Announcements - Beth El Synagogue Center

TEENS: Board Elections are 2:00 pm TOMORROW!

05/30/2020 09:34:12 PM

May30

May 30, 2020
8 Sivan 5780

Dear Teens:

We hope you are feeling healthy and taking care of yourselves. We love seeing you at all of our programs and can't wait to see you tomorrow too! Tomorrow is a very important day! We are electing a new Beth El USY Teen Leadership Board for the 2020-2021 school year! This board is there for YOU! They plan your programs, listen to your thoughts, include you in co-chairing the creation of programs, and so much more! We need you to join us to elect this board at 2:00 pm tomorrow!

Go to zoom.us/j/93201222000 , password: elections at 2:00 pm tomorrow!

Then, look out for an email about all of our June offerings - they are listed in short detail below but more details are on the way!

Friday, June 5 - Virtual Yoga
Friday, June 12 - Video Game Competition
Sunday, June 14 - Social Action Program
Thursday, June 18 - Netflix Party!
Friday, June 26 - Walk and Talk

If you have any questions, please be in touch: rgold@bethelnr.org.

In addition to the virtual youth & family programming listed in this email, you can go to bethelnr.org/livestream for up-to-date information and links to all of Beth El's virtual programming this month. We will also be adding in a few sichot to create a space to talk about life in today's world just for teens. The next one is Friday, May 22. Stay tuned for upcoming programming information too!

Please contact Bekkah with thoughts and ideas and we will try to create!

Again, check out bethelnr.org/livestream for details!

If we can be helpful at all, please don't hesitate to reach out.

We hope to 'see' you soon,

Bekkah Gold
Director of Youth and Family Engagement
rgold@bethelnr.org
914-235-2700, ext. 221

Stephanie Lederman
Youth & Family Coordinator
slederman@bethelnr.org
914-235-2700, ext. 247

Andrew Van Bochove
USY Advisor/Teen Educator
usy@bethelnr.org

As always, If you know of anyone who does not receive these emails, please let us know so we can add them to the list! If you are not yet in the Youth Community Facebook Group, click here and request to join. If you have programmatic ideas, let us know!

Questions? Contact Bekkah Gold, Director of Youth and Family Engagement at rgold@bethelnr.org or 914-235-2700, ext. 221 for more information.

Beth El Synagogue Center
1324 North Avenue
New Rochelle, NY 10804

Thursday, May 28: Community Update and Shabbat Announcements

05/28/2020 05:42:59 PM

May28

Thursday, May 28, 2020 — 5 Sivan 5780

Dear Beth El Family,

We hope that you and your families are managing as well as possible as we begin to ease into the next phase of this pandemic, which will include the reopening of our community in slow and calculated ways. We look forward to opportunities to see one another safely, face to face, even if we are wearing masks!

As we acknowledged last week, the governor announced that socially distant gatherings of 10 persons or fewer for religious services are now allowed. We recognize how central prayer and reconnecting in shared space is to our spiritual and emotional wellbeing. We are preparing to avail ourselves of this opportunity with caution, preparation, and thoughtfulness.

Click here to continue reading.

TONIGHT - Thursday, May 28th at 6:30 PM
Though we can't join together in-person as we remember our relatives and friends, we will offer a modified Yizkor service. Please join the Beth El clergy as we recite traditional Yizkor prayers, a communal El Malei for all of our loved ones who we wish to remember, and then conclude with a memorial prayer in place of Kaddish when there is no minyan. We hope you’ll join us whether you need to say Yizkor or even if you just feel the need to be in community during this difficult time and would like a way to honor those who have died from Coronavirus.
Head to our Livestream Page at www.bethelnr.org/livestream for the link.

**Please note: there will be no Kabbalat Shabbat this week due to Shavuot!**

Dear Beth El Family,

I am drawn to a story of how Rabbi Akiva, one of the greatest Torah scholars of all time, began learning Torah. The story can set a kavannah, intention, for each of us as we enter Shavuot; a Shavuot that, like many other rituals and celebrations over the past few months, is going to look different than the all night cheesecake and learning we are used to enjoying in years past.

We are taught that rabbi Akiva did not start learning Torah until he was forty years old. The midrash tells us that one day he was standing at the mouth of a well and asked “who carved this stone?” The people around him replied “the water that consistently falls on it every day! Did you not know that the book of Job tells us that ‘Water wears away stone’ (Job 14:15)?”

At that moment, Rabbi Akiva realized that if water, which is soft, has the power to sculpt the hard stone --then words of Torah, which are hard as iron, have the ability to shape his heart and mind which are soft flesh and blood. He immediately joined his son and sat among the grade-school children starting at the very beginning. We are taught that he started with each letter of the Hebrew alphabet and kept on learning until he had learned the entire Torah (Avot D’Rabbi Natan 6:2).

Learning Torah can be intimidating, especially when we find ourselves at home without a Rabbi Schuck, Rabbi Sitkin, or Rabbi Fisher to guide us. Rabbi Akiva notes this intimidation when referring to the words of Torah as “hard as iron”. However, rather than let that intimidation stop him, Rabbi Akiva learned a lesson from the water and the rock. He jumps right in -- unassuming, unashamed to learn alongside the children, and eager to embrace the challenge with humility. He allows the letters, then the words, and ultimately the phrases of Torah to sculpt his heart. Placing his ego aside, he approaches the task slowly and with patience, love, and passion.

It is not a coincidence that in this story, Torah is likened to water. The sages will often use water as a metaphor for Torah and in a breathtaking midrash from Shir Hashirim Raba we are taught how Torah and water are similar. In one example the rabbis teach, “When an adult is thirsty, she is not ashamed to say to a child, ‘Let me have a drink of water.’ So too in studying Torah an unlearned adult should not be ashamed to say to a child ‘Teach me a chapter, teach me a verse, teach me a word teach me a single letter…’”

As we enter the holiday, I want to encourage each of us to take this unique experience of celebrating Shavuot in our homes as an opportunity to connect with Torah in new ways. What Rabbi Akiva and the sages remind us is that it is never too late to start or continue learning and that we must learn from everyone. This lesson applies to approaching Torah and also acts as a more universal lesson on how to approach life. Too often we become our own barriers to the potential that lies within us. It is never too late to challenge our hearts and minds. May we all feel the courage and humility - like Rabbi Akiva! - to allow ourselves to be shaped by both the hard and soft things in our lives and to receive Torah tonight and everyday openly, vulnerably, and lovingly.

Chag Sameach!
Rabbinic Fellow Becca Weintraub

Thursday, May 28, 2020 | 5 Sivan 5780
Omer Day 49 | Erev Shavuot
5:45pm Mishna Yomit, click here
6:30pm Yizkor via Zoom, click here (Password: bethel)
8:00pm Candlelighting

Friday, May 29, 2020 | 6 Sivan 5780
Shavuot Day 1
8:01pm Candlelighting

Saturday, May 30, 2020 | 7 Sivan 5780
Shavuot Day 2
Parsha Shavuot
Deuteronomy 14:22-16:17 pp. 1074-1084
Numbers 28:26-28:31
Habakkuk 3:1–3:19 pp. 1325-1328
9:02pm Havdalah
9:15pm Virtual Havdalah via zoom, click here.

"Who is honored? One who honors others." Pirkei Avot 4:1

This teaching from Pirkei Avot reminds us that our tradition has an ethic of honoring our loved ones. One way we do this is through teaching and studying Torah in their honor or in their memory. If you would like to celebrate someone marking a simcha or elevate the name and memory of a loved one, consider honoring them with your Beth El community by dedicating the weekly sermon in their name (sent out by email in the weekly Shabbat Announcements). For more information on how you can honor or memorialize a loved one in this way, visit www.bethelnr.org/sponsor.

Yesterday, we sent out an important announcement regarding our 66th Annual Gala. Click here to read the full announcement.

Over the next few weeks, we will be putting together a video tribute honoring our amazing honorees: Sandra & Jack Gruenberg, Jayne & Darren Peister, and Julia Keltz & Zach Seiden. The video will be posted on our website - stay tuned for an announcement of the release date and more details!

Clarification: We have received some questions regarding how the donations to Hope Community Food Pantry will work. Beth El will be making a donation to Hope in honor of our honorees. Your ad, already made reservations, donations and raffle ticket purchases are greatly appreciated and will help make this moment special for our honorees and our community. To donate, please click here.

THE DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO THIS SUNDAY, MAY 31ST AT 5PM!

