הקשר HaKesher
TBT's Newsletter: The Connection
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Come be a part of our growing Reform synagogue.
All are welcome!
Temple Beth Tikvah is pleased to welcome our newest member:
Mackendrick Nickerl
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Events and Activities
The following Events are held via Zoom unless otherwise noted:
April 9 – 5:00 pm - Pop Up Shabbat (in person)
April 11 - 4:00 pm - Shared Community Event -Commemoration of the Shoah, Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut- See Community Events
April 14 - 4:00 pm - Board Meeting
April 17 - 7:00 pm - Havdallah and a Movie
April 18 - 10:15 am - Adult Discussion Group
(formerly Tikun Olam)
April 25 - 10:15 am - Adult Discussion Group
April 30 Friday Night Shabbat Lights:
5:45 pm - Tot Shabbat
6:00 pm - Proneg (Oneg before the service)
6:20 pm - Erev Shabbat Service
6:45 pm - Meaningful Conversations
CHEVRUTA
"Jewish Mysticism"
Weekly on Sundays 9:00 am - 10:00 am - 4/4, 4/11, 4/18/4/25
HAMSA: "FIVE CONGREGATIONS" COURSES
The History of Israel, Mondays at 6:00 pm 4/12, 4/19, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17
ON THE HORIZON
May 22 - Bar Mitzvah of Micah Slate
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President's Message
Sheila Luber
Happy Passover! I hope you enjoyed your Seder and Rabbi Johanna’s uplifting, multi-generational Passover service. The playful service on Zoom was a charming, intimate and interactive experience for the many TBT members attending and quite a few new faces, including guests, joined the fun. Thank you to Jeanne Freeman, Passover chair, and her crew of marvelous mavens for creating delightful Mitzvah Madness gift bags.
By the time you read this, Jay and I are home in Bend from our month-long stay in Palm Springs. I have one message—get your vaccines. We were fully inoculated and thrilled to emerge from our cocoons. We enjoyed outdoor patio dining, brief masked adventures into a handful of stores, and lots of outdoor activities. We felt safe and liberated.
Vaccines, continued health safety practices, and warm temperatures are game-changers, bringing opportunities for TBT members to gather outdoors weather permitting. We hope to see you in person on April 9 for a Pop-Up Shabbat at Pilot Butte and July 9 for Shabbat-in-the-Park to welcome new members and celebrate each other with prayer, music and song. Masks, distancing and temperature checks are required, vaccinated or not.
In addition, be sure to register for the upcoming HAMSA series on modern Israeli history. HAMSA is five synagogues learning together. One of the rabbis is generously sponsoring this special course so it is free for us to enjoy. Check this newsletter and the weekly Happenings for information on how to register.
B'virkat Shalom,
Sheila
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Divrei Tikvah
From Rabbi Johanna Hershenson
As a rabbi, I am acutely aware of the fact that the very concerns that permeate the evening news and other media delivery mechanisms concern the individuals who make up Temple Beth Tikvah membership in a variety of ways.
Some of us engage with our congregation to escape the fear mongering and grievance triggering of commercial media. Some of us wonder what Judaism has to say about social issues. Some of us seek comfort. Some of us seek learning and practice. Some of us seek opportunities to manifest Jewish values in the world at large.
What should be the role of a synagogue, a self-selected and still diverse community of Jews, in the context of an unsettling and divisive moment in time?
I believe we have a responsibility to be a spiritual home for all our people. This means we share the onus of creating space for refuge and renewal for all congregants. We create space for continued learning and meaning as new information encourages us to ask new questions about what we thought we already knew.
Being both a place of safety and a place of learning requires that all of us practice moral courage. By moral courage, I mean that we should present ourselves in our gatherings with integrity. We should feel confident about what we believe individually, and curious about how others draw conclusions that may differ. We should remember that the discomfort of sharing space with ideas we do not accept not only passes as we talk together, it allows us to get to know one another better. We should be brave enough to know that because somebody thinks or speaks something with which we vehemently disagree, we still belong to the whole of the congregation and so do they.
There is enough room in our synagogue for all of us.
B'virkat Shalom
Rabbi's office hours are by appointment.
Click here to schedule a Zoom meeting.
Click here to schedule an in-person office meeting (115 NW Oregon Ave, Suite 26 - on second floor, stairs only)
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Jeanne Freeman
Every year the Passover committee amazes me. With only two meetings to plan everything, they have created seders in rooms filled by more than 120 chattering, joyful guests – with plagues, and presentations, and seder plates and so much more.
