We are excited to invite you to join us for our Annual Matanot L'Evyonim Purim Campaign.
Purim has four main mitzvot (commandments):
Mishloach Manot (gifts to friends)
Hearing Megillah (twice!)
Partaking in a Seudah (feast)
Matanot L'Evyonim (gifts to those with needs greater than our own).
Beth El’s Department of Youth and Family Engagement invites you to join us in fulfilling the fourth mitzvah of Matanot L'Evyonim (gifts to those with needs greater than our own). Participating in our Purim Campaign sends an e-card to your choice of recipients.
A portion of the funds raised will support two organizations: Masorti (The Conservative Movement in Israel) and Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger. This is also the primary fundraiser that helps Beth El’s Youth and Family Community continue to provide exciting programs. By joining us in the Matanot L'Evyonim Purim Campaign, you will have the opportunity to choose as many individuals as you would like to receive an e-card Purim greeting with your donation.
Please contribute by Thursday, March 21, 2024 to participate.
Details:
$36 to participate (includes one name).
Every selection thereafter: $3.00 each per name.
Reciprocity Choices:
"Specific recipients; do not reciprocate to anyone": You do not reciprocate.
"Specific recipients; reciprocate only to anyone sending directly to me/us": You reciprocate only to people who send directly to you (not to the whole community), for $3.00 per name, for a maximum of $180.00.
"Specific recipients; reciprocate to anyone sending to me/us, whether directly or by sending to all": You will reciprocate to everyone sending to you, for a maximum of $180.00.
All potential recipients: Select this to send greetings to our whole community, for $180.00. This option will add every member of the Beth El community to your list of recipients. In lieu of a "thank you gift" for those who donate $180 to the campaign, we'll be sponsoring mishloach manot packages for IDF soldiers in your honor.
I hope you had a wonderful February Break! March is right here, and we have two special events this weekend, plus programming every week until Purim! Mark your calendars and get excited!
March highlights:
Saturday, March 2: K/1st Grade Family Havdallah at 5:45 pm. Register here.We must have a minimum number by Thursday.
Sunday, March 3: Family Mitzvah program: Visit to Willow Towers from 2:15-3 pm. Register here.
Thursday, March 7: Get Your Mahj-on(gg) at 6:30 pm. Register here.
Friday, March 8: 5th grade family Shabbat dinner at 6:30 pm. Register here.
K & 1st Grade Family Havdallah Saturday, March 2 from 5:45-7 pm at Beth El
Calling all families with K & 1st graders! We can't wait to end Shabbat with your families on Saturday Night, March 2! We will meet at Beth El for a dairy dinner and games at 5:45 pm, and then we'll do Havdallah and s'mores after 6:30 pm!
Please note that if we don't have a minimum number of families by Thursday, we'll have to cancel and reschedule for another date.
Family Mitzvah Program: BINGO at Willow Towers Assisted Living Sunday, March 3 from 2:15-3 pm Meet at Willow Towers (355 Pelham Road)
Join us for a visit to Willow Towers Assisted Living! We will spend a few minutes getting to know the residents, as well as lead and play several rounds of Bingo with them. This event is fun for all ages, and we hope you join us!
Get Your Mahj-on(gg)! Thursday, March 7 at 7:30 pm
Get Your Mahj-on(gg) on with us! Join in the fun with an intergenerational group for a Mah-Jongg Jamboree. Meet new friends, enjoy mahjitas, and great snacks while we play and learn Mah-Jongg together.
5th Grade Family Shabbat Dinner Friday, March 8 at 6:30 pm (when services end)
Join the other families with 5th graders for a special Shabbat dinner! This is a chance to connect and build community before beginning our b'nei mitzvah prep next year!
Cost: $18 for ages 3-adults; $72 family cap (kids 0-2 free)
I hope you had a wonderful February Break! We are so excited to share what we've been learning in Religious School in 2024, so click here for our updates!
