Av - Elul 5776 September

Transcription

1 Av - Elul 5776 September

2 2 BETH EL SYNAGOGUE NEWSLETTER Shanghai is Going Strong The 2nd Thursday of each month 1:00 pm in Beth El s West Court Birthdays With 5-Year Multiples We Share Your Joy On the Marriage of: Join us at the table on September 8 Register online at or contact Phyllis Wasserman at ppw130@cox.net Join us at this regular monthly game and be sure to tell your friends...this is open to the entire Jewish community. Josef Wees & Natalie Duque Son of Steve & Joye Wees Kevin Clarke Siobhan Edwards Chelsea Kavich Leah Kosinovsky Jacob Levy Donna Olesh Merle Potash Brandon Raffel Ari Riekes Kevin Saltzman Rabbi Maximo Shechet Sally Zipursky Anniversaries With 5-Year Multiples On the Birth of: Greyson Asher Stoffa & Nolan Rodegheri Gilinsky Great-Grandsons of Rose Cohen Colton Jay Wees Son of Josh & Kori Wees Grandson of Steve & Joye Wees Selichot!... Page 1 Rosh Hashanah Lunch!... Page 1 Lawrence & Dinah Raful Joel & Mary Rich Our Shabbat Tables!... Page 8 Rosh Hashanah Youth Invite!... Page 9 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Shanghai!... Page 2 We Share Your Joy!... Page 2 Birthdays/Anniversaries!... Page 2 Hazzan s Column!... Page 3 & 5 President s Corner!... Page 4 Home for the Holidays!... Page 4 BESTT Chaverim Program!... Page 4 In Memoriam!... Page 4 Operation Isaiah!... Page 5 Sisterhood Scoop!... Page 6 Yad Squad!... Page 6 Rosh Hashanah Invitation!... Page 7 RH Youth Services & Babysitting!... Page 8 Contributions!... Page 10 Book of Remembrance!... Page 10 Family/Tot Shabbat!... Page 11 Cup of Coffee with God!... Page 11 Youth Group Programming!... Page 12 Candle Lighting & Service Times!... Page 12 Detachable Calendar!... Page 13 High Holy Days Schedule!... Page 14 Eadie s Column/BESTT Calendar!... Page 15 Babies, Bigger Kids & Bagels!... Page 15 Merit Scholarship Meeting!... Page 15 End of Summer Festival!... Page 16 Beth El Gift Shop!... Page 16

3 ROOTED IN TRADITION. EMBRACING CHANGE. 3 The High Holy Days: Blending Communal & Personal Prayer By Hazzan Michael Krausman As we approach the High Holy Days we are mindful of the power of communal Jewish Prayer. The pathos of Kol Nidre, the heart-pounding litany of the public confessional, the drama of Unitane Tokef depicting us as sheep passing before an omnipotent Shepherd, the singing of Avinu Malkeinu and other traditional melodies all of these experiences galvanize us as a prayer community and reinforce our connection to our communal and personal history. However, our tradition places great value on individual prayer as well. Perhaps this is the reason why we often recite salient parts of the service, such as the Amidah (an established collection of blessings that forms the core of every Jewish service) both individually and communally; each recitation with its own nuances. So, too, the structure of our worship services allows for the insertion of personal prayers, such as those for healing, within the framework of the formal liturgy. Each of us is encouraged to add individual supplications or prayers that come from the heart. Interestingly, many of these personal supplications became codified throughout the ages and have actually made their way into the prayer book. The latter is the origin of much of the poignant poetry which embellishes the core framework of our liturgy. One of these gems that I find so compelling, especially as we draw near to the High Holy Days, is found as part of the weekday liturgy in a collection of petitions and supplications know as Tachanun. With the exception of particularly sad or joyous occasions, Tachanun immediately follows the weekday morning and afternoon Amidah. Interestingly, portions of the prayers that comprise Tachanun can be found in the Selichot (penitential) prayers recited in a special evening service that introduces the High Holy Days and again throughout Yom Kippur. The poem, upon which I wish to focus, was composed by the great Ninth Century sage Rav Amram Gaon. Rav Amram was the leader of the great Babylonian Talmudic Academy of Sura, and is credited with being the creator of the first known Siddur (prayer book). When I read this prayer it touches me in a deep way because it strikes me that Rav Amram has encapsulated all that we could wish for, all that we need, all that we dare ask for as we are about to encounter the High Holy Days. May it be Your will, Adonai our God and God of our ancestors, that You grant us a good heart and a generous (continued on page 5) TONI ROSEN CERTIFIED RESIDENTIAL SPECIALIST Toni.Rosen@cbshome.com Gary Javitch, President 9740 Brentwood Road Omaha NE Phone: Fax: gary@mediation-omaha.com Jeff and Mari Rensch 78th & Dodge Street rd & K Plaza So. 132nd Street, Suite 200 Omaha, NE Ph: Fax: th & Maple Road Voted #1 in Real Estate 4 years in a row Your West Omaha ENT & Audiology Connection Frances St., Suite 201 Omaha, NE omahaentclinic.com JEFF MARI mari@renschgroup.com Thank you Beth El Synagogue For ad info. call Beth El Synagogue, Omaha, NE. A 4C