This year, when we couldn’t be together physically, they brought the same spirit to planning. The Mitzvah Madness Gift Bags, that have become the hallmark of our holidays in COVID times, were nothing short of amazing for me. Recipes for haroset along with the apples, walnuts and grape juice to get started. Plague puppets for the kids and craft fun for everyone. Matzoh ball mix, candy, and best of all – TBT’s bakers provided home-made macaroons for dessert!
Thank you to our committee members and helpers: Terry Hoogstede, Jan Freeman Bauer, Anne Held, Terry Reynolds, Marti Fields Johnson, Liz Levinson, Michelle Mahony, Rose Jackman, Sheila Luber, Lauralei Gerrity and Lynne Zuckerman. You’re rock stars!
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Board Member
Sheila Luber
President
This is the fifth in a series of bi-monthly spotlights on our board members. Eileen Katz
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When you chat with Sheila you hear the story of someone who is always open to new opportunities and professional challenges.
Sheila was born in Detroit, Michigan. Her family moved to Toledo, Ohio when she was a year old. She and her brother were raised Jewish culturally but religious practices were not a large part of her upbringing. In high school she joined BBYO and a Jewish sorority. She also wrote short stories, participated in speech competitions, and took tap and jazz.
Sheila went on to attend Ohio State University in Columbus Ohio. She majored in speech and hearing sciences and upon graduation was hired by a school system outside Atlanta.
By the end of the academic year, Sheila realized speech therapy was not the career for her. She was looking for more excitement. She and a friend from Toledo thought it would be a fine idea to up and move to New York City. As luck would have it, the friend’s sister and brother-in-law were strolling through their neighborhood when they stumbled across an apartment for rent. Sheila and her friend ended up sharing a tiny 4th floor walk-up apartment in a rent-controlled building for $218 a month in Manhattan!
Now she needed a job. Undaunted by a lack of experience, Sheila answered an ad for an assistant at a wholesale apparel company and was hired. She stayed in the industry for several years moving into showroom sales and writing promotional copy and scripts for fashion shows.
One summer, Sheila rented a weekend share in a house on the beach in the Hamptons. While playing beach volleyball one afternoon, Sheila collided with a young man at the net. The two began dating and that man became her husband Jay.
Jay was transferred to Boston, Sheila followed, and the two were married. Sheila found a job in advertising sales with a radio station. To convince prospective clients to advertise, she offered to help with their marketing in addition to writing the radio ads. The ploy was very successful and she had a lot of fun.
Tired of the cold winters in Boston, Sheila and Jay moved to Scottsdale where they settled in for 36 years and raised their children, Lexi and Josh. In just two weeks, Sheila had landed a job writing bid proposals for a utility consulting company, eventually making her way to director of marketing.
One day at the grocery, Sheila had a friendly exchange with a woman whose husband was VP of sales at a medical ultrasound company. His company was looking for a marketing manager. Eight months pregnant and not knowing anything about ultrasound, she applied and was hired. Sheila repositioned the company’s messaging from its focus on technology to humanizing ultrasound and how patients benefited. Her campaign garnered several awards from the American Marketing Association and she was later promoted to manager of worldwide marketing communications.
Her final move as an employee was to head corporate marketing at an enterprise software provider. When her oldest child entered middle school, Sheila started her own consultancy so she could control her own schedule while serving a wide range of companies.
Jay and Sheila finally grew tired of long hot summers and began exploring other places to live. They decided upon Bend where they built a house, made a home and found Temple Beth Tikvah.
Sheila’s volunteer efforts for TBT began when Jeanne Freeman invited her to join the website development group. Sheila wrote the site content, updated the logo, and assisted Jeanne with the design. Since then she has sat on many TBT committees and served on the board as vice president under Jeanne, co-president with Ann Rosenfield and now president during a pandemic.
Sheila says it’s been an honor for her to serve TBT and encourages all congregants to take their turn contributing to the congregation in any way they can. With her time as president drawing to a close, Sheila knows that new voices in leadership will continue to move TBT forward as a vibrant, innovative, member-centric Reform Jewish synagogue.
Retire? Not so fast. Her service to TBT is a mainstay in her life. But she can’t wait to spend more time with Jay and excitedly awaits her first grandchild.
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Pop Up Shabbat
Rabbi Johanna
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April 9, 5:00 pm
On this Shabbat between Holocaust Remembrance Day and Israel Independence Day, we trek up Pilot Butte together to look at the peaks and valleys of the Cascade Mountains and reflect on peaks and valleys in the Jewish experience.
