president

Shalom Everyone!  

           Hanukkah, one of the most anticipated holidays of the year, is almost upon us.  Our kids of course love it because they get to brag to their friends that they get 8 nights of presents.  For all our adults, Hannukah can be about tradition, family, and great food.  The story of Hannukah itself comes with plenty of meaning as well.  As I was teaching in the Bnai Mitzvah class the other day, one of the key parts of that story is the fact that battles that led to the creation of Hannukah was not just about Jews fighting against Greek oppressors to restore the Holy Temple.  It was also about more religious Jews disagreeing with the choices of more secular Jews who tried to accommodate themselves to the Greek world.  Today we all make our own decisions about how much to blend our religious and secular lives.  Hannukah is a perfect time to reflect on those decisions and how they affect our lives today along with communities around the world.                 

          Looking ahead, our next major holiday will be the celebration of Hannukah.  For this year, our Religious School will do a Hannukah program, including candle lighting and dreidel games, on December 11.  The following Friday, on December 16, we will have a special Hannukah celebration for both the Family Shabbat service and the regular Shabbat service.  We encourage everyone to come and enjoy the festivities on both of those dates.

        In more exciting news, our own Jane Kemp is currently selling Hannukah supplies through the Temple Beth Hillel Gift Shop, which traditionally has provided contributions to the Caring Committee and the Rabbi Discretionary Fund.  She is currently taking orders for anyone who needs or wants gelt, candles, wrapping paper, hosting gifts, etc.  You can place orders by contacting her at jckemp5674@gmail.com or calling at 510-593-8684.  

      And again, for those who wish to make a difference in our own community, we highly encourage you to volunteer to help plan one of our key events during the year, including the Purim Carnival and Passover Seder.  Planning any one of these events allows you 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.  And as we have discovered, serving on the Board makes us appreciate how much Temple Beth Hillel means to us and our children.  You can reach out to us or any Board member if you are interested.

       Finally, our next Shabbat service will be held this Friday, December 16, beginning at 7:30 p.m.  We encourage everyone to bring a Hannukiot to add to the candle lighting we will do before the service begins.  Also, our Family Shabbat service will take place on that Friday at 6:15 p.m. and feature Hannukah themed games and activities.  Torah study will be Saturday at 10:15 a.m., as always and will be on Zoom only. Those who wish to join Tefillah services at the Religious School are welcome on Sunday at 9:30 AM.  The Religious School families often only see each other and it would be nice for them to get to know other members of the Temple as well. Thanks everyone! Shavua Tov!

 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

      Shalom Everyone!  

           We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday full of family, friends, and food (all three of which are essential for any Jewish gathering, of course).  Now that November is coming to a close, we have entered the time when the nights are already early and will continue to get longer for the next month.  In some parts of the world, the sun does not even rise this time of year, shrouding the landscape in darkness.  And yet every year, just when it looks like the darkness has taken over, a new hope emerges with the arrival of the winter solstice and the return of more daylight.  This annual renewal reminds us that brighter days, both actual and metaphorical, are ahead for the secular new year. 

            Looking ahead, our next major holiday will be the celebration of Hannukah.  For this year, our Religious School will do a Hannukah program, including candle lighting and dreidel games, on December 11.  The following Friday, on December 16, we will have a special Hannukah celebration for both the Family Shabbat service and the regular Shabbat service.  We encourage everyone to come and enjoy the festivities on both of those dates.

      And again, for those who wish to make a difference in our own community, we highly encourage you to volunteer to help plan one of our key events during the year, including the Purim Carnival and Passover Seder.  Planning any one of these events allows you 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.  And as we have discovered, serving on the Board makes us appreciate how much Temple Beth Hillel means to us and our children.  You can reach out to us or any Board member if you are interested.

       Finally, our next Shabbat service will be held this Friday, December 2, beginning at 7:30 p.m.  Torah study will be Saturday at 10:15 a.m., as always and will be on Zoom only. Those who wish to join Tefillah services at the Religious School are welcome on Sunday at 9:30 AM.  The Religious School families often only see each other and it would be nice for them to get to know other members of the Temple as well. Thanks everyone! Shavua Tov!

 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

Shalom Everyone!  

 Soon we will all be gathering with our friends and families for the official celebration of Thanksgiving.  It is a wonderful secular tradition but it does not have to be confined to a single day.  Indeed, the original idea of a Thanksgiving in early colonial times was to celebrate good fortune whenever it occurred.  Judaism provides a perfect context for such celebrations through the prayer of “Shechechianu”.  Our families especially enjoy reciting this beautiful prayer at different times of the year for all kinds of events and gatherings for which we are thankful.  Especially for this year, when we can all gather in safer circumstances with our loved ones, let us all remember to recite the “Shechecianu” whenever we are thankful for something.

