A Poem

Thank you to Rabbi Johanna Hershenson for sharing this moving poem written by her rabbinical school classmate, Rabbi Hanna Yerushalmi, in the aftermath of the October 7 attack in Israel.

Silent Prayer

During this moment of silence,

bring me the grief of my people,

centuries born and centuries old,

and let it inspire me to still love the world.

Connect me with fleeting grace

and the prophet's power

to keep opening up my soul

even when it is seared with loss.

Bring me the courage to quiet

my desperate need for answers

by letting hearts touch hearts

on some imagined coastal plain.

Connect me with the calm of a desert valley

after a surprise flash flood,

the rich pause between musical notes, or

the serenity of a Jerusalem street on Shabbat.

Bring me the tentative hope in a room

before a newborn's cry.

Connect me to the frail, silvery thread

that links me to the humanity of my neighbor.

During this moment of silence,

though there are horrors all around,

in spite of everything that directs me not,

let the more loving one be -- me.

Chanukah Celebrations in Bend

There are a couple of fun celebrations happening during Chanukah this month -- please mark your calendars for the following:

Thursday, December 7 at 4 pm is the Annual Menorah Lighting at the Old Mill District!

Saturday, December 9

4:45 - 5:30: Music and Song for Families with Young Children, led by BB Camp/PJ Library

5:30 pm - Dinner, Hanukkah Lighting, Music, Kids Activities

Join Rabbi Johanna, Kim Schneiderman and your TBT community in celebrating Chanukah with a potluck dinner, latkes and donuts, beautiful music, activities for kids, kindergarten to high school age. You won't want to miss this fun-filled evening. Email invitation should have arrived in TBT member's inboxes November 28. Location will be given upon RSVP.

Ladies Lunch

About 10 women gathered at Blissful Spoon in November for TBT's Ladies Lunch. Both the "regulars" and the new attendees agreed it's a wonderful way to get to know each other.

Please join in this fun (and delicious!) social event. Watch Weekly Happenings for December details.

The Fall New Member Brunch Recap

The TBT Member Engagement Committee (MEC) was so busy schmoozing and noshing that photos were forgotten at the New Member Brunch, held November 12 at the home of MEC Chair Kerrie Zurovsky.  

So, you’ll just have to imagine the buffet spread that included delicious kugel, bagels & lox, and baklava that was enjoyed by the multi-generational group of 29 attendees, including 11 children. Lots of delicious food and good vibes. 

Our committee — Kerrie, along with Naomi Chudowsky, Donna Lax-Edison, Terry Reynolds, and Suzanne Schlosberg — was excited to see so many new TBT faces.

We hope to see you new (and "old!") members again at the December 9 Hanukkah party where we'll schmooze and nosh some more!

Thank you MOC!

Thank you to Market of Choice for providing our monthly challahs!

TBT Board Notes

Next Board Meeting: December 8, 9 am

All board meetings are being held in person. Contact Cere Fingerhut if you want to attend. cere@bethtikvahbend.org

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/calendar/

If you would like to read minutes of previous board meetings, you can request a copy from Board Secretary, Kathy Schindel at kathy@bethtikvahbend.org

Social Action Update

You may have seen in the news in November that Family Kitchen is looking for a new home from which to continue providing meals to those in most need. While their search progresses, Family Kitchen will for now serve meals as scheduled.

For those new to TBT and perhaps Family Kitchen, the Kitchen serves approximately 20,000 meals per month to those in need through meals picked up for shelters – Lighthouse and Stepping Stone, meals delivered to veterans living in camps, home deliveries, and to those who dine-in at the Kitchen. 

Our TBT members work preparing meals on the second Wednesday of each month. Our need for volunteers is full for December 13, but if you’d like to be included in the “call for volunteers” for any time in the future, please email Jeanne Freeman at jgfree925@gmail.com. 

Games Club - December 3, 2 - 4 pm

The next Game Club will meet on Sunday, December 3, 2 to 4 pm at a private home. Scrabble, Rummikub, card games, Bananagrams, Pictionary, Stratego — play whatever suits you!

Join us for a fun way to exercise your brain and get to know TBT members. Newcomers are welcome.

Invitations will be sent to everyone on the Game Club email list. If you are new to TBT or have not yet joined the email list, please email Suzanne Schlosberg at schlos1@gmail.com.

December 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 Sharon Maier-Kennelly 

sharon_maier@yahoo.com for the following month's publication. As always, you will continue to receive "e-minders" before important events take place.

Taizé Service

Next Taizé: December 7

The Taizé Choir of Central Oregon invites you to participate in an hour of meditative non-denominational Taizé music, prayer, and silence at their monthly ecumenical service, 7pm, Thursday, December 7, at Trinity Episcopal Church (St. Helens Hall), 231 NW Idaho, Bend.  The theme for this service is 'Praying for World Peace’.  

You are welcome to participate in or listen to the rehearsal starting at 6:15.

For more information call 541-815-5574, email taizebend@gmail.com, or find them on Facebook.

Temple Beth Tikvah gratefully acknowledges the following contributions:

• From Terry Reynolds, in memory of Herb Hochstetter
• From Terry Reynolds, in memory of Gary's father, Herb Reynolds
• From Terry Reynolds, in memory of Gary''s mother, Helen
• From Michael Wynschenk, in memory of Eddy Wynschenk
• From Robin Salant, in memory of Dr. Rubin Salant
• From Stacy Hardwick, in memory of Brennan Gibson
• From Stephen Katz, in memory of Edith Katz
• From Michael Freundlich, in memory of Sidney Lebewohl
• From Bonnie Ruby, in memory of Ann Benson
• From Rudolph (Rudy) Gold, in memory of Minnie Gold
• From Linda Brant, in memory of Max Richman
• From Susan B. Richman, in memory of Max Richman
• From Lynne Zuckerman, in memory of Sheila Strauss
• From Mel Siegel, in memory of Robert Siegel
• From Joshua Berger, in memory of Rafi Berger
• From Marilyn Shattuck, in memory of Dick Pick
• From Elizabeth (Liz) Levinson, in memory of Annie Soloman
• From Michael Freundlich, in memory of Gizela Freundlich
• From Mark & Kathy Schindel, in memory of Leon Schindel

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:

• General Fund
• Rabbi Hershenson Anniversary Fund
• Gary Reynolds Memorial Fund
• Youth Education Fund
• Music Fund   
• Special Projects Fund
• TBT's Goodwill Fund
• Social Action/Tzedakah Fund
• The Corrie Grudin Memorial Fund