I hope you enjoyed celebrating Purim with us! We enjoyed having so much support for our carnival and for Mini Megillah, so thank you for joining us. We have lots of programming over the next month, and we'd love to see you!
Thanks, Alyssa
Here are upcoming events:
Friday, April 12: Scholar in Residence & Community Shabbat Dinner at 7:30 pm. Register here for dinner.
Sunday, April 14: "Escape from Egypt" Escape Room (2nd-7th grades) at 1:30 pm. Register here.
Monday, April 29: Passover Play(ground) Time at 3 pm
Saturday night, May 18: Save the Date for Chaverim's Spring Event
Upcoming Events
Community Shabbat Dinner & Scholar in Residence Friday, April 12
Join us for a wonderful community Shabbat dinner in conjunction with our scholar-in-residence Shabbat! We will be joined by Dr. Masua Sagiv, an expert in Jewish and Israel studies and a faculty member at the Shalom Hartman Institute. For those of us who've been reeling after October 7th, this will be an important opportunity to learn from an expert about what's unfolded in Israel and North America ever since.
Dinner Pricing: $30 for adults (13+); $18 for children (3-12); 2 and under free $100 family cap expires Friday at 5 pm Register here
On Shabbat morning, Dr. Sagiv will share the d'var Torah around 11 am, and will also lead a second learning session after Kiddush, around 1 pm.
"Escape from Egypt": Escape Room Sunday, April 14 at 1:30 pm at The Palisades Mall for 2nd-7th graders; siblings/parents welcome to join for ice cream!*
We can't wait to "escape from Egypt" with our 2nd-7th graders! We will meet at the Häagen-Dazs in the food court of the Palisades Mall at 1:30 pm, and then we'll walk over to our escape room for a 2 pm start. We'll finish up between 3-3:15 pm at the escape room.
Please sign up by WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10 so that we can confirm the age groups! Once we get a headcount, we will reach back out for payment.
*Note: If you have younger or older children, they are welcome to meet us for ice cream and then to explore other parts of the Palisades Mall with you (such as the Climb Zone or other activities). Please note that parents/adults will be responsible for buying ice cream for those not participating in the escape room.
Passover Play(ground) Time Monday, April 29 at 3 pm Playground (weather-permitting) or Kasakove
Enjoy the days of school and the end of Passover with your Beth El friends! We'll have a relaxed afternoon on the playground together for socializing for kids and adults alike! If we have bad weather, we'll move to the Kasakove with lots of toys and games for all ages.
SAVE THE DATE: CHAVERIM SPRING EVENT Saturday night, May 18 Hosted by Dan & Leah Rivlin
Calling all parents of school-aged kids! Come kick back, celebrate Spring, and enjoy some adult company with your Beth El parent community! Brought to you by Chaverim, the same organization that gave you bourbon, wine and bowling, so come out for a good time!
I hope you had a wonderful Spring Break (or at least a lighter week) last week! We are so excited to come together again for the last six weeks of Religious School. We still have lots of programming, and we'd love to see you!
"Escape from Egypt" Escape Room (2nd-7th grades) at 1:30 pm. Register here.
Thursday, April 18: Regular RS
Sunday, April 21: NO RS due to Passover Break
Thursday, April 25: NO RS due to Passover Break
Sunday, April 28: NO RS due to Passover Break
Monday, April 29: Passover Play(ground) Time at 3 pm
Thursday, May 2: Regular RS
Saturday night, May 18: Save the Date for Chaverim's Spring Event
UPDATED Religious School Calendar:click here
Upcoming Events
Community Shabbat Dinner & Scholar in Residence Friday, April 12
Join us for a wonderful community Shabbat dinner in conjunction with our scholar-in-residence Shabbat! We will be joined by Dr. Masua Sagiv, an expert in Jewish and Israel studies and a faculty member at the Shalom Hartman Institute. For those of us who've been reeling after October 7th, this will be an important opportunity to learn from an expert about what's unfolded in Israel and North America ever since.
Dinner Pricing: $30 for adults (13+); $18 for children (3-12); 2 and under free $100 family cap expires Friday at 5 pm Register here
On Shabbat morning, Dr. Sagiv will share the d'var Torah around 11 am, and will also lead a second learning session after Kiddush, around 1 pm.
