December 2019      
 
    הקשר HaKesher  
                                                 "The Connection"      
  



   Come be a part of our growing Reform synagogue. All are welcome!
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In This Issue
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Celebrations
TBT Board Members
 Co-Presidents:
   Sheila Luber  
   Ann Rosenfield 
   
 Secretary: 
   Terry Hoogstede
     
  Treasurer:  
   Mark Schindel
    
 Members-at-Large:
     Lester Dober
     Paul Jacobs
    Kerrie Zurovsky
   
TBT Committee Chairs
Budget & Finance
   Chuck Shattuck

Membership 
     Terry Reynolds
    Michael Rosenfield

Program Oversight
    Kathy Schindel

TBT Team Leaders
Adult Learning
    Mel Siegel

Bikur Cholim
     Suzanne Schlosberg
    Evie Lerner
    Linda Brandt

Calendar Keeper
    Kathy Schindel

Chevra Kadisha
    Ralph Uri

Communications & PR
    Kathy Schindel
    Shiela Luber

Connections
    Sheila Luber

Fundraising
    TBD

Music
    Julie Geveshausen

Newsletter
    Eileen Katz

Onegs
    Jan Freeman-Bauer

Religious Education
    Sara Jo Slate

Rituals
    Lee Shapiro-London

Social Action
    Lynne Connelley

Venue Logistics
    Mark Schindel

Webmaster
    Jeanne Freeman
   
Newsletter Sponsors



Tully's Yoga Ad




Quick Links
December Calendar of Events 
 
 Events and Activities

   December 7  -  7:00 pm - Havdallah with a Maven
   December 13 - 7:00 pm - Erev Shabbat Service
   December 17 - 1:00 pm - Board Meeting
   December 18 - 7:30 am - Back Door Cafe
   December 22 - 4:30 pm - Annual Menorah Lighting
   December 27 - 5:30 pm - Shabbat and Chanukah                                                   Celebration
   
Torah Study - Philosotea
   Thursdays 4:00 pm - December  5, 12 & 19

On the Horizon
     March 19 - Tower Theater Gypsy-Rock Klezmer Band


For more details about any TBT events, see our complete schedule of Services, School activities, and Events online:
 https://bethtikvahbend.org/events/

Leadership News
                   Message From  Co-Presidents  
Sheila Luber and Ann Rosenfield

While preparing this article for publication we are out having fun with our families and friends as we approach our respective Thanksgivings in Nashville and Chicago. Of course we wanted to share something meaningful, something meaty that you could sink your teeth into. So here it is...Enjoy yourself during this busy month of December. Go to parties. Gather together with dear people you enjoy. Snuggle with your partner, children, pets. Spend some time in nature. Dress warmly (and wear the right boots for the weather). Binge-watch whatever you want. Say "I love you" to whomever you love. Practice gratitude. 

Have a happy Chanukah, light your candles, count your blessings, and be sure to make your reservation to attend TBT's fabulous Chanukah party for all ages on December 27.

L'shalom,
Sheila & Ann

Divrei Tikvah  RJohannaHeadShot
From Rabbi Johanna Hershenson

I trust everyone celebrated Thanksgiving with meaningful gatherings of family and friends. Some large, formal dinners. Other small, nuclear quality time filled days with maturing children. However the holiday takes shape, I appreciate the ethos of gratitude.
 
As always, I am grateful for my best friend and husband, Mark, and our daughters blossoming into themselves as adults. I am grateful for our congregation and community, an extended family.
 
This year in particular I am grateful for professional milestones that celebrate my evolution as a rabbi. In November, I received a letter from Hebrew Union College, inviting me to receive an honorary doctorate for twenty-five years of rabbinic service. Additionally, I have been reconnected with an organization called the Memorial Scrolls Trust, in London, England. The Memorial Scrolls Trust oversees the Czech Memorial Torah scrolls that survived the Holocaust and are in use throughout the world, the topic of the film Mark and I made called A TORAH TALE. This reconnection brings me to the second very special matter for which I am particularly grateful this year.
 