In addition to sharing our learning, we have so many events in March! We have two special events this weekend, plus programming every week until Purim!
Thanks, Alyssa
Here is our calendar:
Thursday, February 29: Regular RS resumes
Saturday, March 2:K/1st Grade Family Havdallah at 5:45 pm.Register here.We must have a minimum number by Thursday.
Sunday, March 3: Regular RS & Moadon
Family Mitzvah program: Visit to Willow Towers from 2:15-3 pm. Register here.
Friday, March 8: 5th grade family Shabbat dinner at 6:30 pm. Register here.
Sunday, March 10: Regular RS & Moadon
Thursday, March 14: Regular RS
Sunday, March 17: Regular RS until 11 am; no Moadon; PURIM CARNIVAL. Register here.
UPDATED Religious School Calendar:click here
Upcoming Events
K & 1st Grade Family Havdallah Saturday, March 2 from 5:45-7 pm at Beth El
Calling all families with K & 1st graders! We can't wait to end Shabbat with your families on Saturday Night, March 2! We will meet at Beth El for a dairy dinner and games at 5:45 pm, and then we'll do Havdallah and s'mores after 6:30 pm!
Cost: $10 per person/$36 per family
Register here. Please note that if we don't have a minimum number of families by Thursday, we'll have to cancel and reschedule for another date.
Family Mitzvah Program:
BINGO at Willow Towers Assisted Living Sunday, March 3 from 2:15-3 pm Meet at Willow Towers (355 Pelham Road)
Join us for a visit to Willow Towers Assisted Living! We will spend a few minutes getting to know the residents, as well as lead and play several rounds of Bingo with them. This event is fun for all ages, and we hope you join us!
Get Your Mahj-on(gg)! Thursday, March 7 at 7:30 pm
Get Your Mahj-on(gg) on with us! Join in the fun with an intergenerational group for a Mah-Jongg Jamboree. Meet new friends, enjoy mahjitas, and great snacks while we play and learn Mah-Jongg together.
5th Grade Family Shabbat Dinner Friday, March 8 at 6:30 pm (when services end)
Join the other families with 5th graders for a special Shabbat dinner! This is a chance to connect and build community before beginning our b'nei mitzvah prep next year!
Cost: $18 for ages 3-adults; $72 family cap (kids 0-2 free)
Please join us as we warmly welcome Rabbi Fisher to Beth El again this weekend (March 1st-3rd). Rabbi Fisher will lead services Friday night and Shabbat morning.
Rabbi Fisher will teach OBM on Tuesday, March 5th at 7:30 pm (in person and on zoom). The topic is: Living with Difference: Being in Community Across a Spectrum of Views. In a polarized world where emotions are high, how do we engage in values-based conversations within the context of a community with a wide range of views. Rabbi Fisher will draw from classical and contemporary Jewish texts to help explore the topic.
Please note that Rabbi Fisher was originally scheduled to teach OBM this Tuesday, February 27th instead we are encouraging people to attend Dr. Kurtzer’s presentation at Temple Israel of New Rochelle (see below for details).
Tuesday, February 27, 7:00 pm, at Temple Israel of New Rochelle
Join us for an evening with Dr. Yehuda Kurtzer, President at the Shalom Hartman Institute, for an insightful conversation exploring the challenges that Israeli society faces during the war with Hamas, and when the war ends.
Dr. Kurtzer will be interviewed by Rabbi Jesse Gallop, and will be open for Q&A at the end of the evening.
Dr. Ryger earned her Master of Science, Master of Philosophy, and Doctorate from Columbia University. Dr. Ryger is a New York Clinical Psychologist, national and international speaker, and researcher with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her area of expertise is how to incorporate the cutting edge of neuroscience to facilitate meaningful change and address the challenges of life today.
Friday, March 1, 6:00 pm Join us this Friday 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.
