CENTER FOR PROGRESSIVE REFORM IN METROWEST

tebeVolumeam 62 / No. 5 / January 2018

TBA’S PLATINUM DELEGATION FOR BIENNIAL 2017

A Word from By Jeff Sands Sobel FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME TEMPLE BETH AM PARTICIPATED IN A BIENNIAL AS A PLATINUM PARSHA TERUMAH DELEGATION. – COMMUNITY AS For this honor we received discounted rates, special seating at plenary sessions SACRED SPACE and separate meeting rooms to mingle and meet other Platinum delegation at- “…let them make me a sanctuary tendees. Also for the first time we had two tables at the Friday evening Shabbat that I may dwell within them.” dinner just for TBA. What a thrill! (Exodus 25:8) Also, being among 6500 people all here in Boston for five days from I am still receiving wonderful December 6-10 to support the Progressive Reform Jewish movement was a feedback and comments from wonderful and truly positive experience. The 12 of us from TBA had the oppor- my family and friends who tunity to meet and have meaningful and interesting conversations with congre- came to celebrate my Installa- gants from all over. We were also honored to have as plenary speakers Governor Charlie Baker, Rev. Dr. William J. Barber and Senator Elizabeth Warren all Rabbi Sharon L. Sobel tion as rabbi of Temple Beth Am with us mid-November. of whom inspired the attendees. Some of us also had the opportunity to visit a They loved the warm, welcoming feeling they received Mosque in West Roxbury and witness the noon “Call To Prayer.” from our community. They found the sanctuary to be a Shabbat Services Like No Others space of beauty, sanctity and holiness. Imagine walking into a sanctuary for both the Friday evening Kabbalat Each of them commented on the glory of the ark Shabbat and Saturday Shabbat morning services and being part of 6500 other continued on next page continued on page 3 tebeam / January 2018 / 2 A Word from Rabbi Sobel continued from front page doors, the multi-hued stained glass windows, the simplicity of the seats. Sometimes during services or programs, the “hub” of activity takes over and the sense of “k’dushah” — holiness — seems to fade with the noise. I’d like to reflect for a moment on what makes our space “holy” and how we can achieve that sense of the sacred during all our activities as a FRIDAY JANUARY 5, 2018 / 19 TEVET 5778 sacred synagogue community. TOT SHABBAT SERVICE...... 5:45 PM Why do we place so much emphasis on the sanctuaries of our Co-Sponsored with JCC synagogues? Can a physical space be holy in and of itself? Before the SHABBAT EVENING SERVICE...... 7:15 PM creation of the first mishkan (sanctuary) in the Torah, the Hebrews Led by Rabbi Sobel and Co-Led by BATY BATY Shabbat worshipped God on hilltops, beside streams, or wherever they felt moved to pray. It was only after the Israelites were liberated from SATURDAY JANUARY 6, 2018 / 19 TEVET 5778 slavery in Egypt, and after they accepted God’s Torah at Mount Sinai, Weekly Portion SHEMOT Exodus 1:1-6:1 that they were commanded to build a sanctuary. The instructions for Haftarah Isaiah 27:6-28:13; 29:22-23 erecting this sanctuary are given in great detail in parsha “Terumah” SHABBAT MORNING TORAH STUDY...... 8:30 AM from the book of Exodus. SHABBAT MORNING MINYAN...... 9:30 AM The Torah seeks to clarify the purpose of the sanctuary when FRIDAY JANUARY 12, 2018 / 26 TEVET 5778 God instructs Moses to tell the people: “V’asu li mikdash v’shachanti SHABBAT EVENING & TORAH SERVICE...... 7:15 PM b’tocham — and let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell within Led by Rabbi Sobel and Cantorial Intern Dara Rosenblatt and Co-Led by Sisterhood them.” (Exodus 25:8). What does it mean for God to “dwell within” the Sisterhood Shabbat people — what does this tell us about our relationship with God? January Anniversary Blessing Commentators are intrigued by the notion that God will not dwell SATURDAY JANUARY 13, 2018 / 26 TEVET 5778 in the sanctuary, but rather, dwell “within them,” within the people. It Weekly Portion VA’ERA Exodus 6:2-9:35 is the physical act itself of building the sanctuary, which will cause God Haftarah Ezekiel 28:25-29:21 to dwell within the people. SHABBAT MORNING TORAH STUDY...... 8:30 AM The sanctuary is not for God, it is for the people; it is to be a SHABBAT MORNING MINYAN...... 9:30 AM visible symbol of God’s presence in their midst. FRIDAY JANUARY 19, 2018 / 4 SHEVAT 5778 We learn that it is the involvement of the community, expending DINING & DAVENING...... 5:15 PM its labor on God’s behalf that brings God’s presence into our midst. It Reservations are necessary is the act of the community joining together for a common goal that SHABBAT HALL’LU SERVICE...... 7:15 PM makes a space “sacred.” Led by Rabbi Sobel and Cantorial Intern Dara Rosenblatt So as we sit in our sanctuary at Temple Beth Am, let us keep in SATURDAY JANUARY 20, 2018 / 4 SHEVAT 5778 mind, that it is we who bring the sense of the sacred and holy to our Weekly Portion BO Exodus 10:1-13:16 special space by all those things that we do together: our actions, our Haftarah Jeremiah 46:13-28 aspirations, our words and deeds. SHABBAT MORNING TORAH STUDY...... 8:30 AM SHABBAT MORNING MINYAN...... 9:30 AM JR CONGREGATION SERVICE...... 10:30 AM Led by Grade 6 FRIDAY JANUARY 26, 2018 / 11 SHEVAT 5778 SHABBAT FAMILY SERVICE...... 6:30 PM “JUSTICE JUSTICE Led by Rabbi Sobel, Soloist Don Levey, Members of Grade 3 and Junior Choir SHALL YOU PURSUE” Passport to Israel Program; Simchat Siddur Next meeting: SATURDAY JANUARY 27, 2018 / 11 SHEVAT 5778 Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at 7:15 PM SHABBAT SHIRAH We are seeking committee members who are looking to form Weekly Portion BESHALACH Exodus 13:17-17:16 consensus to determine Temple Beth Am’s social justice mandate. Haftarah Judges 4:4-5:31 SHABBAT MORNING TORAH STUDY...... 8:30 AM Our goals: SHABBAT MORNING MINYAN...... 9:30 AM • to be inclusive of all our congregants, across the demographic spectrum • to plan initiatives on the local, state, national and international level • to educate, raise awareness and take action • to respond to the lessons of the Torah, our Jewish tradition and the prophet’s call To RSVP or for inquiries, please contact: Social Justice Committee Co-Chairs: Sheila Statlender and Abby Wolf [email protected] 3 / January 2018 / tebeam TBA’S PLATINUM DELEGATION FOR BIENNIAL 2017 continued from front page

