It’s that time again: Planning is underway at B’ShERT for the upcoming High Holy Days. This year, to ensure that you have enough time to meet early deadlines, we’re sharing these opportunities for participation:
Follow the links for details about each opportunity and make note of the FIRM deadline of September 2nd for all submissions!
You can also join the Congregational Choir for the High Holy Days. Rehearsals on Thursdays, August 29th, September 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th and Monday, September 30th. All rehearsals are from 7-9 pm. Email office@bshert.org for more information.
In the coming weeks, you will receive High Holy Days tickets and other information you need to help make the holiday experience at B’ShERT meaningful for you and your family. We will also be launching our 5785 High Holiday Appeal soon. Stay tuned!
I hope you’re having a great summer! I’m so looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday mornings again starting September 7th. Registration is open for the fall, soregister your child here to help us determine class sizes and plan awesome field trips for our students!
If you’re curious about our curriculum, click here. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.
New families — if you’re interested in a welcoming, inclusive and fun Hebrew School experience for your children, give us a ring or email jessie.sander@bshert.org anytime!
Welcome to summertime! As is her personal minhag (practice/custom), Rabbi Hoover will be on vacation for the month of July. That means an opportunity for our lay leaders to step into the breach and conduct services in their own unique styles.
We encourage you to attend on Zoom or in person, but take careful note of the schedule below and our calendar, as not all services will be multi-access. In particular please note that aside from July 5, all Friday night services in July will be Zoom only and Temple will not be open. Saturday morning services will be in person, and may be on Zoom depending on which week.
The Temple Office will also be closed July 8 through July 14 while Alice is on vacation. If you have a true emergency you can call the Temple and choose the emergency message option.
Services for July
Friday, July 5th —
In-person in the sanctuary and on Zoom (multi-access)
Service leader: Jeff Levinson; Song Leader: Hazel Tishcoff
Saturday, July 6th
In-person in the community room; no Zoom
Service leaders: Fran and Sam Silverman, Charlotte Russell; Song Leader: Debbie Belsky
Friday, July 12th
Adrienne Knoll and Marshall Sorgen: Zoom only
Saturday, July 13th
Tamara Kerner and Ellyn Rothstein: In-person in the community room + Zoom (multi-access)
Friday, July 19th
Adrienne Knoll and Marshall Sorgen: Zoom only
Saturday, July 20th
Jenn Tattenbaum: In-person in the community room + Zoom (multi-access)
Friday, July 26th
Gail Levine and Bob Fried: Zoom only
Saturday, July 27th
In-person in the community room; no Zoom
Service leader Eric Platt; Song Leader Debbie Belsky
This Friday evening’s Shabbat service is going to be very special. Eight of our members have been studying together for over two years in our adult brit mitzvah class. Now that they’ve completed it, we are celebrating! Our service will include a Torah service with multiple Torah readers and divrei Torah. If you can come in person to honor these scholars, please do! If not, please join us on Zoom if you can. Mazal tov to Mary Lou Criqui, Janice Essa, Diane Figueroa, Sylvia Kaplan, Diane Kesten, Ellyn Rothstein, Charlotte Russell, and Phyllis Schweiger.
We will have a second special Shabbat observance on Saturday, with our annual outdoor Shabbat Morning at the Marine Park Salt Marsh Nature Center, 3301 Avenue U. Parking is limited. We hope to see you there (and we hope the weather permits us to be there)! Note there is no religious school due to the holiday weekend.
Friday, May 24th –
7:15 pm – Shabbat Service led by our adult Brit Mitzvah class. They will also read from the Torah and celebrate the culmination of over two years of studying together. In-house and on Zoom.
Saturday, May 25th – No religious School.
10:30 am – Shabbat outdoor service at the Marine Park Salt Marsh Nature Center. Bring a lawn chair, sun hat, sunscreen, and if you wish lunch to enjoy afterwards. In case of rain, a phone message will be sent and services will be at Temple. Zoom will only be happening if the Service is indoors.
Thursday, May 30th – 1:00 pm -Torah study with Rabbi Hoover via Zoom.
Friday, May 31st – 10:00 am – Tot Shabbat for children 5 years old and younger with their caregiver.
6:00 pm – Poetry text study. Zoom only.
7:15 pm – Shabbat Service – In-house and on Zoom.
Saturday, June 1st – Religious School open house.
9:45 am – Religious school
10:00 am – B’Yachad.
11:00 am – Shabbat Service – In-house and on Zoom.
Coming Soon:
Congregational Picnic – Sunday, June 23rd beginning at 11 am until 6 pm at Fort Tilden Recreation Area in Breezy Point. Temple will provide hamburgers, hotdogs, veggie options, knishes and drinks. $15 per adult ($18 after June 14th. $10 for kids 13-18 and $5 for kids 5-12. Make checks payable to B’ShERT. or sign up through Shulcloud: https://bshert.shulcloud.com/event/picnic2024
Brooklyn Cyclones with the B’ShERT Brotherhood – Sunday, August 11th at 2 pm at Maimonides Park on the Coney Island Boardwalk. Tickets are $20 each ($10 for kids under 13). Send checks payable to Brotherhood of B’ShERT to Gene Guskin, 2664 East 12th Street, Brooklyn 11235 or purchase online at https://bshert.org/cyclones. Checks must be received by August 1st.