We're asking our Beth El community to submit videos (no longer than 30 seconds!) showing us what they love most about Israel. This could be a selfie-video explaining what Israel means to you, a showcase of your favorite Israeli food, or a video chock-full of special effects!

If you already submitted a one-word video for our Yom Ha'atzmaut Tribute, expand on your answer for this project! Think outside the box because we will be awarding prizes for the following categories: Most Creative, Best Comedic Performance, Most Informative, and Viewer's Choice. Winners will be announced at our virtual Awards Ceremony on June 7th at 7pm - stay tuned for more details!

Submit your video before 5/31 at 5PM: www.bethelnr.org/videocontest!

Click here to view a collection of songs from Cantor Uri Aqua, Cantor Gabriela Schvartz, and Music Director Jack Klebanow.

Mazal tov to Leonora Loewentheil on the birth of her great grandson, Myles Greyson Price. Mazal tov also to parents, Jana and Ray Price and grandparents, Peter and Barbara Murray.

Condolences to our member, Larry (Erica) Epstein on the passing of his father Leonard Epstein z”l.

Condolences to our member, Merrick (Eva) Platzner the passing of his mother Marilyn Platzner z"l.

Those marking a simcha, observing the loss of a loved one, or who is sick or recovering from an illness have delighted/comforted that their lifecycle event has inspired generosity. If you would like to make a donation to Beth El in honor or in memory, please click here.

Dear Kehillah Service-Aged Families (1st-6th graders),

WIN A TRIP TO MIKEY DUBBS WITH RABBIS SCHUCK AND SITKIN!

Each week we will send trivia questions on that week’s parasha. Whoever answers the most questions correctly by the time we reconvene at Beth El will win. The only rule: you have to look up the answer by reading from a chumash. No Googling! Good luck!

Email your answers to Rabbi Sitkin: zsitkin@bethelnr.org

Parashat Shavuot Trivia Questions:
1) Shavuot celebrates the giving of what at Mount Sinai?
2) What kinds of food do we typically eat on Shavuot?
3) Why?
4) In the beginning of parashat Naso, what tribe is counted?
5) What was their main responsibility?

Rabbi Schuck will teach a Mishnah class twice a week, on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 9:15-10am, beginning on June 2nd. The class will study Masechet Makkot and all material will be shared via Zoom so there is no need to purchase any books. This is not a drop in class. We ask that you make a commitment to consistent attendance in the class. Minimum attendance of ten people is required for the class to take place. Please RSVP to Zoe Raynes if you would like to take this class: zraynes@bethelnr.org.

***Please note that neither the morning nor evening Minyan sessions will take place on Shabbat or holidays***

We have always prided ourselves at Beth El on having three daily minyanim 365 days a year. While we currently offer the opportunity to study Mishnah twice a day in lieu of saying Kaddish, as our time apart continues to stretch onward, we know that many people may feel the absence of our daily minyan more acutely now more than ever. With that in mind, we are now offering a traditional daily minyan for anyone looking to start their day with communal prayer.

The minyan will go from 8-8:30 am and will be community-led, with those who feel comfortable each taking a turn to recite a few of the psalms and other morning blessings aloud. While we will still omit any liturgy that requires a minyan (Barchu, Kaddish, repetition of the Amidah), we will include all other parts of the morning minyan liturgy. The daily link is on our Livestream Page.

In addition to our daily morning minyan, we will now offer an evening minyan on Mondays at 7:15 pm. The minyan will take place immediately after our evening Mishnah Yomit, on the same Zoom link. For access to our evening minyan, please go to https://zoom.us/j/397662785

***Please note that neither the morning nor evening Mishnah Yomit sessions will take place on Shabbat or holidays***

We have created an alternative for those among us saying kaddish. There is a custom during the 12 months of mourning, or on a yahrzeit, to learn Mishnah in the memory of the deceased. The letters of the word Mishnah (mem-shin-nun-heh) when rearranged spell the word neshamah (nun-shin-mem-heh), soul. Therefore, we learn Mishnah to elevate the souls of those we wish to remember. Over the next few weeks, we will offer the opportunity for a twice-daily, 10-minute Mishnah study with Rabbis Schuck and Sitkin (and perhaps even some surprise guest teachers!). We will then have an opportunity to share the names of our loved ones aloud and recite a communal prayer together in their memory.

For our 9 am morning Mishnah Yomit, please click here

For our 7 pm evening Mishnah Yomit, please click here
Friday evening Mishnah Yomit will be at 5:45 pm followed by
Kabbalat Shabbat at 6 pm - https://zoom.us/j/327306129

View our current schedule and get all access links at bethelnr.org/livestream.

Links for virtual events will be updated there on an ongoing basis (at minimum, 15-minutes before the program). To access an event online, click the event link. To call-in, dial +1-929-436-2866. Use the digits at the end of the URL for your meeting ID.

Thursday, May 28, 6:30 PM: Yizkor Service - Though we can't join together in-person as we remember our relatives and friends, we will offer a modified Yizkor service. Please join the Beth El clergy as we recite traditional Yizkor prayers, a communal El Malei for all of our loved ones who we wish to remember, and then conclude with a memorial prayer in place of Kaddish when there is no minyan. We hope you’ll join us whether you need to say Yizkor or even if you just feel the need to be in community during this difficult time and would like a way to honor those who have died from Coronavirus.

Saturday, May 30, 9:15 PM: Virtual Havdalah - Join us via Zoom for our weekly virtual Havdalah service.

Sunday, May 31, 9 AM: Contemplative Service with Rabbinic Fellow Becca Weintraub - Join us for spiritual, relational, and soulful prayer over zoom

Sunday, May 31, 10 AM: Family Kehillah: For all youth and families! - Start your Sunday singing with Jack Klebanow & Cantor Schvartz and schmoozing with friends!

Sunday, May 31, 10:30 AM: Virtual Daf Shevui - Join us via Zoom Sundays at 10:30 AM

Sunday, May 31, 3 PM: USY Teen Leadership Board Elections - Help us elect a new USY Board for Beth El! Election is open to all teens, 8th-12th Grade.

Sunday, May 31, 8 PM: Kavannah Service: Mindfulness and Contemplation with Rabbi David Schuck

Monday, June 1, 11 AM: SMART Zoom with Shari Baum - Our Senior Mature Adults Retired Together group joins Shari Baum. (Mondays and Fridays)

Monday, June 1, 7:30 PM: Stories of Resilience in the Tanakh with Bex Rosenblatt - Part one of a three part course! RSVP at www.bethelnr.org/tanakh

Tuesday, June 2, 12 PM: Lunch and Learn - Join us for a Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Zach Sitkin

Tuesday, June 2, 4 PM: Cooking Chug: Lemonade & Sugar Cookies - Join the Beth El Youth Community for a fun (and delicious) way to get creative and learn some Hebrew. Head to www.bethelnr.org/CookingChug for more details.

Wednesday, June 3, 12:30 PM: Fireside Chat with Julie Rockowitz & Cantor Aqua - Pull up a chair, bring your favorite mug of coffee/tea, a can of soda and snacks, or even your knitting needles! Spend time chatting and socializing with our staff and members of our Beth El community.

Wednesday, June 3, 7:30 PM: College-Age Zoom Reunion - See old friends, honor graduates, catch up!

Thursday, June 4, 1:30 PM: Parshat Hashuvah - Join Jack Gruenberg for a weekly Parashat HaShavuah class.

Thursday, June 4, 4 PM: 4 PM: Youth Thursdays: Mood Board Making & Trivia! - Join Youth Advisor Kayla Sullivan for fun activities for all kids, grades K-7! Click here for details.

Thursday, June 4, 7:30 PM: WJC Julian Y. Bernstein Awards Ceremony - Celebrate outstanding local volunteers! Join us virtually for the 25th Annual Julian Y. Bernstein Distinguished Service Awards, honoring Beth El's very own: Nina Luban, Donald Fleishaker, and Maria Kessler! Please register in advance for this webinar here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Friday, June 5, 11 AM: SMART Zoom with Shari Baum - Our Senior Mature Adults Retired Together group joins Shari Baum. (Mondays and Fridays)

Friday, June 5, 3 PM: Teen Lounge - open to all teens! Join us for a fun teen hang out!

Friday, June 5, 5:30 PM: Family Kabbalat Shabbat Program - Join us before our community Kabbalat Shabbat for a program geared towards youth and families!

