Announcements

The High Holidays and 5782 will soon be here!

We anticipate these High Holidays will be especially meaningful to our congregation. We are therefore very interested in the perspectives of all of our members for how, when, and where we conduct our services. We would like your thoughts about services and programs we are considering for the High Holidays. Your feedback will help as we decide which of these programs to offer. The survey contains just a few questions and your input is very valuable.
 
We know circumstances and guidelines may change before the High Holidays, so please answer based on what you know now. Your answers reflect your opinions now and are in no way a commitment to attending any service.

Head to www.bethelnr.org/livestream for the links to all of our upcoming events - those listed below and more!

Save the date for Beth El’s New Musical Friday Night Service! Join us in-person or virtually at 6pm on June 25 for our first Heart & Soul with a focus on music and spiritual intention. It will include elements such as instruments, song, prayer, poetry, and stories. A service that's accessible to all, even first timers, as we are lifted up together in sacred community. Click here for more information, including sign up and access links!

View times & sign up for in-person minyan here or join via Zoom.

Mondays - Fridays at 8:15AM and Sundays at 9AM, after Shacharit.

Tuesday, June 15, 8 PM
Join us virtually to meet Boaz Tomsky, Beth El's new Religious School Director.

Wednesday, June 16, 7:30 PM
Join Sisterhood to discuss Concealed by Esther Amini.

Thursday, June 17, 1:30 PM
Jack Gruenberg teaches this weekly class every Thursday.

Friday, June 18, 11 AM
Senior Mature Adults Retired Together with Shari Baum. Fridays & Mondays.

Friday, June 18, 6:00 PM!
Singing and words of Torah with our clergy. Not able to join us live? Re-watch this service on our Facebook!

Saturday, June 19, 9:30 AM

In-person and Livestream. Since we now permit 125 guests, with plans to only increase future attendance, signups will go through our Sign Up Genius page.

Saturday, June 19, 9:45 AM
Join us for in-person Tot Shabbat!
You must sign up in advance.

Saturday, June 19, 10:45 AM
Join us for in-person Family Kehillah! You must sign up in advance.

Saturday, June 19, 8:20 PM
View a live broadcast here.

Sunday, June 20, 9 AM
Start your week with prayer, song, and reflection!

Sunday, June 20, 10:30 AM
Join us to study Talmud in English. You can sign up for daily source materials here. No previous experience is necessary.

Monday, June 21, 11 AM
Senior Mature Adults Retired Together with Shari Baum. Fridays & Mondays.

Pride Shabbat is June 25-27th!

Join us Sunday, June 27 at 7pm for our Pride Shabbat Speaker! This year, we welcome Joy Ladin, Professor of English at Yeshiva University, a widely published poet and essayist, literary critic, and Yeshiva University's first transgender faculty member. The Zoom link will be listed on our Livestream page prior to the event.

Registration is now underway for the 2021-2022 Beth El Religious School year! Please complete the online form for each child you wish to register. Click here!

You can now browse our Judaica Gift Shop online at www.bethelnr.org/giftshop. Contact Carole Graham: 914-576-6617 or carolegraham@optonline.net or Ellen Hollander: 914-632-4658 or ellenarts@optonline.net for more information!

Death and Dying in Jewish Tradition: A Deeper Dive A three part series from Shomer Collective on Wednesdays June 2nd-16th at 12pm. From biblical stories of deathbed conversations to contemporary Jewish wisdom, participants will explore end-of-life issues, considering what might constitute a "good" life and a "good death." Participants are encouraged to join for all 3 sessions, but each session is a standalone program. Click here for more information and to register.

Children of Aging Parents Meeting This group, meeting on June 23rd at 7:30pm, is facilitated by our "Partners in Caring" social worker, Shari Baum and provides a safe space to support one another as we care for our aging parents with dignity and love. If interested, email Erica Epstein at mmleepstein@gmail.com.

Bagels and Books Join us 9am on June 28th to discuss Here I Am by Jonathan Safran Foer​​​​​​​.

Westchester Jewish Council Calendar The WJC has compiled the virtual opportunities from synagogues throughout Westchester (and the country) on their  calendar so you can take advantage of the rich programming being offered.

Back at Beth El We are so excited to continue welcoming our community back into Beth El! Please click here for more information on this process, including links to our Building Check-In Form, covid safety guidelines and policies, and updates for vaccinated individuals. Please Note: the building is not open at this time, and appointments are required to visit the synagogue.

Connect with us! Want to stay connected with us on social media or add our events directly to your Google Calendar? Head to www.bethelnr.org/social for all of the links to make sure you don't miss a thing!

