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MAKING MILESTONES Daily, for the Seven Weeks After the Passover Seder, Jews Count the Omer

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MAKING MILESTONES Daily, for the Seven Weeks After the Passover Seder, Jews Count the Omer FROM THE RABBI ISM DA MAKING MILESTONES U J Daily, for the seven weeks after the Passover Seder, Jews count the Omer. RM Literally “a sheaf,” the Omer once marked the seven weeks between FO E the wheat harvest and the barley harvest. The Torah, in turn, connects R two national-historical events: The Exodus from Egypt (Passover) and R the revelation of the Torah at Mt. Sinai (Shavuot). We number each day, counting upwards from the second evening of Passover. One of the many ON FO explanations for the counting of the Omer is that it is an invitation to ask: “Where are you I headed?” (Other manuscripts read: “Are we there yet?”) The Exodus from Egypt was not merely UN a departure from – it was the beginning of an affirmative journey towards what lay ahead… E H Each step along the way, Judaism teaches, is worthy of recognition and acknowledgement. T We have put up an Omer calendar at each entrance to the synagogue. OF In the wider community of which we are a part, this is also the season of transitions, when we celebrate accomplishments and look forward to new journeys and new stages. At Beth El, we will be marking and celebrating graduations, accomplishments, transitions and new directions MEMBER forward at a variety of forums during the coming two months. I hope that you will join us in A IS celebration as we acknowledge the harvests we have gathered in and look forward to counting upward in the months and years ahead. TH EL E Shabbat Unplugged – Honoring our Seventh Grade B Friday, May 13 • Potluck Dinner 6:00 pm / Service 7:00 pm ON We will recognize the 2011 Bat/Bar Mitzvah class as they step-up to Midrasha at our concluding I raucous (in the best possible way!) and fun, kid-focused Shabbat Unplugged service. The entire GAT congregation is invited and Religious School age families are especially encouraged to attend. RE The Story Teller, his young friend Chaya and Reb Yankel from Richmond, will be there too! Midrasha Graduation CONG Sunday, May 22 • 10:15 am Midrasha, our community-wide Jewish high school program, has its 43nd annual graduation ceremony on Sunday morning, May 23 at Beth El. A highlight of the Midrasha graduation are the student speeches. We congratulate Daniel Baldassare, Alexandra Kennedy, Callie Lapidus, Amy Midanik-Blum, Lena Miller, and Joshua Nelson on their graduation. Confirmation Friday, June 3 • Catered Dinner 6:30 pm / Service 8:00 pm In Reform synagogues, Confirmation represents the completion of a significant period of study after the bar/bat mitzvah year and “confirms” young people’s commitment to and engagement with Jewish teaching and the Jewish people. There are eight students in this year’s Confirmation BUILDER class and they will lead the service and each speak about “This I believe…” This year’s confirmation class members are: Noah Amme, Milo Dubinsky, Alana Levine-Gorelick, Rachel THE Graup, Lauren Hoffman, Seamus Nelson, Harry Pollack, Jacob Pearlstein, Sam Roditti. The Confirmation service will be preceded by a catered Shabbat dinner; please visit www.bethelberkeley.org to sign up. Advance reservations for dinner are required. East Bay Commuity-wide Shavuot Tuesday, June 7 • 7:30 pm – through the night at the JCC East Bay Join Beth El’s Rabbis and volunteers in studying throughout the evening as part of the Berkeley community-wide Tikkun (all night study) in honor of Shavuot at the JCC. Shavuot evening Yizkor services will take place at the JCC. Shavuot Yizkor circle and services will be at Beth El on Wednesday, June 8; Yizkor Circle at 6:15 pm in the library; Yizkor service at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary. IN THIS ISSUE President’s Message p.2 Upcoming Events p.6 Gift Shop p.11 SUMMER 2011 Youth and Family Education p.3 Youth Groups p.8 Pantry Chug p.11 From the Executive Director p.4 Member Corner p.9 Tzedakah p.12 Camp Kee Tov p.5 Music p.9 Torah Study p.15 Nursery School p.5 Library p.10 Midrasha p.15 ISSUE 127 • CONGREGATION BETH EL 1301 Oxford Street FROM THE PRESIDENT Berkeley, CA 94709-1424 THE GREATEST CONTRIBUTION Phone: 510-848-3988 Fax: 510-848-2707 You know when you open a fortune cookie at a Chinese restaurant… and it’s not a fortune… but you know you’re “fortunate” to have received it Youth and Family Education Office Direct Line: 510-848-2122 anyway, and that it carries a deeper meaning in some way? Well, I saved this fortune that had that kind of message. It reads: “Robert F. Kennedy Nursery School Office says ‘You’re happiest while you’re making the greatest contributions!’” Direct Line: 510-848-9428 Camp Kee Tov Office I am pleased to say that I can look back on these past