Announcements

September 20, 2021
14 Tishrei 5782
 
Dear Religious School Families:
 
It was so great to see everyone all together on Sunday morning for Opening Day! Before Sukkot begins, I wanted to send a few updates for our first Thursday of classes later this week.  Scroll down for details and be in touch with questions.

Survey

If you have child(ren) in Kindergarten through 2nd grade and you may be interested in Moadon from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm on Sundays, please click here to fill out this survey. 

If you have child(ren) in 3rd to 7th grade and they may be interested in participating in a choir with Jack Klebanow, our music director, please click here to fill out this survey.  

Thanks everyon.

Chag Sameach,

PLAN FOR RELIGIOUS SCHOOL ON THURSDAY

ARRIVAL
For kids that arrive before Religious School begins, our Shinshinim (Israeli emissaries spending the year in Westchester with us) will welcome you at the door.  Please send your children with a mask - masks are required for all children and adults inside Beth El.

SNACK
Every class will always have designated time outside for a snack.  It's very important that kids keep their masks on indoors and then they can remove them for snack outside.  If you have a water bottle you'd like to send with your child, feel free, and they can go into the hallway for a drink.

EARLY DISMISSAL
If you are picking up your child(ren) early, please be sure to email your teacher as well as religiousschool@bethelnr.org in advance.

When you arrive, please walk up to the security desk and tell them the name(s) of your child(ren).  They will call the Religious School office and we will bring your child(ren) to the front of the building to meet you.

*Note: We ask that parents remain outside for arrival and dismissal (including early dismissal) so that we can minimize exposure and limit people in the building.  

DISMISSAL
Children will be dismissed from outside this year. You should have received a colored card to keep in your window - it is imperative that you do so!  If you are missing a card, please be in touch ASAP.  The colors for each grade are listed below, so if you do not have a card, bring that color paper and put it in your window.
Alef - 1st grade: White
Bet - 2nd grade: Green
Gimel - 3rd grade: Red
Dalet - 4th grade: Blue
Hey - 5th grade: Orange
Vav - 6th grade: Pink
Gesher - 7th grade: Purple

Grades 1-2 will be dismissed at 5:50 pm.
Grades 3-7 will be dismissed at 6:00 pm

Procedure:
- Enter the first entrance to Beth El and follow the driveway past the front entrance doors to the Overhang. 
-  Follow traffic slowly and turn right by the Overhang, where the children will be lining up.
- Place your colored card(s) in your passenger window!

*If you have a child in 1st or 2nd grade as well as 3rd-7th, please arrive closer to 6:00 pm.

If you have any questions, contact Stephanie!

EDUCATOR EMAIL ADDRESSES
To reach our educators, please contact them at:
gan@bethelnr.org - Kindergarten (Gan) - Morah Emily 
kitahalef@bethelnr.org - 1st Grade (Alef) - Morah Charlotte
kitahbet@bethelnr.org - 2nd Grade (Bet) - Morah Robin
kitahgimel@bethelnr.org - 3rd Grade (Gimel) - Morah Tali
kitahdalet@bethelnr.org - 4th Grade (Dalet) - Morah Laurie
kitahhey@bethelnr.org - 5th Grade (Hey) - Moreh Jimmy
kitahvav@bethelnr.org - 6th Grade (Vav) - Morah Ann and Morah Jolanta
gesher@bethelnr.org - 7th Grade (Gesher) - Morah Sigal
hebrew@bethelnr.org - Hebrew Specialists - Morah Miri (4th-7th) & Morah Rebecca (K-3rd)
rslearningsupport@bethelnr.org - Learning Specialists - Becca, Emily, and Sharon
gschvartz@bethelnr.org/jklebanow@bethelnr.org - Kehillah/Tefillah - Cantor Gaby & Jack

Click the image below to learn about Chag HaSukkot!
Want to learn about Ushpizin? Click here.

SUKKAH WALK
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
12:30 PM
 
Join other Beth El members after Shabbat morning services for our annual Sukkah walk.

We will enjoy appetizers, lunch, and dessert in three different locations,
all of which are within walking distance to the other.
Sign up to join us in person here.
Contact Michal Schaefer at mschaefer@bethelnr.org if you have questions.

September 19, 2021
13 Tishrei 5782

Dear Teens: 

Shanah Tovah and Shavuah Tov!! It was so great to see so many of you at shul over the High Holidays and I cannot wait to jump start this year with you all!

As some of you may know, I'm the Teen/USY Advisor at Beth El this year and I couldn't be more excited to spend time with you guys and bring us back together!  If you need anything around teen engagement, I'm here to support you.

Reminders about upcoming events... below you'll find details about:

• Sushi in the Sukkah on Thursday, September 23 at Rabbi Sitkin's family home!Register here and scroll down for details.
• Sukkah Walk on September 25 at 12:15 pm
• Simchat Torah on September 28 and 29
• Teen Learning!!!
• Important October Dates

These programs are open to all 8th to 12th graders and we can't wait to see you there.



The Beth El USY Teen Leadership Board is here to plan programs, listen to the needs of our teens, create fun times for you at Beth El, and more!  We are expecting to have many in person programming this year, and there is so much to look forward to!

Questions? Contact Bekkah: usy@bethelnr.org.

Can't wait to see you soon!

Shabbat Shalom,

Bekkah​​​​​​​​

ANNUAL SUKKAH WALK
Saturday, September 25
12:15 pm

Join other Beth El members after Shabbat morning services for our annual Sukkah walk. We will enjoy appetizers, lunch, and dessert in three different locations, all of which are within walking distance to the other. Sign up to join us in person here:  https://www.bethelnr.org/form/09-25-sukkah-walk.html
Contact Michal Schaefer at mschaefer@bethelnr.org if you have questions.

