Calendar | Kol Ya'akov | Shabbat Livestream | Service Sheet

The Beth Jacob office will be

closed on Wednesday, April 8,

and Thursday, April 9.

Chag Sameach and Shabbat Shalom!

Everything Pesach

See everything you need to know about Pesach HERE.

Pesach Services are at 9am on Wednesday and Thursday, April 8 and 9.

D'var Torah

Thank you to Rabbi Tamar Magill-Grimm for sharing words of Torah with us during Pesach.

Why Do Jews Welcome the Stranger?

D'var Torah April 11

Bob Aronson, Chair of HIAS

Robert Aronson, a Minneapolis-based attorney has represented hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers from around the world. As Chair of HIAS, he supports their mission of protecting refugees—including women and children, and ethnic, religious, and sexual minorities—whose lives are in danger for being who they are. HIAS helps refugees rebuild their lives in safety and advocates to ensure that all displaced people are treated with dignity.

A Dragon Wrapped Around The Honeypot;

Or, What do we do when the world is burning?

April 11, after kiddush

Beth Jacob has been chosen to host a table reading of Rafa Kern's new play:

As the world falls apart around them, two Queer Jews turn to an old Talmudic story looking for guidance. Rabban Yohanan ben Zaqqai escaped the twice-besieged Jerusalem to keep the flame of Torah alive. Did he do the right thing? Or should he have fought harder? Prayed more? Made allegiances to save lives? Given up? In this play about making impossible choices, the audience is invited to think with Jewish and Christian ancestors who faced quandaries all too similar to our own. 

(As this is a table reading, this will last longer than our traditional Post Kiddush Learning)

Limudim

There is no Limudim this week due to Pesach

Stand Up Sit Down

There is no Stand Up Sit Down class this week due to Pesach.

Kiddush

We will have Kosher for Passover kiddush lunches after services on April 8th and 9th, and a "regular" kiddush lunch on Shabbat, April 11.

These kiddushes are unsponsored and supported by donations to the Beth Jacob Kiddush Fund. Please consider making a donation to help continue our Beth Jacob tradition.

Upcoming Events & Announcements

Twin Cities Tour de Torah!

Join communities across the Twin Cities as we strengthen our spiritual muscles through text and art-based learning. Using the cutting-edge pedagogy of SVARA and the Jewish Studio Process, we will prepare for Passover and the Omer.  Students can jump in at any leg of the journey.

About the Jewish Studio Process: This ritually held practice includes text study, then a guided creative process of art making and witnessing what came through. These courses are accessible to anyone regardless of experience with art making. Materials will be provided.

What Really Happened at Mt. Sinai?

Tuesdays, April 14, 21, 28, 6:00-7:30

with Sara Lynn Newberger

We will look at a section from the Talmud that explores a mysterious moment of revelation: what really happened at Mount Sinai? (Shabbat 88a) We’ll learn this passage in the original Hebrew and Aramaic, drawing on tools and methods developed by a SVARA, a traditionally radical Queer Yeshiva. The only prerequisite for this class is the ability to sound out the Hebrew alphabet, no other Hebrew language skills required. Through close study with a peer, deep dictionary sleuthing, and careful grammar parsing, we will witness the Rabbis radical reread of this mythic moment and how they (and we can) rebalance the relationships between G!d, Torah, and ourselves.

Counting the Omer through the Jewish Studio Process

Tuesdays, May 12, 19, & 26

Join Lillie Benowitz of Sustain Studio for a 3-part series exploring what it means to create, reflect, and tend to our inner lives as we count the Omer and prepare to receive the Torah.

Twin Cities Tour de Torah is a collaboration among Shir Tikvah, Mount Zion Temple, Macalester College, and Beth Jacob.

Yom HaShoah Community Commemoration

Monday, April 13 | 7:00pm

Mt. Zion Temple

"Finding a Home in America:

The Holocaust Survivor Immigrant Experience"


Event Information available on the JCRC website.

A Field Trip to the Archives

Sunday, April 19, 1:00pm

Meet Kate Dietrich, Archivist for the Upper Midwest Jewish Archives, for our long anticipated Field Trip to see the underground storage facilities and all our Beth Jacob records! Meet at the Anderson Library, carpool from Beth Jacob, or meet for lunch and carpool to the U. (Let us know your preference when you RSVP)

Alan Morinis: The Shabbat Effect

Wed. April 29, 6-8 p.m. 

