A gigantic thank you to our fabulous Casino Night Co-Chairs: Simcha Bergman, Andrea Fleishaker, Meryl Goldstein and Kara Kalman, and also to the parents who served on the committee, and those of you who attended the event to make the evening such a huge success!! It was a fabulous night!
The beautiful spiritualChallah Bake, led by Shoresh Aleph's Morah Eden, is tomorrow night, Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 7:15PM. Further details for this meaningful event may be found on the flyer below. Register here.
On Friday, February 9th, there will be a special Community Dinner where a new caterer will be serving Shabbat dinner. An "extra-kid-friendly" Kabbalat Shabbat experience will precede the meal, and then on Shabbat morning, February 10, the teens take over Shabbat services. Celebrate Youth and Family Shabbat! Register here.
There is a Staff Meeting tomorrow soAfter Care on February 7 will end at 2:30pm. Please be sure to mark your calendar.
Registration is under way for the Winter/Spring session of Toddler Time which begins on Monday, February 26, after we return from our President's Week break. Register here.
Registration for the 2024-2025 school year continues and classes are filling up. If you haven't done so already, we encourage you register as soon as possible. Register here.
Enjoy the rest of your week, Ronnie and Shery
Highlights:
Nursery School Registration for the '24-'25 School Year. Register here.
Anaf parents are invited to the Youth Lounge to celebrate Havdallah onMondays at 9AM
Wednesday, February 7:Challah Bake with Morah Eden at 7:15PM.Register here.
Wednesday, February 7: NS Staff Meeting - After Care ends at 2:30PM.
Friday, February 9: Community Shabbat Dinner Register here.
Monday, February 26: Winter-Spring Session of Toddler Time begins. Register here.
We are sorry to report that another one of our Gezah Bet friends tested positive this morning for COVID-19.. This child was last in school yesterday. As a result, out of an abundance of caution and in an effort to ensure the health of the rest of the Gezah Bet community, we are asking that you please test your child each morning for the remainder of this week before coming to school. If you can send in the test results to nursery@bethelnr.org by 8:30am each morning, it would be greatly appreciated. We apologize for the inconvenience caused, yet we feel this is necessary to ensure the wellbeing of our Gezah Bet class.
As a reminder, anyone who has had close contact within 48 hours of someone testing positive is considered to have been exposed.
Please find our updated Covid policy below:
Positive Case of Covid: Isolate for 5 days. After 5 days, a child/adult can return back to school if they have no symptoms and no fever for 24 hours. Child/Adult will wear a mask for 5 days upon return OR Child/Adult has two sequential negative tests 48 hours apart starting on day 5 after 5:00 p.m. (ie. test negative on Day 5 and negative on Day 7), then the mask can come off on day 7. If a child is unable to wear a mask effectively they will need to remain at home for 10 days or until they test negative 48 hours apart, as explained above.
Exposure to Covid: Wearing masks is not mandated. Of course if any family wants their child to wear a mask, we will support the child and family.
For easy reference, we have listed the Covid symptoms below, but we are asking at this time that all children are tested for the rest of the week, even if they are not presenting any symptoms:
Congestion or runny nose Fever or chills Cough Fatigue Headache New loss of taste or smell Muscle or body aches Sore throat Nausea or vomiting Diarrhea Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation, and wish our unwell Gezah Bet friends and Morah Maralyn a refuah shlema.
Starting tonight! Tuesdays: 2/6, 3/12, 3/26, 4/2, 4/9 at 7:30 pm 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.
This Thursday, February 8, 7:30 pm on Zoom For Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month (JDAIM), Beth El Synagogue Center is offering a webinar by Matan to help our community understand the needs of neurodiverse individuals, potential barriers to Jewish life, and how each member of our community can help overcome those barriers to enhance inclusion. Matan guides, trains, and supports Jewish community leaders and educators to provide purposeful, enriching, and inclusive opportunities for people with disabilities and their families.