Reform Jews from around the world all praying and singing the same prayers and songs we sing weekly here at Temple Beth Am. The worship leaders, musicians and choir created warm and meaningful services. The beautiful sound of these voices all singing together was awe-inspiring. Meaningful Learning Sessions Leadership development, networking, Jewish learning, and “how-to’s” to strengthen our congregation were the major themes. The Biennial offered hundreds of breakout sessions led by URJ staff, professionals, clergy, lay leaders and youth from Reform congregations across the US. The sessions were divided into five tracks: Audacious Hospitality, Strengthening Congregations, Tikkun Olam, Transforming Texts and Youth Engagement. Each day also had a specific focus: Diversity, Innovation, Action, Faith and Community. The sessions offered on each day related to each of these areas. Our own Rabbi Kamerow co-led a session on Collaboration: The Winning Formula for Youth Engagement. After the five days we returned home more deeply connected to our Reform Movement, and full of new and creative ideas to try in our congregation. You will be hearing more about some of these ideas soon. The next Biennial will be in Chicago in December 2019. Hope to see you there.

Sisterhood’s Annual Christmas Day Mitzvah!

turkeys from Kelly’s, prepping the turkeys, cooking the meals, plating the desserts, orga- nizing the boxes, and delivering the meals to four area group homes. Sisterhood members also provided home-baked and purchased desserts to complete the festive holiday meals. This is such a feel-good project and could not have been accomplished without the support of so many! A huge thank you to: Laurie Schneider, Brittany Schneider, Ellen Jagher, Lisa Apostol, Meryl Hickey, Victo- ria Felson, Jay Saret, Merle Kushner, Helen

For many years, Sisterhood of Temple Beth Am has provided a home cooked Christmas dinner to group homes in the Framingham Slavid, Hunter Slavid, Sheila Statlender, area sponsored by The Advocates, and this Colleen Breitbord, Ellen Miller, Jami Schultz, year was no exception! We gratefully ac- Beth Wolfset, Cheryl Ouellette, Fern Vona, knowledge Kelly’s Roast Beef for once again, Barbara Sands, Sue Siegel, Jami Stein, Sue generously donating four frozen turkeys for Rakusin, Bruce Rakusin, Jacquelyn Walsh, our dinners, which were prepared and cooked Joyce Green, Andrea Geller, Nancy Gould by our volunteers. Dinners also included and our very own Rabbi Sharon Sobel! A roasted sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, good time was had by all volunteers, and most stuffing, gravy, rolls, and cranberry sauce, and importantly, a beautiful holiday dinner was a variety of desserts. enjoyed by folks who otherwise, would have Over 25 Sisterhood and TBA members had none. Again, many thanks to all who volunteered to help with a variety of jobs, contributed. including grocery shopping, picking up the Wendy Schwartz, Chair tebeam / January 2018 / 4

will be presented to them at their Simchat Siddur Service on January Education Update 26th! Of course, we cannot mention December without mention- ing Hanukkah. Sisterhood put on their annual Shopping Spree and REFLECTIONS AND ANTICIPATION Hanukkah party for all of our families! It was a festive and fun time. In addition to all of this, our middle school students have been working By Rabbi Marcie Kamerow, on their B’nai TELEM/TELEM social justice program. Grade 6 and 7 Director of Education students have been doing projects around the community and grade 8 students have been volunteering at Hastings House in Framingham. It Here we are at beginning of the second half is great to see what they are learning from these new experiences. of the school year. As we move into the next In the second half of the school year, we will have more oppor- phase of our school year, it is a good oppor- tunities for family services, B’nai Mitzvah family education, and more tunity to look back at what we have accom- hands-on social justice programs for our middle school students. We plished. also start our next cycle of celebrating holidays. At the end of January, Rabbi Marcie Kamerow, MJEd Back in December, we had our annual we will celebrate the holiday of Tu B’Shevat-the holiday that celebrates, Camp Shabbat service which, this year, we “The Birthday of the Trees.” Living in New England, this holiday combined with our Grade 4 Family Shabbat Service. It was such a falls in the dead of winter, but in Israel, it is the time of year where the treat to have all of our camp directors here and learn about the experi- trees ever so slightly start to bloom. This holiday reminds us more than ences they are creating at their many different camps. Thank you to our many others that our holidays are based in the land and climate of Isra- Camp Shabbat speakers who brought their experiences to life for us: el. In Israel, there are areas where trees can be planted in these months. Max Rubin, Eric Adler, Miles Williams, and Dani Schultz. In Decem- This holiday is a way to connect us back to the land of Israel even as we ber, we also had our grade 3 parents decorate their child’s siddur which experience a different season here. As we enter the second half of this school year, may we find the connection with our holidays and our community. HeritageL’Shalom, - Tradition - Community Fundraising @ TBA Rabbi Kamerow For additional information regarding our fundraising efforts please call the temple office at 508-872-8300.

GIFT CARDS

TBA is currently selling gift cards to Stop & Shop and a variety of other national stores and restaurants. The cards are sold to you for face value and 5% of each card purchased is donated to TBA, at no additional cost to you. Gift cards make great gifts any time of the year. Cards are SHARON MEMORIAL available for purchase at the temple office by cash and check only. FUNDRAISING DINNERS PARK During the year, there will be fundraising dinners at area restaurants. The temple receives a portion of all the sales. Stay tuned for dates and times. Heritage - Tradition - Community SPRING FUNDRAISING EVENT since 1948 March 17, 2018 - Mark you calendars! This is always a popular event. Not to be missed. Details to follow. TREE OF LIFE The TREE OF LIFE mounted on the wall of the of the temple lobby is a favorite way for members to commemorate “simchas” and honor family members and friends. Your gift of leaves ($300) and stones ($1000) will support continuing growth projects in the future. Pledge cards are available in the temple office. Chapel for indoor funeral services GILLETTE STADIUM PROGRAM Advance planning - Interfaith sections Volunteer at Gillette Stadium for upcoming Patriot’s Games. Temple Beth Am is earning $125 per person per game! Watch for more information or contact Stu Sheinhait at [email protected] or call 508-328-8462. The only requirement is that you must be 16 years old. Volunteers get pizza and soda to eat before the event. SMILE AMAZON You shop, Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible Amazon Smile purchases to Temple Beth Am. Amazon Smile is the same Amazon that you know. Support TBA by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com. 781-828-7216 www.sharonmemorial.com 5 / January 2018 / tebeam Saturday-Shabbat Morning: Torah Study-Minyan TRY It…You Might Like It by Ken Stone

