October 14, 2026 | Cheshvan 3, 5787

Dear Friends,

Some weeks, a story in the news stays with me long after I’ve put down my phone. This week, it is the discussion of televising an execution. I keep thinking about the victims and their families, about our children, and about what our Jewish tradition asks of us in a moment like this.

The proposed livestream of the execution of the man convicted of murdering 13 people at Fort Hood raises painful questions. For the families whose loved ones were taken and the survivors whose lives were forever changed, this conversation is deeply personal. We cannot lose sight of them.

Let me be clear about where I stand: I am adamantly opposed to televising this execution.

Our tradition does not offer a simple answer about the death penalty. The Torah permits it. But the rabbis were deeply uneasy about the power to take a life. The Mishnah (rabbinic oral discourse) calls a court that executes once in seven years destructive. One rabbi says even once in seventy years. Rabbi Tarfon and Rabbi Akiva say that, had they served on the court, no one would ever have been executed. Another rabbi pushes back: Would that allow more murder?

That disagreement matters. Our tradition understands the responsibility to protect people. It also understands how much is at stake when we take a life.

Broadcasting an execution raises another question: What are we hoping people will experience by watching? What does it teach us - and our children - about accountability, dignity, and the value of life?

The Torah requires the burial of an executed person that same day, limiting how long the body may remain publicly displayed. It does not speak to a screen in our hands, but it gives us something to wrestle with. Even here, there are boundaries.

And then there is this teaching that stays with me: the Mishnah describes God as suffering even when the wicked are punished. Even then, there is sorrow.

I keep returning to that.

We can feel anger. We can demand accountability. We can carry deep concern for the victims and their families. Our tradition makes room for all of that, while asking us to pay attention to what happens within us, too.

May we bring that same care to this conversation. Human life deserves nothing less.

Jason Nevarez

Senior Rabbi

rabbinevarez@cbisd.org 

Friday, October 16

6:15 pm Erev Shabbat Services, Glickman-Galinson Sanctuary (YouTube)

8:30 pm Shira Chadasha Services, Foster Family Chapel  

Saturday, October 17

Torah Portion: Noach, Genesis 6:9–11:32. Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1–55:5 

9:00 am Torah Study; Leader: Rabbi Yael Ridberg, Feuerstein Family Activity Center (diverse access, join us here)  

10:00 am The congregation celebrates a B’nei Mitzvah Service, Glickman-Galinson Sanctuary (YouTube)  

10:30 am Shabbat Lay Led Services, Foster Family Chapel (YouTube)

4:00 pm The congregation celebrates a B’nei Mitzvah Service, Glickman-Galinson Sanctuary (YouTube) 

Shira Chadasha Erev Shabbat Services

Friday, October 16 @ 8:30 pm

Join us for Erev Shabbat Shira Chadasha Services (New Song) in the Foster Family Chapel. Replenish your soul with contemporary music and prayer in this intimate and informal service open to all and followed by an oneg. This service is in person only.

BIBS: Beth Israel Babies is back!

Wednesdays, October 21, 28; November 4, 18;

December 2, 9, 16 @ 9:15–10:00 am

BIBS is a warm, engaging participation class for babies and the adults who love them! Enjoy age-appropriate play, exploration, music, movement, and early Jewish experiences at Beth Israel’s Bill & Sid Rubin Preschool in the UTC area.

Register for one or multiple classes of your choice.

Men's Club Speaker's Forum & Dinner: Understanding the November Ballot Initiatives

Wednesday, October 21 @ 6:30 pm

Join Beth Israel member Jason Bercovitch, Senior Advisor to Rep. Scott Peters, for a nonpartisan presentation explaining what each ballot measure would do and who supports and opposes each proposal. Space is limited. RSVP today!

Keshet Kickoff

Friday, October 23 @ 7:30 pm

Shabbat Oneg following Erev Shabbat Services

Keshet returns with an all-new event to kick off the year! Come meet, connect, and be part of the Beth Israel LGBTQ+ community at this special addition to the oneg.

