הקשר HaKesher
TBT's Newsletter: The Connection
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Come be a part of our growing Reform synagogue.
All are welcome!
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EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
All Events Are In Person Unless Otherwise Noted
December 4 - 9:00 am - Learner's Minyan
December 4 - 3:30 pm - Chanukah Treasure Hunt
December 4 - 5:30 pm - Menorah Lighting and Havdallah
December 5 - 10:00 am - Ishmael Khaldi Story (see Community News) via Zoom
December 5 - 4:45 pm - Community Chanukah Celebration
December 11 - 7:00 pm - Havdallah
December 17 - 4:00 pm - Rhythms in Jewish Living
December 17 - 5:30 pm - Friday Night Shabbat Lights
CHEVRUTA
"The Chasidic Masters"
Via Zoom
Sundays 9:00 am - 10:15 am - 12/5, 12/12, 12/19, 12/26
MORAL COURAGE
A Learning and Practice Group
Via Zoom
Sundays 10:30 am - 12:00 noon - 12/19, 12/26
JEWISH WELLNESS INITIATIVE
Fridays 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm - 12/3, 12/10, 12/17
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President's Message
Kerrie Zurovsky
Chanukah is here! I hope to see all of you at either or both of our upcoming celebrations. The scavenger hunt downtown will be a fun and interactive way for both adults and kids to gather and share in the holiday. The community celebration at Shalom Bayit will be a wonderful time to enjoy doughnuts, latkes and lighting the menorah together safely outdoors on the eighth night of Chanukah.
As both a downhill and nordic skier, I have been anxiously awaiting an epic snow-filled winter wonderland on Mt. Bachelor and throughout our many sno parks here in Central Oregon. Instead, we have been met with scarce snow and a delayed opening at Bachelor. While part of me is impatient, another part of me has learned over the past two years to look at things through a different lens. While I can’t yet head to the mountain and spend the day on the slopes with my kids, I can spend a leisurely Saturday afternoon hanging the wallpaper I bought a while ago in our guest bathroom (after all, it has been sitting on the floor collecting dust for more than a few months now). As much as I enjoy xc skiing with my girlfriends while my kids are at school, isn’t this an excellent time to take a few extra hikes on some of the awesome trails that our precious little city offers us? I bought a giant painter's easel back in September that I have yet to use, and if I can’t ski right now, I can certainly put my paints and canvases to good and creative use.
This shift in perspective is difficult and comes at times with great effort, but it has been a hugely impactful paradigm shift. If Covid has taught me anything, it is that we are both less and more powerful than we think. Less powerful in what happens around us, more powerful in how we react to it. Hidden blessings surround us …so I am trying these days to keep my mind and my heart open to all possibilities. As a mom who pretty much feels the need to control all situations, this is a hefty endeavor! But it has been an eye-opening and rewarding (*and ongoing) journey.
As I think about Chanukah and the freedom from oppression that this holiday symbolizes, I can’t help but think about the past two years and the focus I am having on the “light.” The hidden blessings that surround us are my current “miracles of light” that allow me to break free from the hold Covid has had on us. It keeps me hopeful for both a brighter, safer near future…and for a whole lotta snow! Happy Chanukah to all of our TBT Family!
B'virkat Shalom,
Kerrie
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Divrei Tikvah
From Rabbi Johanna Hershenson
Thanksgiving has come and gone. I am thankful, this year for a precious gift for Mark and I to enjoy: an expense-paid 5-day cruise in exchange for my service as a rabbi on board - a Chanukah menorah lighting and blessings and a couple of songs or directed conversation each evening. Thank you, Royal Caribbean for a romantic getaway!
And now, Chanukah has lit up our winter sky already! As member, Evie Lerner, mentioned, "Another Thanksgivingukkah!" Countdown to the solstice and its immediate aftermath, ever so slightly increasing hours of sunlight!
Another Chanukah theme we are fortunate to celebrate this year is the dedication of Temple Beth Tikvah’s space in First Presbyterian Church. Amidst reshuffling uses of space at First Presbyterian Church, we were lucky enough to secure a large classroom space that will be ours seven days a week, fifty-two weeks a year! I have already moved our older, portable ark into the space and by the second week of this month ought to be fully moved in and ready for meetings with congregants and holding in-person classes and committee meetings.