My father died on December 5, 2005. The mourning period, like any morning activities have morphed into a Torah Study Session for an mourning period was lengthy and I yearned for a chance to speak with hour, commencing at 8:30 AM followed by the Minyan service at others who had gone through such a loss. At a minimum, I was looking 9:30 AM. for people with whom we could share our Jewish tradition and to per- The Torah Study is a unique opportunity to read and dissect, line haps answer questions about traditional Jewish practices (e.g. meaning by line, the entire Torah, a few lines at a time. No prior knowledge is of Yahrzeit, people with whom we could say Kaddish, understanding needed. Everyone’s input is welcome. Since the weekly Torah por- ways to deal with death, etc.). tion discussion during Minyan services typically offers only some of Speaking with other congregants, we were advised of the Satur- the week’s total Torah section, this analysis is really a very wonderful day/Shabbat Minyan group and how they were a tight-knit set of folks chance to learn what prior reviews never included. With the world but very warm and welcoming. We decided to try it, and from the first moving in a rather secular fashion, the Torah Study is a way to offer a visit, felt we may have found my answer. The Minyan group and Rabbi Jewish learning experience, which can be enjoyed and appreciated by Splansky at the time, ran a service with a good mix of Hebrew and everyone, including those who may not want to participate in a full English. It was held in the cozy library setting, around the table, which prayer-filled service. Accompanied by coffee, tea and breakfast fare, meant a great opportunity for back and forth discussion which was very what a neat way to commence the week…and for those interested, lead refreshing and quite educational. It did not matter how much Hebrew into the Minyan group services!! you knew or even how steeped you were in tradition. They made me The Minyan Service is for those desiring a full Shabbat morning feel at home and welcomed my participation. study and for the reading and study of the weekly Torah portion. The In speaking with Minyan participants about my loss, they were Minyan begins at 9:30 AM. This provides the richness and tradition really very empathetic. The setting allowed for my being able to transi- and of course, as noted at the beginning, we recite Kaddish at the con- tion, while acknowledging God and remembering the good times with clusion for those for whom we mourn. This is a wonderful experience my Dad as well as learning much. My main purpose has become a fresh should you have unfortunately experienced a personal loss or simply “restart” to my weekly responsibilities as a parent, a husband, a business wish to “restart” your “Jewish compass” in preparation for your next owner and overall, a Jew. The warm feeling of knowing “it just feels week in this life. right” and the continuous personal growth justifies my getting up early Either way, come for the Torah Study at 8:30 AM, come for the on a Saturday morning! Minyan at 9:00 AM, or come for both! We hope and look forward to Fast forward 12 years…I continue to look forward to attending seeing more and more congregants weekly and once again, please try it, the weekly Minyan. Now, with the arrival of Rabbi Sobel, the Shabbat you just might like it !!

