Congregation Beth Torah E-News October 19, 2018 - November 1, 2018 10 Cheshvan - 23 Cheshvan 5779

6100 West 127th Street • Overland Park, Kansas 66209  Phone: 913-498-2212

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WORSHIP

Beit Midrash National Refugee Shabbat, Friday, October 19th Beit Midrash evening will begin at 6:15 p.m. with nosh, worship, dinner, and a communal program. See details below. Shabbat, Saturday, October 20th Sichat Shabbat Group 9  :00 a.m Shabbat Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. Sunday, October 21st Family T'filah 9:30 a.m. Mourner's Kaddish 10:00 a.m. Erev Shabbat, Friday, October 26th Nosh 6:00 p.m. Worship 6:30 p.m. Shabbat, Saturday, October 27th Sichat Shabbat Group 9:00 a.m Shabbat Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. Sunday, October 28th Family T'filah 9:30 a.m. Mourner's Kaddish 10:00 a.m.

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High Holy Day Appeal The Hebrew term for gratitude is hakarat hatov . Literally, this means “recognize the good.” And so, the board, staff and the entirety of Beth Torah recognizes the good you have done by participating in our High Holy Day Appeal. Saying “YES” to Beth Torah has never been easier. We hope you were able to join us on Yom Kippur morning and left your pledge to our High Holy Day appeal in the box before you left the building. But in case you didn’t, you can click here to help us achieve our goal of 100% participation. Consider the role that Beth Torah plays in your life as you plan your giving and know that your gift fuels the work needed to achieve Beth Torah’s mission. Please feel free to call the Beth Torah office if you have questions about the appeal.  (Two appeal cards were returned without a name on them. If you think one of these might have been yours, please contact the office.)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Beit Midrash National Refugee Shabbat Join us as Beth Torah participates in National Refugee Shabbat on October 19th. Our first Beit Midrash evening will include worship, Shabbat dinner, and a communal program. Share your family's journey to America and hear from others - you may be surprised what you have in common!

Did You Miss Our Initial Pick-a-Party Sign-Ups? The variety of activities and creativity of our members who are hosting the Pick-a-Party events are amazing. You won’t want to MISS OUT! So, go to the following link:  https://beth-torah.org/30th-anniversary-pickaparty to sign up TODAY. You’ll enjoy meeting congregational members, involving a fun activity and FOOD, and have the opportunity to donate to Congregation Beth Torah. All parties are underwritten by our fabulous hosts. As a party participant, a portion of your ticket price will be considered a donation to CBT.   Here are some upcoming parties that you won’t want to miss: November 10 th - Linda and Barry Katz invite you to be enlivened and inspired at this hands-on workshop event that focuses on creative collaboration. This is an innovative and structured art workshop facilitated by two Hallmark Master Artists, Lynn Giunta and Craig Lueck. Prompted and instructed by these experts, you will learn and explore with tools and techniques that make creating fast and fun! Come join us for dinner, drinks, the workshop and a chance to win one of the two pieces of framed artwork that you helped to create. No artistic skill or talent is required. That will emerge as you work with your dinner companions and the talented and charming consulting artists. No supplies needed. January 20 th - Join Laura & Boyd Bolter as they celebrate the holiday of Tu B'Shevat with a festive seder right here at Beth Torah.

Amazon Smile The first night of Hanukkah is Sunday, December 2 nd .  Support Congregation Beth Torah every time you make a purchase from Amazon. It’s easy! ·          Go to smile.amazon.com and sign up choosing “Congregation Beth Torah” ·          After you sign up, your future purchases (minus shipping, gift wrapping, etc.) automatically contribute .05 percent to CBT. ·          Just bookmark the smile.amazon.com site and start all of your purchases from there. You don’t have to do anything special and there is no cost to you. Thank you for your support. Happy shopping.

Lunch and Learn Come have lunch with Rabbi Cattapan and share a thought or two at the November Lunch and Learn held in our Library on Thursday, November 8th at 12:00 p.m. You can either call the office on Wednesday the 7th to order a sandwich or bring your own lunch.

