First of all, a huge thank you to all the volunteers who came to assist in getting our Religious School classrooms ready for the new school year. They helped install new smoke detectors, spread new mulch on the grounds, and cleaned up the classrooms and hallways. And we also wanted to extend our gratitude to Jane Kemp and Michael for putting on the recent Movie night. We had a great turnout and thoroughly enjoyed the exploits of Young Frankenstein.
As we head further into August, we can reflect on this time of year that is full of contrasts in the same month. We of course all know about the contrast between summer vacation and the start of school for our kids but other contrasts abound seemingly everywhere. At the beginning of the month we can walk outside at 9:00 at night and still see the daylight sky but by the end of the month that same time of night will show darkness. Out in the fields, many crops are just beginning to mature at the beginning of the month and ready to be picked by the end. And here in the Bay Area, on the coast we can feel like it is winter with temperatures in the 50s in the morning but drive just 10 miles further east and the full heat of summer becomes readily apparent. The unusual month of August, therefore, reminds that much can change in a short period of time or over a short distance. What we started with at the beginning can transform dramatically by the end.
In one of our own transitions, our Religious School will be starting again on August 25, less than two weeks away. The teachers and staff are preparing to welcome the kids back to school and we deeply appreciate all of the hard work our intrepid volunteers contributed to get the classrooms and grounds ready.
On September 8th 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.
The Rabbi Search Committee continues in its efforts to search for a new rabbi for next year. We will start submitting announcements and accepting job applications later this year, with interviews scheduled for the fall and winter. 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 start to hear from our candidates.
Finally, the next Shabbat Service will be held this Friday, August 16, at 7:30 p.m., hosted as always by Jane Durango and Cantor Marney. Family shabbats will resume in September. Torah Study will take place Saturdays at 10:15 a.m. on Zoom. And of course, we encourage everyone to come to our wonderful Tefillah services once the kids come back for their classes in August. 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 and David, Co-Presidents, Temple Beth Hillel
From the Presidents – August 16, 2024
August 16, 2024 by tbhrich • president
Shalom Everyone!
First of all, a huge thank you to all the volunteers who came to assist in getting our Religious School classrooms ready for the new school year. They helped install new smoke detectors, spread new mulch on the grounds, and cleaned up the classrooms and hallways. And we also wanted to extend our gratitude to Jane Kemp and Michael for putting on the recent Movie night. We had a great turnout and thoroughly enjoyed the exploits of Young Frankenstein.
As we head further into August, we can reflect on this time of year that is full of contrasts in the same month. We of course all know about the contrast between summer vacation and the start of school for our kids but other contrasts abound seemingly everywhere. At the beginning of the month we can walk outside at 9:00 at night and still see the daylight sky but by the end of the month that same time of night will show darkness. Out in the fields, many crops are just beginning to mature at the beginning of the month and ready to be picked by the end. And here in the Bay Area, on the coast we can feel like it is winter with temperatures in the 50s in the morning but drive just 10 miles further east and the full heat of summer becomes readily apparent. The unusual month of August, therefore, reminds that much can change in a short period of time or over a short distance. What we started with at the beginning can transform dramatically by the end.
In one of our own transitions, our Religious School will be starting again on August 25, less than two weeks away. The teachers and staff are preparing to welcome the kids back to school and we deeply appreciate all of the hard work our intrepid volunteers contributed to get the classrooms and grounds ready.
On September 8th 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.
The Rabbi Search Committee continues in its efforts to search for a new rabbi for next year. We will start submitting announcements and accepting job applications later this year, with interviews scheduled for the fall and winter. 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 start to hear from our candidates.
Finally, the next Shabbat Service will be held this Friday, August 16, at 7:30 p.m., hosted as always by Jane Durango and Cantor Marney. Family shabbats will resume in September. Torah Study will take place Saturdays at 10:15 a.m. on Zoom. And of course, we encourage everyone to come to our wonderful Tefillah services once the kids come back for their classes in August. 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 and David, Co-Presidents, Temple Beth Hillel