Looking ahead, our next major holiday will be the celebration of Hannukah.  For this year, our Religious School will do a Hannukah program, including candle lighting and dreidel games, on December 11.  The following Friday, on December 16, we will have a special Hannukah celebration for both the Family Shabbat service and the regular Shabbat service.  We encourage everyone to come and enjoy the festivities on both of those dates.

And again, for those who wish to make a difference in our own community, we highly encourage you to volunteer to help plan one of our key events during the year, including the Purim Carnival and Passover Seder.  Planning any one of these events allows you 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.  And as we have discovered, serving on the Board makes us appreciate how much Temple Beth Hillel means to us and our children.  You can reach out to us or any Board member if you are interested.

Finally, our next Shabbat service will be held this Friday, November 18, beginning at 7:30 p.m.  Our own David Zimring will also host Family Shabbat on that day at 6:15 p.m. so please bring the kids and have fun learning about Shabbat through interactive projects.  Torah study will be Saturday at 10:15 a.m., as always, and you can join either in-person or on Zoom.  Those who wish to join Tefillah services at the Religious School are welcome on Sunday at 9:30 AM.  The Religious School families often only see each other and it would be nice for them to get to know other members of the Temple as well. Thanks everyone! Shavua Tov!

 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

      Shalom Y’all!  Hopefully we have all recovered from the sugar high of Halloween and from performing our civic duty.  Considering recent events in places like Brazil, Israel, and now the United States, one fact remains abundantly clear: Our Voices Matter.  Our systems, flawed as they are, still provide us a way to make our opinions known and have them taken seriously.  We should reflect on that thought every day and give thanks for the opportunities available to all of us.  When you feel passionately about an issue, give that passion expression through print, speech, social media, etc.  At the same time, we should always remember that civility plays just as important a role in getting our ideas across.  While there is still plenty of hate across the internet and elsewhere in the world, we can all make the conscious decision to maintain a civil manner as an example for ourselves and those around us.  In the end, we are all in this together.

      And again, for those who wish to make a difference in our own community, we highly encourage you to volunteer to help plan one of our key events during the year, including Purim Carnival, and Passover Seder.  Planning any one of these events allows you 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.  And as we have discovered, serving on the Board makes us appreciate how much Temple Beth Hillel means to us and our children.  You can reach out to us or any Board member if you are interested.

       Finally, our next Shabbat service will be held this Friday, November 18, beginning at 7:30 p.m.  Our own David Zimring will also host Family Shabbat on that day at 6:15 p.m. so please bring the kids and have fun learning about Shabbat through interactive projects.  Torah study will be Saturday at 10:15 a.m., as always, and you can join either in-person or on Zoom.  Those who wish to join Tefillah services at the Religious School are welcome on Sunday at 9:30 AM.  The Religious School families often only see each other and it would be nice for them to get to know other members of the Temple as well. 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

Shalom Everyone!  This coming weekend is something we enjoy and dread every year: Day Light Saving Time.  In this case, we all get an extra hour for our nightly activities but then experience earlier darkness all the way through March.  Along with screwing up our clocks (both external and internal) it’s also a great metaphor for many of us: short term gain for long term loss.  We often keep so much attention on the present that we don’t take the time to either reflect on the past or look forward to the future.  For this year, we encourage everyone to take a fresh look at Daylight Saving Time by considering how you can use that extra (admittedly phantom) hour to further a goal that will reap benefits through the winter.  Maybe we can use that hour to rummage through old toys for donations; speak with a friend or family member you have not heard from in a while; finish a home project that has been delayed.  Whatever you decide, simply utilizing that extra hour symbolizes all that we can accomplish when we take a fresh look at a seemingly routine time of the year. 

And for those who wish to make a difference in our own community, we highly encourage you to volunteer to help plan one of our key events during the year, including Purim Carnival, and Passover Seder.  Planning any one of these events allows you 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.  And as we have discovered, serving on the Board makes us appreciate how much Temple Beth Hillel means to us and our children.  You can reach out to us or any Board member if you are interested.

