Masculinity and Fatherhood 
in Rabbinic Texts

Come join Rabbi Johanna in a facilitated discussion around rabbinic passages focusing on masculinity and fatherhood. This will be a thought provoking evening.

Please bring a dessert and beverage to share.

Place: First Presbyterian
Date:  Monday, June 11
Time: 7:00 to 8:30 pm


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Divrei Tikvah  RJohannaHeadShot
From Rabbi Johanna Hershenson
                                                                      
Throughout the year, I have shared weekly blog posts entitled:
Middah of the Month. We have explored
middot, Jewish values such as humility, compassion, respect, trustworthiness, and the balance between thoughtful silence and kind speech.
 
During the month of June, we will explore the Jewish value of Order.  We know the Hebrew word for order is seder, as our Seder is a structured meal with particular order of courses that correspond to our telling of the story of our exodus from Egypt.
 
I think the timeliness of reflecting on the middah of order is exactly the right Jewish value for us to explore. The month of June is when we gather at our annual meeting to elect new leadership, accept a budget to meet next year's anticipated expenses. When we do it right, our annual meeting is also an opportunity to invite all our members to discover where we might like to contribute our energy, time, and particular talents in the year ahead.
 
R. Salanter (a great Mussar teacher) taught that our ratzon, our desire, is manifest in our seder, our order.
I understand this teaching to mean that the desires to which we respond (no matter how many ethical principles we hold dear) are revealed in our daily routines, behaviors in relationship with others, and in our checkbook registers.
 
Temple Beth Tikvah is what we make it.  Our ad hoc leadership transition teams have been preparing our program calendar in advance of our annual meeting so members can clearly identify opportunities to volunteer and contribute to specific events and gatherings on prescheduled dates.  We hope that providing opportunities to sign up now will help us all manage all the competing activities and commitments that present challenges later.
 
If your thing is to open your home to host an informal event, there will be a sign up form for that.
 
If your thing is to serve on a committee to help facilitate programs around adult learning, ritual and celebration, or social action, there will be sign up forms for that.
 
If your thing is outdoor events or indoor events, adults only events, or multigenerational events, there won't be sign up forms for that. There will be lists of scheduled events so you can mark your calendar to save the date for events that are appealing to you.
 
Temple Beth Tikvah, as a Reform congregation, houses all sorts of Jews and all sorts of people.  And we are a small community, the interests and curiosities of our members can be reflected in our program with ease. 
 
Havdallah with a Purpose has invited our members to introduce local nonprofit organizations important in their lives to the rest of us, often engaging some of us in new community service trajectories.  Havdallah with a Maven has gifted us with the opportunity to begin appreciating and acknowledging the many gifted scholars, professionals, and artists among us and even facilitating new friendships around newly discovered shared interests.
 
The expansion of our Social Action offerings is another example that illustrates how different members' interests grow our congregation's capacity to impact the greater community. Pet lovers brought an extraordinary volunteer opportunity for children to read to dogs held in the Humane Society to acclimate them to gentle human interaction.  Another member's passion for supporting families with young children in which there is a high risk for violence led to Temple Beth Tikvah collecting diapers and some members taking on the role of "godparent" providing in kind support as needed.
 
What we do as individuals in the name of our Jewish values matters...the question is, do our calendars and checkbook registers match up with what we say is important to us?                                                          

~~ 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  

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as president of Temple Beth Tikvah for the past two years.
 
We have spiritually fulfilling Services, stimulating Adult Education, morally satisfying Social Action participation and a variety of interesting programs. Our holidays and celebrations are fun and exciting and inclusive of every group. But many synagogues can claim that. What we have that sets us apart is a community that is truly connected. More than one of our members has commented on getting through a difficult time, sharing a celebration, or having dinner with their dear friends from TBT.
 
I find that to be true for Burt and me. I play mahjong, discuss books, and go on hikes with my TBT friends. We frequently share the dinner table and we travel with our TBT friends. Whether there is a mitzvah to celebrate or an occasion that brings sadness, my first phone call goes to a TBT member - my family, my friends.
 
It's not that we don't know or socialize with other people. We do. But there is a connection and caring with our TBT family that is stronger than that with anyone else. Perhaps we are connected by our commitment for Tikkun olam - to heal the world - and gemilut chassidim - acts of loving kindness. Maybe it is that we work together so well for the greater good of our community. Perhaps we are tied together by our commitment to understanding and practicing Judaism.
 
Interestingly, my identity as a Jew and with Judaism has changed significantly since joining TBT in 2009. I was raised in a family of cultural Jews who did not attend services even at the High Holy Days. My early experience with a synagogue as a young mother was disheartening and kept me from attending or joining a temple for nearly 40 years. And now I look forward to the peacefulness that comes with welcoming Shabbat with Rabbi Johanna and all of you.
 
It's exciting to see that the relationships that we senior members share are being replicated amongst the parents of teens and again in the tot Shabbat group. As these connections grow, these members will step up and keep the traditions and the connectedness of our Jewish community together as we older members step aside.
 
