We can't wait to see you at the Welcome Back BBQ on Sunday! We also have other important programs and events that we want to share. In this email, you'll find information about:
The QR codes to join our WhatsApp groups are at the end, and we hope you have a great first week of school!
Best, Alyssa Berman and Lisa Mendler
Trip to Washington, DC
Teen Trip to Washington, DC Application due WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 for 9th-12th graders Cost: free
We are also happy to launch our application for our Teen Trip to Washington, D.C. in November! We are partnering with Generations Church, a local church in downtown New Rochelle, in which we will take ten 9th-12th graders from each community to explore our shared histories. We will spend two days/three nights visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, plus some other fun activities. Oh, did we also mention that it's free?! Thanks to a generous grant through the UJA Federation, we are able to offer this amazing opportunity to our communities at no cost.
Sundays, 9 am- 11 am or 9 am-12 pm Thursdays, 4-6 pm for 9th-12th graders; 8th graders on a case-by-case basis
Do you enjoy working with kids? Do you need service hours? Volunteer as a teacher's assistant in the Religious School!
Our K-7th Grade Religious School has a broad spectrum of opportunities for teens to get involved supporting teachers and kids in the classrooms. This opportunity can take place on Thursdays, Sundays, or both. You do not have to make a full year committment! We offer monthly training on Sundays.
Please note that we may have a limited number of spots, so don't wait!
Teen Collab
Other Opportunities
JTS Emerging Leaders Fellowship Priority Applications due September 30, 2025 for 10th-12th graders
The Emerging Leaders Fellowship is a nine-month program for tenth through twelfth graders designed to inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper connection to Jewish learning. Rooted in the values of student agency, academic freedom, and a rich tradition of over 200 years of critical Jewish scholarship, the fellowship invites students to explore key ideas that shape how we understand Jewish history, texts, and identity.
For those of you who have children starting school this week, we wish them all a meaningful and rich year ahead.
We eagerly anticipate the opening day of our school next Monday! To help you capture this special moment, we’ll have a step-and-repeat banner set up at the front of the building for first-day photos. Pre-made signs for each class will be available for the children to hold, making your photo even more memorable. Please allow a few extra minutes during morning drop-off to take advantage of this fun photo opportunity and celebrate the start of a wonderful school year!
We hope you weill all join us for our opening Nursery School Communal Shabbat celebration and dinner this Friday, September 5. Details may be found below. Deadline for registration is tomorrow, Wednesday, September 3 by 2:00 pm.Click here to register.
Join us for a meaningful Challah Bake with Morah Eden, one of our Shoresh teachers, on Wednesday, September 17 at 7:30 pm. Learn how to make a round challah and a babka, just in time for Rosh Hashanah.Click here to register.
If you have a child new to our school, you should have received your REMINI invitation to register them in their class. Please let us know if you have not yet received the email invite. All returning children have been placed in their new classes on REMINI.
Are you looking for name labels for your child? Please scroll all the way down for a wonderful resource.
We thank the many of you who have sent in your registration forms. As a reminder, we must have a medical form on file for each child to attend the first day of school.
We look forward to seeing you on Thursday evening! Ronnie and Shery
Parent Orientation and Curriculum Presentation Thursday, September 5 at 7:15pm
Mark your calendars forthis important evening when you will hear essential information regarding your child's school year. Following the general meeting, parents will be dismissed to their children's respective classrooms for a presentation by the teachers. They will share an overview of the program and discuss specific learning experiences, goals and important logistics for your child's class. At least one parent must attend, so please be sure to mark your calendars for this Thursday, Sept. 5 at 7:15pm for our Parent Orientation and Curriculum Presentation.
Beginning to Connect: Classroom Peek and Communal Shabbat Dinner Friday, September 6
Teachers will be reaching out to schedule a time slot between 4:00 PM and 4:45 PM for you to come into the school building for a Classroom Peek this Friday, September 6. You and your child will be able to visit the classroom, select a cubby and gain some familiarity with the environment. These visits will be brief and in small groups.
After the Classroom Peek, families have the option to join us for a fabulous communal building evening--a musical Shabbat experience followed by a delicious Shabbat dinner in the outdoor tent from 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM. Children will have the opportunity to play on the playground between the Classroom Peek and the Shabbat event. This night is always a big hit and we hope you'll join us. Details may be found on the flier below. Click here to register.
Sign Up for Toddler Time - Now Twice A Week!
Registration is now open for our Fall Session of Toddler Time, which begins on Tuesday, October 21. New this year - Toddler Time will now be twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays! Please see details on the flyer below and click here to register:
We are continuing our fundraising throughMabel'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.
