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Congregation Beth Israel
“In the News”
FRIDAY NIGHT SERVICES
Due to construction, Friday Night Services will be held in Levit Hall through August 8th. General parking and entry into the building is through the Shlenker School entrance. (Parking and entry on the North Braeswood side of the building is reserved for our senior citizens and congregants with special needs.) Thank you for your patience while we work to improve the Beth Israel facilities. Your kind cooperation and understanding during this period of construction is appreciated.
New Youth Director
This summer, Congregation Beth Israel will be taking the exciting step of hiring a full-time Youth Director. This position will work closely with our clergy in order to implement a program that actively engages youth and their families in various social, religious, cultural, and community service opportunities. We are looking for an individual with experience, enthusiasm, creativity, organizational and computer skills, a dynamic personality, and a solid commitment to Reform Judaism. If you know such a person, please have them contact Rabbi Miller at mmiller@beth-israel.org or (713) 771-6221.
AFTER SCHOOL JOB
The Judaica Gift Shop has a position available for afternoon help, three days a week, 2:00-4:00 p.m., beginning in the Fall. If you are interested, please call Janice Sellinger Caplan, (713) 777-4315, during the week.
A SPECIAL BLESSING FOR CANCER SURVIVORS
We know that many of our members have been touched by cancer. And so on Friday evening, July 25th, Congregation Beth Israel will join together with CanCare (our partner agency, which provides support for cancer patients and their families) to celebrate those who are cancer survivors. Whether you are currently in treatment or living beyond your cancer, please join Rabbi Miller and Rabbi Scott for Shabbat services that evening at 6:30 pm in Levit Hall, where we will offer a special blessing of hope and healing. If you would like more information about CanCare, or if you would like to be matched with a cancer survivor of your type of cancer for confidential, one-on-one support, please contact Rabbi Miller at mmiller@beth-israel.org or (713) 771-6221.
KEHILAH SINGLES
Are you single and 50+? Be sure to check the activities of the Kehilah Jewish Single's group. A citywide group sponsored by Congregation Beth Israel. Visit the Kehilah page and check the upcoming events listed on the calendar.
LIBRARY HOURS
Beth Israel's Library will be CLOSED for the week of July 7 - 11.
JOIN THE LIBRARY READERS GROUP
The Readers’ Group of the Schachtel Library continues to meet the third Wednesday of each month from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. in the Library throughout the summer months. All congregants and friends are welcome to attend. Note that suggestions for future selections are always welcomed.
Join us July 16th for:
"Infidel" by Ayaan Hirsi Ali. Autobiography of an amazing woman born in Somalia, who grew up to become a member of Parliament in Holland. This moving story of her life should provoke much discussion.
On August 20th we discuss:
“When a Crocodile Eats the Sun” by Peter Godwin, the memoir of the author’s family in Zimbabwe and how it has been affected by the political situation in the country. In view of most recent events in Zimbabwe, the discussion should be fascinating and informative.
Religious School News
The Religious School staff and faculty are looking forward to another great year! Shalom Sunday, the first day of Religious School, will be on Sunday, September 7, 2008. Our Pre-Kindergarten through 6th Grade activities will include breakfast, a family service and welcome, and an opportunity to meet all of your children's teachers. Each grade level will meet together after the service so the teachers can introduce themselves and their curricula. Pre-K through 6th Grade parents and students, please join us from 9:00am-11:00am on the 7th. (Regular class hours are 9:00am-11:15am.) Also, on Sunday, September 7th, our Upper School classes will begin. All 7th-12th Grade students should meet with their friends at 11:30am in the All Purpose Room. Upper School classes end at 1:00pm. If you haven't registered, registration may be done online or by calling the Religious School. Please contact the Religious School at 713-271-7369 with any questions.
ADULT B'NEI MITZVAH CLASS
Cantor Gerber is making plans for our 2008-2009 Adult B’nei Mitzvah Class. Be sure to contact Greg, (713) 771-6221 x311 or gtucker@beth-israel.org, in the Cantor’s Office if you might be interested in participating.
CALLING ALL COLLEGE STUDENTS!
The College Committee is compiling its roster of addresses for Beth Israel college students and members 25 years old and younger who are serving in the military. We want to send them packages at holidays and other special times of the year. Please send your Student’s name, College/University (with anticipated graduation date), College Address and College E-mail Address to: Jayne Nathan, jnathan@beth-israel.org.
SHABBAT EVENINGS FOR 2008-2009 ANNOUNCED
Shabbat Shira is an exciting musical Shabbat service featuring the music of contemporary Jewish composers, such as Rick Recht, Debbie Friedman and Lisa Levine. We are pleased to announce that we are planning seven Shabbat Shira evenings for the 2008-2009 season. Mark your calendars! The dates are listed here.