President’s Message FRAMINGHAM Firstly, let me wish you and your family a INTERFAITH happy and healthy new year. We are offi- BOOK CLUB cially done with the holidays and 2017. And Sponsored by Framingham now we are on to the new year — 2018…or Interfaith Clergy Association & as I would like to call it 20-Chai. The year The Open Spirit Center of 20-Life!! And the life I am referring to is at Edwards Church Temple Beth Am. I hear from many people INVITES YOU TO THEIR that they are glad to be done with the prior MONTHLY BOOK year and start new. We have a sense that the DISCUSSIONS on 1st TUESDAY TIME: slate is now clean and have big aspirations OF EACH MONTH 7:30-8:45 PM for the coming year. We typically start the (Only for the month of Jan. due to the new year with promises of going to the New Year’s holiday, we will meet on VENUE: gym, a diet or new work schedule. But we here at Temple Beth Am Wednesday, January 10) OPEN SPIRIT CENTER at would like to see you start the new year by becoming more involved Current Book: EDWARDS in Temple Beth Am and being a part of our wonderful community. SACRED GROUND – CHURCH, To accomplish this I urge you to attend Shabbat services, attend a Pluralism, Prejudice, and 39 Edwards Rd., life-long learning class or volunteer on one of many committees. By the Promise of America Framingham participating in one or all of these activities you will truly feel the life - by Eboo Patel (there’s that word again!!) of our temple community. We want your (Reading the book is not a input and for you to be more involved. Your presence, ideas and en- requirement to join the discussion.) thusiasm will be an addition to our temple community in this year of The mission of the Book Club is to foster a deeper understanding and 20-Chai. Please make every effort to do so. I guarantee you will not respect among people of all faiths and traditions. only gain personal satisfaction but also add life to our community. For additional information, please contact us at: B’Shalom. [email protected] Howard E. Schwartz, President tebeam / January 2018 / 6 BROTHERHOOD

December Highlight Brotherhood News PATS VS. STEELERS… WHAT A GAME! Well, I guess it WAS the most exciting game of the year! BROTHERHOOD BREAKFASTS I hope you were one of the many people that joined us at the All breakfasts begin at 9:00 AM temple on that Sunday afternoon to watch the amazing roller-coaster • Sunday, January 14 • Sunday, March 11 that was the Patriots-Steelers game. • Sunday, February 18* • Sunday, April 22 Over 40 people attend- *co-sponsored with Sisterhood • Sunday, May 6 ed the event hosted by the brotherhood. It was truly a great way to watch the game with family and friends on the social hall’s 110” screen in high definition. Oh, and did I mention there was food? Of course there was food…It was a brotherhood event. Everything from the basics: chips, dip and soda to hot dogs, chili and pizza at half-time. This will definitely become a regular event for us. If you missed this one, we will plan on doing it for as many Sunday afternoon games the Patriots play next year. Breakfast Recap & OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS • BROTHERHOOD & SISTERHOOD A Look Ahead SPONSORED SOCIAL EVENT Saturday, January 27 DECEMBER BREAKFAST • TEXAS HOLD ‘EM POKER NIGHT We also hope you were able to join us Sunday, January 28 @ 4:00 PM for our December breakfast. Co-spon- sored with Lifelong Learning it featured • BROTHERHOOD PARTICIPATES IN Chris Whitman, the Senior Develop- SHABBAT TORAH SERVICE Friday, March 2 @ 7:00 PM ment Manager of The Abraham Fund Initiative, an organization dedicated to • BROTHERHOOD SERVES DINNER AT creating a shared society in Israel. The TBA