Whats NU?
news & updates from Temple Beth El
Temple Beth El is affiliated with the URJ
(Union of Reform Judaism)
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November, 2021 Kislev, 5782 |
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LIVE! Shabbat Services are now being held in person. Onegs too! Join us once again for spiritual inspiration and community with your fellow TBE'ers. Welcome newcomers. |
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Upcoming Events
Friday Night Services: In person. Every Friday Night at 7 pm.
Torah Study: Saturdays at 10:00 am
Wednesday, November 10: Movie Night 7 pm
Tuesday, November 16 at 6:30: Challah Bake. This event is Sold Out.
Friday, November 19, 7 pm: Special TBE Men's Club Shabbat
Monday, November 29 at 11:30 am: Hanukkah Party sponsored by Women of Beth El/Sisterhood
Friday, December 3 at 5:30 pm Hannukah Dinner for TBE Members. RSVP by November 22
Sunday December 12: Farewell Party/Open House for Rabbi Sternfield and Cantor Bard
Scroll further for more details on coming events
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A Message from our Temple President, Ron Eiseman
Shalom, Temple family and friends,
My approach to the COVID-19 pandemic has always been very conservative and thanks to everyone on the Board, we have managed to keep our Temple safe throughout the past 19 months. We will continue monitoring the status of Manatee County as we go forward. However, the current data indicates that we are in much better shape at this time. Infections, hospitalizations, and deaths are significantly down and the trend continues to improve with approximately 70% of the county being vaccinated with at least 1 dose. The overwhelming majority of our members are vaccinated and many have already received a booster dose.
Exciting news! The Temple Board of Directors met and approved changes to our masking policy for Temple attendees. For all members and guests that are fully vaccinated, wearing masks are now optional, whether in the Temple building or involved in any future TBE activities. If you have not been vaccinated, we still require that you wear a mask inside the Temple building at all times. Additionally, Oneg Shabbats are now inside the building. The board considers this an important step in moving forward to rebuild our congregation.
Please use good judgment in maintaining social distance, especially during our Onegs. I hope that things continue to improve in the future. We will be prudent and make any changes necessary as we follow the community data.
Let's get back to having some enjoyment in our lives.
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News and Views
By Rabbi Michael Sternfield
Dear friends,
A few weeks ago, I turned the table on our congregation. Instead of giving the usual sermon, I asked those present to tell us: what was your most significant Jewish experience?
A few responded that it was their first trip to Israel. No one said that it was Bar/Bat Mitzvah. That didn’t surprise me at all.
The most surprising answer by several was that it has been their experience of feeling part of Temple Beth El. How gratifying it was to have heard that reply, and I am not just patting myself and Cantor Bard on the back! They were not talking about us; they were talking about you.
You should never underestimate the impact of being a congregation where everyone counts. This is so much the opposite of most larger congregations that customarily advertise what a “warm and welcoming congregation they are,” while those who visit for a first or second time find it to be quite the opposite. I know this to be true from personal experiences. Having taken “busman’s holidays” by visiting numerous other congregations, I have often gone unnoticed and unacknowledged unless I identified myself as a rabbi.
This is Temple Beth El’s most commendable attribute. Our leaders know that, particularly in these times of COVID, synagogue attendance has declined dramatically. They also realize that If Temple Beth El is to have a vibrant future, it needs to grow. I’m am certain that this can happen. But it all depends on you, the members. Just do your part. You can begin just by showing up! Beyond that, if each of you will regard yourself personally as a reflection of Beth El’s spirit by introducing yourself to those whose faces are not yet familiar, I
Know the results will be amazing.
Manatee County is growing rapidly, especially in nearby Lakewood Ranch. There is nothing to prevent your cherished congregation from growing and thriving. It’s not up to the rabbi, cantor or lay leaders. It’s up to you.
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Do You Need a Membership Directory?
An updated directory of Temple members is available upon request from any member. Please send an email to our Treasurer, Howard Hammerman or call him: 410-430-3019. It is available either as an electronic *.pdf file or as a printed copy." Members only please.
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Mitzvah Projects are Underway at
Temple Beth El
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Learn to knit or crochet and join the Women of Beth El in making newborn baby caps and more to be donated to needy new mothers. Next class will be on December 10. Or make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the Salvation Army. See details below. Get involved. Make a difference!
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Celebrate Hanukkah 2021/5782
November 28 to December 6
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All Shabbat Services are now Live and In Person.
Friday Evening Shabbat Services at 7:00 pm and Saturdays 11:00 am for Torah study. Conducted by Rabbi Michael Sternfield and Cantor Deborah Bard.
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November 10, at 7:00pm
Movie Night: "Love, Lights, Hanukkah!"
As Christina prepares her restaurant for its busiest time of year, she gets her DNA test revealing that she's Jewish. The discovery leads her to a new family and an unlikely romance over eight nights.
