|
Celebrations
|
|
Celebrations in April honor the following:
Birthdays:
- Victor Chudowsky April 3
- Evie Lerner April 3
- Toby Siegel-Lawrence April 3
- Lynne Connelley April 8
- Roberta Spiro April 14
- Tully Ellsberg April 15
- Hallie Smith April 16
- Shelley Grudin April 17
- Marcia Garon April 18
- Ella Adams April 20
- Marcia Skolnick April 21
- Kayleigh Mahony April 22
- Marti Fields- Johnson April 25
- Porter Savelle April 26
- Bonnie Ruby April 27
- Glenn Cantor April 28
- Mark Hershenson April 28
- Nathan Breslau April 29
- Sid Rafilson April 30
Anniversaries:
None in April
(blind spacer)
|
Co-Presidents:
Sheila Luber
Ann Rosenfield
Secretary:
Terry Hoogstede
Treasurer:
Mark Schindel
Members-at-Large:
Lester Dober
Paul Jacobs
Kerrie Zurovsky
|
Budget & Finance
Chuck Shattuck
Membership
Terry Reynolds
Michael Rosenfield
Program Oversight
Kathy Schindel
|
Adult Learning
Mel Siegel
Bikur Cholim
Suzanne Schlosberg
Evie Lerner
Linda Brant
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
TBD
Social Action
Lynne Connelley
Venue Logistics
Mark Schindel
Webmaster
Jeanne Freeman
|
| Click Here to Donate
Quick Links
|
Forward this newsletter to a Friend
|
|
|
Temple Beth Tikvah is pleased to welcome our newest members:
|
|
Event Cancellations and Information
|
April Events
Due to the CDC and Oregon Health Authority recommendation for "social distancing" and out of concern for the welfare of our members and guests, all TBT in-person services and gatherings have been cancelled through April 28.
Additional Cancellations: Temple representatives have contacted Bethlehem Inn, Family Kitchen and Open Door Cafe to suspend our participation in food preparation and service until the virus pandemic has passed. Many of our volunteers who work the meals are in the most vulnerable category and should not be asked to expose themselves to any risk. If you would like to donate to these organizations, please contact them directly.
Please be sure to get your information about COVID-19 from reliable sources. We suggest the national Center for Disease Control, cdc.gov; World Health Organization, who.int; and govstatus.egov.com/or-covid-19 to find Oregon coronavirus information and resources.
|
|
Staying Connected Virtually with Online Services and Events
With TBT in-person services and events cancelled through April 28, members are invited to join in virtual gatherings powered by Zoom, share posts on Facebook and connect with words of hope from Rabbi Johanna on YouTube.
Invitations to our Zoom events with instructions on how to join in will be sent to all of our members. Visit the TBT website bethtikvahbend.org, and read your weekly
Happenings, Special Announcements and
monthly HaKesher newsletter... they are your primary sources for TBT information and updates.
See Rabbi Johanna's and Sara Jo Slate's messages below for online resources and connections.
In addition, TBT members are invited to post suggestions, ideas, photos and videos on our temple's private page: Temple Beth Tikvah Bend, OR - Members Group. Please share interesting books, movies, shows, websites and activities that are giving you joy during this unusual time. If you are a TBT member and want to join our private group, please email Kerrie Zurovsky at [email protected].
|
|
Message From
Co-Presidents
Sheila Luber and Ann Rosenfield
Dear Members,
While we hunker down at home to avoid contagion and stay healthy, we are all finding incredible ways to connect with each other. Every day, we hear examples of resilience and creativity as members and their families and friends discover new avenues to enrich their lives under these unusual circumstances.
We are continuing to maintain our sense of community, strengthen our relationships and find the joy within. Thank goodness for meaningful conversations, good books, fun board games, long-overdue projects, wonderful walks and exercise, and fabulous binge-watching. Using digital platforms like Facebook, Google, Skype and Zoom plus myriad apps and websites, we are able to communicate, work, learn, and share online to bridge our separations. Happily, we are finding that in-person meetings do translate to satisfying online, interactive experiences. (Learn about TBT's virtual gatherings in this newsletter.)