4 4 BETH EL SYNAGOGUE NEWSLETTER Home for the High Holy Days Are you new to Omaha and want to be with other Beth El families to celebrate the new year? We want to make sure you have a place to share holiday meals, lunch on Rosh Hashanah 10/3 and break the fast on Yom Kippur 10/12. On the second day of Rosh Hashanah, we invite you to join us for a special holiday lunch edition of Our Shabbat Tables at Beth El. All new congregants who have joined Beth El after May 1, 2016, may participate in this session of Our Shabbat Tables free of charge. If you d like to participate as a host family, or if you d like us to match you with another Beth El family, contact Margie at programming@bethel-omaha.org. Kibbutz Chaverim SUP Boarding Program President s Corner By Jim Zipursky, President of the Board of Trustees Beth El Synagogue: Rooted in Tradition. Embracing Change. Perhaps you noticed we have adopted this as the new tag line for our Congregation. Change has been constant at Beth El and will be a consistent and familiar theme in the future. Change is difficult for all of us to accept. We get familiar and secure in our routines. For many of us, change is uncomfortable or, even worse, frightening. Resistance to change is very natural but when you reflect upon the evolution of our Beth El Congregation since it was founded in 1929, you realize Beth El has always welcomed and embraced change. Back when my grandparents and parents joined Beth El, women were not counted in the minyan, children younger than 13 were not welcome in the sanctuary for services, Talmud Torah students were expected to attend school three days/week and Junior Congregation on Shabbat, and programming outside of services was limited to monthly lunches with the Rabbi and Men s Club and Sisterhood activities. Today, we are a fully egalitarian congregation, we gladly welcome children of any age in our services, we happily allow non-jewish family members to be buried in our cemetery, our children are in BESTT two days weekly and hardly a day of the year goes by without at least one Beth El program offered either inside our building or in the community. Sunday, September 11, 12:15 pm Join us after BESTT for a fun afternoon at Lake Zorinsky. Volunteer drivers wanted. Pick up at the lake at 3:30 pm. Cost: $10 per person, lunch included. Don t forget your swimsuits! Space is limited, RSVP at In Memoriam Beth El extends profound sympathy to the families of: Jane Patricia Batt Susan Clare Larkin Phyllis Peterson Dr. David K. Scheer Phyllis M. Schwartz Marc R. Sherman May their memory always be for a blessing. Despite our ever-changing world, at Beth El, we still have minyan twice daily (you are always welcome to join us for daily minyan), Kabbalat Services every Friday, Shabbat Services every Saturday, and Havdalah on Saturday evening (again, you are always welcome to join us for any/ all of these services). We will have services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we will build our Sukkah and shake the Lulav and smell the Etrog, and we will light our candles and eat latkes on Chanukah. However, because Beth El has always embraced change, you will see some changes in our services and our programs. Rabbi, Hazzan and the Religious Life Committee have been working on some amazing and wonderful enhancements/improvements to your Rosh Hashanah Day 1 experience. Our community-wide, End of Summer Festival is like nothing we have ever done before. Led by Rabbi and our Social Action Committee, we continue to step-up our participation in community involvement programs. All of our changes, improvements and enhancements are made for you, our Beth El members. While the Beth El of 5776 may not be my Zede s Beth El, I know he would be very comfortable here. Perhaps Benjamin Franklin best sums up our Beth El mission to change: When you are finished changing, you are finished. Beth El Synagogue: Rooted in Tradition. Embracing Change. Jim Zipursky

