March 2020      
 
    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 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
   
Newsletter Sponsors



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Quick Links
Temple Beth Tikvah is pleased to welcome our newest member:
                      
Marcia Skolnick
     
March Calendar of Events 
 

 Events and Activities
  March 3  1:00 pm - Board Meeting
  March 6 2:30 pm - Family Kitchen
  March 9 - 5:00 pm - Purim Happy Hour
  March 13 - 7:00 pm - Erev Shabbat Service
  March 18 - 7:30 am - Open Door Cafe
  March 19 - 7:30 pm - Tower Theatre Klezmer Band
  March 21 - 7:00 pm - Havdallah with a Maven
      
Torah Study-Philosotea
Weekly-Thursdays 4:00 pm - 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26

ON THE HORIZON
  April 11 - Passover Seder for TBT Families and Friends
  June 7 - Annual Congregational Meeting


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
The board has worked diligently on our congregational goals for fiscal 2019-20. We have established five key goals for this year that we plan to roll into next year and beyond.
 
Most important is our continued focus on "kind and caring member outreach" so that we integrate every temple member into the fiber of our community. This goal reminds us to be a vibrant, warm and welcoming congregation even as our numbers grow. Members of the board and the membership committee are formally charged to engage with new and long-time temple members though every member is an ambassador of goodwill.
 
Collecting "valued member input" sustains our member outreach with a listening campaign to help us learn what members want from TBT. Don't be shy; your feedback is what empowers leadership to make decisions that reflect your interests and needs. From March through May you are invited to share your input in a focus group, a private one-on-one meeting or even via email. More information is coming to your inbox soon. As always, we encourage you to share your ideas, suggestions, concerns and questions with any member of the board you choose.
 
Ensuring that we gather in "safe and secure spaces" is continually on our minds. The Emergency Response and Disaster Mitigation Plan is ready to be used as a working document to help us address medical emergencies and intruders. We have met with leadership at Congregation Shalom Bayit ( CSB) along with Chabad of Central Oregon and have agreed to pool our resources and share the workload. There is still much to be done, including a bit of research and filling in some details, assembling materials, developing an implementation schedule, and arranging training and drills. We are looking for two members to join the TBT Safety and Security Committee and if you are interested, please contact Sheila Luber.
 
TBT, CSB and Chabad are also working together in many other ways to achieve "collaborative Jewish community relations" that enable us to better serve the Jews of Central Oregon regardless of affiliation. For example, the three organizations are collaborating on quarterly community-wide Jewish events around fun, minor holidays and adult learning.
 
Finally we arrive at "thoughtful strategic planning" and the foundation we are laying this year for a comprehensive planning process that promises to light our path for the next five to ten years.

L'Shalom,
Sheila and Ann

Divrei Tikvah  RJohannaHeadShot
From Rabbi Johanna Hershenson

In March and April, we celebrate two Jewish holidays that focus on freedom and food. During Purim we remind ourselves about Haman's evil plot and Esther's courage in saving the Jewish people. How does Esther do it? By throwing a feast, a dinner party, at which she can let her husband, the king, know that Haman's agenda threatens her personally. Before Esther speaks, she flirts and feeds.
 
A month later, the Jewish calendar ushers Passover into our midst. Again with the food. Unleavened bread symbolizing the haste with which we left Egypt. Bitter herbs to remember the bitterness of hard labor. And again with the freedom. We are Hebrew slaves in Egypt and a new nation of Israelites when we leave.
 
Of course there are significant differences between the biblical narratives and the mood we present at these two holidays. Purim includes drunkenness, frivolity, and comedy. God's name is never mentioned in the book of Esther. Passover requires drinking, but its drinking is about mimicking wealthy, free people and not drunkenness. Telling the story of our exodus from Egypt is a very serious matter. The feast in which we partake has a particular order, hence the Hebrew name for the dinner, Seder (which means order). In a traditional Haggadah, the name of Moses is never mentioned. Unlike Queen Esther, Moses, gets no credit. We should always understand our redemption from onerous situations comes from God.
 