October Contemplation Night Come join the music team in for Contemplation Night, on Sunday evening, October 21st, at 6:30 p.m.  Below is one of the readings (by Chaim Stern) that guides us as we design these programs—we know that one of the reasons people attend Contemplation Night is a desire to reach out and connect with others within our prayer community. A palpable connection to the companions seated in the sanctuary with us, a palpable connection with the Divine, these are things we seek together at Contemplation Night.  There are times when each of us feels lost or alone, adrift and forsaken, unable to reach those next to us, or to be reached by them. And there are days and nights when existence seems to lack all purpose, and our lives seem brief sparks in an indifferent cosmos. Fear and loneliness enter into the soul.  None of us is immune to doubt and fear; none escapes times when all seems dark and senseless. Then, at the ebb-tide of the spirit, the soul cries out and reaches for companionship.

Shalom Espaniya: Sephardic Culture then and Now The community is invited to be guests at this program led by Rabbi Cattapan. The program, which is sponsored by the Ohev Sholom Sisterhood, will take place on Sunday, November 18th at 2:30 PM at the Atriums (7300 W. 107th Street Overland Park, KS 66212)  RSVPs are requested to Carol Offenbach at 913-492-9192 or [email protected] . While there is no charge, attendees are requested to bring diary or parve dessert, fruit, veggies or chips and dips.

Sing Hanukkah Music with the Men’s Group Hanukkah season is right around the corner. E-mail Emily Tummons ( [email protected] ) to sign up to sing with the Men’s Group. We’ll have two performances this season. One will be a community service project, and the date and time will be determined by participants’ schedules. The other will be this year’s Hanukkah moment for our congregation:             Shabbat Chanukah            Friday evening, December 7th            6:30 p.m.  On that night, the call time for the Men’s Group will be 5:30 p.m. Here are the rehearsal dates, all of them Sunday mornings, 11:10 a.m.—12:00 p.m.: October 28, November 4, November 11, November 18, December 2, December 9

From Strength to Strength Thank you to Drs. Karen & Steve Arkin for being our Honorary 30th Anniversary Chair People   Here are some upcoming festivities as we continue to celebrate 30 years of Congregation Beth Torah in 5779!   December 7, 2018: We will have Dr. Ron Wolfson, inspirational author and motivational teacher, bring his warmth, insight and humor to Beth Torah and fill our weekend with stories and best practices based on the principles of Relational Judaism. Save the date for that Erev Shabbat, December 7th for some Hanukkah lights and music, connecting with Dr. Wolfson and some latkes!   February 10, 2019: For all of Beth Torah’s 30 years, our Social Justice programs have been a cornerstone of our activities. Save the date of Sunday, February 10, 2019, to honor our past and explore new ways to bring some of our projects into the future. Join us for Social Action Panim el Panim where we explore how to make these programs and projects even more relative in our lives and in the lives of the people we help. AND there will be a free lunch! How can you say “no”?   April 13, 2019: Our yearlong 30th Anniversary celebration will be drawing to a close, but not without one last big celebration: An Adult-Only evening of FUN! FUN! FUN! Great Food and Drinks Dance to the live music of the Jewbee Brothers A Silent Auction   PLUS! There are still Parties to be Picked . Check out the Pick a Party table in the foyer and plan to have some fun and meet new people in 5779

ARJE WEINER RELIGIOUS SCHOOL & YOUTH NEWS

Religious School Calendars Available on Facebook Sunday and Wednesday calendars are live! Go to the WRS Facebook page (follow us while you’re there!) to import the WRS and/or TAG calendars to your phone or calendar app! https://www.facebook.com/CBTWRS/

Sunday, October 21 st CBT Families Go to the Zoo! After Religious School stick around for pizza lunch ($3 for two slices of pizza and a drink or fruit) and then we’ll all head up to the Kansas City Zoo. Those in grades 6-12 will have a BTTY event of their own, and younger friends will travel with their families as we do a Zoo Scavenger hunt! Watch the BTTY & JYG facebook pages for more information and to RSVP for this afternoon of fun with Rabbi Cattapan, Rabbi Kleinman, Zach, Alexa, and all of our BTTY friends!

Halloween Candy for reStart Are you heading out to buy Halloween candy this week? Can you pick up one extra bag for the Halloween party BTTY is hosting at reStart? Please consider dropping off some candy at Beth Torah before October 28th in order to help our teens brighten up the day of those at reStart and give to those who are in need.

