We are sorry to share that one of our Anaf Bet friends has tested positive for both strep throat and COVID. This child was last in school on Friday, April 4 and tested positive for COVID on Sunday. Common COVID symptoms include:
Fever or chills Muscle or body aches Cough Sore throat Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Nausea or vomiting Fatigue Diarrhea Headache Congestion or runny nose New loss of taste or smell
Common symptoms of strep throat include the following:
Throat pain that usually comes on quickly Painful swallowing Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus Tiny red spots on the area at the back of the roof of the mouth (soft or hard palate) Swollen, tender lymph nodes in your neck Fever Headache Rash Nausea If your child experiences any of the above symptoms, we would recommend a visit to the doctor to be tested for both strep and COVID.
Please let us know if any other cases develop and we wish a refuah shlema to our Anaf Bet friend.
Our annual Tile Wall Fundraiser is back! It's time to sign up for your child to place their handprint on the walls of our school! Even if they have done it in the past, each age group has its own color, so they can do it year after year and see how much their hands have grown! Please see details on the flyer below and click here to register today.
School photo orders are due Wednesday, April 9th.By now you should have received your child's proof sheet from school photo day. Please be sure to submit your photo orders online by Wednesday, April 9.
Are you interested in joining the Beth El softball team? The Beth El Softball Team is looking to continue its winning ways. They are about to begin their 30th (or so) season in the Westchester Hebrew Softball League (WHSL), which is a very competitive fast-pitch league that includes various other temples and Jewish organizations in Westchester. The games all take place on Sunday mornings, starting in April, and run into the fall (depending on how far into the playoffs they get!!). If you would like to be a part of the team, please call or text Dan Portnoy at (914) 498-0537 or Marc Sininsky at 914-740-3165. Note: Anyone 18 or over may participate (and 15+ if the child of a member). Though playing time is not guaranteed, they have never not played a teammate who came to the game. Please see the flyer below for more details.
Please remember to scroll down so you don't miss out on anything happening in the Nursery School or the greater Beth El community.
Monday mornings at approximately 9:15AM, our Anaf and Gesher parents/caretakers/grandparents are invited to the Youth Lounge to celebrate Havdalah together.
Wonderful Parenting Workshops from Project SEED facilitated by Julie Schnur, our Project SEED Consultant
Mabel's Label's Fundraising We are continuing our fundraising through Mabel's Labels. With every order we will earn 20% commission for our school. If you are not familiar with Mabel's Labels, they offer personalized waterproof name labels for your children's items. This is the perfect time to get your orders in before the school year begins. Visit campaigns.mabelslabels.com and choose Beth El Nursery School (New Rochelle) from the organization list. Click here to order.
We are delighted to share that on Monday, April 28, your child's class will be going on a field trip to see the Paper Bag Players at the Tarrytown Music Hall. They will be traveling via school bus to and from the venue. We will be sending home in your child's backpack today a permission slip that will need to be completed and returned to the office by next week. The cost of the trip will be $30. Please send in payment along with your signed permission slip.
On trip day, it will be most important that the children arrive to school in a timely fashion as the buses will be departing no later than 9:15am and will return before lunch time.
Thank you so much, have a wonderful weekend and shabbat shalom, Ronnie and Shery
For event accessibility needs, please be in touch so we can address them.
Friday, April 4th 1:00pm Mincha 6:00pm First Fridays
Kabbalat Shabbat 7:05pm Candle Lighting
Saturday, April 5th Parshat Vayikra 9:00am Shabbat Morning Services 10:30am Mini Minyan 10:30am Tot Shabbat Kiddush sponsored by Sheryl and Aaron Fleishaker in honor of their Granddaughter Natalie's baby naming. 12:45pm Daf Shevui 7:10pm Mincha/Maariv 8:06pm Havdalah
Shabbat Shalom from Shoresh Halev! NEW VIDEO: Adonai Malach, from Frank London’s album, In the City of God,
a collection of 8 new Hakafot dancing songs for Simchat Torah.
