Happy 2024! I hope that you had a nice Winter Break and had a chance to drink lots of hot chocolate and relax. We ended 2023 with Hanukkiyadah, our Hanukkah-themed mini color war. The Dreidels (blue) faced off against The Gelt (yellow), and a great time was had by all. Enjoy these photos!
Believe it our not, our January events are right around the corner. We have wonderful events this month, and we hope you'll join us for...
Saturday, January 6: Chaverim Parent Bowling at 8 pm. Register here.
Monday, January 15: MLK Mitzvah Day from 11 am- 1 pm.Register here.
Saturday, January 20: Save the Date for Family Havdalah for 5th-7th grade families
Sunday, January 21: Taste of Creativity Camp for 2nd-6th graders at 12 pm. Register here.
Sunday, January 28: Save the Date for Middle School field trip to the Museum of Jewish Heritage
Sunday, January 28: Youth & Family Ice Skating from 1:30-3 pm at Hommocks Park Ice Rink. Register here.
Here is our Religious School calendar:
Thursday, January 4: Regular RS
Sunday, January 7: Regular RS & Moadon
Conversation for 6th grade BE Mitzvah parents at 9 am. Register here.
Middle Schoolers attend film screening at 10:30 am.
Thursday, January 11: Regular RS
Sunday, January 14: NO RS- MLK Weekend
Thursday, January 18: Regular RS
Sunday, January 21: Regular RS & Moadon
BE Mitzvah Experience for 6th graders & parent at 10:30 am. Register here.
Taste of Creativity Camp for 2nd-6th graders at 12 pm. Register here.
UPDATED Religious School Calendar:click here
Upcoming Events
Chaverim goes BOWLING! Saturday, January 6 from 8-9:30 pm for Parents of School-Age Children
Join Chaverim for a night of bowling without the kids! Get to know other Beth El parents while showing off your rolling arm.
MLK Mitzvah Day Monday, January 15 from 11 am-1 pm open to the public & for all ages
Join your Beth El community to give back in honor of MLK Day! We’ll have a variety of projects suitable for the whole family. Come any time between 11 am-1 pm to make the world a better place!
Taste of Creativity Camp Sunday, January 21 from 12-2 pm for 2nd-6th graders
We’re cooking up a delicious summer! Interested in learning more about Creativity Camp? Join Beth El Day Camp and the Youth and Family Department for an afternoon of creativity and summer fun. We will begin with a yummy pizza lunch followed by a cooking and craft project.
Happy 2024! I hope that you had a nice Winter Break and had a chance to drink lots of hot chocolate and relax. Believe it our not, our January events are right around the corner. We have wonderful events this month, and we hope you'll join us for...
Saturday, January 6: Chaverim Parent Bowling at 8 pm. Register here.
Sunday, January 7: Conversation for 6th grade BE Mitzvah parents at 9 am. Register here.
Monday, January 15: MLK Mitzvah Day from 11 am- 1 pm. Register here.
Saturday, January 20: Save the Date for Family Havdalah for 5th-7th grade families
Sunday, January 21:
BE Mitzvah Experience for 6th graders & parent at 10:30 am. Register here.
Taste of Creativity Camp for 2nd-6th graders at 12 pm.Register here.
Sunday, January 28:
Save the Date for Middle School field trip to the Museum of Jewish Heritage
Family Ice Skating from 1:30-3 pm at Hommocks Park Ice Rink. Register here.
Thanks, Alyssa
Upcoming Events
Chaverim goes BOWLING! Saturday, January 6 from 8-9:30 pm for Parents of School-Age Children
Join Chaverim for a night of bowling without the kids! Get to know other Beth El parents while showing off your rolling arm.
MLK Mitzvah Day Monday, January 15 from 11 am-1 pm open to the public & for all ages
Join your Beth El community to give back in honor of MLK Day! We’ll have a variety of projects suitable for the whole family. Come any time between 11 am-1 pm to make the world a better place!
Taste of Creativity Camp Sunday, January 21 from 12-2 pm for 2nd-6th graders
We’re cooking up a delicious summer! Interested in learning more about Creativity Camp? Join Beth El Day Camp and the Youth and Family Department for an afternoon of creativity and summer fun. We will begin with a yummy pizza lunch followed by a cooking and craft project.
We hope this year brings you and your loved ones lots of joy and moments to celebrate. We are especially thrilled to step into 2024 because it means that Summer 2024 is this year!
If you haven't already, now is the perfect time to secure your spot at camp. Register todayto lock in our early bird rates and ensure that your family is part of the magic that awaits at Beth El Day Camp.
