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.
There will also be a delicious dinner and drinks at the start of the evening.
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.
Saturday, February 3, 8:00 pm 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.
Come cook for HOPE! This Sunday, January 28th 10:30-12:00 in the dairy kitchen. Please email Shayna Klopott (shayna.klopott@gmail.com) to sign up or with questions. Supervised children welcome.
Mark your calendar: this Friday, January 26, we are excited to release ASHIRAH, a new song celebrating Shabbat Shirah, composed and performed by Rabbi Yosef Goldman and featuring his Abitah band along with special guests Cantor Gaby and Jack Klebanow, Music Director.
Join us Saturday morning for Shabbat Shirah, where we will have an opportunity to learn this new melody.
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.
The 2024 campaign season is officially underway! We learn in the Ethics of our Fathers that, “One should not separate themselves from the community.” (Pirkei Avot 2:4). Bartenura explains that this means we must share in the community's troubles in order to see its consolation. Living in a democracy is a privilege and the way in which we share in the burdens of the community is through exercising our right to vote.
If you are a first time voter in Westchester the last date to register to vote for the congressional race is June 15th. The Congressional primary will be held on June 25th, 2024.
As a reminder, you can only vote in the primary election if you are enrolled in a major political party. If you are registered as an independent or would like to change your party affiliation in order to vote in the 16th Congressional District primary this must be done before February 14th, 2024. If you are unsure if you are registered or unsure about your party affiliation you can checkhere. If you are interested in changing your party affiliation you can do so online.
Thursday, February 1, 7:00 pm Beth El Security Committee has invited the New Rochelle Police Department to present the "CRASE" training, (Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events). This training emphasizes RUN, HIDE, FIGHT and teaches survival techniques for an active shooter scenario, including what to expect when the police arrive.
We strongly encourage everyone to attend this important safety event. Register Here.
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.
Save the date 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 dinner at 7 pm.
$30 for 13 and older, $18 for children 3-12, 2 and under are free Family cap rate of $100 expires on February 1st. Registration closes Monday, February 5th.
Please join us in the Beth El Den for Sisterhood's Bagels and Books. We will enjoy a spirited discussion of Jonathan Rosen's book, The Best Minds. Jonathan was a member of Beth El and writes engagingly about well-known landmarks in our city, including our own synagogue and of his haunting investigation of the forces that led his closest childhood friend from the heights of brilliant promise to the forensic psychiatric hospital where he has lived since killing the woman he loved.
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 via Zoom Only 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.
Save the Date! Sunday, March 3 Join us for a special luncheon honoring Sheila Cohen. All donations help support our future rabbis, cantors, and Jewish lay leaders at the seminaries in the United States, Germany, Argentina, and Israel. These students will ensure the continuity of future generations of Conservative Jews.
Every Torah Fund gift of $180 will be acknowledged with our unique pin. All contributions, of any amount, will be gratefully accepted and appreciated. Make your donation online at this safe, secure site: www.jtsa.edu/torahfund and be sure to enter ‘Beth El New Rochelle’ in the Affiliate space on the form.
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, January 23rd
10:00 am – Silver Sneakers for Seniors (In Person) 11:30 am – Lunch & Learn with Author Ralph White (In Person). Register here. 1:00 pm – Mah Jongg (In Person) 7:30 pm – Shul Shenanigans Rehearsal (In Person)
Wednesday, January 24th
6:30 pm – Teen Lounge Night: Challah Making (In Person). Register here. 7:30 pm – Shul Shenanigans Rehearsal (In Person)
Thursday, January 25th 1:30 pm – Parashat HaShavua (In Person & Zoom). Join online here. 1:30 pm – DOROT & Beth El’s Plant Postivity (In Person). Register here. 6:30 pm – Teen Learning Collab (In Person, Offsite) 7:00 pm – CAP with Shari Baum (In Person). Register here.
Friday, January 26th 4:50 pm – Kabbalat Shabbat (In Person)
Saturday, January 27th
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) 4:50 pm – Mincha/Maariv (In Person & Livestream) 7:00 pm – Westchester Jewish Council’s 48th Anniversary Gala (In Person, Offsite). Register here. Sunday, January 28th 9:00 am – Middle School Field Trip (In Person) 2:00 pm – Youth & Family Ice Skating (In Person). Register here. 7:30 pm – Keruv Committee Meeting (Zoom). Join online here. Monday, January 29th 9:00 am – Bagels & Book (In Person & Zoom). Join online here.
11:00 am – SMART Zoom (Zoom). Join online here. 1:00 pm – Canasta (In Person)
Tuesday, January 30th
10:00 am – Silver Sneakers for Seniors (In Person) 1:00 pm – Mah Jongg (In Person) 7:30 pm – Open Beit Midrash Scholars Series: The Cycle of Stories in Rabbinic Literature with Dr. Jeffrey L. Rubenstein (In Person). Register here. 7:30 pm – Shul Shenanigans Rehearsal (In Person)