Mazal tov to Kara and Max Kalman on the birth of their daughter, Natalie Diane. Mazal tov also to big brothers Ethan and Dylan. We also wish a Mazal tov to grandparents, Sheryl and Aaron Fleishaker, and to aunt and uncle, Andrea Fleishaker and Jonathan Ravski and aunt and uncle, Sarah and David Fleishaker.
Condolences to Moshe Gelboim on the loss of his wife, longtime member and past Beth El President, Ellen Gelboim z"l, to Avi (Meri) Gelboim and Ricky (Mollie) Gelboim on the loss of their mother, and to Julia, Rachel, Jesse, Alex and Mila on the loss of their grandmother.
Condolences to Eric (Ruth) Treiber and Cynthia (Uri Barkai) Treiber on the loss of their mother, Lilyan Treiber z"l, to Jonathan (Ariel) Treiber and Adam (Sara) Treiber on the loss of their grandmother, and to Avrie, Emma and Charlie on the loss of their great grandmother.
Those marking a simcha, observing the loss of a loved one, or someone who is sick or recovering from an illness have delighted/comforted that their lifecycle event has inspired generosity. If you would like to make a donation to Beth El in honor or in memory, please click here. MISHEBERACH LIST If you would like to add a name to the Misheberach list, please email Rabbi Sitkin at zsitkin@bethelnr.org.
As a service to our members, Beth El includes in this section outside events that may be of interest to members of our community. Listing an event does not constitute endorsement of the event by Beth El.
DO A MITZVAH Beth El Synagogue and UJA-Federation are co-sponsoring the annual post-Pesach food drive on Monday, April 21-Wednesday, April 23 to benefit the food pantries (kosher and non-kosher) at HOPE Community Services, a UJA grantee. Bring your everyday non-perishable groceries and unopened leftover Pesach groceries (no matzah), along with cleaning supplies and toiletries in bags or boxes to the lobby. Beth El is joining with other local synagogues to fight hunger. For any questions, please reach out to the Beth El food drive chair Sue Meisler.
SIP YOUR WINE, SEND HEROES TO DINE, STRENGTHEN ISRAEL Want to say thank you to an exhausted reserve soldier and equally exhausted "single-parent" spouse? Send them on a date! Perfect for a Purim or Passover gift! Learn more on our Israel 360 page.
RUN 4 THEIR LIVES is an opportunity to create community while supporting the releease of the hostages in Gaza. You can read more information about our 'why' at http://Run4lives.org. The group meets weekly on Sunday mornings. Participants can walk or run as much as they would like. Learn more about the upcoming November Israel trip, as well as weekly announcements about meetup locations in the WhatsApp Group, which you can join here.
VOLUNTEER AT JCCMW Do you want to make a difference in our community? Every act of volunteering—big or small—makes an impact. Visit jccmw.org/volunteering for more information on how to get involved.
JEWISH COMMUNITY FISHING TRIP Fishing in the calm waters of LI Sound for Porgies and Weakfish (both kosher) in this Temple Israel and WJC sponsored trip on May 25th 8:00am-4:00pm. Boat leaves from New Rochelle or Mamaroneck. For more details and to register by April 27th, please contact Robert Remin.
This year's Gala, on June 12, 2025, celebrates our 10 years together with Rabbi Schuck, our community and our commitment to the future!
We will once again be holding a top-notch Silent Auction. With your help, we can truly catapult Beth El Synagogue Center's annual fundraiser to new heights. If you have access to any of the items listed below, or other worthy items we may not have mentioned, and are able to contribute them to our auction, we will be most appreciative and will recognize you at the Gala:
Sports tickets: football, baseball, hockey, tennis, etc.
Sports Memorabilia
Behind the scenes experience/private tour
TV show tapings
Studio tour
A round of golf
Theater tickets
Airline miles
Hotel/Inn rooms
Gift Certificates for experiences(i.e. pottery making, mosaic classes, escape room, etc.)
Sessions with a professional organizer
Timeshare weeks
A weekend at your summer or beach house
A ski weekend at your winter house
BRAND NEW electronics
BRAND NEW handbags or accessories
Jewelry
Judaica
Limousine services
Gift certificates to stores/kosher restaurants/nail salons/beauty parlors, etc.