SIMCHAT TORAH CELEBRATIONS

Community Hakafot
Tuesday, September 28
7:00 pm

Dancing and celebration in the Tent and available via Shabbat livestream.
Sign up to join us in person for services here:  bethelnr.org/minyansignup. 
 
Simchat Torah Services
Wednesday, September 29
9:30 am 
Services will be in the Tent and available via Shabbat livestream. We will have multiple Torah reading locations, so that everyone can receive an aliyah to the Torah! 
Sign up to join us in person for services here:  bethelnr.org/minyansignup. ​

Questions? Contact Bekkah Gold, Teen/USY Advisor at usy@bethelnr.org for more info.

Beth El Synagogue Center of New Rochelle is delighted to welcome our city’s religious and civic leaders into our Sukkah. Although our booth is but a temporary dwelling, we hope to build permanent bonds of friendship and understanding throughout New Rochelle. Hors d’oeuvres and wine will be served.

To ensure our mutual good health, kindly complete this RSVP form by clicking here, which includes a vaccine attestation. All participants must be vaccinated in order to attend this event. If you’ve already responded, please ignore this email. We look forward to seeing you there.

Warmly,

               Rabbi David A. Schuck                                Robert Patchen
                    Senior Rabbi                                               President

Friday September 17, 2021 | 11 Tishrei 5782
6:30pm Kabbalat Shabbat in-person tonight. Register to join in-person here.
6:43pm Candle Lighting
Tonight’s Kabbalat Shabbat service will be held in the Den. 
*We resumed our in-person, song-filled Kabbalat Shabbat and Friday Night Service. Although we will no longer Zoom for Kabbalat Shabbat, the service will be available for remote access using our regular Shabbat Livestream link. 

Saturday September 18, 2021 |
12 Tishrei 5782
Haazinu
Torah: Deuteronomy 32:1-52, pp. 1185-1195
Haftarah: 2 Samuel 22:1-51, pp. 1196-1201
9:30am Shabbat Services: sign up here.
9:45am Tot Shabbat: sign up here.
10:45am Family Kehillah: sign up here.
6:50pm Shabbat Mincha, Learning, 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 6:50pm Mincha/Ma'ariv
Monday: 7:00am Shacharit and 6:50pm Mincha/Ma'ariv
Tuesday: 9:30am Shacharit and 6:50pm Mincha/Ma'ariv
Wednesday: 9:30am Shacharit and 6:50pm Mincha/Ma'ariv
Thursday: 7:00am Shacharit and 6:50pm Mincha/Ma'ariv
Friday: 7:00am Shacharit

See below for just some of our Sukkot events!
View our full schedule and get access links here!

SIMCHAT TORAH IS COMING! Join us on Tuesday evening, September 28, and Wednesday morning, September 29, for this joyous holiday on which we celebrate the completion of the Torah cycle with enthusiastic singing and dancing with our Torah scrolls. On Wednesday morning, please join the entire Beth El community in celebrating this year’s Simchat Torah honorees, who are:

Laura Lewis (Kallat Torah)
Susan Wolman (Kallat B’reshit)
Dan Feldman (Hatan Kol Ha-N’arim)
Steve Cohen (Hatan Maftir)

Simchat Torah is always a spirited occasion at Beth El, and we hope you will help contribute to the joy and help celebrate our honorees!

OPEN BEIT MIDRASH INTENSIVE
 Is Judaism primarily an ethnic or religious identity? How do we work with Jews with whom we disagree? How can I maintain my ideological integrity while understanding other Jews' perspectives also? In this 9 week course designed by Rabbi Ethan Tucker, President and Rosh Yeshivah at Hadar, we will examine Jewish notions of peoplehood and identity. Advanced registration is required with a minimum of 10 participants to run the course. Register here.
In partnership with the Hadar Institute’s project Zug. For more information, contact zsitkin@bethelnr.org
Dates: 10/12, 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, 11/16, 11/23, 12/7, 12/14, 6:30-8 pm
 
AWARENESS IN ACTION THROUGH THE INSTITUTE FOR JEWISH SPIRITUALITY
An 8 module course facilitated by Rabbi Sitkin. In Awareness in Action, you’ll learn how to access and practice eight core character traits (middot): Loving connection, setting wise boundaries for yourself and others, a balanced self/taking up appropriate space and time, energetic response–finding motivation, gratitude, righteousness/developing your capacity to do what is appropriate and just, mindful speech, and trustworthiness. Register here.
For more information, contact zsitkin@bethelnr.org
Dates: 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/11. 11/18, and 12/2. 7:30 pm. All dates are subject to change. Advanced registration required.

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.

Condolences to Janis Demartini on the passing of her mother, Mildred Feigeles z"l.

Registration is now underway for the 2021-2022 school year! Click here for more information!

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 resumed our in-person, song-filled Kabbalat Shabbat and Friday Night Service. Register to join tonight in-person here. Although we will no longer Zoom for Kabbalat Shabbat, the service will be available for remote access using our regular Shabbat Livestream link.

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 squeezes past Czech Republic into baseball semi-finals

In Israel, Being Fully Vaccinated Now Means Three Shots

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.

UP CLOSE WITH LIOR RAZ Thursday, September 23, 6 pm ET - Join UJA, 70 Faces Media, and The Jewish Week for this New York-exclusive opportunity to hear the riveting personal story and ideological priorities that drive Israeli writer/actor Lior Raz -- the co-creator and star of the hugely popular series Fauda and the recently released Hit & Run. Register here.

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.

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.

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.

An archive of our community emails can be found here.

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