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
June 4 - 7:00 pm - Havdallah
June 5 - 10:00 am - Shavuot at Shalom Bayit (in person and via Zoom)
June 10 - 5:30 pm - Shabbat Lights
June 18 - 5:30 pm - BYO Picnic and Celebration
June 24 - 6:00 pm - Shabbat@Home
June 25 - 10:00 am - Bat Mitzvah of Jayda Wikler
June 27 - 11:00 am - Board Meeting via Zoom
CHEVRUTA
"Musar Masters"
Via Zoom
Sundays 9:00 am - 10:15 am - 6/5, 6/12, 6/19, 6/26
MORAL COURAGE
A Learning and Practice Group
Via Zoom
Sundays 11:00 am - 12:30 pm - 6/19, 6/26
ON THE HORIZON
July 8- Shabbat in the Park
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President's Message
Kerrie Zurovsky
I find myself unable to write about anything other than last week’s tragic school shooting in Uvalde. I am many things - a wife, daughter, friend, graphic designer, synagogue president - but first and foremost, I am a mother. And for the past week, my emotions have oscillated between horrific sadness and pure unadulterated anger. I feel helpless and hopeless, but I also know that I need to channel what I am feeling into positive action. I know TBT’s congregants have been rocked by the Robb Elementary mass shooting, especially the parents, like myself, who are still sending our kids to school everyday with brave smiles on our faces, then silently crying or praying for their safety as soon as we are alone.
What can we do? The Union for Reform Judaism supports sensible gun safety measures. As Reform Jews, we have a duty to work towards gun violence prevention. Moms Demand Action, which is a part of Everytown For Gun Safety, is a wonderful place to donate time and/or money. They also have a local Bend chapter for those looking to get more involved. (https://momsdemandaction.org) Information can also be found on the URJ’s website. Click here for the link.
I understand this can be a difficult subject for many people, but we are a Reform Jewish congregation and have the beauty of the URJ’s guidance to help lead us. As always, our monthly Board meetings are open to everyone in TBT, and I encourage anyone wishing to speak to this topic to join us.
Shalom,
Kerrie
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Divrei Tikvah
From Rabbi Johanna Hershenson
The month of June screams: School’s out for summer! My own daughter, Abi, graduates from university along with many of TBT’s kids and grandkids spread out all over the country.
In Temple Beth Tikvah, June closes our fiscal and program year. Our annual meeting (even online) affirms new board members and a budget for the year ahead. Our program committee comprised of Lauralei Garrity, Kathy Schindel, Sheila Luber, Kerrie Zurovsky, Mel Siegel and myself, has reviewed and discussed, reviewed again and will early this month again discuss, a program calendar for July 2022 - June 2023.
In addition to reasserting our two Friday nights, one Saturday night per month and our weekly adult learning group, we are exploring how shifting our paradigm from a “program structured” model to a “relational” model would look in real life.
“Relational Judaism” has been a buzz word in the American Jewish community for nearly ten years. In fact, eight years ago Mark and Kathy Schindel and I attended a Union for Reform Judaism Biennial Convention and listened in workshops to Ron Wolfson, author of the the concept. He is from the American Jewish University in Los Angeles (formerly called the University of Judaism).
The idea is to move from transactional member engagement (i.e., member pays a yearly donation and expects x, y, z services) to relational member engagement. Relational member engagement utilizes the congregation to strengthen a variety of relationships with which each of us reconciles as we live life.
Imagine a congregation that makes me a better, more content human being? A synagogue in which participation deepens my relationships whether with family or friends or neighbors?
In the relational model we ask a few questions that shed a subtle yet powerful light on all the things we do together as a congregation.
Me and my big questions: How do my experiences in Temple Beth Tikvah impact me, body and mind? Do I find peace or ease or purpose as a result of my engagement? Do I connect more deeply or profoundly with God/nature/that which is beyond me because of my learnings and reflections in services or adult learning or pastoral counseling?
Me and my relationships: Does my time in Temple Beth Tikvah feed me in relationship to the people I love most in my life? Do I find insight or camaraderie around trying to be a better parent, partner, friend, or neighbor?
Me and my community: Do I serve my community and feel protected by my community through my membership in Temple Beth Tikvah? Am I proud when it comes up in conversation to represent or be connected to Temple Beth Tikvah?
Me and Jewish peoplehood: Does my experience in Temple Beth Tikvah connect me to culture and history, ritual and food and language, humor and music of the Jewish people worldwide? Do I feel connected to my Jewish roots? Do I feel authentic and satisfied in my Jewish practice?
Our program committee will reflect on these questions and measure our services and gatherings and classes to make sure we consciously address them.
As we begin gathering again, and reconnecting with one another and our congregation, I hope we talk about what holds us together and how we might cultivate together by focusing on what Temple Beth Tikvah does for us and might do for us. If the whole is to be greater than the sum of our parts…we really ought to feel like our synagogue engagement makes us better individuals, partners, parents, friends, neighbors and citizens.
Our president, Kerrie Zurovsky, and board members, Cere Fingerhut and Sheila Luber, started this conversation with a valiant listening campaign celebrating our coming of age as a congregation. Let’s keep the conversation going!
If you have an idea, a wish, a talent to share, please reach out and tell me what is on your mind. Learning to structure ourselves around strengthening relationships will require everybody’s two cents. I’m interested in what you might have to say.
B'virkat Shalom
Rabbi's office hours are by appointment.
