3 December 2016
3 Kislev 5777
Toldot
Click here for this week's bulletin

Friday
5:02 PM Shabbat Starts (60 min)
8:00 PM Festive First Friday Kabbalat Shabbat  Service

Saturday
Babysitting (Room 1) 
9:30 AM Shabbat Service
10:30 AM Junior Congregation (MPR) 
6:19 PM Shabbat Ends

Weekly Minyans
Sundays, 9AM 
Mondays, 6:45 AM, followed by breakfast & The Talmud with Rabbi Zelony. 
The Talmud is the foundational text upon which all modern forms of Judaism stand. Come explore, spar with, and make meaning of this sacred book. Open to all learners. Hebrew text is provided but class discussions will be based on English translation. Every Monday after minyan (time will vary on holidays).
UPCOMING EVENTS
(Ongoing classes are listed below in their own section)
FESTIVE FIRST FRIDAY SERVICE 
2 December, Friday, 8PM 
RSVP to Heather Venable
Join us for this special monthly service celebrating upcoming birthdays and anniversaries.  

POST ELECTION CONVERSATION
3 December, Saturday, 1:00 PM (Oneg)
Contact Rabbi Zelony
Jews have always celebrated diversity of opinion, and this Shabbat Beth Torah will continue that tradition with a facilitated conversation between some of our liberals, moderates and conservatives. Thank you to Stephanie Elad, Robyn Rose, Cliff Friedman, Alan Hoffman, Joel Schweitzer and Melissa Duchin for participating. They will be discussing three questions: What makes you proud to be an American, what keeps you up at night when you worry about our country, and what is your hope and vision for our country over the next ten years? The goal of this discussion is to elevate the level of discourse we have in our community and to create opportunities to learn from one another even when we disagree.

CHAI LIGHTS' PROGRESSIVE DINNER  
3 December, Saturday, 6:30 PM 
A fun social occasion in which different courses of the evening's meal will be served at a different person's home. This event is for Chai Lights members only. 

MISHMASH TOP GOLF (ADULTS ONLY) 
3 December, Saturday, 7PM (Offsite) 
MishMash is going to Top Golf in Allen. Planning to participate? RSVP so there's a place for you!

SOCIAL ACTION BLOOD DRIVE
4 December, Sunday, 8:30 AM to 1PM
Click here to schedule your appointment using sponsor code BETHTORAH or call 1.800.733.2767.

JEWISH & CHRISTIAN STUDY
5 December, Monday, Noon (Oneg)
Contact Earl Bills
A unique interfaith study group of Jews and Christians. We are learning about each other as we study primary source texts together. We are currently looking at the development of early Christianity.

MITZVAH MENORAH GIFT DRIVE
7 December, Wednesday
Contact Beth Mond
You are invited to select a gift to purchase for someone less fortunate. Simply take a tag from the lobby Menorah and return a gift before the December 7 deadline. 

RITUAL HAVURAH: HAVDALAH 
10 December, Saturday, 7PM (Offsite) 
Contact Rabbi Zelony
RSVP to Heather Venable
Hosted by Esther & Nat Cohen. Many of us are familiar with the Friday night rituals that welcome shabbat, but fewer are comfortable with havdalah, the Saturday ritual that reconnects us to the creativity and productivity of the work week. 

GIFT SHOP HANUKKAH SALE 
11 December, Sunday, 9AM
14 December , Wednesday, 4:30 PM 
Contact Arlene Berlin  

GIFT WRAP MITZVAH MENORAH PRESENTS 
11 December, Sunday, 9:30 AM (Oneg) 
Contact Beth Mond
Come help wrap the gifts collected from the Mitzvah Menorah.

PSYCHIATRY TODAY: CHRONIC PAIN 
11 December, Sunday, 10AM (2nd Fl.) 
Contact  Beri Schwitzer
Join Alan Koenigsberg, M.D. as he breaks down the barriers of mental illnesses, builds understanding of their impact, and overviews common supports. Free. Open to everyone. Visit http://cbt.news/DRK2016 for more info. 

RUACH BRUNCH & BINGO 
11 December, Sunday, 11:30 AM (Offsite) 

We'll get together for brunch at Taverna Rossa Plano (vegetarian and dairy options available) followed by bingo at The Legacy Willow Bend. We will visit the Assisted Living, Memory Support, and Health Care communities. Bring $5 to help provide bingo prizes for the residents. We hope to see you there!

HOME DEPOT KIDS WORKSHOP

11 December, Sunday, 2 to 4 PM (**Offsite)
You and your child will work together to create a Menorah. All kids get to keep their craft and receive a Workshop Apron. Space is limited, while supplies last! **This workshop is offered only at The Home Depot in Allen, 909 W. McDermottAllen, TX 75013.

MC FOUR SEASONS CLUB
COWBOYS WATCHING PARTY 
11 December, Sunday, 6:30 PM (Offsite) 
Contact  Brian Rubenstein
Come out and enjoy the Cowboys game with the guys as we watch on the big screen. Scott Chilton will again be our host for this annual get-together. Snacks, hot dogs, and sodas will be provided. (BYOB)

LADIES WHO LUNCH
13 December, Tuesday, 12:30 PM 
Contact  Carol Taper
Go Dutch and nosh with the ladies at a different spot around town each month. Must RSVP for location. Selected locations offer dairy and fish options. Sponsored by Sisterhood.

