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Scheduling Reminder: Religious School Resumes January 12th
Last day to register for our 2009 Gala! - enjoy great food, music, and libations, and help raise funds for our youth programs. Your participation helps ensure our accessibility by funding scholarships. Register now!
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Information on Current Events
in Israel and Gaza
We are all deeply concerned about the escalating warfare in Gaza and southern Israel, and grieve the many killed and injured. The homepage of the Union for Reform Judaism, the national association of Reform synagogues, has a variety of resources, including a position statement from Rabbi Eric Yoffie, the President of the URJ, and worthwhile links to other sources. For the most current news from Israel, visit the websites of Israels newspapers, Ha-aretz or the Jerusalem Post. (These links are informational only and the variety of opinions and positions expressed on them do not represent positions or policies of the clergy and leadership of Beth El.)
Solidarity Gathering for Israel
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 7:30 pm at Temple Sinai in Oakland
Featuring Akiva Tor, Consul General of Israel
Please join with your East Bay community in support of Israel and to voice our hope for peace.
For more information, please click here
Celebrate with the
Beth El community
A Night in Paris - 2009 Gala
Saturday, January 10 6:30-10:00pm
LAST DAY TO REGISTER!
Don't miss out on this amazing night!
Gregoire's Bistro Dining Live Music from the Gadjo Quartette Dancing
Fabulous items available at the Live and Silent Auctions all benefiting Beth El youth programs
You can register online and purchase your raffle tickets by clicking here
Click here for more information about the 2009 Gala
 Congregation Beth El, Reverend Dr. Marvis Peoples & Liberty Hill Baptist Church warmly invite you to attend a Service Celebrating the life and work of the
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Sunday, January 18, 2009, 11:00am
Liberty Hill Baptist Church
997 University Avenue Berkeley
Come enjoy a sermon by Rabbi Yoel Kahn. After the service, we will break bread together as we enjoy a potluck lunch. Please bring food to share along with a list of ingredients and card explaining what your dish is, where it is from and its cultural or historical significance. Everyone is invited. Bring your friends and family!
For more information, please email Linda Gerson
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Shabbat This Week:
January 9 & 10, 2009
13 Tevet 5769
Parashat Vayechi
Genesis 47:28-50:26
Friday, January 9*
-Shabbat Evening Service 6:15pm
led by Rabbi Yoel Kahn
and Dan Magid
Saturday, January 10*
-Minyan Service 8:30am
-Torah Study, 9:15am
led by Romy Douglass
-Shabbat Morning Service 10:15am
led by Rabbi Yoel Kahn and
Cantorial Soloist Bon Singer
*Shabbat Services
will be held in the
Beit Midrash (Chapel)
this week.
Shabbat Next Week:
Friday, January 16
-Shabbat Evening Service 6:15pm
led by Rabbi Yoel Kahn and
Cantorial Soloist Bon Singer
Saturday, January 17
-Minyan Service 8:30am
-Torah Study, 9:15am
led by Alan Shonkoff
-Shabbat Morning Service 10:15am
led by Rabbi Yoel Kahn and
Cantorial Soloist Bon Singer
Bat Mitzvah of Hannah Trumbull
Greeter, Gabbai and Bimah
Representatives Needed
To sign up or for more information, including what each of these positions entails, please click here.
When prompted for your password, please enter: shabbat
Upcoming Committee Meetings
Nursery School Committee Meeting, Tuesday, January 13, 7:00pm
Ritual Committee Meeting, Tuesday, January 13, 7:30pm
Religious School Committee Meeting, Wednesday, January 14, 8:00pm
Program Committee Meeting, Tuesday, January 27, 6:30pm
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Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah: Charting a Course/Creating a Covenant
Sunday, January 11 from 10:30am-12:30pm
The Covenant is one of the core Jewish ideas from biblical times until today. At this organizational meeting, we will study a little bit about covenants, look at the elements of becoming bar/bat mitzvah and work on personal plans/covenants. If you would like to be called to the Torah as an adult bar or bat mitzvah in late 2009 or in 2010, please join us at this meeting. RSVP to Rebecca DePalma.
Support Group for Single Parent Families
with Temple Sinai of Oakland
Wednesday, January 14 6:30pm at the Merritt Village
Temple Sinai of Oakland has invited Beth El single parents to join their new Support Group for Single Parents. Join other Jewish single parents in a safe and non-judgmental group.
Together, we can support each other as we navigate the many special challenges in our culture today of raising a child on one's own, and with the unique viewpoints and cultural history that being Jewish adds to our expectations, narratives, hopes and dreams. Parents of children of all ages are welcome. Bring a sense of humor and willingness to imagine tangible ways in which we can create "wholeness" at home in a single-parent household.
The first meeting of the group will be on Wednesday, January 14, at 6:30 pm, at the Merritt Village. RSVP by emailing Maureen at the Temple Sinai office or calling her at 510-451-3263 x215. You may also contact the groups organizers through the Temple Sinai office.
Conversational Yiddish
Wednesday, January 14 & 28 at 7:15pm
Easy conversation and topical themes, Yiddish music and culture - as decided by the participants.
No knowledge of Yiddish is required. Newcomers welcome. Questions? Please email Evie Groch or call 510-235-9771.
Grief & Bereavement Group Begins In January
Thursday evenings, starting January 15 7:30-9:00 pm
We are starting a grief and bereavement group for Beth El members who are in the process of grieving either a recent or a distant loss. Building on our previous Yizkor Circles, this will be a place where we can talk, share, support and grieve together in community. When applicable, we will locate our grief within the context of our Jewish tradition. This six-session group for Beth El members will meet on Thursday evenings, 7:309:00 pm, starting on Thursday, January 15. If you are interested in participating in this group, please call Cynthia Colvin at (510) 654-3330.
Cynthia Colvin is a licensed Clinical Psychologist. She has been in private practice in the Rockridge area for over 30 years, and has been a member of the Beth El community for 25 years.
Everyone is invited!
Family Friendly Shabbat Service
Friday, January 23 at 6:15pm
All families with children of any age are welcome to attend.
Followed by Dessert Oneg
Calling All Gardeners
Tu'B'Shvat (the holiday of the trees) is approaching. To prepare the ground for our Tu'B'Shvat festivities on February 8th, we are holding two garden work parties at Beth El on Sunday, January 25th and Sunday, February 1st from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. We will prune, weed, and feed our trees and plants. Bring your garden tools and get to know other gardeners in the congregation. We could use your help! For more information email Ruth Ehrenkrantz or just show up.
The community is invited...
Judah L. Magnes Museum Presents:
They Called Me Mayer July: Painted Memories of a Jewish Childhood in Poland Before the Holocaust
January 11, 2009 2:00 pm at Congregation Beth El
For more information, please contact Judy Blumenfeld at 510-558-7800 x766
The community is invited...
The East Bay Jewish Community Relations Council
and Islamic Networks Group present:
Muslim-Jewish Common Ground Speakers Series
Impact of the Presidential Election on American Muslims and Jews
January 15, 2009 7:00 pm at the Fremont Community Teen Center
For more information, please click here
The community is invited...
"Choices" -- a Jewish Community Federation of the East Bay
Women's Philanthropy Division Dinner
January 26, 2009 Reception - 5:30 pm Dinner & Program 6:30 pm
at the Oakland Marriott City Center
For more information, please click here
Beth El member, Susan Seeley is happy to pick up any Beth El women who would like a ride to the event. Please call Susan at 510-652-0935 if you would like to join her at the Beth El table.
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