President's Message 

Cere Fingerhut

The other day our family went to OMSI—the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. We attended one of the “Starry Night Live!” shows at the Planetarium. During the show I was struck by one of the small snippets that the guide shared. They said that if Earth was tilted a bit differently, we wouldn’t have seasons. It distracted me for a bit, imagining what it would be like to remove those rhythms from our lives. I didn’t like the thought of it and imagine that many of us in the Temple Beth Tikvah community find seasonal change appealing. I mean, we’ve chosen to live in a place marked by seasonal distinction. 

When I sit down to write these messages each month, I find many of my first thoughts are related to weather or season. It appears no matter how much technology we build into our lives there is pull on us to be aware of where we are in the natural rhythm of things. We have just over a month before we celebrate the High Holy Days together. I am grateful to Rabbi Sara for offering us opportunities for preparation and reflection leading up to them. If you aren’t aware of her four-part series on Getting Ready for the High Holy Days or teachings on Forgiveness, check out our calendar! Both are available to all in our community looking for guidance and learning with a rabbi.

This is the time where we begin our intentional turn toward reflection and taking stock. As with the seasons, there are moments in our year where we are more likely to engage in reflection than others—on birthdays, anniversaries, yahrzeits, the secular new year. Recently, one of our members gave me an opportunity for this when they reached out in anger and frustration and, above all, disappointment.     

In a recent notice, it appeared as though we were only welcoming members of Temple Beth Tikvah to an erev Shabbat service. They spoke of how important it was to them that any person who wanted to celebrate Shabbat would get to do so in a welcoming and inclusive community. They were devastated that TBT might not be that place. I was so thankful to them for the reminder—both of how important that is to our community and that how we communicate matters. It is true, that our communication was inconsistent with our stance that any who want to are welcome at any Temple Beth Tikvah offered ritual services (see our calendar for dates). I want all to know that they are welcome to come and celebrate with us. In fact, please invite those who may want to join us! Even forwarding this newsletter is a step in reaching out.  

Additionally, I want to thank the person who helped me pause and reflect on all the moving parts of our community and organization. As those who lead and guide our community, it’s imperative that we ensure you are receiving accurate and timely information consistent with TBT's values. Of course, the calendar is always available on our website for upcoming events. Sometimes, it takes us a bit to update it and we are always just an email away at shalom@bethtikvahbend.org for clarification. 

For those who have chosen to commit to our Temple Beth Tikvah community as members, you will be receiving updates with Board priorities and actions within the week following each monthly board meeting. We hope that those who haven’t yet and consider themselves members will communicate their commitment to this year’s programming here. For anyone interested in becoming a member of Temple Beth Tikvah, you can find information here about what that entails. 



I know I speak for everyone on the board when I say we are committed to welcoming all who support a vibrant and connected Jewish community in Central Oregon. I hope to see you during our High Holy Day events.

Shalom,

Cere

Divrei Tikvah 

From Rabbi Sara Abrams

Those who love me, I love,

And those who seek me will find me.” (Proverbs 8:13)

Today I was listening to an old episode of On Being, the NPR radio show with Krista Tippet. She featured author Kevin Kling who was on the show to talk about the “Losses and laughter We Grown into.” Kling was born with one malfunctioning arm and many years later, lost use of his other arm as a result of a motorcycle accident. (We can all wonder to ourselves why he was on a motorcycle). He spoke about making meaning from his own trauma, growing into loss and healing. 

What touched me most was the following: “Anytime we experience a loss--we are broken. The heart or trauma cannot be cured--the heart can never return to its prior state--but it can be healed, we can grow into the new brokenness of the heart or brokenness of the body.” 

As Jews we are in the season of return not to a youthful innocence of heart--after all living life leaves us all with loss-- but a return to a wholeness (in Hebrew, shleimoot) within us, a Higher Soul, a divine soul, an inner knowing, an inner peace.

And in our tradition we have the next 36 days to remember and prepare as this is THE time to introspect both as individuals and community. Judaism beckons us to enter bravely into this month of reflection. We are getting ready for the High Holy Days, both in our class, in nature, and in our lives. The time is ripe to partake in any and all of the following:

• to reflect on the past
• to notice where we feel broken
• to ask for forgiveness or to forgive
• to pray
• to meditate 
• to reach out and mend relationships
• to grow 
• to heal

It is the time of belovedness, when we are to remember that even if we do not feel beloved in the measurement of the world, that we are the beloved of the Divine. The tradition says that the Divine presence is right here, right now, here in the fields of our lives. All we have to do is seek, and we will find (Proverbs 8:17). 

