Announcements

The Open Beit Midrash Scholar Series with Rabbi Tali Adler tonight, Tuesday, February 28, at 7:30 pm, is canceled. 

Click Here for the Purim 5783 Schedule.

Friday, March 3, 6 pm
Join us for a spirited Kabbalat Shabbat service on the First Friday of each month. This is an opportunity for our Prayer Team to lead us in song with new melodies and harmonies. The Prayer Team rehearses at 7 pm on each Wednesday before the First Friday service and everyone is welcome to join.

Thursday, March 16, 7:30 pm 

Join us to hear about the experiences of being a Jewish teenager in Israel and America from young people in their own words. This program is relevant for all teens and their parents, as well as all adults interested in having a window into the Jewish identities of young adults.

Shachar Liran-Hanan, Westchester Shlichah, will moderate a panel discussion with Beth El teens and Israeli ShinShinim (Israeli high school graduates doing a year of service abroad before beginning their military service).

Register Here.

This Saturday, March 4
Shabbat Service: 9 am
Q&A: 11:30 am
We invite you to learn from Farhad Ghafoori and Larisa Marmaris who will share their personal experiences about fleeing for safety and coming to the United States for refuge. Come learn from them and discover next steps to take action!

This program is organized in collaboration with HIAS and
the Westchester Jewish Coalition for Immigration.

Sunday, March 26, 7 pm

Join us for a special Passover concert with guest artist, Galeet Dardashti and her band, Divahn. There will be a selection of Sephardi and Mizrachi Pesach songs. Join us!

There will also be a wine tasting from 5-7 pm! More details coming soon.

Register Here.

This program is present by Shoresh Halev Center for Jewish Music at Beth El.

Saturday, March 11, 8 pm
The Beth El Nursery School board presents the return of Casino Night! Save the date for an evening of casino games and cocktails for a good cause- reimagining and remodeling our beloved playground. Win big prizes at our Vegas-style tables, enter the poker tournament, shop our silent auction, or try your hand at holding a drink and a cone of Mikey Dubbs at the same time! This event is open to all 18+ Beth El members and their guests. 

Register Here.

Tuesday, March 21, 7 pm

Anyone who lives to be an adult will experience at some point in their lives the death of a close relative or loved one. In this session, we will discuss what Jewish practices of mourning are intended to achieve. Are they for the deceased or are they for the living? What happens if there is no one to mourn the deceased? What if a person does not want to be mourned? Questions such as these help us bring Jewish mourning practices into focus and understand exactly the purpose of the minutiae of what we do. 

Register Here.

Wednesday, March 29, 6:30 pm

Join us to celebrate the women of Exodus and the role that they played in the Passover Story. We will tell stories, sing and enjoy a light dinner to get us ready for a meaningful Pesach! This will be an in-person event only.

$36/person. All welcome, 13 and up.

Register Here.

Any questions please contact Erica Epstein, mmleepstein@gmail.com, or Shayna Klopott, shayna.klopott@gmail.com.

Head to bethelnr.org/upcomingevents  for the links to all of our upcoming events! 

*Any day not listed has no scheduled programming (besides minyan). 

Tuesday, February 28th
1 pm - Mah Jongg (In Person)
CANCELED- 7:30 pm - Queen Esther: An Afterlife with Rabbi Tali Adler (In Person Only)

Wednesday, March 1st
7 pm - Prayer Team Rehearsal (In Person)

Thursday, March 2nd

10 am - Get SMART! Get Fit! (In Person)
1:30 pm - Parashat Hashavua (Zoom). Join online here.

Friday, March 3rd
1 pm - Afternoon Mincha (In Person)
6 pm - First Friday Kabbalat Shabbat (In Person & Livestream)

Saturday, March 4th

9 am - Shabbat Morning Services (In Person & Livestream)

Refugee Shabbat
10:30 am - Tot Shabbat (In Person) 
10:30 am - Mini Minyan (In Person)
11 am - Family Kehillah Service (In Person)
5:40 pm - Shabbat Mincha, Learning, Ma’ariv (In Person & Livestream)

Sunday, March 5th

10:30 am - Daf Shevui (Zoom). Join online here.
10:30 am - Purim Carnival (In Person). Register here. 