I am calling this space: “Chemple.” I asked in the office to make sure this name was acceptable and received in the endearing manner in which I say it, and Sherry, the office manager said she loves it. At the very least it is easier to say than “our dedicated space at the church.” Additionally, I do not want the space to be seen as only the rabbi’s office. While I will certainly use it as such, it is also available for TBT meetings and classes. We will figure out how to facilitate a sign up for special interest groups among us, committees, and our board.
We will celebrate Chanukah as a congregation with a treasure hunt and hot chocolate Saturday afternoon, December 4th, followed by a brief Havdallah and Chanukah candle lighting ceremony. On Sunday afternoon, join us again in celebration with Shalom Bayit!
And as December unfolds, let’s remember that Chanukah is about dedicating and rededicating space. Make a point of finding an opportunity to visit our Chemple this month! Learners’ Minyan and Friday Night Shabbat Lights as well as Jewish Wellness Initiative discussions or a meet with the rabbi appointment!
Happy Chanukah lights, happy Chanukah eats, happy Chanukah dedications and re-dedications of space and attitude!
B'virkat Shalom
Rabbi's office hours are by appointment.
Click here to schedule a Zoom meeting.
In person meetings will resume on December 6.
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Cere Fingerhut
Vice President
This is part of a series of spotlights on our leadership. Eileen Katz, Newsletter Ed.
Did you know that Cere’s given name was Sarah?
Cere was born in Los Gatos California. When she was three, her family moved to Klamath Falls where she lived until graduating high school. It was in the fourth grade, that Sarah decided to change the spelling of her name to Cere so that she would not have to put her entire last name on papers to differentiate herself from the other Sarah G in the class. The name stuck and when Cere turned 18, she legally changed her name.
After high school, Cere took a circuitous route to a degree starting at University of Oregon and, a few states and schools later, she completed her undergraduate degree at San Jose State University. Cere’s first career in marketing led her to a position at an enterprise tech company where she met her husband Scott. They were active members of Beth Am synagogue in Los Altos.
In their earliest days of dating, Cere introduced Scott (an LA native) to snow and snowboarding by way of Bend where he learned to snowboard at Mount Bachelor. From the beginning, Scott was enthusiastic about moving to Bend but Cere not so much because at that time, their jobs demanded they remain in Silicon Valley. Only later, Cere’s argument against Bend would become, “We can’t move somewhere where our girls can’t be bat mitzvah’d!” Still, they continued to vacation in Bend 2-3 times a year, with Scott constantly checking Zillow and frequently reporting to Cere on the real estate market here.
It was at her marketing job that Cere realized that she did not want to work in tech. She decided to switch careers to psychology where she could pursue her interest in people and their stories. Cere attended the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology in Palo Alto and completed her specializations in trauma and couples treatment at the Loma Linda VA in Southern California. Scott and their eldest daughter moved with her. Their first daughter, Ziva, was born when Cere was in graduate school and their second daughter, Mia, was born while Cere was completing her post-doctoral training.
In 2019, during her annual women’s weekend trip in Sunvriver a friend, who was on Scott’s team about relocation to Bend, challenged Cere on her assumption that there wasn’t a Jewish community here. Cere was searching “Jewish synagogues in Bend,” and there was TBT! Two weeks later, Cere and Scott returned to Bend together and purchased a lot in Tetherow to build a home (with Kerrie Zurovsky’s guidance). They moved permanently to Bend in 2020 and joined TBT. Their new home should be completed in 2022 and Cere cannot wait to host her adults-only seder again in the dining hall she specifically designed for her favorite holiday celebration.
Cere mentioned she attempts to live her life with intention. Cere plunged right in to become an active member of TBT and in June of 2021 was elected Vice President. In addition to her role as Vice President and being a mother of two, she continues to practice clinical psychology seeing patients based in the Bay Area. She earned her Oregon licensure recently and looks forward to begin seeing patients in Bend in the upcoming year.