Meet at the parking lot trailhead at 5 pm. Health safety measures will be in place. Please wear a mask
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Bar Mitzvah of Micah Slate
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Please join Sara Jo and Brad Slate in celebration of the
Bar Mitzvah
of their son
Micah
Saturday, May 22
10:00 am via Zoom
(zoom information will be provided at a later date)
All TBT Members are welcome
Drive -Thru Kiddush Boxed Luncheon to follow
12:45-1:45 First Presbyterian Church Driveway
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Hamsa Mini Course
The History of the State of Israel –
Zionism through 2021: The First 73 Years
How did we get here and what’s next?
Monday evenings, April 12 – May 17
6:00 - 7:15 pm
With Educator and Tour Guide Uri Feinberg
Zoom
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Temple Emanuel of Tempe is pleased to offer a short course on the history of Israel.
We begin our journey with the early days of Zionism. Beginning at the turn of the century, we’ll create a foundation of knowledge about the British mandate period. That will help us understand the founding of the State.
As we traverse that Mt. Sinai-esque moment in 1948, we will continue through the earlier and more recent decades of the State of Israel, engaging with the momentous occasions, the prideful peaks and precarious pitfalls.
As we conclude and look to the future, we will strengthen what we already know about Israel, add new insights and, regardless of our opinions about Israel, consider how this relates to us and why we should care.
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Chevruta: Jewish Mysticism
Lauralei Garrity
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Sundays at 9:00 - 10:00am
March 7 - April 25
Zoom
What is a Chevruta? Chevruta (pronounced chev-roo-ta) is a group of adults committed to lifelong Jewish learning together, where camaraderie and friendships are cultivated through discourse. A fitting name for TBT’s adult education group!
Since March 7 Rabbi Johanna Hershenson has been leading our exploration of Jewish mysticism. This course continues through April 25.
How do we get from unlocking the energy of the “perplexed” mind to Kabbalah?
Come, let's study together!
See the weekly Happenings for the Zoom information.
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TBT Board Notes
Next Board Meeting: April 14, 4:00 to 6:00 pm.
Due to COVID-19, all board meetings are being held via Zoom. If you would like to attend, contact Lauralei Garrity at lauralei.garrity@gmail.com.
If you would like to read minutes of previous board meetings, you can request a copy from Board Secretary, Terry Hoogstede tahoogstede@bendcable.com .
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Social Action - Reaching Out
Lynne Connelley
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Several TBT members have signed up to join me in helping to build the Habitat for Humanity cottage homes on Newport Avenue in the heart of Bend. It's not too late to join in.
A required one-hour orientation is held at the ReStore prior to beginning the work. During the orientation, volunteers will learn about Habitat's history and the breadth of its programs locally and throughout the world. Volunteer opportunities extend beyond home building. The ReStore also uses volunteers.
Affordable housing in Central Oregon is in crisis mode, so this is an opportunity to be part of the solution.
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Adult Education
Havdallah with a Movie
Lauralei Garrity
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Cooked: Survival by Zip Code
Saturday, April 17
7:00 - 8:30 pm
Zoom
Pop some popcorn and join Rabbi Johanna Hershenson over Zoom to watch a searing film called “Cooked: Survival by Zip Code,” examining the 1995 Chicago record-breaking heat wave that resulted in over 700 deaths, most of them black, elderly, and poor.
Filmmaker Judith Helfand and this film were brought to our attention by the recent Big Bold Jewish Climate Fest discussion of the connections between climate and the environment, societal inequality, and Jewish values. Stay tuned after the film for meaningful conversation about disaster preparedness, gentrification and climate change. We can discuss how we might want to get involved in these issues as a congregation.
See the weekly Happenings for the Zoom information.
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Education Report
Melissa Wikler
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We have been trucking along this year in our religious and Hebrew school classes. While the challenges of online education were present, nothing stopped our students from exploring Judaism while making the world a better place. Our students have been learning about life in Israel, Jewish traditions and holidays, exploring world religions, and participating in service learning projects to benefit our communities.
I am also very pleased to announce outdoor school sessions starting in April for all of our Sunday School students. The entire staff and I are excited to have the opportunity to connect in person once again and come together as a community!
It is truly an honor to be a part of this religious school community and I look forward to a future of working together and continuing to build this special community in person.
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Youth Group - Calling all Teens
(and their parents and grandparents)
Rabbi Johanna
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What a year you’ve been having...
