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Bethlehem Hebrew Congregation
Bethlehem, NH 03574
March 2024 - Adar 1-2 5784
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FROM THE CO-PRESIDENT
Greetings to all! We had a little taste of Spring last month, but we’re hungry for more.
March is here and after coming in like a lion with wind and sub-freezing temperatures, I’m hoping it goes out like a lamb. Time to start my seedlings for the garden and get ready for Purim later this month.
Costumes are appropriate whether your Purim celebration is on Zoom or in person! See below and keep an eye out for e-mails with information on BHC offerings on March 24th. It’s a mitzvah to listen to the Megillah of Esther during Purim. Although eating hamentashen isn’t a mitzvah, it is a tradition! May your costumes fit well, your groggers be noisy, and your hamentashen contain your favorite filling. See you on Zoom!
Melissa
Melissa Potter
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FROM RABBI KIRSHBAUM
Shalom everyone,
One thing many American Jews seem to have in common at the moment is confusion. Confusion about what to think, how to feel, and where we go next as Jewish Americans. All these questions beg to be explored within the context of a wise and loving community, don’t they?
Even if you’re not feeling especially confused, might you consider joining in solidarity with other BHC members and friends at some of these events?
MONDAY / THURSDAY at 8:00 am – finding comfort and wisdom within the community, led by the rabbi
FRIDAY at 5:00 pm – kabbalat shabbat, led by congregants
SUNDAY at 11:00 am – twice a month Torah study for adults, led by rabbi
On Purim day, SUNDAY March 24, however, we revel. At least a little. Registration information for the 10:30 am Zoom session will be sent a few days prior.
Please take good care of yourselves,
Rabbi Kirshbaum
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ZOOM EREV SHABBAT SERVICES
Psalms, songs, drash, and kaddish
Zoom into erev Shabbat services on Fridays at 5:00 pm ET. Look for an email from Margaret with the weekly service details, a PDF of the prayer book and the weekly Zoom link.
Request to join the Zoom link mailing list here
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Special note: On March 22 and March 29, Eli Herb, our rabbi from 2013-14, will be officiating our Zoom Shabbat services.
Rabbi Eli (pronounced L.E.) is a graduate of Hebrew College in Boston and began his new life in Salem, Oregon in July 2016. Born and raised in Carbondale, Colorado, he studied music composition at the Santa Fe University of Art and Design and Theological Studies at the University of Denver. In 2010, Eli received ordination as a Maggid, a Jewish Spiritual Storyteller and the following year began rabbinical school.
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MONDAY AND THURSDAY MORNINGS AT 8 AM:
A FEW MINUTES OF COMFORT AND COMMUNITY
Join BHC on Mondays and Thursdays at 8:00 am ET on Zoom as we continue, first off, to offer a psalm – a text to which we Jews turn to confront sorrow – then hear a brief teaching to fortify us and, every few sessions, check in with one another.
A reminder email goes out the night before each session.
Newcomers always welcome. Please refer those outside of the BHC community to request the registration link here.
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SOUNDS IN THE SANCTUARY 2024 SEASON
Our upcoming season promises to be a delightful combination of fine artists and engaging programs, including Bernard Rose, piano, July 12; Julian Milkis, clarinet. and Maxim Lubarsky, piano, July 26; Lysander Piano Trio, August 9; and Michael Arnowitt, piano, August 25, all at 5:00 pm. Shabbat services follow. Program details coming soon.
Learn more about the 2024 season here
Become a sponsor Donate Online
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BOOKS OF JEWISH INTEREST 2024
Something to Laugh About: A Sampling of Jewish Humor
By Gail Robinson, book club organizer
I don’t know about you, but I am finding the need to have a good laugh. Nothing hits the spot like our own Jewish humor.
The Books of Jewish Interest 2024 summer season is a sampling of today’s humor and will hopefully whet your appetite to read more on your own.
· All About Me! by Mel Brooks
· Sick in the Head by Judd Apatow
· Yes, I Can Say That by Judy Gold
· Even This I Get to Experience by Norman Lear
Read the whole season introduction here.
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JFNH SOLIDARITY TRIP TO ISRAEL MAY 5-9, 2024
Israel needs you right now. Consider joining Jewish Federation of NH's upcoming solidarity and service mission to Israel: volunteer in fields, rebuild homes, and work with displaced families.
