Get ready for Hanukkah and support local businesses at Beth El's Hanukkah Shopping Bazaar! We will have light refreshments and many vendors including, Shannon Sarna Goldberg, who will be signing and selling copies of her latest book Modern Jewish Comfort Food, Lisa Buber for Mrs. Meshugga, and the Ann and Mel Schaffer Sisterhood Gift Shop. Interested in becoming a vendor? Click here.

This week’s parashah Chayei Sarah literally means the life of Sarah, yet begins with Sarah’s death: “And the life of Sarah was 127 years. These were the years of Sarah’s life. And Sarah died in Kiryat Arba, in Hebron, in the land of Canaan” (Gen. 23:1-2). The Torah never tells us how Sarah dies. In fact, the last we read of her in Torah was prior to Abraham almost sacrificing his son Isaac. Some rabbinic commentators even suggest that Sarah died of a broken heart, never having known that Isaac was not sacrificed, never having seen both Abraham and Isaac hike down the mountain. Click here to continue reading.

"Death Over Dinner" is an opportunity to help us hold crucial conversations around end-of-life decisions, what happens after we die, and what we want our legacy to be. The format is simple: Invite guests over for dinner (or coffee or anything). Use conversation cards to guide your experience. Allow yourselves at least 1.5-2 hours for the conversation. Choose the cards whose topics are meaningful to you. If Shabbat dinner is not your ideal time, you can hold your gathering of any type at any time you prefer. Watch this video to learn more about Death Over Dinner.

Click here to download the conversation cards. Please email Rabbi Marder if you plan to participate or with questions.

Torah Talk, Beth El's weekly Torah portion discussion group, will meet this week in the Susan and Mitchell Lieberman Chapel. Rabbi Meirav Kallush will lead the discussion.

To attend services virtually, join via Livestream. After Shabbat services, enjoy Kiddush lunch indoors or outdoors.

Our youngest children and their families are invited to celebrate Shabbat with song, prayers, and active participation with Ira Levin in the Lower Level. Please note the location change. Elementary school students are invited to join Rabbi Marder for t'fillah, parashah games, and sweets in the Susan and Mitchell Lieberman Chapel. Get ready for Shabbat Club by watching this video about Parashat Chayei Sarah from Bim Bam. 

Shabbat Gateways

Find meaning and connection on Shabbat in 5783! Beth El is excited to launch Shabbat Gateways, our initiative to offer more diverse opportunities for spiritual engagement and worship on Shabbat. This Shabbat, join Merav Fine Braun at 11:00 am for Shabbat Yoga in the Sharon and Jimmy Schwarz Welcome Center.

December 3: Kesher Minyan with Rabbi Marder

December 10: Shabbat Nashir in the Susan and Mitchell Liberman Chapel

December 17: Shabbat Nashir in our Sanctuary and mid-morning Torak Talk

December 24 and 31: Gateway hiatus

Come join fellow Men's Club members and Rabbi Marder for our Bible and Booze group text study event in the Stein Family Lounge. Free to attend. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

Have some fun and dance! We are starting up an adult Israeli dance class with instructor Ellen Berkowitz. Teens welcome! The class will meet the third Thursday of every month starting in December. No experience necessary. We are partnering with Oheb Shalom and Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel (TSTI). The dates include: December 15 at Beth El, January 19 at TSTI, February 16 at Oheb, March 16 at Beth El, April 27 at TSTI, May 16 at Oheb and June 15 at Beth El. If you are interested in participating in one or more classes, click here.

Hanukkah is coming! Get ready for a fun holiday by partying with all of your friends. Join for a night of dancing, drinking, and snacks as we get a DJ to come kick off the holiday for our community. Sponsored by Men's Club and free to attend. Click here to register.

Kadima (5-7th Grade): Sunday, December 18 at 11:30 am - 1 pm

Kadima:  RSVP at this link

Sababa: RSVP at this link

The Hesed committee is sending Hanukkah care packages to Beth El college students. If you signed your child up to receive a Rosh Hashanah care package this fall, we will send them a Hanukkah care package. If they were not signed up, please email Talia Feldman with their name, age and address.

Join Rabbi Marder for a short Hanukkah learning session about the mitzvot of Hanukkah and the deeper spiritual meaning of this Festival of Lights.

Join Rabbi Marder for coffee and conversation on how we respond to our children's questions about God, especially when we don't know what we believe! Designed for families with children ages 0-5. All caregivers welcome. Enjoy coffee and schmoozing from 9-9:15 and discussion from 9:15-9:45 in the Stein Family Lounge. Sponsored by the Thelma K. Reisman Parent Preschool Committee. Future coffee and conversations will be on February 3 and May 5.

After last year's success, this year the Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges is once again asking for frozen, never thawed turkeys and fully packed reusable Thanksgiving bags. Click here for more information and reach out to Social Action VP Shayna Schmidt with any questions. The IFPO Truck will be at Beth El from 9:00 am to 11:00 am on Sunday, November 20 for turkey and premade bag drop off.

The Alawy/Zamani family has settled into our community nicely. Ali received his drivers license last week and Dina continues to study to get hers. We are working along with the rest of the committee congregations to find the family a used car to help increase their employment opportunities. If you have a car you are looking to donate, please email committee member Brian Sobelman.

8-12th Graders are invited to join us for a fun night of jumping at SkyZone in Springfield. Reach out to Talia Feldman to RSVP and with any questions

Beth El Babysitters List

Teens, are you looking for babysitting gigs? Fill out this form so Beth El families can reach out to you. Families, are you looking for a sitter? Parents, reach out to Teen Coordinator Talia to get a copy of the babysitters list.

7:45 am: Morning Minyan

10:00 am: Midrash in the Morning with Rabbi Marder