BASKETBALL BANQUET organization recently moved their North Sunday, March 4 at FHS cafeteria America office from New York City to • BROTHERHOOD & SISTERHOOD Newton and Chris was very interested in POTLUCK DINNER getting to know the Jewish community Friday, March 16 @ 6:00 PM in New England. We did not disappoint. • BROTHERHOOD SERVES EASTER DINNER The breakfast was well attended and Sunday, April 1 at Hastings House the discussion was very spirited. The initiative is doing great work in bringing Jewish and Arab Israeli citizens together. Watch for more details about these great events! Member attendance is encouraged for all events. NEXT BREAKFAST: JANUARY 14, 2018 Next month’s breakfast is on January 14 and the The Brotherhood is a wonderful way featured speaker is Captain Marc Spigel of to get involved with the temple! the Framingham Police TBA Brotherhood needs volunteers to help with Auxiliary force. He will speak about the program our annual events. If you’d like to get involved, and opportunities in please contact Mark Barnett, VP of Membership at Framingham.​ And not to [email protected] or either co-president be forgotten is our ever Bill Karger at [email protected] or popular 40 foot breakfast buffet. Henry Schwan at [email protected]. 7 / January 2018 / tebeam SISTERHOOD It’s a Wrap! Sisterhood News COMEDIAN LINDA BELT’S ENCORE A TOTAL SUCCESS FOR SISTERHOOD AND TEMPLE BETH AM BOARD MEETINGS Sisterhood of Temple Beth Am’s • Wednesday, January 3 @ 7:15 PM in the Temple Study annual comedy night to benefit the Leslie Brenner Camp Scholarship • Wednesday, February 8 @ 7:15 PM in the Temple Study Fund was a rousing success. Our audience of over 100 “laughed OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS their pants off,” enjoying Linda’s • BROTHERHOOD & SISTERHOOD non-stop comedy! In addition to CO-SPONSORED BREAKFAST raising money to assist our Temple Sunday, February 18 @ 9:00 PM in the Social Hall Beth Am youth attend Jewish • MAH JONGG TOURNAMENT overnight camps, this annual event Sunday, April 29 brought together members of our community and friends for an evening of fun! Watch for more details about these great events! It’s Sisterhood and Temple Beth Am volunteers who contrib- ute to our social events making PLEASE JOIN US… them successful and engaging for Membership Level Dues Benefits all. This year we are so grateful Ruth (ages 18-61) $49 Receive all Sisterhood correspon- to Ed Eglitis and Karen Eglitis dence via e-mail, WRJ Dues, YES Fund for sponsoring our comedy night Karen Eglitis, Sue Siegel, and Linda Belt Ruth Senior $40 (ages 62+) Dues and New Year Kick-Off Dinner refreshments. We thank Temple Beth Am’s brotherhood, especially Bill Karger and Scott Grebb, for the Miriam $62 Ruth Membership Level PLUS: YES Fund Event use of equipment, and Bill Jagher with helpful food preparation. With Sisterhood’s commitment, especially Meryl Hickey Sisterhood’s execu- Leah $100 Miriam Membership Level PLUS: tive board, Temple Beth Am’s social hall came alive with engaging table Honors Dinner settings, and our dessert extravaganza. Without a doubt, Ellen Jagher, our Temple Beth Am administrator, and Augusto Gomez, our lead Rachel $120 Leah Membership Level PLUS: an additional $20 YES Fund donation custodian, made sure all the tables, chairs, etc. were set-up just right. Looking forward to our 2018 annual comedy night, bringing Rebecca $150 Rachel Membership Level PLUS: together our Temple Beth Am community and friends to raise funds for $30 donation to a Sisterhood Fund the Leslie Brenner Camp Scholarship Fund. Thanks to all who made Sarah $200 Rebecca Membership Level PLUS: our annual event so much fun! $50 donation to a Sisterhood Fund

