According to many interpreters, we achieve kedushah by curbing our desire. Holiness, in this view, inextricably entails suppression of our will. Taken to its extreme, this can lead to a notion that being in relationship with God requires blind obedience and negation of ourselves. In contrast, it is also possible to understand kedushah in a way that features—rather than suppresses—our will. Through an expansive reading of the concept of ratzon (will), we can strive for an ethics of kedushah that focuses on consent and mutuality as central to deep relationship, with God and others. Click here to continue reading.

Devash: Parashat Emor

Check out Hadar's weekly magazine for kids, families and adults to study the Torah portion together

Join Rabbi Marder and Morah Rivka in making edible bonfires in honor of the upcoming holiday of Lag Ba'Omer. At 5:30 Jill Kimelman will lead a musical Shabbat service. We'll meet outdoors in the patio tent.

You must show proof of vaccination for those 5 years and older to attend Shabbat services. Effective April 16, our policy is now mask optional. After services, choose between enjoying Kiddush lunch indoors or outdoors. To attend services virtually, join via Livestream. Click here to access Siddur Lev Shalem.

Torah Talk

Our weekly Torah discussion group continues this Shabbat with Parashat Emor. Michelle Bayuk will lead the discussion in the Lieberman Chapel and via Zoom here.

Please note: We are committed to making our programs and classes accessible to those who may not be able to participate in person. Sometimes technology doesn't work properly, and if that happens on Shabbat, we are unable to fix it in the moment. We appreciate your understanding.

Celebrate Shabbat with song, prayers, and active participation with Jill Kimelman on the tented patio.

Our Shabbat morning program for elementary school students will meet with with Rabbi Marder in the Lieberman Chapel. Get ready for Shabbat Club by watching Bim Bam's video on Parashat Emor

We are back in person for Game Night! Network, play and make your own ice cream sundae (BYOB) in the Social Hall.

Join the SOMA community for the March of Remembrance and Interfaith Holocaust Service. We will assemble at Spiotta Park, at the corner of South Orange Ave and Village Plaza for the March of Remembrance at 3:00. At 4:00, we will meet for the 45th Annual Interfaith Holocaust Service at Oheb Shalom Congregation, 170 Scotland Road in South Orange to hear from guest speaker Anne Millman.

Join your Beth El family for Shabbat dinner at 6:00 pm followed by a musical Neshama minyan in the round. All ages are welcome. Dinner and the service will be held outdoors. Click here to register for dinner by May 16.

Join us after Kiddish in the patio tent for an afternoon of playing board games as we continue to build community together. All ages are welcome. Bring a favorite game or join in one one.

Join Beth El's Men Club as they honor the outgoing board and install the new club officers over burgers and beers in the parking lot. Gluten-free and vegetarian options available by request. Please reach out to Josh Mandell with any questions. Cost is $20 per person. Register here.

Enjoy a night of Torah study with a diverse array of learning sessions and frequent noshing. Schedule to come.

During the community's all-night learning on Shavuot, we will have a special session for 8th-12th graders: a panel discussion with Beth El college students. We will also bake and enjoy dairy desserts, and head down to the lower level for a sleep over. RSVP to Teen Program Coordinator Talia Feldman by June 1.

On Shavuot we celebrate the Jewish people's receiving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai. It's a day on which we affirm our commitment to Jewish tradition. On Shavuot this year we will also celebrate this year's class of adult b'nai mitzvah students who will affirm their Jewish identities. Come out to celebrate and support our b'nai mitzvah as they come up to the bimah for aliyot, to read Torah, and offer D'vrei Torah. Special kiddush to follow.

This is an opportunity to engage in a more in-depth discussion about the proposed FY23 budget and Bylaws. Led by VP of Finance Brad Goldman. Click here to join over Zoom.

Please join us for Beth El’s annual meeting on Wednesday, June 15 at 7:30 pm in the Social Hall for a look at our past, present and future, as well as some congregational business. We will also celebrate the 75th anniversary of our spiritual home. Livestream will be available, but those watching remotely will not be able to vote on congregational business.