Join us for Youth and Family Shabbat on Feb. 9th-10th! Join us for a special family dinner starting with a Kabbalat Shabbat Service at 6 pm, followed by a delicious, fully-catered, three-course dinner at 7 pm.
This event is catered by Zami Caterers.
$30 for 13 and older, $18 for children 3-12, 2 and under are free
Register Here for the Dinner. Then on Saturday, join us for special Shabbat where the teens will take over morning services! Pastries & hot chocolate available at the start of services. Then join us after kiddush for a conversation between Rabbi Zach Sitkin and Dr. Michael Kay, Head of School at The Leffell School.
Tuesday, February 13, 7:30 pm We are so fortunate to have our very own member Dr. Marvin Chinitz discuss his highly acclaimed haggadah, The Chinitz Zion Haggadah, which will transform the meaning of Pesach from an ancient holiday to the most relevant modern Jewish/Israeli/Zionist holiday on the Jewish calendar. This Haggadah is the most-timely Haggadah for our current times, as it includes not only the traditional text, but a treatise on teaching and defending modern Israel and Judaism. The commentaries of the Haggadah are related to modern Israel, "modern" antisemitism issues, and the essays included are the core of Zionist/Israeli education that needs to be passed from one generation to the next for years to come. Do you want to know how to explain current events to your college children, friends and extended family? All of this is included in The Chinitz Zion Haggadah.
This program is sponsored by Dr. Marvin and Shari Chinitz in memory of Shari's mother יהודית ברינדל בת רחל ויצחק ז''ל and in honor of presenting The Chinitz Zion Haggadah.
Thursday February 15th, at 1:30 pm In Person Tracy Wright, who has been the Director of Eastchester Library since 2007, will be sharing her expertise on Jewish authors. She will be reviewing new authors and their books, as well as discussing established authors.
Register Here. This program is sponsored by Beth El Sisterhood and Hadassah Westchester.
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.
Sunday, March 3, 11 am
$28 minimum contribution Checks to be made out to Torah Fund
This event is sponsored by Beth El Sisterhood & Women's League for Conservative Judaism
Get Your Mahj-on(gg) on with us on March 7 at 7:30. Join in the fun with an intergenerational group for a Mah-Jongg Jamboree. Meet new friends, enjoy cocktails, mocktails and great snacks while we play and learn Mah-Jongg together.
For planning purposes please and registration fill out this Google Form.
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 6th
10:00 am – Silver Sneakers for Seniors 1:00 pm – Mah Jongg
7:30 pm – Open Beit Midrash Intensive: The Centrality of Mourning in Jewish Life with Rabbi Zach Sitkin (In Person & Zoom). Register here. Join online here.
Thursday, February 8th 10:00 am – Mainstream Series: Historic Properties and Landmarks in Westchester County. Register here.
1:30 pm – Parashat HaShavua (In Person & Zoom). Join online here. 6:30 pm – Teen Learning Collab (Offsite) 7:30 pm – We Belong Together: Neruodiversity in the Synagogue (Zoom). Register here. Join online here.
Friday, February 9th 6:00 pm – Friday night services with songs and prayers by Shirateinu (In Person & Livestream) 7:00 pm – Community Shabbat Dinner. Register here.
Saturday, February 10th
9:00 am –Teens take over Shabbat services. Pastries & hot chocolate available at the start of services (In Person & Livestream) 10:30 am – Mini Minyan 10:30 am – Tot Shabbat 12:30 pm – A conversation between Rabbi Zach Sitkin and Dr. Michael Kay, Head of School at The Leffell School 12:45 pm – Daf Shevui 5:10 pm – Mincha/Maariv (In Person & Livestream) Sunday, February 11th 10:00 am – Shul Shenanigans Rehearsal Monday, February 12th
11:00 am – SMART Zoom (Zoom). Join online here. 11:00 am – Schmooze About the News 1:00 pm – Canasta
Tuesday, February 13th
10:00 am – Silver Sneakers for Seniors 1:00 pm – Mah Jongg
7:30 pm – Open Beit Midrash Scholar Series: The Chinitz Zion Haggadah with Dr. Marvin Chinitz. Register here.