5 (Hazzan s article continued from page 3) spirit, humility and modesty, and good companions. May Your name not be profaned through us. May we not become a source of gossip or derision. May our future not end in failure, nor our hopes languish in despair. May we not be dependent upon the gifts of others, for such gifts are meager and the embarrassment they cause is great. Grant us a share in Your Torah Operation Isaiah Sharing Food and Clothing with Those in Need with all who do Your will. Save us from all harsh decrees; with Your abundant love help Your messiah and Your people. Avinu Malkenu, [our parent and monarch] turn us not away from You empty-handed. Answer our prayers, not for our sake, but to honor Your name by Your love and Your faithfulness. Be gracious to a people who declare that You are One, affirming twice each day, with love: Hear O Israel: Adonai is our God, Adonai alone. ROOTED IN TRADITION. EMBRACING CHANGE. 5 May we all be blessed with the actualization of all of our sincere individual and communal prayers in the year to come. On behalf of Laurel, Zev and Zach, best wishes to all of the members of our Beth El family and their dear ones for a Shana Tova U Mituka a good, sweet New Year! Hazzan Michael Krausman Each Yom Kippur, it has become a tradition at Beth El to heed Isaiah s message to feed the hungry: This is my chosen fast... Share your bread with the hungry. Take the homeless into your home. Clothe the naked when you see him, Do not turn away from people in need. (Isaiah 58:6-7) Again this year, we will be collecting non-perishable food and gently-used clothing to be distributed to the needy during the entire month of Elul. Bins will be in the community court beginning on Sunday, September 4 up to and including the evening of Kol Nidre services on Tuesday, October 11. Consider this alternative... Make a cash donation to the Omaha Food Bank by filling in the online form on our website or calling the office. You will be performing a double mitzvah this High Holy Season. Commercial Industrial Residential Sheet Metal Locally owned and operated for over 95 years! 6102 Arbor St. Omaha, NE TILMER S Tree Care, Inc. Systemic Injection Pruning & Shaping Fertilizing Removal Shrub Care Spraying Certified Arborist 1st Class Licensed Aborist Tilmer Stone Fully Insured Free Estimates Belgrade Company (402) Rotella s Italian Bakery has built its reputation on quality and service. Our eighty plus years experience in the wholesale bakery business has established us as one of the premier wholesale bakeries in the industry. An Omaha family tradition since South 108th Street La Vista, NE Phone: [402] Fax: [402] Tritz Plumbing Inc. Family owned since Repair Remodel For ad info. call Beth El Synagogue, Omaha, NE. B 4C