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Women of Beth El/ Sisterhood Challah Bake - Tuesday, November 16 at 6:30 pm.
Sold Out!
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Aleph Bet - Thursdays at 11:00 am Basic Hebrew class. Taught by Cantor Deborah Bard. This class will continue until end of the year. You can still join if you have advanced beginning Hebrew reading skills. Brush up on your reading and learn translation. Please RSVP for Zoom link.
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Sandwich Mitzvah Project Continues
Ken Handelman and the Temple Beth El Men’s Club, mitzvah organizer of the peanut butter sandwich project announced that we will continue to deliver peanut butter sandwiches to the Bradenton Salvation Army's 14th Street location. This will be an ongoing Mitzvah Project delivering sandwiches made by our congregants every other Thursday.
By taking the sandwiches to the Salvation Army, we are able to get the food where it is needed. If you are interested in participating in this program, send a message to Ken Handelman or text at 941-840-4132.
Donations to the Salvation Army can be made here
Food Bank Needs Volunteers
Every Wednesday from 8:30 to 11:00 is the TBE time to help prepare donations for distribution at the Food Bank of Manatee located at 811 23rd Avenue East 34208. YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED. If it is your first visit, please bring proof of vaccination. Contact Ken Handleman with any questions or concerns.
Get Those Needles Flying
Now is the time to crochet or knit items for newborn babies. The Women of Beth El are making items that will be distributed to local hospitals in December. Don't know how to knit or crochet? No problem. Sign up for the next class on December 9. For more information contact Deena Kanoff.
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Simcha Grams
TBE sends Birthday, Anniversary, Bar/Bat Mitzvah and other celebration "Simcha Grams" to members in honor of their special day. This is a great way to contribute to your Synagogue and to send your TBE family good wishes.
Names must be received at the office by the 20th of the month prior to the birthday, anniversary or special event. Include a note with your name(s), the name(s) of whom and what you are honoring and how you would like your signature on the card they will receive. The donation is $3.00 per name. In the memo area of your check write "simcha gram" and mail to: Temple Beth El, Attention: Simcha Gram. 5150 Peridia Blvd. East, Bradenton, FL 34203.
If you wish to pay by credit card use the "DONATE" button below.
The card will be mailed to those individuals prior to their special day. If we have somehow overlooked your Simcha or made an error in printing the date, please accept our apologies and call the temple office at 941-755-4900 or send an email so that we may update our records.
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Donations as of October 31 |
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General Fund
Morgen, Marla
Safron, Beverly
Ellis, Jean
Klain, David & Louise
Clark, Sandra & Neil
Eisberg, James
Howard, Marvin P. & Marion
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Kol Nidre Donation
Holinsky, Terry
Kutcher, Morris
Rosenstein, Albert & Staci
Schneider, Barry
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Thank you to all of our generous donors. Your gift helps keep Reform Judaism alive in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. |
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NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
3 Sandra J. Gander
4 Evelyne Hirshman
7 Marion Howard
7 Emily Hirshman
11 Lindsay Auerbach
13 Sydney Weiss
16 Jean Ellis
22 Kevin Rosenstein
26 Sydney Oostendorp
NOVEMBER ANNIVERSARIES
13 Brian & Ruth Weiss
28 Neil & Sandy Clark
November Yahrzeits
SERVICE November 5th & 6th
Linda & Craig Hoffman remember Mae Samson
Diane Hart remembers Cecile Roth
Sandy Clark remembers Helen Kleinman
Ginger Manas remembers Robert Friedman
Paul Stahl remembers Robert Reeves
SERVICE November 12th &13th
Bill Gregory remembers Steve Gregory
Sandy Clark remembers Anna Kleinman
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(Yahrzeits Continued)
SERVICE November 19th & 20th
Lionel Friedman remembers Rose Friedman
Beverly Safron remembers Bertha Sohn
Celia Strickler remembers Penelope Maguffin
SERVICE November 26th & 27th
Anna Bever remembers Sam Berlin
SERVICE December 3rd & 4th
Harold Millstein remembers John Millstein
Paul Stahl remembers Robert Reeves
It is traditional to light a Yahrzeit candle on the evening of observance. In addition, we urge you to attend services to honor the memory of your beloved and of course to recite Mourner’s Kaddish on the Yahrzeit. If you are staying safe at home, please observe through our YouTube service. May your memories of the departed always be a blessing.
To commemorate your beloved, it is also customary to memorialize the departed by making a donation to the synagogue. You can donate below or mail your check to the Temple at 5150 Peridia Blvd East, Bradenton 34203
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You can place your ad here. Contact here for more information. Prices start as low as $35 a month for a business card size ad. Please patronize our advertisers who help support Temple Beth El.
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