The 2025-2026 School Calendar
Please click herefor a printable copy of our school calendar for the upcoming year. Dates and times are subject to change.Your text goes here!
The 2025-2026 Parent Guide
Pleaseclick herefor a printable copy of our Parent Guide.This document contains essential information and will answer many of your questions regarding school procedures, supplies needed, snack/lunch prep, etc. This is a helpful document to reference throughout the school year. Please review it in its entirety and be sure to print out, sign and return the final page to your child's teachers
Upcoming Events
Thursday, September 4 at 7:15 PM -- Nursery School Parent Orientation and Curriculum Presentation
Friday, September 5 - Beginning to Connect:Classroom Peek will take place between 4:00 PM and 4:45 PM, with each family being give a time slot; Communal Shabbat - 5:00pm - 6:30 PM. Click here to register.
We know many of you have been on vacation, and may not have focused on our emails regarding registration for the High Holidays, but now it is time! Please fill out this registration form to ensure that your High Holiday tickets will be mailed on time. If we don't receive registration in the next couple of days, you will need to come in person to Beth El to pick up your tickets.
Check out our comprehensive information page answering members’ most frequently asked questions.
For event accessibility needs, please be in touch so we can address them.
Friday, August 29th 6:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat 7:15pm Candle Lighting
Saturday, August 30th Parashat Shoftim (D'var Torah by Dave Abner) 9:00am Shabbat Morning Services 10:30am Mini Minyan & Tot Shabbat 12:45pm Daf Shevui 7:10pm Mincha/Maariv 8:13pm Havdalah
High Holiday tickets are in the mail! If you do not receive your tickets this week, it could be because a) you have not registered for High Holiday tickets yet, or b) you have not paid 50% of your dues.
Last day to register for our Welcome Back Barbecue!
Check out the Beth El Baum Judaica Shop for New Items Contact Carole at or Ellen to make an appointment. Cash or check.
Condolences to Ted (Alisa) Kesten and Alan Kesten on the loss of their mother, Roslyn Kesten z"l, to Matthew (Valerie) Kesten, Cari (Daniel) Aufricht, Evan (Amanda) Kesten, Dov (Anna) Kesten, and Abbey (Ariel) Rom on the loss of their grandmother, and to Lila, Millie, Charlie, Harry, Kira, Ruby, Jordan, and Emily 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.
Volunteers Needed at HOPE Community Kitchen Volunteers are needed to help sort clothing and set up for our Back to School Essentials Event. Please help us prepare for this important event. Please come to our office at 50 Washington Avenue, New Rochelle. Our parking lot is entered via Union Ave - please ring the bell outside the double gray doors next to the mailboxes (to your left as you face Washington Ave). Please sign up on our Volunteer Portal. Thank you for volunteering at Hope!
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 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.
Please see the email below for some reminders about upcoming teen events, particularly the Welcome Back BBQ on Sunday, September 7!
In the email below, you’ll find 3 important things:
Links to RSVP for the BBQ and Sushi in the Sukkah.
QR codes to join the teen WhatsApp group and the parent WhatsApp group.
A Google Formfor your teen to fill out (should only take them 1 minute!) to collect demographic and contact information.
And for those of you who may have missed it, I am Lisa Mendler, and I am the new Teen Engagement Coordinator at Beth El!
Thanks, Lisa
Upcoming Events
Teen Kickoff: Beth El’s Welcome Back BBQ Sunday, September 7, 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. meet in Parking Lot #2 (near the pirate ship playground)
Join us for our Welcome Back BBQ! We will have teen-only programming, a yummy barbecue, and activities to kick off the year!
This event is BYOF (Bring Your Own Friend). Every teen who brings a friend (member or non-member) will get something special. Please make sure every teen who is coming (including non-members) registers, either on the "Teens only" link or the main registration form.
Sushi in the Sukkah Sunday, October 12, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Rabbi Schuck's Sukkah: 47 Taymill Road
Come hang out in Rabbi Schuck’s Sukkah! We’ll make sushi, play some games, and Rabbi Schuck will lead a text study/discussion around his fire pit once it gets dark (with s’mores, of course!). Cost: $36 Register Here
WhatsApp
As we kick off the year, I want to highlight that our main source of communication will be through WhatsApp, so please download it both on your (parent/caregiver) phones as well as your teens’ phones (if you are comfortable with them communicating over this platform). We will have two WhatsApp groups – one for parents/caregivers and one for the teens – both of which will be managed by me, and both of which will have the same announcements and information. Please remind your teens of appropriate online behavior, and that inappropriate messages or language in the chat will not be tolerated.
Please join your respective WhatsApp Group using the following QR Codes:
We are so excited to welcome you and your children to a wonderful new school year and our Shoresh Aleph 2s class!