Cere appreciates the rituals of Judaism. She is glad to be on the board and is looking forward to celebrating TBT’s B’nai Mitzvah year with a focus on ensuring TBT continues to thrive.
We are lucky to have another enthusiastic member on our leadership team!
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2021 Chanukah Celebrations |
Chanukah is here and the Jewish community in Central Oregon is offering multiple chances to celebrate together! |
TBT’s Chanukah Treasure Hunt
Saturday, December 4
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Rabbi Johanna Hershenson is organizing a Chanukah treasure hunt for all ages to enjoy in Downtown Bend!
Seven Chanukah lessons for the seventh night of Chanukah. Each lesson finishes with a clue. Find a candle for each of the seven clues and enjoy a hot chocolate on TBT!
Look for Rabbi Johanna to receive the clues and begin the treasure hunt. Feel free to pop-in and out as your schedule allows.
See the weekly Happenings for location details.
Nosh, Chanukah Menorah Lighting, and Havdallah
Saturday, December 4
5:30 pm
Join us at Evie Lerner’s home for an indoor-outdoor Havdallah and Chanukiah lighting. Enjoy a light nosh of chili and toppings alongside conversation with friends. Remember to dress warm! And if you want to bring your own menorah from home to light, you are welcome.
We will gather at 5:30 and chat until 5:45. At 5:45, we will start off with our Havdallah and Menorah-lighting, followed by food and socializing around 6:00.
If you’d like to stay, schmooze, and eat at Evie’s, we request that you are vaccinated.
See the weekly Happenings for more details.
Community Chanukah Celebration
Sunday, December 5
4:45 pm - 5:30 pm
Join us for a fun, outdoor Chanukah celebration, hosted by Temple Beth Tikvah, Shalom Bayit, and the Religious School! Enjoy latkes and donuts, followed by a Menorah lighting at sunset. There will be plenty of time for socializing with friends.
Please stay home if you have had recent contact with a COVID positive case and/or if you have COVID symptoms. This is an outdoor event. No RSVPs are necessary.
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Havdallah: Jewish Tribes of Today |
Saturday, December 11
7:00 pm
In honor of TBT’s B'nai Mitzvah, our thirteenth year, we increase our Jewish knowledge.
During this Adult Learning Havdallah we will explore Jewish tribalism from biblical accounts into the present.
Which Jewish tribe speaks to your understanding of what it means to be a Jew?
See the weekly Happenings for more information
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Friday Night Shabbat Lights: Jewish Jam |
Friday, December 17
5:30 pm
In-person
In honor of our first in-person Shabbat service in quite some time, join Rabbi Johanna Hershenson and your TBT friends for a Friday Night Shabbat Lights full of conversation, grass roots music, and merriment.
From 5:30 - 6:00, bring an acoustic instrument and jam with Rabbi Johanna, her ukulele, and other musicians among us. Following this Jewish Jam, we will light candles, revisit our Erev Shabbat service from our prayer book Mishkan Tefillah, and hold meaningful conversation around our D’var Torah topic: Can truth be relative?
As B'nai Mitzvah, and we all are in this our congregation's thirteenth year, we begin noticing that mature adults don't all agree on everything. We try to make good decisions rooted in reason as well as gut instincts. If we can each have our own truth, how do we talk to one another?
Stick around and we will also have the chance to explore together the question: Why isn’t Chanukah on the Solstice?
See the Happenings for more information, including location details.
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Chevruta: Weekly Torah Study Through the Lens of Musar Masters |
Sundays at 9:00 am - 10:15 am
Zoom
Each week, we explore the Torah portion through the lens of the Musar Masters. Musar is best described as a character development practice. Its rabbis taught that the ethics we derive from our sacred stories and legal codes call us to behave differently in the world and in relationship with others.
Come, let's study together!
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Moral Courage: A Learning & Practice Group |
Sundays, twice a month
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Zoom
As a course, a study group, and a support group all in one, the Moral Courage: A Learning & Practice Group explores race, gender, ethnicity, identity, and beyond from the perspective of Jewish wisdom and teaching.