I am proud and thankful for what we have accomplished during the past two years, and I am grateful for the help and support that I have received. My gratitude to Rabbi Johanna for her guidance and her friendship. Thank you to the Board of Directors - Sheila Luber, Lester Dober, Mary Jane Eisenberg, Chuck Shattuck, Kerrie Zurovsky, and Marilynn Jacobs - they are an exceptional team committed to giving their best for TBT. Thank you to the many committee chairs and members who volunteered and created meaningful experiences for all of us. Thanks to each and every one of you who stepped up in anyway and got involved in TBT. Your participation and involvement in our Jewish community made my job easier.
 
Finally, I am thankful that two strong, intelligent, generous, and caring individuals have agreed to accept the role as co-presidents of TBT. Ann Rosenfield who is nominated to the board, and who we will vote into office at our Annual Meeting, and Sheila Luber, current Vice President of the board have agreed to serve as co-presidents. I know that the good works that we have begun during the last two years for both TBT and the greater community will be continued by Ann and Sheila and that we can look forward to new and creative plans ahead.
 
B'Shalom,
 Jeanne
 
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Board and Committee News
TBT Board Notes
Next Board Meeting:  June 26th 3:30 p.m. 
Location:  Stonebriar Apts. 

Your TBT Board meets monthly 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 Mary Jane Eisenberg  maryjanee112@yahoo.com.
 
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Social Action Updatetikkun olam earth
Burt Litman for the
Social Action Committee 

Hardy TBT volunteers continue to wake early on a Wednesday morning once each month to prepare and serve breakfast at Back Door Café operated by the First United Methodist Church in Bend. When TBT first started participating on this project about 7 years ago, we were serving about 50 to 60 people. Currently, we consider 100 servings to be a slower morning and often serve about 150 people. Despite, what appears to be a recovery in the economy, the need has grown and continues. Recognition is due to Stacy Witte, the daughter of our own Char and Steve Dimond, for organizing a full day of services at the church that include showers, access to medical and social services, distribution of clothes and other items. My thanks to all TBT members who have participated at Back Door Café and I extend an invitation to those members who have not participated to do so.
 
Another opportunity to help feed the needy is Family Kitchen at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Bend. TBT members participate every other month on first Friday to prepare and serve dinner to anyone that comes in the door. As at back Door Café, there is a mix of homeless and those on fixed income that stretch their food budget by coming to Family Kitchen for dinner. We work in shifts to cook and serve dinner and cleanup. Here again, we serve about 100 to 150 people. Our next Family Kitchen is on July 6th and we welcome volunteers to participate.
 
I anticipate that after the construction is completed at Bethlehem Inn, we will start serving dinners there again.
 
The list of TBT members who participate in these programs is too long to enumerate, but it is important to note that we have volunteer members of all ages, from seniors to teens and younger, as well as new and long-standing TBT members. On behalf of the Social Action Committee please accept my thanks for all the time you, our volunteers, have contributed. For those of you who have not participated in these programs, consider volunteering. Participating in these programs, especially for new members, is a great way to meet other members. You will find it satisfying for your soul and enjoy socializing with your fellow TBT members.
  
To get your name on the mailing list for the social action activities to feed those in need, please contact Burt Litman at bjlitman@gmail.com.

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Membership and Member Engagement News
Vivian Freeman
  
 
Being Membership Chairman this past year has been  busy ,
exciting, and rewarding. It has truly been a  TEAM EFFORT.

I especially want to thank Terry Reynolds, Andrea Casey, Lorraine Schechter, Lester Dober, Kathy Schindel, Jeanne Freeman, Rabbi Johanna Hershenson, Evie Lerner (Facebook), Rose Jackman, Kerrie Zurovsky and the many members on the sub-committee, volunteers at High Holy Days and at other gatherings, who made great efforts to welcome  guests and/or new members.  All of you have helped make it such a successful year.  Our TBT has added Twelve New Members and just recently, we have two wonderful couples indicating they're already planning to move here and JOIN for the upcoming year 2018-2019.  Let's continue to "welcome, mingle, and engage."

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July AND August Newsletter Deadline: 
June 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 Marilynn Jacobs: mkjsend2bend@bendbroadband.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,
Marilynn
 
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TBT Tributes
Tributes for May 2018

Temple Beth Tikvah gratefully acknowledges the following contributions: 
  • Vivian Freeman in memory of Arthur Freeman (Husband)
  • Jeanne Freeman and Burt Litman in memory of Rose Freeman
  • JoAnn Ray in memory of Dinah Given Goberg
  • Paul and Liz Levinson in memory of Harry Solomon
  • Margie and Bob Pollack "in loving memory of Noibe Luis, beloved wife, mother and grandmother"
  • Larry Barker in memory of Harold Barker
  • Burton Litman in memory of Samuel Litman
Donations listed above were made to the Temple's general purpose 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, 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 the General Fund or  a specific fund, including:
   - the Youth Education Fund,   
   - the Music Fund  
   - the Library Fund, 
   - the Rabbi Fund, 
   - the Rabbi's Caring Fund, 
   - the Social Action Fund, 
   - the Corrie Grudin Memorial Fund,
   - or to the General Fund.
 
(The youth group is a separate entity. Donations for the youth group should be made out to "Central Oregon Jewish Youth" and mailed c/o Naomi Chudowsky.)

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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.

Please contact us at 541-388-8826 or info@bethtikvahbend.org for more information.
 
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