Now is the time to make our voices heard on abortion rights. The National Council of Jewish Women is hosting a rally in Washington, DC to push for policies that protect and expand abortion access for all people who need it. We have arranged bus transportation along with five other area synagogues for all who wish to attend. The bus will leave at 4:00 am from the Temple Shaarey Tefilo-Israel parking lot and return there by evening. Sign up here to reserve your spot on the bus.

The Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges looks forward to honoring longtime Beth El member Diane Stein at this outdoor, festive fundraiser. The event will take place onsite at the current IFPO warehouse and distribution center, located at 357 S Jefferson Street in Orange. Join for unlimited food truck items and beverages while raising funds for the ongoing work at the IFPO. Further details, as well as tickets and sponsorships, are available by clicking here. If you would like to request a tribute in honor of Diane Stein, please click here. Questions? Email Shayna Schmidt.

"Anyone who saves a life it is as if they saved an entire world" (Sanhedrin 37a). Blood donations are especially critical at this time for saving lives. Sign up for Beth El's blood drive to benefit The American Red Cross. All donors must register in advance here.

5-7th graders: Join us for an end-of-year celebration on Sunday, May 22! Click here for more information and to RSVP.

8-12th graders: Car wash, end-of-year celebration and teen Tikkun Leil Shavuot! Click here for more information and to RSVP.

Do you have a young adult graduating from high school or college? We would love to wish them Mazal tov from their Beth El family. Please fill out this form with their information.

Fill out this form to let us know when and where your child(ren) will be at camp this summer. They'll receive a note from our rabbis while they are away.

Young children pick up on everything - even injustice and racism. In this one-hour, interactive, virtual workshop, the authors of the book Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race, Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli, will teach adults age-appropriate ways to talk about these important topics with children ages 8 and under. Everyone who registers for the event will receive a free copy of the book. Register here.

After two years apart, the Celebrate Israel Parade will return to Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue. As a celebration of this return, the 2022 Parade theme will be Kulanu B’Yachad – All Together Again. Join families, synagogues, and Federation staff and leadership as we demonstrate our love and support of Israel together. Register here by May 16.

Join Kavod v'Nichum, an organization focused on Jewish funerals, burial and mourning, for their 20th annual conference on Jewish end-of-life practices. Learn with folks from across North America who are both immersed in this work as well as people who are curious and seeking opportunities to become more engaged. There is a discount if three or more Beth El members register to attend. View the preliminary program here and click here to register for the conference.

Mazal Tov to Lila Mendelberg, proud parents Gabriel and Jill Mendelberg, brother Sam, and grandparents Jeffrey and Arlene Kreisberg, on Lila becoming bat mitzvah this Shabbat, May 14 at Congregation Beth El. Click here to read more from Lila.

Mazal Tov to Maggie Doran and proud parents Wendy and Joanna Doran-Paley, on Maggie becoming bat mitzvah this Shabbat, May 14 in a private service offsite. Click here to read more from Maggie. 

Mazal Tov to Susan Haskel and Yoelish Steinberg on the birth of their baby girl on Saturday, May 7. Mazal Tov to big sister Sadie. Help them adjust to a life as a family of four by signing up to bring them a meal.

Mazal Tov to Elana and Josh Slobodien on the birth of their baby boy on Sunday, May 8. Mazal Tov to big brothers Natan and Lev. Help them adjust to life as a family of five by signing up to bring them a meal.

Mazal Tov to Beth El first graders at Golda Och Academy who received their first siddurim this week. Here they are celebrating with Rabbi Olitzky who joined for the celebration.

Mazal tov to Sara Lebovich, daughter of Eric Lebovich and Jennifer Marcus; Hannah Tanzman, daughter of Brett Tanzman and Elana Wilf Tanzman; Jonah Zollman, son of Hannah and Adam Zollman; Gabriel Goldman, son of Reisha and Michael Goldman; Ezra Blumenthal-Forstater, son of Sarah Blumenthal and Jacob Forstater; Skylar Mass, daughter of Alon and Jessica Mass; Hannah Korn, daughter of Sarah and Jason Korn; and Eyla Soltero, daughter of Jara and Rogelio Soltero

7:45 am: Morning Minyan

9:30 am: Talmud and Toast with Rabbi Olitzky