The Memorial Scrolls Trust invited us, Temple Beth Tikvah, to apply for our own Czech Memorial Torah scroll! We are a perfect candidate as a relatively new  synagogue community filled with zest for adult learning and meaningful interactions. I look forward to passing the application to our adult learning and rituals teams and inviting participation from all age groups in our congregation. There will be research and learning. There will be ceremonial celebration and commemoration. And, there will be opportunities to connect with Jews and neighbors of Jews in a living community still healing from the devastation of Nazi occupation and murder followed by the tyranny and neglect of communism.
 
It is surprising to me that I feel nostalgic about completing my twenty-fifth year in the rabbinate. My attention has always been on the matters before me. And yet, I feel particularly blessed to honor becoming a Doctor of Divinity by opening a door for Temple Beth Tikvah to receive a Czech Memorial Torah scroll on permanent loan from the Memorial Scrolls Trust. I believe we are about to embark on a journey that will bond us to one another as we breathe life into a Torah scroll that I imagine would have many stories to tell us about its own journey.

~~ Rabbi Hershenson's office hours are by appointment. If you would like to set up an appointment, please contact her by email at: johannahershenson@gmail.com, or by phone at 541-213-9880.


TBT Highlights
TBT CHANUKAH CELEBRATION
Jan Freeman-Bauer

Friday, December 27  will be our annual Chanukah/Shabbat dinner and party. Keep your eyes open for an invitation in the coming weeks. I'll be chairing this event.

 
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AFTERNOON PHILOSOTEA
Jewish Thought and Thinkers

Join Rabbi Hershenson at her Blissful Heart Wellness Community office (45 NW Greeley Avenue, Harmony Room) on Thursdays at 4:00 pm for afternoon tea and ongoing exploration of Jewish Thought and Thinkers.

The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness by Rabbi Rami Shapiro
December 5, 12, 19

Jewish Living: Guide to Contemporary Reform Practice by Rabbi Mark Washofsky
January 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

 

SAVE THE DATE!

Mostly Kosher,a gypsy-rock klezmer band will perform at the
Tower Theatre on March 19, 2020. A portion of the ticket sales, if made through Terry Reynolds, will benefit TBT. Reserved seats are $40 or $30, which includes the $3.00 Tower Theatre service fee. 

To purchase tickets or for more information, contact Terry,  tlrsboard@yahoo.com

To check out Mostly Kosher, follow this link,  https://www.mostlykosher.com.

 
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Board and Committee News
TBT Board Notes

Next Board Meeting:  December 17,  1:00 to  3:00 pm 
Location:  Stonebriar Apartments Clubhouse, 21255 E. Highway 20, Bend.

Your TBT Board meets monthly and members are invited to attend. Dates and times of Board meetings are on the TBT calendar at:  https://bethtikvahbend.org/events/

If you would like to read minutes of previous board meetings, you can request a copy from Board Secretary, Terry Hoogstede  tahoogstede@bendcable.com .
 
Havdallah with a Maven
An Introduction to Ayurveda
Mel Siegel

Saturday, December 7 at 6:00 pm
Lynne and Ed Connelley's home
Please bring snacks and/or beverages to share

Get an overview of this ancient health-giving system from India, the healing aspect of the Yoga tradition, and discover why Ayurveda has endured for over 5,000 years and is considered the "Mother" of all the Great Healing Systems.

The class is taught by TBT's own Marilynn Jacobs, C.A.S. (Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist), a graduate of the California College of Ayurveda, who has been an Ayurvedic practitioner since 2000 until retiring to Bend in 2015. In addition to seeing clients, the focus of her practice has been Ayurvedic education, effortlessly bridging the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda by integrating Ayurvedic principles with contemporary living. 

Marilynn's dynamic seminars are presented in an animated, enlightening, and entertaining format, providing a framework for self-healing and empowerment, easily integrated by all in attendance.

There will be a PowerPoint presentation and handouts. 

RSVP to Marilynn Jacobs,  
mkjsend2bend@bendbroadband.com
 
Social Action Updatetikkun olam earth
Lynne Connelley

The Social Action Committee's 2019 Secret Santa project was a great success.  We would like to thank not only TBT members but also one friend of a TBT member who wanted to participate in our annual partnership with the Assistance League.  18 volunteers fulfilled the wish lists of 26 low income seniors in facilities in Bend and LaPine, offering a big help to ALB in their effort to serve 200 seniors this year. 

