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News |
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Men's Club
Upcoming Activities:
September 19 – Brunch and putting up of
the Sukkah.
October 3 – Brunch, Take down Sukkah and
family trip to Hawk Mountain. Bring your kids and your binoculars for a
spectacular view of local raptors.
October 10 – Meet the candidates- co-sponsored
with the Jewish Federation
November 7 – Pigskin and Poker 4:00 PM
Visit the Men's
Club Page for more information. If you haven't already, make sure to
return the Membership form that you received in the mail. If you've
misplaced it, you can download it
here.
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Shop Amazon.com and Earn Money For
Temple Beth El! Need books,
movies, electronics, or just about anything else?
Shop and help raise money for the Temple with just one click! It's easy,
quick and completely private.
Just Click Here
to be transported to the Fundraising Page and there you will find the link
to Amazon.com.
The Temple earns up to 8% of every
purchase, at no cost to you! You must place your order through the link for
Temple Beth El to get the credit. Please help us raise funds for our Temple.
Your assistance is greatly appreciated!
You can also support Temple Beth El with your Magazine purchases.
Along with Amazon.com, you will find a link to QSP for your magazine, books
and music purchases. All this can now be found on our
Fundraising Page. Just
click here and help support Temple Beth El.
Also available on this page is information
about SCRIP,
a great way to fundraise for Temple Beth El
while you're shopping at local merchants.
P.S. If you have any questions please call
Lori @ 610.398.8669 or send an email:
inkred@aol.com. |
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Youth Programming USY
The Allentown chapter of EPA/USY is proud
to announce that we have a great group of officers for the year:
Shai Re’em President
V.P. Israel Affairs (“IA”) - Mark Fisher
V.P. Membership/Kadima (“MemKad”) - Molly Diamondstein
V.P. Religious Education (“RelEd”) - Noah Ehrich
V.P. Communications (“Com”) - Amy Glaser
We have two positions open, V.P. Social
Action/Tikun Olam (“SATO”), and 8th Grade Representative, and we’re sure to
get some qualified candidates for those positions early on in the year.
A few of our Upcoming
Event Dates!
Sunday, September
12th: 9:45-Noon CAR WASH Fundraiser at TBE (Opening program/BRUNCH to
follow!)
“Pizza with the Padre” – Date to be announced
October 15th – 17th at Temple Beth Israel,
Chester County: EPA Leadership Training Institute
Saturday Night, October 30th - Corn
Maze/Haunted Hayride
November 12th-14th: EPA Fall Convention, Temple
Beth El and Chisuk Emuna, Harrisburg
December 23-30: International Convention in
Orlando, Florida!!
Sunday, January 9th, 1PM; PIG PEN – Bowling,
Arcade, etc.
February 4-6: EPA Winter Convention
April 15-17: EPA Spring Convention: The Inn at
Chester Springs, Exton, PA.
Many more events to be posted –
Questions/Info? Facebook account under “Allentown USY Group!”
Kadima
B’ruchim ha’ba’im, Welcome, to all new and returning Kadima members! We have
much to be excited about in the upcoming year, with great events already in
the works like another overnight shul-in and tzedakah bowling with Jewish
Family Education, and many opportunities for other great programs.
Kadima is the middle school age affiliate of United Synagogue Youthand The
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.Kadima is Hebrew for "forward."
Kadima is open to youth in 4th through 7th grade; registration forms are
available from the Synagogue office. Dues for the year are $36 per youth.
I would like to offer an invitation to any Kadima member registered for
2010-2011 who is interested in joining the Kadima board to help plan events,
and assist with spreading the word in order to shape YOUR youth group to
please contact me as soon as possible. I would like to schedule the first
meeting of the Kadima board for Sunday, September 19 immediately after
religious school.
The success of our events lies in the interest and participation of
Kadimaniks, as well as the support of their parents. Thank you in advance to
all the parents who are willing to help by proving food, transportation,
chaperoning and support for Kadima at Temple Beth El.
Please join me in making 2010-2011 one of the BEST years of Kadima at Temple
Beth El!
L’hitraot,
Moreh Ben Davis
Kadima Advisor
email Shalshelet |
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Jewish Family Service Programs
Fabulous Birds of
the Lehigh Valley. Slide show and talk. Wednesday,
Sept. 29. Brunch at 9:45 a.m. Presentation at 10:00 a.m. Jewish
Family Service, 2004 Allen Street, Allentown. A donation of $3 per
person is requested. Call 610-821-8722 by Sept. 27.
Living Beyond the Third Chapter of Life.
Rabbi Moshe Re’em of Temple Beth El will explore life from ages 75 and
up, as seen from Biblical and modern social science points of view.
