We hope everyone had an exciting and/or restful New Years holiday (and was able to stay up to watch the ball drop at midnight). With a new year upon us, it is tradition to take stock and think about what we want to accomplish over the next 12 months. We know it can feel like life moves backward from where we want a lot of the time, yet each new year (whether Hebrew or Secular) offers plenty of opportunities when we look for them. Even now, in the midst of heavy rains this past week, state officials say the snowpack in the Sierras is almost twice its usual height, which may yet offer some relief from our ongoing drought. So even though the rain is causing inconveniences and some concerns about flooding, it can still reap potential benefits for the rest of the year. Such potential opportunities abound in this first week of 2023, and we urge everyone to seize those that will make your lives better, whether alone, with family, or with the community.
Speaking of opportunities as well as the rain, we have decided to postpone the playground project for the religious school until Sunday, January 15, at 12:30 p.m. in the hopes the rain will ease up a little bit and not get us all soaked when we put in the new sand and woodchips. We and the teachers will be deeply grateful for anyone who can volunteer to help make the playground even better for the kids.
We also have plenty of other major holidays to celebrate in the first half of the year, including Tu’Bshvat, Purim and Passover. You can help make a difference by volunteering to help with the Purim Carnival and Passover Seder. Assisting with any of these events allows us to connect with the community, perform a mitzvah, and make the Temple Beth Hillel experience even better. In addition, please 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. You can reach out to us or any Board member if you are interested.
Finally, our next Shabbat service will be held this Friday, January 6, at 7:30 p.m. The next Family Shabbat will be in two weeks, on January 20, so be sure to tell all your family and friends to join the fun with the kids. Torah study will be held on Saturday at 10:15 a.m., and will be on Zoom only while Rabbi Dean will hold his Adult Education class on Sunday, January 8 at 10:30 a.m. And those who wish to join Tefillah services at the Religious School are welcome starting on January 8 at 9:30 a.m. Thanks everyone and happy secular new year!
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 – January 6, 2023
January 13, 2023 by tbhrich • president
Welcome to secular year 2023!
We hope everyone had an exciting and/or restful New Years holiday (and was able to stay up to watch the ball drop at midnight). With a new year upon us, it is tradition to take stock and think about what we want to accomplish over the next 12 months. We know it can feel like life moves backward from where we want a lot of the time, yet each new year (whether Hebrew or Secular) offers plenty of opportunities when we look for them. Even now, in the midst of heavy rains this past week, state officials say the snowpack in the Sierras is almost twice its usual height, which may yet offer some relief from our ongoing drought. So even though the rain is causing inconveniences and some concerns about flooding, it can still reap potential benefits for the rest of the year. Such potential opportunities abound in this first week of 2023, and we urge everyone to seize those that will make your lives better, whether alone, with family, or with the community.
Speaking of opportunities as well as the rain, we have decided to postpone the playground project for the religious school until Sunday, January 15, at 12:30 p.m. in the hopes the rain will ease up a little bit and not get us all soaked when we put in the new sand and woodchips. We and the teachers will be deeply grateful for anyone who can volunteer to help make the playground even better for the kids.
We also have plenty of other major holidays to celebrate in the first half of the year, including Tu’Bshvat, Purim and Passover. You can help make a difference by volunteering to help with the Purim Carnival and Passover Seder. Assisting with any of these events allows us to connect with the community, perform a mitzvah, and make the Temple Beth Hillel experience even better. In addition, please 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. You can reach out to us or any Board member if you are interested.
Finally, our next Shabbat service will be held this Friday, January 6, at 7:30 p.m. The next Family Shabbat will be in two weeks, on January 20, so be sure to tell all your family and friends to join the fun with the kids. Torah study will be held on Saturday at 10:15 a.m., and will be on Zoom only while Rabbi Dean will hold his Adult Education class on Sunday, January 8 at 10:30 a.m. And those who wish to join Tefillah services at the Religious School are welcome starting on January 8 at 9:30 a.m. Thanks everyone and happy secular new year!
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