6:30 pm - Teen Collaborative Learning (In Person)

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Monday, March 6th

11 am - SMART Zoom (Zoom). Join online here.
1 pm - Canasta (In Person)
1 pm - Afternoon Mincha (In Person)
6:30 pm - Mini Megillah Reading (In Person)
7 pm - Community Megillah Reading (In Person)

Tuesday, March 7th

6:30 am - Morning Minyan Megillah Reading (In Person & Zoom)
1 pm - Mah Jongg (In Person)
7:30 pm -  Liberalism, Democracy, & Torah with Rabbi Zach Sitkin (In Person & Zoom). Join online  here.

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

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

Empty Seat at the Seder Table: Thursdays, March 9, 16, and 23 at 4 pm ET on Zoom. To register for this group and for the zoom link, please contact stephanie@plazajewish.org or grittmaster@wcjs.com. This program is organized by Plaza Jewish Community Chapel, Inc. and Weschester Jewish Community Services.

Boundaries and Belonging: Creating A Synagogue Community of Meaning on Wednesday, March 15, 7 pm at Pelham Jewish Center. Building on the questions and tensions we’ve explored over the course of the past three sessions, Lauren Berkun will lead a group discussion about how we build and nourish synagogues that reflect our highest aspirations for Jewish life and community? How can synagogues embody the richest possibilities for flourishing Jewish life in the 21st century? Register here.

UJA-Federation's Belfer Teen Fellowship provides merit scholarships to teens looking to travel to Israel this summer on an immersive Jewish experience. Our goal is to award teens who display leadership potential and a strong commitment to their communities. A limited number of merit scholarships of at least $1,000 are available. Learn more here.

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.

Head to www.bethelnr.org/social for all event links to make sure you don't miss a thing!

Head to bethelnr.org/upcomingevents for access links!

February 24, 2023
3 Adar 5783

Dear Teens: 

We can't wait to see you next week! 

Check out the schedule for February below for details about:
     1) Thurdsay, March 2 - Lounge Night
     2) March 4, 5, 6 - Purim Prep, Carnival, and Megillah Reading
     3) Tuesday, March 14 - Hang with Clergy + Minyan
     4) Thursday, March 16 - Teen Israel Panel
     5) Friday, March 24 - Shabbat Dinner at Rabbi Sitkin's
     6) TeenCollab Spring Semester
     7) Summer Experiences

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1) LOUNGE NIGHT ON THURSDAY MARCH 2
Don't miss out on another fun Lounge Night, on Thursday March 2, 6:30-8:00 pm!  Check out the flyer below for details and register at bethelnr.org/purimprep23.



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2) PURIM!
Interested in volunteering at the Purim Carnival? Check out this note below and contact Alyssa Schwager, Youth and Family Engagement Director, to sign up to volunteer. You can also sign up for prep by clicking the link above.


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3) HANG OUT WITH YOUR CLERGY
Join the clergy to hang out and for minyan on Tuesday, March 14 (6:00-7:20 pm).  Please note that hang out is before minyan this month and minyan is at 6:50 pm.  Hope to see you there!

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4) TEEN/SHINSHINIM ISRAEL PANEL
On Thursday, March 16, 7:30-9:00 pm, support your friends and the shinshinim on a panel called "In Their Own Words: American and Israeli Teens in Conversation".  Email Bekkah to let her know you'll be there. Want to participate? Tell Bekkah!

Receiving a RootOne Voucher this summer? This program can count as one nekudah towards the 18 you need to receive your $3,000 Voucher! Just tell Bekkah.

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5) SHABBAT DINNER AT RABBI SITKIN'S FAMILY HOME
SAVE THE DATE!
On Friday, March 24, around 6:00 pm, join your friends and the Sitkin family for Shabbat services and dinner at Rabbi Sitkin's family home!  More details to come. Go to bethelnr.org/teenshab324 to register.

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6) TEENCOLLAB SPRING REGISTRATION
You can still register for the spring session of TeenCollab! This semester, you can choose from Israeli Slang, Israel's History, and a special opportunity just for 10th-12th graders to explore issues in Jewish leaderships with leaders from all six different synagogues involved in the TeenCollab.  These programs are on Sundays beginning in March, 6:30-8:00 pm.  If you have questions, please reach out to Rabbi Fisher.