Artwork
If you have something to donate please contact Lori Schwartz no later than May 8, 2025. For artwork, please submit a photo, description, and value of the item you are donating.
With your help, this Silent Auction will be a wonderful addition to what promises to be a memorable, meaningful, and financially successful evening.
Thank you in advance,
Lori Schwartz and Shery Rosenstein Gala Auction Co-Chairs
We hope you're having a great start to Spring! We have an action-packed April and we hope you'll join us. Don't let our April Lounge Night PASS you OVER, as we enjoy chametz and games. Then after Passover, we have Teen Shabbat and a Park Clean Up Day (yes, you can earn service hours).
Speaking of service hours...we have regular chesed (community service) on Shabbat mornings for 9th-12th graders. Please see details below.
Tuesday, April 7: April Lounge Night from 6:30-8 pm. Register here.
Saturday, April 26: Teen Shabbat from 10:45 am-12 pm.Register here.
Sunday, April 27: Park Clean Up from 10 am-12 pm at Ward Acres Park. Register here.
Shabbat Volunteer Opportunity: Saturdays, 11 am-12 pm weekly We have launched a new supervised play space on the playground/in the Kasakove for kids on Shabbat morning, and we need your help! We need our high schoolers (9th grade and up) to volunteer for this program on Saturdays from 11 am-12 pm! We are happy to offer service hours. Teen responsibilities include:
Pick up the children from their services (Den or Levenson Chapel).
Walk with them to the Kasakove or to the playground.
Play with them and supervise them, making sure that everyone is safe, respectful, and behaving appropriately.
Bring the children back to the Sanctuary at the end of the service (or for b’nei mitzvah candy).
Clean up the Kasakove or playground during the end of the service, before you go to Kiddush.
Email Alyssa at aberman@bethelnr.org to sign up for a Saturday! Interested in learning more about our Teen offerings at Beth El, or getting more involved? Reach out to Vered (teens@bethelnr.org) or Alyssa (aberman@bethelnr.org). We're happy to connect!
All the best, Vered and Alyssa
Community Opportunities
Hartman Teen Fellowship: Application due Friday, April 4! Grades 9-11
The Shalom Hartman Institute’s Teen Fellowship is an extraordinary opportunity for Jewish high school students in grades 10-12 from across North America to cultivate their Jewish identities and worldviews. During this historic time for Israel and Jews around the world, young people continue to show up with strength, courage, and pride in their Jewish identity. They have big questions, face challenging dilemmas, and are searching for a community of mentors and peers that takes their ideas seriously.
Guided by the Institute’s preeminent faculty, Hartman Teen Fellows explore critical questions related to new perspectives on Jewish identity, peoplehood, and values. They grapple with pressing questions related to identity and belonging, their relationship to Israel, important issues facing the Jewish people, and their own leadership. In a community of Jewish peers, Fellows cultivate a desire and the capacity to lead meaningful Jewish lives and the tools to build an informed, meaningful, and bright Jewish future.
Fellowship highlights include:
Building a pluralistic community of motivated and engaged peers from Jewish communities across North America
Studying with preeminent faculty and scholars from the Shalom Hartman Institute
Exploring big ideas in small group settings at in-person retreats and through virtual seminars and gatherings
The Adventure of a Lifetime Starts Right in Your Backyard! USY on Wheels Classic, the ultimate summer adventure, is filling up fast, and we don’t want you to miss your chance! Travel across the country, explore incredible cities and landscapes, and experience Jewish life from coast to coast—all while making lifelong friends and building a tight-knit USY community like no other.
With limited spots remaining, now is the time to lock in your summer adventure. Will you be on board?
Trip Highlights:
Hike the Grand Canyon & explore Yellowstone
Feel the energy of LA, Chicago, and Seattle
Celebrate Shabbat in unique and meaningful places
Build an incredible USY community on the road
This once-in-a-lifetime adventure starts right in your backyard! The journey begins in New Jersey, making it easier than ever to hop on board and hit the road. Don't miss your chance to experience the magic of Wheels—spots are filling fast!
