Temple Beth El 5779 Fall & Winter Program Guide
Chaverim, The leaves begin to turn, the trees become a kaleidoscope of color, the air gets crisp and cool, and our congregation turns the page into a new year full of promise. The year 5779 is here which means another year of programming new and old. From our youngest members to those that are young at heart; from holiday celebrations to happy hours, Shabbat hikes, adult learning, Tikkun Olam and more, there is something at TBE for everyone. Our programs fall under a number of categories: Holiday Services and Celebrations Adult Jewish Learning Spiritual Programs Special Events Tikkun Olam TBE Kids We are also proud to introduce ShalomMaine, a collaborative effort from TBE, JCA and Bet Ha am to coordinate, streamline and enhance adult Jewish education for the entire Jewish community of Southern Maine. Details and registration information can be found on page 7. In every event we seek to grow and enrich our community and we cannot do it without your help and participation. Therefore, we ask that you read over this booklet and mark your calendars for the events you would like to attend. Be sure to RSVP to the events where RSVP s are required. If you have any questions or suggestions, would like to register or RSVP, or if you would like to be a part of planning our future programs, send an email to office@tbemaine.org or give us a call (774-2649). Shana Tova u Metuka! Have a joyous and sweet New Year! Daniel Heinrich Interim Executive Director 2 High Holidays 5779 For a complete listing of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Services go to our website www.tbemaine.org, visit us on Facebook, check out the Shofar or give us a call! (207-774-2649)
Sukkot 5779 Celebrate with TBE Beautifying Sukkot A Schaching Good Time! Sunday, September 23-10:30 am Help us build the sukkah as a community. Bring pictures of your ancestors to adorn the walls and join in craft-making for people of all ages! Sukkot Holiday Services Mon., Sept. 24-9:30 am followed by lunch Tues., Sept. 25-9:30 am followed by lunch Sukkot begins the evening of September 23 and is followed by our special Holiday Services on the mornings of September 24th and 25th. Sukkot Block Party Wed., Sept. 26-5:30 pm This year, we are inviting everyone from TBE and the surrounding neighborhood to join us for a Sukkot Block Party! All are welcome to bring vegetarian potluck food to our Sukkah. Shemini Atzeret Holiday Services Monday, October 1-9:30 am Yizkor begins around 11:30 am. Shemini Atzeret is described by our rabbis as one last day to enjoy God s company in the Sukkah before the holiday season departs. Having bid farewell to the Sukkah we gather at services to recite Hallel and pray for rain. HOLIDAY SERVICES & CELEBRATIONS 3
HOLIDAY SERVICES & CELEBRATIONS 4 Community Simchat Torah Celebration at the JCA Monday, October 1-6:30 pm This year, the Jewish community of Southern Maine comes together to celebrate the joy of Simchat Torah. TBE, Shaarey Tphiloh and Etz Chaim will gather at the JCA for an evening of singing and dancing in order to bring in the beauty of this special holiday and show our gratitude for the greatest gift of all: the Torah. All the organizations will pray according to their own traditions in separate areas and then come together to sing and dance as one. Simchat Torah Services Tuesday, October 2-9:30 am Simchat Torah is the holiday that marks the end of the cycle of public Torah readings and the beginning of a new cycle. We celebrate this holiday by unwinding the torah and wrapping it around our entire sanctuary while dancing and singing. Join TBE for Simchat Torah services followed by singing, dancing and giving thanks for the gift of Torah. TBE s Annual Chanukah Party with Special Guest The Casco Bay Tummlers Wed., December 5-5:00 pm Free & Open to All The party that needs no introduction, TBE s Annual Chanukah Party starring The Casco Bay Tummlers is back again! This event is suitable for ages 2-92, all you need is a love of latkes, dancing, and of course, the festival of lights! As always (and forever), this event is sponsored by TBE families and completely free and open to all. Tu b Shvat 7-Species Luncheon Saturday, January 19, 2019-12:30 pm Commonly regarded as a holiday to celebrate trees, Tu b Shvat is a time for us to show our love and respect for the natural world around us. The Tu b Shvat Luncheon focuses on the Seven Species associated with the Land of Israel in the Torah and the symbolism they hold in our lives and spiritual development. Following services, all are invited for a special Kiddush lunch celebrating the bounty of the land.