Pandemic distancing, virtual and hybrid schooling, missed college visits, missed social gatherings like dances and parties....
If the pandemic weren’t disruptive enough, and you weren’t already concerned about climate change, many of you are engaging in conversations around issues like inclusion and diversity, justice and equity, identity and intersections of identity...
Would you like to get together (Zoom until we can meet in person) and create a space in which we can explore and discuss social concerns and how we might respond to them with confidence and curiosity?
Please share your (or your teen’s) contact details with me by sending me an email at johannahershenson@gmail.com or a text at 541-213-9880. After Passover, I’d like to reach out to our teens directly.
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May Newsletter Deadline: April 26th
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 26th 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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Shared Community Event
Shuvah T'kumah: Commemoration of the Shoah, Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut
Sunday, April 11
4:00 PM
Zoom
Congregation Shalom Bayit, in conjunction with Chabad of Central Oregon, Temple Beth Tikvah in Bend, and The Havurah, invites everyone to join together and observe jointly the Week of T’kumah (Revival).
The Zoom event will commemorate the Shoah (Holocaust), the recalling of heroism and grief during Israel’s wars (Yom HaZikaron), and the joy over the miracle of Jewish independence in the land of Israel (Yom Ha’atzmaut). Short documentaries, music, and prose readings will comprise the bulk of the event (75-90 min).
See the weekly Happenings for zoom information.
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Now Open!
Shimshon,
Israeli Street Food From The Creators Of Barrio
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When we shut our doors a year ago, we wondered how "five weeks of takeout" might affect our business and our team. A year later, we're still in a pandemic, but we've adapted, and we've survived.
In addition to our downtown restaurant and On Tap food truck, we added a second Barrio food truck at Midtown Yacht Club, and just this winter, we added Shimshon, an Israeli street food truck, also at Midtown Yacht Club, 1661 NE Fourth St., Bend. Shimshon is open Tuesday through Saturday.
Click here to learn more about Shimshon
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Temple Beth Tikvah gratefully acknowledges the following contributions:
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Lester & Diane Dober To Music Fund in Honor of Paul Levinson’s 90th Birthday
- Ben & Adrienne Phillips In Memory of Paul Phillips
- Susie Richman In Memory of Beatrice Richman
- Randi & Zac Zlatkus In Memory of S. Irving Trachman & Sheri Trachman
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
- Gary Reynolds Memorial Fund
- Youth Education Fund
- Music Fund
- TBT's Goodwill Fund
- Social Action/Tzedakah Fund
- or the Corrie Grudin Memorial Fund
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Temple Beth Tikvah
P.O Box 7472
Bend, OR 97708
541-388-8826
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Your secure online donation to
Temple Beth Tikvah
is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your generosity.
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Celebrations in April honor the following:
Birthdays:
- Victor Chudowsky April 3
- Evie Lerner April 3
- Toby Siegel-Lawrence April 3
- Ethan Kennelly April 7
- Lynne Connelley April 8
- Maisy Maidenberg April 9
- Joshua Berger April 14
- Roberta Spiro April 14
- Tully Ellsberg April 15
- Hallie Smith April 16
- Cathy Wynschenk 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
- Tiffany Lee Brown April 28
- Glenn Cantor April 28
- Mark Hershenson April 28
- Nathan Breslau April 29
- Sid Rafilson April 30
Anniversaries:
There are no Anniversaries in April
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President:
Sheila Luber
Past President:
Ann Rosenfield
Vice President
Kerrie Zurovsky
Secretary:
Terry Hoogstede
Treasurer:
Mark Schindel
Members-at-Large:
Lester Dober
Jillian Frankl
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Budget & Finance
Chuck Shattuck
Membership
Terry Reynolds
Program Oversight
Kathy Schindel
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Adult Learning
Mel Siegel
Bikur Cholim
Suzanne Schlosberg
Evie Lerner
Linda Brant
Calendar Keeper
Kathy Schindel
Chevra Kadisha
Ralph Uri
Communications & PR
Kathy Schindel
Sheila Luber
Music
Julie Geveshausen
Newsletter
Eileen Katz
Onegs
Jan Freeman-Bauer
Program Coordinator
Lauralei Garrity
Religious Education
Melissa Wikler
Social Action
TBD
Venue Logistics
Mark Schindel
Webmaster
Jeanne Freeman
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Your secure online donation to
Temple Beth Tikvah
is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your generosity.
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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.
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PO Box 7472
Bend, OR 97708
(541) 388-8826
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