Unfortunately due to low registration, we have to cancel our Bowling event today. Hopefully we can reschedule! As a reminder, there are some great programs coming up in the next month and we want you to know about them in advance so that we can see you!
See details below for upcoming teen programming:
Youth & Family Shabbat on Friday and Saturday, February 9 and 10 - Register for Shabbat Dinner here! Plus, there will be hot cocoa and pastries on Saturday morning before teens take over services, so come early and come hungry!
Lounge Night on Wednesday, February 28, 6:30-8:00 pm.Register here.
SAVE THE DATE: NYC DAY on Sunday, March 10, 12:00-5:00 pm. Details coming soon. Register here today!
We hope to see you this month,
The Teen Leadership Board with Bekkah, Alyssa, and Rabbi Zisser
SAVE THE DATE: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 6:30-8:00 PM AT BETH EL FOR OUR NEXT TEEN LOUNGE NIGHT! THIS ONE WILL BE A GAME NIGHT WITH BETH EL TEENS! SIGN UP AT BETHELNR.ORG/TEENLOUNGENIGHTS
Are you going to Israel or Camp Ramah this summer? LET US KNOW! Email Alyssa at aberman@bethelnr.org!
Belfer Teen Fellowship for Israel Travel (Scholarships!) Application deadline: March 25, 2024 for 9th-12th graders who are attending an accredited teen travel program in Israel Scholarships are generously funded by the Belfer Family Fellows Fund. UJA Federation of New York's Belfer Teen Fellowship provides merit scholarships to teens looking to travel to Israel this summer on an immersive Jewish experience. A limited number of merit scholarships of at least $1,000 will be given to teens who display leadership potential and a strong commitment to their communities. Who’s eligible?
High school students
Permanent residents of UJA’s catchment area: New York City, Westchester, and Long Island
Teens who plan to attend an accredited teen travel program in Israel. For a list of eligible programs, see here.
Applicants who have never received a merit scholarship from UJA-Federation of New York
RootOne Vouchers for Summer Israel Travel Available for Teens entering 10th-12th Grade
Lilly Reiser Scholarship ($10,000 for College!!) Application opens from February 15-March 15, 2024 for current 12th graders United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan, and Darien (UJF) is excited to announce the creation of the Lilly Reiser Scholarship, which will provide $10,000 college scholarships per year for nine Jewish students from Connecticut and New York. Awards will be based on a combination of both need and merit.
Lilly E. Reiser (1924-2020) was born in the small town of Moravska-Ostrava in the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic (now the Czech Republic). Having suffered the inhumanity and indignity of forced labor and internment during the Holocaust at Theresienstadt, Auschwitz, and Bergen-Belson, Lilly was eventually liberated from Bergen-Belson by British soldiers. She emigrated to the United States in 1945 and was only able to obtain her degrees because of the generosity of various Jewish communal organizations, that provided her with the scholarships necessary to do so.
Lilly completed her undergraduate education at Hunter College and went on to achieve a graduate degree from Columbia University’s New York School of Social Work. She proudly served as a social worker in the New York City Public School for over 50 years. Ever thankful for the financial support she received from the organized Jewish community, Lilly wanted to provide similar support to deserving and financially challenged students of Jewish faith. “I can’t think of a more special way to honor Lilly’s memory, than by honoring her wishes to assist young Jews achieve their academic dreams like she did,” said Eric Ross, UJF Deputy Director.
The scholarship application period will be open from February 15 through March 15, 2024.
For more information and scholarship requirements, please visit www.ujf.org/lillyreiser, or contact UJF Deputy Director Eric Ross at eric@ujf.org.
OTHER REGIONAL PROGRAMMING 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.
Stay tuned for even more Teen programming!
Beth El Synagogue Center 1324 North Avenue New Rochelle, NY 10804
We are looking forward to next week’s Youth and Family Shabbat on February 9 and 10! From enjoying the musical prayer of our youth choir, Shirateinu, at our community's Kabbalat Shabbat service on Friday night, to watching our teens take over the sanctuary on Saturday morning, it is sure to be an extraordinary event!