AN EVENING WITH KOSHA DILLZ
Addiction, Recovery, and Religion 
13 December, Tuesday, 7PM (Offsite)
You'll learn the fascinating story of Kosha Dillz, a Jewish rap star who found his way back from addiction through music and Judaism. Let his story open up conversation and hope in our community. Free. Open to everyone.

TALK 'N FOLD (M3) 
14 December, Wednesday, 2PM (Oneg) 
Contact  Lisa Miller
Come help fold, seal, label, and postage the monthly mailing. The more hands we have, the faster it goes! 

TEXAS HOLD'EM POKER 
14 December, Wednesday, 7PM (Oneg) 
Contact Neil Burnstein
Date change for December! Come for a night of fun and friendship. $20 members and $25 non-members. 

SISTERHOOD KNITTING CIRCLE 
14 December, Wednesday, 7PM (CBT)  
Contact Kimber Miller
This group meets the second Wednesday of each month and includes experienced knitters and beginners. Bring your current project or work on items to donate. Check in at the Member's Lounge. 

TRIBUTE DINNER HONORING WENDE WEINBERG
15 December, Thursday
Join Levine Academy for a night honoring Wende Weinberg for her years of dedication.  Click here for details including how to purchase tickets .

JOYFUL NOISE A CAPPELLA 
16 December, Friday, 6:30 PM 
Join us on the third Friday of each month for services and some great singing.

MEN'S CLUB MONTHLY BREAKFAST PROGRAM 
18 December, Sunday, 9:30 AM (Oneg) 
Our speaker will be Alan Koenigsberg, M.D. This monthly breakfast program is open to everyone. $7 members / $10 non-members / $5 students.

MITZVAH MENORAH HOLIDAY PARTY 
18 December, Sunday, 5-6:30 PM (Oneg) 
Join us as we distribute gifts from our Mitzvah Menorah as well as play games, sing, dance, and eat a hot dog dinner. We are also in need of volunteers to help wrap gifts, cook the meal, and help at the party. Please sign up to help at http://cbt.news/MMParty16.
ONGOING CLASSES
INTRO TO JUDAISM: ON ONE FOOT 
6, 13, 20 December, Tuesday, 6:30 PM (Library) 
Contact Beri Schwitzer
This course covers the sweep of more than 3,000 years of history, encounters texts and teachers both ancient and contemporary, and most importantly, gives you the opportunity to reflect on your place in the narrative of the Jewish people.

BEIT MIDRASH 
7, 14 December, Wednesday, 7PM & 8PM 
Contact Beri Schwitzer
Join Rabbi Zelony (The Book of Samuel) and Beri Schwitzer (weekly Haftarah portion) at both 7PM and 8PM as they rotate through both sessions. 

JEWISH SPIRITUALITY 
4, 11, 18 December, Sunday, 8AM (Room 11) 
Contact Rabbi Zelony
The Mystical Tradition and How it Speaks to Our Everyday Lives. Come explore essays of the Chassidic masters and modern scholars to understand what Judaism has to say about God, inner transformation, spiritual practice, compassion, healing, tshuva, halacha, and mitzvot.

JEWISH & CHRISTIAN STUDY 
5 December, Monday, Noon (Oneg) 
Contact Earl Bills
A unique interfaith study group of Jews and Christians. We are learning about each other as we study primary source texts (Bible, Mishnah) together. We are currently looking at the development of early Christianity.  

SISTERHOOD TORAH DISCUSSION GROUP 
8 December, Thursday, 5:45 PM (Oneg) 
Contact Nancy Siegel 
Sponsored by Sisterhood, this group is for the ladies! Dinner is available by RSVP and the discussion is based on Rabbi Barry L. Schwartz' Judaism's Great Debates: Timeless Controversies from Abraham to Herzl. Dinner is $10/meal. Pre-pay for all 5 sessions and receive a 20% discount when you complete your Sisterhood membership form. 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
WALKERS WANTED 
The rabbi is looking for volunteers to escort her to and from the synagogue on Friday nights. If you would like to be included in the rotation, please email her secretary, Heather, at rabsec@congregationbethtorah.org.
Quick Links
MEMBER'S LOUNGE TEMPORARY CLOSURE
CBT is temporarily leasing our Education wing to a UTD group utilizing classrooms on both floors. While their classes are in session, Monday to Friday, 8AM to 5PM, the Member's Lounge on the first floor will be closed. For any questions or concerns, please reach out to Cyd Friedman at president@congregationbethtorah.org.

TOT SHABBAT
2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month at 11AM (MPR)
Bring your tot and enjoy singing, dancing, storytelling and a snack. It's a fun-filled ritual to educate, entertain, enthrall, and envelop our youngest members. For questions, contact Tot-Shabbat@congregationbethtorah.org .

GIVE US YOUR HP, YOUR CANON, YOUR EMPTY INK CARTRIDGES YEARNING TO BE RECYCLED... 
Our Congregational Learning Center (CLC) is collecting empty ink cartridges as a fundraiser. Collection boxes are located outside of the CLC office and in the front lobby. Cartridges should be in a Ziploc bag when dropped off.

ISRAELI DANCING
(Usually) Every Wednesday (MPR)
All dancers welcome! Free for members. $5 for non-members. 7:30 PM to 8:15 PM beginners and 8:30 to 10:30 PM for advanced. Check our calendar at http://cbt.news/cbt-calendar to confirm weekly classes. For questions, contact Linda Kahalnik at rikudchik@gmail.com .
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