The Gathering Place
 As a thank you to our volunteers, a wine social was recently held. At the same time, information regarding The Gathering Place was given to potential volunteers. A wonderful time was had by all! The Gathering Place is a free program for seniors with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, stroke or other forms of memory loss, and provides respite for caregivers and activities for care partners. Lunch is served and provided by our Sisterhood. During the summer, we have various programs and activities for our Care Partners planned. Once again, we will be meeting the first Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Our number of care partners continues to grow, and we are all very proud of this progress as we are not only providing a great deal of joy to many people but performing a mitzvah as well. We are always looking forward to more volunteers. Do you have a special interest that you could share? For more information on volunteer opportunities or if a friend or family member would benefit from this fun and stimulating program call Marty Allen at (713) 776-2929 or Ferne Winograd at (713) 723-1372.
Basic Judaism Fall 2008
There is no time like now to find the answers to all of your burning unanswered questions about Judaism. In order to assist in answering these questions, we are pleased to offer the Fall semester of Basic Judaism beginning on September 2nd. This course is designed for both those wishing to learn more about Judaism and those considering conversion. The 13-week course will be led by Rabbi Lyon, Rabbi Scott, Rabbi Miller and Cantor Gerber. The course will feature a variety of presentations, discussions, and holiday celebrations. We will meet at the Congregation on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 - 9:00 pm. The registration fee for the class is $36.00 and it is open to anyone wishing to deepen their level of Jewish knowledge. Please contact Rabbi Adrienne Scott for more information or to register 713-771-6221x329 or jnathan@beth-israel.org.
ADULT HEBREW CLASSES
Join an Adult Hebrew class on Sunday mornings beginning September 14, and learn how Hebrew enhances our understanding of Judaism. Beginning Hebrew (I), 9:00-10:00 a.m., will offer an opportunity to decipher the Hebrew alphabet through words of Judaic value. Intermediate Hebrew (II), 10:15-11:15 a.m., continues with reading and understanding our prayer services. Hebrew letter recognition is required for Intermediate Hebrew. Classes will be taught by Dorothy Robbins. A fee of $100.00 per semester is required to register. For information, or to register for Sunday classes, contact Claudine Kamrath, (713) 271-7369 x313 or ckamrath@beth-israel.org. For Wednesday evening classes contact Jayne Nathan, (713) 771-6221 x329 or jnathan@beth-israel.org.
YOGA IS COMING BACK!
Congregation Beth Israel is pleased to offer Yoga beginning on September 14th. The class will meet on Sunday mornings from 9:30am to 10:30am for six weeks. The instructors have been trained by Jennifer Buergermeister, owner of Jenny Yoga, Inc. Yoga is a wonderful exercise to help strengthen the body and the mind. The course is open to all, beginners and those with more experience. There will be a fee for the course, but there are a minimum number of people required to register. Please contact your friends now to join us for a physically and mentally rewarding experience! To register and for additional questions, please contact Rabbi Adrienne Scott at (713) 771-6221, x.329 or email her Assistant at: jnathan@beth-israel.org
INTERFAITH COUPLE GROUP TO MEET SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21ST
The next monthly meeting of the Interfaith Couple Group of Congregation Beth Israel will be on Sunday, September 21st from 10:00 - 11:15 a.m. Rabbi Adrienne Scott will be the facilitator of this session. The group is sponsored by the Outreach Committee and is open to anyone who is part of an interfaith relationship, looking to share some time with other interfaith couples. We would like to invite all interfaith couples to attend this meeting to meet new friends and rekindle old friendships. Please join us to share experiences and to learn from one another in a friendly and confidential environment. Babysitting is available upon request in advance. Please RSVP to Rabbi Scott at 713-771-6221 ext 329 or jnathan@beth-israel.org.
WEST DALLAS CEMETERY HOURS
Effective immediately, the hours at the West Dallas cemetery are as follows:
Wednesday: 10am to 5 pm – unattended
Sunday: 10 am to 5 pm – attended
Please feel free to contact us at info@beth-israel.org if you have any questions.
TEMPLE PARKING AREAS
Please be advised that Beth Israel’s parking area gates are locked every evening Monday through Friday at 9:00 p.m. This includes after Services and Religious School at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sundays. All congregants and visitors should remember to remove their cars before the designated time. Otherwise, access to automobiles will not be available until the gates re-open on the next Temple work day.
BETH ISRAEL NEWSLETTER
If you would like to subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter please let us know at info@beth-israel.org. Don't miss the opportunity to reply back to Rabbi Lyon by using the link at the end of his weekly "Letter from the Rabbi" included in each weeks newsletter. |
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