Learn With Us Whether you would like to practice conversational Hebrew, enhance your at-home spiritual practice, learn how to lead services, chant Haftorah, or join a Jewish learning community with your children, you ll find these opportunities, and more, at Congregation Beth Israel. The following is the 5778 (2017-2018) compilation of education programs and learning opportunities for youth and adults. Many programs are open to the public, and others are reserved for members of the Congregation Beth Israel community. Are you not a member yet? Please contact the office for an application to access our full range of Jewish programming. Pre-registration and prompt RSVPs help us prepare high-quality programming. Please fill out the registration page at the end of the booklet to indicate which programs you and members of your family would like to attend. Consult the synagogue web page, weekly email updates, and Shabbat announcement sheets for updates and specific information about dates, times, and locations of programs. Do you have more questions? Contact BI Vice President for Education Rebecca Weiner, Rabbi Aviva Fellman, or the office staff at (508) 756-6204.
Youth Education Children are welcome members of the Congregation Beth Israel Community, and are encouraged to attend Shabbat services with their families. Additionally, there are opportunities for children to learn about Judaism with their families through field trips and holiday celebrations, as well as bar and bat mitzvah preparation. Rimon Rimon is a religious school hosted by Congregation Beth Israel and open to the Central Massachusetts Jewish Community. Rimon seeks to bring Jewish learning alive with a hands-on, discovery-oriented experience that centers on the child, engages the family, and treasures the community. Our vision is for children to question, learn, and grow, creating a vibrant Jewish identity and future arising from the love and knowledge of our rituals, history and tradition. Rimon is open to students in kindergarten through seventh grade, and also features a leadership program for post-bar and bat mitzvah students. Classes meet Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 4:15 to 6:15 pm and Saturday mornings. Child-focused The Making of a Mensch Rimon Marks Character Day 2017 on Wednesday, Sept. 13 Celebrated globally, Character Day 2017 engages students, teachers, and their families in conversations and activities to make the world a better place. Rimon families and BI congregants are invited to participate on Sept. 13, from 5:00 to 6:15 pm. Contact Sheri Levson for more information at sheri.levson@bethisraelworc.org. learning and intimate class size allow students to learn Hebrew, Jewish traditions and holidays, and Tefillah at their own pace. Registration forms can be found online, or contact Rimon Director Sheri Levson at sheri.levson@bethisraelworc.org. Preschool at Rimon Big kids don t get to have all the fun. Pre-K students ages four and five (with their grownups) now have a program of their own. Scheduled for the first Shabbat each month, preschoolers will share stories, songs, and Torah from 10:30 to 11:15, followed by Beth Israel s Tot Shabbat, which is open to babies through preschoolers at no charge, from 11:15 to 11:45 am. Preschool Tuition: Suggested family donation of $180. Contact Rimon Director Sheri Levson at sheri.levson@bethisraelworc.org.
SEPTEMBER Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 Labor Day 5 6 7 7:30 pm Mah Jongg 8 9 10 9:30 am Shelter meal 11 First Day 12 13 5:00 pm Rimon: The Making of a Mensch Character Day 2017 14 7:30 pm Mah Jongg 15 16 7:00 pm Slichot and Elul Workshop 5:30 pm USY Opening Event 17 10:00 am Sisterhood kickoff: Then & Now 18 19 20 Erev Rosh Hashanah 21 Rosh Hashanah I 22 Rosh Hashanah II 23 24 25 26 27 6:30 Hebrew High begins 7:30 pm Mah Jongg 28 29 Kol Nidre USY Carries Torahs 30 Yom Kippur USY Reads Haftorah
Youth Education Upcoming USY Events United Synagogue Youth BI teens join for Jewish fellowship through our award-winning United Synagogue Youth (USY) chapter, led by teens elected by their peers. Activities include social events at the synagogue, movie nights, an annual Sukkah hop, and socializing with other USYers throughout the New England region at dances and conferences. Leadership opportunities give students the chance to learn skills they will use to build their own Jewish communities. September: 10 -- Board Meeting 16 -- Opening Event, 5:30-8:30 29 -- Kol Nidre, carry Torahs 30 -- Yom Kippur, Read Haftorah October: L: USY members help make hamentaschen for BI Purim party. Below: Students meet to elect new USY leadership 1 -- NERUSY (New England Regional USY) opening event 18 -- NERUSY Lounge 22 -- Wachusett Mountain/Apple Picking November: Check the USY bulletin board in the Beth Israel lobby for information on upcoming events, and to see highlights from past activities. 4 -- Pajama Movie Night 12 -- Apple Pie Making 17-19 -- Leadership Convention Contact USY Coordinator Laura Traiger, a Worcester USY alumna, through the BI office for registration information, (508) 756-6204. 3 -- Soup Making 10 -- Hanukkah Party/Talent Show Congregation Beth Israel! December: Stay tuned for events scheduled for the rest of the year. www.bethisraelworc.org
OCTOBER Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2:00 pm Brotherhood Apple Picking NERUSY Opening Event 2 (Sukkah Decorating) \Youth Education 3 4 Erev Sukkot 6:00 pm Sukkot services, Rimon Dinner in Sukkah 5 Sukkot I 6 Sukkot II 7 Sukkot III 8 Sukkot IV 9:00 am Breakfast in the Sukkah 9 Sukkot V Columbus Day 10 Sukkot VI 11 Sukkot VII 12 Shmini Atzeret 13 Simchat Torah 14 9:30 am Rimon 15 9:30 am Brotherhood Breakfast 16 6:30 pm First Hebrew Class 17 18 7:30 pm Jewish Ethics Course 7:30 pm Mah Jongg NERUSY Lounge 19 20 21 Think Pink Shabbat 22 9:30 am Shelter meal USY Wachusett Mountain/Apple picking 23 24 25 7:30 pm Jewish Ethics Course 26 27 28 9:30 am Rimon 9:30 am Learning Minyan 29 10:00 am BI BITE 30 31