Friday, June 5, 6:00 PM: Kabbalat Shabbat - Join Beth El's clergy for singing and words of Torah. Hopefully, it will uplift us and give us an anchor as we head into Shabbat. For all Beth El families!

Saturday, June 6, 9:15 PM Virtual Havdalah - Join us via Zoom for our weekly virtual Havdalah service.

Please follow us: Facebook.com/bethelsynagoguecenter and spread the word about news, events, and information by “liking” or “sharing!”

View our current schedule and get all access links at bethelnr.org/livestream.

Parent Support Group - For parents of children 5-18 who have any sort of special need--be it a learning issue, a physical or intellectual disability, mental illness, long-term medical issues, etc. At the current time, we recognize that there are parents who may not have previously categorized their child(ren) in this way, but who may now need additional support as well; you are also welcome! The immediate focus of the group will be on supporting our children through the current crisis; moving forward, we will focus more specifically on parenting children with different needs in the context of the Jewish Community. The group will be led by WJCS social worker, Brenda Haas. This group will be limited to ten participants, who will be added to the group in order of response. If you have questions, please reach out to Shayna Klopott or Brenda Haas. Sign up >

For anyone looking for more coping resources in these challenging times, the Institute for Jewish Spirituality is offering a free daily meditation (12:30 pm). You can access their meditation here.
You can also dial in by phone by calling:
+1 646-876-9923 or +1 669-900-6833
and entering our meeting code: 880 292 556
For international call-in numbers, click here.

We also have a list of Mental Health Resources and COVID-19 Resources available on our website.

VIRTUAL ZUMBA CLASSES Mila Levine is launching virtual Zumba classes, on Sundays, at 11:30am. Classes are currently free of charge. Join Zoom meeting at: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/6668895719?pwd=QW1YMzdBV0IrZHVpMDZnOWoyMG9tQT09. Meeting ID: 666 889 5719. Password: MilaFit

HOPE KITCHEN IN NEW ROCHELLE NEEDS DONATIONS The Hope Soup Kitchen is running out of food! The National Guard is there to help distribute food but they don't have enough to distribute and the lines are blocks long with young families. You can donate goods directly to them or take items to Sts. John and Paul in Larchmont. They are collecting donations this Sunday from 9 to 11AM. Drop-In Donations - Donations of non-perishable food may be dropped off at our facility with our appreciation at: 50 Washington Avenue, New Rochelle, NY. Please call first: (914) 636-4010 or email info@hope-cs.org.

SPANISH CHAT If you want to develop your Spanish language skills, come and join Cantor Gaby Schvartz to practice Spanish and learn more! If you are interested, please email Gaby Schvartz at gschvartz@bethelnr.org.

THEMED ZOOMS - Themed Zooms are a variation on Beth El’s Themed Shabbat Dinners... only without the dinner and not on Shabbat! A Themed Zoom is a small group (3-8) utilizing Zoom to chat about sports or movies, cooking or kids, history or Broadway - just about any topic. Have a topic of interest you’d like to discuss with others? Email your name, topic, and preferred meeting day/time to Abby at awise@bethelnr.org. More information at www.bethelnr.org/themedzooms

SHABBAT DINNERS FROM PRIDE CATERERS
Pride Caterers, Beth El's exclusive caterer, is now delivering Shabbat dinners for our members. Click here to see their menu - updated weekly! All orders must be placed by 10am on Wednesday for Friday delivery.

KOSHER FOOD DELIVERY If you are interested in ordering kosher food options, Tamar Weinberg, a member of Young Israel of New Rochelle, has been arranging delivery to New Rochelle and wants to open this up to all Beth El members. Click here to join the group via WhatsApp. Please note that you will need to install WhatsApp on your phone or computer to join this group.

Volunteer Opportunity - HOPE Community Services We have been invited to make washable and reusable masks for the health and wellbeing of HOPE’s clients. This can be done while staying home and would make a big difference in the lives of their clients. There are sewing and no-sew versions of masks that you can make by googling on-line instructions (using old t-shirts, sheets or pillowcases). HOPE volunteers will pick these masks up from your front yard or porch. To arrange this or ask any questions that you may have, please email volunteer@hope-cs.org.

MAKING MASKS Do you have a sewing machine? If so, why not join our sewing team which is making masks for Hope Community Services, My Sister’s Place, Feeding Westchester and some local pharmacies. We’ll supply the materials. Contact Joyce Wechsler at: joywechsler@gmail.com.

Would you like to see your event featured in the Shabbat Announcements? To have your announcement included in the Shabbat Announcement email please paste it into this Google Document. All submissions must be in by Thursday at noon to make it into the week's announcements. For more information about this transition, please visit bethelnr.org/marketing.

Beth El's Israel Affairs Committee would like to share interesting and exciting news regarding the week's developments in business, culture, technology, agriculture, sports, and the environment in Israel.

Israel to restart commercial flights in mid-July, says airport chief

In Shadow of Pandemic, Israel Opens Tourist Season - For Locals

MISHEBERACH LIST Any name added to the Misheberach list will be automatically removed after one month. If someone needs it to remain for another month they must reach out again to one of the clergy.

NEW TORAH READING RESOURCES We are happy to announce that the 2020 Torah and Haftarah sign up sheet is now available. Please visit www.bethelnr.org/torahsignup and click on the 2020 tab at the top of the page to sign up. Photos of the entire Torah scroll that we use each week are now available online! The photos will allow you to practice from the actual Torah that we use on Shabbat.
Visit www.bethelnr.org/torahimages to access this new resource. Links to both the sign up sheet and the Torah images can also be found on the Beth El homepage. If you have any questions, please contact Cantor Aqua (uaqua@bethelnr.org) or Alan Kellman (alan@twoals.com).

HAFTARAH READERS WANTED An initiative is underway to encourage broader participation in Haftarah reading during Shabbat services. All interested can sign up online at www.bethelnr.org/torahsignup and contact Cantor Aqua (uaqua@bethelnr.org) or Steven Cohen (scohen@kanekessler.com) with any questions or requests for assistance. Friendly support is available to those hesitant to read Haftarah because of their Hebrew or trope skills.

NURSERY REGISTRATION 2020-2021 Please view our rates and register your interest at bethelnr.org/nurseryform.

An archive of all of our "El" newsletter and Shabbat Announcements can be found at bethelnr.org/announcements.

Click here for our full calendar of programs.

Beth El Synagogue Center
1324 North Avenue
New Rochelle, NY 10804

Don't Miss Jeopardy for our Youth at 4:00 pm Today!

05/28/2020 02:36:31 PM

May28

Join us!!!

The Department of Youth & Family Engagement has some great programs coming your way this week and hope to see you!

Today at 4:00 pm, our Youth Advisor Kayla Sullivan is hosting a virtual Jeopardy game for any children interested! Join her by going to: https://zoom.us/j/92229970778. More details below!

Have questions or ideas? Reach out to Bekkah Gold at any time: rgold@bethelnr.org.

Chag Shavuot Sameach, everyone!

Thursday, May 28
4:00 pm

Join Youth Advisor Kayla Sullivan on Thursday at 4:00 pm for Virtual Jeopardy!

Open to All in Grades K-7

Click here to see all of the fun Thursday programming happening in June: bethelnr.org/ycthursdays.

And join us by going to https://zoom.us/j/92229970778.

Questions? Contact Kayla: youth@bethelnr.org.

Sunday, May 31
10:00 am

Join Jack Klebanow, Cantor Gaby Schvartz, and Bekkah Gold for a fun Kehillah (community) experience!

Open to All in Grades K-7 & their families.

Join us by going to https://zoom.us/s/93905163835.

Questions? Contact Bekkah: rgold@bethelnr.org.

Even though we can't be together physically during this time, we are working hard to develop ways for our community to be involved virtually.

We're putting together a series of Zoom tips, tricks, & tutorials to help you get the most out of our virtual programming. View these at bethelnr.org/zoom101.

Westchester Jewish Council Calendar
Synagogues throughout Westchester (and throughout the country) are creating and streaming online content and programs. The Westchester Jewish Council is compiling all of the virtual opportunities on their calendar so that you can take advantage of the rich learning and programming being offered throughout the county.

Volunteer Opportunity - HOPE Community Services We have been invited to make washable and reusable masks for the health and wellbeing of HOPE’s clients. This can be done while staying home and would make a big difference in the lives of their clients. There are sewing and no-sew versions of masks that you can make by googling online instructions (using old t-shirts, sheets or pillowcases). HOPE volunteers will pick these masks up from your front yard or porch. To arrange this or ask any questions that you may have, please email volunteer@hope-cs.org.