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7) SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES
And last but not least, as the days get longer, we're thinking about your summer plans!  Not sure what to do this summer? Go to www.findyoursummer.org to check out a whole bunch of exciting opportunities to see what fits you! Thinking about going to Israel this summer? Check out www.rootone.org for awesome Israel opportunities—you may be eligible for a $3,000 RootOne Voucher!  You can scroll down for details about USY's summer experiences in the United States, Israel, and beyond too.  Reach out to Bekkah with any questions.  Please reach out with any questions. Programs are all listed below.

See you soon,

Bekkah Gold and the Beth El Teen Board

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

This Thursday, February 23, 7:30 pm
Zoom Only
Join us for a talk with Gary Rivlin, Author of Saving Main Street: Small Business in the Time of COVID-19.

Gary Rivlin is a Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative reporter and the author of nine previous books, including Katrina: After the Flood. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Newsweek, Fortune, GQ, and Wired, among other publications. 

Register Here. Join Online Here.

This event is sponsored by Beth El Sisterhood.

This Sunday, February 26, 11 am
Zoom Only
Dugri is an Israeli/Palestinian rap duo, whose provocative music videos shine a light on common stereotypes and tensions in an effort to foster mutual understanding and respect. Watch a clip of Dugri here.

Dugri will share their story through dialogue with Shachar Liran-Hanan, Westchester Shlichah, followed by Q&A. Join us!

Note: Appropriate for teens and adults.

Register Here.

This Saturday, February 25,
12:30 pm, In Person
Beth El member Judy Schmeidler will speak about her experience with blindness as part of the observance of Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month (JDAIM).

Register Here.

This event is sponsored by the Keruv Committee.

Tuesday, February 28, 7:30 pm

While Esther may be the closest person the Tanakh has to a "secular" hero, later Jewish texts, from midrash to Iberian crypto-Jewish writings, see her as a deeply religious figure. We will study a survey of texts that center Esther as a spiritual model, and attempt to understand what is gained and lost with her religious transformation.

Register Here.
​​​​​​​

Rabbi Tali Adler is a member of the Hadar faculty. A musmekhet of Yeshivat Maharat and alumna of Stern College for Women, Rabbi Adler has studied at a number of institutions including Hadar, Drisha, and Midreshet HaRova.

The Open Beit Midrash Scholar Series is funded by The Yvette and Herman Gordon Century Fund for Adult Teaching and Learning. Click here to contribute to this fund. ​​To sponsor a future scholar series event, click here.

Saturday, March 11, 8 pm
The Beth El Nursery School board presents the return of Casino Night! Save the date for an evening of casino games and cocktails for a good cause- reimagining and remodeling our beloved playground. Win big prizes at our Vegas-style tables, enter the poker tournament, shop our silent auction, or try your hand at holding a drink and a cone of Mikey Dubbs at the same time! This event is open to all 18+ Beth El members and their guests. 

Register Here.

 Purim is around the corner! If you like to act, sing, dance, play or perform in ANY way or on any instrument, please contact Jack Klebanow, Music Director, 917-929-3462, jklebanow@bethelnr.org. Purim shpiel is March 6th. 
All hamans on deck! 

If you are a teen and would like to read Megillah Esther on March 6th, please contact Cantor Gaby at gschvartz@bethelnr.org.

Saturday, March 4
​​​​​​​Shabbat Service: 9 am
Q&A: 11:30 am
We invite you to learn from Farhad Ghafoori and Larisa Marmaris who will share their personal experiences about fleeing for safety and coming to the United States for refuge. Come learn from them and discover next steps to take action!

This program is organized in collaboration with HIAS and
the Westchester Jewish Coalition for Immigration.

Head to bethelnr.org/upcomingevents  for the links to all of our upcoming events! 

*Any day not listed has no scheduled programming (besides minyan). 

Tuesday, February 21st
1 pm - Mah Jongg (In Person)
7:30 pm - Liberalism, Democracy, & Torah with Rabbi Zach Sitkin (In Person & Zoom). Join online here.

Thursday, February 23rd

10 am - Get SMART! Get Fit! (In Person)
1:30 pm - Parashat Hashavua (Zoom). Join online here.
7:30 pm - The Surprisingly Optimistic State of Small Business with with Gary Rivlin, Author of Saving Main Street: Small Business in the Time of COVID-19. Register here. Join online here.