Sunday, March 3, 11 am
$28 minimum contribution Checks to be made out to Torah Fund
D‘var Torah: Rabbi Jessica Fisher
This event is sponsored by Beth El Sisterhood & Women's League for Conservative Judaism. If you cannot attend, please consider making a donation herein honor of Sheila.
Get Your Mahj-on(gg) on with us! Join in the fun with an intergenerational group for a Mah-Jongg Jamboree. Meet new friends, enjoy mahjitas, and great snacks while we play and learn Mah-Jongg together.
Saturday, March 9, 8:00 pm Join us for "SHUL SHENANIGANS" – an uproarious variety show featuring hilarious song parodies about Beth El, performed by our talented members and staff. Don't miss out on the laughter and camaraderie!
We will be cooking on March 10th from 11:00 am-12:30 pm in the Beth El Dairy Kitchen.
Do you want to help, but can't come that morning? We have two shopping opportunities: 1. The week of March 4th, you can go to COSTCO and get the ingredients for cooking on the 10th (we'll give you the shopping list) and drop the food at Beth El
2. March 19th or 20th you can shop for the fresh ingredients and bring them to Beth El.
For both shopping opportunities, we will provide explicit instructions to the volunteer.
Tuesdays: 3/12, 3/26, 4/2, 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.
Thursday, March 14, 4:30-8:30 pm Beth El Synagogue Center is proud to host over 30 Israeli artists and artisans selling their wares. Please bring friends and neighbors to support these Israeli artists and their families. $5 per person
All Profits go to Beth El Sisterhood then to Beth El 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, February 27th
10:00 am – Silver Sneakers for Seniors (In Person) 1:00 pm – Mah Jongg (In Person) 7:00 pm – Where Do We Go From Here? Israel's Next Chapter with
Dr. Yehuda Kurtzer (Offsite at Temple Israel of New Rochelle). Register here. 7:30 pm – CANCELLED – OBM Intensive: Living with Difference: Being in Community Across a Spectrum of Views with Rabbi Fisher (In Person & Zoom)
Wednesday, February 28th 6:30 pm – Teen Lounge Night. Register here.
Thursday, February 29th
10:00 am – Mainstream Series: Historic Properties and Landmarks in Westchester County. Registerhere. 1:30 pm – Parashat HaShavua (In Person & Zoom). Join online here. 6:30 pm – Teen Collab Learning (Offsite) 7:30 pm – Embracing Positive Change at Any Age: Strength Yourself and Your Relationships. Register here.
Friday, March 1st 1:00 pm – Mincha 6:00 pm – First Friday Kabbalat Shabbat Services (In Person & Livestream)
Saturday, March 2nd
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) 5:30 pm – Mincha/Maariv (In Person & Livestream) 5:30 pm – Family Havdalah (In Person)
Sunday, March 3rd 11:00 am – Beth El Sisterhood Torah Fund Brunch Honoring Sheila Cohen (In Person). Register here. 2:15 pm – Youth & Family Visit to Willow Towers (In Person)
Monday, March 4th 11:00 am – SMART Zoom (Zoom). Join online here. 1:00 pm – Canasta (In Person)
Tuesday, March 5th
10:00 am – Silver Sneakers for Seniors (In Person) 1:00 pm – Mah Jongg (In Person)
7:30 pm – OBM Intensive: Living with Difference: Being in Community Across a Spectrum of Views with Rabbi Fisher (In Person & Zoom). Register here. Join online here.
We are excited to invite you to join us for our Annual Matanot L'Evyonim Purim Campaign.
Purim has four main mitzvot (commandments):
Mishloach Manot (gifts to friends)
Hearing Megillah (twice!)
Partaking in a Seudah (feast)
Matanot L'Evyonim (gifts to those with needs greater than our own).
Beth El’s Department of Youth and Family Engagement invites you to join us in fulfilling the fourth mitzvah of Matanot L'Evyonim (gifts to those with needs greater than our own). Participating in our Purim Campaign sends an e-card to your choice of recipients.