Register today to secure your seat on the bus: usy.org/summer
For event accessibility needs, please be in touch so we can address them.
Men's Club & B'nei Mitzvah Families Join for World Wide Teffilin Wrapping Last weekend Men's Club hosted a breakfast as b'nei mitzvah students took part in teffilin wrapping as part of a worldwide movement. Mazal tov!
Friday, March 28th 6:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat 6:58pm Candle Lighting
Saturday, March 29th Parshat Pekudei 9:00am Shabbat Morning Services 10:30am Mini Minyan 10:30am Tot Shabbat The kiddush is sponsored by Andrew Salama & Rachel Barbanel-Fried in honor of the bar mitzvah of their son, Micah Salama. 12:45pm Daf Shevui 7:00pm Mincha/Maariv 7:59pm Havdalah
Mazal tov to Andrew Salama & Rachel Barbanel-Fried on the bar mitzvah of their son, Micah Salama.
Mazal tov to Kevin & Jenn Hylton on the bat mitzvah of their daughter, Libby Hylton.
Mazal tov to Michael & Sigal Lerner on the bat mitzvah of their daughter, Emma Lerner.
Mazal tov to Ellen Dembicer & Jeff Meyers on the birth of their granddaughter, Tamar Tzippora Meyers Levinsky on January 20, 2025. Mazal tov also to parents, Richard Meyers & Ran Levinsky.
Mazal tov to Dr. Shira Novack and Raanan Korinow on the birth of their daughter, Eliora Yaffa.
Condolences to Maxine Friedman on the loss of her husband Jay Friedman z"l, to Beth Mobilian, Stefanie (Paul) Feidelson, and Mark (Nicole) Friedman on the loss of their father, to Zachary, Isabella, Lucy, Sara, Jane, Sadie, Alice and Wes on the loss of their grandfather, and to Lenny on the loss of his great-grandfather.
Condolences to our member, Amy Kline, Gary (Samara) Kline and Kevin (Emily) Kline on the loss of their mother, Susan Kline z"l, and to Kaiya, Keller, Marlo, Cameron, Dani and Gibson on the loss of their grandmother.
Those marking a simcha, observing the loss of a loved one, or someone who is sick or recovering from an illness have delighted/comforted that their lifecycle event has inspired generosity. If you would like to make a donation to Beth El in honor or in memory, please click here. MISHEBERACH LIST If you would like to add a name to the Misheberach list, please email Rabbi Sitkin at zsitkin@bethelnr.org.
As a service to our members, Beth El includes in this section outside events that may be of interest to members of our community. Listing an event does not constitute endorsement of the event by Beth El.
ADL SPEAKER SCOTT RICHMAN Head over to Scarsdale Synagogue on Sunday, March 30th at 11:00am for ADL's lecture, "Antisemitism Now: What Can We Do?" ADL Regional Director Scott Richman speaks on the current state of antisemitism and what communities can do in this fight. Light brunch will be served. Register here. UPCOMING LECTURE AT JTS "Israel at a Crossroads: Navigating Religion, Democracy, and Justice" on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 1 and 2 at JTS 3080 Broadway (at 122nd St). Topics addressed will include an overview of trends in Israeli society today, the defense of Israel's separation of powers and democracy, the cultural institutions that play a major role in influencing Israel’s future, the role of collective trauma in the relationship between Israelis and Palestinians, majority and minority rights, and the prospects for religious pluralism. Register here.
AUTHOR TALK Counting Backwards by Jackie Friedland on Wednesday, April 2, at 7:00-8:30pm at JCC Mid-Westchester. Jackie Friedland, in conversation with author Samantha Greene Woodruff, will discuss the timely themes of and inspirations for her gripping new novel, Counting Backwards. A legal thriller based on true stories from the 1920s and 2020, the book explores reproductive rights, incarceration, and the expectations placed on women and mothers. Books will be available for sale and there will be a signing after the discussion. Register here.