Crimes and Misdemeanors in Jewish Literature Sundays, Oct. 7, 14, 28 and Nov. 4 12:00 pm - Free A 4-session course with Sanford Freedman Presented by AJL Join as Sanford Freedman, professor of English at Bates College, walks us through a diverse series of short stories and novels to explore the darker side of Jewish life in the last century. Beginning with Isaac Babel s short stories and then to Saul Bellows The Adventures of Augie March, followed by Philip Roth s famous short story about adolescent disobedience, The Conversion of the Jews. And finally, Israeli novelist Ayelet Gundar-Goshen s novel Waking Lions is the last text, a thriller with two female protagonists in this high stakes psychological thriller. ADULT JEWISH LEARNING Sefer v Seret Club November 15 & 17 and January 24 & 26 - Free Thursday: Screening at 5:30pm Saturday: Discussion at 1:00 pm (following Kiddush) Film and Literature have been intertwined since the early days of cinema; from Frankenstein to Fiddler, we develop relationships to the characters through the visual and written media in different ways. In order to explore the depth of human creativity, the TBE Library proudly announces the establishment of a Book and Film club! Join us every other month as we screen films on Thursday nights and gather to discuss the books they were based on the following Saturday after kiddush. All are welcome! November: Everything is Illuminated Novel by Jonathan Safran Foer and film starring Elijah Wood January: A Tale of Love and Darkness Novel by Amos Oz and film starring Natalie Portman 5
Challah Workshop with Daniel Heinrich Monday, January 14, 2019-5:30 pm Register by January 7 $10 for members/$12 for non-members Join TBE s own Daniel Heinrich and learn the secrets behind the Pop-Up Challah Shop. Perfect for bakers of all ages and skill levels; parental supervision required for children under the age of 13. Participants will leave understanding how to mix, braid, and bake challah, as well as a sample of dough to take home and practice their skills! ADULT JEWISH LEARNING Falafel B Pita Workshop with Daniel Heinrich Monday, February 11, 2019-5:30 pm Register by February 4 $10 for members/$12 for non-members Join Daniel Heinrich as he walks you through making fluffy Israeli-style pita, crispy falafel, Israeli salad and tahini. Perfect for cooks of all ages and skill level; parental supervision required for children under the age of 13. Includes: 1 Sandwich and extra falafel mixture to take home. vnhse BETH EL Inspiring Jewish Education Pre K-Kindergarten (Twice Monthly) Grades 1-2 Grades 3-6 7th Grade Hebrew High and Teen Classes Madrichim (Assistant Teacher) 6 KBE Open House Wednesday, September 12, 3:30-5:30 pm Please join us for the first day of KBE! Families of current and prospective students in grades PreK-6 are invited for an open house and family day. You ll get a chance to participate in activities with your children, such as sharing our goals for the new year. A pizza dinner will be served at 5:30 (this week and every week).
Presented by Temple Beth El, the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine and Congregation Bet Ha am TBE, JCA and Bet Ha am are proud to introduce ShalomMaine, a community-wide collaboration to bring adult Jewish learning to the Jewish community of Southern Maine. The following courses are the first of many and are subject to change. Locations will vary throughout the area. All tuition is pay-what-you-can with suggested tuition rates. Death, Ritual and Grief in Judaism Jean Berman 4 Sessions - Sundays at 10:30 am Starting October 7 7 Women Prophets of the Bible Ellie Miller 8 Sessions - Tuesday at 9:30 am Starting October 9 Adam to Joseph: A Biblical View of Parenting Challenges Ellie Miller 6 Sessions - Monday at 6:00 pm Starting October 15 Three American Diasporas in Comparative Poetry and Short Prose Anna Wrobel & Jim Donnelly 6 Sessions - Tuesday at 6:00 pm Starting October 16 Kosher Supper Club: Fine Dining from Around the World Daniel Heinrich 4 Sessions - Monday at 5:30 pm Starting November 5 Spirituality, Movement & Faith Danika Kuhl 4 Sessions - Sunday at 10:30 am Starting January 6 American Jewish Film Anna Wrobel 5 Sessions - Tuesday at 9:30 am Starting January 8 Global Anti-Semitism: Tropes, Memes and History Matt Goldfarb 6 Sessions - Tuesday at 6:30 pm Starting January 8 Intentional Giving Benjamin Gorelick 4 Sessions - Monday at 6:30 pm Starting January 28 And more to come! Full course listings and registration information can be found at www.tbemaine.org/shalommaine SPECIAL COURSE Introduction to Judaism Taught collaboratively by Rabbis from around Southern Maine 5 Sessions - Tuesday at 6:30 pm Starting February 26 Introducing: SHALOM MAINE 7