Temple Israel

Join Dr. Alan Morinis, founder of The Mussar Institute, for an inspiring evening based on his new book, The Shabbat Effect, exploring how Mussar and Shabbat can bring balance, meaning, and intention into daily life. Presented by Living Mussar, co-sponsored by Beth Jacob, Temple Israel, Adath Jeshurun, Mount Zion, Bet Shalom, Shir Tikvah, Beth El, and Mayim Rabim.

Enjoy an evening of inspiration, leaning, and connection. A dessert reception will follow the talk.

Join us for an unforgettable night of community, food music, and fun at Beth Jacob's Spring Gala on May 3 from 5-8 pm.

With our Great Greek theme, prepare for amazing Greek food and decor as we bid on a variety of items during the silent auction. Glen Fladaboe returns as our one-of-a-kind live auctioneer, followed by a celebration with the Dirty Shorts Brass Band and their New Orleans-style music, sure to get you dancing in the aisles!

As always, we are accepting donations of items for the silent auction, and cash donations to sponsor the event.

Donate Auction items here.

Buy your tickets here.

Sponsor the Gala here.

Thank you! We can't wait to see everyone there!

Save the Date! The Beth Jacob Blood Drive will be Sunday, May 31. 

• Every 2 seconds, someone needs blood. In the time it will take you to read this, 15 people will be in need.
• One donation can save three lives!

Please sign up to donate at www.beth-jacob.org/blood or contact Sharon at 651-552-9111 (sharonben@comcast.net).

To be eligible to donate on May 31, your last donation must be on or before:

• Feb 7 for Double Red
• April 4 for Whole Blood

To volunteer, contact Roy Kay at burljeffers@comcast.net, 612-280-4192 or Dave Honan at Akivahonan@gmail.com, 952-992-9426

Help Lead Services and/or Read Torah

As a participatory shul, we welcome you to read Torah and/or lead davenning. If you would like to learn how, we welcome that too! Use the button below to sign up for a Torah reading or a service. Please contact  Michael and Marguerite Krause or Jessica Zehavi with any questions, or to request lessons!

The Directories Are Here!

At long last, the new membership directories are here! We will have them available for pick up in the lobby through Pesach. Please take the one directory labeled with your name, and don't lose it! A limited number of replacements will be available for $10 each.

In addition to the directories, we are publishing "Beth Jacob at 40: Snapshots From Our Past," 12 Beth Jacob stories that were shared with the congregation during our 40th year.

Please do make every effort to come pick them up so we can avoid shipping costs. Thank you.

Pre-Shul Playgroup–Every Friday at 10:30 am

Join our open play time for young children and their caregivers. Meet in the nursery every Friday morning from 10:30 am until naptime. 

Raising Jewish Kids - A Conversation Circle with Rabbi Tamar

During Limudim on Tuesdays, 5:30-6:15 in the Chapel

For parents and caregivers, interfaith families, Jewish couples, single parents, families where one or more person is considering conversion – basically anyone involved in raising Jewish kids. We’ll talk about the blessings and challenges, and share struggles, ideas and resources. Come to one, a few, or all of the sessions.

April 7 - no meeting (Pesach)

April 14 - Relationships with Grandparents/Elders

April 21 - Relationships with Grandparents/Elders

For the Jew in the Pew

With Rabbi Lynn Liberman

Every 1st, 3rd, and 5th Shabbat of the month

9:15-10:00am in the Chapel

Join together in the ongoing study of the Book of Psalms as we continue to explore these ancient, provocative and beautiful words. Having covered most of the psalms as found in the Siddur, our journey continues through the remaining treasure trove of liturgical poetry and music! No prior experience necessary. All texts provided in Hebrew and English.

Stand Up... Sit Down... What Does It All Mean?

Every 2nd & 4th Saturday, 9:15 in the Saide Chapel

A class for the curious and confused -- Each week is taught by a leader in our congregation. This week, Rabbi David Thomas will teach Game vs. Spectacle -- Kiddush, the "Hallway Minyan" and more.

