October 20, 2006 – Tishrei 29, 5767
Synaplex is
coming – NEXT WEEK!!!!!
Come for part or all of a new way to spend Shabbat at TBE, BUT BE SURE TO COME!!
Friday evening Oct. 27, 2006
7:30 pm ●
Tot Shabbat
● Shabbat Unplugged
Candlelight
Oneg and “Rebbe’s Tish” Following services
Saturday Oct. 28, 2006
8:45 am
Kabbalistic Yoga (Teens, Adults)
9:00 am ●
Continental Breakfast (All)
●Body-Mind-Spirit Bike Ride (Teens, Adults)
● Study Session on
Heschel’s “The Sabbath” (Adults)
●Babysitting (Tots,Children)
9:45
am
Traditional Service with
10:00
am ●Meditative
Service led by Dan Klipper (Adults)
●Tot Shabbat Morning with Nurit (Tots and Parents)
●Teen Service, run by our teens and assisted by Youth Advisor Edoe
Cohen (Teens from 8th grade and up)
●Family Learner’s Service, led by
11:10
am KIDDUSH
11:20
am
STORAHTELLING, including the celebration of an UFRUF! (All)
Performance of Torah portion Noah, with live original music and audience
interaction.
12:30
pm
Luncheon (All)
1:30
pm ●“Backstage
with Storahtelling” Learn the art of ritual theater (Teens, Adults)
●Family Communication Workshop with Mara Hammerman and Elissa
Stein (Adults)
●“Communication about Medication: Dealing with Doctors and
Drugs” with Bob Katz
(the AARP crowd)
●Israeli Dancing with Shmulik (Children)
2:30
pm ● “Backstage
with Storahtelling” continues (Teens, Adults)
●Family Scavenger Hunt (Children, Teens, Adults)
●“Rosner Bowl” Touch Football Game (Children,
Teens, Adults)
●Israeli Dancing with Shmulik (Teens, Adults)
3:30
pm
Pet Pallooza Pet Show and Blessing over the Animals - Hammermans’
front lawn (All)
We thank all our sponsors and supporters,
including Jackie Tepper and David Robinov, and Greg and Benjy, who are
sponsoring this month’s Shabbat Unplugged, in honor of David and
Benjy’s birthdays. We also thank Gary Gladstein in particular for his
support of Synaplex and wish him Mazal Tov on the ufruf of Jeff Gladstein and
Theresa Eickman on Synaplex Shabbat.
And we thank all our volunteers and participants as well!
Yashar Koach to Alison Wolff, who donated her
hair to Locks of Love.
Here
she is with Guy Sasson, in the “after”
photo.
Check our website at www.tbe.org for more photos, the complete
Synaplex schedule, along with NEW super photos of our spectacular TBE Sukkah
and mp3 files of the High Holidays sermons.
Send your friends and relatives the gift of Jewish awareness -- a
Shabbat-O-Gram each week, by signing them up at www.tbe.org. To be removed from this mailing list,
sent e-mail request to office@tbe.org. If you have signed up and are not
receiving our e-mails, check your spam filter to make sure that TBE is not
being “spammed out.”
Please
give generously to our High Holy Day Appeal!
Thus
far the response has far exceeded expectations – we are most grateful to
all who have given. For those who
have not as of yet, please give TBE extra consideration this year as we
continue to try to bring the spirit of excellence and warmth to our Jewish
Village and to service the needs of our congregants.
Contents
of the Shabbat O Gram:
(Click
to scroll down)
Just
the Facts (service schedule)
The (Occasionally) Ranting Rabbi
Mitzvah/Tzedakkah Opportunities
Required Reading and Action Items (links
to key articles on Israel and Jewish life)
Announcements (goings on in and around
TBE)
Quote for the Week
“The reason a dog has so many
friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue”
-Anonymous
Friday Evening
Candle
lighting: 5:49pm pm on Friday, 20
October 2006. For candle lighting times, other Jewish
calendar information, and to download a Jewish calendar to your PDA, click on http://www.hebcal.com/. To see the festivals of other faiths as
well, go to http://www.interfaithcalendar.org/
Shabbat service: 6:30 PM– in the chapel
Tot Shabbat: 6:45 - in the lobby
This week, Tot Shabbat will be hosted by Liam and Forrest Timmons and their parents, Jeanette and Mike. Liam is 8 and Forrest is 6. Both attend
For those who can’t get enough of Tot Shabbat, Nurit conducts
Tot Shabbat Morning at 10:30am every Saturday morning.
Mark your Calendars!!! On Friday, October 27, all
are welcome to attend our first Synaplex
Shabbat. A special Tot Shabbat
will be held at 7:30pm that evening.
Please see below for a list of events during our Synaplex Weekend, October 27 and 28. Hope to see all of you there! Please bring your friends!
Shabbat
Morning: 9:30 AM– We celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of Alex Heyison. Mazal tov to him and to his parents Joe
and Leslie.