To enhance the special nature of this weekend, we have decided to sponsor Shabbat Kiddush in honor of all our young people, and we warmly invite you to join us. There’s no pressure to contribute, and please give according to your comfort level - there's no amount too small. The Kiddush will be sponsored by the families of the Beth El Youth Community in honor of Youth Shabbat regardless of how many and how much people contribute. You can make your donation here.
And, if you have not yet signed up for the amazing catered Shabbat dinner on Friday, February 9, today is the last day for early bird rates! Sign up here!
See you next weekend! Allison and Alan Kellman
Beth El Synagogue Center 1324 North Avenue New Rochelle, NY 10804
Youth & Family Shabbat on Friday and Saturday, February 9 and 10.
Lounge Night on Wednesday, February 28, 6:30-8:00 pm.Register here.
We also know that these last months have been particularly challenging and are here to support you. We will continue to share our updates on Instagram @bethelnr_teens. Beth El has also curated Israel resources for the community here.
Some other resources curated particularly for teens around what's going on in Israel today can be found here:
The Teen Leadership Board with Bekkah, Alyssa, and Rabbi Zisser
SAVE THE DATE: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 6:30-8:00 PM AT BETH EL FOR OUR NEXT TEEN LOUNGE NIGHT! THIS ONE WILL BE A GAME NIGHT WITH BETH EL TEENS! SIGN UP AT BETHELNR.ORG/TEENLOUNGENIGHTS
Community Service Opportunity: HOPE Breakfast Sunday, February 4, 7-8:30 am for 8th-12th graders; at HOPE Community Services (50 Washington Ave, New Rochelle, NY 10801) Help us share breakfast with those who need it, and start your day off with a mitzvah!
Are you going to Israel or Camp Ramah this summer? LET US KNOW! Email Alyssa at aberman@bethelnr.org!
Belfer Teen Fellowship for Israel Travel (Scholarships!) Application deadline: March 25, 2024 for 9th-12th graders who are attending an accredited teen travel program in Israel Scholarships are generously funded by the Belfer Family Fellows Fund. UJA Federation of New York's Belfer Teen Fellowship provides merit scholarships to teens looking to travel to Israel this summer on an immersive Jewish experience. A limited number of merit scholarships of at least $1,000 will be given to teens who display leadership potential and a strong commitment to their communities. Who’s eligible?
High school students
Permanent residents of UJA’s catchment area: New York City, Westchester, and Long Island
Teens who plan to attend an accredited teen travel program in Israel. For a list of eligible programs, see here.
Applicants who have never received a merit scholarship from UJA-Federation of New York
RootOne Vouchers for Summer Israel Travel Available for Teens entering 10th-12th Grade
Lilly Reiser Scholarship ($10,000 for College!!) Application opens from February 15-March 15, 2024 for current 12th graders United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan, and Darien (UJF) is excited to announce the creation of the Lilly Reiser Scholarship, which will provide $10,000 college scholarships per year for nine Jewish students from Connecticut and New York. Awards will be based on a combination of both need and merit.
Lilly E. Reiser (1924-2020) was born in the small town of Moravska-Ostrava in the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic (now the Czech Republic). Having suffered the inhumanity and indignity of forced labor and internment during the Holocaust at Theresienstadt, Auschwitz, and Bergen-Belson, Lilly was eventually liberated from Bergen-Belson by British soldiers. She emigrated to the United States in 1945 and was only able to obtain her degrees because of the generosity of various Jewish communal organizations, that provided her with the scholarships necessary to do so.
Lilly completed her undergraduate education at Hunter College and went on to achieve a graduate degree from Columbia University’s New York School of Social Work. She proudly served as a social worker in the New York City Public School for over 50 years. Ever thankful for the financial support she received from the organized Jewish community, Lilly wanted to provide similar support to deserving and financially challenged students of Jewish faith. “I can’t think of a more special way to honor Lilly’s memory, than by honoring her wishes to assist young Jews achieve their academic dreams like she did,” said Eric Ross, UJF Deputy Director.