You can also join our Facebook group for Beth El members to interact with fellow congregants directly. Click here to join.

Beth El’s Social Worker
Shari Baum, (914) 761-0600, ext. 2145, sbaum@wjcs.com

Beth El’s Emergency Line
(914) 235-2700, dial *
A member of the senior team will contact you within 30 minutes.

Beth El Cares Hotline & Email
(914) 235-2700, dial 9 | bethelcares@bethelnr.org
A hotline and email for needs that arise which are specific to the public health crisis. Someone from our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Want to Volunteer?
Email bethelcares@bethelnr.org, write VOLUNTEER and your full name in the subject line. You will be added to our volunteer database.

A mental health hotline is available to New Yorkers who need it.
We can't underestimate the impact this pandemic is having on mental health. Over 6,000 mental health professionals have volunteered their time to help with New York's Coronavirus response. For free emotional support, consultation and referral to a provider, call 1-844-863-9314.

Our Mental Health Initiative Committee has put together a list of general Mental Health Resources for you to use - click here.

Rabbi Schuck is leading a support group for Beth El members who are health care professionals currently working in any capacity in which they feel the added stress and burden of the current situation. The group meets on Sundays from 7:00pm-8:00pm on Zoom. This group is limited to 10 people and is currrently full. If you are interested in joining a second group, please email zraynes@bethelnr.org.

Grief Support - In these uncertain times of physical distancing grievers are feeling more alone and isolated than ever. Human connection and support are crucial to those who are grieving. WJCS is here to support you. If you would like to speak with a social worker privately this can be done via telephone or zoom. WJCS will also be taking registrations for a virtual support group. For more information and to schedule an appointment, please contact Gillian Rittmaster, LCSW, 914-761-0600, ext. 2142, grittmaster@wjcs.com.

Important Announcement Regarding Our 66th Annual Gala

05/27/2020 05:42:45 PM

May27

We were all so disappointed not to be able to hold what would have been
Beth El’s 66th Annual Gala in March.
Since then, we have been trying to find an appropriate and meaningful way, given the current circumstances, not only to honor our amazing honorees:

Sandra & Jack Gruenberg
Jayne & Darren Peister
Julia Keltz & Zach Seiden

but also to maintain our fundraising efforts in this financially difficult time, since Beth El’s Gala is one of our biggest sources of revenue.

After much brainstorming and discussion with our honorees and event chairs, we decided that the best way to celebrate our honorees is with a combination of:

Making a contribution in their honor to Hope Community Food Pantry (which is currently experiencing a significant shortage in food);

Posting a video tribute on our website for viewing at your convenience; and

Bringing a little piece of the Gala directly to your doorstep (stay tuned for more details!).

We also want to remind you how much your donations mean to us, especially at a time when Beth El is facing an enormous financial challenge due to the current pandemic. Without the funds raised from our Gala, we would not be able to offer the amazing programs, activities, and events that nourish and engage our community throughout the year. All contributions of any kind to this year’s Gala are 100% tax deductible. If you have not already done so, please consider placing an ad at www.bethelnr.org/gala2020. New ads will join the many already on display at our Gala website and will remain in place for a year.

Now, more than ever, Beth El needs your support!

Youth Programming This Week Beginning at 4:00 pm TODAY!

05/26/2020 03:11:25 PM

May26

Join us!!!

The Department of Youth & Family Engagement has some great programs coming your way this week and hope to see you! Scroll down for details about Cooking Chug, Youth Thursdays, Kehillah on Sundays, and more!

(A separate email will go out specifically for middle school and high school later in the week.)

Have questions or ideas? Reach out to Bekkah Gold at any time: rgold@bethelnr.org.

Tuesday, May 26
(today!)
4:00 pm

Join Stephanie Lederman and your Beth El friends at 4:00 pm to make cheesecake in honor of Shavuot! All are welcome!

Click here for ingredient lists (bethelnr.org/cookingchug)

Don't forget to join by going to zoom.us/j/9820518433.

Questions? Contact Stephanie: slederman@bethelnr.org.

Thursday, May 28
4:00 pm

Join Youth Advisor Kayla Sullivan on Thursday at 4:00 pm for Virtual Jeopardy!

Open to All in Grades K-7

Click here to see all of the fun Thursday programming happening in June: bethelnr.org/ycthursdays.

And join us by going to https://zoom.us/j/92229970778.

Questions? Contact Kayla: youth@bethelnr.org.

Even though we can't be together physically during this time, we are working hard to develop ways for our community to be involved virtually.

We're putting together a series of Zoom tips, tricks, & tutorials to help you get the most out of our virtual programming. View these at bethelnr.org/zoom101.

Westchester Jewish Council Calendar
Synagogues throughout Westchester (and throughout the country) are creating and streaming online content and programs. The Westchester Jewish Council is compiling all of the virtual opportunities on their calendar so that you can take advantage of the rich learning and programming being offered throughout the county.

Volunteer Opportunity - HOPE Community Services We have been invited to make washable and reusable masks for the health and wellbeing of HOPE’s clients. This can be done while staying home and would make a big difference in the lives of their clients. There are sewing and no-sew versions of masks that you can make by googling online instructions (using old t-shirts, sheets or pillowcases). HOPE volunteers will pick these masks up from your front yard or porch. To arrange this or ask any questions that you may have, please email volunteer@hope-cs.org.

You can also join our Facebook group for Beth El members to interact with fellow congregants directly. Click here to join.

Beth El’s Social Worker
Shari Baum, (914) 761-0600, ext. 2145, sbaum@wjcs.com

Beth El’s Emergency Line
(914) 235-2700, dial *
A member of the senior team will contact you within 30 minutes.

Beth El Cares Hotline & Email
(914) 235-2700, dial 9 | bethelcares@bethelnr.org
A hotline and email for needs that arise which are specific to the public health crisis. Someone from our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Want to Volunteer?
Email bethelcares@bethelnr.org, write VOLUNTEER and your full name in the subject line. You will be added to our volunteer database.

A mental health hotline is available to New Yorkers who need it.
We can't underestimate the impact this pandemic is having on mental health. Over 6,000 mental health professionals have volunteered their time to help with New York's Coronavirus response. For free emotional support, consultation and referral to a provider, call 1-844-863-9314.

Our Mental Health Initiative Committee has put together a list of general Mental Health Resources for you to use - click here.

Rabbi Schuck is leading a support group for Beth El members who are health care professionals currently working in any capacity in which they feel the added stress and burden of the current situation. The group meets on Sundays from 7:00pm-8:00pm on Zoom. This group is limited to 10 people and is currrently full. If you are interested in joining a second group, please email zraynes@bethelnr.org.

Grief Support - In these uncertain times of physical distancing grievers are feeling more alone and isolated than ever. Human connection and support are crucial to those who are grieving. WJCS is here to support you. If you would like to speak with a social worker privately this can be done via telephone or zoom. WJCS will also be taking registrations for a virtual support group. For more information and to schedule an appointment, please contact Gillian Rittmaster, LCSW, 914-761-0600, ext. 2142, grittmaster@wjcs.com.

Beth El College-Age Alumni Reunion!

05/26/2020 12:33:54 PM

May26

May 26, 2020
3 Sivan 5780

Dear College-Age Alumni:

We miss you and we hope you are doing well in this unprecedented time. Typically as summer approaches, we gather together for an alumni barbecue, which we so wish we could do! Unfortunately, that is not possible at this time, but we still want to see you!

Join us on Wednesday, June 3 at 7:30 pm for a Zoom Reunion!
Click here to access the Zoom call, or go to bethelnr.org/livestream that day.
The Meeting ID is 917 4240 7894, password: alumni.

We will catch up, play some games, and celebrate our graduates too!

Plus, looking summer for job opportunities, particularly working with children? Contact Bekkah if you are interested in this line of work for the summer. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out: rgold@bethelnr.org or 914-584-7005.

We are here for you and we hope to see more of you as the summer goes on!

B'ahava,

Bekkah Gold & the Beth El Team

Ride The (Virtual) El

05/26/2020 11:01:50 AM

May26

Head to www.bethelnr.org/livestream for the links for all of our events!

Tuesday, May 26, 12 PM
Join Rabbi Zach Sitkin for a virtual lunchtime conversation and teaching this Tuesday at 12 PM.

Tuesday, May 26, 4 PM
Cheesecake! Join the Beth El Youth Community for a fun way to learn some Hebrew. Click here for details!

