August 24, 2021 - 16 Elul, 5781
BETH EL BEACHES
Rabbi: Michael Matuson, D.H.L., D.D.
Cantorial Soloist: Laurie Simmons
2021-2022 Executive Board Member
Co-Presidents: Karen Freedman & Tammy Shumer
Past President: Charlie Frohman
Vice President: Rachel Marcus-Hendry Mitchell
Treasurer: Rob Udell
Secretary: Joy Shultz
2021-2022 Committee Chairs
Adult Education: Hanna Moore
Archives: Chip Morris
Education Director: Vickie Kennedy
Education: Ilyse Greene
Facilities: Ron Van & Buzzy Klausner
Library: Bobby Adler
Membership: Grace Belkin & Holly Udell
Ritual/Worship: Brad Leiser
Ways & Means: Lori Shapiro
BETH EL HAPPENINGS
Shabbat services will continue to be in person (masks required) as well as via Zoom.
Onegs and Kiddush luncheons have been suspended until further notice.
We are continually monitoring and basing our decisions off of current facts, medical experts and statistics.
Thank you for your support and understanding!
Dear Cherished Members of our Beth El Family,
 
One of the core principles of Judaism is underscored and emphasized in the Torah portion we read on Yom Kippur, SEE I HAVE SET BEFORE YOU THIS DAY LIFE OR DEATH, BLESSING OR CURSE; CHOOSE LIFE, THEREFORE, THAT YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN MAY LIVE. One of the core principles in the medical community comes from the oath physicians take, I WILL FOLLOW THAT SYSTEM OF REGIMEN WHICH, ACCORDING TO MY ABILITY AND JUDGEMENT, I CONSIDER FOR THE BENEFIT OF MY PATIENTS, AND ABSTAIN FROM WHATEVER IS DELETERIOUS.
 
Both principles were considered very seriously by our leadership, our Ritual Committee, our Board of Trustees, and our team of medical experts, as we struggled with the question of how best to observe our High Holiday Services this year. After intense discussion and debate, over several weeks and many meetings, the overwhelming consensus emerged that the obligation to choose life and act in the best interests of our community compels us to conclude the High Holidays will be observed at Beth El this year exclusively via live stream. We assure you it was reached solely out of concern for the health and safety of our community. We are prepared to revisit this decision should conditions change dramatically in the coming days. Instead of assigning specific honors to specific persons, this year, we have opted to honor everyone in our congregation, at whatever stage of life you may be in, by doing everything we can to preserve your health and safety.
 
Zoom:
SELICHOT SERVICE - August 28th, 7 PM 
 
In person only:
CEMETERY SERVICE - September 12th at 10 AM - Ponte Vedra Valley Cemetery (Beth El section) 

Live Stream only:
EREV ROSH HASHANAH September 6, 7 PM 
ROSH HASHANAH DAY 1 September 7, 10 AM 
ROSH HASHANAH DAY 2 September 8, 10 AM
(There will be no Youth Services)
 
KOL NIDRE September 15th, 7PM 
 
YOM KIPPUR Day September 16th, 10 AM Service 
Yizkor 4:30 PM Neilah - (following Yizkor)
   
Gam zen ya’avor - this too shall pass!
Bashanah haba’ah b’Beit El - next year in our Sanctuary!
Shanah Tova - may this be a good year and even a better one next year!
 
L’shalom,
 
Rabbi Michael Matuson
Mark your calendars for this year's Drive Up on Sunday, September 5, from 10 AM - 12 PM. You will be able to check out a machzor, receive some goodies from Sisterhood and help support BEAM.

More information and details to follow!
We are continually monitoring the current situation and the above is subject to change. Your health and safety is our first priority.
Mouse in my house...