The Fundraising Committee invites you to a Passover Wine Tasting on Sunday March 3! 4 pm in the Community Room (for those who have challenges going downstairs) and 5 pm in the Banquet Hall.
This Saturday, October 21, spend the morning at B’ShERT for two special events:
A conversation on The Jewish Deli, 9:45 am
Join Ben Nadler, the author and illustrator of The Jewish Deli: An Illustrated Guide to the Chosen Food for a conversation on “A delightful celebration of Jewish delicatessens in an accessible comics format, full of history and humor, and guaranteed to make you hungry.” Taylor & Co. Books will be on hand selling copies.
Religious School Open House, 9:45 am
While some folks are envisioning pastrami and rye, kids ages 5 to 12 are invited to try out our religious school. They’ll join a class of their age group to explore a classic Genesis story—Noah and the ark!
Our K-2 class will learn about kindness to animals and make a rainbow craft, while our 3rd-5th graders will explore a short midrash about Noah before they venture into the Jewish practice of baby namings. And our 6th-8th graders will study a modern interpretation of the Noah story in which we ask: What was Noah’s wife thinking(!) and how can we understand the flood better from her perspective?
Then, at 11 am, all are welcome to join our family-friendly Shabbat services in our historic sanctuary.
Since the news broke on Saturday morning, shortly before our Sh’mini Atzeret/Simchat Torah Festival Morning and Shabbat service, that a massive terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas had been launched from Gaza, I have been feeling horrified, helpless, and worried. I know that many of you have too.
This attack on Israel is unprecedented. On Simchat Torah/Sh’mini Atzeret and Shabbat, terrorists invaded kibbutzim and cities in the south of Israel, going from house to house slaughtering and kidnapping people of all genders and ages—from small children to elderly grandparents. In its suddenness and violence, many are comparing its impact on people in Israel to the impact of 9/11 on us.
I know that we have a range of opinions about Israel and its policies in our community—what our relationship as practitioners of Judaism in the US is or should be with Israel; what we think of the Israeli government and its various policies; where we stand on Zionism. I certainly have many criticisms of the Israeli government.
According to yesterday’s news, more than 700 hundred Israelis have been killed, hundreds kidnapped, and thousands wounded, and over 400 Palestinians have been killed. In this time of crisis, I urge us all to stand together with Israel against the attackers and put aside the differences among us for now, as we did in the US in the wake of 9/11.
Many in our community have relatives and loved ones in Israel, including active soldiers in the army and soldiers who have been called up in the reserves. We fear for the safety of all of these family members and loved ones, and we grieve for those whose lives have already been taken, or who are missing.
UJA-Federation has set up an emergency fund for Israel. If you choose, the donation link is here:
I’d like to offer an opportunity for us to gather for a vigil for Israel. Tonight, on Monday, October 9 at 7:00 pm, I invite you to join me in person in the B’ShERT sanctuary or on Zoom to sing, pray, and share our feelings about what is happening. Our strength lies in our community— let us strengthen each other.
There is also a vigil co-hosted by URJ at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza (2nd Ave at 43rd St) on Tuesday at 5 pm. Information is here — note that for security reasons, no backpacks will be allowed into the event.
We are invited by our shaliach, Elad Bar-Ilan, to attend a webinar about the current crisis at noon tomorrow, Tuesday, October 10:
This zoom seminar will be led by renowned speaker Neil Lazarus from Awesome Seminars, and will delve deep into the complexities of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. This seminar promises to offer a unique and comprehensive understanding of the events unfolding in this volatile region.
In this seminar, you can expect to gain invaluable insights into the historical context, the current state of affairs, and the future implications of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Neil Lazarus will provide a balanced perspective that encourages critical thinking and fosters open dialogue.
Your contributions to the Charity Appeal support the many community and global efforts to help improve and repair our world, including our Little Free Pantry and other tzedakah-funded programs. Donate now on our Shulcloud portal.
Welcome to summertime! As is her personal minhag (practice/custom), Rabbi Hoover will be on vacation for the month of July. That means an opportunity for our lay leaders to step into the breach and conduct services in their own unique styles.
Dear B’ShERT family and friends,
Please join us for a welcoming and fun Community 2nd Night Seder on April 23!
This Saturday, October 21, spend the morning at B’ShERT for two special events:
Dear B’ShERT family,
Your 
Looking ahead to the High Holy Days
August 18, 2024 by miketrose • Features
Follow the links for details about each opportunity and make note of the FIRM deadline of September 2nd for all submissions!
You can also join the Congregational Choir for the High Holy Days. Rehearsals on Thursdays, August 29th, September 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th and Monday, September 30th. All rehearsals are from 7-9 pm. Email office@bshert.org for more information.
In the coming weeks, you will receive High Holy Days tickets and other information you need to help make the holiday experience at B’ShERT meaningful for you and your family. We will also be launching our 5785 High Holiday Appeal soon. Stay tuned!
The full schedule of services is available on our High Holy Day hub, and a printable version is also online.
If you have friends or family who would like to purchase non-member tickets, please advise the office or sign them up here.
If you have any questions about the enclosed materials, reach out to Alice Hyatt (718) 282-1596 or office@bshert.org.