Tuesday, May 26, 8 PM
Join us for our Shavuot Week of Learning Kick-Off Shiur with Rabbi David Schuck!

Wednesday, May 27, 12:30 PM
Join Jack Klebanow and Cantor Schvartz for a fireside chat to socialize & virtually spend time with each other.

Wednesday, May 27, 8 PM
Join Rabbi Sitkin for "Clothing Ourselves in Torah: Musings of the Meor Einayim."

Thursday, May 28, 12 PM
Join Rabbi Fisher for "What Happened At Sinai? Interpretations of Revelation through Poetry."

Thursday, May 28, 2 PM
Join Jack Klebanow for "Spirit of Shavuot: Songs and Tales of the Desert, Harvest, and Torah"

Thursday, May 28, 4 PM
Youth Jeopardy! Join Youth Advisor Kayla Sullivan for fun activities for all kids, grades K-7! Click here for details.

Thursday, May 28, 6:30 PM
Join us for traditional Yizkor prayers, a communal El Malei for all of our loved ones who we wish to remember, and a memorial prayer.

Saturday, May 30, 9:15 PM
Join the Beth El Clergy and staff every week via Zoom for our virtual Havdalah service - Saturdays after Shabbat!

Sunday, May 31, 9 AM
Join Rabbinic Fellow Becca Weintraub for spiritual, relational, and soulful prayer over zoom.

Sunday, May 31, 10:30 AM
*New time!* Join us via Zoom every Sunday at 10:30 AM for our Virtual Daf Shevui program!

Sunday, May 31, 10 AM
Start your Sunday singing with Jack Klebanow and Cantor Gaby Schvartz and schmoozing with friends!

Sunday, May 31, 3 PM
Help us elect a new USY Board for Beth El! Election is open to all teens, 8th-12th Grade.

DEADLINE: Sunday, May 31, 5 PM
We've extended the deadline! Upload a 30 second video about why you love Israel & win prizes! More information >

Monday, June 1, 7:30 PM
A Three-Part course With Bex Stern Rosenblatt from the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem.

Daily, 8 am, Except Shabbat & Holidays
We have always prided ourselves at Beth El on having three daily minyanim 365 days a year. While we currently offer the opportunity to study Mishnah twice a day in lieu of saying Kaddish, as our time apart continues to stretch onward, we know that many people may feel the absence of our daily minyan more acutely now more than ever. With that in mind, we now offer a traditional daily minyan for anyone looking to start their day with communal prayer.

The minyan will be community-led, with those who feel comfortable each taking a turn to recite a few of the psalms and other morning blessings aloud. While we will still omit any liturgy that requires a minyan (Barchu, Kaddish, repetition of the Amidah), we will include all other parts of the morning minyan liturgy.

EVENING MINYAN
In addition to our daily morning minyan, we will now offer an evening minyan on Mondays at 7:15 pm. The minyan will take place immediately after our evening Mishnah Yomit, on the same Zoom link. For access to our evening minyan, please go to www.bethelnr.org/livestream.

Daily, 9 am & 7 pm, Except Shabbat & Holidays
We have created the opportunity to study Mishnah together every morning and evening, and we say a special prayer at the end for those in mourning or observing a yahrzeit. This is open for anyone who wants time to see other folks from Beth El, learn some Mishnah, and/or remember a loved one. Join Rabbis Schuck and Sitkin for this special opportunity whenever you have the time.

For our 9 am morning Mishnah Yomit, please click here.
For our 7 pm evening Mishnah Yomit, please click here.
Friday evening Mishnah Yomit will be at 5:45 pm followed by
Kabbalat Shabbat at 6 pm - see our livestream page for the link

Head to www.bethelnr.org/livestream for the links for all of our events!

View the latest bulletin online.
Join the Beth El Facebook Group.
All Shabbat Announcements, Events and Notices are archived at bethelnr.org/announcements.

Shavuot Week of Learning

05/24/2020 06:43:28 PM

May24

Shavuot Week of Learning at Beth El

It is traditional to stay up all night learning (Tikkun Leil Shavuot) on the first night of Shavuot. Since that isn't possible, we will have a series of classes in the week leading up to the holiday. See our full schedule of events below and find the Zoom links for each event on our livestream page at www.bethelnr.org/livestream.

Tuesday, May 26th

12 PM - Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Zach Sitkin
4 PM - Cooking Chug: Cheesecake for Shavuot
8 PM - Tikkun Leil Pre-Shavuot: Kick-Off Shiur with Rabbi Schuck

Wednesday, May 27th

12:30 PM - Fireside Chat with Jack Klebanow & Cantor Schvartz
8 PM - Tikkun Leil Pre-Shavuot: Night Two Shiur with Rabbi Sitkin

Thursday, May 28th

12 PM - Shavuot Yom Iyyun with Rabbinic Fellow Jessica Fisher
2 PM - Shavuot Yom Iyyun with Jack Klebanow
6:30 PM - Yizkor Service with the Beth El Clergy

Pre-kun From JTS

May 24th-27th
Various learning sessions taking place daily in the week leading up to Shavuot, geared toward college-aged students and taught by JTS Rabbinical school students.

Click here for the full schedule with descriptions.
Click here for the Facebook Event page.
Click here to sign up!

Pre-Recorded Learning Opportunities

For additional learning opportunities, see below for a list of pre-recorded Shiurim for Shavuot and past Open Beit Midrash Scholar Visits.

Rabbi Alex Braver - Associate Rabbi, Tifereth Israel (Columbus, OH)

"The Ten Commandments: What and How?"
Watch here >
Source Sheet >

Rabbi Rachel Ain - Sutton Place Synagogue (New York, NY)

“Conversation with Rabbi Chaya Baker”
Watch here > Use password: 8y!4*8.^

Rabbi Elie Kaunfer - Yeshivat Hadar (New York, NY)

“Saying Kaddish Without a Minyan”
Watch here >
More sources from Hadar for Shavuot >

Dr. Amy Kalmanofsky - Jewish Theological Seminary (New York, NY)

“Women’s Voices in Torah”
Watch here >
Source Sheet >

Dr. Devora Steinmetz - Drisha (New York, NY)

“Adam and Chanukkah”
Watch here >

Rabbi Shai Held - Yeshivat Hadar (New York, NY)

“Because We Have To Or Because We Want To? Why Do We Visit The Sick."
Watch here >

Dr. Judith Plaskow - Manhattan College (Riverdale, NY)

“How Jews Talk About God: Finding a God I Can Believe In”
Watch here >

Rabbi Amichai Lau Lavie - Lab/Shul (New York, NY)

“Interrupting the Bible: Five Tools to Reinvent the Jewish Story"
Watch here >

Dr. Sarah Wolf - Jewish Theological Seminary (New York, NY)

“What if God was one of Us? Envisioning God in Rabbinic Literature”
Watch here >

Rabbi Danny Nevins - The Jewish Theological Seminary (NY, NY)

“Semi-Conscious States of Spirituality”
Watch here >

“The Kashrut of Lab Grown Meat”
Watch here >

Rabbi Jason Rubenstein - Howard M. Holtzmann Jewish Chaplain at Yale (New Haven, CT)

Watch here >

Rabbi David Schuck - Beth El Synagogue (New Rochelle, NY)

“Spiritual Resilience During Challenging Times”
Watch here >

Rabbi Jessica Fisher - Beth El Synagogue (New Rochelle, NY)

“Being Physically Distant, but Socially and Spiritually Connected”
Watch here >

Rabbi Zach Sitkin - Beth El Synagogue (New Rochelle, NY)

“Desecrating God’s Name: Exploring the Roots and Meaning behind Chillul HaShem”
Watch here >

Pre-recorded Shiurim From The Rabbinical Assembly

Watch here >
Source Sheets >

Live Learning Opportunities

For those comfortable streaming on Shavuot, the Rabbinical Assembly's Tikkun Leil Shavuot: Torah from Coast to Coast virtual learning will take place Thursday, May 28, 9 PM - Friday, May 29, 9 AM. The stream will be available on their YouTube Live page during those times. Their full lineup and schedule can be found here.

Friday, May 22: Community Update and Shabbat Announcements

05/22/2020 04:21:06 PM

May22

Friday, May 22, 2020 — 28 Iyyar 5780

Click here to view Rabbi Jessica Fisher's Shabbat Sermon.