Children’s services: 10:30 AM – Jr.
congregation service in the chapel, Tot Shabbat morning downstairs.
Torah Readings
Portion: Beresheet
– The Creation Story and what follows…
We begin reading the
third part of the triennial cycle
1: 5:1-5
2: 5:6-8
3: 5:9-14
4: 5:15-20
5: 5:21-24
6: 5:25-31
7: 5:32-6:8
maf: 6:5-8
See a weekly commentary from
the UJC Rabbinic Cabinet, at www.ujc.org/mekorchaim. Read the Masorti commentary at http://www.masorti.org/mason/torah/index.asp. University of Judaism,
JTS commentary is at: http://learn.jtsa.edu/topics/parashah/.
USCJ Torah
For online Parsha quizzes from Pardes in Israel, go to http://www.pardes.org.il/online_learning/parsha_quizzes/ Torah for Kids: http://www.torah4kids.net/ Weekly Lesson of Popular Israeli Rabbi Mordechai Elon: http://www.elon.org/archives/archives.htm - and his parsha sheets: http://www.mibereshit.org/special/download_eng_pdf.htm From Bar Ilan University: http://www.biu.ac.il/JH/Parasha/eng/; http://www.torahproductions.com/weekly_article.jsp
THE ENTIRE
HEBREW BIBLE (AS WELL AS OTHER JEWISH SOURCES) CAN BE FOUND WITH SIDE-BY-SIDE
TRANSLATION AT
Morning Minyan: Weekdays at 7:30, Sundays at
9:30 AM
TO ENSURE A “GUARANTEED MINYAN” FOR
THE DAY OF YOUR YAHRZEIT – GO TO THE ROSNER MINYAN MAKER AT WWW.TBE.ORG
AND ALSO CONTACT ME AT RABBI@TBE.ORG.
We’ve had several people coming lately
who are saying kaddish following recent deaths in the
family. We want to make sure we
have a minyan each day. Your presence any morning is greatly appreciated!
Please sign up at the Rosner Minyan Maker at www.tbe.org (for those who have had problems,
it’s been fixed).
The
(occasionally)
My Annual
World Series Prediction
First
of all, my deepest sympathies to all Mets fans. I’ve been there, in 2003
(7th game – lose on last inning homer) and it ‘aint fun. But
it was a great year for the Mets.
Now,
onto the Series. Tigers vs.
Cardinals. I search my Jewish
sources for inspiration in making this annual never-wrong prediction. Tiger in Hebrew is namer “nah-mare”
(which also can mean “leopard,”) coming from the root N-M-R meaning
“shine” or “gleam.” Certainly the Tiger’s have been
shining lately. The animal is
mentioned in the bible about a half dozen times, the most famous being Isaiah
11:6: “The wolf will live with the lamb; the namer lie down with the kid; calf, young lion and fattened lamb together,
with a little child to lead them.”
If anyone has seen the Tigers’ starting pitching lately, they are
almost all “little children,”(with one notable exception). This utopian prophecy would seem to bode
well for the Tigers, unless we take it to mean that they will end up lying
down, placid, passive - and pasted by the redbirds.
Take a look at Daniel
7:6 : “After this, I looked; and there was another one, like a namer with four bird's wings on its sides.
The animal also had four heads, and it was given power to rule.” Daniel is having a horrible nightmare,
with visions of deformed animals.
But if this Tiger was also a winged bird, and there four wings, not two,
one would think that the number 4 is significant here: indeed, it takes four
victories to win the Series – perhaps this indicates a
Of course, you say, Jewish sources have
to support the team that once employed the mighty Hank
Greenberg, the team that in 1968 came back to win against this same
opponent, named for a city beginning with a “Saint,” a team named
for a team called “Cardinals,” as if they came straight out of
Vatican central casting. There is a
Jewish-born cardinal, BTW: Jean-Marie Lustiger (http://www.888webtoday.com/lustiger.html)
who could someday become pope.
But there’s another side to this
tale. Apparently there are no
cardinals (the bird, not the clergy) in
More importantly, the Cards do have a
Jewish player, pitcher Jason
Marquis.
So let’s see, Hank Greenberg or
Jason Marquis? Gotta
go with Hank
Greenberg: Baseball's First Jewish
Superstar.
Tigers
in Six.
Mazal Tov
Mazal Tov to
TBE’s Denise Greenman, who will be honored at the Connecticut Region
Biennial of the USCJ this weekend!
She has helped our congregation in so many ways, as Sisterhood past
president, cantorial search chair, bar-bat mitzvah chair, and so much
more. No one could be more
deserving of the honor!
Joan Katz – the
“Bride of Genesis”
Last Sunday morning we
honored Joan Katz with the first aliyah for Genesis as we began the Torah cycle
anew. Each year we ask our Hatan Torah and Kallat Bereisheet (the Bridegroom of the Torah and Bride of
Genesis) to make a statement about their ties to TBE and the importance of
volunteering. Here is Joan’s
beautiful statement:
Thank you so much for
this very special honor.