As we honor Queer Jewish History Month, this welcoming space invites congregants of all ages to learn, write, draw, and engage. No RSVP required.

Member Meet Up: JewJam

Saturday, October 24 @ 12:30 pm 

Do you enjoy making Jewish music? Join us for JewJam, a monthly gathering for the joy of playing, singing, learning, and also just listening to Jewish music.

Executive Director Search Information Session

Thursday, October 29 @ 6:00 pm

Join us for an Executive Director Search Information Session to hear from our Search Committee Co-Chairs and committee members about the search process, our progress, and next steps. Refreshments will be served.

The Building for the Future Campaign is enhancing our campus for generations to come. From restoring and improving our sacred spaces to creating a new progressive mikvah, these projects will strengthen our congregation and expand opportunities for Jewish life, learning, worship, and connection.

If you have not yet made your campaign commitment, we invite you to join us. Your support will help make these important improvements possible and ensure Beth Israel continues to be a welcoming home for our community for generations to come.

Adult Evening Book Club

Thursday, October 15

7:00 pm. RSVP here

Men’s Club Discussion Group

Monday, October 26 | 10:00 am

RSVP here

Member Meet Up: Knitting and Crocheting for Caring Community

Sunday, November 1 | 9:00 am RSVP here

Morning Mindfulness with Julie Potiker

Wednesdays | 10:00 am

RSVP here

Member Meet Up: Tuesday Afternoon Mahjong

Tuesdays | 1:00 pm-3:00 pm

RSVP here

Support the Men’s Club Annual Appeal

From Shabbat challah and community gatherings to volunteer projects, the Men’s Club helps bring Beth Israel together. Your voluntary contributions make this work possible, and gifts of any amount are warmly appreciated.

Anniversaries: Week of October 14 - October 20

Judith & Henry Krumholz on 59 years!

Nancy & Steven Deutsch on 47 years!

Laura & Phillip Ducoffe on 37 years!

Heather Taylor-Williams & John Williams on 34 years!

Susanna & Michael Flaster on 28 years!

Diane & David Weinstein on 28 years!

Jennifer & Richard Lutz on 25 years!

Rachelle & Adam Fischer on 22 years!

Beverly & Leonard Bernstein on 19 years!

Jessica Keith & Anthony Butler on 17 years!

Shawn & Adam Pappelbaum on 17 years!

Eveie & Matt Schwartz on 17 years!

Mariel Stasiuk & Justin Hersh on 3 years!

Julie Alper, Wendy Batterson, Sondra Berman, Robert L. Berman, Roni Breite, Denese Garrick, Wilfred Garrick, David Gilmore, Joey Gilckman, Lee Goldberg, Rachel Goldenhar, Dick Gordon, Tanya Jablon, Richard Katz, Renee Lande-O'Malley, Sandra Levinson, Julieta Velasco Medenilla, Leah Belloew McCune, Barry Pearlstein, Stacey Rael, Nanci Roth, Norman Rozansky, Galina Rubalchenko, Sarah Bat Batya u’ Moshe, Sarah Yocheved bat Channah, Sandy Shearer, Mimi Shuman, Rhonda Schwartz, Debbie Simmons, Heather Smith, Cathy Weil, Gail Zides.

Beethoven, Schubert & the Voice of the Viola–A Jewish Community Symphony Performance

Sunday, October 25, 2026 @ 3:00 pm

David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre

Lawrence Family JCC

Experience an afternoon of powerful orchestral music featuring Beethoven’s dramatic Fidelio Overture and Schubert’s beloved Unfinished Symphony. Viola soloist Gabriel Mayer (Beth Israel member) joins the Jewish Community Symphony for two beautiful works showcasing the rich, expressive voice of the viola: Telemann’s Concerto for Viola and Strings and Bruch’s Romance for Viola and Orchestra.