SPIRITUAL PROGRAMS 8 Shabbat B Chutz (Outside) Saturday, October, 6, 2018 - Family Walk Saturday, November 3, 2018 10:00am-12:00pm Free and Open to All Before the winter sets in, we invite you to join us for Shabbat B Chutz, an outdoor davening alternative. All are welcome as we take a walk through nearby Jewell Falls to take in the beauty that surrounds us and connect with God and our environment. Shabbat B Chutz does not replace regular morning services which begin at 9:30 am on Saturday in our small chapel. Following the hike, we will return to Temple Beth El to rejoin our community to say Kiddush and have a nosh. Please make sure to bring the following: Comfortable walking shoes, Warm Clothing, Towel or blanket, Water, Tallis/Kippa if desired. *In case of rain, Shabbat B Chutz will be B fnim (inside) as we will join the regular Shabbat morning service. Rosh Chodesh Women s Group (9 Month Session) Wednesdays: Oct 17, Nov 14, Dec 12, Jan 16, Feb 20, Mar 13 Future dates to be announced 6:30-8:00 pm $36 Members $54 non-members $10/session drop-in rate Since last fall, TBE s Rosh Chodesh group has been a safe space for the women of our community to come together and share their experiences, thoughts and feelings with each other. For the coming year, we renew our commitment to creating a sacred place for women of all experiences and backgrounds to explore tradition and identity. Yoga Minyan Every Sunday starting October 7 NEW TIME: 9:00-9:50 am $36 Members $54 non-members $10/session drop-in rate Performing mitzvot and repairing the world are central to Jewish life, but Swamy Kripalu teaches us that compassion starts with yourself. TBE s ongoing yoga minyan offers a weekly moment of peace meant to nurture your heart, soul, and body through a centering, grounding yoga practice. The class will open with some words of Jewish philosophy, followed by stretching, gentle movement, and breathing. Open to all, no prior experience necessary. Spirits and Spirits Thursdays: Oct 11, Nov 8, Dec 13, Jan 10, Feb 14, Mar 14-5:30 pm We start as dust and end as dust, in between let s have a drink. -Yiddish Proverb. Rabbi Braun will be at Maine Craft Distilling (123 Washington Ave, Portland) on the second Thursday of every month for a casual evening of libation and conversations about life. People of all faiths and curiosities are welcome to join. No RSVP required.
Keshet Conversations Wednesday, Oct. 10, Nov. 14 and Dec. 12-5:30 pm Presented by TBE s Keshet Committee The rainbow is the universal symbol of inclusion recognized around the world for its message of diversity and understanding. Keshet (rainbow) Conversations is a place for the affirmation of those values. Join as Temple Beth El s Keshet Committee, Congregation Bet Ha am and leaders from around the region come together for a monthly gathering of LGBTQ+ individuals and allies in the community. Conversations are peer led and hosted at various locations around Portland. People of all faiths and organizations are welcome for this open initiative to benefit all those in need of a place to connect. Temple Beth El Open House Sunday, November 4 9:00am-12:00pm An annual event where we invite current and prospective members to get to know Temple Beth El, our members, committees, families and friends. Gather at TBE for a fun day of activities and do what we do best, schmooze and schmear. Shalem: A Grief Cafe Sundays: January 27, February 24, March 24 10:00 am When one experiences loss of any kind, it can often feel as if a piece of ourselves is lost as well. But our souls are always whole (Shalem) and it can take some work to feel complete once again. Starting in January, TBE will be offering a Grief Cafe; a place for open discussion on subjects of loss and grief for people of all ages and experiences. Led by Jean Berman, Interfaith Chaplain, and Elaine Kahaner, Clinical Psychologist and Pastoral Care Specialist, this is an open place for all to come together and find their missing pieces. Be one in a Minyan Temple Beth El is incredibly fortunate to offer the only daily prayer service in Maine. Our goal is to have a minyan every day, and for that, we need you! Start your day with perspective and gratitude, and perform the mitzvah of being one in a minyan. Schedule 6:50 am - Monday-Friday 9:30 am - Saturday (Shabbat Services followed by Kiddush) 9:00 am - Sunday followed by Schmooze and Schmear (Bagels, Coffee and Snacks) SPECIAL EVENTS 9