I grew up in
My husband and I have now
been members of
The turning point of my
TBE volunteer “career” was an evening when I attended a Sisterhood
book discussion. I had a wonderful time talking about a book with a multi-aged
group of women. While we might have
all been Jewish, we held diverse views and life experiences which lead to
interesting conversation. Continued book club attendance led to Sisterhood
involvement, Sisterhood board positions, chairing Break Fast, leading a group
that reorganized the kitchen closets and cabinets and now Youth Commission and
Synaplex committee work.
I get satisfaction
accomplishing tasks through my volunteer work, but I most enjoy meeting new
people and making previous acquaintances into friends. I’ve gotten to
know so many hard-working volunteers here at Beth El who also deserve
recognition. Like my family,
they’ve been great role models.
I’d like to thank them as well.
Minyans To Go
Last week, we honored, as
our Hatan Torah, Peter Weissman, who has been
instrumental in sustaining our morning minyan. His words, recalling the passing of his
son Adam, were most moving:
When Adam passed away eight years
ago, I began my attendance at morning minyans and ushering at the
holidays. While these are bittersweet, they provide me with opportunities
to think of and talk to Adam as if he were still here, and indeed, in my heart
and memory, he will always be here. So I thank
Morning Minyan is the time
when one sees the true face of TBE, all the caring and concern that go into the
creation of a warm, embracing community.
For those who are there, that statement is self evident. For those who might be reluctant to
come, please know that you will be warmly welcomed. Our new weekday prayer book is pretty
easy to follow, but for those who want more background, check out our
website’s gude, Minyan
Mastery.
If you find yourself
elsewhere in the state, know that you will be welcomed at Conservative
congregations throughout the state.
The USCJ Connecticut region has put together the following chart of
minyan places and times.
Please check directly with the synagogue before
attending daily minyan, to ensure the time listed here is accurate.
|
City |
Congregation |
Mon-Thurs |
Fri |
Sat |
Sun |
Public |
Jewish |
|
|
7:00 am |
7:00 am
8:00 pm |
9:30 am, sundown |
9:00 am |
x |
9:30 am, sundown |
|
|
|
7:30 pm |
7:00 pm |
9:00 am |
7:30 pm |
. |
9:00 am |
|
|
|
The earlier
of sunset or 6:00 pm, |
7:10 am |
9:00
am |
8:00 am 6:00 pm |
8:00 am 6:00 pm check web site or call 203-334-0159 for official holidays |
9:00 am and same as Saturday Evenings |
|
|
|
Tuesday:
6:00 pm (when school
is in session) |
7:30 am |
9:00 am Torah Study / 10:00 am services |
x |
x |
X |
|
|
|
7:30 am |
7:30 am |
9:00 am summer |
8:30 am summer |
call for
schedule |
call for
schedule |
|
|
|
x |
5:30 pm (First Friday only Pot Luck Dinner) |
10:00 am |
x |
x |
X |
|
|
|
7:15 am |
7:15 am |
x |
9:00 am |
x |
X |
|
|
|
Sons of |
7:30 am |
|
10:00 am |
|
|
|
|
|
6:45 am |
6:00 pm |
9:30 am |
9:00 am |
9:00 am |
9:00 am |
|
|
|
7:30 pm |
call for
schedule |
10:00 am |
x |
|
9:45 am |
|
|
|
8:00 am Thu |
7:45 pm |
9:30 am |
9:30 am |
x |
9:30 am |
|
|
|
8:00 am |
8:00 am |
9:30 am |
8:30 am |
8:30 am |
|
|
|
|
7:00 am 5:45 pm |
7:00 am |
9:15 am |
9:00 am |
9:00 am |
9:15 am for Shelosh Regalim festivals |
|
|
|
7:00 am |
7:00 am |
. |
9:00 am |
. |
. |
|
|
|
7:00 pm |
6:30 pm |
9:30 am |
x |
x |
9:30 am |
|
|
|
Tues, Wed, Thurs 5:30 pm |
6:00 pm |
9:30 am |
|
. |
. |
|
|
|
8:00 am Mon & Thur only |
8:00 am |
9:15 am |
9:00 am |
9:00 am |
X |
|
|
|
7:25 am Mon & Thur only. No minyan Tue & Wed |
Times vary; please call the Synagogue |
9:00 am |
9:00 am |
9:00 am |
9:00 am |
|
|
|
7:30 am |
7:30 pm, 1st Fri 7 pm Family Svcs. |
9:30 am |
9:15 am |
8:30 am |
8:30 am |
|
|
Southbury |
8:30 am Thu |
8:00 pm |
9:30 am |
x |
x |
X |
|
|
|
7:00 am |
7:00 am |
9:30 am |
8:00 am 7:00 pm |
8:00 am |
9:30 am |
|
|
|
Mon - Thurs 7:30 am |
7:30 am 6:30 pm or 7:30pm once a month. Call 203-322-6901to check |
9:30 am |
9:30 am |
9:00 am |
9:30am |
|
|
|
|
7:00 pm |
9:30 am Traditional service 1st & 3rd
Shabbat of each month. |
x |
x |
See web site or contact office for schedule 203-378-6175 |
|
|
|
x |
7:30 pm |
9:30 am |
8:30 am |
x |
X |
|
|
|
7:00 pm |
6:30 pm |
9:30am |
nbx |
. |
. |
|
|
|
7:00 am |
7:00 am |
9:30 am |
8:45am 7:30 pm |
. |
x.x |
|
|
|
Morning minyan
Rosh Hodesh & Hol
Hamoed morning services |
Morning minyan Evening minyan Rosh Hodesh & Hol Hamoed morning