Make sure your friends don't miss out on the fun! Did you know that you can refer a friend and you'll receive $200 off camp tuition when they register?
Here's to a fantastic year ahead, filled with sunshine, laughter, and the spirit of camp!
Best, Rebecca Guralnik and Zoe Schein daycamp@bethelnr.org 914-235-2700, ext. 256
Upcoming Beth El Programming Open to Camp Families MLK Mitvah Day
Join us to give back on MLK Day!
We have projects for the whole family, such as: shoe donation | making blankets | seed balls | cookie baking & more!
Join us for a soul-lifting concert with Rabbi Yosef Goldman and the premiere of a new song commissioned for Shabbat Shira as part of our Shirei Neshama series, Songs of the Spirit. Stay for drinks and desserts!
This program is organized by Shoresh Halev Center for Jewish Music at Beth El.
Calling all Musical (and non-Musical) Talent for "SHUL SHENANIGANS" an original, funny, variety show filled with song parodies about our beloved Beth El to be presented March 9th!
Chorus and solo performers wanted...along with backstage crew. All ages are welcome!
Come to the first rehearsal this Sunday, January 7, at 7:00 pm.
Thursday, January 4 10:00 am: Coffee 10:15 am: Lecture 12:00 pm: Lunch Start The New Year Off Right! Swing into 2024 with Jazz musician, Sam Raderman.
$10 per person (Includes live music, discussion, & lunch)
Register Here. Funded through the US Department of Health & Human Services—Administration on Aging (AoA), New York State Office for the Aging, Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services
This Friday, January 5, 6:00 pm
Join us for a special musical Kabbalat Shabbat service on the First Friday of each month. This is an opportunity for our Prayer Team to lead us in song, with new melodies and harmonies.
No registration required.
Sunday, January 7, 10:30 am Dan Lombroso, a Beth El Religious School alumnus (class of 2011), will show his short documentary film (22 minutes): Nina and Irena. It features his grandmother as she breaks her 80-year silence about her experiences as a Holocaust survivor. The film was produced for the New Yorker magazine. After the film, Dan will lead a discussion and take questions from the audience.
Register Here. This program is sponsored by the Beth El Men's Club.
Wednesday, January 10, 7:30 pm Join us to discuss Kantika by Elizabeth Graver.
No registration required. This session will take place on Zoom only.
Monday, January 15, 11:00 am Join us for a screening of Breakfast at Ina’s. Ina Pinkney is a Chicago legend of the tastiest kind. Known around town as the “Breakfast Queen", she has been feeding Chicagoans for the past 33 years – first, out of a small bakery and, most recently, from her beloved breakfast nook in the West Loop. Ina, who survived polio as an infant, now suffers the effects of post-polio syndrome, and has decided to close the doors of her celebrated establishment. An undeniably outstanding chef and businesswoman, Ina is so much more. She’s a community leader, a pioneer, a television personality, but most importantly, she’s the rare sort of person who’s found a way to transform her passion into a joy that extends an entire city, and beyond.
$10 advance registration $15 at the door by cash or check made payable to Beth El Sisterhood Register Here.
Tuesday, January 30, 7:30 pm One of the most fascinating features of the Talmud is its rich tapestry of narratives. If storytelling is an art form, then the Talmud is an artistic masterpiece. Please join us as Dr. Jeffrey Rubenstein guides us through a close reading of three different Talmudic stories and teaches us how the Talmud weaves them together to form an interesting and cohesive literary unit.
This program is sponsored by Dorothy Fox, in memory of Herb Fox z"l.
Dr. Jeffrey L. Rubenstein is the Skirball Professor of Talmud and Rabbinic Literature in the Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies of New York University.
To sponsor an Open Beit Midrash Scholar Series, click here. The Open Beit Midrash Scholar Series is underwritten by the Yvette and Herman Gordon Century Fund for Adult Teaching and Learning. To ensure we can continue to offer high level adult educational programming please consider contributing to that fund here.
*Any day not listed has no scheduled programming (besides minyan). **Unless otherwise indicated, all programs are in person only.
Tuesday, January 2nd
10:00 pm – Silver Sneakers for Seniors 1:00 pm – Mah Jongg 7:30 pm – Textual Magic:The Jewish Wisdom and Themes That Ignited My Love for Judaism with Rabbi David Schuck (In Person & Zoom). Join online here.
Thursday, January 4th 10:00 am – Mainstream Jazz Class and Lunch. Register here. 1:30 pm – Parashat HaShavua (In Person & Zoom). Join online here.