Elul can be likened to the blessing of new love--when each beloved is ready to receive the other in delight, and it can also be likened to the blessing of mature love, where we are loved because of our cracks and fissures. None of us, as Kevin Kling reminds us, will be cured of our brokenness but we can be healed - as we allow love and compassion, and forgiveness to flow into every damaged nook and cranny and then flow out through our hearts into the hearts of those most near to us. It’s a return: from being scattered to being centered--to wholeness--to shleimoott.

If you want to know more about the holy day season, it is not too late to join our Getting Ready for the High Holy Days study of This is Real and You are Totally Unprepared, and it is not too late to get involved here at TBT as a participant and volunteer. We need your heart, your mind, your soul to grow this community ever deeper and stronger. May this be part of our communal new year’s resolution!  

I look forward to seeing you the first weekend in September, and please feel free to reach out to me to schedule a time to chat or if you are in need of pastoral care: rabbisaraabrams@gmail.com.

https://calendly.com/rabbisaraabrams

B'virkat Shalom

Learn Hebrew Like the Bnai Mitzvah Kids!

Adult Hebrew Classes Starting This Fall

Have you wanted to finally learn Hebrew, or re-learn all the Hebrew you've forgotten since your bar/bat mitzvah? Sara Charney Cohen will be starting classes for adult Hebrew learners, but with a twist - we'll be using the same fun texts and workbooks the kids use! These classes will be geared toward gaining a better understanding of the Siddur and prayers used during a synagogue service. (It will not be modern/conversational Hebrew).

Classes will begin after the High Holy Days, and meet weekly for about an hour to an hour and a half. Sessions will run approximately 13 weeks, not including holiday breaks. (Fall session will begin late October and run into early February) Potential for one class for those who already know the alef-bet and can already sound out Hebrew, and one for those who have not yet learned how to read the alef-bet.

Exact dates and class time TBD depending on when most potential students are available, most likely to be weekday late afternoons or evenings. Cost for the full session will be approximately $65 plus a $15 materials fee. If you are interested in joining one of the classes this fall, please email sarasclassnotes@gmail.com and let Sara know which level class you'd need, and which days of the week can work for you. You can also e-mail if you have any additional questions.

Thank you Market of Choice

Another monthly shout out to Market of Choice for their monthly contribution of Challah Bread for our services.

SAVE THE DATE!

Join us for Shabbat 101

September 20

Come learn all about Shabbat At Home, Havdallah With a Movie, Havdallah With A Purpose, and More!

We are rolling out some new (and old) services this year and can’t wait to share them with you!

More info coming soon, check your email for details.

TBT Board Notes

All board meetings are being held in person. Contact Cere Fingerhut if you want to attend. cere@bethtikvahbend.org. Our next meeting will be September 9.

Your TBT Board meets monthly and members are invited to attend. Dates and times of Board meetings are on the TBT calendar at: https://bethtikvahbend.org/calendar/

If you would like to read minutes of previous board meetings, you can request a copy from Board Secretary, Kathy Schindel at kathy@bethtikvahbend.org

Thanks to our many Family Kitchen volunteers.

We’ve been told by the Family Kitchen staff that our crew shines! We have earned their respect for our willingness to do any task in the kitchen, for the efficiency with which we work, for our cheerful attitude, and most importantly, for the respect with which we treat the Kitchen’s clients. 

Our youngest volunteer just celebrated her 13^th birthday. Our oldest is 93! More than 30 of our members and friends participate at the Kitchen – some weekly, some occasionally – splitting up the 4 ½ hour shift. If you are in need of a spiritual lift, please come join us on the second Wednesday of every month. The diners leave with a full belly, we leave with a full spirit.

If you’d like to join the Kitchen Crew, please email jgfree925@gmail.com.

Tikkun Olam on the Move!

The newly formed Social Action committee meets in early October to begin planning more opportunities for community involvement. It’s exciting to expand the programs we participate in and to again have Havdalah with a Purpose programs to introduce our community to other worthy non-profit organizations. Our first Havdalah is scheduled for December 7; watch for more information. 

With input from our members, we have suggestions to participate with: COVO Veteran’s programs; Boys & Girls Club; Cascade Youth and Family; Bethlehem Inn; Habitat for Humanity; Bend Food Pantry; Saving Grace and more! That’s more than we can do, but it’s a start for groups to look at. 

If you’d like to join the Social Action committee, or have program ideas, please email jgfree925@gmail.com.

