Passover 2020 Observances at B’ShERT
Dear B’ShERT family and friends,
I know this Passover is going to be really different for most of us, and very difficult for many of us. As one of our major family holidays, it emphasizes the pain many of us are already experiencing being physically separated from our family and friends.
The word “Mizrayim,” Hebrew for “Egypt,” literally means “from narrow places.” Using this interpretively, we sometimes talk about Passover as leaving the narrow places to freedom. Technology is what is allowing our spirits not to be completely trapped in the narrow places of our homes. Being able to telephone and video-conference is how we continue to have the freedom of sharing our lives with others.
That is how we are going to be able to celebrate Passover together this year. Our second-night community Passover seder will begin at 6 pm on Thursday, April 9th.
You may have heard that there have been some security issues with Zoom, the platform that we use for interactive video gatherings. Because of that, you will need to register in advance for the second night seder. Please use this link at OneTable’s Seder2020 project to sign up in advance (by Thursday at noon).
When you register, you will receive an email with a pdf of our Community Haggadah and instructions for what it would be good to have on your table for the seder (and ways to improvise if you can’t get everything).
We will also be streaming our Festival services for the first and seventh morning of the holiday; those services will be available at bshert.org/services/live & you can also check your email for details this week and next.
I look forward to celebrating virtually with you!
In community and in peace,
Rabbi Heidi
Dear B’ShERT family,
Tu B’Shvat Seder
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.
A message from the President of B’ShERT
May 3, 2020 by miketrose • Features
Our thoughts are with you as you care for yourselves and your families during this difficult and uncertain period. It feels like we’re in the wilderness, wondering how long we must wait to reach the promised land of being face to face in our beloved building. During this unprecedented period, however, we’ve still managed to be active and present in your lives. Our dedicated and creative clergy, staff, supporters and congregants have ensured that B’ShERT is here for you to provide spiritual, educational, and social opportunities to benefit all of us.
While sheltering at home, many people have attended our Zoom/Facebook Live Shabbat services, Seders, Passover and Yizkor services, B’Yachad discussion sessions, Torah Study, religious school classes and numerous meetings. We’ve mourned together at virtual funerals and shiva. I am encouraged by how many of you have been attending these meaningful gatherings and hope that your needs for spiritual and community connections are being fulfilled.
I realize that many of you are facing financial difficulties and uncertainties. B’ShERT is experiencing much of the same. We are losing significant income from our Banquet Hall and Aim High early childhood rentals. We’ve had to cancel our fundraising activities, including the Journal Luncheon (which we are postponing). These are critical sources of revenue that support Temple programs, operating costs, and building repairs.
If you are able, please make a donation to B’ShERT to help sustain us during this difficult time. Please support our warm house of Jewish tradition, our open and inclusive spiritual community, as we strive to strengthen ourselves, each other, and the community as a whole — not just during this challenging period but for the brighter days ahead.
If you or someone in your circle is in need of support, feel free to contact Rabbi Hoover, or Faye Levine Guskin (fayelg47@gmail.com), a retired community social worker, who will gladly refer you to community resources.
Sincerely,
Eric Platt, President