As we move through the middle of summer, let us all be grateful we live in the Bay Area, which is one of the few places at the moment that is not suffering from the heat waves around the world. And let us all pray for those who are enduring this heat wave and hope for speedy relief from this unusually hot weather.
And speaking of prayer, this week marks a somber time in the Jewish calendar with Rosh Chodesh Av. The month of Av has begun and with it the start of the Nine Days, which commemorates, according to tradition, the sacking of the First Temple by Nebuchadnessar and the Babylonians. Not for the last time, the independent kingdom of Israel was sacked and its inhabitants forced into exile, not to return until Cyrus the Great and the Persians. The observance of the Nine Days provides the lesson of appreciating what we have and not always concentrating on the negative side of our lives. The ancient Israelites at the time had their share of problems and disputes but all of that seemed irrelevant once they marched off into exile. Therefore, in the coming weeks we can acknowledge the woes of the world while also keeping in mind all that keeps us healthy, supported, and loved.
In other news, we would like to remind everyone that this Sunday, July 23, Temple Beth Hillel will be hosting a volunteer project to help cut the weeds around the property. The event will run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Please bring gardening gloves and any tools suitable for weed whacking. The Temple will provide some tools and equipment as well. We appreciate all your help!
Also, on July 29 at 4:00 p.m. we will host our Movie Night Potluck with a showing of the classic film The Producers, with our own Michael Cohen providing background, trivia, and other fun facts about the movie. There will be plenty of snacks and popcorn! Then starting on August 19 and continuing through September 4, our own Mercedes Cohen’s play “Faeries of the Moonlight” will be showing at John Hinkel Park in Berkeley every Saturday and Sunday at 4:00 p.m. A carpool “field trip” to this event is in the works. Stay tuned! On September 10th Temple Beth Hillel will be hosting a booth at the Solano Stroll in Albany and Berkeley. We and the rest of the Board will be volunteering to help spread the word about our wonderful community, and we encourage all members who are able to do so as well. Larry will be sending out sign-up sheets as we get closer to the event.
Finally, the next Shabbat Service will be held this Friday, July 21 at 7:30 p.m., hosted as always by our own Rabbi Dean and Cantor Marney. We hope to see y’all there. Thanks everyone!
If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
If I am not for others, what am I?
And if not now, when? -Rabbi Hillel
~ Anna B Stein and David Zimring, Co-Presidents, Temple Beth Hillel
From the Presidents – July 21, 2023
July 21, 2023 by tbhrich • president
Hello Everyone!
As we move through the middle of summer, let us all be grateful we live in the Bay Area, which is one of the few places at the moment that is not suffering from the heat waves around the world. And let us all pray for those who are enduring this heat wave and hope for speedy relief from this unusually hot weather.
And speaking of prayer, this week marks a somber time in the Jewish calendar with Rosh Chodesh Av. The month of Av has begun and with it the start of the Nine Days, which commemorates, according to tradition, the sacking of the First Temple by Nebuchadnessar and the Babylonians. Not for the last time, the independent kingdom of Israel was sacked and its inhabitants forced into exile, not to return until Cyrus the Great and the Persians. The observance of the Nine Days provides the lesson of appreciating what we have and not always concentrating on the negative side of our lives. The ancient Israelites at the time had their share of problems and disputes but all of that seemed irrelevant once they marched off into exile. Therefore, in the coming weeks we can acknowledge the woes of the world while also keeping in mind all that keeps us healthy, supported, and loved.
In other news, we would like to remind everyone that this Sunday, July 23, Temple Beth Hillel will be hosting a volunteer project to help cut the weeds around the property. The event will run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Please bring gardening gloves and any tools suitable for weed whacking. The Temple will provide some tools and equipment as well. We appreciate all your help!
Also, on July 29 at 4:00 p.m. we will host our Movie Night Potluck with a showing of the classic film The Producers, with our own Michael Cohen providing background, trivia, and other fun facts about the movie. There will be plenty of snacks and popcorn! Then starting on August 19 and continuing through September 4, our own Mercedes Cohen’s play “Faeries of the Moonlight” will be showing at John Hinkel Park in Berkeley every Saturday and Sunday at 4:00 p.m. A carpool “field trip” to this event is in the works. Stay tuned! On September 10th Temple Beth Hillel will be hosting a booth at the Solano Stroll in Albany and Berkeley. We and the rest of the Board will be volunteering to help spread the word about our wonderful community, and we encourage all members who are able to do so as well. Larry will be sending out sign-up sheets as we get closer to the event.
Finally, the next Shabbat Service will be held this Friday, July 21 at 7:30 p.m., hosted as always by our own Rabbi Dean and Cantor Marney. We hope to see y’all there. Thanks everyone!
If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
If I am not for others, what am I?
And if not now, when? -Rabbi Hillel
~ Anna B Stein and David Zimring, Co-Presidents, Temple Beth Hillel