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August/September 2020 Av/Elul/Tishri TEMPLE BETH-EL Congregation Sons of Israel and David 5780/5781 HIGH HOLY DAYS THE SHOFAR ISSUE MEANINGFUL AND MEMORABLE HIGH HOLY DAYS EXPERIENCE FOR ALL OF OUR CONGREGANTS Dear Temple Beth-El Family, livestream and Zoom, we will delve deeply into the meaning of these Since March, Temple Beth-El has been vigilant about upholding sacred days together. We will provide easy-to-use information and Judaism’s highest priorities for preserving life and health. Worship, guides well in advance, so that your sanctuary at home can be a education and community gatherings have been accomplished via “mikdash m’at,” a sacred space for you and your family. We will also digital means. We are grateful for your grace, flexibility and open- provide additional ways to connect with one another over the summer heartedness in embracing these measures. As the summer unfolds, we and into the High Holy Days season. cannot help but begin to wonder what to expect for the fall. Stay tuned for exciting news and information about our plans for the Over the past few weeks, our leadership and clergy have met with a upcoming year of our Rabbi Leslie Yale Gutterman Religious School. Medical Advisory Committee to determine a safe path forward to If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Judy opening our community. This highly respected group of medical Moseley ([email protected]), Executive Director, or to professionals, epidemiologists and academic specialists unanimously our emails, below. acknowledged that it is not yet safe to responsibly welcome back On behalf of the leadership and clergy, thank you for your trust and hundreds of people for large gatherings of any kind in our building. confidence as Temple Beth-El continues to go from strength to This follows the carefully measured guidelines from our state leaders strength. and from the Union of Reform Judaism. Our Executive Committee You have our best wishes for a safe and healthy summer. and Board of Trustees, in direct consultation with the clergy and staff, have reached the difficult decision that all worship for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur will be digital this year. Tonya Glantz, President This means that we will not be holding any in-person services either in ([email protected]) our Fain Sanctuary or Bennett Chapel, as we welcome 5781. We will lead worship safely from those familiar and sacred spaces and broad- cast these services digitally with every hope and prayer for renewal, forgiveness, good health and peace in the New Year. The clergy, staff and educators are using the summer months to Rabbi Sarah Mack prepare a meaningful and memorable High Holy Days experience for ([email protected]) all of our congregants. When we gather virtually in the fall, by IN THIS ISSUE Rabbi Sarah Mack 2 Tonya Glantz, President, 3 In Our Family, 18 Library, 24 Worship, 4-5 Brotherhood, 19 Upcoming Events, 25-29 High Holy Days, 6-15 Sisterhood, 20-21 In Memoriam, 30 RLYG Religious School, 16 Facilities, 22 Donations, 31-33 The Temple Beth-El Shofar Fundraising and Develop- Ryan Golditch, 23 B’nei Mitzvah, 34 ment, 16 is dedicated by the Pride Team, 24 About Temple Beth-El, 35 1 Benefactors, 17 Chase Family Foundation. RABBI’S MESSAGE Rabbi Sarah Mack: “What can you expect this year for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur?” DEAR FRIENDS, • We have received feedback from you over the course of the spring that seeing each other’s faces is an essential communal This year we will be observing our most sacred days as no Jews element. We have tried to embrace both Zoom and livestream have done in the history of time. While our people have weathered formats over the course of the holiday season to offer modali- pandemics in years past, never have we had the technological ties that allow for community connection. capability to worship digitally as we do in 2020. • Whenever possible, we will also offer in-person opportunities to connect! Join us for Elul Shofar Blowing or apple-picking. Cantor Seplowin and I have spent our summer reimagining every Perhaps come to Temple to pick up a High Holy Days prayer last piece of our worship services to translate the very best of our book or stand before the open ark in contemplative prayer. congregational worship to this new format. Zoom and We will be ready to greet you in person (fully masked, socially livestreaming are modern miracles that allow us to safely worship, distanced, with hand sanitizer at the ready). while bringing new challenges and opportunities alike. • Please don’t hesitate to call us! Temple Beth-El is very much open and thrilled to hear from you! We are happy to assist So, what can you expect this year for Rosh Hashanah and Yom with technology, building a new “chavurah” (small