Judaism 101: Core Practices and Principles

Taught by Rabbi Cathy Nemiroff

For anyone seeking to better understand Jewish thought and practice, whether you are already Jewish, Jewish-curious or on the path to conversion.

Meets Mondays at 7pm at Beth Jacob, with Zoom option available. Starts October 27th.

Tanach with David Rischall

Sundays 7:30-8:30 pm on Zoom

This is a relaxed, drop-in class to develop a better understanding of the Hebrew Bible and skills to read the Bible in the original Hebrew. The only prerequisite is an ability to read Hebrew. David will introduce short segments of Tanach which are little known to most Jews, highlighting the many differences of thought between biblical Israelites and the Rabbinic Judaism, and how much the Rabbis carried on biblical traditions. Questions? Call David at 651-230-3911.

A Touch of Tweed: Jewish Garment Businesses

Friday, May 1, 2026 | Lunch at 11:30 a.m. | Presentation at noon

Presented by Kate Dietrick, Archivist, Upper Midwest Jewish Archives

From fur coats to tweed coats, Jewish-owned clothing companies have thrived for decades in the Upper Midwest. Delve into fabric swatches and pinking shears, and learn more about how it might feel when the sitting United States President is attired in a St. Paul storm coat.

Register Here

Help bring the magic of Israel to camp!

Camp Butwin is seeking warm, welcoming Host Families to host our incredible Israeli Shlichim—young leaders who add energy, culture, and spirit to every camp day.

What’s involved? Host a Shaliach for a few weeks and enjoy a unique, meaningful cultural exchange right in your home. Your shaliach will work at Camp each day, and become a valued member of the family during evenings and weekend. Think of it as a "mini-exchange student" opportunity.

Please contact Ben Savin by email at Bens@minnesotajcc.org if you are interested in learning more about hosting!

Seeing Greece Through A Jewish Lens

Rabbi Morris Allen is leading a Spring 2027 Educational Journey to Athens, Thessaloniki, Meteora, and Ioannina, with an optional extension to Rhodes or Crete. Email Mojo210al@aol.com for more information.

Vienna, Vienna, Vienna

at Six Points Theater March 28-April 12

MAPPING FAMILY MEMORIES

Tuesday, March 31 after the 1 PM performance, Rabbi Barbara Block is on a panel sharing stories about family research travels.

Tickets: https://www.sixpointstheater.org/vienna-vienna-vienna

Combatants for Peace

Israeli-Palestinian

Joint Memorial Ceremony 

April 20

This ceremony, organized by Combatants for Peace and the Parents Circle – Families Forum, has brought together bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families who have lost loved ones in the conflict. Their testimonies remind us that grief is not confined to one side, but is lived across deeply different realities - and that acknowledging one another’s pain and humanity is a necessary step toward a different future. The theme of this year's memorial ceremony is ‘We are the Day After: From Loss to Hope. The live Broadcast from Jerusalem will be at 12:30 CDT.

Connect With Our Rabbi

Rabbi Tamar Magill-Grimm: rabbitamar@beth-jacob.org

To make an appointment: Beth-Jacob.org/RabbiMeeting

Our clergy want to best support the Beth Jacob community in times of need. If you or someone you know in the Beth Jacob community is in need of prayer for healing, please fill out the form below. If you are filling out the form on behalf of anyone besides yourself, please make sure to ask for permission before submitting the form. This information will only be shared with our rabbis, and otherwise kept confidential.

Bikkur Cholim

Do you or a family member/friend need a friendly visitor as you are dealing with a health issue or are homebound? Our Chesed Committee has a dedicated crew of Bikkur Cholim volunteers who would love to set up a visit! Fill out the following form and we will be happy to arrange a visit or ongoing visits to brighten your day a bit.

Pikuach Nefesh

If you are not feeling well, please stay at home, follow the guidelines, and feel better. We will miss you and look forward to seeing you when you're healthy.

As a reminder, our current masking policy includes:

Masks continue to be optional in our building, except for the following:

• On Shabbat and holidays, Section A (the far right section) is the Mask Required space in the sanctuary.
• Masks are always required on the bimah during the Torah service.

Check out our COVID policy at www.beth-jacob.org/covid.