The story and celebration of Purim is about letting go of the stress we feel at the hands of oppressors and even bullies. We engage in a world of frivolity, objectification, and violence.
 
Passover also pits us against an oppressor. But its celebration and story is about transformation, transcending that which holds us back from being our best selves. We cry the tears of slaves, and then we courageously pick ourselves up, brush off the dust, and direct our own journey to our own promised land.
 
The juxtaposition of Purim and Passover remind me to notice my reaction to feelings of powerlessness. Do I use beauty and power to flirt and force the outcomes I seek? Or do I take stock and chart a course of personal growth towards the outcomes I seek?
 
The seriousness of Passover (in contrast to the frivolity of Purim) suggests that the Jewish way is not to be better than villains at their own game, but rather to take charge of our own conduct and emulate the behaviors we honestly believe will make the world a better place.

~~ 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.

Spotlight on TBT Musicians
Eileen Heaton
Cantorial Soloist

This is the first in a series of  bi-monthly spotlights on our musicians.  Eileen Katz, Newsletter Ed.

How did Eileen Heaton, who was the fifth of seven children in a Catholic family, come to sing as cantorial soloist for the TBT congregation?  It's a long story, so let's start at the beginning.

Eileen graduated from the Indiana University School of Music and started her music and acting career in New York City where she met her husband Michael.  Together they realized that life in the theater would keep them on the road and apart from each other. They moved to Central Oregon almost 30 years ago for a lifestyle change.  Eileen built a practice teaching voice and kept singing when the right opportunity presented itself while Michael worked for National CASA (Court Appointed Advocates for Children). During these years Eileen's spirituality and sacredness of singing developed as a result of performing in interfaith Taizé services (see Community News in this Newsletter), singing for the dying as a Hospice volunteer, and working with individuals as their voices expressed their deepest desires and feelings.

Eileen has a long history of making music with Julie Geveshausen, our TBT pianist, beginning more than 25 years ago when they were the Director and Accompanist for Taizé services. The Taizé choir traveled among the spiritual communities in Central Oregon. At that time, several performances were held at the Methodist church where TBT held its services.  Eileen describes this as the first time her Jewish spiritual roots began to awaken. When TBT's former rabbi left in 2013, Rabbi Johanna asked Eileen if she would sing at a music celebration in his honor. One thing led to another and Eileen began singing at Shabbat and High Holy Day services.

Eileen, who sings opera in several languages, said it was a bit of a challenge to make the more guttural sounds of Hebrew come out smoothly as a song. She also had to learn over 50 songs. Eileen works from an English transliteration of Hebrew.  She is impressed with how Jewish music is really songs of prayer and an integral part of the liturgical experience. Eileen has come to see that the Jewish religion is really a connection of people, not defined by a building in which to pray.

In Eileen's words, "I am deeply moved by the commitment of the TBT congregation to music and the place of importance that music has in your services. If asked, I would answer that this is one of the main reasons this non-Jew sings and prays among you. I am very curious about this God of ours and I find the Jewish teachings rich in my experiences of the Divine, rich with the approach to mystery and rich in faith. Yet the teachings never forget that it is in serving and loving each other that we find meaning in life. The narrow beliefs that I  was brought up on have softened and expanded and are no longer held in what feels to me like wearing clothes that are too tight.  When I am with TBT, I feel like I am standing on a firm foundation to continue my spiritual exploration."
 
We can all agree that we are lucky to have such a talented and worldly singer as part of our congregation!


TBT Highlights
Purim Happy Hour

Monday, March 9
5:00 pm

Celebrate Purim at a no-host Happy Hour at Joolz, downtown Bend.  Adults only. RSVP to Kathy Schindel, schindelke@aol.com
   

Passover Seder
For TBT's Members & Their Invited Guests

Saturday April 11
5:00 pm
Join Temple Beth Tikvah for this year's 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. 
 