Finally, our next Shabbat service will be held this Friday, November 4, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Torah study will be Saturday at 10:15 a.m., as always, and you can join either in-person or on Zoom.  Those who wish to join Tefillah services at the Religious School are welcome on Sunday at 9:30 AM.  The Religious School families often only see each other and it would be nice for them to get to know other members of the Temple as well. 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

Shalom Everyone!  First of all, a big shout out and thank you to all who attended Chase’s Bar Mitzvah last Friday.  For the first time in three years we were all able to come together for a renewal of one of the most exciting traditions in the Jewish religion.  Events like these give us all a chance not just for renewal but also for remembrance.  Every time I attend a Bnai Mitzvah I remember all the hard work and sense of accomplishment that came with my own Bar Mitzvah decades ago.  We all encourage you to take a moment to remember your own Bnai Mitzvah or one you attended as a teenager or as a parent.  The ritual of the Bnai Mitzvah connected us to our distant and recent pasts and will continue to do so as long as we keep those traditions alive.  Let us welcome Chase into our little community as an adult and marvel that in just a few years even more of our kids will join the tradition as well.  

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.  And as we have discovered, serving on the Board makes us appreciate how much Temple Beth Hillel means to us and our children.

Finally, our next Shabbat service will be held on Friday, November 3, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Torah study will be Saturday at 10:15 a.m., as always, and you can join either in-person or on Zoom.  Those who wish to join Tefillah services at the Religious School are welcome on Sunday at 9:30 AM.  The Religious School families often only see each other and it would be nice for them to get to know other members of the Temple as well. 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

L’Shana Tova! (May you be inscribed in the book of life for a good year.)
And so a new year beckons us with both challenges and opportunities along with new beginnings. We find it so fitting that following Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur (times for reflection), the festive holidays of Sukkot and Simchat Torah follow (times for rejoicing). Building a sukkah and dancing with a re-rolled Torah are timeless traditions in the Jewish community that allow us to feel a connection with our ancient ancestors along with so many other Jewish communities around the world. This week we focus on Sukkot, which symbolizes the safety of a bountiful harvest along with shelter even while wandering, either literally or figuratively, in the wilderness. In that spirit, we encourage everyone to come see the Temple Sukkah, which our Religious School families graciously helped us erect and decorate last Sunday in record time.
Next week, on Sunday, October 16, we will also have our Simchat Torah service from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. as part of the Religious School Tefillah Service. We encourage everyone who would like to come to join us for these fun and festive times, especially the dancing.
Also next week, just 5 days later on Friday, October 21, for the first time in three years we will be having an in-person Bar Mitzvah service during a special Shabbat service. Our own Chase McCrary will be welcomed into our congregation as a Jewish adult. We encourage everyone to attend this historic occasion to celebrate the return of such an amazing ritual to our sanctuary.
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. And as we have discovered, serving on the Board makes us appreciate how much Temple Beth Hillel means to us and our children. In addition, please welcome our new Office Manager, Brandy Mahrt. She has a long history with the temple and it is such a privilege that she is now keeping our office running smoothly. Feel free to stop by the office to say hello.
Finally, our next Shabbat service will be on Friday, October 21, which will include the next Youth Shabbat along with Chase’s Bar MItzvah. Please help spread the word so families can come have fun and see the excitement of our Temple. Torah study will be Saturdays at 10:15 a.m., as always, and you can join either in-person or on Zoom. Those who wish to join Tefillah services at the Religious School are welcome on any Sunday at 9:30 AM. The Religious School families often only see each other and it would be nice for them to get to know other members of the Temple as well. Shalom and L’Shana Tova!

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

L’Shana Tova!  

May you be inscribed in the book of life for a good year.

Looking ahead, next Sunday, October 9, the Religious School will be constructing the Temple Sukkah per our annual tradition for Sukkot.  The following week, on September 16, we will have our Simchat Torah service from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.  We encourage everyone who would like to come to join us for these fun and festive times.

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.  And as we have discovered, serving on the Board makes us appreciate how much Temple Beth Hillel means to us and our children. 

 In more exciting news, for the first time in three years we will be having an in-person Bar Mitzvah service during a special Shabbat service on Friday, October 21.  Our own Chase McCrary will be welcomed into our congregation as a Jewish adult.  We encourage everyone to attend this historic occasion to celebrate the return of such an amazing ritual to our sanctuary.  In addition, please welcome our new Office Manager, Brandy Mahrt.  She has a long history with the temple and it is such a privilege that she is now keeping our office running smoothly.  Feel free to stop by the office to say hello.

 Finally, our next Shabbat service will be on Friday, October 7, with the next Youth Shabbat following two weeks later on October 21.  Please help spread the word so families can come have fun and see the excitement of our Temple.  Torah study will be Saturdays at 10:15 AM.  You can join either in-person or on Zoom.  And as always, those who wish to join Tefillah services at the Religious School are welcome on any Sunday at 9:30 AM.  The Religious School families often only see each other and it would be nice for them to get to know other members of the Temple as well. Shalom and L’Shana Tova! 