TIKKUN OLAM Care Packs for Those in Need Sundays: Nov. 4, 2018; Jan. 13 & Mar. 10, 2019 10:30 am Have you ever seen someone standing at a busy intersection in Portland asking for help and wished that you could do something more to help? Join TBE members and families to assemble care packs containing essential items such as socks, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, etc. These care packs are then kept in the TBE lobby and all are welcome to take a few with them to distribute as they see fit. Donations of care pack items and help assembling the packs are welcome! Ask, Listen, Act: Homelessness in Greater Portland Dec. 2 & Feb. 10-11:00 am Ask: Why are there so many homeless people in Portland and how can we help? Listen: Through a series of lectures and discussions throughout the coming year, experts from around the region will help us understand the history and challenges of a complicated problem that effects every aspect of life in this city. Act: Learn about ways to take meaningful action as individuals and as a community to improve the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors. Spreading Light: Celebrate Chanukah through Tikkun Olam December 2 through 9 Celebrating Chanukah is about bringing light and joy to those around us and this year we dedicate ourselves to bringing light to those in need in our community. Starting on Sunday, December 2 with the first in our Ask, Learn, Act speaker series we will learn about the issue of homelessness in Portland. Then, assist us in our winter clothing drive at the Chanukah Party on Wednesday, December 5. Finally, come together as a community for a day of service at a local shelter and act on behalf of those in most need. Kiddush Krew Sara Kahn-Troster skahntroster@yahoo.com OUR COMMITTEES Cemetery Sherri Quint controller@tbemaine.org Ritual Committee Joy Krinsky joykrinsky@gmail.com Library Committee Sandrea Kornblum lovetolearn11@icloud.com Keshet Committee Lawrence Jackson-Rosen lawrence.jacksonrosen@gmail.com House Committee Gil Dichter gil-dichter@idexx.com Adult Jewish Learning Judy Gatchell judy.gatchell@gmail.com Brotherhood Robert Levine ralevine@maine.rr.com Family Engagement Ariel Bernstein arieljohnston@gmail.com 10 Tikkun Olam Carolyn Turcio-Gilman cturciogilman@yahoo.com Sisterhood Karen Farber kfarber@maine.rr.com Or help create your own!
Shabbat HaLailah To Be Determined - 5:30 pm All are welcome at our Family Kabbalat Shabbat Service & Community Dinner! TBE s religious school program, Kadima Beth El, invites the entire congregation to our special Family Shabbat Service and Community Dinner. Please join us for this wonderful opportunity to celebrate Shabbat together with old friends and new over a joyous Shabbat meal prepared by our amazing volunteers! Services at 5:30 pm Dinner at approx. 6:30 pm Free & open to all Monthly Family Kabbalat Shabbat Fridays: Oct 12, Nov 9, Dec 14, Jan 11, Feb 8, Mar 8 5:30 pm Parents and kids ages 6 and under are warmly invited to join us for this fun, interactive monthly Family Kabbalat Shabbat service! 5:30pm: Schmooze and enjoy complimentary Kosher PB&J sandwiches on fresh Challah (with allergy alternatives upon request in advance) 6:00pm: Family service 6:30pm: Option to join the rest of the minyan for Kiddush and more snacks! Childcare during Shabbat Morning Services Saturdays 9:30 am-1:00 pm: Oct 27, Nov 24, Dec 29, Jan 27, Feb 23 Coming to Shabbat morning services is a chance for everyone to engage with their spirituality and find moments of peace and clarity. We recognize that can sometimes be hard for parents with young children. As a complement to our monthly Family Kabbalat Shabbat, TBE s Family Engagement Committee will offer monthly childcare during Saturday morning services for children up to 5 years old. RSVP 1 week in advance to guarantee a space. TBE KIDS Family Mitzvah Day Sunday, November 18-10:30 am Thanksgiving is more than just a time to be grateful for what you have but also to be grateful for what you have to give. It is a perfect opportunity for the whole family to perform mitzvot for those around them. For children five and under, come together as a family with TBE s Family Engagement Committee and Kadima Beth El for a morning of crafts and games to learn and share the importance of mitzvot in everyday life. Purim Katan Tuesday, February 19-5:30 pm Purim Katan is a rare holiday that only falls on leap years when we celebrate the month of Adar twice in row. During the first Adar, we celebrate a mini-purim, Purim Katan! TBE s Family Engagement Committee will host a potluck dinner with PJ Library for young children. We will eat dinner, read stories and have fun together. Costumes are encouraged! 11
YOU ARE WELCOME HERE Egalitarian Welcoming Open Dues Rabbi Carolyn Braun 400 Deering Ave, Portland, ME 04103 www.tbemaine.org 207-774-2649