6 6 BETH EL SYNAGOGUE NEWSLETTER We Thank Our Yad Squad The following members read Torah/ Haftarah in July: Sh'lach Yonatan Feldstern Alan Shulewitz Ben Shapiro Sally Zipursky Steve Riekes Sharon Brodkey Haftarah - Helen Epstein Korach Michael Gerson Alan Potash Ben Shapiro Yonatan Feldstern Gary Nachman Haftarah - Yonatan Feldstern Chukat Yonatan Feldstern Alan Shulewitz Ben Shapiro Heather Kelln Haftarah - Ben Shapiro Balak Glen Fineman Yonatan Feldstern Zach Stein Steve Riekes Hannah Stein Haftarah - Hannah Stein Pinchas Yonatan Feldstern Janie Murow Jim Fried Ben Shapiro Haftarah - Nancy Rips Sisterhood Scoop By Linda Fischer Sisterhood President Hello again! This summer flew by so quickly, but it was filled with sunshine and lots of productive activities. It's hard to believe the New Year is just around the corner. This is the time to review the past year and see all that we have accomplished, where we can improve, and plan ahead for another year of being the best we can be. We need ushers for the High Holy Days. Let Margie Gutnik or me know if you would like to volunteer. Each year at Beth El we make calls to our congregants to wish them a Happy New Year. Thank you to Nancy Skid and her committee, Helen Epstein and Alice Kosowsky for organizing this project, and our thanks to all of our volunteer callers. I would like to remind all of the women of Beth El that you are automatically members of Sisterhood - dues are no longer collected. We have so many ongoing opportunities to be involved in Sisterhood. Our Rosh Hodesh programs are wide-ranging and often of specific interest to women. If you would like to be on the committee to help brainstorm ideas or plan these programs, let me or Margie know. If books are your thing, we invite you to participate in our Book Club. They meet every other month and enjoy reading books and noshing on yummy snacks. Contact Darlene Golbitz at darlene.golbitz@gmail.com if you are interested. Sisterhood Shabbat is set for January. We will need volunteers to lead the service and bakers to make the delicious kugels for the luncheon. There are two exciting new projects we are planning for the fall: - The Crop Walk to End Hunger will be Sunday, October 9, at 2:00 pm. So get your sneakers ready to go. I will be the contact person for this event and will send out information soon. This is a great way to encourage our kids to help others in need. - A Strudel Bake-Off will take place in November, details to come in the October KOL and by . Please let me know if you have any ideas for new programs or events that will interest you. I'd like to end by saying how blessed I feel to be part of such an active, dedicated, Jewish community. I came from a huge Jewish community, yet never have I felt more close to my faith then at this time in my life. I am so thankful for all of the wonderful activities here at Beth El and throughout our community. Thank you Beth El, for planning the Tot Shabbat at the JCC. What a great idea to get families together in a different setting. The welcome back breakfast for BESTT is always such a friendly way to get our kids back into the swing of Sunday School. I'd like to thank Caryn Scheer and her committee for planning the spectacular End of Summer Festival. These events bring us all together as a community. Thank you all for your dedication to Beth El. I wish all of you a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous New Year. Best Regards, Linda J. Fischer

7 ROOTED IN TRADITION. EMBRACING CHANGE. 7 Home Technology Tutor INDEPENDENT AND ASSISTED LIVING Generations of Love - A Legacy of Excellence Call today to schedule your personal tour W. Dodge Rd. Omaha, NE David M. Cohen, Ph.D. President Personal Computers Made Simple! Phone/text: Entertainment for business events and private parties TTGShows.com ~ Serving the Omaha Community ~ Turf Care Landscaping Landscape Lighting Irrigation Tree & Shrub Care Mowing Ray Ostronic, President Phone: Fax: For ad info. call Beth El Synagogue, Omaha, NE. C 4C

8 8 BETH EL SYNAGOGUE NEWSLETTER Youth Services & Babysitting During Rosh Hashanah We are pleased to offer a variety of youth activities for all ages Tot Services: Our popular tot services for children in Pre-K and younger will be led by Miss Patty on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, Monday, October 3, 10:30-11:30 am. Miss Patty will also lead Rosh Hashanah Story Time on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, Tuesday, October 4, 10:00 11:00 am. These programs are free of charge. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Grades K-2: New this year, youth activities for our older children will be split into two groups, grades K-2 and grades 3-7. Rosh Hashanah Day 1: Services for grades K-2 will be led by Morah Shira from 10:00 11:00 am, followed by Youth Fun Hour from 11 am 12:00 pm. The kids will join the main sanctuary at 12:00 pm. Rosh Hashanah Day 2: Chofesh from 9:00 10:00 am, followed by Rosh Hashanah Story Time from 10:00 11:00 am. The group will join the kids in grades 3-7 for Jr. Congregation from 11:00 am 12:00 pm, after which everyone will join the main sanctuary. Grades 3-7: Rosh Hashanah Day 1: Rosh Hashanah Youth Fun Hour from 10:00 11:00 am., followed by Jr. Congregation from 11:00 am 12:00 pm. The kids will join the main sanctuary at 12:00 pm. Rosh Hashanah Day 2: Chofesh from 10:00 11:00 am, followed by Jr. Congregation from 11:00 am 12:00 pm, after which everyone will join the main sanctuary. Babysitting: Babysitting will be available for children from three months to five years old during all Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services. Advanced registration is required; cost is $4 per child for each day, with a maximum charge of $25 per family for those who register by September 18; after that date late fees will apply. Register online at For children of all ages, please let us know if your child has any dietary restrictions by September 18.

