We hope you all enjoyed Tu B’shvat! Along with celebrating the planting of trees and eating delicious fruits, this holiday especially allows us to consider the deeper meaning of so much Jewish tradition. Tu B’shvat provides two key lessons for our community. First of all, planting a tree for this holiday reminds us that not everything we work to create is for our own benefit. According to the Talmud, a righteous man named Honi encountered a man planting a carob tree and Honi asked how long it would take for the tree to grow fruit. The man replied 70 years, which led Honi to ask further if the man expected to live long enough to enjoy the fruit. The man then replied, “I have found ready-grown carob trees in the world. As my forefathers planted them for me, so I plant for my children.” Just as this man worked to plant a tree he knew he would never enjoy, so we all look to the future to make the world a better place for our children and grandchildren. Whether it is something as personal as saving for college and or as broad as reducing greenhouse gases, working for the future helps fulfill our lives in the present. Secondly, the tradition of eating 15 fruits to represent the 15 days of Shevat enables us to get out of our comfort zones and try new fruits we have never had before in our lives. We can take that lesson and expand upon it to encourage ourselves and our community to take risks and broaden our horizons. We therefore encourage all of you to consider these lessons of Tu B’shvat and see where they can take you.
We are also happy to report we have a new Building and Grounds Chair, Howard Lacheen, one of the parents in the religious school. The TBH Board welcomes him to our team and looks forward to working with him in maintaining and improving our facilities.
Looking ahead, we wanted to remind everyone that we have two major events occurring soon. This Sunday, February 12, at 12:30 p.m. there will be a Hamenstashan making class for all members who are interested. It will take place right after the religious school. Come join us in making delicious Hamentashens that we can use not only for Purim but also for the Super Bowl! And speaking of Purim, we are once again having our traditional Purim Carnival in all its glory on March 5 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. There will be games, a bouncy house for the kids, songs, and a bake sale. In order for the event to be as exciting as possible, we need your help! We are looking for volunteers to help with set-up, clean-up, bringing baked goods, running the games, etc. The Temple Beth Hillel Board will be volunteering as well. Below you can find the link to sign up as a volunteer for the task you feel will contribute the most to the success of the event. Let’s all make this Purim one to remember!
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 when you are interested.
Finally, the next Shabbat Service will be held next Friday, February 17, at 7:30 p.m. Family Shabbat will be held earlier that evening, at 6:15 p.m., where we will celebrate Tu B’shevat by tasting delicious fruits. Please help spread the word to encourage families to join. There will also be Torah study on Saturday at 10:15 a.m., and will be on Zoom. And those who wish to join Tefillah services at the Religious School are welcome starting at 9:30 a.m on Sundays. 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 – February 10, 2023
February 10, 2023 by tbhrich • president
Shalom Y’all!
We hope you all enjoyed Tu B’shvat! Along with celebrating the planting of trees and eating delicious fruits, this holiday especially allows us to consider the deeper meaning of so much Jewish tradition. Tu B’shvat provides two key lessons for our community. First of all, planting a tree for this holiday reminds us that not everything we work to create is for our own benefit. According to the Talmud, a righteous man named Honi encountered a man planting a carob tree and Honi asked how long it would take for the tree to grow fruit. The man replied 70 years, which led Honi to ask further if the man expected to live long enough to enjoy the fruit. The man then replied, “I have found ready-grown carob trees in the world. As my forefathers planted them for me, so I plant for my children.” Just as this man worked to plant a tree he knew he would never enjoy, so we all look to the future to make the world a better place for our children and grandchildren. Whether it is something as personal as saving for college and or as broad as reducing greenhouse gases, working for the future helps fulfill our lives in the present. Secondly, the tradition of eating 15 fruits to represent the 15 days of Shevat enables us to get out of our comfort zones and try new fruits we have never had before in our lives. We can take that lesson and expand upon it to encourage ourselves and our community to take risks and broaden our horizons. We therefore encourage all of you to consider these lessons of Tu B’shvat and see where they can take you.
We are also happy to report we have a new Building and Grounds Chair, Howard Lacheen, one of the parents in the religious school. The TBH Board welcomes him to our team and looks forward to working with him in maintaining and improving our facilities.
Looking ahead, we wanted to remind everyone that we have two major events occurring soon. This Sunday, February 12, at 12:30 p.m. there will be a Hamenstashan making class for all members who are interested. It will take place right after the religious school. Come join us in making delicious Hamentashens that we can use not only for Purim but also for the Super Bowl! And speaking of Purim, we are once again having our traditional Purim Carnival in all its glory on March 5 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. There will be games, a bouncy house for the kids, songs, and a bake sale. In order for the event to be as exciting as possible, we need your help! We are looking for volunteers to help with set-up, clean-up, bringing baked goods, running the games, etc. The Temple Beth Hillel Board will be volunteering as well. Below you can find the link to sign up as a volunteer for the task you feel will contribute the most to the success of the event. Let’s all make this Purim one to remember!
Sign up now to volunteer for the Purim Carnival!
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 when you are interested.
Finally, the next Shabbat Service will be held next Friday, February 17, at 7:30 p.m. Family Shabbat will be held earlier that evening, at 6:15 p.m., where we will celebrate Tu B’shevat by tasting delicious fruits. Please help spread the word to encourage families to join. There will also be Torah study on Saturday at 10:15 a.m., and will be on Zoom. And those who wish to join Tefillah services at the Religious School are welcome starting at 9:30 a.m on Sundays. 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