Monday, Oct. 25. Brunch at 9:45 a.m.
Presentation at 10:00 a.m. Jewish Family Service, 2004 Allen Street,
Allentown. A donation of $3 per person is requested. Call 610-821-8722
by Oct. 22. |
Chavurat Torah Celebrating Three Years
Of Study
An Open Invitation to the Temple Beth El Family,
Each Saturday after our convivial Kiddush Luncheon, a small group of us meet
in the Library to discuss the Parasha of the week. The discussion is
masterfully guided by Shari Spark who brings illuminating insights to the
familiar material. Shari's research and sources aid us in examining the
Torah portion with a fresh and often stimulating approach.
Each Saturday as I sit with my colleagues, I wish more of the Beth El family
would join us to share in this rare and fortunate experience, an in-depth
study of the Parasha, led by Shari in her gentle but knowledgeable manner, a
manner which encourages participation and questions.
We are a fortunate congregation to have this weekly engaging and
intellectually exciting study session. Thank you, Shari and Temple Beth El,
Lolly Siegel
Lolly and the entire Chavurat Torah study group look forward to welcoming
the congregation each and every Shabbat following Kiddush lunch. Our study
group is completely user friendly, topical and lay-led; we never know
week-to-week where our discussions will lead!
This year celebrates the start of our fourth year studying. As Temple Beth
El reads the Torah on a triennial cycle, this means that we have completed a
full cycle of Torah. When one has completed a course of study it is
traditional to host a ‘siyyum’, a formal recognition and celebration of an
outstanding achievement.
In Pirke Avot Ben Bag Bag said: “Turn the Torah over and over for everything
is in it. Look into it, grow old and gray over it, and never move away from
it, for you will find no better portion than it." Chavurat Torah study group
invites the congregation on Shabbat Bereishit, October 2, for a siyyum
Kiddush lunch in honor of our accomplishment of completing studying the
Torah through the triennial cycle, and continuing our studies all over again
– anew! |
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Mah Jongg News
Beginning our 9th year…
Our Mah Jongg Club dates are all Monday evenings at the Temple.
We will begin to play promptly at 6:45 pm.
Please be there by 6:30 pm to register. We play for about 3 hours.
Please mark these club playing dates on your 2010 – 2011 calendars:
September 20
November 15
January 10, 2011
March 14
May 10
$10 per player donation to Sisterhood
NEW FACES ALWAYS WELCOME TO PLAY !
Don’t miss out on another year of sisterhood, laughter, and a great bunch of
fun!
Looking forward to playing Mah Jongg with YOU !!!
Call with questions and your RSVP to Ilene Rubel
Phone 610-776-1577 or email Ilene either at her office address or
irubel@aol.com |
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Features |
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IT’S A SIMCHA MAZEL TOV
Joseph Bass on his
80th birthday.
Ellie & Charlie Brooks on the birth of their granddaughter, Maryn
Rachel Brooks, daughter of Melissa & Steven Brooks.
Elizabeth & David Lischner on their 40th wedding anniversary.
Jean & Jerry Mandel on the college graduation of their granddaughter,
Amelia Sarah Viney, from Cambridge University.
Beverly Bloch on her “special” birthday.
Marilyn & Nathan Braunstein on their 60th wedding anniversary.
Mollie Tope, daughter of Enid & Alan Tope, on her engagement to Eric Small.
Alex Kier, son of Ellen & Lionel Kier, on his engagement to
Elana Stiefel.
Marilyn & Murray Bonfeld on their 45th wedding anniversary.
Toby Schonfeld, Ph.D., daughter of Jill & Ivan Schonfeld, being named
Director of the Master of Arts Bioethics Program and Associate Professor at
Emory University in Atlanta, GA.
Todd Garber on his 40th birthday.
Betty Mendelson on her “special” birthday.
Anne Warschauer on her 90th birthday.
Sydney Schultz on his “special” birthday.
Ben Davis on his new position at the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh
Valley. |
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Temple Office Hours
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday :
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
The Temple office closes at 3:00 p.m. for
Shabbat now that Daylight Standard Time is in effect. |
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Tree of Life
The mosaic Tree of Life has found a
beautiful new home in the hallway adjacent to the Social Hall. Leaves on
the Tree commemorate happy occasions in the lives of our congregants and
memorialize loved ones. The rates for leaves on the tree are $600 for
those leaves in the center on the trunk of the tree, and $500 for those
on the branches.
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Pew Seats
A limited number of pew seats are still
available. If you made a pledge of $10,000 or more ($5000 for single
members) to the capital campaign, you may become a pew seat holder by
committing to an additional $125 per seat per year over annual dues. Please
contact the synagogue office for more details. |
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Keruv
Keruv means “Bringing Closer.” Another word from
the same Hebrew root (krv) is kerovim, family.