Friday, February 24th
5:30 pm - Kabbalat Shabbat (In Person & Livestream)

Saturday, February 25th

9 am - Shabbat Morning Services (In Person & Livestream)
10:30 am - Tot Shabbat (In Person) 
10:30 am - Mini Minyan (In Person)
11 am - Family Kehillah Service (In Person)

12:30 pm - Chiaroscuro: The Light and Darkness of My Vision with Judy Schmeidler (In Person). Register here.
5:30 pm - Shabbat Mincha, Learning, Ma’ariv (In Person & Livestream)

Sunday, February 26th

10:30 am - Daf Shevui (Zoom). Join online here.
11 am - Dugri: Straight Talk (Zoom). Register here. Join online here.

3 pm - DOROT Volunteering (In Person)

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Monday, February 27th
9:30 am - Bagels & Books (In Person & Zoom). Join online here.

11 am - Women Artists Class (Zoom). Join online here.
1 pm - Canasta (In Person)

Tuesday, February 28th

1 pm - Mah Jongg (In Person)
7:30 pm - Queen Esther: An Afterlife with Rabbi Tali Adler (In Person Only)

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

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

USCJ Webinar on Racial Justice and Inclusion in Conservative Synagogues
Monday, February 27, 2023 1 pm ET or at 8 pm ET. In this 75 minute webinar to close out Black History Month, USCJ’s Racial Justice Specialist Gulienne Rollins-Rishon will lead an exploration of what the pillars on which we choose to build our Conservative Jewish communities mean for our synagogue's interactions with racial justice, both internally and outward-facing, and how we can begin or engage more deeply in uncomfortable conversations as we discuss racial inclusion and racial justice in Conservative synagogues. Register here.

UJA-Federation's Belfer Teen Fellowship provides merit scholarships to teens looking to travel to Israel this summer on an immersive Jewish experience. Our goal is to award teens who display leadership potential and a strong commitment to their communities. A limited number of merit scholarships of at least $1,000 are available. Learn more here.

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.

Head to www.bethelnr.org/social for all event links to make sure you don't miss a thing!

Head to bethelnr.org/upcomingevents for access links!

Hi everyone,

We hope you enjoy February Break! As a reminder, we are off (see calendar below). Believe it or not, Purim is right around the corner! Our Purim programs from the Youth and Family department include:

• Purim Campaign: Support the Youth & Family Engagement department while sending Purim e-greetings and doing matanot le'evyonim (gifts to those with financial needs greater than our own). Campaign ends on March 1; email Alyssa with questions. 

• Purim Carnival: Sunday, March 5!
  • Gan-Bet (K-2nd) will dismiss at 11 am. There is no Moadon. Please pick your child up and then attend the Carnival together. We will not run the normal carpool line; please park and come in.
  • Gimel (3rd) will dimiss at 11 am (change). Please pick your child up and then attend the Carnival together. We will not run the normal carpool line; please park and come in.
  • Dalet-Gesher (4th-7th) will volunteer at the Purim Carnival until 12 pm. After that, they need to be supervised by you (or another adult). We will not run the normal carpool line; please park and come in.
  • Parents & Teens: sign up to volunteer with Samantha Katzenberg

• Mini Megillah Reading: Monday, March 6 at 6:30 pm

​​​​​​​Here is the Religious School calendar for the next few weeks:

• Thursday, February 16: regular RS
• Sunday, February 19: NO RS; February Break
• Thursday, February 23: NO RS; February Break
• Sunday, February 26: NO RS; Febrary Break
• Thursday, March 2: regular RS resumes
• Sunday, March 5: regular RS (until 11 am); Purim Carnival

Religious School Highlights: February

Click for Gan (K) updates from Morah Emily.

Click for Kitah Alef (1st grade) updates from Morah Charlotte.

Click for Kitah Bet (2nd grade) updates from Morah Robin & Morah Tali.

Click for Kitah Gimel (3rd grade) updates from Moreh Jimmy.

Click for Kitah Dalet (4th grade) updates from Morah Laurie.

Click for Kitah Hey (5th grade) updates from Alyssa.

Click for Kitah Vav (6th grade) updates from Morah Ann.

Click for Gesher (7th grade) updates from Moreh Will.