9 ROOTED IN TRADITION. EMBRACING CHANGE. 9 Heartland Dental Welcomes New Patients Peter J. Gimenez, D.D.S. 132nd & Maple Next To Old Chicago West Maple Dental Specialists Lourdes M. Secola-Ocanto DMD, M.Sc.D, DDS We Specialize in Treating: Infants Children Adolescents Young Adults Special Needs W. Maple Rd., Omaha, NE Enterprise Bank 4320 S 102nd St, Omaha, NE Member FDIC W. Center Rd. 210 Regency Pkwy. Omaha, NE Omaha, NE Ph: Ph: For ad info. call Beth El Synagogue, Omaha, NE. D 4C

10 10 BETH EL SYNAGOGUE NEWSLETTER Contributions to Named Endowment & Synagogue Funds This Kol lists contributions received by August 10. Donations received after that date will be listed in the October edition. Contributions to Named Endowment Funds 1st Benjamin & Anna Wiesman Family Chapel Endowment Fund Birthday of: Lloyd Roitstein Retirement of: Larry DeBruin 21st Century Endowment Fund In Memory of: Seth Rich, Elizabeth Wees Drazen Family Summer Experience Endowment Fund In Memory of: Seth Rich Sam & Ann Epstein Endowment Fund In Memory of: Howard Krantz Willis Epstein Endowment Fund Birthday of: Ronald Epstein Barbara & Dean Frankel Endowment Fund In Memory of: Phyllis Peterson Isaac H. & Ruth S. Friedman Endowment Fund In Memory of: Seth Rich Freeda & Abe Gendler Endowment Fund In Memory of: Howard Krantz, Seth Rich General Endowment Fund In Memory of: Seth Rich Ann Goldstein Endowment Fund In Memory of: Seth Rich Jessica Goldstein Endowment Fund In Memory of: Seth Rich Yahrzeit of: Harold Goldstein Linda H. Lynn Kahn Endowment Fund Yahrzeit of: Roland Kahn, Sarah Kahn, Stewart Kahn Marcel & Ilse Kahn Endowment Fund Birthday of: Myrna Siegler In Memory of: Howard Krantz, Seth Rich Alan S. Kulakofsky Endowment Fund Birth of: Eli Joseph Taraday and Nathan Samuel Taraday In Memory of: Seth Rich Milton Marcus Instrumental Music Endowment Fund In Memory of: Henry Goldstein, Seth Rich, Raimond Tomps Yahrzeit of: Milton Marcus Ruth & David Platt Endowment Fund Yahrzeit of: Bertha Shyken Harry Ratner Endowment Fund Yahrzeit of: Philip Ratner Selwyn Roffman Endowment Fund Yahrzeit of: Evelyn Ratner Jerold I. Rosen Endowment Fund In Memory of: Sonya Baker Stephen R. Skid Endowment Fund In Memory of: Seth Rich Arnold Stern Endowment Fund In Memory of: Raimond Tomps Yahrzeit of: Naomi Cohn Phineas & Sadie Wintroub Endowment Fund Yahrzeit of: Sadie Wintroub Jerome & Rosalyn Zeffren and Andrea Zeffren-Alter Endowment Fund In Memory of: Sam Fried, Seth Rich, Esther Wax, Elizabeth Wees Contributions to Named Synagogue Funds Beth El Scholars Fund In Memory of: Seth Rich Building Fund In Memory of: Sam Fried, Seth Rich Yahrzeit of: Leo Taub Caring Committee Fund Marriage of: Joe & Natalie Wees General Fund In Memory of: Howard Krantz, Seth Rich, Robert Rosenman, Elizabeth Wees Yahrzeit of: Ben Blatt, Michael Cohen, Tauba Feidman, Walter Feidman, Abe Fellman, Betty Fellman, Yenta Kirshenbaum, Sidney Klopper, Hasha Kustanovich, Joseph Lerner, Mara Levit, Moses Litvin, Ann Newman, Rita Novak, Arthur Stein Mitzvah Meals Fund Yahrzeit of: Harry Steinhorn Music Fund In Memory of: Esther Wax Yahrzeit of: Max Kushner, Ann Newman, Shirley Schaffer, Morris Silverbrand Programming Fund In Memory of: Susan Larkin, Elizabeth Wees Marriage of: Joe & Natalie Wees Rabbi's Discretionary Fund In Memory of: Howard Krantz, Seth Rich, David Scheer, Elizabeth Wees Yahrzeit of: William Ashley, Denise Digate, Meyer Kirshenbaum, Ilene Klein, Stanley Passer, Louis Remer, Sadye Remer Seth Rich Memorial Camp Scholarship Fund In Memory of: Seth Rich Yahrzeit of: Caryl Greenberg Tree of Life Fund Anniversary of: Harvey & Marilyn Konigsberg USY Fund In Memory of: Seth Rich Youth Education Fund Anniversary of: Donald & Marlene Dandy Birthday of: Stewart Tully In Memory of: Elizabeth Wees Recovery of: Gady Tene, Marilyn Tipp Yahrzeit of: Herman Barron, Dina Bloom, Cantor Gerald DeBruin, Yenta Kirshenbaum, David Manvitz Book of Remembrance - Forms Due September 19 Each year we publish the Book of Remembrance for Yizkor. Included in the book will be prayers to be said when visiting the cemetery, and the names of loved ones who have died. For the names of your loved ones to be included, return the form you received in the mail, complete the online form or contact Cait in the office by September 19.