"Escape from Egypt": Escape Room Sunday, April 14 at 1:30 pm at The Palisades Mall for 2nd-7th graders; siblings/parents welcome to join for ice cream!*
We can't wait to "escape from Egypt" with our 2nd-7th graders! We will meet at the Häagen-Dazs in the food court of the Palisades Mall at 1:30 pm, and then we'll walk over to our escape room for a 2 pm start. We'll finish up between 3-3:15 pm at the escape room.
Please sign up by WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10 so that we can confirm the age groups! Once we get a headcount, we will reach back out for payment.
*Note: If you have younger or older children, they are welcome to meet us for ice cream and then to explore other parts of the Palisades Mall with you (such as the Climb Zone or other activities). Please note that parents/adults will be responsible for buying ice cream for those not participating in the escape room.
Passover Play(ground) Time Monday, April 29 at 3 pm Playground (weather-permitting) or Kasakove
Enjoy the end of Passover with your Beth El friends! We'll have a relaxed afternoon on the playground together for socializing for kids and adults alike! If we have bad weather, we'll move to the Kasakove with lots of toys and games for all ages.
SAVE THE DATE: CHAVERIM SPRING EVENT Saturday night, May 18 Hosted by Dan & Leah Rivlin
Calling all parents of school-aged kids! Come kick back, celebrate Spring, and enjoy some adult company with your Beth El parent community! Brought to you by Chaverim, the same organization that gave you bourbon, wine and bowling, so come out for a good time!
Breakfast Run Prep is postponed to this Friday, April 5 at 3:30 pm. So sorry for the inconvenience - Beth El has no power!
That said, it is not too late to sign up for prep or for the Breakfast Run! Check out the information below.
Every year, our teens take pride in caring for those less fortunate by participating in a Breakfast Run, made possible by Midnight Run, an organization in Westchester County that has been feeding and clothing those living in shelters and on the streets of Manhattan for many years.
JOIN US! Prepare for the Run with us on Friday, April 5, 3:30-6:00 pm at Beth El. Meet us at Beth El at 7:30 am on Sunday, April 7 to travel to NYC - location will be shared with those who register
Register here.Open to teens, 8th-12th grade, community service hours available. Plus we are looking for parents to help too! Note that on the form. Volunteer to bring supplies and/or food as well, whether or not you can make it. We are still seeking volunteers to bring coffee, tea, and donuts on Sunday morning at 7:00 am! Please help!
More information on the flyer below! Questions? Contact Bekkah at teens@bethelnr.org.
We hope to see you for the Breakfast Run!
Also, don't forget about Teen Shabbat on April 12/13 (Scholar-in-Residence Shabbat) and our April Lounge Night on Wednesday, April 17 at 6:30 pm.
See you soon,
The Teen Leadership Board with Bekkah, Alyssa, and Rabbi Zisser
Are you going to Israel or Camp Ramah this summer? LET US KNOW! Email Alyssa at aberman@bethelnr.org!
Gap Year & Scholarship Opportunities
HEY SENIORS! Thinking about gap year programs? There are many! Contact Bekkah (teens@bethelnr.org) for more information and check out the info session below for one of the awesome gap year opportunities in Israel.
RootOne Vouchers for Summer Israel Travel Available for Teens entering 10th-12th Grade
Beth El Synagogue Center 1324 North Avenue New Rochelle, NY 10804
Let's get started spending April together - beginning tonight with preparing (cooking) for our Breakfast Run this Sunday! Join us tonight at 6:30 pm to prepare food for Sunday. Every year, our teens take pride in caring for those less fortunate by participating in a Breakfast Run, made possible by Midnight Run, an organization in Westchester County that has been feeding and clothing those living in shelters and on the streets of Manhattan for many years.
JOIN US! Prepare for the Run with us on Wednesday, April 3, 6:00-9:00 pm at Beth El. Meet us at Beth El at 7:30 am on Sunday, April 7 to travel to NYC - location will be shared as it gets closer.
Register here.Open to teens, 8th-12th grade, community service hours available. Plus we are looking for parents to help too! Note that on the form. Volunteer to bring supplies and/or food as well, whether or not you can make it. We are still seeking volunteers to bring coffee, tea, and donuts on Sunday morning at 7:00 am! Please help!