The scholarship application period will be open from February 15 through March 15, 2024.
For more information and scholarship requirements, please visit www.ujf.org/lillyreiser, or contact UJF Deputy Director Eric Ross at eric@ujf.org.
OTHER REGIONAL PROGRAMMING 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.
Stay tuned for even more Teen programming!
Beth El Synagogue Center 1324 North Avenue New Rochelle, NY 10804
TWO DAYS LEFT!!The Nursery School's biggest fundraiser of the year, Casino Night, is THIS SATURDAY! This is a wonderful opportunity for you to build community, make meaningful bonds and have a fun-filled night out while enjoying Vegas style games, l'chaims at the bar, bidding on the robust auction and simply chatting it up with fellow Nursery School families...all while raising important funds for the school. This is the most talked about night of the year and you don't want to miss it! Register here.
The beautiful spiritualChallah Bake, led by Shoresh Aleph's Morah Eden, is on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 7:15PM. Further details for this meaningful event may be found on the flyer below. Register here.
On Friday, February 9th, there will be a special Community Dinner where a new caterer will be serving Shabbat dinner. An "extra-kid-friendly" Kabbalat Shabbat experience will precede the meal, and then on Shabbat morning, February 10, the teens take over Shabbat services. Celebrate Youth and Family Shabbat! Early bird pricing ends today, February 1st. Register here.
There is a Staff Meeting on Wednesday, February 7, soAfter Care on February 7 will end at 2:30pm. Please be sure to mark your calendar.
Registration for the 2024-2025 school year continues and classes are filling up. If you haven't done so already, we encourage you register as soon as possible. Register here.
Enjoy the rest of your week, Ronnie and Shery
Highlights:
Nursery School Registration for the '24-'25 School Year. Register here.
Anaf parents are invited to the Youth Lounge to celebrate Havdallah onMondays at 9AM
Saturday, February 3: Casino Night at 8PM. Register here.
Wednesday, February 7:Challah Bake with Morah Eden at 7:15PM.Register here.
Wednesday, February 7: NS Staff Meeting - After Care ends at 2:30PM.
Friday, February 9: Community Shabbat DinnerRegister here.
Thank you for joining us for ice skating! Nearly 50 of us had a wonderful time!
Up next, there is Nursery School's Casino Night on Saturday, February 3, as well as a very important panel for Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month on Thursday, February 8.
Then, Youth & Family Shabbat is February 9 and 10! We can't wait to see you at our special family-friendly Friday night service (complete with Shirateinu singing) and our Community Dinner, as well as when our teenagers take over Saturday morning services!
Early bird rates & family cap ($100) end tomorrow!
Thanks, Alyssa
Youth & Family Shabbat Friday, February 9 at 6 pm (dinner at 7 pm) Join us for a special family Friday night! Shirateinu will sing during Kabbalat Shabbat services, followed by a delicious, fully-catered dinner at 7 pm.
Saturday, February 10 at 9 am Support our Teens as they take over Shabbat services! We also include representatives from a local Jewish day schools to join our community for this special Shabbat.
Casino Night & Silent Auction Saturday, February 3 at 8 pm open to all Beth El adults
Join us for Casino Night— win big prizes at our Vegas-style tables, enter the poker tournament, shop our silent auction, and L’chaim at the open bar! It’s an evening of games and cocktails for a good cause, our beloved Nursery School. Hosted by comedian Ben Asher.
Our online auction is live! Start your bidding today here.
We Belong Together: Neurodiversity in the Synagogue Thursday, February 8 at 7:30 pm on Zoom
Beth El Synagogue Center is offering a webinar by Matan to help our community understand the needs of neurodiverse individuals, potential barriers to Jewish life, and how each member of our community can help overcome those barriers to enhance inclusion. Matan guides, trains, and supports Jewish community leaders and educators to provide purposeful, enriching, and inclusive opportunities for people with disabilities and their families.