The Moral Courage Group will be meeting next on Sunday, December 19 & 26. Facilitators Rabbi Johanna Hershenson and Lauralei Garrity welcome TBT members of all ages and backgrounds to join the on-going conversation.
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More Adult Learning Offerings at TBT |
As Temple Beth Tikvah enters into its B’nai Mitzvah year, Rabbi Johanna Hershenson is offering several adult learning opportunities to deepen our knowledge of Jewish ceremony & ritual as well as our sense of community together.
For 2021-2022, we encourage everyone to participate in the Jewish Wellness Initiative, TBT’s own Learner’s Minyan, and a course titled “Rhythms in Jewish Living”.
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Jewish Wellness Initiative
Every Friday
Next meeting: Friday, December 3
12:00 noon - 1:30 pm
Zoom
We feel better in life when we feel understood. Many of us in Temple Beth Tikvah share personal and familial challenges, but we tend to navigate them alone. How do we in Temple Beth Tikvah discover one another through our shared concerns or worries? What would it feel like if we had an opportunity to hear each other’s stories? Could we find friends we didn’t know were right in our midst? Could we acquire insight and ideas that help us get a new perspective?
For the month of December, we will be exploring the topic, “Interfaith Families: Blessings and Curses”. For monthly themes throughout the year, please click here.
Please sign up to receive the Zoom information.
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Learner’s Minyan
One Saturday a month
Next meeting: Saturday, December 4
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Our Learner’s Minyan is dedicated to encouraging our members to better understand how our services work, how to help lead a service, and how to read from the Torah.
Class is from 9:00 - 9:45 am, followed by a service and discussion about the weekly Torah reading from 10:00 - 11:30 am.
In December, we will explore Sh’ma ubirkoteha: Laying the Foundation of Jewish Belief and Miketz: Symbolism & Meaning.
If you would like to peruse monthly topics, click here.
Please sign up for location details.
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Rhythms in Jewish Living
One Friday a month
Next meeting: Friday,
December 17
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Are you interested in exploring the rhythms of the Jewish calendar? Join Rabbi Johanna Hershenson one Friday a month to learn more about Jewish holidays, synagogue and home rituals, as well as life cycle milestones.
Our December class will explore Havdallah and Setting Boundaries. Together, we’ll get some hands-on practice making Havdallah candles and spice sacks.
For a list of monthly topics and activities, please click here.
Please sign up for location details.
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TBT Board Notes
Next Board Meeting: December 13, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Due to COVID-19, all board meetings are being held via Zoom. If you would like to attend, contact Lauralei Garrity at lauralei.garrity@gmail.com.
If you would like to read minutes of previous board meetings, you can request a copy from Board Secretary, Lester Dober at les36dob@gmail.com
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January Newsletter Deadline: December 27
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 Eileen Katz: eileentam@aol.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,
Eileen
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Ishmael Khaldi: His Story
Sponsored by Israel360 at Neveh Shalom
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Ishmael Khaldi will share his compelling life’s story leading to his becoming the first Bedouin diplomat in the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His life story begins living in a tent and tending flocks of sheep to serving as policy advisor to Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Lieberman, including facing discrimination in Israeli society having been beaten by security guards at Jerusalem’s central bus station in June of 2020.
Ishmael Khaldi was born in Khawaled, Israel. He received his BS in political science from Haifa University and his MS in political science and international affairs from Tel Aviv University. He served in the Israel Ministry of Defense, the Israel Police, and the IDF as a political analyst, and also has worked for the Israel Foreign Ministry. He initiated a project--Hike and Learn with Bedouins in the Galilee--which has brought thousands of young Jews to Khawaled to learn about Bedouin culture and history.
