We are proud of the many enriching events and activities we share together. Members of TBT enjoy Shabbat services twice monthly, a community religious school, robust social action programs, interesting adult learning opportunities, special events, and spiritual holiday gatherings led by our incredible rabbi supported by wonderful musicians. We are thankful for so much.

We are sometimes asked by our members, or prospective members, about our plans for a facility. Our board has had meaningful discussions and we agree at a time when many synagogues are looking to sell their buildings due to declining membership and lack of funds, renting is still our best option. 

TBT's facility costs are low and based strictly on usage. Plus, our membership is growing!  And there are great benefits and motivations to rent...

We meet in the Presbyterian Church, which is a warm and inviting space in a central location. With real estate in Bend generally tight and prices high, our current costs are a fraction of what they would be if we owned a building. We do not pay for, worry about, or need to fix a roof, remove snow from the parking lot, take out the trash, buy furniture, or make sure the meeting rooms are cleaned. The church does it all and we benefit. If the furnace malfunctions, the plumbing springs a leak, the refrigerator needs replacing... it's not our concern. Our time and our money are not required to solve brick and mortar problems.

Are there inconveniences? Yes. We have to move our supplies and Judaica in and out of the spaces we inhabit, and storage is limited. Sometimes the room we want is unavailable so we must choose another (or learn to reserve earlier). But we pay only for the time we need and the resources we request at a price that is very affordable.

We are fortunate to hold our High Holy Day services in a beautiful sanctuary with comfortable seating, an audio-visual setup and a dedicated sound technician. For Shabbats and other events, we have our choice of rooms and several kitchens. We have no financial pressure to settle on a space when other options serve us better. We freely socialize in members' homes, attend pop-up Shabbats wherever they land, picnic by the river, and meet privately with Rabbi Johanna at her cozy office.

The church takes care of many things that make our temple lives easier while its leadership is flexible, respectful and supportive. Religious symbols in the church are minimal and we easily make any space our own. Meeting at the church, we maintain a low profile and our security is enhanced by an armed guard we are able to hire as needed.

Bottomline, we don't hold enough events to justify the steep financial commitment and extraordinary human capital required to get our own building off the ground and maintain it over the long run. Renting is cost-effective and our membership pledges fund what truly matters- programming, music, and rabbi.

Our synagogue is not a building- it's a community, and you are the heartbeat.

L'Shalom,

Sheila and Ann

Several months ago I wrote about the World Zionist Congress, offering a "head's up" that elections were around the corner. Those elections have begun (as of January 21st) and continue through March. It takes about five minutes and $7.50 to register to vote and once you receive your "voting PIN" number another 3-5 minutes to vote.

 

The Union for Reform Judaism and Movement for Reconstructing Judaism, both, are currently urging members to Vote Reform, that is for ARZA (the Association of Reform Zionists of America) to represent progressive Jewish institutions and life in Israel in the election. I invite you to explore the choices offered and make your decision for yourself. You may find a political party or Zionist organization that articulates your interests in Israeli society more accurately.

 

In case you are wondering, I will, likely, vote ARZA in support of my colleagues and the learning institutions in which I studied in Israel along my journey into the rabbinate. I have worked in Reform and Progressive congregations in the United States, New Zealand, and the Czech Republic. I believe firmly in the importance of authentic Jewish learning, ritual marking of milestones in life and seasons of the year, and values of inclusion and reason. It is a pity that Israel is the only place in the world where it is challenging to be a non-Orthodox Jew.

 

Solid voting among non-Orthodox Jews in the World Zionist Congress means support for non-Orthodox institutions and organizations in Israel. A strong election turnout among North America's Reform Jews and our supporters and allies will ensure that financial resources will continue to flow to our movement in Israel- including synagogues, schools, and non-Orthodox representation in municipal rabbinic councils.

 

Any Jewish person, who is or will be at least eighteen years of age on June 30, 2020, who resides permanently in the United States, and who did not vote in any Israel Knesset election in 2019, is eligible to vote in the American Zionist election for delegates to the 38th World Zionist Congress.

Temple Beth Tikvah members, it is on us to stand up (or login to our computers) to be counted in this election! I have found the easiest way to vote is to go to the website of the American Zionist Movement: https://azm.org/elections.

Come join Rabbi Johanna in celebrating Tu B'shevat on Sunday, February 9 at 1:30 pm with a snow shoe tour in the forest guided by a Deschutes National Forest ranger. Snow shoes provided. 

Please check-in 10-15 minutes prior to time of tour at the USFS snowshoe hut just outside the Guest Services building in West Village at Mt. Bachelor.

RSVP to Rabbi Johanna at  [email protected]

Keep your eyes open for information on our next, playful pop-up Shabbat experience on February 21st. We will "pop-up" somewhere fun in public, light candles, sip wine, taste challah, engage in an activity, and then break up into no-host dinner groups for casual shabbat dinner on the town.

Join Rabbi Hershenson, song leader Kim Schneiderman, and your TBT friends and family for our annual Passover Seder.

 

Come for an inter-generational Seder with music and song, games for all ages, a taste of the Seder plate and a delicious buffet dinner.

 

Watch for information coming soon!

Mostly Kosher , a gypsy-rock klezmer band, will perform at the

Tower Theatre on March 19. A portion of the ticket sales, if purchased 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,  [email protected]. 

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

The topic will be spiritual intimacy and kosher sex. Join us for  Havdallah, dessert, and text study.

More details coming soon.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Oneg for our "I have a Dream" Shabbat in January.  

Your contributions made a beautiful and welcoming table for all of us to enjoy. What an amazing evening!

The World Zionist Congress (WZC) elections have arrived, and voting has begun!

Participating in the WZC elections - by supporting "Vote Reform: ARZA Representing the Reform Movement and Reconstructing Judaism" - is the only way North American Jews can weigh in democratically about issues in Israel - and ensure a society that truly reflects the Jewish values we hold dear: pluralism, equality, economic justice, and peace.

It's also quick and easy, so  vote now. https://azm.org/elections

 

1. The elections determine the size of the delegations.

The WZC, the Parliament of the Jewish People, includes 500 delegates and meets in Jerusalem every five years. Delegates can exert ideological influence on Israeli society and the global Jewish agenda, as well as allocate financial and other resources to various organizations - including the Reform Movement - in Israel.

2. A large Reform delegation means more financial resources.

Currently, the United States has the largest single delegation outside Israel. Nearly 40 percent of the U.S. delegates represent the Reform Movement, ensuring that significant funding is directed to the Israeli Reform Movement. With a strong election turnout, financial resources will continue to flow to our Israeli movement - including Reform congregations and institutions.

3. It also means leadership roles in some of Israel's national institutions.

Robust participation in the elections will allow the Reform Movement to fill leadership roles in such institutions as the  World Zionist Organization  (WZO), the  Jewish Agency for Israel , and  Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael - Jewish National Fund  (KKL-JNF). Reform leaders will then be well positioned to ensure that decisions about government and public spending over the Green Line, including land purchases, reflect the Reform Movement's values and ideology.

4. Progressive Jewish congregations and organizations worldwide benefit, too.

Because JAFI and the WZO support programs of the  World Union for Progressive Judaism  (WUPJ), high voter turnout will prove beneficial for WUPJ congregations and for Netzer Olami and Tamar, which offer programming for Progressive Jewish youth and young adults in communities around the world.

 

The Taizé 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 this Month's service is 'Praying for the Poor.'

For more information call 541-815-5574 or email [email protected]