Features

July at Temple: Rabbi on vacation, lay-led services!

June 28, 2024 by miketrose • Features Tags: july, lay-led, schedule, services, summer •

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

Weekend of 5/24 — Adult Bnei Mitzvah & Outdoor Service

May 24, 2024 by miketrose • Features

Dear B’ShERT family and friends,

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 23^rd 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 14^th. $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.

Tot Shabbat, now on Saturdays too!

May 23, 2024 by jennifer • Features, Religious School

We’re expanding our beloved Tot Shabbat program!

Join us for a preview on Saturday June 1 at 10 am when our songleader, Ben Romano, will lead a music-filled Tot Shabbat service, perfect for ages 0 to 5.

Then, starting on September 7, 2024, Ben will lead Tot Shabbat every Saturday at 10 am.

For the younger, not-yet-in-school set, Rabbi Hoover leads a 30-minute Tot Shabbat service every Friday morning at 10 am during the school year. It’s a joyful way to get ready for the weekend and Shabbat!

Second Night Community Seder at B’ShERT — Tuesday, April 23, 2024

April 12, 2024 by miketrose • Features Tags: community-seder, dinner, passover, pesach, seder •

illustration of a seder plate Please join us for a welcoming and fun Community 2nd Night Seder on April 23!

Please choose chicken or fish meal for each guest.

(Temple will provide a full kosher-style Seder meal with either chicken or fish, salad, vegetable, etc.)

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND, SOUP & GEFILTE FISH WILL BE SERVED WITH OUR SEDER MEAL

Indicate who you would like to sit with. There is assigned seating.

Potluck Passover Dessert Table. Bring your favorite non-dairy Passover dessert.

(Temple will provide macaroons)

Adults $54 – Children 13 & under $30 (children under 2 no charge). Checks made payable to B’ShERT please.

Your payment holds your reservation. If you cannot attend in person and would like a Zoom link, please let us know.

Call or email the office to RSVP by April 15^th

Purim Carnival! Megillah Reading! March 23! Enough Said.

March 4, 2024 by jennifer • Features, Religious School

But read on, because there actually is much more to say about celebrating Purim with B’ShERT.

Kids in Purim Costumes — Getting ready for the costume parade!

Join the B’ShERT community for a day of Purim celebration on Saturday, March 23. Here’s what’s in store:

11 am – Family Megillah Reading with lots of noise and laughter and costumes, leading right into…

12:30 pm – PURIM CARNIVAL!!!!

This afternoon extravaganza will feature:

Carnival Games: Rubber duck water table fishing, jelly bean count, fishbowl penny drop, beanbag toss, ring toss
Arcade prizes kids can “buy” with their game winnings
Food: Pizza, hamantaschen, juice, pretzels (and possibly egg creams)
Face painting
Costume contest, judged by our very own Jessie Sander, Education Director
Raffle

Can’t wait to see you there!

Megillah reading and Purim Shpiel — Hijinks and mayhem as we tell the story of Esther and Mordechai’s triumph against the evil Haman!

Passover Wine Tasting March 3

February 17, 2024 by miketrose • Features Tags: fundraising, passover, wine •

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.

See the full flyer below.

You can purchase tickets online — members please log in prior to ordering! Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

Passover wine tasting - March 3 2024

Celebrate Hanukkah, All Weekend-Long

November 28, 2023 by jennifer • Features, Religious School

Hannukah Menorah Candle Lighting

Let’s have a latke fun together!

Join the B’ShERT community in Brooklyn for a weekend of celebration to kick off Hanukkah, with a lineup of family events that’ll leave you saying, “Hey, Gimel more!”

Friday, December 8

10 am: Tot Shabbat
For kids ages 0 to 5: a great a chance to meet other kids, caregivers, and parents in the neighborhood. (And a nice inside activity as the days get colder.)

6 pm: Potluck dinner with dreidel games and jelly donuts
Get your annual latke fix without filling your apartment with frying oil!

7:15 pm: Service with bring-your-own-menorah lighting
A music-filled service to welcome the holiday and Shabbat

Saturday, December 9

9:45 am: Religious School open house with Hanukkah activities
An opportunity for kids ages 5 to 12 to check out our religious school for a day. There are going to be art activities like t-shirt making and gelt-making, and Hannukah trivia games. Then during the Shabbat service, we’ll sing all your favorite Hannukah songs.

5 pm: A Hannukah evening outside
We’ll brighten the dusk outside with more candle lighting and donuts, plus hot chocolate, Havdalah, and stargazing through a telescope!

Can’t wait to see you to celebrate the start of Hanukkah!

Hannukah Service with Rabbi Heidi Hoover and Nonie Schuster

“The Jewish Deli” + Religious School Open House on Saturday 10/21

October 17, 2023 by miketrose • Features, Religious School

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.

See you Saturday!

Vigil for Israel — 7 pm Monday 10/9

October 9, 2023 by miketrose • Features Tags: emergency, israel •

Dear B’ShERT family,

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:

https://www.ujafedny.org/israel-emergency-fund

If you’d like to donate to a different organization, there are a number of suggestions 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.

Here is the Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89323244064?pwd=V0pva3k1elU1VENhKzRSUVhhKzVuUT09

Meeting ID: 893 2324 4064

Passcode: 404855

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.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83653888562?pwd=MDZVSmNyVG85TjZLZlZoZXFzdm40Zz09

Meeting ID: 836 5388 8562
Passcode: 442313

If you would like to talk privately, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

B’Shalom,

Rabbi

Israel Rally Flyer

Simchat Torah Festivities — Friday 10/6 at 6:30 pm

October 3, 2023 by jennifer • Features, Religious School

Rabbi reading Torah — Rabbi Heidi Hoover reading Torah on Simchat Torah

Make Caramel Apples + a B’ShERT B’Shirt!

To get into the mood of Simchat Torah, and prepare for the festivities, join us for some creative, messy, tasty fun this Friday evening, October 6 at 6:30 pm.

All families are invited to come early for Simchat Torah services on Friday evening for two activities: caramel-apple making (we provide the ingredients, you make the mess), and t-shirt making. For the t-shirts, we’ll provide the plain t-shirts, fabric paints, and stencils; and every kid will have a chance to make their own B’Shert t-shirts (B’Shirts!) to wear at events in the future.

Then we’ll head to the Simchat Torah service, where we get to dance around with the torah and see the entire scroll unrolled, filling almost our entire sanctuary. This is a rare chance to see the full torah text all at once and is not to be missed!

Time: Friday October 6 at 6:30 pm (activities), 7:15 pm (service)
Place: 83 Marlborough Road

See you there for a joyous evening!

Unscrolled Torah — The full Torah scroll unrolled in the B’ShERT sanctuary

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