11 ROOTED IN TRADITION. EMBRACING CHANGE. 11 Have a Cup of Coffee with God Saturday, September 17, 9:30 am Join Rabbi Abraham and Hazzan Krausman for another session of this innovative learning service. The coffeepot will be on and the sweets will be plentiful. Grab a nosh, fill your cup and satisfy your appetite for knowledge and spiritual growth, as we daven and learn together. Fine Photography % Discount for Beth El Members Bar Mitzvahs Weddings Senior Portraits Special Events Mathew A. Davey, M.D., FAAD James M. Shehan, M.D., FAAD Rachel R. Person, APRN Amy K. Price, PA-C ph fax Pierce St, Suite 120 Omaha, NE Just off of 130th and Pacific Counseling Emergency Financial Assistance, Food Pantry Parenting Class Tzedakah and Project Dreidel Professional Snow & Ice Management (402) Contact Dan Hrdi to place an ad today! DHrdi@4LPi.com or (800) x2562 For ad info. call Beth El Synagogue, Omaha, NE. E 4C

12 12 Beth El Staff Steven Abraham!... Rabbi Michael Krausman!... Hazzan Allison Newfeld!... Executive Director Eadie Tsabari!... Director of Congregational Learning Margie Gutnik!... Program Director Amy Dworin!... Director of Youth Engagement Ozzie Nogg!... Publicity Coordinator Michael Gerson!... Minyan Coordinator Melissa Massey!... Comptroller Laura Bair!... Kitchen Manager Melina Cohen!... Executive Assistant Cait Leff!... Office Manager Officers BETH EL SYNAGOGUE NEWSLETTER Jim Zipursky!... Beth El President Adam Kutler!... Vice President Ari Riekes!... Vice President Robert Yaffe!... Vice President Jay Gordman!... Treasurer Caryn Scheer!... Secretary Ari Kohen!... Religious Life Chair Joel Rich!... Past President Lisa Marcus!... BESTT Chair TBD!... Men s Club President Linda Fischer!... Sisterhood President Candle Lighting & Service Times Friday Evening Candle Lighting: September 2!... 7:35 pm September 9!... 7:23 pm September 16!... 7:11 pm September 23!... 6:59 pm September 30!... 6:47 pm Meetings Mincha/Ma ariv Service Schedule: September 3!... 7:45 pm September 10!... 7:30 pm September 17!... 7:15 pm September 24!... 7:00 pm Weekday Services at 7:00 am and 5:30 pm Sunday Services at 9:00 am and 5:30 pm USY Board Meeting - Wednesday, September 7, 5:00 pm Kadima Board Meeting - Wednesday, September 7, 5:30 pm USY General Meeting - Wednesday, September 14, 5:00 pm Programs Youth Group Programming Kibbutz Chaverim SUP Boarding Program at Zorinsky Lake Sunday, September 11, 12:15 pm USY Slick Ball Sunday, September 18, 12:30 pm USY Program, Details TBA Wednesday, September 21, 5:00 pm Kadima Program, Details TBA Sunday, September 25, 12:15 pm USY Lounge Night Wednesday, September 28, 5:00 pm Conventions - Save the Date USY Kinnus - November in Kansas City USY International Convention - December in Dallas USY Winter Shabbaton - January in St. Louis Kadima Kinnus - February in Ogden, IA USY Spring Kallah - April in Ogden, IA