services |
9:00 Minhah/Ma'ariv service with short Torah study approximately at sundown. Please call the Synagogue office for precise times |
8:00 am Evening minyan |
8:00 am |
9:00 am Minhah/Ma'ariv service with short Torah study approximately at sundown. Please call the Synagogue office for precise times |
|
|
|
x.x |
6:15 pm |
9:30 am |
8:45 am |
x.x |
9:30 am |
|
|
|
x |
7:30 pm |
9:30 am |
. |
. |
. |
|
|
|
7:45 am |
7:45 am |
9:30 am |
9:30 am |
9:00
am |
call
for schedule |
Mitzvah/Tzedakkah Opportunties
Congregant
Seeks Sitter
The Annulli
family of our congregation is seeking a babysitter, preferably someone who can
drive,
Definitely
non-smoking. For more information,
contact Richard Annuli directly, at mrdrannulli2@yahoo.com
Beth El Cares
Cathy Satz (968-9191; csscounsel@yahoo.com)Cheryl Wolff (968-6361; cwolff@optonline.net)BETH EL CARES co-chairs
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Habitat
for Humanity is recruiting volunteers to assist with the planning and building
of 6 to 9 housing units on West Main Street in Stamford (near the Kentucky
Fried Chicken). The actual timing of the building depends on site plan and
other approvals, but the ceremonial ground breaking should take place in
October 2006. Please contact
bknebal@habitatcfc.org if you want to help in any way. Assistance is needed now
in the formation stages, as well as later with the building. Bob Knebel, CEO, can tell you what jobs are available.
LOCKS OF LOVE HAIR DONATIONS CONTINUED
Any
one wishing to donate 10 or more inches of hair to Locks of Love can contact
Cathy or Cheryl for more information on how to donate and how to get your
before and after photo on the TBE web sit
Cheryl
Wolff
Cathy
Satz
Are
Magic Tricks a Form of Lying?
This question
came in from Danielle Leffand, via her mother Maureen. Danielle is taking a magic class and had
a philosophical problem with it.
Maureen continues
the story:
“This morning
my daughter asked me if doing magic tricks is the same as lying to people. In her mind it is because you are not
telling people the truth (i.e. the trick is you show people three sponges and
three cups but you really have four sponges and you are hiding one of the
sponges from the audience).
I tried to
explain to her that magic was a way of entertaining people and therefore in
that context it wasn't lying. Her
response was "so if I entertain you with lying, that's okay?" "No", was my answer.
She then said
"let me get this straight - - you signed me up for a course to learn how
to lie to people but lying is wrong".
I told her it was too early in the morning for these types of questions
but that it would be a perfect question for the Rabbi.”
Wow - she has a point,
there. OK – so here’s
the response:
So I would ask her if she likes
movies.
When you watch movies where
people fly, are they really flying?
No, it's all trick photography.
Movies that supposedly take place in
But the main thing is that the
audience knows that it's a "lie" when they are at a magic show. They realize there is a trick to it and
they aren't clapping at the end because they really think the rabbit
disappeared. They are clapping
because they appreciate then skill of the magician who was able to pull it off
so well.
If people know in advance that
you are "lying," then, in fact you are not deceiving them. What's wrong is deception, especially
when the intent is harmful. An example of non-harmful intent is a surprise
party. Then I think it is OK to
lie. Or if someone got a new dress
and you don't like it but say, "That's lovely." That's OK too. The Talmud even tells us that it is OK to
tell a white lie in order not to hurt someone’s feelings. There’s a story in the Torah where
even God tells such a white lie not
to hurt the feelings of Sarah!
Please tell her, on my behalf,
“Great question, Danielle!
Thanks for asking!”
Discussion: Should
You Stand During the Mourners' Prayer?
(From Beliefnet)
Halloween: Treif or Treat? (from Beliefnet)
–
Read the lead article,
then read the responses, then add your response…
And share it with us,
for next week’s Shabbat O Gram!
Cyber Hugs and Truth
I received the following
YouTube link from two separate congregants (Fred
Golove and Sue Plutzer – who had also sent it to Fred) about a minute
apart! It was like being double
hugged in cyberspace – and it was a sign that this should be included in
the Shabbat O Gram. BTW, I
usually check out these stories on urban legends websites, but this one was so
good that it didn’t matter.