Learn a new game or play an old favorite! Join us occasionally or every month. September's meeting will be Sept 15 3 - 5 pm.

Suzanne would like to update the Evite list for Game Club, so if you would like to be added to — or subtracted from — the list, please email her schlos1@gmail.com.

Rabbi Search Committee Update

The RSC has started to meet again to begin the process for searching for a settled rabbi. The application will be submitted to the CCAR by the end of October, following the membership pledge drive. 

Helpful Terms: 

RSC: Rabbi Search Committee

Settled: permanent rabbi (minimum contract of 3 years), whether resident rabbi or traveling rabbi (see other terms) 

Interim - a temporary rabbi that generally is hired for a term of 1 year to assist a congregation in transition

Traveling rabbi: a rabbi that does not live in the same community that they serve, they instead travel to the community when required

Resident rabbi: a rabbi that lives within the community they serve

Part-time: Anything less than full-time, which can vary greatly

CCAR: Central Conference of American Rabbis, this is who we post our application through and any rabbi wanting to apply must be a member of the CCAR and apply through them

URJ: Union for Reform Judaism, they lead the largest Jewish movement in North America. TBT is a member of the URJ

New Book from a TBT Member!

Congratulations to Jana Zvibleman on the release of her new book: Irelandish!

Affection is a theme throughout this travel memoir, as the author and her husband, American “blow-ins” zigzag through the land of redheads. For those who know Ireland, you’ll laugh, sigh, and nod. If you’ve yet to visit, you’ll be inspired to turn over even the quirky stones. If vicarious travel is your thing, these endearing stories will bring you on a journey that is foot-tapping, cliff-hanging, and lumpy-bedded.

Jana shares, "I hope you'll find it silly, touching, entertaining . . . Or at least it will brighten the pile by your bedside!"

Available as ebook and paperback, at

amazon.com/author/janaz

Please encourage our local bookstores to carry Jana's book and leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads.

Paulina Springs Bookstore in Sisters, Oregon will be hosting a reading on Thursday, October 17.

Vindaloo with the Jews

What's better than kibitzing over curry or schmoozing over saag? Nothing! Join us monthly for our Vindaloo with the Jews at Taj Palace (September 15 at 12:30 pm). No reservations needed and all are welcome!

September Newsletter Deadline: September 24th 

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 Sharon Maier-Kennelly sharon_maier@yahoo.com for the following month's publication. 

Community Events: Taizé

Beginning in October, you are invited to participate in an hour of meditative Taize music, prayer, and silence at our monthly interfaith service, 7 pm, first Thursday October through June.  New musicians and singers are welcome, as are families to attend.

A history of Taizé

And, below is the Taize story that inspires the Choir to further this beautiful tradition.

In 1940, Brother Roger created a unique community in Taize, France focused on common ground among persons of different faith traditions. He was committed to helping people survive World War II, and Taize was well located for sheltering fleeing refugees including many Jews and atheists.

Today the Taizé community is made up of hundreds of brothers from various Christian traditions from around fifty nations. By its very existence, the community is a ‘parable of community’ that wants its life to be a signal of reconciliation among divided faith traditions and separated peoples.

Singing is one of the most essential elements of worship. To open the gates of trust in God, nothing can replace the beauty of human voices united in song. The Taizé community has developed beautiful, repetitive chants based primarily on texts from Psalms and sung in various languages. These short songs, repeated again and again, give a Taizé service a meditative character.

The Taizé Choir of Central Oregon provides regular Taize services and is supported by people of many faith traditions, including Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, and non-traditional paths.

We will recite Kaddish at our service this month for:

• Henry Freundlich  
• Lewis Weiner          
• Solway Fierberg    
• Martin Rosenzweig           
• Joseph Shapiro     
• Richard Eigner
• Mildred Pick
• Corrie Grudin
• Walter Kollman
• Raymond Goldstein
• Libby Epstein
• Zelda Schindel
• Suzzy Weens
• Jon Grisham
• Randall Katz
• Fran Lerman
• Muriel Gold 
• Herb Reynolds
• Joseph Magid        
• Joyce Miller
• Elaine Litman          
• Rose Bernstein

Temple Beth Tikvah gratefully acknowledges the following contributions:

• From Larry Barker, in Memory of Maurice Brestolt

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
• Rabbi Hershenson Anniversary Fund
• Gary Reynolds Memorial Fund
• Youth Education Fund
• Music Fund   
• Special Projects Fund
• TBT's Goodwill Fund
• Social Action/Tzedakah Fund
• The Corrie Grudin Memorial Fund