13 4 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 9:00 am - Shacharit Service 10:00 am - Torah Study 11 9:00 am - Shacharit Service 9:45 am - BESTT 10:00 am - Torah Study 10:30 am - Torah Tots 12:15 pm - Kibbutz Chaverim SUP Boarding 5:30 pm - Minyan 18 9:00 am - Shacharit Service 9:45 am - BESTT 9:45 am - Babies, Bigger Kids & Bagels 10:00 am - Torah Study 12:30 pm - Merit Scholarship Meeting 12:30 pm - USY Slick Ball 25 9:00 am - Shacharit Service 9:45 am - BESTT 10:00 am - Torah Study 10:30 am - Torah Tots 12:15 pm - Kadima Program 5 LABOR DAY 9:00 am - Shacharit Service 11:00 am - End of Summer Festival :00 pm - Rabbi s class at Beth El 13 12:00 pm - Rabbi s class at Beth El 7:30 pm - BESTT Committee Meeting 20 12:00 pm - Rabbi s class at Beth El 7:30 pm - Board of Trustees Meeting 27 12:00 pm - Rabbi s class at Beth El 7 4:15 pm - BESTT 5:00 pm - USY Meeting 5:30 pm - Kadima Meeting 6:00 pm - Hebrew High Dinner & Classes 6:15 pm - Rabbi s class at Spirit World 14 4:15 pm - BESTT 5:00 pm - USY Meeting 6:15 pm - Rabbi s class at Spirit World 6:45 pm - Hebrew High 21 4:15 pm - BESTT 5:00 pm - USY Program 6:15 pm - Rabbi s class at Spirit World 6:45 pm - Hebrew High 28 4:15 pm - BESTT 5:00 pm - USY Lounge Night 6:15 pm - Rabbi s class at Spirit World 6:45 pm - Hebrew High 1 8 1:00 pm - Shanghai :00 pm - Kabbalat Shabbat 9 6:00 pm - Kabbalat Shabbat 16 6:00 pm - Kabbalat Shabbat 23 11:30 am - Nebraska AIDS Luncheon 6:00 pm - Kabbalat Shabbat 30 6:00 pm - Family/Tot Shabbat Service & Dinner 3 9:30 am - Shabbat Services 10:45 am - Mini Minyannaires 7:45 pm - Mincha/Ma ariv 10 9:30 am - Shabbat Services 10:00 am - Jr. Congregation 10:45 am - Mini Minyannaires 7:30 pm - Mincha/Ma ariv 17 9:30 am - Cup of Coffee with God 10:00 am - Jr. Congregation 10:45 am - Mini Minyannaires 7:15 pm - Mincha/Ma ariv 24 9:30 am - Shabbat Services 10:00 am - Shabbat s Cool (gr K-7) 10:45 am - Mini Minyannaires 7:00 pm - Mincha/Ma ariv 8:15 pm - Selichot program ROOTED IN TRADITION. EMBRACING CHANGE. 13 September 2016