 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

L’Shana Tova!
The High Holidays have arrived and we could not be more thrilled with the start of the new year. This past Sunday and Monday dozens of members and non-members joined us for in-person services at our synagogue. After the turmoil of the past two years, it felt like a new normal had arrived for our congregation as we all gathered inside, engaged in the service conducted by Rabbi Dean and Cantor Marney, and even had a nice social gathering afterward. It was also a treat to have some distinguished guests with us, including El Cerrito Council Member Tessa Rudnick and GRIP Executive Director Ralph Peyton, showing how much of an impact Temple Beth Hillel makes on our community. And of course, we want to express a huge thank you to Elaina Genser for hosting the Holiday Get Together on September 26 and all those who have already contributed to our Food for Thought drive so far this year. All of these contributions reflect the spirit of Temple Beth Hillel and all those who make it possible.
Looking ahead, our Yom Kippur Services will be held next week on October 4 and October 5 (the times can be found below). We are currently trying to put together child care for the services so we will keep all the parents informed. We also encourage all of our members to take this opportunity to commit to a new direction, whether in work, health, family, etc. to either maintain what already works for you or to make your life even better. Whatever your choice, Yom Kippur provides us with the opportunity and incentive to make our own lives and the world a better place.
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. And as we have discovered, serving on the Board makes us appreciate how much Temple Beth Hillel means to us and our children.
We are also happy to report that the restart of the Youth Shabbat activity was a wonderful success on September 16. Several families joined us for candle lighting, blessings over wine and challah, storytime, art projects and playing on the play structure. The parents were deeply appreciative and were very interested in coming back for more activities. Therefore, David and his family will be hosting Youth Shabbat events on the second Shabbat of each month. The next one will be on October 21. Please help spread the word so families can come have fun and see the excitement involved with our Temple.
In other exciting news, for the first time in three years we will be having an in-person Bar Mitzvah service in the third week of October. Our own Chase McCrary will be welcomed into our congregation as a Jewish adult. We encourage everyone to attend this historic occasion to celebrate the return of such an amazing ritual to our sanctuary. In addition, this past week we welcomed our new Office Manager, Brandy Mahrt. She has a long history with the temple and it is such a privilege that she is now keeping our office running smoothly. Feel free to stop by the office to say hello.
Finally, our next Shabbat service will be on Friday, October 7. Torah study will be Saturdays at 10:15 AM. You can join either in-person or on Zoom. And as always, those who wish to join Tefillah services at the Religious School are welcome on any Sunday at 9:30 AM. The Religious School families often only see each other and it would be nice for them to get to know other members of the Temple as well. Shalom and L’Shana Tova!

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

Shalom Everyone!  

The High Holidays are finally upon us.  Starting on Sunday and continuing through early October, we will welcome in a new year as well as reflect on our own actions and those of the community over the past year.  The dates and times of the services can be found below.  We also encourage all of our members to take this opportunity to commit to a new direction, whether in work, health, family, etc. to either maintain what already works for you or to make your life even better.   This new direction could include reaching out to family members more often, finishing a project that has been in the back of your mind, eliminating a bad habit, or simply taking up a new hobby.  Whatever your choice, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur provide us with the opportunity and incentive to make our own lives and the world a better place.    

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.  And as we have discovered, serving on the Board makes us appreciate how much Temple Beth Hillel means to us and our children. 

We are also happy to report that the restart of the Youth Shabbat activity was a wonderful success this past Shabbat on September 16.  Several families joined us for candle lighting, blessings over wine and challah, storytime, art projects and playing on the play structure.  The parents were deeply appreciative and were very interested in coming back for more activities.  Therefore, David and his family will be hosting Youth Shabbat events on the second Shabbat of each month.  The next one will be on October 21.  Please help spread the word so families can come have fun and see the excitement involved with our Temple.

In other exciting news, for the first time in three years we will be having an in-person Bar Mitzvah service on Saturday, October 22.  Our own Chase McCrary will be welcomed into our congregation as a Jewish adult.  We encourage everyone to attend this historic occasion to celebrate the return of such an amazing ritual to our sanctuary.

Looking beyond the High Holidays, our next Shabbat service will be on Friday, October 7. Torah study will be Saturdays at 10:15 a.m.  You can join either in-person or on Zoom.  And as always, those who wish to join Tefillah services at the Religious School are welcome on any Sunday at 9:30 a.m.  The Religious School families often only see each other and it would be nice for them to get to know other members of the Temple as well. Shalom and L’Shana Tova! 

 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