miketrose

Dear B’ShERT family,

I know we have all been hearing a great deal about the novel coronavirus and the disease associated with it, COVID-19. While there is not yet (as of 3/4) broad community spread here in the New York area, we have to anticipate that may change.

There are some members of our community who are especially vulnerable, and we should take precautions to help keep each other as safe as possible. To that end, I’d like to encourage us all to observe these common-sense practices:

• Rather than shaking hands or hugging, bump elbows or wave.
• Wash hands often and thoroughly (with soap, scrubbing for 20 seconds, rinsing, and drying).
• If you have symptoms of a respiratory illness, stay home instead of coming to the synagogue.
• Cough or sneeze into a disposable tissue or your elbow.
• Try to avoid touching your face.

As an inclusion effort for congregants who need to remain at home or would prefer not to attend services in person, we will also be streaming additional services. You can see all streamed services (past and planned) on the temple’s YouTube page, and it’s easy to subscribe so you get a notification when Temple is live.

We pray that the COVID-19 pandemic will not become severe. Meanwhile, let’s do what we can to take care of ourselves and each other. You can read more about this challenging situation and the Reform Jewish response at the URJ Blog.

In peace and with prayers for health,

Rabbi Hoover

Come Join Your Temple Family and Friends as we

Celebrate Shabbat Across America 

Friday evening, February 28 at 7:00 P.M. 

A dairy meal will be served

Shabbat Services to follow.

 Dinner will be $10 pp /Children under 13 are free

Reservations must be in by February 24  

Checks made payable to B’ShERT 

Friday, Jan. 31st – 10:00 am – Tot Shabbat for children 5 years old or younger and their caregiver.

7:00 pm – Torah Study. This week’s Torah portion is Bo, Exodus 10:1-13:6. If you would like to study the portion beforehand, go to: http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt0210.htm#1

8:00 pm – Shabbat Service.

Saturday, Feb. 1st – 9:45 am – Religious School.

9:45 am – Parent Workshop.

11:00 am – Shabbat Service.

Monday, Feb. 3rd – 7:30 pm – Israeli Dance, $10 pp.

Tuesday, Feb. 4th – 1:00 pm. Afternoon Torah Study – Led by Sam Silverman. The class is currently studying Josephus’ “Antiquities of the Jews.”

Wednesday, Feb. 5th – 7:00 pm – The Temple evening book club will meet at the home of Bonnie Greenbaum. This month’s book is “The Art Forger” by B.A. Shapiro.

Thursday, Feb. 6th – 7:00 pm – Purim Shpiel Rehearsal. Rehearsal will start tonight and every Thursday until our Purim Shpiel, which is set for Monday, March 9. This year we’re using the music of Elton John. Get involved in this fun holiday spectacle! You do not need to come to every rehearsal, but you do need to come to a few of them.

Friday, Feb. 7th – 10:00 am – Tot Shabbat for children 5 years old or younger and their caregiver.

7:00 pm – Torah Study. This week’s Torah portion is B’shalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16). If you would like to read the Torah portion beforehand, go to: http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt0213.htm#17

8:00 pm – Shabbat Service.

Saturday, Feb. 8th – 9:45 am. Religious School.

9:45 am – Tu b’Shevat Seder. Celebrate the birthday of trees at our Tu b’Shevat Seder. There will be a light brunch at 9:30 am.

11:00 am – Shabbat Service.

Rabbi Deborah Prinz will speak about “Jews On the Chocolate Trail,” a delectable journey through the religious history of chocolate; exploring the surprising Jewish and other religious connections to chocolate. Rabbi Prinz draws from her world travels on the trail of chocolate to enchant chocoholics everywhere as she unwraps the role of religions in the trade, retail and manufacture of chocolate since it was first introduced to Europeans. Explore the surprising connections to chocolate in this gastronomic adventure.

Date:  Sunday, May 3, 2020,

Time:  4:00 PM

Place: Banquet Hall

Admission:  $18.00 – Adults

$ 5.00 – Children 13 & under

(payable to temple office or via Eventbrite & Facebook)

There will be plenty of chocolate stories, treats and books to enjoy along with book signing.

The World Zionist Congress elections are here, and it is time to have our voices heard in Israel! Each and every vote from our congregation is crucial to maintaining a strong Reform presence. This is our chance to speak up for the Reform Movement in Israel. Together we can grow our Reform Movement and works towards making progress on the issues we care about: religious freedom, equality, peace, and many more. (Read more on the URJ blog.)

Voting is open now until March 11, 2020. Your vote in this election is the only democratic opportunity you have to influencer Israeli society. Vote for the Reform ticket: ARZA Representing the Reform Movement and Reconstructing Judaism. Vote now at this link.

Should you have any questions or need assistance in voting please contact ARZA Chair Tamara Kerner: trkerner@gmail or 718-714-4405.

Please join us on Friday January 24 at 7 pm and/or Saturday January 25 at 9:45 am for our Esther Bibliodrama shiurim — the kickoff to our preparations for Purim! Your contributions and ideas will help provide the creative seeds for this year’s all-new and original Purim Spiel.

Dairy Potluck and Torah Service

Friday, January 10, 2020

Join us for the first potluck of 2020!

Temple provides pizza and pasta… you bring a dairy / vegetarian side dish or dessert — and of course, your engaging conversations.

Potluck – 7:00

Torah Service – 8:00