SISTERHOOD ORDER YOUR ANNUAL WINTER 2018 MAH JONGG COAT DRIVE CARDS. Please start collecting your lists, spreading the word and IT’S NOT TOO LATE! supporting TBA Sisterhood. You can still drop off your gently used coats by We made over $200 last year from Mah Jongg Cards! January 5. Collection Please make your checks out to “Sisterhood, TBA.” Mail them boxes can be found in the with names and addresses to Sue Clark, 1662 Latta Court, The Villages, Florida 32162. Religious School lobby. Your Thanks for your support! donation will help make this $8 regular print winter warmer for local children $9 large print EXTENDED DEADLINE and families. NOW JANUARY 18, 2018

If you have questions about events or membership please email us at [email protected] tebeam / January 2018 / 8 YOUTH BATY HAS BEEN HAVING A GREAT YEAR SO FAR AND WE HAVE GREAT THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO! Youth News BATY celebrated Hanukkah with a fun BATY meeting that included a Yankee swap and group games. It was a great time to celebrate with our friends. BATY meetings happen once a month and are always a great BATY WORSHIP SERVICES way for bonding with each other and learning about upcoming BATY • BATY WINTER SHABBAT SERVICE: events! Friday, January 5 @ 7:15 PM (Tentative) BATY is also working on our Winter service, which is January 5. BATY BOARD MEETINGS This service is led by our Religious and Cultural Vice President, as well (WEDNESDAYS AT 6:45 PM) - BOARD ONLY as BATY members. We encourage everyone to come and support us. Attending this service is a great way for the temple community to get • January 10 • April 4 to know our members and to see the great things that BATY is doing! • February 14 • May 9 In addition to our Winter service, BATY is planning our annual • March 14 Shul-in on January 20th. This event is always a favorite and we invite BATY MEETINGS JBAT (Junior BATY) to come for the beginning to introduce them (WEDNESDAYS AT 6:45 PM) - ALL BATY to what BATY is all about. This year we will be having an intense and • January 17 • April 25 exciting cake war. BATY always enjoys sleeping over with all of our friends as we can stay up and talk and continue to build on these amaz- • February 7 • May 16 ing bonds we’ve created. • March 21 Hannah Levine, co-president NFTY-NE EVENTS • MANTY’S WINTER WONDERLAND: February 2-4 • SPRING CONCLAVETTE: April 6-8 • LEADERSHIP KALLAH: May 11-13 BATY EVENTS • SHUL-IN: January 20-21 • MYSTERY BUS RIDE: March 3 • MARCH BATY/JBAT EVENT: March 17 • PANCAKE BREAKFAST: March 25 • BATY EVENT: April 28 • FRESHMAN KIDNAP: Date TBD