14 14 BETH EL SYNAGOGUE NEWSLETTER

15 Welcome Back By Eadie Tsabari, Director of Congregational Learning Bruchim HaBaim! Welcome back to BESTT. We are so excited to have everyone back in the synagogue and hope to have an awesome school year. Everyone has grown so much over the summer. I am especially excited to welcome all 13 of our new kindergarten students and the new teachers who are joining our staff. Make a point of introducing yourself to someone new in the coming weeks. Here we are again, at Elul and Tishri, the soul months of Judaism. Whether we are awakened by the stirring tones of the shofar or the insistent voices within ourselves, it s time for us to nurture our nefesh (soul) and open our souls to the possibilities of a new year. This is arguably my absolute favorite time of the year. I cherish the idea of the opportunity to start all over again. I get the chance to make amends with family and friends. I can make myself a better person because I have taken the time, made the effort and hopefully made the changes I need to succeed. Over the next month, the month of Elul, we will talk to our students about how to do teshuvah (repentance). Our children will come away with a deepened understanding of how they view their own actions and how they want to improve. Please take a moment to fill out an I m sorry note when you come into the school. ROOTED IN TRADITION. EMBRACING CHANGE. 15! BESTT Calendar September No BESTT - Labor Day Weekend 5 End of Summer Festival 11 am - 3 pm 7 BESTT Hebrew School - Grades 3-7 4:15-6:15 pm Hebrew High Dinner & Classes - Grades :00-8:30 pm 10 Jr. Congregation - Grades :00 am - 12:00 pm 11 BESTT Hebrew School - Grades K-7 9:45 am - 12:15 pm Kevah Program - Grade K 10:00-10:45 am Torah Tots - Ages :30 am - 12:10 pm 14 BESTT Hebrew School - Grades 3-7 4:15-6:15 pm Hebrew High School - Grades :45-8:30 pm 17 Jr. Congregation - Grades :00 am - 12:00 pm Eadie Tsabari Babies, Bigger Kids & Bagels Sunday, September 18 9:45-10:30 am Join us in the nursery for this popular parent/ child playgroup for children birth through Pre-K. Adults enjoy coffee, a bagel and conversation while their little ones play. Merit Scholarship Meeting Sunday, September 18 12:30 pm High School students in grades 9-12 can participate in the Merit Scholarship program to earn up to a total of $2,000 over the four year period by participating in Hebrew High School and USY, attending/leading services, providing service hours and leadership to our younger students, and completing a special project. Attend this meeting to learn more details about this outstanding program. 18 BESTT Hebrew School - Grades K-7 9:45 am - 12:15 pm Babies, Bigger Kids & Bagels - Birth-PreK 9:45-10:30 am 21 BESTT Hebrew School - Grades 3-7 4:15-6:15 pm Hebrew High School - Grades :45-8:30 pm 24 Shabbat s Cool - Grades K-7 10:00 am - 12:15 pm 25 BESTT Hebrew School - Grades k-7 9:45 am - 12:15 pm Torah Tots - Ages :30 am - 12:10 pm 28 BESTT Hebrew School - Grades 3-7 4:15-6:15 pm Hebrew High School - Grades :45-8:30 pm 30 Family/Tot Shabbat & Dinner 6:00 pm

16 Beth El Synagogue California St. Omaha, NE NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID OMAHA, NE PERMIT #138 Beth El is a PROUD member of USCJ Beth El Thanks our Fabulous Festival Sponsors! Platinum Sponsor: Morley, Charlotte, Jim, Sally, Aaron & Naomi Zipursky Gold Sponsors: Rabbi Steven, Shira, Naama & Leor Abraham, Sandy & Amy Friedman, Jerry & Linda Gordman, Granulawn, Ideal Pure Water, The Jewish Press, Marcus of Omaha Fine Photography, Allan & Janie Murow, Alan & Carol, Josh & Michael Parsow, Marc & Caryn Scheer, Norm & Joodi Veitzer, Isaac & Susan Witkowski, Barry & Nora Zoob Silver Sponsors: Bagel Bin, Donald & Diane Baum, Hanna DeBruin - CBS Home Real Estate, Gary & Lisa Epstein, Richard & Joanie Jacobson, Kotok Family, Adam & Abigail Kutler, Steve & Patty Nogg, Joel & Mary Rich, Larry & Sherry Shapiro, West Maple Dental Specialists - Pediatric Dentistry, Reinhart Food Service, Bob & Rita Yaffe The Beth El Judaica Shop Gift Certificates Available Judaica Shop Hours: Sundays 10:00 am - 12:15 pm (when BESTT is in session) Other times by appointment only, please call the office