Friday, January 5th 6:00 pm – First Friday Kabbalat Shabbat
Saturday, January 6th
9:00 am – Shabbat Services (In Person & Livestream) 10:30 am – Mini Minyan 10:30 am – Tot Shabbat 11:15 am – Parsha Club 12:45 pm – Daf Shevui 4:30 pm – Mincha/Maariv (In Person & Livestream) 8:00 pm – Chaverim Bowling Night. Register here. Sunday, January 7th 9:00 am – Religious School 9:00 am – Conversation with BE Mitzvah Parents 9:45 am – Rise & Sing (In Person & Zoom) 10:30 am – A Holocaust Survivor Breaks Eighty Years of Silence | Nina & Irena Film Screening. Register here.
Monday, January 8th 11:00 am – SMART Zoom (Zoom). Join online here. 1:00 pm – Canasta
Tuesday, January 9th
10:00 am – Silver Sneakers 1:00 pm – Mah Jongg 7:30 pm – Textual Magic: The Jewish Wisdom and Themes That Ignited My Love for Judaism with Rabbi David Schuck (In Person & Zoom). Join online here.
There is still time to join the Beth El Volunteer Mission to Israel from January 22-25, 2024. Kenes Tours, the operator of UJA's and JNF's wonderful missions to Israel, will be handling our trip.
The itinerary, cost and further details can be found here. Please go hereto register. The registration deadline is Monday, January 1st.
Calling all Musical (and non-Musical) Talent for "SHUL SHENANIGANS" an original, funny, variety show filled with song parodies about our beloved Beth El to be presented March 9th!
Chorus and solo performers wanted...along with backstage crew. All ages are welcome! Come to the first rehearsal on 1/7 (time TBD)
Written & Directed by Howard Rosenstein Musical Director: Jack Klebanow
Sunday, January 7, 10:30 am Dan Lombroso, a Beth El Religious School alumnus (class of 2011), will show his short documentary film (22 minutes): Nina and Irena. It features his grandmother as she breaks her 80-year silence about her experiences as a Holocaust survivor. The film was produced for the New Yorker magazine. After the film, Dan will lead a discussion and take questions from the audience.
Register Here. This program is sponsored by the Beth El Men's Club.
There will be no mah jongg or canasta this week and on January 1st but we will resume on January 2nd.
Wednesday, January 10, 7:30 pm Join us to discuss Kantika by Elizabeth Graver.
No registration required. This session will take place on Zoom only.
Monday, January 15, 11:00 am Join us for a screening of Breakfast at Ina’s. Ina Pinkney is a Chicago legend of the tastiest kind. Known around town as the “Breakfast Queen", she has been feeding Chicagoans for the past 33 years – first, out of a small bakery and, most recently, from her beloved breakfast nook in the West Loop. Ina, who survived polio as an infant, now suffers the effects of post-polio syndrome, and has decided to close the doors of her celebrated establishment at the close of 2013. An undeniably outstanding chef and businesswoman, Ina is so much more. She’s a community leader, a pioneer, a television personality, but most importantly, she’s the rare sort of person who’s found a way to transform her passion into a joy that extends an entire city, and beyond. Breakfast at Ina’s gives audiences a glimpse into Ina’s extraordinary life, all while chronicling the final days of the restaurant as Ina and her staff serve up its final meals.
$10 advance registration $15 at the door by cash or check made payable to Beth El Sisterhood Register Here.
Sunday, January 21, 7:30 pm
Join us for a soul-lifting concert with Rabbi Yosef Goldman and the premiere of a new song commissioned for Shabbat Shira as part of our Shirei Neshama series, Songs of the Spirit. Stay for drinks and desserts!
This program is organized by Shoresh Halev Center for Jewish Music at Beth El.
Tuesday, January 30, 7:30 pm One of the most fascinating features of the Talmud is its rich tapestry of narratives. If storytelling is an art form, then the Talmud is an artistic masterpiece. Please join us as Dr. Jeffrey Rubenstein guides us through a close reading of three different Talmudic stories and teaches us how the Talmud weaves them together to form an interesting and cohesive literary unit.
This program is sponsored by Dorothy Fox, in memory of Herb Fox z"l.
Dr. Jeffrey L. Rubenstein is the Skirball Professor of Talmud and Rabbinic Literature in the Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies of New York University.
To sponsor an Open Beit Midrash Scholar Series, click here. The Open Beit Midrash Scholar Series is underwritten by the Yvette and Herman Gordon Century Fund for Adult Teaching and Learning. To ensure we can continue to offer high level adult educational programming please consider contributing to that fund here.