Useful Links & Resources Click here for a list of Beth El and Westchester resources that may be helpful during this challenging time.

Head to www.bethelnr.org/livestream for access links!

PLEASE NOTE: Our June 11th Kallah Kabbalat Shabbat will be at 7:10pm in person (sign up here) and livestreamed (click here - not via Zoom!).

Our Annual Minyan Breakfast is this Sunday, June 13th at 8:15am!

Join us in-person at Beth El to learn some Torah with our clergy and help us honor this year's honoree, Marc Zoldessy! Register at: www.bethelnr.org/minyansignup.

As we emerge from the pandemic and begin to return to a more normal life, we may face new and unexpected challenges. Sometimes, even positive change can be stressful! To help us find ways to navigate this transition, we are excited to welcome back wellness educator, Sam Chase on June 13 at 10am for an online workshop exploring how mindfulness and resilience-building tools can help us chart a course for the days ahead. Register here.

Friday June 11, 2021 | 1 Tammuz 5781
7:10pm Kallah Kabbalat Shabbat
8:09pm Candle Lighting

Saturday June 12, 2021 | 2 Tammuz 5781
Korach
Torah: Numbers 16:1 - 18:32, pp. 860-875
Haftarah: 1 Samuel 11:14–12:22, pp. 876-879
9:30am Shabbat Services: sign up here
9:45am Tot Shabbat: sign up here
10:45am Family Kehillah: sign up here
5:45pm Shabbat Mincha Only: sign up here
9pm Ma'ariv and Havdalah: sign up here

Visit our Livestream Page for the links: www.bethelnr.org/livestream

Minyan attendees are needed throughout the week - sign up here. We have plenty of open slots each day, so please feel free to sign up without worrying that you are taking the spot of someone who needs to say Kaddish. You can also attend virtually - link on our Livestream Page. Next week's times are listed below.

Sunday: 8:15am Shacharit and 8:20pm Mincha/Ma'ariv
Monday: 7:00am Shacharit and 8:20pm Mincha/Ma'ariv
Tuesday: 7:00am Shacharit and 8:20pm Mincha/Ma'ariv
Wednesday: 7:00am Shacharit and 8:20pm Mincha/Ma'ariv
Thursday: 7:00am Shacharit and 8:20pm Mincha/Ma'ariv
Friday 7:00am Shacharit

Those marking a simcha, observing the loss of a loved one, or someone 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.

Mazal tov to Rosalind and Richard Kaufman on the forthcoming marriage of their daughter Diana Schutt to Shai Franklin, son of Judy and Jerry Franklin.

Save the date for our new IN-PERSON Musical Friday Night Service (with Instruments)! Join us in person or virtually at 6pm on June 25 for our first Heart & Soul, a musical service that’s accessible to all, even first timers, as we are lifted up together in sacred community. This new service focuses on music and spiritual intention, with instruments, song, prayer, poetry and stories. Head to www.bethelnr.org/HeartAndSoul for more information - signup and access links coming soon! 

Registration is now underway for the 2021-2022 Beth El Religious School year! Please complete the online form for each child you wish to register. Click here!

UPDATE TO IN-PERSON SIGN UP: Since we now permit 125 guests for Shabbat morning services, with plans to only increase future attendance, signups will go through our signup genius page. You can find the link here. For any help signing up, please contact Rabbi Zach Sitkin at zsitkin@bethelnr.org.

View a live broadcast of our Shabbat services at www.bethelnr.org/shabbatlivestream, beginning at 9:30am and concluding around 11:30am. Please join us as we bring Shabbat morning communal prayer back to the entire Beth El community!

We are excited that high vaccination rates, low prevalence rates, and warmer weather have led to updated guidance from the CDC that is allowing us to continue to evolve and refine our COVID-19 protocols and keep us up-to-date with current Department of Health Policies. Click here to read our latest update.

Join us for a 10-minute Mishnah study with our Rabbis at 8:15am Monday-Friday and 9am on Sunday at the same link as minyan. This is a ten-minute study of Mishnah as a way to memorialize our loved ones (which is as old a method of honoring our deceased as the recitation of the Mourner’s Kaddish). We begin by dedicating that morning Mishnah’s to the memory of the people we are remembering, and we conclude with the Edelstein prayer, which is recited with the names of those for whom we would be saying kaddish.

"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 sponsoring a weekly Shabbat sermon (now being sent out in our Tuesday Ride the El emails). Please note: you must fill out the sponsorship form here to sponsor a sermon.