Despite the coronavirus or maybe because, positivity and resourcefulness are in rich supply and show what TBT members are made of. We are grateful to be here with you in Bend. We pray for our first responders on the front lines and every citizen fighting the virus and we mourn for those who have passed. We are committed to demonstrating that physical distancing does not deter our ability to connect socially and spiritually.
Be safe and stay home.
L'Shalom,
Sheila and Ann
|
Divrei Tikvah 
From Rabbi Johanna Hershenson
It seems that this Passover, we are experiencing the chaos and fear of a real plague actually in our midst. What we know is that the COVID-19 coronavirus is a global pandemic. It is here in the United States; it is here in Central Oregon.
Many of us fear for ourselves and/or loved ones who have immune systems compromised by heart conditions, respiratory conditions, cancer treatments, and age. Many of us are trying to figure out how to compensate for ongoing cancellation or postponement of events: proms, graduations, vacations, and visits with friends and family.
At the same time, social media platforms are replete with feel-good stories and videos of Italian and Israeli neighbors singing together from apartment balconies, fiber hobbyists sewing face masks for health care providers, messages reminding us to be patient and ease into the simplicity of staying home and busying ourselves with board games, walks in the forest, and old projects stored away, unfinished.
Temple Beth Tikvah is up and running, though like the rest of the world, differently than we have operated in the past. While I personally miss engaging with you in person, and I know you feel the same, I and our TBT lay leaders are ready to engage virtually and digitally.
Regular gatherings and courses have begun to meet on the digital platform called Zoom. The Union for Reform Judaism has negotiated a discounted license price with Zoom and shared that deal with us. It allows us to invite up to 100 individual devices into a meeting. Lay leaders and teachers in the Central Oregon Jewish Community School can use the platform to continue the year's program.
On
Zoom, Temple Beth Tikvah will host:
- TBT Shabbat, Fridays at 6:00
Blessings for candles, wine and challah, a message/teaching, mi sheberach, and mourners' Kaddish
- Afternoon Philosotea Thursdays at 4 PM
We are currently reading RADICAL JUDAISM by Rabbi Arthur Green (March and April)
- Jewish Discovery Course Fridays at 4:00 PM
A course for individuals interested in converting to Judaism
- Sunday School and Hebrew School courses Scheduled by teacher/class
- Board, team, and committee meetings scheduled as needed by lay leaders
In addition to utilizing Zoom, Temple Beth Tikvah is using YouTube and Facebook to upload special video messages for offering comfort and inspiration to members and to create and share special content for upcoming Erev Shabbat, Havdallah, and Passover celebrations.
.
~~ Rabbi Hershenson's office hours are by appointment. If you would like to set up an appointment, please contact her by email at: [email protected], or by phone at 541-213-9880.
|
Congratulations to Rabbi Johanna
On March 27th in Cincinnati, Rabbi Johanna was to receive her honorary Doctor of Divinity degree as an alumnus of the Rabbinic School at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. It was to be a joyous celebration of her 25 years of distinguished service in the rabbinate and affirmation of her good name in the Reform Jewish World.
The Founders' Day ceremony would even include a screening of Rabbi's documentary film, which she produced with her husband Mark. Yet another honor.
Though the pandemic has eclipsed her being handed her degree for now, it is still hers to have and we can say "bravo!" Rabbi Johanna wraps our congregation in ritual wisdom, intellectual depth, and compassion.
Please share your congratulations and good wishes with Rabbi Johanna, our esteemed rabbinical leader.
|
Passover Seder Cancellation
Jeanne Freeman
We are sorry to announce that our Annual Passover Seder is cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and out of our concern for all of you.
Refund checks have been mailed to all of those who made and paid for reservations.
Thank you to the Passover Committee for all of your efforts in preparation for the event and to all of you who responded to baking and making charoset.
|
|
Resources for Passover Seder and Activities at Home
Johanna Hershenson
Temple Beth Tikvah members are invited to Zoom into a brief Seder on the first night of Passover. While we will not eat together around one table, we will identify all the symbolic foods of the Seder, ask questions, and who knows...maybe even sing together! For those unable to gather the first night of Passover, the Zoom gathering will be recorded and made available for you to use any of the remaining days and nights of the festival. An invitation will be sent shortly.
