This week in the secular calendar we have an exciting day to celebrate: Pi Day! March 14 translated to 3/14, which of course corresponds to the first 3 digits of pi (and we can add three more when we include 1:59 p.m.!). Along with eating a variety of slices of pie that day, we can ponder the mystery and power of pi, one of the most intriguing numbers in mathematics. It allows us to find the area of a circle and has been calculated out to over a billion digits without ever repeating a pattern. Judaism especially has a fascination with numbers and the connections they make in Jewish culture. Since each Hebrew letter has a corresponding number, every Hebrew word has an assigned value that can be compared with other words to show patterns and mysteries. Known as gematriyah, this practice can unlock hidden meanings in concepts all across Judaism. For example, when comparing the Hebrew names for the days of the week, Yom Shabbat emerges as the day with the highest value, perfectly illustrating the importance of keeping Shabbat as part of balancing the universe. So for this year’s Pi Day, let us all celebrate the fact that Jewish tradition long recognized the power of numbers in human affairs.
In other news, the Rabbi Search Committee recently met to discuss the member survey and we will start submitting announcements and accepting job applications later this summer The Board now plans to have a new rabbi selected by the spring of 2025, just before Rabbi Dean’s retirement. We will provide more updates as we get closer to summer..
In less than two weeks, we will be holding our annual Purim Carnival, which will take place on March 24 from 12:00 p..m.-2:00 p.m. We deeply appreciate all those members and families who have volunteered to assist with the booths, bake sale, set up, etc. These events allow us to connect with the community, perform a mitzvah, and make the Temple Beth Hillel experience even better for all our members. We will also be holding our annual Passover Seder on Saturday, April 27. We will send out more information shortly. And for those who wish to make a difference in our 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.
Finally, our next regular Shabbat Service will take place on Friday, March 15, at 7:30 p.m. Family Shabbat will occur on the same evening at 6:15 p.m. and all families are welcome to join our pre-Purim activities. And there will be hamentashens so the kids will love it! Torah Study will take place Saturdays at 10:15 a.m. on Zoom, and the next Adult Education class will be hosted by Rabbi Dean on Sunday, March 17. And of course, we encourage everyone to come to our wonderful Tefillah services at Religious School each 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 – March 14, 2024
March 14, 2024 by tbhrich •
Shalom Everyone!
This week in the secular calendar we have an exciting day to celebrate: Pi Day! March 14 translated to 3/14, which of course corresponds to the first 3 digits of pi (and we can add three more when we include 1:59 p.m.!). Along with eating a variety of slices of pie that day, we can ponder the mystery and power of pi, one of the most intriguing numbers in mathematics. It allows us to find the area of a circle and has been calculated out to over a billion digits without ever repeating a pattern. Judaism especially has a fascination with numbers and the connections they make in Jewish culture. Since each Hebrew letter has a corresponding number, every Hebrew word has an assigned value that can be compared with other words to show patterns and mysteries. Known as gematriyah, this practice can unlock hidden meanings in concepts all across Judaism. For example, when comparing the Hebrew names for the days of the week, Yom Shabbat emerges as the day with the highest value, perfectly illustrating the importance of keeping Shabbat as part of balancing the universe. So for this year’s Pi Day, let us all celebrate the fact that Jewish tradition long recognized the power of numbers in human affairs.
In other news, the Rabbi Search Committee recently met to discuss the member survey and we will start submitting announcements and accepting job applications later this summer The Board now plans to have a new rabbi selected by the spring of 2025, just before Rabbi Dean’s retirement. We will provide more updates as we get closer to summer..
In less than two weeks, we will be holding our annual Purim Carnival, which will take place on March 24 from 12:00 p..m.-2:00 p.m. We deeply appreciate all those members and families who have volunteered to assist with the booths, bake sale, set up, etc. These events allow us to connect with the community, perform a mitzvah, and make the Temple Beth Hillel experience even better for all our members. We will also be holding our annual Passover Seder on Saturday, April 27. We will send out more information shortly. And for those who wish to make a difference in our 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.
Finally, our next regular Shabbat Service will take place on Friday, March 15, at 7:30 p.m. Family Shabbat will occur on the same evening at 6:15 p.m. and all families are welcome to join our pre-Purim activities. And there will be hamentashens so the kids will love it! Torah Study will take place Saturdays at 10:15 a.m. on Zoom, and the next Adult Education class will be hosted by Rabbi Dean on Sunday, March 17. And of course, we encourage everyone to come to our wonderful Tefillah services at Religious School each 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