Rabbi Hershenson will be accompanied by Portland story teller and song leader, Kim Schneiderman in the telling of the Passover tale. Kim has spent the last 15 years singing, creating, and making music and connections with families and communities. She is the Music Specialist at Portland Jewish Academy and is also the Music Director and Service Leader for B'nai B'rith Summer Camp on the Oregon Coast.
 
The event is open to members and their invited guests. Doors open at 5:00 pm, and the Seder begins promptly at 5:45 pm. 
  
Through the generosity of our TBT board, this year we are excited to waive the Seder price for all of TBT's members' children through 12 years old! Members may invite immediate family as guests at member prices - please be sure to include them on your member reservation and your payment. Non-family guests of members pay the non-member rate.
 
The cost for TBT members and their invited family guests is $35 for adults, and no charge for children through age 12 for those who RSVP by Sunday, March 29th. 
 
Based on space limitations and the need to have reservations in on time, Member RSVPs received March 30 through April 4th will be charged a premium of $40/adult and $12/child 6-12. No reservations will be accepted after April 4th. 
 
Wine for the dinner table is available to purchase, or you are welcome to bring your own bottle for a $15 fee. Ceremonial wine will be served at the table.
   
For more information about the Seder and to make your reservation: https://bethtikvahbend.org/passover-seder/
 
Questions about reservations, contact Terry Hoogstede at  tahoogstede@bendcable.com  or 541-480-4781.
   

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Afternoon Philosotea

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.

March teachings will be an exploration of Jewish Relational Theology; Text will be Martin Buber's classic work, I and Thou.

March 5, 12, 19 and 26

 
Mostly Kosher at the Tower Theatre

Tower Theatre
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,  tlrsboard@yahoo.com

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

 
Board and Committee News
TBT Board Notes
Next Board Meeting:  March 3,  1:00 to  3:00 p.m. 
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 .
 
Passover's Coming April 11!
 
The Butcher, the Baker, the Haroset Maker  
 
The best part of any meal is dessert!! This is especially true when the desserts come from the kitchens of TBT's fabulous bakers. For the most delicious of Passover desserts, we are again asking our members to please bake for us. Please contact Anne Held at held.anne@gmail.com to let her know what you can bring. We need finger-food goodies, such as Passover macaroons, bars and cookies. 

Liz Levinson is coordinating the haroset makers. Please let her know if you'd like to make a batch at   plevinson856@aol.com .

Social Action Update
Havdallah with a Maven
Bob Pollack

Saturday March 21
7:00 pm

We will be having a get-together for those interested in participating with Habitat for  Humanity. 

Our congregation has volunteered to help build houses in Bend for the past two years.  Brenda Jackson is the volunteer coordinator for Habitat and will share information about the organization and what opportunities Habitat has to help families prepare for owning their own homes. 

Previous Temple Beth Tikvah volunteers have helped with a variety of construction and cleanup activities that have been very rewarding.  As a result of our congregation's volunteer efforts, we have contributed over $3,600 in volunteer work hours during the last two years.  We have had a work force of over 20 men and women from the congregation.  

Other volunteer opportunities are in assisting in the Habitat merchandise store; workers are needed inside the store to sell items.  

The March 21st get-together will be held at the home of Terry Reynolds.  More information will be posted in the TBT Weekly Happenings.  If you have questions, you may text Bob Pollack at (310) 622-5386. 
 
Oneg Report
Jan Freeman-Bauer

Thank you to the following  congregants who made generous monetary donations to support our future onegs: Randi Zlatkus, Rudy Gold, Vivian Freeman, Mel Siegel and MJ Krohn. 
 

April Newsletter Deadline:  March 25 

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
Taizé Service
Next Taizé:  Thursday, March 5

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 Sick.

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:
  • Randi and Zac Zlatkus in Memory of S. Irving Trachman and Sheri Trachman 
  • Vivian Freeman in Honor of her 80th Birthday
  • Vivian Freeman in Memory of Helen Cohen Malorius, Obie Malorius and Arthur Freeman
     
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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