BETH TIKVAH SYNAGOGUE BETH TIKVAH CHAILIGHTS SHAVUOT 5776 JUNE 2016 SYNAGOGUE FROM OUR RABBI howard siegel “thou shalt Not take God’s Name in Vain!” Jews have come Just maybe this commandment comes to teach that the God to understand this commandment as referring to the use of of Israel is the God of all people. No single religious group is God’s actual name. In Hebrew the name is spelled “Yud” “Hay” endowed with a personal knowledge of God’s name or with the “Vav” “Hay”, but pronounced “Adonai”. “Adonai” is not God’s exclusive right to use it. The 17th century Jewish philosopher name, but a descriptive salutation meaning “My Lord”. We are Baruch Spinoza taught, “God didn’t create the universe; God is careful not to pronounce God’s name even in prayer. the universe.” What might be the consequence of actually attempting a pro- The holiday of Shavuot (beginning on the evening of June 11, nunciation of God’s name? Will the earth open up and swallow 2016) celebrates the revelation of God on Mt. Sinai, the receiving the offender or might he/she be struck by a lightning bolt? In of Torah, and the Jewish people’s commitment to One God. It truth, I believe we would all survive the moment, albeit with a comes to remind us of our unique place within God’s universe, tinge of guilt. So, why not pronounce God’s name? a universe embracing all humanity. WheN a Death occurs… Call the synagogue office at 604-271-6262. After business hours contact Rabbi Siegel at 778-323-6455 or Francie Steen at 604-272-7871. On Shabbat or Yom Tov contact Francie. Please Note… In respect of Shabbat and on Holy Days, kindly refrain from using cellular phones, cameras, or any other electronic equipment, THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 7:30 PM applauding, or chewing gum in the synagogue. at Beth Tikvah If you could manage to attend one Tuesday a month it would we need your be greatly appreciated so that those saying Kaddish would CAN YOU SPARE be assured of being able to. Please call the office, 604-271-6262, to let us know which 30 MINUTES Tuesday you will be able to attend each month. Service begins ONCE A MONTH? sharply at 7:30 am. Breakfast follows the service. 2 BETH TIKVAH CONGREGATION HOFIT’S CORNER hofit Indyk n the holiday of Shavuot we read Megillat Ruth. The story rsVP today for shavuot on the Kibbutz (front cover) Oof an outsider, who chose to stay with her mother-in-law and also shavuot - Milk and honey program (below): after being widowed. The Moabite, who adopted the Jewish God 604.271.6262 or btikvah.ca and the Israelites as her people. The convert, who went on to become the matriarch of the Davidic dynasty and the Messianic lineage. Shavuot is not just an account of how the Jewish people received the Ten Commandments. It’s an extraordinary tale of accepting others into your community. Whether a convert like Ruth, an interfaith couple, a newly arrived family, or just those less affiliated with the community – the key is to wel- come them into our midst and, like Ruth, give them reason to stay. So, this Shavuot, I urge you that anytime there is an unfamiliar face next to you, please help us make them feel welcome at our Synagogue. We have partnered with the Jewish Federation’s Gesher Program for our Shavuot event, in an initiative to welcome Jewish newcomers into our community. We hope you can join us! There will be lots to do, including a kids scavenger hunt, making flower crowns (an Israeli Shavuot tradition), PJ story time for the kids, Shavuot and Shabbat musical performances, and, of course, a delicious dairy meal. There is really something for everyone, and we hope you’ll feel welcome. For more details please see the front cover. l’chaim – to your health Beth Tikvah has a wonderful tradition of offering some Please feel free to bring a bottle in to the office (no we won’t schnapps for a l’chaim after services on Shabbat. We are in drink it!) and we will put it away for the Shabbatot!! Many need of donations of either a bottle of Rye Whiskey or Scotch. thanks. BETH TIKVAH CONGREGATION 3 OFFICE NEWS & VIEWS Francie steen s I’ve been doing my homework, getting everything ready never thought about serving dairy on Shavuot, only that I Afor this edition of the Chai Lights, I’ve been reading about do…. Shavuot. What are we celebrating? How are we celebrating? How many different reasons for celebrating? It struck me that So, how many more customs do we follow and never really we observe and do so very many things in our lives without think about. Being Jewish is a way of life. Sometimes