More information on the flyer below! Questions? Contact Bekkah at teens@bethelnr.org.
We hope to see you for the Breakfast Run!
Also, don't forget about Teen Shabbat on April 12/13 (Scholar-in-Residence Shabbat) and our April Lounge Night on Wednesday, April 17 at 6:30 pm.
See you soon,
The Teen Leadership Board with Bekkah, Alyssa, and Rabbi Zisser
Are you going to Israel or Camp Ramah this summer? LET US KNOW! Email Alyssa at aberman@bethelnr.org!
Gap Year & Scholarship Opportunities
HEY SENIORS! Thinking about gap year programs? There are many! Contact Bekkah (teens@bethelnr.org) for more information and check out the info session below for one of the awesome gap year opportunities in Israel.
RootOne Vouchers for Summer Israel Travel Available for Teens entering 10th-12th Grade
Beth El Synagogue Center 1324 North Avenue New Rochelle, NY 10804
This Thursday, April 4, 7:30 pm Join us for a panel discussion with leaders on the front lines for an up to the minute look at the rise of antisemitism since October 7th and its impact on college campuses across the nation and right in our backyard. Open to all.
Myra Clark-Siegel, Dir., AJC Westchester/Fairfield Rachel Klein, Executive Director, Hillels of Westchester Esti Heller, Senior and President of Hillel at SUNY Purchase
Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13 Months after 10/7, uncertainty, loss, and pain continue unabated in Israel and antisemitism is on the rise in North America and around the world. As the war continues and hostages are still held in Gaza, the ICJ is hearing a case against Israel for Genocide, and calls for ceasefire are increasing. How has this war changed our sense of ourselves as Americans, Israelis, and Jews? And what are the ways for American Jews and Israelis to move forward, both as separate communities and together as a people?
This Friday, April 5, 6:00 pm Join us for our very special First Friday Kabbalat Shabbat service.
Our talented Prayer Team will lead us in a vibrant service, introducing new melodies, and harmonies. We look forward to ushering in Shabbat with music, joy, and connection.
No registration is required – just bring your enthusiasm and a spirit of togetherness.
Thursdays: April 4, 11, 18, 12:00 pm
Leaving Egypt, we left behind an absolutist political tradition. We exchanged it for a quite different system of government that would transform the world’s political options for millennia.
Tuesdays: 4/2 and 4/9 at 7:30 pm In Person & on Zoom A fundamental reality of being human is learning to grapple with our own mortality. No one escapes this world without encountering the death of friends and loved ones, nor are we immune from sickness. In this class we will explore rabbinic teachings that enrich the ways we think about the process of death and dying, as well as the rituals we've inherited that guide us through some of the most difficult moments in our lives.
Sign up now! Enrollment is limited. Thursday, April 11th Thursday, April 18th Wednesday, May 1st If the unthinkable happens it has been PROVEN that Fighting Back Works! Learning a few basic self-defense strategies will help you to not become a victim. Join us to learn tips and techniques that could save your life one day. Taught by Steve Sohn, Founder of Steve Sohn's Krav Maga Training Center in Scarsdale, NY. Watch this forty-second videoto get a better idea of what to expect!
Wednesday, April 3, 7:30 pm “Let’s Talk About It” is a discussion group comprised mainly of parents who have adult children in interfaith relationships. Led by social worker Shari Baum, we discuss issues related this and how we can incorporate our Jewish values and beliefs during the holidays and life cycle events.
This event will take place at Elise Schepp's Home: 25 Mildred Pkwy, New Rochelle, NY
Please join us at the Westchester Community Gathering in Solidarity with the Hostages and People of Israel - 6 Months Since the October 7th Attack on Israel - on Monday, April 8th, 7:30 - 8:45 pm at Congregation Kol Ami, 252 Soundview Ave., White Plains, NY.
Join as we hear from hostage families and show our support.
Beth El is hosting the WJCS' Survivors Musical Seder on Wednesday, April 10th from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. Holocaust Survivors and their caregivers will join us for a musical Passover experience with time to eat a meal, sing some songs and schmooze with each other. The Chesed Community needs volunteers to help with setup/cleanup, transportation for the survivors to and from Beth El; and most important sit at the tables and shmooze. Please email Sandy Gruenberg at gamson36@gmail.com to volunteer.