Shabbat Hall’lu Join us for our Musical Shabbat Service on Friday, January 19 at 7:15 PM. Everyone is welcome! Traditional and contemporary music; participatory, reflective and joyful worship. Welcome Shabbat with family, PJ LIBRARY TOT SHABBAT HOP friends & community Friday, January 5 @ 5:30 PM at Temple Beth Am Join PJ Library and other Metrowest area CALL FOR MUSICIANS AND SINGERS! families for the first Tot Shabbat of the Do you sing or play an instrument? We would love to have you join season at Temple Beth Am in Framingham. us on the bima for our special Shabbat Hall’lu services and other Participants will enjoy a craft, songs, a child friendly Shabbat ser- musical ocassions throughout the year. vice, and light refreshments. No charge. For families with children If interested, please email Dean and/or Dara. ages 0-6. To RSVP, visit bostonjcc.org/shabbathopjan. For more Dara: [email protected] / Dean: [email protected] information, contact, [email protected]

If you have questions about events or BATY membership please contact Julia Zinn at [email protected] 9 / January 2018 / tebeam

Library News Featuring This Month MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN BEFORE: How Suffering Transforms Us Marsha Massey, by Rabbi Steve Leder of the TBA Librarian Wilshire Blvd. Temple, , CA An inspiring book about surviving, Library Hours: healing, growing and transforming • S undays, 9:00 AM-1:00 PM when the pain of tragedies into a more religious school is in session meaningful life. • Most Tuesdays, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM

Lifelong Learning News LIFECYCLES

LIFELONG LEARNING PRESENTS IN JOY A PERSONAL EXODUS STORY: ISRAEL BONAN JANUARY SPECIAL ANNIVERSARIES January 7, 2018 @ 1:00 PM Date Name Years Temple Beth Am 1/16 THOMAS AND ANN NEWBERRY 25 Did you know that there is more than one refugee popula- All couples celebrating a January anniversary will be blessed at the tion since the creation of Israel in 1948? January 12 service at 7:15 PM. Please call the temple office if you are Mark your calendars for a personal story that many peo- planning to attend.. ple are unaware of involving the struggle of Jews as forgotten refugees in Arab Lands. Born in Cairo, Egypt, in the 1940’s, IN SADNESS Israel Bonan faced adversity and he talks about his own We record with deep sorrow the names of those who have died experience. How did his experience shape him and what is since our last bulletin. May their memory be for a blessing. the situation today for other forgotten refugees? Come hear him speak and watch a short film, THE CONGREGATION MOURNS WITH “The Forgotten Refugees.” Light refreshments will be Rick Davis, on the loss of his father, Stanton H. Davis served. Although admission is Greta Lee Splansky, on the loss of her uncle, Elmer Goldman free, a donation to the organi- Francis Vona, on the loss of his mother, Carline Vona zation, JIMENA: Jews Indig- enous to the Middle East and We Mourn the Loss of Our Friend and Temple Member North Africa, is requested. Josephine Wasserman Mother of David Wasserman, Deborah Morosohk RABBI’S COFFEES and Rabbi Michael Wasserman A monthly opportunity to join Rabbi Sharon Sobel Our condolences to her family in Discussion May her memory be for a blessing Join Rabbi Sobel each month in an informal setting in the temple library to discuss a current topic of interest to you. We Mourn the Loss of Our Friend and Temple Member Mildred Rich • No course fee nor reservations required. Just drop in on time, for any session. Mother of David Rich and Joseph Rich Our condolences to her family • The Rabbi’s Coffees will be offered on the following May her memory be for a blessing dates: January 17, February 14, March 21, April 11, and May 16. We Mourn the Loss of Our Friend and Temple Member All discussions are from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM Ruth Abelman Feel free to bring a bag lunch! Wife of Herbert Abelman Mother of Stephen Abelman and Nancy White For more information on Lifelong Learning please contact Our condolences to her family Co-Chairwomen Barbara Sands ([email protected]) or May her memory be for a blessing Cynthia Roll ([email protected]) tebeam / January 2018 / 10 TBA Notes Save-the-dates, tidbits, and things to know