The Temple Beth El Keruv Committee was formed in the fall of 2005 with Henry
Luftman as Chair in order to better address the needs of our interfaith
families. Click here for more detailed
information about this very important Temple effort.
The Keruv Committee warmly welcomes new
members, programming suggestions and feedback on its efforts. We invite you
to contact Henry or Pat Luftman (610-966-0167) or
luftman@ptd.net to become involved in
this program. |
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Please Let us Know!
We Need Your Help
The synagogue is
not always notified when congregants are admitted to the hospital.
HIPAA laws prevent hospitals from
releasing the names of patients.
If you know of a friend or relative
in the hospital, please E-mail or phone the Temple so that the Rabbi and
Cantor will know.
Another way of
notifying the Rabbi or Cantor is to give the hospital our code which is
017.
A member of the Temple staff phones the local hospitals every day to
check if any of our members are in.
Our Rabbi and
Cantor also make many visits to members who are in hospitals,
rehabilitation centers or nursing homes. Please notify the temple
office when you or someone you love is in one of these facilities (or is
ill and homebound.)
If you have lost
a relative, please notify the Temple office so you will receive Yahrzeit
notification. |
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High Holiday Schedule
Click here
for the service times for the High Holidays |
Simchat Torah Honorees
Simchat Torah begins on Thursday evening September 20th and continues on
Friday morning October 1st. Traditionally on Simchat Torah morning,
congregations honor two members who have enriched our congregational
life by giving them the last aliyah in the concluding Torah cycle and
the first aliyah in the beginning Torah cycle. These two honorees are
called Hatan/Kallah Torah and Hatan/Kallah B'reishit. This year Temple
Beth El has chosen two Hatans, Neil Dicker and Glenn Ehrich. The
presence of both men is pervasive in our Temple. Please join us on
Simchat Torah morning as we celebrate Neil and Glenn. |
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Sisterhood
Wed., Sept. 1
- Rosh Hashanah Wine Pick-up
Wed. Sept. 15 -
Opening Meeting/ Wine & Cheese Reception
Mon., Sept. 20 -
1st Mah Jongg Club Night
Wed., Oct 13 -
Paid-Up Membership Event
Thurs., Oct. 14
- Trip to Meseum of Jewish Heritage
More info and Miriam's Memos/Alison's Axioms
can be found on the
Sisterhood main page! |
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College Connection
It’s back! Temple Beth El Sisterhood's
College Connection: The way for students to keep linked to their
synagogue during the school year. After celebrating Rosh Hashanah, a
special Sukkot package will be the first to arrive at your son or
daughter’s dorm or apartment. All you have to do is send their name and
college address to Sandy at
pen1311@aol.com as soon as it is available or by September 1 to be
included in this special gift from Sisterhood. Keep connected! |
CHAI
SOCIETY ENTERS IT'S 2ND YEAR
After a successful launch year, we have embarked on our 2nd year. Temple
Beth El Chai'ly appreciates the support of our Chai Society Members for
2010- 2011:
Chai'er Level
Bonnie & Bobby Hammel
L'Chaim Level
Jean Weiner
Double Chai Level
Donna & Alan Black
Ilene & Michael Prokup
Alan Steinberg
Your generosity and participation in this program subsidizes school
scholarships and programs, adult education programs, and Jewish Family Life
Education programs. |
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THEY’RE HOT! HOT! HOT!!
The Best of Beth El
Raffle tickets are going fast!
Get them while the getting is good… Our
raffle tickets are the best deal in town.
Where else could you win a year and a
half’s (that’s 18 months) membership dues for a single purchase of $25?(Or
quadruple your chances and purchase 4 for $100).
This is really a once in a lifetime offer
because we are changing our calendar and billing cycle this year to reflect
the true calendar (January – December) and are forced to give away an extra
six months of membership dues – just this once! Our other great prizes
include a leaf on the beautiful Tree of Life in the Synagogue lobby, two
tickets for the 2011 Dinner Dance (and who would want to miss that?), two
reserved Pew/Chapel seats for 2011 High Holidays or a $50 Gift Certificate
to our fabulous Gift Shop (the best selection in the Valley).
We are only selling 300 tickets this year,
once they’re gone, they’re gone…
We have a limited number of tickets left
and we’re hoping you’ll consider purchasing one (or several) to help our
fundraising efforts this year. The dollars we raise from the raffle will be
used toward Educational and Membership scholarships.
Thank you for your anticipated
participation!