Wednesday, April 17, 8:30 am Please join the Israel 360 Committee for a panel discussion with several leading experts from Israel working to help a nation traumatized by the attack of October 7th. The presentation will address the various ways Israel and Israelis have been physically, psychologically, personally, and sociologically impacted by the attack, as well as the ways in which they are responding to these crises to help. Join us in the Den to watch on Zoom together over breakfast or log in directly by Zoom from your home or office.
Panel Participants: Talia Levanon, CEO, Israel Trauma Coalition for Response and Preparedness Dr. Carmit Klar-Chalamish, Head of the Research Department, The Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel Dana Shany Atzmonn, MSW and volunteer therapist for Kibbutz Be'Eri and Sderot Moderated by Hanna Cohen, Psy.D., WJCS Trager Lemp Center: Treating Trauma & Promoting Resilience
Sunday, May 5, 8:15 am Join us for a special minyan breakfast honoring Marc Lazarus. Whether you attend minyan or not, everyone is welcome.
Wednesday, May 8, 7:00 - 9:00 pm Cost of materials for 1 trivet is $18. You can make one or two. Pay accordingly. The trivet can be used under your Shabbat candles or as a hot plate for dinner.
Please join us at the MetroNorth Region/Hudson Valley Area Women's League for Conservative Judaism Torah Fund Dinner Honoring Cantor Gaby Schvartz Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 6:30 PM
Link to registration form and details can be found here.
Please join us as we celebrate at the Annual Gala on Thursday, June 6, at 7:00 pm.
The Annual Gala is an opportunity to show support for our honorees Lisa & Rob Patchen and President's Ne'emanim Award recipients Lisa & Larry Mandelker. Proceeds from the gala are used to support the cultural, spiritual, and educational experiences at Beth El.
New! We now have The Chinitz Zion Haggadah avaialable for sale. Note: We can only accept checks and cash!
*Any day not listed has no scheduled programming (besides minyan). **Unless otherwise indicated, all programs are in person only.
Tuesday, April 2nd
10:00 am – Silver Sneakers for Seniors 1:00 pm – Mah Jongg
7:30 pm – OBM Intensive: The Centrality of Mourning in Jewish Life with Rabbi Zach Sitkin (In Person & Zoom). Register here. Join online here.
Wednesday, April 3rd
6:30 pm – Teen Board Meeting (In Person) 7:30 pm – Let’s Talk About It (Offsite, In Person). Register here.
Thursday, April 4th 12:00 pm – Passover, Birth of A Nation, and The Break with Mitzraim (In Person). Register here. 1:30 pm – Parashat HaShavua (In Person & Zoom). Join online here. 6:30 pm – Teen Collab Learning 7:30 pm – Israel 360 Presents: Antisemitism on Campus: What’s Really Going On? (In Person). Register here.
Friday, April 5th 6:00 pm – First Friday Kabbalat Shabbat Services (In Person & Livestream)
Saturday, April 6th
9:00 am – Shabbat Services (In Person & Livestream) 10:30 am – Mini Minyan (In Person) 10:30 am – Tot Shabbat (In Person) 12:45 pm – Daf Shevui (In Person) 7:10 pm – Mincha/Maariv (In Person)
Sunday, April 7th 7:30 am – Teen Breakfast Run (In Person)
Monday, April 8th 9:30 am – Toddler Time 11:00 am – SMART Zoom (Zoom). Join online here. 11:00 am – Shmooze with the News (In Person)
Tuesday, April 9th
10:00 am – Silver Sneakers for Seniors 1:00 pm – Mah Jongg
7:30 pm – OBM Intensive: The Centrality of Mourning in Jewish Life with Rabbi Zach Sitkin (In Person & Zoom). Register here. Join online here.
It's that time of year again...our Tile Wall Fundraiser is back! Children are currently making their handprints in school this week: today, tomorrow and Wednesday. We have a number of friends asking to make their handprint and are hoping, if you haven't done so already, that you will please register them so that they too can put their handprints on our wall. The children love walking down the halls looking for their handprints. It's also so wonderful when they come back as alumni, some post-Bar/Bat Mitzvah age, looking for their handprints. They absolutley love it!