*Any day not listed has no scheduled programming (besides minyan).
Please note that from December 25th-January 2nd there is no programming scheduled at Beth El. The building will be open for regularly scheduled minyan and Shabbat Services and the office will be open from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm on December 26th, 27th, 28th, and 29th.
Tuesday, December 26th
Canceled- 7:30 pm – Textual Magic with Rabbi David Schuck
Thursday, December 28th 1:30 pm – Parashat HaShavua (In Person & Zoom). Join online here.
Friday, December 29th 4:20 pm – Kabbalat Shabbat (In Person)
Saturday, December 30th
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) 4:20 pm – Mincha/Maariv (In Person & Livestream) Sunday, December 31st Religious School Closed
Monday, January 1st Building closed except for minyan
Tuesday, January 2nd
10:00 am – Silver Sneakers (In Person) 1:00 pm – Mah Jongg (In Person) 7:30 pm – Textual Magic: The Jewish Wisdom and Themes That Ignited My Love for Judaism with Rabbi David Schuck (In Person & Zoom). Join online here.
We had an action-packed Thursday last week, with four grades participating in various chesed activities. Thank you for your participation! See our pictures here!
Tomorrow, we are celebrating with Hanukkiyadah--a mini color war that happens to be Hanukkah themed (albeit a week late). We hope your children can join us for this big hurrah before December Break!
Tomorrow is your last chance to bring Gold Bond (or similar) and board games!
I know it feels far away, but January is really right around the corner and we have lots of great programming happening. Please mark your calendars and RSVP before you go on vacation.
Thursday, December 21: Regular RS (Hanukkiyadah)
Sunday, December 24-Sunday, December 31: NO RS- Winter Break
Thursday, January 4: Regular RS
Saturday, January 6: Chaverim Parent Bowling at 8 pm. Register here.
Sunday, January 7: Regular RS & Moadon
Conversation for 6th grade BE Mitzvah parents at 9 am
Thursday, January 11: Regular RS
Sunday, January 14: NO RS- MLK Weekend
Monday, January 15: MLK Mitzvah Day from 11 am- 1 pm.Register here.
Thursday, January 18: Regular RS
Sunday, January 21: Regular RS & Moadon
BE Mitzvah Experience for 6th graders & parent at 10:30 am
Taste of Creativity Camp for 2nd-6th graders at 12 pm. Register here.
UPDATED Religious School Calendar:click here
Upcoming Events
Chaverim goes BOWLING! Saturday, January 6 from 8-9:30 pm for Parents of School-Age Children
Join Chaverim for a night of bowling without the kids! Get to know other Beth El parents while showing off your rolling arm.
MLK Mitzvah Day Monday, January 15 from 11 am-1 pm open to the public & for all ages
Join your Beth El community to give back in honor of MLK Day! We’ll have a variety of projects suitable for the whole family. Come any time between 11 am-1 pm to make the world a better place!
Taste of Creativity Camp Sunday, January 21 from 12-2 pm for 2nd-6th graders
We’re cooking up a delicious summer! Interested in learning more about Creativity Camp? Join Beth El Day Camp and the Youth and Family Department for an afternoon of creativity and summer fun. We will begin with a yummy pizza lunch followed by a cooking and craft project.
Mazel Tov on making it (almost) to December Break! While I know it seems far away, January is actually right around the corner and we have lots of great events happening. Please mark your calendars and RSVP!
Highlight in this email include:
Saturday, January 6: Chaverim Parent Bowling at 8 pm. Register here.
Sunday, January 7: Conversation for 6th grade BE Mitzvah parents at 9 am
Monday, January 15: MLK Mitzvah Day from 11 am- 1 pm. Register here.
Sunday, January 21:
BE Mitzvah Experience for 6th graders & parent at 10:30 am
Taste of Creativity Camp for 2nd-6th graders at 12 pm.Register here.
Thanks, Alyssa
Upcoming Events
Chaverim goes BOWLING! Saturday, January 6 from 8-9:30 pm for Parents of School-Age Children
Join Chaverim for a night of bowling without the kids! Get to know other Beth El parents while showing off your rolling arm.
MLK Mitzvah Day Monday, January 15 from 11 am-1 pm open to the public & for all ages
Join your Beth El community to give back in honor of MLK Day! We’ll have a variety of projects suitable for the whole family. Come any time between 11 am-1 pm to make the world a better place!
Taste of Creativity Camp Sunday, January 21 from 12-2 pm for 2nd-6th graders
We’re cooking up a delicious summer! Interested in learning more about Creativity Camp? Join Beth El Day Camp and the Youth and Family Department for an afternoon of creativity and summer fun. We will begin with a yummy pizza lunch followed by a cooking and craft project.