Even were the whole thing staged, it would be worth sending out. As we learned from Danielle’s
magic tricks and indeed from the Genesis story, there’s
“truth” and there’s TRUTH. Some things don’t have to be
factual to be true. Maybe the world
wasn’t created in six 24-hour days, and maybe the magician’s tricks
contain some deception, but both
narratives stoke the imagination and expose our minds to a sense of wonder. And nothing can be more real than that.
I want to share the following video with you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4
Video Description
Sometimes, a hug is all what we need. Free hugs is a real
life controversial story of Juan Mann, A man whose sole mission was to reach
out and hug a stranger to brighten up their lives.
In this age of social disconnectivity and lack of
human contact, the effects of the Free Hugs campaign became phenomenal.
As this symbol of human hope spread across the city, police and officials
ordered the Free Hugs campaign BANNED. What we then witness is the true spirit
of humanity come together in what can only be described as awe inspiring.
In the Spirit of the free hugs campaign, PASS THIS TO A FRIEND and HUG A
STRANGER! After all, If you can reach just one person...
Music by Sick Puppies. (Visit http://sickpuppies.net or http://myspace.com/sickpuppies for
the music)
-------------------------------------------------
PS. The response to this video has been nothing short of overwhelming and
touching. Hugs to every single one of you who messaged. There has been
thousands of emails from all over the world by people seeking to participate in
the Free Hugs campaign and asking for permission. You do not need permission.
This is the peoples movement, this is *your* movement. With nothing but your
bare hands you can make THE difference.
Let’s
begin with GOOD NEWS from
Israeli
'virtual cancer' engine accurately predicts breast cancer patient's response to
treatment
A new study conducted in England has shown that Optimata's
Virtual Cancer Patient Engine (VCP) enabled doctors to correctly predict how
individual breast cancer patients will respond to chemotherapy treatment in 70
percent of cases. This is substantially higher than the current prediction
accuracy of oncologists which is estimated to be 25-30 percent. Tailoring
treatments to individual patients will ensure the best possible outcome for
every patient, and experts says that this Israeli development could have a big
impact on how cancer patients are treated in the future. More...
Global Democracy | Israeli
airport security team making LAX safer
A team of Israeli airport security officials from Ben-Gurion International
Airport is in Los Angeles this week advising their Los Angeles International
Airport counterparts on ways to improve security. Besides learning the
philosophy and approach to safeguarding Israeli terminals, the LAX officials
hope to implement concrete steps recommended by the Israeli experts to secure
the millions of passengers that annually pass through LAX. More...
Health | Israeli
startup fights bioterrorism - in real time
An Israeli start-up has developed a unique bioterrorism detection system that
works like a smoke detector to discover anthrax and other biological hazards
released into public places. What sets the BAS101 apart is the technology which
responds instantly, setting off an alarm the moment it detects a biological
agent in the air. It then identifies the agent on the spot, enabling officials
to take appropriate action, instead of waiting for tests to come back from a
lab. This is the first early-detection biodetector to
be developed specifically for civil applications More...
Global Democracy | Israel
produces 'ambassadors' of the environment
Located deep in Israel's Negev desert, The Albert Katz International School for
Desert Studies under the umbrella of The Blaustein
Desert Research Institute, hosts 200 Master's, PhD and Post Doctorate students
from 22 different countries. Despite pressure from back home, a large number of
these students come from
now for the rest
Prime source: Daily Alert of the
See also http://www.theisraelproject.org/site/c.hsJPK0PIJpH/b.672581/k.CB99/Home.htm
Ahmadinejad: Israel "Cannot Continue Its
Existence"
Iranian President Ahmadinejad on Thursday continued
his harsh rhetoric against
See also Thousands
March in Tehran Anti-Israel Protest
Thousands of Iranians chanting "Death to Israel" marched through
central Tehran Friday to mark an annual day calling for Jerusalem to be handed
to the Palestinians. "My wish and my hope is that
An initiative started by
See also Iran
Says Europe May Be Hurt by Backing Israel - Alireza
Ronaghi
Iranian President Ahmadinejad warned Europe on Friday
it was stirring up hatred in the Middle East by supporting
Israel
Hunts for Tunnels in Major Gaza Raid - Mehdi Lebouachera
Israeli soldiers were plowing up the ground and destroying tunnels used to
smuggle arms from
Local Palestinian Ibrahim Abu Mohammed,
40, openly admitted that tunnels were part of everyday life in southern
See also Israel Warns Gaza
Weapons Smuggling, Rocket Attacks Will Lead to "Invasion"
"
Annan Presses Lebanon on Disarming Hizballah
- Irwin Arieff
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan
urged Lebanese authorities on Thursday to quickly agree on a plan for disarming
Hizballah. Hizballah's
transformation into a purely political party "is a key element in ensuring
a permanent end of hostilities and in the full restoration of
French
TV Station Wins Palestinian Boy Libel Case - James Mackenzie
Broadcaster France 2 won a libel case on Thursday over accusations it faked a
report into the killing of a Palestinian boy whose death in 2000 became a
symbol of the uprising known as the second intifada.