A portion of the funds raised will support two organizations: Masorti (The Conservative Movement in Israel) and Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger. This is also the primary fundraiser that helps Beth El’s Youth and Family Community continue to provide exciting programs. By joining us in the Matanot L'Evyonim Purim Campaign, you will have the opportunity to choose as many individuals as you would like to receive an e-card Purim greeting with your donation.
Please contribute by Thursday, March 21, 2024 to participate.
Details:
$36 to participate (includes one name).
Every selection thereafter: $3.00 each per name.
Reciprocity Choices:
"Specific recipients; do not reciprocate to anyone": You do not reciprocate.
"Specific recipients; reciprocate only to anyone sending directly to me/us": You reciprocate only to people who send directly to you (not to the whole community), for $3.00 per name, for a maximum of $180.00.
"Specific recipients; reciprocate to anyone sending to me/us, whether directly or by sending to all": You will reciprocate to everyone sending to you, for a maximum of $180.00.
All potential recipients: Select this to send greetings to our whole community, for $180.00. This option will add every member of the Beth El community to your list of recipients. In lieu of a "thank you gift" for those who donate $180 to the campaign, we'll be sponsoring mishloach manot packages for IDF soldiers in your honor.
This Saturday, February 24, 7:30 pm Join us for a special evening of music and song, as we gather in a beautiful, casual, intimate setting. A Melaveh Malkah or "escorting the Shabbat bride," is a Saturday night of music and community, and of course, a nosh too!
This will be a wonderful evening at the home of Lynn Buckvar-Keltz and Marty Keltz. Address will be provided once you RSVP and may also be found in our membership directory.
Saturday, March 9, 8:00 pm Join us for "SHUL SHENANIGANS" – an uproarious variety show featuring hilarious song parodies about Beth El, performed by our talented members and staff. Don't miss out on the laughter and camaraderie!
Please join us as we warmly welcome Rabbi Fisher back to Beth El. Rabbi Fisher will lead services Friday night and Shabbat morning. During Tuesday night's OBM, Rabbi Fisher will examine the question of how we engage in values-based conversations in a community with varied views on Israel.
Join us on Shabbat, February 24th, after kiddush to hear from a panel of our members who recently returned from the Beth El Volunteer Mission to Israel. Israel 360 organized a group of 20 people, including Rabbi Schuck, to travel to Israel and help Israelis on the ground at this critical time in whatever ways were needed. They'll report on their volunteer efforts and interactions with those directly impacted by October 7th, and reflect on their meaningful experience, followed by Q&A.
We are putting together a committee to propose revisions to the Beth El Constitution to update various housekeeping and other provisions to make them more consistent with our current practices and to provide some flexibility given our needs going forward. If you are interested in participating in these discussions as we develop amendments to the Constitution to present to the Congregation for approval, please email Lauren Freeman Bosworth laurenfreemanbosworth@gmail.com or Nadine Jacobson at njacobson@fzlz.com.
Monday, February 26th, at 9:30 am In Person & on Zoom Please join us in the Beth El Den, when we will discuss The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. Set in 1972 Pottstown, PA, where immigrant Jews and African-Americans lived side by side and shared ambitions and sorrows. Even in dark times, McBride shows that it is love and community-heaven and earth-that sustain us. McBride is author of NY Times bestseller, The Color of Water and was Oprah's Book Club pick for Deacon King Kong and The Good Lord Bird.
Tuesday, February 27, 7:00 pm, at Temple Israel of New Rochelle
Join us for an evening with Dr. Yehuda Kurtzer, President at the Shalom Hartman Institute, for an insightful conversation exploring the challenges that Israeli society faces during the war with Hamas, and when the war ends.
Dr. Kurtzer will be interviewed by Rabbi Jesse Gallop, and will be open for Q&A at the end of the evening.
Dr. Ryger earned her Master of Science, Master of Philosophy, and Doctorate from Columbia University. Dr. Ryger is a New York Clinical Psychologist, national and international speaker, and researcher with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her area of expertise is how to incorporate the cutting edge of neuroscience to facilitate meaningful change and address the challenges of life today.