Save the Date: Wednesday, April 8th, 6:00 pm
Realizing we cannot gather for our community Seder to celebrate Passover, here are a few resources to help you make the best of Seder at home or virtually.
Remember, every Haggadah is filled with choices to make. Don't approach a Haggadah as if it's in charge and you have to do whatever it says. The Seder leader/s should go through the Haggadah before Seder night and "pick and choose" what readings and activities you will do.
Need a Haggadah? Here are 5 you can download and print:
Contemporary readings for parts of the Seder:
Maybe you'd like a reading that is timely and nuanced by current events...
Passover songs
Children can help lead your Seder. The following videos teach children a few songs for Passover:
Adults and children may enjoy favorite pop and theater tunes parodied around Passover themes. Sometimes no one around the table remembers an old traditional tune or the Hebrew feels hard. Have fun with melodies you know, and see how creative minds amended them for Passover!
Just a beautiful video that tells the story of Passover:
Foodies' Passover Recipes:
|
Resources for Parents with Children at Home
Sara Jo Slate
If you are home with children during this
unprecedented time, the following links may be helpful:
PJ Library Resources for Quarantined Families:
How to Talk to Your Kids ABout Scary Situations (contains updated links on how to talk to your kids about COVID-19 from many sources)
|
|
Virus Shabbat
Today is Shabbat.
Observe Shabbat each day for weeks to come
With obedience, compassion, and care
For yourself and all others.
Stay home, meditate, pray, ponder.
Phone and computer link us
To family, friends, and rabbi.
We can walk out into the amazing nature
That surrounds us here in central Oregon,
Six feet apart we talk with each other,
Admire birds, dogs, and children on the path.
It's a good time to read, watch, and listen.
It's a good time to sort files and photos.
It's a good time to read saved letters.
It's a good time to write memoirs
And poems.
Shabbat Shalom
Florence Beier
|
TBT Board Notes
Next Board Meeting: April 14
1:00 to
3:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom meeting; info will be sent to members
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 [email protected] .
|
Education Report 
Sara Jo Slate
The last month of K-7 religious school exemplified what our community is all about. Our older kids dove deep into conversations about values and history. Our younger kids were introduced to Tu B'Shevat and Purim through songs, crafts and stories. Our teens supported our teachers as classroom helpers. Our parent volunteers led activities, made snacks and managed classroom set-up. We planted Tu B'Shevat bonsai trees, held a Purim carnival with a wonderful student-written play, snacked on Kerrie's homemade hamantaschen, sang songs with our song leader and enjoyed being together.
We still plan to be together through the spring, but we will be together in a new way. Beginning March 31 (and earlier for some classes), classes will be taught virtually. Our school building will be closed until Governor Brown reopens schools in late April. Our hearts are with our religious and Hebrew School families and we want to do everything we can to provide our children with connection and continuity.
Our online classes will take different forms depending on age. To keep communication simple, families will receive a link to a password-protected website where all information about each individual class, plus useful resources, will be updated frequently. Families with children in religious school and/or Hebrew school will receive an email from us with the web address and password before the start date.
If any families need support with internet access, please contact me at [email protected]. Students in our area are being provided with no-cost access.
Also, if you are so inclined, TBT members are welcome to submit a video of you or your family singing a song, telling a PJ story, doing a Passover craft, or sharing other fun activities related to Jewish education. We will share them with our students on our new website.
Families (and all!) are also welcome to take part in our Facebook Matzah House Challenge. In April, make a matzah house (directions provided in a link posted on our Facebook group) and post a photo to our TBT group.
This will be a defining time in the lives of all Central Oregon children. My thanks in advance to our incredible teachers and to everyone in our community who is able to help our students smile, learn and stay connected.
|
May Newsletter Deadline: April 24th
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:
[email protected] 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
|
Taizé Service
The Taize Service for April has been cancelled.
|
Temple Beth Tikvah gratefully acknowledges the following contributions:
- Terry Hoogstede In Memory of David Senescu
- Adrienne & Ben Phillips In Memory of Paul Phillips
- Tully Ellsberg In Memory of Lillie Winecoff
- Susie Richman In Memory of Beatrice Richman
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
|
|
| |
|
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.
|
|
|
|