The Court of First Instance in
Two senior French journalists given access to the raw footage as
part of an investigation into the affair later said that the film did not show
that Israeli troops had killed the boy or even that he had died at all. But
they also said there was no evidence to suggest deliberate staging or
manipulation. (Reuters)
Palestinian
PM Unhurt After Attack on Convoy - Nidal al-Mughrabi (Reuters)
Unidentified gunmen opened fire on security vehicles escorting
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh
through
Officials said gunfire hit vehicles of a Hamas-led police force
that was behind cars carrying Haniyeh, who had just
finished a speech at a mosque. One of the vehicles was torched.
Israel Found 39
Russian-Made Missiles in Hizballah Hideouts (Mosnews-Russia)
Military sources said the Israeli Army has collected 39
Russian-origin anti-tank missiles from Hizballah
outposts in southern
"Some of the missiles were still in their original
packaging, which identified them as having been manufactured in
Photographs of the missiles were delivered to
"The [
Hizballah's acquisition of
Russian-origin missiles was discussed during Israeli Prime Minister Olmert's visit this week to
Virtual Talmud: The Shame
of Israel’s Presidential Scandal (Beliefnet)
ADULT ED CLASSES BEGIN THIS
SUNDAY
“The Many Demensions of Jewish Prayer”
with
meets select Sunday mornings 9:00-10:00
am
Bimah 101:
Prepatory course for Adult Bar/ Bat Mitzvah
With Cantor Rachael Littman
Meets weekly Sunday mornings 10:00-11:00
am
Judaism
for Everyone
An Introductory Class for Dummies, Smarties…
and Those Who Don’t Know How to Ask
With
Meets weekly on select Sundays 11:00
am-12:00 pm
(A prerequisite for those who wish to join
the Beth El Adult Bar/ Bat Mitzvah Class.)
Fee: $50 for materials
What is
Synaplex?
Synaplex™
is a way to celebrate simultaneously the many authentic expressions of Judaism
- learning, culture and gathering as well as prayer. Jews have a multitude of ways to
participate in Judaism and Jewish life; Synaplex™ brings them together in
Jewish "prime time," that is, in the synagogue on Shabbat.
Grand Opening:
Oct. 27-28
SHABBAT UNPLUGGED
and
Storahtelling promotes Jewish cultural literacy through original
theatrical performances and educational programs for multi-generational
audiences. Using twenty-first century performance art techniques, Storahtelling
brings personal contemporary meaning to 5,000 years of Jewish tradition.
Touring across the country and internationally, Storahtelling has established
itself as a "trailblazer of the Jewish World" (B'nai B'rith
Magazine) promoting "reverence and relevance" (The Washington
Post). Performances have been presented at hundreds of venues and enjoyed
by thousands, as we are continually presenting a wide array of provocative and
innovative programs to a new generation of Jews seeking content and continuity
on their own terms.
Founded in 1998 by Amichai Lau-Lavie, Storahtelling is now in its eighth year
of operations, celebrating ancient ceremonies in modern garb: deep inside
tradition, way outside the box.
For the portion of Noah
In the beginning, there was only one language.
Then the tallest tower toppled, and
translation was born.
Join the Storahtellers as they present a
ritual performance of Torah portion Noah complete with traditional Hebrew chanting,
dramatized English translation, live original music and audience interaction.
And Pet Pallooza:
Fill out a Bark Mitzvah “All About Me” page
for your pet! Download it at http://www.tbe.org/site/sog/blessingofanimals.htm
Here’s the schedule for the first Synaplex Shabbat
Fri. Oct. 27, 2006
7:30 pm - Tot Shabbat with Nurit Avigdor
Shabbat Unplugged with Cantor Littman
Candlelight Oneg and “Rebbe’s
Tish”
Sat. Oct. 28, 2006
9:00 am - Continental Breakfast,
Body-Mind-Spirit Bike Ride, led by Cantor
Littman and Matt Kasindorf
Kabbalistic Yoga (@ 8:45) with Raema Salmon
and Jackie Tepper
Study Session with
10:00 am - Choose from our Shabbat Morning
Service Options:
Traditional Service (@ 9:45), including
Meditative Service led by Dan Klipper,
Tot Shabbat Morning with Nurit,
Teen Service, run by our teens and assisted
by Youth Advisor Edoe Cohen,
Family Learner’s Service, led by
Rabbi Hammerman.
Followed By A Short Kiddush.
11:20 am - We present STORAHTELLING,
including the celebration of an UFRUF!