Summer Camp Fair and Scholarship Information Meeting Congregation Beth Torah wants to invest in your child’s future by making a Jewish summer camper experience affordable for everyone. We would like you to consider sending your child to camp this summer by taking advantage of our generous scholarship program here at CBT. Please note that our scholarship funds are NOT limited to first time campers. All scholarship applications are strictly confidential. While the deadline for scholarship applications is in the spring, we will be having a camp scholarship informational meeting on Sunday, October 28 th at 10:30 a.m. in the Bride’s Room. We will also be having a camp fair in the ulam that morning so you and your happy camper can ask questions about what camp might be a good fit for your family. You will have the opportunity to speak with current campers and their families from a wide variety of Jewish camps: GUCI, Sabra, OSRUI, and more! It’s never too early to start thinking about your summer plans!

EDUCATING OUR FUTURE NOW

A Campaign to Sustain Chai (Life) at CBT and in Our Jewish Community through Education: Three Years Strong and Running

WE need your dedication and your dollars again for the 2018/2019 school year.   Our Accomplishments so far: Thanks to a challenge grant and some generous donors, we came very close to our $53,000.00 goal for the 2017-2018 school year and are already well on our way to our 2018-2019 goal. Religious School is considered a benefit of membership to CBT members.  The future of our children and the community depends on you. The ABCDs to keep the momentum strong! Advocate the school to people you know are looking for a religious school Become a volunteer to help with a fundraising event Call the office at 913-498-2212 or go to the website to donate to Educating Our Future Donate your time and expertise to secure grant funds You will be performing a Mitzvah that can help a lot of children. Donate Today!    Special thanks to Molly Levinson, a sterling result of the religious school and confirmation student at CBT, for designing the beautiful logo for the Educating our Future campaign.   Feel free to contact the Beth Torah office for any questions you may have about Educating Our Future.

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GETTING INVOLVED

Shalom Squad Your welcoming face is needed on Friday nights. Sign up to be part of our Shalom Squad and personify the warm and welcoming feel that Beth Torah creates. Since two people are needed every week, why not sign up with a friend? Thank you to our member Jeff Antoniewicz for saying "Yes" to CBT and coordinating the Squad. You can choose your dates by clicking  here  or heading to our web site and clicking on the Shalom Squad link.  Do You Want to Get Involved? Visit our website to view all volunteer opportunities at Beth Torah. 

ONGOING EVENTS & CONNECTIONS

Congregation Beth Torah and the Sader/Shimkin Library invite you to read:  Stop in our library and visit our new Little Free Jewish Book Store. We have added two, clearly marked, wooden book shelves stocked with YOUR donations. Stop by and take a book that someone else donated. It's yours. You don't have to bring it back. Have a Jewish themed book to donate? As long as there is room on the shelves, leave a book. Someone else may want to read it. If you enjoy one of the books you read from our new Little Free Jewish Book Store, why not leave a review on our Facebook page? Happy reading! Ray Davidson Yiddish Group Come study Yiddish! This group meets at Beth Torah at noon on Fridays and all are welcome. Sichat Shabbat Group  Join the community in discussion ( sicha ) on Shabbat morning, 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. in the library.

Beth Torah is on YouTube  Have you heard music performed at Beth Torah that has stirred your emotions? Do you wish you could listen to it again? There is a way to do that! Beth Torah has a YouTube channel at where videos are available to view over and over again. Music from Hanukkah Program, Shabbat Shirah, Spring Session, Purim, Beth Torah's Got Talent, and more! Mi Shebeirach List Prayers for loved ones in need of healing are beneficial for those who are ill and those who love them. If you have someone in your family who is currently ill, whose name you would like to appear on our Mi Shebeirach list, please send an email to Alyssa  and put in the message line: Mi Shebeirach list, or call the Beth Torah office and let us know. Thank you.

GREATER KANSAS CITY JEWISH COMMUNITY

The Mitzvah Garden The Kansas City Mitzvah Garden has opportunities blooming for volunteering by any groups/chavurahs or individuals. The garden provides produce to local food pantries. Volunteers are needed for planting, weeding, harvesting, and deliveries. Our usual work day is Sunday, but [email protected] are needed Monday–Friday as well. For teens looking to accumulate community service hours, the garden is perfect. Email the Mitzvah Garden Volunteer Coordinator, Gabrielle Rhodes Handler or call 913-345-1118.

JFS Volunteer Opportunities Looking for ways to get involved in the community? When you volunteer at JFS, you are helping strengthen and improve the lives of thousands of people throughout Kansas City. Volunteers play a vital role in our programs, providing a helping hand, compassionate smile or meaningful connection. There are many ways to use your time and talents as a volunteer with JFS: Click here to check out the opportunities .

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