Weekly News & Updates
April 8, 2021 - 26 Nisan 5781
11th Day of the Omer
Show Your Love:
Be an Event Sponsor for the
BCC 2021 Vision Awards!
Sunday, May 2, 2021
Join us in honoring these distinguished award recipients!
Ginger Jacobs
2021 Presidents Award: Ginger Jacobs -
Longtime member of BCC, community activist and
tireless volunteer.
Steven Schmitt & Paul Bellaff, Kyle Young & Steven Salton
2021 Rabbi Erwin & Agnes Herman Humanitarian Award:
Steven Schmitt & Paul Bellaff, Kyle Young & Steven Salton -
Schmitt-Young Group at Morgan Stanley,
Visionary philanthropists to LGBTQ+ communities.
Fire came forth from before God and consumed the burnt offering and the fat parts on the altar. And all the people saw, and shouted, and fell on their faces.
Leviticus 9:24

I hope you had a wonderful Passover and were able to spend time with friends and family whether on Zoom or in other safe ways. We are in the midst of counting the 49 days of the Omer. We can count each day with intention, giving ourselves the opportunity for reflection and perspective as we make our way towards the holiday of Shavuot, the celebration of receiving our Torah.

On this 11th day of the Omer, we observe Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. On Passover we are commanded to tell the Exodus story each year, to each new generation; and so too must we tell this history of the millions of names, faces, lives taken, the destruction of whole communities, the loss of humanity and also the glimmers of hope and resilience. We honor the memory of all those millions who perished in the Holocaust and offer our deep gratitude to those brave individuals and communities who risked their lives to save even one person.

At the rising sun and at its going down; We remember them.
At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring; We remember them.
When we have joy we crave to share; We remember them.
As long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us as We remember them.

(excerpts from ‘We Remember Them’ by Sylvan Kamens & Rabbi Jack Riemer)
Rabbi Jillian Cameron
Upcoming Services & Events
Shabbat Evening Service
Friday, April 9, 7:30 PM

Join us for Shabbat Services led by Cantor Juval Porat and BCC member Richard Seltzer to joyfully welcome Shabbat through soulful song, prayer, creative teachings and communal connection.

Services will be streamed on Zoom and on our BCC Facebook pageWe use our own prayerbook which you can download here.

Everyone is welcome to join us, we would love to share Shabbat with you. Click the Register button below and feel free to invite friends by sharing the registration link.
Weekly Tuesday Torah Study

Join BCC's Rabbi Jillian Cameron every Tuesday 7 pm - 9 pm on Zoom as we explore the week's Torah portion through thoughtful discussion and conversation.

All are welcome; friends, familiar faces, and new ones. No prior experience needed!

Click the Register button below to register. Closed captions are available.
Civics in the Synagogue: Stop Asian Hate: Combating the Rise in Hate Crimes Against Asian-Americans
Sunday, April 11, 2 PM

Join BCC and Temple Isaiah for a discussion with Manjusha P. Kulkarni, Executive Director of the Asian Pacific Policy & Planning Council and co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate on the roots of anti-AAPI hatred that stretch back long before the coronavirus. Together we'll understand how we got to this moment, and how we can act to address it.
Class: Exploring Reform Judaism
4/11, 4/18, 4/25, 5/9 from 3 - 4:30 PM

In 1974, Beth Chayim Chadashim became the first LGBT+ synagogue to officially join the Reform Movement, the largest stream of Judaism in North America. Join Rabbi Jillian Cameron and Cantor Juval Porat as we explore the history, philosophy, music and the future of Reform Judaism. From its origins in Germany to its flourishing in North America and its deep connection to social justice and musical and liturgical evolution - let's explore all that Reform Judaism is and can be.
Yom HaAtzmaut Shabbat
Friday, April 16, 7:30 PM

Please join Rabbi Jillian Cameron, Cantor Juval Porat and A Wider Bridge for a special Shabbat service, celebrating Israel's independence (Yom Ha'atzmaut) and featuring guest speaker and certified Non Violent Communication trainer Aya Caspi. Aya will speak on “Love Your Neighbor As Thyself - Reclaiming Wholeness with Nonviolent Communication”. Q&A will follow after services.

Shabbat Morning Minyan
Saturday, April 17, 10 AM

BCC's Monthly Shabbat Morning Minyan continues in a most nontraditional way—by Zoom. All BCC members and friends are invited to join in this service, which features rousing melodies, Torah reading, and uplifting prayers for healing and consolation in a warm, welcoming setting.
Zoomtastic Social Gathering: You Never Knew Zoom Could Be This Fun?
Saturday, April 18, 5 - 6 PM

Join old and new BCC friends for a fun and interactive get-together, facilitated by BCC member Shifra Teitelbaum.
BCC Life Transitions Group
Every First and Third Wednesday,
7 PM

The goal of the BCC Life Transitions Group is to enhance participants' spiritual and emotional growth. It deals with issues in areas of concern such as relationships, careers, economics, social life, family, health, and bereavement. We meet every first and third Wednesday of the month. This support group is facilitated by Shirley Hirschberg, Social Worker. Upcoming dates: 4/21, 5/5, 5/19.
We hope you had a wonderful Passover! We are looking forward to seeing you on Saturday as we celebrate National Poetry Month, learn a bit about a Jewish poet and write our own haikus! See you on Saturday!
Save the Date!
Synagogue Vegan Challenge Event: The Torah on the Environment and Animals
Thursday, April 22, 7 PM

Join us for the next, exciting event in our Synagogue Vegan Challenge series! This panel discussion explores what the Torah has to say about the environment and how we can cleanse the Earth through better love and care of the animals. Featuring guest speakers Dr. Aaron Gross and Dr. Dana Hunnes. Click here to register!
Books and Bagels Group
Sunday, April 25, 10 AM

Join fellow BCC book lovers for the March Book Group meeting on Zoom. This group meets once a month (typically the last Sunday) to discuss Jewish fiction or non-fiction book selections, sometimes with LGBT content. Space is limited. Please contact Larry Nathenson for the Zoom link at larrynath@aol.com.

The book for this month is Cut me Loose: Sin and Salvation After my Ultra-Orthodox Girlhood, by Leah Vincent.A memoir of a young woman raised in an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood in New York who is cast out of her community and tries to make her way in the modern world.
Donate to Support BCC
Support Beth Chayim Chadashim
The World's First LGBTQIA+ Synagogue
At BCC, we are dedicated to growing and sustaining our synagogue family - virtually and in person. We are grateful to so many of you who share your time, wisdom and resources with our community.

Your continued support and generosity are critical. It allows us to ensure the breadth and depth of all we offer throughout the year, maintain our physical space, sustain our human resources and guarantee our place as a safe, progressive and vibrant LGBTQIA+ Jewish space in the Los Angeles community now and for generations to come. Please don’t think any amount is too small, or too large, every gift is a blessing. Thank you for your care and commitment to our beloved community.
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