WEBSITE DONATIONS ARE HERE! Making a donation to your favorite TBA fund or to the Wall of Honor is now easier than ever. Our new website can now accept credit card donations. It’s easy and quick. Please take advantage of this new capability on our website to acknowledge the memory of, or to honor an accomplish- ment of a friend or a loved one. SHABBAT MORNING TORAH STUDY Every Saturday morning from 8:30-9:30 AM (with breakfast) Join our for a lively interactive discussion as we study Torah verse-by-verse from the very beginning of the book of Genesis (no prior knowledge is necessary) SHABBAT MORNING MINYAN Every Saturday from 9:30-10:30 AM Join with congregants for an intimate, spiritual, Shabbat morning worship service in the library. A brief discussion of the Only 4 Miles from Creative Event Guest Room Blocks Easy Access Off weekly parasha (Torah portion) precedes Temple Beth Am Spaces for Available for Out Speen Street, Mass the Torah reading. 20-200 People of Town Visitors Pike and Route 9

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TBA CARES Your temple is here for you whether in good times or bad. If you have a simcha that you would like to share with us, or if you have an illness in your family or are in need of anything, we want to know. Please let Rabbi Sobel know what is going on in your life. [email protected] DINING AND DAVENING Upcoming dates: January 19 and March 2 Come relax with friends at a local restaurant prior to Shabbat Evening Services. JFS HEALTHY AGING EXERCISE CLASS 12 Class Series Wednesdays at 1:00 PM January 10-April 14 (No class on January 31) Special group rate blocks $5 per class at the door or $55 for series for family and friends Strength, Strengthen and Meditate for } } Healthy Joints and Body Alexandra Bavosi / Sales Manager Courtyard Marriott • Low impact exercise class 3 Technology Drive, Westborough, MA 01581 • Improve joint mobility, range of motion, (508) 836-4800 EXT. 6001 and balance [email protected] • Decrease pain and stiffness • Strengthen muscles • Improve flexibility with specific exercises • Learn meditation tools for stress and pain management Register with Abrielle Salloway 508-875-3100 x360 [email protected] Independent • Family Owned In the Tradition of Our Great-Great Grandfather Jacob H. Levine (1858-1944)

617-969-0800 800-554-2199

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A Service Family Affiliate of AFFS and Service Corporation International 206 Winter Street, Fall River, MA 02720. (508) 676-2454. Temple Beth Am 300 Pleasant Street Framingham, MA 01701 Temple office 508-872-8300 Bookkeeper’s office 508-872-9148 e-mail [email protected] website www.tempbetham.org School office 508-872-8312 Rabbil Sharon Sobel 508-872-8300 x104 Rabbi Marcie Kamerow 508-872-8300 x121

Rabbi Sharon L. Sobel Rabbi Rabbi Donald M. Splansky Rabbi Emeritus Rabbi Marcie Kamerow Director of Education Dara Rosenblatt Cantorial Intern Howard Schwartz President Ellen Jagher Office & Building Administrator; Contributing Editor to tebeam Mary Robinson Bookkeeper Sandra Levey School Administrator Julia Zinn Youth Advisor Jeff Sands tebeam Editor Rob Levine tebeam Designer tebeam is published 9 times annually by Temple Beth Am tebeVolume 62am / No. 5 / January 2018

Temple Beth Am is a warm and vibrant Reform Jewish community located in Framingham, MA, comprised of members from the greater Metro West area. Founded in 1956 and affiliated with the Union for , members and visitors find a relaxed and informal atmosphere in which people of all ages, backgrounds CENTER FOR and orientations come to worship, learn, enjoy music, explore PROGRESSIVE Judaism, and find new friends. REFORM JUDAISM IN METROWEST