Date: Sunday, December 5
Time: 10am
Location: Zoom
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Temple Beth Tikvah gratefully acknowledges the following contributions:
- Larry Barker In Memory of Sarah Waldman
- Larry Barker In Memory of JoAnn Ray
- Jan Freeman-Bauer & Larry Bauer To Social Action Fund in Memory of Clint Martz
- Gary & Anne Held In Memory of Mildred Held
- Gene & Linnea Epstein Donation to TBT Goodwill Fund
- Phyllis & Jerry Greenbach In Memory of Goldie Gurvitz
- Liz & Paul Levinson In Memory of Joe Solomon
- Liz & Paul Levinson In Memory of Harry Solomon
- Liz & Paul Levinson In Memory of Steven Byron Solomon
- Liz & Paul Levinson In Memory of Michael J Levinson
- Terry Reynolds In Loving Memory of her mother, Selma Nichols
- Terry Reynolds In Memory of Herb & Helen Reynolds
- Terry Reynolds In Memory of Diana Lewinter
- Terry Reynolds Congratulations to Levi Friedman on his Bar Mitzvah
- Terry Reynolds Congratulations to Vida Halpern on her Bat Mitzvah
- Mark & Kathy Schindel In Memory of Leon Schindel
- Chuck & Marilyn Shattuck In Memory of Sandra Shattuck
- Marilyn & Chuck Shattuck In Memory of Dick Pick
- Chuck & Marilyn Shattuck In Memory of Terry’s mother, Selma Nichols
- Ralph & Marcia Uri In Memory of Terry’s mother, Selma Nichols
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
- Gary Reynolds Memorial Fund
- Youth Education Fund
- Music Fund
- Special Projects Fund
- TBT's Goodwill Fund
- Social Action/Tzedakah Fund
- or the Corrie Grudin Memorial Fund
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Temple Beth Tikvah
P.O Box 7472
Bend, OR 97708
541-388-8826
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Your secure online donation to
Temple Beth Tikvah
is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your generosity.
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Celebrations in December honor the following:
Birthdays:
December 1
December 4
- Howard Koff
- Terry Reynolds
December 13
December 14
December 15
December 17
December 18
- Maxwell Friedman
- Mark Schindel
December 19
December 20
December 24
December 26
- Susan Levin
- Susan Richman
December 28
December 31
- Jynx Frederick
- Jeffrey German
Anniversaries:
December 4
- Dan & Laurel Fishkin
- Janet Freeman-Bauer & Larry Bauer
December 11
December 13
- Burton Litman & Jeanne Freeman
December 21
December 23
- Michael & Mickey Freundlich
December 25
December 27
- Leslie Conley & Joseph Jezukewicz
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President:
Kerrie Zurovsky
Past President:
Sheila Luber
Vice President
Cere Fingerhut
Secretary:
Lester Dober
Treasurer:
Mark Schindel
Members-at-Large:
Jillian Frankl
Paul Spencer
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Budget & Finance
Chuck Shattuck
Membership
Sheila Luber
Program Oversight
Kathy Schindel
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Adult Learning
Mel Siegel
Bikur Cholim
Suzanne Schlosberg
Evie Lerner
Linda Brant
Calendar Keeper
Kathy Schindel
Chevra Kadisha
OPEN
Communications & Public Relations
Kathy Schindel
Sheila Luber
Fundraising
OPEN
Music
Julie Geveshausen
Newsletter
Eileen Katz
Onegs
Jan Freeman-Bauer
Program Coordinator
Lauralei Garrity
Religious Education
Melissa Wikler
Social Action
OPEN
Venue Logistics
Mark Schindel
Webmaster
Jeanne Freeman
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Your secure online donation to
Temple Beth Tikvah
is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your generosity.
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About Temple Beth Tikvah
For Jewish families, retirees and singles at every level of faith in Central Oregon, Temple Beth Tikvah provides a comforting embrace for the soul of your DNA. We are a dynamic Reform Jewish congregation with friendly, giving, active people drawn to Bend and Central Oregon because of the active lifestyle we find here.
We come together in different ways, inspired and informed by our common thread of Jewishness. Whether you were born Jewish, love someone who is Jewish or choose to be Jewish. Practice Judaism a little, a lot or not at all. TBT can serve as the heart of your vibrant, connected life.
We can be your primary source of friendship, purpose, spiritual and intellectual pursuit. Or a side note adding flavor and dimension how and when you want. Whichever you choose, TBT offers an inclusive, communal foundation on which to build your relationships, experiences and practice. From social activities to social action, worship to study, participation to leadership. It's your choice, in this community of yours.
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PO Box 7472
Bend, OR 97708
(541) 388-8826
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