CHAILITES
January 5, 2022
TBC Events Through January 13, 2022 - Virtual Only

New COVID-19 Protocols Effective Immediately

Effective immediately TBC's building will be closed for all in person events, including services, meetings and religious school until January 29. During this period, we will continue to evaluate COVID infection rates and make any necessary adjustments. All events will take place remotely via Zoom.

Once we are back in person, we will require proof of full vaccination* for anyone entering the building. Proof of vaccination in the form of a photo or scanned copy of your vaccination card should be sent to Denise in the Temple office at officeadmin@templebnaichaim.orgASAP.

*Full vaccination is defined as follows:
  • Age 18 and older, two Pfizer/Moderna vaccines plus booster six months after second vaccine; or one J&J vaccine plus booster 2 months after J&J vaccine
  • Age 12 to 17, two vaccines
  • Age 5 to 11, at least one vaccine
  • The only exception is if an individual is medically unable to get vaccinated. In that case, a doctor’s note will be required.  

Many synagogues in our area have adopted similar protocols. Like us, their primary objective is to ensure the health and safety of our communities.
 
We will continue to watch the infection rate closely and will keep you apprised of any changes. We thank you for your cooperation.
Special Notice from Cantor Harriet Dunkerley

Our planned New Member Shabbat this Friday has been postponed until we can gather safely together in person, and a new date will be announced soon. Instead we will have a regular family service starting at 6:30 pm by Zoom click here.
cover of pirkei avot
Torah Study
Saturday, January 8 - 9:30 am (Zoom)

As we move into our new secular year, we will continue looking in depth at some of our texts that we don’t often study on a weekly basis. Our focus for the coming weeks will be Pirkei Avot, commonly translated as, the “Chapters of the Fathers” or “Ethics of the Fathers.”

The Hebrew word, “avah” (avot is the plural), is also translated in our texts as “to lead through advice” or to mean “first principles,” so other translations of Pirkei Avot could be, “The Chapters of Advice” or “The Chapters of First Principles”. Regardless, Pirkei Avot is a work that is free of the study of religious procedures, and instead filled with timeless life wisdom!

Cantor Harriet will guide us through a deep dive into each of the six chapters that make up this rich collection of mishnayot (teachings) through the lens of social justice – how can we use the wisdom of Pirkei Avot and the past experience of others to focus ourselves and affect meaningful change in our world. For our study, we will use, Pirkei Avot: A Social Justice Commentary by Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz. The book is available to purchase from the CCAR Press Click here or from Amazon Click here.
 
We will begin with Chapter 1 on Saturday 1/8 over Zoom. Click here for the Zoom link.
No prior knowledge of Pirkei Avot is required. Feel free to attend every session or drop in when you can!
Zoom into Havdalah and Return to the Catskills!

Please join with our neighbors in B’nai Israel Southbury to ZOOM into Havdalah and Return to the Catskills!

Saturday, January 8, 2022, 7:00 PM
(Havdalah Blessings)
 
Followed by a presentation by noted historian Oscar Israelowitz.
 
This audio-visual Journey will revisit the grand hotels, historic landmarks, and experiences of the Jewish farmers who settled in the mountains in the early 1900s, and their remaining wood-framed synagogues. This event is co-sponsored by TBC Sisterhood, TBC Adult Education, and B’nai Israel Sisterhood and is open to all TBC members, friends, and guests.
 
Please RSVP here to register and receive a Zoom link.
Tu B’Shevat Seder
Sunday, January 16th, 5:45-7:30 PM
Zoom in for our Reading of the Haggadah, Music,
and Good Company

Please join the women of Norwalk Hadassah and Temple B’nai Chaim Sisterhood for our annual celebration of nature and our environment. Tu B’Shevat commemorates the “New Year for the Trees.” In the spirit of this holiday, the seder is a call to action; it is a celebration of our relationship with nature, a time of education and reflection, and an opportunity to look at our impact on the world around us and change the way we interact with our environment during the coming year.

Please RSVP by Wednesday, January 12th, to: Wendy Engel (wjengel2@optimum.net) or Sharon Sobel (ssobel@hadassah.org)

We will e-mail you a copy of the Tu B’Shevat Haggadah, a list of the various fruits and nuts that are eaten during the service, and a recipe for a ”Seven Species” Tu B’Shevat salad. When you RSVP, please let us know if you would like to have a reading part during the Seder.

Other necessities for the service include:
  • Wine or grape juice - four cups, going from all white to all red
  • A bowl of water and towel for hand-washing
  • A spice assortment or scented fruit for Havdallah

ZOOM INFORMATION:
or enter:
Meeting ID: 835 7131 2631
Passcode: 289695
OR
Dial-In: +1 646 558 8656
(same meeting ID and password)
Crescendo (film)
TBC Film Club
January 26, 2022 @ 7:30 pm

The next movie for the TBC Film Club is "Crescendo". When world-famous conductor Eduard Sporck (Peter Simonischek, Toni Erdmann) accepts a job to establish an Israeli-Palestinian youth orchestra, he is quickly drawn into a tempest of unsolvable problems. Having grown up in a state of war, suppression or constant risk of terrorist attacks, the young musicians from both sides are far from able to form a team. Lined up behind the two best violinists - the emancipated Palestinian Layla and the handsome Israeli Ron - form two parties who deeply mistrust each other, on and off-stage. Will Sporck succeed and make the young people forget their hatred?!