Friday, May 22, 2020 | 28 Iyyar 5780
Omer Day 43 (Until Sundown)
5:45pm Mishna Yomit, click here
6:00pm Kabbalat Shabbat via Zoom, click here
7:55pm Candlelighting

Saturday, May 23, 2020 | 29 Iyyar 5780
Omer Day 44 (Until Sundown)
Parsha Bamidbar | Shabbat Mevarchim
Numbers 1:1-4:20 pp. 769-785
I Samuel 20:18-42 pp. 1216-1218
8:56pm Havdalah
9:15pm Virtual Havdalah via zoom, click here.

After Havdalah, we will be celebrating the Bar Mitzvah of Daniel Straussberg with the Beth El community. Everyone is invited to stay logged in and celebrate with the Brown-Straussberg Family!

THE DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO SUNDAY, MAY 31ST AT 5PM!

We're asking our Beth El community to submit videos (no longer than 30 seconds!) showing us what they love most about Israel. This could be a selfie-video explaining what Israel means to you, a showcase of your favorite Israeli food, or a video chock-full of special effects!

If you already submitted a one-word video for our Yom Ha'atzmaut Tribute, expand on your answer for this project! Think outside the box because we will be awarding prizes for the following categories: Most Creative, Best Comedic Performance, Most Informative, and Viewer's Choice. Winners will be announced at our virtual Awards Ceremony on June 7th at 7pm - stay tuned for more details!

Submit your video before 5/31 at 5PM: www.bethelnr.org/videocontest!

Click here to watch Tot Shabbat with Morah Judi.

Click here to view a collection of songs from Cantor Uri Aqua, Cantor Gabriela Schvartz, and Music Director Jack Klebanow.

Mazal tov to Sharon Brown and Marc Straussberg on the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Daniel Straussberg.

Mazal tov to Barbara and Mark Goldman on their 65th wedding anniversary.

Mazal tov to Patti and Isadore Huss on the birth of their granddaughter Avery Claire, and mazal tov also to parents, Blaine Huss and Daniel Passeser.

Condolences to our member Cara (Ben) Wulfsohn on the passing of her brother, David Gevisenheit z"l.

Condolences to our member Beatrice Freedman on the passing of her daughter, Ellen Costello z"l.

Condolences to our member, Michele (Steven) Brick on the passing of her mother, Harriet Steinberg z"l.

Those marking a simcha, observing the loss of a loved one, or who is sick or recovering from an illness have delighted/comforted that their lifecycle event has inspired generosity. If you would like to make a donation to Beth El in honor or in memory, please click here.

Dear Kehillah Service-Aged Families (1st-6th graders),

WIN A TRIP TO MIKEY DUBBS WITH RABBIS SCHUCK AND SITKIN!

Each week we will send trivia questions on that week’s parasha. Whoever answers the most questions correctly by the time we reconvene at Beth El will win. The only rule: you have to look up the answer by reading from a chumash. No Googling! Good luck!

Email your answers to Rabbi Sitkin: zsitkin@bethelnr.org

Parashat Bamidbar Trivia Questions:

1) Who was to be counted in the census?
2) Which tribe was not counted with the others?
3) Who needed to be redeemed from temple service?
4) Where did the Levites set up their camp?
5) What was the total number of people counted in the census?

Rabbi Schuck will teach a Mishnah class twice a week, on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 9:15-10am, beginning on June 2nd. The class will study Masechet Makkot and all material will be shared via Zoom so there is no need to purchase any books. This is not a drop in class. We ask that you make a commitment to consistent attendance in the class. Minimum attendance of ten people is required for the class to take place. Please RSVP to Zoe Raynes if you would like to take this class: zraynes@bethelnr.org.

We have always prided ourselves at Beth El on having three daily minyanim 365 days a year. While we currently offer the opportunity to study Mishnah twice a day in lieu of saying Kaddish, as our time apart continues to stretch onward, we know that many people may feel the absence of our daily minyan more acutely now more than ever. With that in mind, we are now offering a traditional daily minyan for anyone looking to start their day with communal prayer.

The minyan will go from 8-8:30 am and will be community-led, with those who feel comfortable each taking a turn to recite a few of the psalms and other morning blessings aloud. While we will still omit any liturgy that requires a minyan (Barchu, Kaddish, repetition of the Amidah), we will include all other parts of the morning minyan liturgy. The daily link is on our Livestream Page.

In addition to our daily morning minyan, we will now offer an evening minyan on Mondays at 7:15 pm. The minyan will take place immediately after our evening Mishnah Yomit, on the same Zoom link. For access to our evening minyan, please go to https://zoom.us/j/397662785

We have created an alternative for those among us saying kaddish. There is a custom during the 12 months of mourning, or on a yahrzeit, to learn Mishnah in the memory of the deceased. The letters of the word Mishnah (mem-shin-nun-heh) when rearranged spell the word neshamah (nun-shin-mem-heh), soul. Therefore, we learn Mishnah to elevate the souls of those we wish to remember. Over the next few weeks, we will offer the opportunity for a twice-daily, 10-minute Mishnah study with Rabbis Schuck and Sitkin (and perhaps even some surprise guest teachers!). We will then have an opportunity to share the names of our loved ones aloud and recite a communal prayer together in their memory.

For our 9 am morning Mishnah Yomit, please click here

For our 7 pm evening Mishnah Yomit, please click here
Friday evening Mishnah Yomit will be at 5:45 pm followed by
Kabbalat Shabbat at 6 pm - https://zoom.us/j/327306129

***Please note that neither the morning nor evening Mishnah Yomit sessions will take place on Shabbat***

View our current schedule and get all access links at bethelnr.org/livestream.

Links for virtual events will be updated there on an ongoing basis (at minimum, 15-minutes before the program). To access an event online, click the event link below. If you want to call-in, dial +1-929-436-2866. Use the last nine digits of the URL for your meeting ID.

Friday, May 22: For all teens 9th-11th grade: today is the deadline to apply for the Beth El USY Teen Leadership Board 2020-2021! For more information or to apply, please go to www.bethelnr.org/usyboard. Questions? Contact Bekkah: rgold@bethelnr.org

Friday, May 22, 6 PM: Kabbalat Shabbat - Join Beth El's clergy for singing and words of Torah. Hopefully, it will uplift us and give us an anchor as we head into Shabbat. For all Beth El families!

Saturday, May 23, 9:15 PM: Virtual Havdalah and Celebration of the Bar Mitzvah of Daniel Straussberg - Join us via Zoom for our weekly virtual Havdalah service. After Havdalah, we will be celebrating the Bar Mitzvah of Daniel Straussberg with the Beth El community. Everyone is invited to stay logged in and celebrate with the Brown-Straussberg Family!

Sunday, May 24, 9 AM: Contemplative Service with Rabbinic Fellow Becca Weintraub - Join us for spiritual, relational, and soulful prayer over zoom

Sunday, May 24, 10:30 AM: Virtual Daf Shevui - Join us via Zoom Sundays at 10:30 AM

Tuesday, May 26, 12 PM: Lunch and Learn - Join us for Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Zach Sitkin

Tuesday, May 26, 4 PM: Cooking Chug: Cheesecake for Shavuot - Join the Beth El Youth Community for a fun (and delicious) way to get creative and learn some Hebrew. Head to bethelnr.org/CookingChug for ingredient lists, recipes, and some Hebrew activities!

Tuesday, May 26, 8 PM: Tikkun Leil Pre-Shavuot with Rabbi Schuck - Shavuot Week of Learning: It is traditional to stay up all night learning (Tikkun Leil Shavuot) on the first night of Shavuot. Since that isn't possible, we will have a series of classes in the week leading up to the holiday.

Wednesday, May 27, 12:30 PM: Fireside Chat with Jack Klebanow & Cantor Schvartz - Pull up a chair, bring your favorite mug of coffee/tea, a can of soda and snacks, or even your knitting needles! Spend time chatting and socializing with our staff and members of our Beth El community.

Wednesday, May 27, 8 PM: Tikkun Leil Pre-Shavuot with Rabbi Sitkin - Shavuot Week of Learning: It is traditional to stay up all night learning (Tikkun Leil Shavuot) on the first night of Shavuot. Since that isn't possible, we will have a series of classes in the week leading up to the holiday.

Thursday, May 28, 12 PM: Shavuot Yom Iyyun with Rabbinic Fellow Fisher - Shavuot Week of Learning: It is traditional to stay up all night learning (Tikkun Leil Shavuot) on the first night of Shavuot. Since that isn't possible, we will have a series of classes in the week leading up to the holiday.