Up to 20 people, Jewish or non-Jewish, may participate. Co-sponsored by Ramah Israel. Trip price includes accommodations, some meals, transportation, exhibit fees, a licensed tour guide and armed guard/EMT. Pricing for the trip is $1880 Double Occupancy, $2630. Single
Learn more about the trip here.
Register for the trip here.
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LETTERS FROM ISRAEL
Julie Zuckerman continues to write essays on the 'big ups and more downs" of life in Israel today. Her letters can be found on her Substack page. Excerpts here:
March 1 letter
"I drove down to Kibbutz Saad. We weren’t sure what volunteer work we’d be doing, but we were told we’d be helping get the kibbutz back in shape for the members to move back. We ended up cleaning the house of one of the families.
As the father told us - basically everything is how they left it on October 8th when they were evacuated... We spoke about the complexities the community faces now - some who don’t want to move back, others who want to move somewhere else, together, to retain the sense of community."
February 15 letter
"So the news is heavy, we are surrounded by it all the time, and no matter how much one tries to avoid the news and remain optimistic, the prevailing sentiment among adults is still one of despair.
And yet - we go to work, try to focus on our tasks, on our kids, grabbing hold of the happy moments. We take pictures of the gorgeous wildflowers in bloom all over Israel. The restaurants and bars are full. Concerts are sold out."
Read her full March 1 letter on her Substack page here (scroll down)
Read her full February 15 letter on her Substack page here
Read earlier letters: December 15 here, December 1 here, November 21 here.
Join Julie's mailing list here.
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BHC SKI CLUB MEETS, SKIS AND EATS
Many of us live in the North Country to ski. Some, like Mike and Martin, ski nearly daily. Others of us are fair-weather skiers. March 1 was sunny, with fast conditions; BHC skiers met - some at Bretton Woods and others at Cannon - before a lunch rendezvous at the Cannon pub.
See more photos of the day here.
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MEET SHARON HEYMAN
A Profile by Annie Hoyer
Sharon organizes BHC’s Walking Fridays and helps with hospitality for the White Mountain Jewish Film Festival. Let’s learn more about this dynamic woman.
Read her full profile here.
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MARTIN AND GAIL WELCOME A SECOND ISRAELI GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER
Martin Kessel and Gail Robinson are very pleased to announce the birth of our second great-granddaughter, Tavor, to Liron and Nadav Tsur, of Har Adar, on February 28, 2024.
Tavor is a first cousin of Shaked, born to Shai Kessel and Amos Pfefferman of Petach Tikvah, on 28 January, 2024
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A TRIBUTE TO ARTS PATRON AND BHC FRIEND EDWARD ROBERTS
Edward Roberts, the David Sarnoff Professor of Management of Technology at the MIT Sloan School of Management, and patron of the North Country Arts community, passed away in February 2024 at 88 years old.
Ed and his wife Nancy, longtime Littleton, NH residents, have been major supporters of both our Sounds in the Sanctuary concert series and the White Mountain Jewish Film Festival since their inception.
Read tributes to Edward from Martin Kessel and Ed Clark here.
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ANNA MCCLENNEN STEPS INTO THE "PR PUMPS"
Another BHC volunteer has stepped into the deceptively small, but hugely important, shoes left unfilled when Eileen Regen stepped out of them last year. Anna McClennen has volunteered to take over BHC outreach and, though she is more of a boot girl, don the "PR Pumps."
Moving forward, NH Jewish, local and cultural groups will be in the know on BHC's many religious and arts activities.
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FOR THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT US
IT'S AS EASY AS CLICKING HERE
Or send your (tax-deductible) contribution to: Bethlehem Hebrew Congregation,
P. O. Box 395, Bethlehem, NH 03574
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JOIN OUR CONGREGATION...
BHC comes to you through the support of the many, many people who appreciate what we do and who want to ensure a home for Jewish life and community in the White Mountains. We are already 103 years old and going strong!
Join us as a member or a friend. The BHC Board emphasizes the importance of inclusion, regardless of anyone's ability to pay.
Our fiscal year runs from November 1 to October 31 and now would be a good time to consider renewals. The additional building assessment is placed in a restricted account to pay for capital building expenses. The security fee, also restricted, pays for High Holiday police protection and other security expenses.
Learn more about membership and support
Join our mailing list
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