SIP YOUR WINE, SEND HEROES TO DINE, STRENGTHEN ISRAEL Want to say thank you to an exhausted reserve soldier and equally exhausted "single-parent" spouse? Send them on a date! Perfect for a Purim or Passover gift! Learn more on our Israel 360 page.
RUN 4 THEIR LIVES is an opportunity to create community while supporting the releease of the hostages in Gaza. You can read more information about our 'why' at http://Run4lives.org. The group meets weekly on Sunday mornings. Participants can walk or run as much as they would like. Learn more about the upcoming November Israel trip, as well as weekly announcements about meetup locations in the WhatsApp Group, which you can join here.
VOLUNTEER AT JCCMW Do you want to make a difference in our community? Every act of volunteering—big or small—makes an impact. Visit jccmw.org/volunteering for more information on how to get involved.
Dear Parents: Special Persons Day for our Gezah, Anaf and Gesher children is tomorrow, Friday, March 28: Gezah classes -- 9:20am - 10:30am, Anaf and Gesher classes -- 9:30am - 10:30am. The Anaf and Gesher classes will be starting in The Den and then going to the classroom, and the Gezah classes will be starting in the classroom and finishing up in The Den. Looking forward to a most special day ahead!
For all After Care families, next Tuesday, April 1st is our monthly staff meeting. As a result, after care will be ending at 3:00pm. Please be sure to mark your calendars.
IMPORTANT MITZVAH OPPORTUNITY...Blankets and Bubbles! The Westchester Jewish Community Services are collecting new children's blankets and no-spill bubbles. WJCS will then distribute the items to underserved families with young children in their Parent Child+ Programs throughout Westchester. All items must be new and unopened. To donate online and have the items shipped directly, please click here. They are asking for all donations by April 4th and we thank you in advance.
School photo orders are due Wednesday, April 9th.By now you should have received your child's proof sheet from school photo day. Please be sure to submit your photo orders online by Wednesday, April 9.
Are you interested in joining the Beth El softball team? The Beth El Softball Team is looking to continue its winning ways. They are about to begin their 30th (or so) season in the Westchester Hebrew Softball League (WHSL), which is a very competitive fast-pitch league that includes various other temples and Jewish organizations in Westchester. The games all take place on Sunday mornings, starting in April, and run into the fall (depending on how far into the playoffs they get!!). If you would like to be a part of the team, please call or text Dan Portnoy at (914) 498-0537 or Marc Sininsky at 914-740-3165. Note: Anyone 18 or over may participate (and 15+ if the child of a member). Though playing time is not guaranteed, they have never not played a teammate who came to the game. Please see the flyer below for more details.
Please remember to scroll down so you don't miss out on anything happening in the Nursery School or the greater Beth El community.
Warmly, Ronnie and Shery
Highlights:
Friday, March 28 - Special Persons Day for our Gezah, Anaf and Gesher children.
Wednesday, April 9 - School photo orders due.
Monday mornings at approximately 9:15AM, our Anaf and Gesher parents/caretakers/grandparents are invited to the Youth Lounge to celebrate Havdalah together.
Wonderful Parenting Workshops from Project SEED facilitated by Julie Schnur, our Project SEED Consultant
Mabel's Label's Fundraising We are continuing our fundraising through Mabel's Labels. With every order we will earn 20% commission for our school. If you are not familiar with Mabel's Labels, they offer personalized waterproof name labels for your children's items. This is the perfect time to get your orders in before the school year begins. Visit campaigns.mabelslabels.com and choose Beth El Nursery School (New Rochelle) from the organization list. Click here to order.
We are sorry to share that one of our Anaf Bet friends has strep throat. This child was last in school on Tuesday, March 25, and tested positive today.
Common symptoms of strep throat include the following:
Throat pain that usually comes on quickly Painful swallowing Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus Tiny red spots on the area at the back of the roof of the mouth (soft or hard palate) Swollen, tender lymph nodes in your neck Fever Headache Rash Nausea Not all sore throats are strep.The only certain way to diagnose strep is through a throat culture. The incubation period is 1-5 days. Please let us know if any other cases develop and we wish a refuah shlema to our classmate.