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 plans to allow individual tourists back into the country starting July 1

Israel bans sale of fur to fashion industry, first country to do so

See below for just some of our featured upcoming events!
View our full schedule and get access links at bethelnr.org/livestream!

BETH EL KALLAH IS JUNE 11-12TH

Friday, June 11, 7:10 PM: Kabbalat Shabbat: Kallah Edition - IN PERSON AND LIVESTREAMED Singing and words of Torah with our clergy. Sign up to join us in-person at bethelnr.org/shabbatsignup or join us via livestream at bethelnr.org/shabbatlivestream. Please note: Our June 11th Kabbalat Shabbat is not available on Zoom!

Sunday, June 13, 8:15 AM: Annual Minyan Breakfast Join us in-person at Beth El to learn some Torah with our clergy and help us honor Marc Zoldessy! Sign up here.

Sunday, June 13, 10 AM: Navigating a New Normal As we emerge from the pandemic and begin to return to a more normal life, we may face new and unexpected challenges. Sometimes, even positive change can be stressful! To help us find ways to navigate this transition, we are excited to welcome back wellness educator, Sam Chase for an online workshop exploring how mindfulness and resilience-building tools can help us chart a course for the days ahead. Registration is required! Register here.

Sunday, June 13, 10:30 AM: Virtual Daf Shevui Join us to study Talmud in English. Sign up for daily source materials at www.conservativeyeshiva.org. No experience necessary!

Monday, June 14, 7 PM: Sisterhood Installation of Officers Rabbi Jessica Fisher will be conducting, and Teisha Bader, JBS news anchor, will be our special guest.

Tuesday, June 15, 8 PM: Meet Boaz Tomsky Join us virtually to meet Boaz Tomsky, Beth El's new Religious School Director.

Wednesday, June 16, 7:30 PM: Sisterhood Evening Book Club Discussing Concealed by Esther Amini.

Thursday, June 17, 1:30 PM: Parashat Hashavuah Class Taught by Jack Gruenberg.

As a service to our members, Beth El includes in this section outside events that may be of interest to members of our community. Listing an event does not constitute endorsement of the event by Beth El.

BAUM JUDAICA GIFT SHOP We have beautiful Judaica and more! You can now browse our shop online at www.bethelnr.org/giftshop. Contact Carole or Ellen for more details! Carole Graham: 914-576-6617 or carolegraham@optonline.net. Ellen Hollander: 914-632-4658 or ellenarts@optonline.net.

DEATH AND DYING IN JEWISH TRADITION: A DEEPER DIVE A three part series from Shomer Collective at 12pm on Wednesdays June 2nd-16th. From biblical stories of deathbed conversations to contemporary Jewish wisdom, participants will explore end-of-life issues, considering what might constitute a "good" life and a "good death." Participants are encouraged to join for all 3 sessions, but each session is a standalone program. Click here for more information and to register.

WJCS COVID RELIEF HUB WJCS is providing a full schedule of events and services through their Covid Relief Hub. Click here for their Mental Health Calendar and click here for their Career Services Calendar.

INFORMATION FOR IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE We have put together a Back at Beth El page, with links to all of the latest announcements for those attending in-person services. These announcements include updates for checking into the building, vaccinated individuals, covid safety in the sanctuary, and links and resources.

CONNECT WITH US Want to stay connected with us on social media or add our events directly to your Google Calendar? Head to www.bethelnr.org/social for all of the links to make sure you don't miss a thing!

TORAH & HAFTARAH READING We are reenergizing our initiative to broaden congregational participation in reading Torah as well as chanting the Haftarah on Shabbat morning. Those interested are invited to sign up here. Please reach out to Alan Kellman (alan@twoals.com) for Torah reading questions. For Haftarah questions, reach out to Steven Cohen (SCohen@kanekessler.com). Cantor Schvartz (gschvartz@bethelnr.org) can help with preparing or learning how to read.

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. 

FREE DAILY MEDITATION 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.

RESOURCES View our list of Mental Health Resources and COVID-19 Resources.

Want to see your event featured in the Shabbat Announcements? To have your announcement included in the Shabbat Announcement email, please email it to Jade at jgoodman@bethelnr.org. All submissions must be in by Thursday at noon to make it into the week's announcements.

An archive of our community emails can be found here.

Click here ​​​​​for our full calendar of programs.

• Everyone at Beth El will be given the opportunity to VOLUNTARILY register their vaccination status. This will be a simple process that can be completed online or in-person at Beth El’s front office and will include submission of a copy of your vaccination card or picture of your NYS Excelsior Pass. More details on this to follow shortly.
  