Thursday, May 28, 2 PM: Shavuot Yom Iyyun with Jack Klebanow - Shavuot Week of Learning: It is traditional to stay up all night learning (Tikkun Leil Shavuot) on the first night of Shavuot. Since that isn't possible, we will have a series of classes in the week leading up to the holiday.

Thursday, May 28, 4 PM: Youth Activity with Kayla Sullivan - Open to All Youth, Grades K-7. Recurring weekly on Thursdays at 4:00 pm!

Thursday, May 28, 4 PM: Meet Me at Mount Sinai: A Family Shavuot Celebration - Join Rabbi Cara Weinstein Rosenthal, USCJ’s Family Engagement Specialist, to celebrate Shavuot, the holiday on which we commemorate receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai. This interactive event is designed for families with children grades K-5 and will include songs with musical guest Hazzan Bonnie Zakarin, stories, family activities, a Ten Commandments Haiku Contest and more! You must pre-register for this event here.

Thursday, May 28, 6:30 PM: Yizkor Service - Though we can't join together in-person as we remember our relatives and friends, we will offer a modified Yizkor service. Please join the Beth El clergy as we recite traditional Yizkor prayers, a communal El Malei for all of our loved ones who we wish to remember, and then conclude with a memorial prayer in place of Kaddish when there is no minyan. We hope you’ll join us whether you need to say Yizkor or even if you just feel the need to be in community during this difficult time and would like a way to honor those who have died from Coronavirus.

Saturday, May 30, 9:15 PM: Virtual Havdalah - Join us via Zoom for our weekly virtual Havdalah service.

Please follow us: Facebook.com/bethelsynagoguecenter and spread the word about news, events, and information by “liking” or “sharing!”

View our current schedule and get all access links at bethelnr.org/livestream.

Parent Support Group - For parents of children 5-18 who have any sort of special need--be it a learning issue, a physical or intellectual disability, mental illness, long-term medical issues, etc. At the current time, we recognize that there are parents who may not have previously categorized their child(ren) in this way, but who may now need additional support as well; you are also welcome! The immediate focus of the group will be on supporting our children through the current crisis; moving forward, we will focus more specifically on parenting children with different needs in the context of the Jewish Community. The group will be led by WJCS social worker, Brenda Haas. This group will be limited to ten participants, who will be added to the group in order of response. If you have questions, please reach out to Shayna Klopott or Brenda Haas. Sign up >

For anyone looking for more coping resources in these challenging times, the Institute for Jewish Spirituality is offering a free daily meditation (12:30 pm). You can access their meditation here.
You can also dial in by phone by calling:
+1 646-876-9923 or +1 669-900-6833
and entering our meeting code: 880 292 556
For international call-in numbers, click here.

We also have a list of Mental Health Resources and COVID-19 Resources available on our website.

What is Bamidbar
Gabriel Gendler, Conservative Yeshiva Student, 2018-20

What happens in the fourth book of the Torah? Even when I was young I could tell you that Bereishit tells the story of the patriarchs and their families, starting from the creation of the world and ending in Egypt. At the same time I thought that Shmot was about the Exodus and the revelation at Mount Sinai, and it wasn't long before I worked out that there was a second half describing the creation of the mishkan. As a teenager I picked up two more pieces of folk knowledge: Devarim is a long speech by Moshe in which a great deal of the Torah gets repeated, and Vayikra is a book of law focused on the priesthood and sanctity.

I still don't know what Bamidbar is about. Its narrative unfolds over thirty-nine years, but all but the first and last of them come and go unremembered. What we do hear about fits no pattern: we don't experience a rhythm like in Vayikra, or a rhetorical structure like in Devarim, or narrative arcs like in Bereishit and Shemot. The incidents of the spies, Korach and the rock, various wars and plagues, a census here and there, instructions for marching, a list of campsites and dedication offerings, an indecipherable poem and a copper snake are interspersed with miscellaneous laws relating to the kohanim and levi'im, land, the menorah, pots, pans and a very strange purification process involving a cow. This is to say nothing of a comedy saga with an almost Shakespearean flavour in which the narrative jumps away from B'nei Yisrael uniquely in the whole Torah and follows a wizard called Bilam for one enormous paragraph.

As I try to wrap my head around this jumble every year, I find myself coming back to the name of the book, which means something like "in the wilderness". Thirty-eight years of uninterrupted quiet certainly remind me of moments of complete peace camping in the Negev desert, feeling my smallness against the expanse around me. The chaos of the narrative also feels wilderness-like; the book is bound to feel jolting when the months and years of quiet waiting, the ropes that bind each event smoothly to the next, cannot be captured by words. Even the appearance of Bilam might make sense if we imagine our narrator, sitting as ever in the midst of Am Yisrael, gazing at the horizon and seeing on a distant mountain top two strange human figures and a donkey.

Bamidbar Rabba, the great aggadic midrash on our new book, comments on the opening words, "And Hashem spoke to Moshe in the wilderness of Sinai".

וַיְדַבֵּר ה' אֶל משֶׁה בְּמִדְבַּר סִינַי - אֶלָּא כָּל מִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ עוֹשֶׂה עַצְמוֹ כַּמִּדְבָּר, הֶפְקֵר, אֵינוֹ יָכוֹל לִקְנוֹת אֶת הַחָכְמָה וְהַתּוֹרָה, לְכָךְ נֶאֱמַר: בְּמִדְבַּר סִינָי.

Anyone who doesn't make themself ownerless like the wilderness is unable to acquire the wisdom and the Torah. Therefore it is said "In the wilderness of Sinai".

After four hundred years of slavery, Bnei Yisrael needed time and space to become a nation of Torah, of halakhah and of social responsibility. And every year as we progress through the eerie quiet, the echoing paragraphs and the dream sequences of Sefer Bamidbar we are given an opportunity to think about who we want to be when we emerge from our cocoons. How much more so this year.

BETH EL SUMMER CHALLAH SALE As a service to the community and to ensure that we continue to have access to ritual items like challah, we are adding in a new Summer Challah Sale - delivered directly to your door each Friday during the summer. View our challah options and order by May 26th at www.bethelnr.org/summerchallah

VIRTUAL ZUMBA CLASSES Mila Levine is launching virtual Zumba classes, starting this Sunday, May 24th at 11:30am. Classes are currently free of charge. Join Zoom meeting at: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/6668895719?pwd=QW1YMzdBV0IrZHVpMDZnOWoyMG9tQT09. Meeting ID: 666 889 5719. Password: MilaFit

HOPE KITCHEN IN NEW ROCHELLE NEEDS DONATIONS The Hope Soup Kitchen is running out of food! The National Guard is there to help distribute food but they don't have enough to distribute and the lines are blocks long with young families. You can donate goods directly to them or take items to Sts. John and Paul in Larchmont. They are collecting donations this Sunday from 9 to 11AM. Drop-In Donations - Donations of non-perishable food may be dropped off at our facility with our appreciation at: 50 Washington Avenue, New Rochelle, NY. Please call first: (914) 636-4010 or email info@hope-cs.org.

SPANISH CHAT If you want to develop your Spanish language skills, come and join Cantor Gaby Schvartz to practice Spanish and learn more! If you are interested, please email Gaby Schvartz at gschvartz@bethelnr.org.

THEMED ZOOMS - Themed Zooms are a variation on Beth El’s Themed Shabbat Dinners... only without the dinner and not on Shabbat! A Themed Zoom is a small group (3-8) utilizing Zoom to chat about sports or movies, cooking or kids, history or Broadway - just about any topic. Have a topic of interest you’d like to discuss with others? Email your name, topic, and preferred meeting day/time to Abby at awise@bethelnr.org. More information at www.bethelnr.org/themedzooms

SHABBAT DINNERS FROM PRIDE CATERERS
Pride Caterers, Beth El's exclusive caterer, is now delivering Shabbat dinners for our members. Click here to see their menu - updated weekly! All orders must be placed by 10am on Wednesday for Friday delivery.

KOSHER FOOD DELIVERY If you are interested in ordering kosher food options, Tamar Weinberg, a member of Young Israel of New Rochelle, has been arranging delivery to New Rochelle and wants to open this up to all Beth El members. Click here to join the group via WhatsApp. Please note that you will need to install WhatsApp on your phone or computer to join this group.