group to Kippur? connect to either digitally or safely distanced in person) or any other detail that will improve your holiday experience. • Rosh Hashanah Evening services will take place early, at 5:45 • We are grateful to the Benefactors Fund for enabling us to pm, on livestream. We have every hope that the timing of this access the most advanced technology and support for these worship will allow you to join us in welcoming the New Year holy days. and then celebrate with a festive dinner afterwards. The beauty of technology provides the opportunity for any who God implores the Israelites in Exodus: “Make me a sanctuary that prefer to watch at 8 pm to access the recording at that time. I may dwell among you.” Indeed, in this moment each of our • The Yom Kippur Afternoon schedule will be slightly different homes becomes a small sanctuary or “mikdash m’at.” We are than in years past to accommodate our digital format. reminded that we have the power to make space sacred. The spirit Consecutive programming will cover the entirety of the of our community is not diminished as we pray from our homes; it sacred day for those who desire. is instead strengthened as what is essential about our faith and • Children’s services will take place at 2 pm on both Rosh observance is laid bare. Hashanah and Yom Kippur this year. Our amazing Education Team, lead by Rachel Mersky Woda, will be involved in these It is an honor to accompany you into 5781 as we mark a High Holy creative worship experiences to engage and embrace our Days season like no other. youngest members. • We have prepared a variety of opportunities to engage in B’shalom, reflection, learning and growth. Please join us for Elul study Sarah with Rabbi Gavi Ruit or self-directed reflection through Opening Your Heart with Psalm 27: A Spiritual Practice for the Jewish New Year, which you may pick up at Temple. 2 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE TONYA GLANTZ: “Dayenu or Shehecheyanu?” community’s future. Those of you who attended the June virtual B’nei THE HAVOC WREAKED BY THE COVID-19 mitzvah services of Reese Dewhirst, Zora Greene and Asher Rubin PANDEMIC and ongoing issues of economic, racial and social know exactly what I mean. Their intelligence, compassion and inequities certainly give us pause as we prepare for a new year. It is conviction inspire me and remind me how bright our future looks. I undeniable that every aspect of our lives has changed. These feelings was also moved to tears by family members’ aliyot and grandparents’ have been magnified by the absence of familiar routines, faces and blessings. These collective moments of worship remind me that doing places, especially regarding Temple events and friends. I am sure that I things differently does not diminish their meaning or value. In fact, am not the only person tempted to yell DAYENU! they may offer a renewed appreciation for things easily taken for We can choose to feel the burden of uncertainty or try to embrace the granted. opportunities that emerge during these challenging times with a sense Finally, how does a temple move forward with a New Year when of gratitude. Temple Beth-El’s ability to embrace the challenges by uncertainly lurks around each corner? As a Jewish people, we know maintaining connections, honoring worship traditions, supporting about perseverance and moving forward. Temple Beth-El does not important Jewish milestones and moving forward demonstrate a level believe in standing still. Fueled by the support of our congregation, of innovation and compassion worthy of a Shehecheyanu. clergy, staff and lay leadership, we are moving toward 5781 with How do we maintain connections while we cannot be together? conviction and confidence. Passing a new budget, moving forward Temple Beth-El has led the way in redefining and prioritizing with a tuition-free K-12 Religious School and planning for beautiful togetherness with care and creativity. At the start of the pandemic, High Holy Days services offer evidence of our adaptability. The Temple staff and volunteers reached out to each and every congregant Finance Committee’s creation of a budget that insures the Temple’s with a warm hello and an offer of assistance. Despite the physical success and waiving Religious School tuition reflect our confidence. closure of the Rabbi Leslie Yale Gutterman Religious School, Rachel Our school team is planning dynamic ways to bring students and Mersky Woda, our Director of Youth and Family Engagement, along families together to learn, make friends and celebrate Jewish values with clergy and teachers, made it possible for students and families to and traditions. Mirroring the passion and confidence of the Finance continue to join for tefilah and fun learning opportunities on Sundays.

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