  
• This information will be retained, confidentially, in each individual's record and no one will have access to this information other than Beth El Staff and select volunteers who will be managing admittance to the shul.
  
  
• Vaccination verification takes 5 (five) days to process once you have submitted your information. Registering and verifying your vaccination status will streamline your experience both entering and being in the building.
  
  
• No one is under any obligation to share their vaccination status. However, if your vaccination status has not been verified you will be asked to follow the protocols for unvaccinated and unverified individuals.
  
  

• Upon entering, all individuals should approach the door masked. Individuals will be asked to provide their name and the person monitoring admittance will cross-check to see if each person’s vaccination status is registered and verified.
  
  
• Individuals who have registered and are verified as fully vaccinated may at that time remove their mask and enter the building without wearing a mask. This includes services and any other synagogue business or in-person programs in the building as they are rolled out.
  
  
• All others must follow the “Unvaccinated & Unverified” protocols and will be expected to continue to wear their masks while in the building. This includes unvaccinated children ages 2 and older.
  
  
• There will be signage throughout the building outlining the protocols for the Vaccinated and the Unvaccinated & Unverified groups.
  
  
• Any individual who wishes to wear a mask is welcome to do so. We trust that individuals who have been told they need to remain masked will do so.
  
  

• Any individual may attend outdoor services and programs without a mask, including unvaccinated children. 
  
  
• If you must enter the building for any reason, and you are not on our verified vaccination list, you will need to wear a mask while in the building.
  
  

• There will be pods of 1-6 chairs set up throughout the sanctuary, groups of chairs will be spaced 6’ apart. Groups of chairs should not exceed 6.
  
  
• You may self-select with whom you wish to sit, regardless of vaccination status. Mask protocols must be adhered to as outlined above. This includes unvaccinated children. Children must be seated with parents, or a parent’s adult designee (i.e., another parent). 
  
  

• In general, keeping space between individuals, regardless of vaccination status, is advised. 
  
  
• Individuals who do not register and verify their vaccination status will be required to remain masked and socially distanced (6’ apart) from other individuals.
  
  

• No food or drink is allowed inside the building.
  
  
• Some outdoor programs will begin to include food. Food will be served (a) individually packed or (b) buffet style with all food items spread out (to avoid lines and congestion) and served by servers behind each item. 
  
  
• No communal food or drink will be available. 
  
  
• We look forward to Kiddush starting again soon! Stay tuned for upcoming announcements.
  

Head to www.bethelnr.org/livestream for the links to all of our upcoming events - those listed below and more!

This sermon is sponsored by Ellen Dembicer and Jeff Meyers and is dedicated to Esther Mildner in honor of the 51st Anniversary of her Bat Mitzvah. Click here to watch the sermon.

Our 2021 Virtual Gala Event, Celebrating Our Community, is Thursday, June 10 at 7:30pm! Help us wish a special 'thank you' to Bekkah Gold, Linda Newman, Abby Wise, and our dedicated Nursery School staff. Support opportunities are available at www.bethelnr.org/celebrating. We can't wait to see you there!

There's still time to register for our Annual Kallah at Beth El!
New one-day options available!

This year, we are bringing the Kallah fun to Beth El! Join us THIS WEEKEND - June 11-12th for interactive activities for kids and fun programs for adults. View our full schedule and register at www.bethelnr.org/kallah. This year's Kallah is sponsored by the Beth El Men's Club!

Join us for a special Kallah Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday, June 11 at 7:10pm (IN PERSON AND LIVESTREAMED) for singing and words of Torah with our clergy - open to all! Sign up to join in-person at bethelnr.org/shabbatsignup or watch virtually via our Shabbat Livestream Page. Please note: Our June 11th Kabbalat Shabbat is not available on Zoom!

Our Annual Minyan Breakfast is this Sunday, June 13th at 8:15am! Join us in-person at Beth El to learn some Torah with our clergy and help us honor this year's honoree, Marc Zoldessy! Register at: www.bethelnr.org/minyansignup.

As we emerge from the pandemic and begin to return to a more normal life, we may face new and unexpected challenges. Sometimes, even positive change can be stressful! To help us find ways to navigate this transition, we are excited to welcome back wellness educator, Sam Chase on June 13th at 10am for an online workshop exploring how mindfulness and resilience-building tools can help us chart a course for the days ahead. Register here!

View times & sign up for in-person minyan here or join via Zoom.

Mondays - Fridays at 8:15AM and Sundays at 9AM, after Shacharit.

Wednesday, June 9, 7:30 PM
Join us for an evening of learning, reflection, and conversation as we enter a new month. All are welcome!