COVID-19 Memorial Tribute The New York Board of Rabbis, along with Interfaith partners, are in discussion with Lincoln Center officials to develop a weekly Sunday evening musical presentation in memory of those taken from us by COVID-19. The names of the deceased will be placed on a screen during the tribute. If you would like the name(s) of your loved ones who have died included in the tribute, please email the full name to Zoe Raynes, Rabbi Schuck's assistant, at zraynes@bethelnr.org. Please only submit a name for an immediate family member or with express approval from the family of the deceased.

Volunteer Opportunity - HOPE Community Services We have been invited to make washable and reusable masks for the health and wellbeing of HOPE’s clients. This can be done while staying home and would make a big difference in the lives of their clients. There are sewing and no-sew versions of masks that you can make by googling on-line instructions (using old t-shirts, sheets or pillowcases). HOPE volunteers will pick these masks up from your front yard or porch. To arrange this or ask any questions that you may have, please email volunteer@hope-cs.org.

MAKING MASKS Do you have a sewing machine? If so, why not join our sewing team which is making masks for Hope Community Services, My Sister’s Place, Feeding Westchester and some local pharmacies. We’ll supply the materials. Contact Joyce Wechsler at: joywechsler@gmail.com.

Would you like to see your event featured in the Shabbat Announcements? To have your announcement included in the Shabbat Announcement email please paste it into this Google Document. All submissions must be in by Thursday at noon to make it into the week's announcements. For more information about this transition, please visit bethelnr.org/marketing.

Beth El's Israel Affairs Committee would like to share interesting and exciting news regarding the week's developments in business, culture, technology, agriculture, sports, and the environment in Israel.

Archaeologists discover 2000-year-old unique complex by the Western Wall

20% increase in demand for aliyah following the coronavirus crisis

MISHEBERACH LIST Any name added to the Misheberach list will be automatically removed after one month. If someone needs it to remain for another month they must reach out again to one of the clergy.

NEW TORAH READING RESOURCES We are happy to announce that the 2020 Torah and Haftarah sign up sheet is now available. Please visit www.bethelnr.org/torahsignup and click on the 2020 tab at the top of the page to sign up. Photos of the entire Torah scroll that we use each week are now available online! The photos will allow you to practice from the actual Torah that we use on Shabbat.
Visit www.bethelnr.org/torahimages to access this new resource. Links to both the sign up sheet and the Torah images can also be found on the Beth El homepage. If you have any questions, please contact Cantor Aqua (uaqua@bethelnr.org) or Alan Kellman (alan@twoals.com).

HAFTARAH READERS WANTED An initiative is underway to encourage broader participation in Haftarah reading during Shabbat services. All interested can sign up online at www.bethelnr.org/torahsignup and contact Cantor Aqua (uaqua@bethelnr.org) or Steven Cohen (scohen@kanekessler.com) with any questions or requests for assistance. Friendly support is available to those hesitant to read Haftarah because of their Hebrew or trope skills.

NURSERY REGISTRATION 2020-2021 Please view our rates and register your interest at bethelnr.org/nurseryform.

An archive of all of our "El" newsletter and Shabbat Announcements can be found at bethelnr.org/announcements.

Click here for our full calendar of programs.

Beth El Synagogue Center
1324 North Avenue
New Rochelle, NY 10804

Community Update & Shabbat Kavannah by Rabbi Zach Sitkin

05/21/2020 07:08:00 PM

May21

Dear Beth El Family,

During yesterday’s press conference, Governor Cuomo announced that beginning today, Thursday, May 21, “religious gatherings of no more than 10 people will be allowed statewide.” Some people have asked about daily minyan, Shabbat mornings and Shavuot, which is around the corner. We are all eager to resume communal religious gatherings. Unfortunately, the governor’s announcement did not include clear instructions as to how to do this safely. Therefore, before we restart our minyan, we are working with state and local authorities to produce guidelines for safely holding minyan in our building. Our Back Together task force has begun to determine all necessary precautions that need to be taken in order to remain safe. As we learned from the start of this pandemic, without strict adherence to public safety protocols, a rapid spread of the virus within our community is probable. Until these protocols are developed, we will not restart our minyan. This also means refraining from private or institutional outdoor religious services and gatherings until guidelines and protocols have been developed.

We appreciate everyone's efforts regarding social distancing and strongly encourage continuing to maintain these protocols. We will communicate our plans responding to the Governor’s announcement as soon as possible. We continue to pray for health and strength as we respond with resolve to protect the safety of our community.

L’Shalom

Few things in life feel more sacred to me than my morning cups of coffee. Like saying Modeh Ani when we first open our eyes, the day just doesn’t feel quite right until I take those first couple sips of Starbucks dark roast. Only then, am I prepared to tackle whatever I have planned for the day. Even my family knows not to ask me for anything until I have my coffee in hand. And as I sit down to write this reflection, drinking my third cup of coffee of the day (yes, third), I am thinking about all of the other rituals that enrich my day. Those small, yet equally sacred, acts that animate my life. Things that range from putting on tefillin to feeding Avi’s pet fish. I imagine that many of us have a list of daily rituals that have become sacred to us. Maybe we exercise on certain days of the week or we eat the same things for breakfast each morning. Perhaps we sing the same songs to our children each night before they go to bed or we read them their favorite stories before they gently close their eyes. These rituals are important. They provide us with structure and, dare I even say, meaning. And the truth is, we often fight to protect and preserve these rituals no matter what’s happening around us precisely because they give some direction to our lives.

Parashat Bamidbar emphasizes the need for us to protect that which is sacred and provides a striking image of how the Levites preserved God’s sanctity using their bodies. The Torah opens with an instruction to take a census of all the Israelite males, 20 years and older, each person according to their ancestral household. Strangely, this original census does not include the Levites, Moses and Aaron’s tribe. Instead, the Torah recounts their role as caregivers for the Mishkan, God’s sacred dwelling place, which was positioned in the middle of the camp. The Torah says, “Do not on any account enroll the tribe of Levi or take a census of them with the Israelites. You shall put the Levites in charge of the Tabernacle of the Pact, all its furnishings, and everything that pertains to it: they shall carry the Tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall tend it; and they shall camp around the Tabernacle....any outsider who encroaches shall be put to death....The Israelites shall encamp troop by troop, each person with their division and each under their flag. The Levites, however, shall camp around the Tabernacle of the Pact, that wrath may not strike the Israelite community (Num. 1:49-50;53).” While the Israelites also set up their camps around the Mishkan in some form, they do so from a distance. They are not permitted to come close to God’s sacred space. The Levites, on the other hand, spent their entire lives physically connected to it; their bodies actually come to function as literal rings of protection. They are the guards who ensure that the Mishkan will remain pure, thus enabling the entire community to benefit from its majesty.

But why does the Torah seem so nervous about protecting the Mishkan’s sanctity? Why is God so enraged when outsiders “encroach” upon the Mishkan’s sacred space? Perhaps, the Torah articulates here the same anxiety we may feel when something disrupts our daily rituals; it is disorienting. The Israelites’ entire sacrificial system is dependent upon maintaining a certain degree of purity. Every item has its place and every sacrifice has its prescribed function. When that system is interrupted, even unintentionally, it can feel like everything is falling apart. I imagine that this is one of the reasons the past few months have felt so difficult for so many of us. Many of the rituals we’ve created for ourselves over the years, actions that provide structure and meaning to our lives, have been abruptly upended. And what’s saddest is that we may never have the ability to reclaim many of them.

Acknowledging that reality is important. Thinking about what we’ve lost, not simply forcing ourselves to move on and feel like everything is fine, is a crucial step in healing. But it’s equally important to think about what may yet emerge from this moment. What has now become sacred in our lives? We are resilient creatures and even when we lose things that are important to us, we can often manage to find different things to occupy that sacred space. This Shabbat, take some time to think about the rituals you’ve missed over the past few months, but also the new rituals that have come to define this period of time for you. What are the things that have become sacred to you and how can you, like the Levites, form a ring of protection around them? This is the intention that I am bringing with me into Shabbat, especially over my morning cup of coffee.

Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Zach Sitkin

Deadline: THIS FRIDAY, May 22nd at 5 PM! Click here >

Show us what you love most about Israel by creating a 30 second video. This could be anything - a selfie-video explaining what Israel means to you, a showcase of your favorite Israeli food, or a video chock-full of special effects!

If you already submitted a one-word video for our Yom Ha'atzmaut Tribute, no problem - you can expand on your answer for this project! We will be awarding prizes for the following categories: Most Creative, Most Informative, Best Comedic Performance, and Viewer's Choice.

Submit your video before THIS FRIDAY, May 22nd at 5 PM! Click here >

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