First of all, thank you to everyone who participated in the annual GRIP walk this past Saturday; we appreciate all your support. We also hope everyone had a nice Halloween with their families this past Tuesday. Even in the midst of all the uncertainties in the unfolding conflict in Gaza and the tense situation at home, it is still nice to know that we can still enjoy fun traditions with our friends and neighbors. Although Halloween is not a Jewish tradition, it does echo some of the themes of Purim, which also celebrates the topsy-turviness of life. And this upcoming weekend we get to manipulate time itself by moving our clocks back for Daylight Saving Time. At this time of year, we all get to enjoy an extra hour of activity or sleep before witnessing a transition to a much earlier twilight and sunset each night. Every day from now until late December the nights will get longer and the days shorter. And yet, we also know that the days will get longer again as the earth turns on its axis in a predictable fashion as it has done for millions of years. In that sense, nature itself fulfills the idea of “it is always darkest before the dawn.” The world may seem like it is plunging into darkness at times but we can all hold onto the belief that times will get brighter in the days and weeks ahead.
We have one special announcement to make for all our congregants who may be interested. Hannah G’s brother Jack, who lives in Israel, will be coming to TBH on Sunday, November 5, to discuss the situation in Israel and its portrayal in the media. The event will start at 10:30 a.m. and last until 12:30 p.m. We encourage all our members to come hear from someone who not only has connections to our temple but has first-hand knowledge of what is occurring in Israel right now.
In addition, we wanted to express our deepest gratitude for all our members who volunteered to serve on the newly created search committee to look for TBH’s next rabbi. We will all miss Dean very much after his retirement next year but this also marks the next chapter in the story of TBH. We and the members of the committee will be working over the next few months to find a worthy successor for our beloved Rabbi Dean. We will provide plenty of updates as the process unfolds. And for those who wish to make a difference in our own community, we highly encourage you to consider joining the Temple Beth Hillel Board of Directors next year. Our Board is always on the lookout for members who have ideas for the future of the temple and the ability to carry out that vision. Serving on the Board makes us appreciate how much Temple Beth Hillel means to us and our children. And for those who wish to volunteer for Food for Thought this year, there is a sign up sheet in the main hallway.
Finally, our next regular Shabbat Service will take place this Friday, November 3, at 7:30 p.m. Please come join us to worship together in solidarity. The next Family Shabbat will occur on Friday, November 17, starting at 6:15 p.m. so please help spread the word. Torah Study will resume every Saturday at 10:15 a.m. on Zoom. And of course, we encourage everyone to come to our wonderful Tefillah services at Religious School every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Thank you 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 – Nov. 4, 2023
November 4, 2023 by tbhrich • president
Shalom everyone,
First of all, thank you to everyone who participated in the annual GRIP walk this past Saturday; we appreciate all your support. We also hope everyone had a nice Halloween with their families this past Tuesday. Even in the midst of all the uncertainties in the unfolding conflict in Gaza and the tense situation at home, it is still nice to know that we can still enjoy fun traditions with our friends and neighbors. Although Halloween is not a Jewish tradition, it does echo some of the themes of Purim, which also celebrates the topsy-turviness of life. And this upcoming weekend we get to manipulate time itself by moving our clocks back for Daylight Saving Time. At this time of year, we all get to enjoy an extra hour of activity or sleep before witnessing a transition to a much earlier twilight and sunset each night. Every day from now until late December the nights will get longer and the days shorter. And yet, we also know that the days will get longer again as the earth turns on its axis in a predictable fashion as it has done for millions of years. In that sense, nature itself fulfills the idea of “it is always darkest before the dawn.” The world may seem like it is plunging into darkness at times but we can all hold onto the belief that times will get brighter in the days and weeks ahead.
We have one special announcement to make for all our congregants who may be interested. Hannah G’s brother Jack, who lives in Israel, will be coming to TBH on Sunday, November 5, to discuss the situation in Israel and its portrayal in the media. The event will start at 10:30 a.m. and last until 12:30 p.m. We encourage all our members to come hear from someone who not only has connections to our temple but has first-hand knowledge of what is occurring in Israel right now.
In addition, we wanted to express our deepest gratitude for all our members who volunteered to serve on the newly created search committee to look for TBH’s next rabbi. We will all miss Dean very much after his retirement next year but this also marks the next chapter in the story of TBH. We and the members of the committee will be working over the next few months to find a worthy successor for our beloved Rabbi Dean. We will provide plenty of updates as the process unfolds. And for those who wish to make a difference in our own community, we highly encourage you to consider joining the Temple Beth Hillel Board of Directors next year. Our Board is always on the lookout for members who have ideas for the future of the temple and the ability to carry out that vision. Serving on the Board makes us appreciate how much Temple Beth Hillel means to us and our children. And for those who wish to volunteer for Food for Thought this year, there is a sign up sheet in the main hallway.
Finally, our next regular Shabbat Service will take place this Friday, November 3, at 7:30 p.m. Please come join us to worship together in solidarity. The next Family Shabbat will occur on Friday, November 17, starting at 6:15 p.m. so please help spread the word. Torah Study will resume every Saturday at 10:15 a.m. on Zoom. And of course, we encourage everyone to come to our wonderful Tefillah services at Religious School every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Thank you 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