We will meet via Zoom on Wednesday, January 26 at 7:30 pm. The movie is available on Kanopy.com (click here). You can sign up for Kanopy for using your library card. If you have any questions about this format please email riahmiller@hotmail.com.

Help Murray Siegel Spread Some Warmth
with his Mitzvah Project!

Hat & Glove Drive 
for guests of the Dorothy Day Hospitality House 
November 3, 2021-January 26, 2022 

A collection bin is located in the lobby of the Temple B’nai Chaim from November 3, 2021-January 26, 2022. Click here for more Information
Birthday wishes to our TBC family members that are celebrating a Birthday in January!
Baxter Barenberg
Olivia Beckman
Lew Bender
Jeffrey Busch
Sima Paige Goldberg
Lou Grey
Jason Katz
Nathaniel Nevas
Maxwell Nevas
Roland Paul
Valerie Rosenson
Nan Ruben
Louise Shames
Simon Sondheimer
Have You Ever Wanted To Learn How to Lead a Friday Night Service???
 
We are in need of several volunteers who would like to work with Cantor Harriet to learn how to lead a Friday night Shabbat Service! Prior experience with Hebrew or service leading is not required!

Families and friends are encouraged to learn and lead together. Practice services with the Cantor are part of the training!! Contact Cantor Harriet for more information.
The Weekly Torah Portion
Bo
Go [to Pharaoh]
Exodus 10:1−13:16

  • God sends the plagues of locusts and darkness upon Egypt and forewarns Moses about the final plague, the death of every Egyptian firstborn. Pharaoh still does not let the Israelites leave Egypt. (10:1-11:10)
  • God commands Moses and Aaron regarding the Passover festival. (12:1-27)
  • God enacts the final plague, striking down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt except those of the House of Israel. Pharaoh now allows the Israelites to leave. (12:29-42)
  • Speaking to Moses and Aaron, God repeats the commandments about Passover. (12:43-13:16) Click here to learn more.
Jewish Senior Services logo
Parkinson's Education Series for Those With Early Onset Parkinson's and Their Caregivers

Jewish Senior Services is offering a free educational series for those newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s and their caregivers with a focus on the stages of the disease and how to maintain safe mobility and minimize functional decline. This program is supported by a community grant from the Parkinson’s Foundation. Saturdays, January 15, 22, 29 & February 5 & 12, 10:00 am –11:30 am. In-person and Zoom attendance options are available. Please arrive 15 minutes early for the first session to fill out a questionnaire.

All classes take place at: Jewish Senior Services, Grasmere Adult Day Program, 4200 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT Park in the back of the building and enter through the Community Services entrance. If you are attending virtually, a Zoom link will be emailed to you prior to the sessions’ start times.

RSVP TO MARY AT MPRUZINSKY@JSENIORS.ORG OR 203-365-6474 BY JANUARY 10
Virtual Parenting Event with Dr. Harold Koplewicz
January 18, 7:30 pm

Federation for Jewish Philanthropy of Upper Fairfield County in partnership with Schoke Jewish Family Service is excited to announce a virtual parenting event with Dr. Harold Koplewicz in conversation with Dr. Gwen Lopez-Cohen, January 18, 2022, at 7:30 pm.
Harold Koplewicz, a world-renowned child psychiatrist and founding member of the non-profit Child Mind Institute, will discuss his new book The Scaffold Effect.
Virtual Upcoming Events and Save the Dates!



  • January 8, 7:00 pm - Sisterhood Havdalah & Learning - Welcome Back to the Catskills, Oscar Israelowitz via Zoom Register here

  • January 16, 5:45 pm - Norwalk Hadassah & TBC Sisterhood Tu B'Shevat Seder Via Zoom

  • January 22, 6:00 pm - Sisterhood Potluck Havdalah at congregants home

  • January 26, 7:30 pm - TBC Film Club


See the TBC Calendar for more upcoming events.

Yahrzeits, December 31 - January 13
Zeicher tzaddik livrachah!

Saturday, January 1
Lillian Unger aunt of Sandy Tepper

Monday January 3
Isador Goldberg grandfather of Lloyd Goldberg
Yetta Goldberg grandmother of Lloyd Goldberg
Moses Levin great uncle of Robert Bolton

Tuesday, January 4
Bob Baxter stepfather of Simon Curtis
Rose Graf Greenwald remembered by Sharon and Ken Sobel

Thursday, January 6
Edith Stern mother of Susan Farber

Saturday, January 8
Ronnie Kamber cousin of Moses Alexander

Sunday, January 9
Rose Prentiss grandmother of Valerie Rosenson
Ruth Rader great aunt of Jodi Simon Stewart

Monday, January 10
Mary Ransom grandmother of Jason Stewart
Anita Shapiro grandmother of Michael Bonheim


It is traditional to light a memorial candle at home on the eve of the yahrzeit. You may also find it meaningful while kindling the yahrzeit candle to offer prayers of remembrance or reflect on your loved one’s life. Many also choose this time to make monetary donations in memory of loved ones
Help Support TBC
TBC Links


Previous issues of Chailites and other Temple News are listed
on the TBC website here

Contact Us

If you have TBC community news you'd like to share, please send the information to chailites@templebnaichaim.org!

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 305, Georgetown, CT 06829
Phone: 203 544-8695    
Location: 82 Portland Avenue, Wilton CT 06897 (Directions)

Cantor/Educator: Cantor Harriet Dunkerley
Assistant Director of Education: Elisheva Gluck
President: June Mara  Office Manager/Facility Use: Denise Seccurra