A Tallit (or Tallis) The Jewish is prayer shawl worn Publication Society's while reciting morning TANAKH is an original prayers (Shacharit) as translation of the well as in the on Holy Scriptures into and holidays. The contemporary English, based on tallit has special twined and the Masoretic (the traditional knotted fringes (tzitzit) Hebrew) text. The word TANAKH attached to its four corners, stands for Torah (Pentateuch), reminding us to observe the Navi (Prophets) and Ketuvim

Commandments. A1 (Writings). A3

Gates of Prayer for & Torah is made up of Weekdays is a recent gender- five books: Genesis, sensitive translation of Exodus, Leviticus, prayers (both traditional and Numbers and modern) appropriate for Deuteronomy. The scroll itself Shabbat, weekday, evening, is hand written by a scribe in morning and afternoon black ink on parchment without services. The book includes a vowels or punctuation marks. Torah service and prayers for Each week in the synagogue, a , Havadalah, Halel, different passage is read or Chanukah, , etc. A2 chanted from the Torah. A4 This miniature decorative The distinguishing mark silver Siddur (prayer book) of a Jewish home is a contains the text of the Mezuzah. Enclosed in a Torah, the primary document of decorative case is a Judaism that was given to the small parchment scroll Jewish people by the Prophet containing the Hebrew blessing Moses some 3,300 years ago. of the Shema. The Mezuzah is The term "Torah" is used to placed on a slant on the outer include both Judaism's written doorpost, reminding us to law and oral law. A5 appreciate the presence of the divine. A7

Jewish men will This artwork depicts traditionally wear a Shabbat, the seventh day of Yarmulke or Kippah as the week, the Jewish a head covering Sabbath. On Shabbat, Jews during worship, recall the account in Genesis religious study, or meals. when God created the Heavens and While in the Western world, it the Earth in six days and rested is customary to remove one's on the seventh. On Shabbat we are head when meeting an important freed from regular labors of person, in Judaism, putting on everyday life and can contemplate a head covering is a sign of the spiritual aspects and spend respect. A6 time with family. B1 Kiddush, the Hebrew are word for lit on Friday nights, "sanctification", is 18 minutes before usually said over wine; sunset, to usher in signifying that a Shabbat, a the Jewish Sabbath. holiday, or a holy Jewish Candle lighting is occasion (such as brit milah or traditionally done by the woman wedding) has begun. After of the household who waves her drinking of the wine, the hands over the candles, covers benediction over bread is her eyes, and recites a recited and the family partakes blessing. B4 of the Sabbath meal. B2

A traditional Jewish meal The requirement to light begins with the breaking of Shabbat candles is of rabbinic bread. is cut on a origin. It is traditional to special board during Shabbat light two candles, but in some and holidays. Challah is a homes an additional candle is sweet, golden, egg bread, often lit for each child. The braided or rolled into a lighting of Shabbat candles circular shape for the Jewish has a dual purpose: To "honor New Year. The blessing on bread Shabbat" and create “shalom (known as the Ha-motzi) is bayit” or domestic tranquility. B5 recited before eating. B3 We bid farewell to The blowing of the Shabbat with the figures blessing of . prominently in Jewish The ceremony includes a artwork. The most cup of wine to desirable shofar is represent hope for goodness, a the bent horn of a ram. The ram multi-wick candle reflecting the reminds one of Abraham's light of Torah and a spice box, willing sacrifice of that which to carry the sweet spice of was most precious to him. The Shabbat into the week and to curve in the horn mirrors the wake us gently to our earthly contrition of the one who responsibilities. B6 repents. C2