two years in leadership at Beth Direct Line: 510-848-2372 El with great happiness. I have been able to draw on the wisdom accrued from more than three generations of Beth El families, and from 67 years of congregational history. Midrasha Office The diversity on our Board reflects the breadth of our membership, the depth of Jewish Direct Line 510-843-4667 values in our congregation, and a legacy of deep commitment to Beth El. Our visionary Rabbi has developed an outstanding team of professionals who have created exemplary CLERGY & STAFF programming. We hired Norm Frankel, our exceptional Executive Director, who has made significant improvements in our operations and financial condition. And while our RABBI YOEL H. KAHN mortgage debt remains substantial, we’ve established a payment plan we can live with. Senior Rabbi ext. 215 - [email protected] Things do seem to be humming along here at Beth El. Our very own Strategic Plan is now RABBI REUBEN ZELLMAN complete, and implementation is underway. On Shabbat mornings we are the place to be! Assistant Rabbi & Music Director The bonds we have forged with our Berkeley synagogue and Jewish community partners ext. 228 - [email protected] are generating increased interest in synagogue affiliation, dynamic cross-denominational NORM FRANKEL programming, and a new excitement about Jewish life in the East Bay. Executive Director ext. 212 - [email protected] I am also really happy about our building, the way it looks, and the way it feels to be here DEBRA Sagan MASSEY with my congregation. Upholstered seating and acoustical tiles have done great things Director of Education for the sanctuary, and when our community gathers for services and events we foster an ext. 213 - [email protected] even more welcoming environment. Our collective participation and involvement as a congregation is our “greatest contribution”, it continues to strengthen us, and we’re our BARBARA KANTER Nursery School Director “happiest” in community. ext. 219 - [email protected] I look forward over the next two years to continuing to contribute in my new role as Zach LANDRES-SCHNUR Immediate Past President. If you haven’t already made your contribution to community, I Camp Kee Tov Director ext. 217 - [email protected] urge you to do so. There are many ways to contribute, and here are some suggestions: JANICE BAKER 1. Volunteering for a program or event, or to serve on a committee is a great Accounting way to get started. Please watch our weekly eUpdate for announcements about ext. 210 - [email protected] volunteer opportunities. DIANE Bernbaum Midrasha Director 2. Contributions can be of the financial kind, as well. As of the date of this writing, 510-843-4667 - [email protected] we have not yet reached our annual campaign goal for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. ODETTE Blachman But your generous financial contribution to our annual fund could bring us over the Gift Shop top! Please consider making a gift today, before the fiscal year closes on June 30th. ext. 240 - [email protected] 3. Members of our past leadership have suggested that our congregants follow REBECCA DEPALMA YAFE Administrative Coordinator the example they themselves set by naming Beth El in their will. What better way & Youth Group Advisor to secure the legacy handed down to us for future generations, and to insure ext. 214 - [email protected] our Jewish community’s future, than by leaving a planned gift to Beth El? Many members have already made provision in their will, or have included Beth El in JULIET GARDNER Clergy Assistant their estate plans. ext. 235 - [email protected] Our collective strength is measured by what we each contribute individually. Thank you LENORA O’KEITH for the opportunity to serve as president of this great congregation. And a million thanks Administrative Coordinator, Main Office ext. 211 - [email protected] for your participation, your involvement, and for your “greatest contributions” to our community. STEPHANIE POLLICK Camp Kee Tov Admin. Coordinator Joanne Backman ext. 223 - [email protected] President RABBI FERENC RAJ Rabbi Emeritus 2 | the builder: summer 2011 [email protected] www.bethelberkeley.org | 3 YOUTH AND FAMILY EDUCATION SCHOOL IS OUT...BUT IT’s jUST BEGINNING! Debra Massey - Director of Education I always get a bit sad in May when our programs and encouraging our students to literally get their hands ‘dirty’ wind up for the year. I feel so privileged to with Jewish learning. spend time with the students, parents and teachers over the course of the year. And then We have also received a grant from Hazon (www.hazon.org) to in the middle of May, things stop. We wrap up offer a program called Home for Dinner to our 5th grade families. the year, and look forward to Camp Kee Tov This project will give families the opportunity and the tools to learn in the summer.
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