Sunday, March 3, 11 am
$28 minimum contribution Checks to be made out to Torah Fund
D‘var Torah: Rabbi Jessica Fisher
This event is sponsored by Beth El Sisterhood & Women's League for Conservative Judaism. If you cannot attend, please consider making a donation herein honor of Sheila.
Get Your Mahj-on(gg) on with us! Join in the fun with an intergenerational group for a Mah-Jongg Jamboree. Meet new friends, enjoy mahjitas, and great snacks while we play and learn Mah-Jongg together.
Tuesdays: 3/12, 3/26, 4/2, 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.
All Profits go to Beth El Sisterhood then to Beth El 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, February 20th
10:00 am – Silver Sneakers for Seniors (In Person) 11:30 am – Lunch & Learn: Meet Abraham Lincoln, Portrayed by Lou Del Bianco (In Person). Register here. 1:00 pm – Mah Jongg (In Person)
Wednesday, February 21st 7:00 pm – CAP: Children of Aging Parents with Shari Baum (In Person). Register here.
Thursday, February 22nd
1:30 pm – Parashat HaShavua (In Person & Zoom). Join online here.
Friday, February 23rd 5:20 pm – Kabbalat Shabbat Services with Rabbi Fisher (In Person & Livestream)
Saturday, February 24th
9:00 am – Shabbat Services with Rabbi Fisher (In Person & Livestream) 10:30 am – Mini Minyan (In Person) 10:30 am – Tot Shabbat (In Person) 12:45 pm – Daf Shevui (In Person) 5:30 pm – Mincha/Maariv (In Person & Livestream) 7:30 pm – Melaveh Malkah (In Person, Offsite). Register here. Monday, February 25th
9:30 am – Bagels & Books (In Person & Zoom). Join online here. 11:00 am – Shmooze with the News (In Person) 11:00 am – SMART Zoom (Zoom). Join online here. 1:00 pm – Canasta (In Person)
Tuesday, February 26th
10:00 am – Silver Sneakers for Seniors (In Person) 1:00 pm – Mah Jongg (In Person) 7:30 pm – OBM Intensive with Rabbi Fisher (In Person & Zoom). Join online here.
With the President's Week vacation next week and school being closed, we want to bring some important things to your attention:
1. The Winter/Spring session of Toddler Time begins on Monday, February 26, the day we return. If you have yet to register, please be sure to do so. And tell your friends! Register here.
2. On Monday, February 26th at 12PM, Project SEED is sponsoring a free webinar for families with children ages 5 and younger entitled Introduction to Sensory Processing. Parenting in community strengthens us. In this webinar, by using a Jewish lens to discuss milestones of parenting young children you will gain insight from experts in early childhood development. Led by Marcia Hacohen, OT, expert in fine motor skill acquisition and sensory motor skill development. Register here.
3. On Saturday, March 9th at 8PM, fellow Beth El Nursery School parents Kara Kalman, Avi Stein and Janine Chinitz, along with Ronnie and Shery, will participate in a fun-filled evening of songs and entertainment. You will not want to miss Shul Shenanigans! Register here.
4. Important for our After Care Families - The March Staff meeting previously scheduled for Tuesday, March 5 will now be on Wednesday, March 6. As a result, Tuesday will be a regular day of After Care, but After Care will end at 2:30PM on Wednesday, March 6. Please mark your calendars accordingly and we apologize for any inconvenience.
5. It's time for your children to bring their smiles on Wednesday, March 13 for our Nursery School Picture Day.
6. Our Spring Parent-Teacher Dialogues will be on Wednesday, March 20. School will dismiss at noon for our Gezah and Anaf classes. There will not be any after care or hot lunch delivery on that day. Please make note in your calendar. Teachers will be in touch with you to schedule your dialogue time.