Thank you all. 
 




The Holidays are Coming!
Jeanne Freeman

fundraising thermometer
No-sweat, no-hassle, no-cost fundraising for TBT!! 
 
Sign up for Fred Meyer Community Rewards and Smile.Amazon.com and every time you shop a percentage of your total purchase is donated to Temple Beth Tikvah. 
   
There is no cost to you and you continue to get any and all discounts that you are already signed up for with both companies.
  
Be a shopping hero when you shop online for the holidays through Smile.Amazon.com and at Fred Meyer. Click here for more information about how to register with both of these programs. 
 

Oneg Report
Jan Freeman-Bauer

Thank you Liz and Paul Levinson for your generous donation to our future onegs.
And a thank you to all our members who contribute all those yummy goodies throughout the year. 
 

January Newsletter Deadline:  December 23rd 

This newsletter is emailed to both members and non-members each month.  If you have something you want to include in the newsletter, please e-mail it to Eileen Katz:  eileentam@aol.com by the 24th of each month for the following month's publication.  As always, you will continue to receive "e-minders" before important events take place.

Shalom,
Eileen
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Community News
Annual Menorah Lighting 
Sunday, December 22
4:30 pm
Old Mill District

Celebrate Chanukah with the annual menorah lighting in the Old Mill District's Center Plaza, next to The Gap.  

Presented by Chabad of Central Oregon, this year's ceremony will start at 4:30 pm. A chocolate coin drop, hot drinks, potato latkes and Chanukah music are all part of the festivities.

Taizé Service
December 5, 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Trinity Episcopal Church

The Taize Choir of Central  Oregon invites you to an evening of non-denominational Taizé music, meditation and silence. 

Taizé services are held the first Thursday of each month, October through May, 7:00 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church (St. Helens Hall), 231 NW Idaho, Bend. 

The theme for the December service is 'Healing amongst Faith Communities'. For more information call 541-815-5574 or email  taizebend@gmail.com.

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TBT Tributes
Temple Beth Tikvah gratefully acknowledges the following contributions:

  • JoAnn Ray & Larry Barker in Memory of Sarah Waldman
  • Jerry & Phyllis Greenbach in Memory of Goldie Gurvitz
  • Gary & Anne Held in Memory of Mildred Held
  • Liz & Paul Levinson in Memory of Michael J Levinson
  • Liz & Paul Levinson in Memory of Steven B Solomon
  • Terry Reynolds in Memory of Dina Lewinter 

Donations listed above were made to the Temple's general fund unless otherwise specified.

You may honor the lives and achievements of friends and relatives via a tribute with a donation to TBT. You can do this online by clicking here, or by sending a check and the name and address of the person being honored to TBT at P.O. Box 7472, Bend, OR, 97708.

Donations may be designated to a specific fund, including:

   - General Fund
   - Youth Education Fund
   - Music Fund    
   - TBT's Goodwill Fund
   - Social Action/Tzedakah Fund
   - or the Corrie Grudin Memorial Fund
   

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About Temple Beth Tikvah

For Jewish families, retirees and singles at every level of faith in Central Oregon, Temple Beth Tikvah provides a comforting embrace for the soul of your DNA. We are a dynamic Reform Jewish congregation with friendly, giving, active people drawn to Bend and Central Oregon because of the active lifestyle we find here.
 
We come together in different ways, inspired and informed by our common thread of Jewishness. Whether you were born Jewish, love someone who is Jewish or choose to be Jewish. Practice Judaism a little, a lot or not at all. TBT can serve as the heart of your vibrant, connected life.
 
We can be your primary source of friendship, purpose, spiritual and intellectual pursuit. Or a side note adding flavor and dimension how and when you want. Whichever you choose, TBT offers an inclusive, communal foundation on which to build your relationships, experiences and practice. From social activities to social action, worship to study, participation to leadership. It's your choice, in this community of yours.  

Please contact us at 541-388-8826 or  info@bethtikvahbend.org for more information.
 
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