Thursday, June 10, 1:30 PM
Jack Gruenberg teaches this weekly class every Thursday.

Thursday, June 10, 7:30 PM
Help us thank our Beth El community!  Click here for more information and to buy tickets!

Friday, June 11, 11 AM
Senior Mature Adults Retired Together with Shari Baum. Fridays & Mondays.

Friday, June 11, 7:10 PM!
A special Kallah Edition (IN PERSON & LIVESTREAMED)! Singing and words of Torah with our clergy - open to all! Sign up for in-person or watch virtually. Please note: This Kabbalat Shabbat is not available on Zoom!

Friday, June 11 - Saturday June 12
Join us in-person at Beth El for our Annual Kallah! Sign up at www.bethelnr.org/kallah.

Saturday, June 12, 9:30 AM

In-person and Livestream. Since we now permit 125 guests, with plans to only increase future attendance, signups will go through our Sign Up Genius page.

Saturday, June 12, 9:45 AM
Join us for in-person Tot Shabbat!
You must sign up in advance.

Saturday, June 12, 10:45 AM
Join us for in-person Family Kehillah! You must sign up in advance.

Saturday, June 12, 8:15 PM
View a live broadcast here.

Sunday, June 13, 8:15 AM

Join us in-person at Beth El to learn Torah with our clergy and honor our honoree, Marc Zoldessy! Sign up >

Sunday, June 13, 10 AM
Join wellness educator Sam Chase for an online workshop exploring how mindfulness and resilience-building tools can help us chart a course for the days ahead. Register here >

Sunday, June 13, 10:30 AM
Join us to study Talmud in English. You can sign up for daily source materials here. No previous experience is necessary.

Monday, June 14, 11 AM
Senior Mature Adults Retired Together with Shari Baum. Fridays & Mondays.

Monday, June 14, 7 PM
Rabbi Jessica Fisher will be conducting, and Teisha Bader, JBS news anchor, will be our special guest.

Tuesday, June 15, 8 PM
Join us virtually to meet Boaz Tomsky, Beth El's new Religious School Director.

Save the date for Beth El’s New Musical Friday Night Service! Join us in-person or virtually at 6pm on June 25 for our first Heart & Soul with a focus on music and spiritual intention. It will include elements such as instruments, song, prayer, poetry, and stories. A service that's accessible to all, even first timers, as we are lifted up together in sacred community. Registration and access links coming soon!

You can now browse our Judaica Gift Shop online at www.bethelnr.org/giftshop. Contact Carole Graham: 914-576-6617 or carolegraham@optonline.net or Ellen Hollander: 914-632-4658 or ellenarts@optonline.net for more information!

Graduating this year? Email youth@bethelnr.org to let us know!

Death and Dying in Jewish Tradition: A Deeper Dive A three part series from Shomer Collective on Wednesdays June 2nd-16th at 12pm. From biblical stories of deathbed conversations to contemporary Jewish wisdom, participants will explore end-of-life issues, considering what might constitute a "good" life and a "good death." Participants are encouraged to join for all 3 sessions, but each session is a standalone program. Click here for more information and to register.

Sisterhood Evening Book Club Join Sisterhood on June 16th at 7:30pm for an evening book club, discussing Concealed by Esther Amini.

Children of Aging Parents Meeting This group, meeting on June 23rd at 7:30pm, is facilitated by our "Partners in Caring" social worker, Shari Baum and provides a safe space to support one another as we care for our aging parents with dignity and love. If interested, email Erica Epstein at mmleepstein@gmail.com.

Pride Shabbat Speaker This year on June 27th at 7pm, we welcome Joy Ladin, Professor of English at Yeshiva University, a widely published poet and essayist, literary critic, and Yeshiva University's first transgender faculty member.

Bagels and Books Join us 9am on June 28th to discuss Here I Am by Jonathan Safran Foer​​​​​​​.

Westchester Jewish Council Calendar The WJC has compiled the virtual opportunities from synagogues throughout Westchester (and the country) on their  calendar so you can take advantage of the rich programming being offered.

Back at Beth El We are so excited to continue welcoming our community back into Beth El! Please click here for more information on this process, including links to our Building Check-In Form, covid safety guidelines and policies, and updates for vaccinated individuals. Please Note: the building is not open at this time, and appointments are required to visit the synagogue.

Connect with us! Want to stay connected with us on social media or add our events directly to your Google Calendar? Head to www.bethelnr.org/social for all of the links to make sure you don't miss a thing!

Useful Links & Resources Click here for a list of Beth El and Westchester resources that may be helpful during this challenging time.

Head to www.bethelnr.org/livestream for access links!