it’s good thinking, without questioning and/or reasoning. to think about what we’re doing…it makes the observance that much better! When I think of Shavuot, I think of receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai. I had never connected Shavuot with commemo- I look forward to seeing you at one or all of our special programs. rating the time when the first fruits were harvested; I never Feel free to email or call if you have questions or would like to made a connection with the time between Pesach (being register. As you know, Beth Tikvah is open all summer. Feel freed from bondage) and Shavuot (being given the Torah, thus free to stop by your “home” and see us. redeeming us spiritually from our bondage to idolatry). I SUMMER HOURS: MONDAY, JULY 4 TO WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31 MONDAY – FRIDAY: 9:00AM – 3:00PM Shabbat Candle Lighting Havdallah Friday, July 1 9:03 pm Friday, Sept. 2 7:34 pm Saturday, July 2 10:12 pm Saturday, Sept. 3 8:39 pm Friday, July 8 9:00 pm Friday, Sept. 9 7:19 pm Saturday, July 9 10:08 pm Saturday, Sept. 10 8:23 pm Friday, July 15 8:54 pm Friday, Sept. 16 7:04 pm Saturday, July 16 10:00 pm Saturday, Sept. 17 8:07 pm Friday, July 22 8:47 pm Friday, Sept. 23 6:49 pm Saturday, July 23 9:51 pm Saturday, Sept. 24 7:52 pm Friday, July 29 8:38 pm Friday, Sept. 30 6:34 pm Saturday, July 30 9:40 pm Friday, Aug. 5 8:27 pm Saturday, August 6 9:27 pm Friday, Aug.12 8:15 pm Saturday, August 13 9:14 pm Friday, Aug. 19 8:02 pm Saturday, August 20 8:59 pm Friday, Aug. 26 7:48 pm Saturday, August 27 8:44 pm Baruch atah adonai eloheinu melekh ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav, v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Shabbat. Praised are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe whose mitzvot add holiness to our lives and who gave us the mitzvah to kindle Shabbat light. 4 BETH TIKVAH CONGREGATION HEBREW SCHOOL Marilyn Berger another amazing Year at Beth tikvah hebrew And what could be better than a game of Jewpardy both on school Sundays and Tuesdays to see the Hebrew school students leave t's hard to believe that another year of Hebrew school has with smiles on their faces and song in their hearts. Ipassed. It is such a joy to welcome excited students from grades K through 7 every Sunday. Their enthusiasm and smiles Much thanks go to our principal Rabbi Siegel and staff: K: clearly show that Beth Tikvah and Camp Solomon Shechter Sylvia Miles with aid Jamie Powell; 1 & 2: Hadas Shapira; 3: share the concept that Judaism and joy are indeed one. On Esther Karasenty; 4 - 7: Marilyn Berger with aid David Urist. On Sunday I meet with the K’s - grade 3 and began the day with Saturday morning Ronit Siegel trained the Bar and Bat (tfillot). The participation, singing, dancing and ruach (spirit) Mitzvot. is wonderful to see. Rabbi Siegal leads with grades 4 -7. They learn the Schacharit (morning) service complete with tallis This year we were pleased to welcome Tomer Tetro our shinshinit and tefillin. Then off to class we all go. The creative teaching (Israeli gap school program) who added love, enthusiasm and styles of the Beth Tikvah staff ensures an environment of love knowledge about the State of Israel. We wish her mazal and of learning. safety as she joins Israeli army next year. We are sad that Morah Esther is not available to teach with us next year. We The students in grades 4 and 5 attend Tuesdays from 4 - 6 PM. will miss her. We are pleased to note that Naomi Ben Yehuda Although tired after a long day at public school the amount will rejoin us in September. accomplished is amazing. The students have all become adept in leading the Mincha (afternoon) service, and tackling sub- If you are looking for a fabulous Hebrew school experience for jects that include the Bible, values and ethics and of course your child, registration is open for classes in September at all Hebrew and the Jewish holidays. It is a heart warming sight. grade levels. TOURNAMENT WAS A HOLE IN ONE! 126 golfers, joined by 65 more dinner guests, were treated to Canucks assistant general manager Laurence Gilman, enter- an amazing day and evening at the annual Beth Tikvah and tained the crowd with fun, candid stories and athlete antics RJDS Charity Golf Tournament, May 30. and perspectives. Spectacular weather and great conditions highlighted a day The event, which has been going on for many years now, of golf that included many traditional, as well as a few new raises significant funds for the two host organizations.