A shofar is an instrument made The blowing of the shofar also from the horn of a ram, used in follows a prescribed pattern. ancient Israel to announce the It is composed of three sets of New Moon. The shofar is blown on blasts, each consisting of , marking the three repetitions of three beginning of the New Year, notes including teki'ah (one signifying a call to repentance long blast); shevarim (three and a connection with the Torah broken sounds) and teru'ah portion read on Rosh Hashanah, (nine staccato notes). The the Binding of Isaac. It is final teki'ah is prolonged, considered a commandment to hear called teki'ah gedolah or" the shofar blown. C1 great blast". C3 Chanukah, the Festival of Lights Lighting the Menorah on or Rededication, begins on the Chanukah also recalls 25th day of the Jewish month of the great Maccabean . On each new day of the victories over the eight-day holiday, we light an Hellenic Greeks under Antiochus additional candle on the nine- Epiphanes. Jewish worship was branched Menorah known in Hebrew restored at the temple in as a Hanukiah. During Chanukah, Jerusalem in 165 BC and pagan it is customary to give gelt statuary was removed. By a (money) to children, to teach miracle, one small cruse of pure them the importance of charity oil burned for eight days! D3 and good deeds. D1

The Dreidel is for a We kindle eight lights spinning top. The dreidel with increasing joy and (‘Sevivon’ in Hebrew) dates back to blessing against tyranny the Maccabean revolt. Learning of darkness, intolerance, Torah was outlawed by the enemy, a and religious oppression. The "crime" punishable by death. Jewish “Shammash” or lead candle on the children resorted to hiding in menorah is used to kindle the caves in order to study. If a Greek other lights. On the 8th night of patrol approached, children would Chanukah, when all candles are pull out their tops pretending to glowing, it is truly a most play a game. Playing dreidel during beautiful sight! D2 Chanukah reminds us of the courage of those brave children. D4 The letters on the dreidel Symbolic foods are found on stand for a Hebrew phrase: the Seder Plate including a Nes Gadol Hayah Sham which roasted shank bone to means “A great miracle recall the 10th plague (death to happened there.” The word the first born). Bitter herbs “there” refers to the land of (Maror) remind us of the Israel. In Israel, the letter harshness of servitude endured by . Charoset (an (shin) is replaced by the apple mixture) signifies the letter (peh), which means mortar they were forced to use “here.” Thus, “a great miracle in building structures for the happened here.” D5 Egyptians. E2

Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) These invitations and booklets commemorates the liberation are from Bar and Bat Mitzvahs of the Children of Israel celebrated in the Battle Creek who were led out of slavery community. When Jewish boys in Egypt by Moses. The eight-day reach the age of 13, they are festival begins with the Seder held responsible for their meal when the story of deliverance actions and become a Bar is recounted in the Mitzvah, literally "Son of Haggadah .Matzah (unleavened Commandment." Children prepare bread) is eaten throughout for Bar and Bat Mitzvah by as are other foods that attending Religious and Hebrew contain no leaven. E1 School. F1 Children traditionally The Ketubah, a marriage receive a tallis (prayer contract providing for shawl) from their the maintenance of the parents. This treasured wife and guaranteeing possession is passed down from her a share of the husband’s one generation to the next, estate in the event of divorce symbolizing the survival of the or his death, is drawn up and Jewish people. A boy who becomes signed during the marriage a Bar Mitzvah will lead prayers ceremony. Ketubahs may be works in Hebrew and read from the of art in themselves, Torah during a special Shabbat commissioned by skilled service. F2 craftsmen. F4

Judaism believes in the concept of Ancient Israel, the soul mates, called bashert. The Holy Land, from which primary purpose of marriage is love the present state of and companionship, not just Israel emerged, childbearing. During a wedding claims a long history ceremony, the bride and groom of rule by different powers. A recite seven blessings and stand Hebrew kingdom was established beneath the chuppah, a canopy held from the 12 Tribes of Israel up by four poles, symbolic of their (named after the sons of Jacob) dwelling together and of the husband's bringing the wife into that came out of Egypt with Moses. G1 his home. F3 Israel Independence Day is The hora is a circle celebrated annually, dance that predates the marking the anniversary of State of Israel. It can the establishment of the be performed to many of State of Israel. Here the Jewish the traditional klezmer and people developed a distinctive Israeli folk songs, and is religion and culture for some typically danced to the music of 4,000 years as a sovereign state, Hava Nagila. This is the most at other times under foreign common dance done at Jewish life domination. A yearning to return cycle joyous events such as to the land has been the focus of weddings and Bar and Bat Jewish life. G2 Mitzvahs. G4