Followed by 12:30 Luncheon
1:30 pm – Speakers and Activities
Your choice:
Workshop: “Backstage with
Storahtelling,”
Go backstage and between the lines with the
Storahtellers to learn the art of ritual theater and Torah commentary
Family Communication Workshop with Mara
Hammerman and Elissa Stein
Especially for the AARP Generation:
“Communication about Medication:
Dealing with Doctors and Drugs,” with Bob Katz
Israeli Dancing for Kids w/ Shmulik,
2:30 pm – Fun Activities
Your choice:
“Backstage with Storahtelling”
continues (optional)
Family Scavenger Hunt,
“Rose-ner Bowl” Touch Football
Game,
Israeli Dancing for Grown-Ups with Shmulik,
Afterwards you can hang around or go home to bring back your family
pet/pets for our…
3:30 pm – Pet Pallooza (Pet Show and
Blessing over the Animals) @ the Hammermans’ front lawn
Evening: USY Teen Movie Night
We
thank all our sponsors and supporters, including Jackie Tepper and David
Robinov, and Greg and Benjy, who are sponsoring this month’s Shabbat
Unplugged, in honor of David and Benjy’s birthdays. We also thank Gary Gladstein in particular
for his support of Synaplex and wish him Mazal Tov on the ufruf of Jeff
Gladstein and Theresa Eickman on Synaplex Shabbat. And we thank all our volunteers and
participants as well!
Beth El Seniors Luncheon
Sunday Oct. 22 @ 12:30
Lunch will be catered by DANA,
TBE’s own future Emeril and
featuring menus from the Sisterhood cookbook.
$10 per person
RSVP by October 18th to 322-6901 X300
Support our
Temple Gift Shop!
Our featured
item:
The Sisterhood
Cookbook
Delicious
Recipes! Kosher! Family Favorites!
Already a TBE
Best Seller!
Are you going to a party? Some suggestions for hostess
gifts: Wine bottle or wine glass
coasters, small jeweled boxes, pretty serving dishes, decorative dreidels...
REMEMBER, EVERYTHING IS DISCOUNTED 20% OFF RETAIL
PRICES!!!
Hours:
Sunday, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon and Tuesday & Thursday, 4:00 p.m. -
6:00 p.m.
For an appointment, please call
ADULT EDUCATION:
“Judaism
for Everyone,” “Bima 101,” Hebrew classes, Israeli Movie Nights,
Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, “The Many Dimensions of Jewish
Prayer,” Synaplex Shabbats, Hoffman Lecture, Scholars-in-Residence,
Jewish Ethics discussion groups and more.
Check out Beth El’s new adult ed brochure, downloadable in pdf from the TBE website, www.tbe.org.
Please contact Cantor
Littman if you are interested in singing with our Adult Choir. The Adult
Choir is not JUST for the High Holy Days.
We continue to learn music together, develop our voices, and plan for
future performances.
Attention students
from 3rd – 12th grade: Cantor Littman will
soon be holding auditions for TBE’s Youth
Choir. Anyone interested please
contact the Cantor, 322-6901, ext. 303 or cantor@tbe.org.
COLLEGE STUDENTS! Rabbi Hammerman would like to keep in touch with you throughout
the school year. Please send your
e-mail address to office@tbe.org to be
included in his college list.
Judaism: The
Miniseries
What
are the events in the Jewish life cycle?
What do the Jewish holidays really mean?
If
you are an interfaith couple and these questions have come up in discussion or
you’ve
thought about them, this four-part seminar is for you.
Please join Elise Klein, Director of the
BRIDGES Program,
Rabbi Phil Schechter of the Fellowship for
Jewish Learning
and Rabbi Joshua Hammerman of Temple Beth
El, as together,
we explore the Jewish life cycle.
Bring your curiosity and your questions!
2006 Schedule & Locations
November 15: From Birth to Eternity - The Jewish Life
Cycle
December 13: What Jews Believe (. . . some
don’t)
You are
cordially invited to Temple Beth El’s Annual Sisterhood
Paid Up
Membership Brunch
Featuring:
Mrs. Diane
Ferber-Collins
Diane
Ferber-Collins has an MBA in Marketing and is completing her Masters in School
Psychology. Finding herself at home
and noticing that there were many objects in her home that she was not
using/did not need/never opened, she began her EBAY garage sale odyssey. Today,
Diane has experience with what sells easily, will attract bidders, and insider tips
to share. She has taught an Ebay course to adults in the Darien Continuing Education
Program for several years, and brings that content to Beth El.
Also Featuring:
Brunch
food from Temple Beth El’s own cookbook.
Where:
Time: 10:00 a.m. –
12:00 p.m.