Lori Wiener and Jill Steigerwald
Fundraising Vice Presidents |
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Sponsor a Kiddush or Oneg Shabbat
Please support our Congregation by sponsoring a Saturday Kiddush
luncheon or Friday night Oneg Shabbat. This is a wonderful way to honor
a family or friend’s birthday, anniversary or other life cycle event,
commemorate the Yahrzeit of a loved one or even just to make our Shabbat
experience more enjoyable. The following dates are currently available
for your sponsorship: September 4, 24, October 1, 2, 8, 9, 29, 30 and
November 5, 6, 19, 20. We always welcome contributions to the Kiddush
Fund. Please contact Melanie May, Life Cycle Event Coordinator for more
information at (610) 435-3521 or
email Melanie.
We would like to thank the following congregants for their sponsorships
and generous contributions made in May, June and July: Bea and Abraham
Kuller, the Taylor family, the Knafo family, the Confirmation class and
their families, Enid and Bruce Reich, Amy and Mark Holtz, Jan and Yossi
Bensimhon, the Botzum family, the Zager family, Sandy Newman, Ann and
Gene Ginsberg, Neil Dicker, and Bob and Lota Post.
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Jewish Healing Service
We will hold a healing service on
Thursday Sept 2, 7-8pm, in the Temple Beth El Chapel. We will be creating a safe
space to bring our pain and our questions and our yearning. This one-hour
service will include music, silent meditation, traditional prayers and Torah
study. For more information, please contact Rabbi Re’em or Cantor Wartell at
(610-435-3521). |
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Prayer Book Drive
The Hammel Family Chapel is in need of prayer
books. We still need Siddur Sim Shalom for Weekdays, Siddur Sim Shalom for
Shabbat and Festivals, and The Five Megillot and Jonah. The price is $36.00
per book. This is a limited drive. Please complete the form enclosed in your
bulletin. Thank you for your continuing support! |
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Calling All Parents
The PTO needs you! The PTO’s main function is to
help enrich our children’s educational experience by providing additional
programming, such as baking hamentashen and preparing the model seder. This
year we also hope to finance a field trip to the new National Museum of
American Jewish History in Philadelphia. I need a committee of parents to
help make decisions regarding use of PTO funds, to create more enrichment
opportunities, and to participate in various activities. Most communications
will be via email and we will only have 2-3 meetings. The time commitment
will be small, but the rewards are great! If interested in helping please
call Brenda Walsh (610) 530-0228 or email
b.walsh@rcn.com. |
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SHOP TALK
We've shopped til we dropped to bring new and
exciting religious items and giftware to our Sisterhood Gift Shop. Stop in
and see our brand new selection of children's books featuring the "Sammy the
Spider" series. The shop is open on Tuesday's from 4:00- 6:00PM, and on
Friday's and Sunday's from 10:00AM to 12:00 noon. We are also available by
appointment. If you are interested in volunteering in our Gift Shop, please
let us know.
L'Shana Tova
Andy & Jill |
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Social Action
Read more about the
Social Action Committee.
Dr. Phil Stein
socialaction@templebethelallentown.org
610-653-5231 |
Minyan
The daily minyan is one of the foundations of
our congregation. At morning minyan men and women gather to pray, to hear
Torah read and to recite Kaddish on the Yahrzeit of a beloved one or while
they are in mourning. Friendships grow out of the minyan.
We need 10 people each day to make the minyan.
If you can commit to coming one day a week, more or less often, you will be
performing an important mitzvah.
Minyan meets on weekdays and holidays at 7:45 a.m. and
on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. Come daven with the Rabbi. He’ll be
very happy to see you there. |
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Administration |
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Provide-a-Ride We are organizing a "Provide-a-Ride" service to help congregants who
wish to attend services on Friday evenings but cannot drive at night.
Many of our older congregants who wish to observe a yahrzeit, or to just
enjoy sharing Shabbat services with their Beth El family, can no longer
drive at night. We are in the process of compiling a roster of
congregants who attend Friday evening services, even if only
occasionally, and would be willing to make it possible for a fellow
congregant to attend with them. Please call the Temple office at
610-435-3521 to register as a driver if you can provide this valuable
service.
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Endow a Tree at Beth El Memorial Park
Honor or memorialize our loved ones by
endowing a tree for $1000 at Beth El Memorial Park. A permanent marker
will be erected by the tree chosen.
Contact Ivan Schonfeld at 610-395-8770.
Other items also available to endow. |
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Sanctuary
Renderings Back by popular
demand…printed renderings of our sanctuary at 17th Street are available
again. The price is $136 each whether matte or gloss finish.
Contact Amy Holtz or the synagogue
office to purchase your keepsake picture. |
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Interfaith Policies
As an egalitarian conservative synagogue, Temple
Beth El warmly welcomes interfaith families.
Click here
for more information about our current policies. |
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