The olive tree and its oil have This copper plate bears the )שָׁ לֹום( been major components in the word Shalom — in Hebrew culture and rituals of Ancient meaning peace, completeness, and Modern Israel. This and welfare. Shalom can be used beautiful olive wood carving idiomatically to mean both depicts a Sabre (native-born hello and goodbye. The word Israeli) in dance. The word shalom is used in a variety of sabra itself designates an expressions in Hebrew speech. Israeli fruit. Jews claim that For example, Shalom Aleichem like this prickly pear, they are implies “well-being be upon hard on the outside but sweet on you" or "may you be well". G5 the inside. G3 This two-dimensional “Magen- The giving of David” sun-catcher was made of (charity) is a leaded glass by a Michigan cornerstone of Judaism. artist. The distinctive six- No Jewish home is pointed star (in use since the complete without a Tzedakah Box 17th century) is today such as the one displayed here universally recognized as the where monies are designated for symbol of Jewry. It appears on the land of Israel. Tzedakah the flag of the state of Israel, boxes remind us that righteous and the Israeli equivalent of the acts are our duty and a better Red Cross is known as the Red world our goal. G8 Magen David. G6

This crystal prism is titled Temple Beth El is proud to "Prayer at the Western display this reproduction of Wall." A solitary man is a well-known painting by shown praying. The exquisite Marc Chagall, The Praying etched and frosted art creates the Jew (Rabbi of Vitebsk). The Russian illusion there is a second man, artist's Jewish heritage is often reminding us that in this world seen in his illustrations of man is not alone. The Western Yiddish folklore and Bible stories. Wall, Wailing Wall or Kotel in Chagall’s later work included the Jerusalem is sacred because it is famous stained-glass windows for a remnant of the wall that once the Hadassah University Medical enclosed the Second Temple. G9 Center Synagogue. G7 Temple Beth El strives Temple Beth El has been to bring an awareness of the home of the Jewish the lessons of the community of Battle Holocaust to students Creek, Michigan for and adults in our community. In over 100 years, meeting the 2003, the Temple hosted a United spiritual and religious needs States Holocaust Memorial Museum of our congregation through traveling exhibition on Oskar worship, study, charitable Schindler, the German-Catholic works, and commemorating life industrialist who rescued many events. H1 Jews. H3

Our current Temple building was In 2005, the Temple dedicated in 1951 and continues partnered with the Art to offer opportunities for Center to bring leadership, fellowship, and another USHMM learning. We are the local traveling exhibition affiliate of the Union for to Battle Creek. Life in Reform Judaism and part of the Shadows: Hidden Children and the Progressive Judaism worldwide Holocaust was viewed by over movement. Our building includes 8,000 Michigan residents. sanctuary seating for over 150, Supporting events included rooms for study, Temple library, presentations by Pierre Sauvage social hall, and kitchen and and Theodore Bikel. H4 parking facilities. H2 Holocaust survivors This stone from Auschwitz was visited Battle Creek collected by Joel Epstein, in connection with Professor Emeritus in Holocaust the exhibitions. Studies at Olivet College and long-time member of Temple Beth El. Their literary works Additional information is available are displayed here: Amidst from the United States Holocaust the Shadows of Trees (Miriam Memorial Museum which inspires Brysk); All But My Life citizens and leaders worldwide to (Gerda Weissmann Klein); and confront hatred, prevent genocide, and Trains (Miriam Winter). H5 promote human dignity. H7

Holocaust artist and The Temple Beth El is proud to survivor Miriam Brysk display this proclamation in has exhibited at the commemoration of Yom HaShoah or Art Center and at Holocaust Remembrance Day, presented to the Jewish community of KCC. Her work is part Battle Creek by the City Commission. of the permanent collection With the playing of the Israeli National of Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. Anthem, we conclude the Judaic section Dr. Brysk has a forthcoming of Unity in Diversity: The Heartbeat and publication The Stones Weep: Ties of Many Cultures. “Hatikvah” speaks Teaching the Holocaust of the hope of the Jewish people for a Through a Survivor's Art with land of their own where they can know Lesson Plans for High School freedom, security and peace.

Students. H6 May this come to be for all peoples! H8

Prayer Life Cycle

Shabbat New Year

Chanukah Israel

Temple Passover Beth El