And save the following dates as well…
SYNAPLEX at TBE
5767
Friday and Sat.,
October 27-28
GRAND OPENING
Synaplex Shabbat
Featuring Cantor
Littman’s fantastic Shabbat Unplugged, Rebbe’s Tish,
Kabbalistic Yoga,
Meditative Service, Learner’s Service,
STORAHTELLING,
ritual theater and improv,
Children’s
and teen programs,
Israeli Dancing
with Shmulik,
Stimulating
Lectures for all age groups,
The Rose-ner Bowl
Football Game
And TBE Pet
Pallooza
Friday, December 8
- Synaplex Shabbat
Exotic
multi-cultural Shabbat dinner celebrating the new Sisterhood Cookbook,
New Member Shabbat,
December Dilemma, Themes: Diversity and Hospitality,
Elise Klein of
“Bridges” is our keynote speaker
Friday and Sat.
January 19 and 20 - Synaplex Shabbat/Shabbat Unplugged
Scholar in
Residence Dr. Benjamin Gampel
Fri and Sat.
February 9 and 10 - Synaplex Shabbat
Sisterhood Shabbat
Scholar in
Residence, Rabbi Burt Visotzky
Havdalah
Unplugged
Friday March 9 -
Synaplex Shabbat, Shabbat Unplugged,
Shabbat, April 7
– Beth El Cares Synaplex Shabbat - Passover
Friday May 3 -
Synaplex Shabbat/Shabbat Across
Friday, May 10
– Synaplex Shabbat/Shabbat Unplugged
Shabbat, June 23 -Synaplex
Shabbat, adult b’nai mitzvah
Download a volunteer form at
http://www.tbe.org/site/sog/SynaplexVolunteerPackage.htm
or Click
here for the Volunteer Form
contact our Synaplex committee at
Fill it out and send it back – and join the dozens
who have already stepped forward!
And for more general information about Synaplex,
go to www.starsynagogue.org
Learning and Latte at Borders
featuring Rabbi Joshua Hammerman, Rev. Douglas McArthur and Dr. Behjat Syed
This year’s topic:
“Moral Dilemmas for a World in Crisis”
Join us as we engage in friendly dialogue about some of the hot-button issues of the day.
Meets on the second Tuesday of each month (except November), from 7:30-8:30 PM, October-May
Topics (subject to last-minute adjustment to keep up with the headlines)
Nov. 21 – Can an enemy become a friend? When is forgiveness possible? To what ends must we go to achieve peace? What does it mean to love your neighbor?
Dec. 12 – What comes first, loyalty to one’s country, or loyalty to one’s faith?
Jan. 9 – When does life begin and what happens to the soul after life ends?
Feb. 13 - Can other religions be “true?” How can pluralism work for the believer?
March 13 – Is sexuality good, evil or neither? What are the worst “sins” for our traditions?
April 10 – What are different ways of imagining God in our traditions? How does God show love?
May 8 – What is the future of religion in
LIFE FORCE : A Shoah Love Story
A play by
Tamar Gershberg , Mary Lee Grisanti
, and Michael Limone
My name is Mary Lee Grisanti,
I teach in the UConn English Department (
A few years ago, writer Tamar Gershberg and I were given grants by the CT Commission on
the Arts and Stamford Cultural Development Corp. to develop a drama from the
memoirs of Tamar's uncle, Willi Tannenbaum,
written in the first few months after his liberation from
Most of our public high school students
know little of the Holocaust. In order to make sure that their work is deeply
informed and sensitive, their teachers, parents and other community partners
have committed to giving the students intensive Holocaust education. In
the future, we hope to take the production to more schools.
Willi, the son of a Hasidic family from Tarnow who ran away to live the cabaret life in pre-war
Berlin, survived the Holocaust because of his excellent knowledge of languages,
and his gregarious and principled personality. He escaped the first year of the
war on Aryan papers with the help of a compassionate German woman who loved
him. But when he saw the immensity of what was happening, Willi
returned to his family in
LIFE FORCE is a true example of how stories
come to life in community. Please join us.
LIFE
FORCE: A Shoah Love Story
November 9, 10, 11, 17 and 18 at 8 pm and
Sunday, November 12 at 2pm
Check out the photos of our recent car wash and barbecue
programs at www.tbe.org!
A young woman brings home her fiance to meet her parents. After dinner, her mother tells
her father to find out about the young
man.
The father invites the fiance to his study for a
drink. "So what are your plans?" the father asks the young man.
"I am a Torah scholar," he replies.
"A Torah scholar. Hmmm," the father says. "Admirable, but what
will you do to provide a nice house for my daughter to live in, as she's
accustomed to?"
"I will study," the young man replies, "and God will provide for
us."
"And how will you buy her a beautiful engagement ring, such as she
deserves?" asks the father.
"I will concentrate on my studies," the young man replies, "God
will provide for us."
"And children?" asks the father. "How will you support
children?"
"Don't worry, sir, God will provide," replies the fiancee.
The conversation proceeds like this, and each time the father questions, the
young idealist insists that God will provide.
Later, the mother asks, "How did it go, Honey?"
The father answers, "He has no job and no plans, but the good news is he
thinks I'm God
Previous Shabbat-O-Grams can be accessed directly from our web site
(www.tbe.org)
To be removed from this mailing list, send an e-mail request
to office@tbe.org