As you know, our Nursery School Parent Orientation and CurriculumPresentation will be held on Thursday, September 4 at 7:15 PM. This evening is an important opportunity to learn about our school-wide policies, procedures, and the overall nursery school experience.
However, we want to inform you of a small schedule change specific to your child’s class:
Due to an unavoidable scheduling conflict, the Shoresh Aleph Classroom Curriculum Presentation will now take place on Wednesday, September 3 at 8:00 PM via Zoom.
This change allows Shoresh Aleph parents—many of whom have children in other classes—the opportunity to fully participate in both presentations without needing to divide their time.
Please note: While the Shoresh Aleph curriculum portion is moving to Wednesday, attendance at Thursday night’s Orientation remains essential for all nursery school parents.
Thank you for your understanding, flexibility, and partnership. A Zoom invite will be sent out the week of September 1st. We look forward to "seeing" you on both evenings!
For event accessibility needs, please be in touch so we can address them.
Friday, August 22nd 6:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat 7:26pm Candle Lighting
Saturday, August 23rd Parashat Re'eh (D'var Torah by Jason Friedland) 9:00am Shabbat Morning Services 10:30am Mini Minyan 10:30am Tot Shabbat 12:45pm Daf Shevui 7:20pm Mincha/Maariv 8:24pm Havdalah
Practice Beth El's Safety Procedure Saturday, August 23rd at 11:45am Many of you have shared that you would like a chance to practice our safety procedure—just like a school fire drill. On Saturday, August 23, 2025, we will end services at 11:45am for a short drill. We will walk through the drill together in a calm, organized way, and then head to kiddush.
High Holiday tickets are in the mail! If you do not receive your tickets this week, it could be because a) you have not registered for High Holiday tickets yet, or b) you have not paid 50% of your dues.
and Getting Ready for the Holidays! Do you have children, grandchildren, nieces, or nephews in college? We are renewing our effort to send meaningful packages connected with Jewish holidays that connect your college kid with home and Beth El. For $72 per college student, sign up to send greetings from the clergy and a meaningful package to your family away at college for Rosh Hashanah, Hanukkah and Purim/Pesach.
Join the Chesed Committee! You can help provide kosher food for our community in their times of need. In the past, the committee has run special seders, provided shiva meals for those in need, and also those whose health was failing.
Check out the Beth El Baum Judaica Shop for New Items Contact Carole at or Ellen to make an appointment. Cash or check.
Mazel tov to our longtime member Eunice Kaplan on her move and on the next phase in her life.
Mazal tov to Meri-Jane Rochelson & Joel Mintz on their fiftieth wedding anniversary.
Mazal tov to Helene & Gary Liebstein and Ivy & Norman Roberts on the birth of their granddaughter Hannah Brett Roberts, and to her parents Dana & Brian Roberts.
Condolences to Barbara Protass on the loss of her husband, Leon Protass z”l and also to Harlan Protass and Joshua Protass on the loss of their father.
Condolences to Orli Moscowitz (Daniel Urbas) on the loss of her mother, Honey Fox-Moscowitz z"l, and to Aiden, Alexander, and William Moscowitz-Urbas on the loss of their grandmother.
Condolences to our member Joel Mintz (Meri-Jane Rochelson) and Jonathan Mintz (Robin Kramarow) on the loss of their mother, Eleanor Streichler Mintz z"l, to Daniel Mintz (Sarah Allison), Serafima Mintz (Emily Colley), Michael Mintz (JoAnna Kang), Sarah Mintz (Philip Reisen), and Benjamin Mintz (Emily Beker Mintz) on the loss of their grandmother, and to Samuel and Karl Mintz, Nathan and Talia Mintz, and Eamon Reisen on the loss of their great-grandmother.
Condolences to Alan (Brenda) Guber on the loss of his mother, Florence Guber z"l, to Matthew Guber, Dr. Kenneth Guber (Dr. Charlotte Ching), Brett Alper, Eric Alper, Dr. Amanda Marinoff Dixit (Atray Dixit), Lauren Marinoff Sherlock (Joe Sherlock), and Samantha Weidhorn on the loss of their grandmother, and to Avery and Quinn Alper 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.
Volunteers Needed at HOPE Community Kitchen Volunteers are needed to help sort clothing and set up for our Back to School Essentials Event. Please help us prepare for this important event. Please come to our office at 50 Washington Avenue, New Rochelle. Our parking lot is entered via Union Ave - please ring the bell outside the double gray doors next to the mailboxes (to your left as you face Washington Ave). Please sign up on our Volunteer Portal. Thank you for volunteering at Hope!
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 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.