Additional details may be found on the flyer below. Toddler Time children are welcome to make a handprint as well! A big thank you to those of you who have already signed up! Register here.
What a festive week we enjoyed celebrating Purim all together! Please see below for events happening in the Nursery School and extended Beth El community:
1. It's that time of year again...our Tile Wall Fundraiser is back! Children will have the opportunity to make their handprints in school next week on Monday, April 1, Tuesday, April 2, and Wednesday, April 3. Additional details may be found on the flyer below. Toddler Time children are welcome to make a hand print as well! Register here.
2. Important for our After Care Families - The April Staff meeting will be this Tuesday, April 2. Please note that After Care will end at 2:30PM on that day.
3. Beth El will be offering a Women's Personal Safety Self-Defense Course on Thursday, April 11, Thurday, April 18 and Wednesday, May 1, 7:30-8:30PM. The class will be taught by Steve Sohn from Steve Sohn's Krav Maga Training Center. Further details on the flyer below. Register here.
4. On April 18th at 9:30 am, join the conversation Parenting with Love and Respect at Sunningdale Country Club, 300 Underhill Road, Scarsdale, sponsored by UJA Westchester Families. Jennie Monness, parent and child educator and founder of Union Square Play, a parenting community and play space that helps make the early years of parenting a little bit easier and a lot more fun, will be interviewed by Leya Kaufman, a Jewish activist with a social media presence. They will be speaking about parenting topics such as maintaining calm amid moments of dysregulation, how to balance working and mothering, and reflections on parenting post October 7th. Before and after the program, there will be an opportunity to shop from a few vendors with a percentage of the proceeds going to UJA. Register here.
5. Our second annual Field Day will be on Sunday, May 19 at 1PM. Nursery School families are invited for a fun afternoon of relay races, yummy snacks and shmoozing on Gan Teva, the lower field. Cost is $25 per family. Register here.
Wishing you and your family a Shabbat shalom, Ronnie and Shery
Highlights:
Nursery School Registration for the '24-'25 School Year continues. Classes are filling up. Register here.
Anaf parents are invited to celebrate Havdallah on Monday mornings in the Youth Lounge beginning at 9AM.
Monday, April 1 thru Wednesday, April 3:Tile Wall Fundraiser.Register here.
Tuesday, April 2 is the Nursery School Staff Meeting. After Care ends at 2:30PM.
April 11, 18 and May 1, 7:30-8:30PM: Women's Personal Safety Self-Defense Course.Register here.
April 18 at 9:30AM: UJA's Parenting with Love and Respect at Sunningdale Country Club, 300 Underhill Road, Scarsdale.Register here.
Sunday, May 19 at 1PM: Our second annual Field Day! Register here.
We are so fortunate to have been given a spring date for a Breakfast Run! Every year, our teens take pride in caring for those less fortunate by participating in a Breakfast Run, made possible by Midnight Run, an organization in Westchester County that has been feeding and clothing those living in shelters and on the streets of Manhattan for many years.
JOIN US! Prepare for the Run with us on Wednesday, April 3, 6:00-9:00 pm at Beth El. Meet us at Beth El at 7:30 am on Sunday, April 7 to travel to NYC - location will be shared as it gets closer.
More information on the flyer below! Questions? Contact Bekkah at teens@bethelnr.org.
We hope to see you for the Breakfast Run!
Also, don't forget about Teen Shabbat on April 12/13 (Scholar-in-Residence Shabbat)!
The Teen Leadership Board with Bekkah, Alyssa, and Rabbi Zisser
Are you going to Israel or Camp Ramah this summer? LET US KNOW! Email Alyssa at aberman@bethelnr.org!
Gap Year & Scholarship Opportunities
HEY SENIORS! Thinking about gap year programs? There are many! Contact Bekkah (teens@bethelnr.org) for more information and check out the info session below for one of the awesome gap year opportunities in Israel.
RootOne Vouchers for Summer Israel Travel Available for Teens entering 10th-12th Grade
Beth El Synagogue Center 1324 North Avenue New Rochelle, NY 10804