Listening to the radio there was talk about the above, which reminds me...our first apartment in Fresh Meadows was lovely, a three story walkup, 3 1/2 rooms, lovely indeed. Our second, not so nice but closer to the subway. This was an eight or nine story high rise. We moved into our second floor, two bedroom apartment to accommodate our expanding family. We also had houseguests...mice! Now, I'm not the bravest soul. We set the trap, heard a click, moved the couch...to find nothing in the trap. I was ready to break the lease but Lew said we should stick it out. So we did. Me in my knee high boots and carrying a broom, jumping onto the kitchen counter as the mouse scurried by. We finally got him or her and never had another one (or I never looked again, but I never EVER went without shoes again). And then there’s the time I looked out our front door to see a snake sunning him/her self on our front porch…or the snake that dropped down when I opened the garage door. As the Rabbi said…Just a little peace and quiet and being “present” in the moment at Beth El. That’s what it’s all about.

Grace Belkin
Membership Chair

BETH EL RELIGIOUS SCHOOL
Together Educating And Motivating (TEAM)
Contact MISS VICKIE for more information at vickie@bethelbeaches.org
NEW SCHOOL START DATE IS SEPTEMBER 19TH!
Teachers Needed
Beth El, The Beaches Synagogue Religious School seeks educator with warmth, vision, and collaborative spirit, to create an outstanding educational experience for our students in Grades K-7. Our Synagogue is a diverse, inclusive, and active Reform congregation located in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
·       Responsibilities include:
- Implement the curriculum that incorporates Hebrew study and Jewish culture, values, and knowledge
- Develop lesson plans and instructional materials that provide individualized and group instruction in order to adapt the curriculum to meet the needs of each student
- Establish and maintain standard of student behavior needed to achieve a functional learning atmosphere in the classroom
- Create with students a functional and attractive environment for learning through displays, bulletin boards, and learning stations
- Develop consistent positive classroom management and working arrangement with students to develop good self-image
- Communicate with parents through a variety of methods or means in order to develop a positive reinforcement of interest in student’s progress
-Attend student related activities at Beth El such as Student Led Shabbat services.
·       Requirements:
-Love of children
-Love of Judaism
         Job Type: Part-time. August- May Sundays 9:00-12:00
Contact: Vickie Kennedy vickie@bethelbeaches.org 904-273-9100
BETH EL BROTHERHOOD
BETH EL SISTERHOOD
 —Bone Builders— strong person, strong bones. This 50-minute research-based movement program is designed to maintain or increase strength and rebuild bone matrix.  Bone Builders include warmups, balance, strength, and cool-downs. 
 
Come try it out! Tuesday and Friday mornings (twice a week) at 9:30 am
Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 893 7713 1376
Passcode: 181818
Yoga Shalom starts 10:30 via zoom.
Please contact Elaine Bergstrom for the link. 



FRESH FROM THE KILN
ORDER YOUR RED-HOT BRICKS NOW!

Need that special way to remember a person or occasion? Purchase a BRICK that will become a part of the path leading into Beth El The Beaches Synagogue. The next time you are walking into Beth El, please take a moment to look down and take notice of the BRICKS leading to the front entry. These are abiding remembrances that warm your heart each time you enter Beth El.

You can still take advantage of this year’s Brick Sale. For only $100, you can purchase 2 bricks. The bricks become a permanent part of our synagogue. Our lively chair Paula Klausner will be delighted to help you.

Contact her at poopsiek@gmail.com or call her at 904-662-4339.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Want to help make a difference while you shop in the Amazon app, at no extra cost to you? Simply follow the instructions below to select "Beth El-the Beaches Synagogue Inc" as your charity and activate AmazonSmile in the app. They'll donate a portion of your eligible mobile app purchases to us.
How it works:
1. Open the Amazon app on your phone
2. Select the main menu (=) & tap on "AmazonSmile" within Programs & Features
3. Select "Beth El-the Beaches Synagogue Inc" as your charity
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to activate AmazonSmile in the mobile app 
BETH EL SPONSOR
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Have something you want to share with your Beth El family? Want to advertise your business for a small fee? Email me at Elissa@bethelbeaches.org and it will be featured in our weekly e blast.

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CONTACT US
Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue
288 N. Roscoe Blvd.
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

904.273.9100
STAY CONNECTED
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Looking for a gift to give that is priceless:

  • A personalized leaf or rock for our Tree of Life
  • An inscribed Prayer Book for our Sanctuary

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Beth El the Beaches Synagogue, Inc