Click here to schedule a Zoom meeting.
Click here to schedule an in-person meeting at "Chemple" at FPC..
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Havdallah: Gender and Sexuality in Jewish Literature |
Saturday, June 4
7:00 pm
In-person
In celebration of Shavuot, join Rabbi Johanna Hershenson for a Havdallah exploring how gender and sexuality are presented and discussed in Jewish literature.
For more details, including location information, see the weekly Happenings.
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Shavuot: The Ten Challenges |
Sunday, June 5
10:00 am
In-person & hybrid
Congregation Shalom Bayit invites TBT members to a Shavuot morning service on June 5 in-person & hybrid. Rabbi Johanna will be giving the D’Var Torah.
See the weekly Happenings for more information and the Zoom link.
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Friday Night Shabbat Lights: Enthusiam |
Friday, June 10
5:30 pm
In-person
Join Rabbi Johanna, as well as Julie & Jo for a Friday Night Shabbat Lights service!
5:30: Proneg
6:00: Erev Shabbat Service
See the weekly Happenings for more details.
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Saturday, June 18
5:30 pm
In-person, Outdoors
Summer is finally here! After a long winter, we invite our TBT families and friends to celebrate the end of the school year and the beginning of a new season.
We’ll be meeting in-person, so BYO dinner and any other refreshments you might like.
See the weekly Happenings for more details.
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Shabbat in the Park - Save the Date!
Sheila Luber-Membership Engagement Chair
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Mark your calendar for Friday, July 8, for our annual Shabbat in the Park celebration!
Shabbat in the Park is a wonderful opportunity to get together. Since we’re all hungry for what matters most — connecting with each other — schmoozing is the main course on the menu!
You’ll also find a bountiful buffet of sweet treats made with love by TBT bakers. If you’d like to eat dinner before the festivities begin, pack a picnic and come early.
This event will include a Tot Shabbat for young children and a brief Shabbat service for the rest of us led by Rabbi Johanna.
Whether you are a long-time temple member or new to TBT, please join us! The purpose is simple: catch up with old friends, make new friends, and thank our volunteer leaders.
Please note that we are not holding an in-person 2022 Annual Congregational Meeting in June. Instead, we are conducting end-of-year temple business via online communication. Shabbat in the Park is your summer opportunity to connect in person!
Watch your inbox for more details in the weekly Happenings and a Shabbat in the Park invitation coming soon!
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Chevruta: Weekly Torah Study through the Lens of Musar Masters
Sundays at 9:00 am - 10:15 am
July 11 - Summer of 2022
Zoom
What is a Chevruta? Chevruta (pronounced chev-roo-ta) is a group of adults committed to lifelong Jewish learning together, where camaraderie and friendships are cultivated through discourse. A fitting name for TBT’s adult education group!
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
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Zoom
Looking for a non-judgmental place to explore and learn about difficult or controversial topics with your community? TBT’s Moral Courage Group is here for you. Facilitators Rabbi Johanna Hershenson and Lauralei Garrity welcome TBT members of all ages and backgrounds to join the on-going conversation.
The Moral Courage Group will be meeting next on Sunday, June 19 & 26. If you are interested in joining the group or if you have questions, please email lauralei.garrity@gmail.com.
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TBT Board Notes
Next Board Meeting: Monday, June 27
11:00 am to 1:00 pm
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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Newsletter Information
This is my last edition as newsletter editor. It's been a pleasure serving as your editor. I hope to see you at one of the TBT events.
Shalom,
Eileen
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Saturday June 4, 5:00 pm
to Sunday June 5, 8:00 am
(overnight)
Zoom
Join congregations and rabbis from all around the country via Zoom for a unique set of online study sessions including music, TV shows, and a celebration of Torah for all ages.
On the evening of Shavuot, we honor the gift of Torah at Mt. Sinai. Traditionally, we do this through an all-night Torah study session called Tikkun Leil Shavuot.
To register, click the link here. You can also find a full list of the Zoom sessions on the same page.
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Temple Beth Tikvah gratefully acknowledges the following contributions:
- Larry Barker In Memory of Dinah S Goberg & Harold C Barker
- Jan Freeman-Bauer & Larry Bauer In Memory of Ruth Ellen Freeman
- Bonnie Chaikind In Memory of Emory Chaikind & Caroline Chaikind
- Suzanne Chiaromonte In Memory of Lita Factor Kilpatrick
- Lester & Diane Dober In Memory of Max Dober
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Tully Ellsberg A speedy recovery and complete healing for Vivian Freeman
- Anne & Gary Held In Memory of Alan Held, John Cron & Jeanne Cron
- Mark & Kathy Schindel In Memory of Roger Lerman & Aaron Jack 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
- 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 June honor the following:
Birthdays:
June 1
- Laurel Fishkin
- Greg Warren
June 6
June 10
June 14
June 20
- Levi Friedman
- Yardena Taylor
June 21
June 27
June 29
Anniversaries:
June 1
- Marijane (Mj) Krohn & Mel Siegel
June 5
- Terry & Andreas Hoogstede
June 7
- George & Linda Brant
- Lee & Joseph Henson
June 8
June 10
- Victor & Naomi Chudowsky
- Melissa & Mike Wikler
June 11
June 14
- Alex & Sara Charney Cohen
June 15
- Glenn Cantor & Inge Eriks
June 16
- Robin Salant & Erik Jambor
June 20
June 21
June 24
- Mark & Johanna Hershenson
June 26
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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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