We wish you all a wonderful week ahead and safe travels to anyone going away, 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 the Youth Lounge to celebrate Havdallah onMondays at 9AM.
Monday, February 26: The Winter/Spring session of Toddler Time begins. Register here.
Monday, February 26: Project SEED Introduction to Sensory Processing webinar. Register here.
Wednesday, March 6 - Nursery School Staff Meeting. After Care will end at 2:30PM.
Wednesday, March 6 at 7:15PM - Save the date for our first ever Hamentashen Bake with Morah Eden and Morah Shoshy.
Saturday, March 9 at 8PM: Shul Shenanigans Register here.
Wednesday, March 13: Picture Day
Wednesday, March 20 - Spring Parent -Teacher Dialogues: School dismisses at noon for all Gezah and Anaf classes. No After Care or hot lunch delivery.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Youth & Family Shabbat this past weekend. It was so special to celebrate our community, and we enjoyed being together!
As a reminder, we are off for February Break, but we have lots of events in March at are closer than they feel. Mark your calendars and get excited!
March highlights:
Sunday, March 3: Family Mitzvah program: Visit to Willow Towers from 2:15-3 pm. Register here.
Friday, March 8: 5th grade family Shabbat dinner at 6:30 pm. Register here.
Saturday, March 9: Save-the-Date for K/1st Family Havdallah
Sunday, March 17: Purim Carnival (opens at 10:30 am for quiet/tots; 11 am-1 pm general admission). Register here.
Thanks, Alyssa
Upcoming Events
Family Mitzvah Program: BINGO at Willow Towers Assisted Living Sunday, March 3 from 2:15-3 pm Meet at Willow Towers (355 Pelham Road)
Join us for a visit to Willow Towers Assisted Living! We will spend a few minutes getting to know the residents, as well as lead and play several rounds of Bingo with them. This event is fun for all ages, and we hope you join us!
5th Grade Family Shabbat Dinner Friday, March 8 at 6:30 pm (when services end)
Join the other families with 5th graders for a special Shabbat dinner! This is a chance to connect and build community before beginning our b'nei mitzvah prep next year!
Cost: $18 for ages 3-adults; $72 family cap (kids 0-2 free)
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Youth & Family Shabbat this past weekend. It was so special to celebrate our community, and we enjoyed being together!
As a reminder, we are off for February Break, but we have lots of events in March at are closer than they feel. Mark your calendars and get excited!
Thanks, Alyssa
Here is our calendar:
Thursday, February 15: Regular RS
Sunday, February 18: NO RS: February Break
Thursday, February 22: NO RS: February Break
Sunday, February 25: NO RS: February Break
Thursday, February 29: Regular RS resumes
Sunday, March 3: Regular RS & Moadon
Family Mitzvah program: Visit to Willow Towers from 2:15-3 pm. Register here.
Thursday, March 7: Regular RS
Friday, March 8: 5th grade family Shabbat dinner at 6:30 pm. Register here.
Saturday, March 9: Save-the-Date for K/1st Family Havdallah
Sunday, March 10: Regular RS & Moadon
Thursday, March 14: Regular RS
Sunday, March 17: Regular RS until 11 am; no Moadon; PURIM CARNIVAL
UPDATED Religious School Calendar:click here
Upcoming Events
Family Mitzvah Program:
BINGO at Willow Towers Assisted Living Sunday, March 3 from 2:15-3 pm Meet at Willow Towers (355 Pelham Road)
Join us for a visit to Willow Towers Assisted Living! We will spend a few minutes getting to know the residents, as well as lead and play several rounds of Bingo with them. This event is fun for all ages, and we hope you join us!
5th Grade Family Shabbat Dinner Friday, March 8 at 6:30 pm (when services end)
Join the other families with 5th graders for a special Shabbat dinner! This is a chance to connect and build community before beginning our b'nei mitzvah prep next year!
Cost: $18 for ages 3-adults; $72 family cap (kids 0-2 free)