Missing your camp friends? Interested in learning more about Creativity Camp? Join us for "A Taste of Creativity Camp" on Sunday, January 21st at 12:00 pm. See more details on the flyer below. Register heretoday!
Rebecca Guralnik, Day Camp Director Zoe Schein, Assistant Director daycamp@bethelnr.org 914-235-2700, ext. 256
Tonight, Tuesday, December 19, 7:30 pm The horrors of October 7th and its repercussions in Israel and North America have been described as a Jewish Peoplehood moment. Last year’s election of the most right-wing government in Israel’s history, however, strained the bonds between North American, liberal Jews and Israel. Further, preexisting fissures in Israeli society and tensions within the North American Jewish community around Israel raise important questions around boundaries, solidarity, values, and identity. The Jewish tradition—stretching from ancient texts to modern thought—uses an array of models and metaphors to describe Jewish peoplehood and collectivity. In this session, we will analyze these models along with their contemporary implications and explore a model of Jewish peoplehood that can meet the profound challenges of the moment.
Register Here. To sponsor an Open Beit Midrash Scholar Series, click here. The Open Beit Midrash Scholar Series is underwritten by the Yvette and Herman Gordon Century Fund for Adult Teaching and Learning. To ensure we can continue to offer high level adult educational programming please consider contributing to that fund here.
There is still time to join the Beth El Volunteer Mission to Israel from January 22-25, 2024. Kenes Tours, the operator of UJA's and JNF's wonderful missions to Israel, will be handling our trip.
The itinerary, cost and further details can be found here. Please go hereto register. The registration deadline is Monday, January 1st.
Sunday, January 7, 10:30 am Dan Lombroso, a Beth El Religious School alumnus (class of 2011), will show his short documentary film (22 minutes): Nina and Irena. It features his grandmother as she breaks her 80-year silence about her experiences as a Holocaust survivor. The film was produced for the New Yorker magazine. After the film, Dan will lead a discussion and take questions from the audience.
Register Here. This program is sponsored by the Beth El Men's Club.
Thursday, December 21, 7:00 pm Facilitated by our "Partners in Caring" social worker, Shari Baum, this group is designed to provide a safe space to support one another as we care for our aging parents with dignity and love.
There will be no mah jongg or canasta next week and on January 1st but we will resume on January 2nd.
Sunday, January 21, 7:30 pm
Join us for a soul-lifting concert with Rabbi Yosef Goldman and the premiere of a new song commissioned for Shabbat Shira as part of our Shirei Neshama series, Songs of the Spirit. Stay for drinks and desserts!
This program is organized by Shoresh Halev Center for Jewish Music at Beth El.
*Any day not listed has no scheduled programming (besides minyan).
Tuesday, December 19th 10:00 am – SilverSneakers for Seniors (In Person). Register here. 1:00 pm – Mah Jongg (In Person) 7:30 pm – Open Beit Midrash Scholars Series: Models of Jewish Peoplehood in Times of Crisis with Dr. Sara Labaton (In Person). Register here.
Thursday, December 21st 1:30 pm – Parashat HaShavua (In Person & Zoom). Join online here. 7:00 pm – CAP with Shari Baum (In Person). Register here.
Friday, December 22nd 4:20 pm – Kabbalat Shabbat (In Person)
Saturday, December 23rd
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) 4:20 pm – Mincha/Maariv (In Person & Livestream) Sunday, December 24th Religious School Closed
Monday, December 25th Building closed except for minyan
Tuesday, December 26th
Canceled- 7:30 pm – Textual Magic with Rabbi David Schuck
Please note that from December 25th-January 2nd there is no programming scheduled at Beth El. The building will be open for regularly scheduled minyan and Shabbat Services and the office will be open from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm on December 26th, 27th, 28th, and 29th.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 19, 7:30 pm The horrors of October 7th and its repercussions in Israel and North America have been described as a Jewish Peoplehood moment. Last year’s election of the most right-wing government in Israel’s history, however, strained the bonds between North American, liberal Jews and Israel. Further, preexisting fissures in Israeli society and tensions within the North American Jewish community around Israel raise important questions around boundaries, solidarity, values, and identity. The Jewish tradition—stretching from ancient texts to modern thought—uses an array of models and metaphors to describe Jewish peoplehood and collectivity. In this session, we will analyze these models along with their contemporary implications and explore a model of Jewish peoplehood that can meet the profound challenges of the moment.