Youth Education BITE (Beth Israel Teen Engagement) BITE gives teens an exciting opportunity to broaden their Jewish learning and deepen their Jewish living through an exploration of hot topics, current events, Jewish texts, social action, team building, guest speakers, and snacks. Snacks are important. The program is available exclusively for BI families with students in grades 6-12 and USY members. The cost for the series is a suggested donation of $54 per family. BITE meets on the following dates at 10:00 am: 10/29, 12/03, 01/14, 02/04, 03/25, 05/19. Contact Rabbi Fellman with questions and for more information at rabbi@bethisraelworc.org, or call (508) 756-6204. Worcester Community Hebrew High Hebrew High helps post b nai mitzvah students further develop their Jewish identities and skills to actively engage in Jewish life. The program for Worcester teens in grades 8-12 meets Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Worcester JCC. Hebrew High starts on Sept. 27. Contact Worcester Community Hebrew High Director Wendy Wong at hhcoordinator@jfcm.org, or (508) 475-9785 for more information. PJ Library Books and Bagels Share your love of a good Jewish children s book -- and bagels -- with family and friends on select Sundays throughout the year. Story time, snacks, and friendship will all be shared at this family-friendly event open to the Central Massachusetts Jewish Community and hosted by Congregation Beth Israel from 10:00 to 11:00 am on Nov. 19, Jan. 21, and March 4. The Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts and PJ Library offer free Jewish books and music to families with children ages 6 months to 7.5 years old. New to Central Massachusetts, PJ Our Way extends the PJ Library experience to children ages 9-11. More information can be found online at jewishcentralmass.org/pjlibrary, or by contacting the Jewish Federation s Director of Outreach and Engagement, Mindy Hall, at (508) 756-1543.
NOVEMBER Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 7:30 pm Jewish Ethics Course 7:30 pm Mah Jongg 2 7:30 pm Judaism @ Home -- Shabbat & Havdalah 3 4 10:30 am Rimon Pre-K 11:15 Tot Shabbat USY Pajama Night 5 6 7 8 7:30 pm Jewish Ethics Course 9 7:30 pm Mah Jongg 10 11 Shabbat Plus -- Veteran s Day Talk 12 9:00 am Brotherhood Breakfast USY Apple Pie Making 13 14 15 7:30 pm Jewish Ethics Course 16 17 18 5:30-11:00 pm Torathon 19 9:30 am Shelter Meal 10:00 am PJ Library Books & Bagels 20 21 22 23 Thanksgiving 24 25 9:30 am Learning Minyan 26 27 28 29 7:30 pm Jewish Ethics Course 7:30 pm Mah Jongg 30 7:30 pm Judaism @ Home -- Hanukkah Prep
Adult Education Beth Israel offers a variety of adult learning opportunities, ranging from growing your Jewish spiritual practice, to exploring current events with a Jewish twist. Whatever your starting point, there is an avenue for learning and growing at BI. The Ethical Life -- 10 weeks Political upheaval, financial scandals, and the changing landscape of biomedical science and technology raise a number of ethical concerns. This course will give you an understanding of Jewish ethics, and how wisdom from our tradition can help inform modern decision-making. Taught by Rabbi Aviva Fellman, this 10- week course draws on resources from the Jewish Theological Seminary, classical and contemporary texts, and class discussions to wrestle with modern ethical challenges. All classes meet on Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:45 pm in the Library at Congregation Beth Israel, unless advance notice is given to participants by email. Class dates: 10/18, 10/25, 11/01, 11/08, 11/15, 11/29, 12/06, 01/03, 01/10, and 01/17. Cost: $36 for BI Members $75 for non-bi members (Cost includes a course binder and additional class materials.) Contact Rabbi Fellman, rabbi@bethisraelworc.org, or call (508) 756-6204 for more information. Learning Minyan Enhance your spiritual practice by closely studying the prayers in the Shabbat service. A deeper understanding of the prayers we say each Shabbat -- whether we understand the words and meanings, or not -- can increase your comfort in weekly Shabbat services and increase their meaning in our daily lives. All are welcome to learn from and study with one another. The Learning Minyan meets the last Shabbat of the month in the BI Library from 9:30 to 10:30 am. You Can Make a Difference! Congregation Beth Israel depends on congregants like you to volunteer to help facilitate the many programs it offers throughout the year. Consider donating some time to help with set-up, clean-up, or shopping for events. Are you short on time? If so, make a donation. Financial contributions to Beth Israel keep our programming fresh and exciting, and benefit the entire community. Your contribution counts! Call the synagogue office today to see how you can make a difference.
DECEMBER Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 10:30 am Rimon Pre-K 11:15 am Tot Shabbat 3 9:30 am Brotherhood Breakfast 10:00 am BI BITE USY Soup Making 4 5 6 7:30 pm Jewish Ethics Course 7:30 pm Mah Jongg 7 8 9 9:30 am Rimon 10 9:30 am Shelter Meal USY Hanukkah Party/Talent Show 11 12 Hanukkah I 13 Hanukkah II 14 Hanukkah III 15 Hanukkah IV 16 Hanukkah V 9:30 am Rimon 5:30 pm BI Hanukkah Party 17 Hanukkah VI 9:30 am Brotherhood Breakfast 18 Hanukkah VII 19 Hanukkah VIII 20 Hanukkah Day 8 7:30 pm Mah Jongg 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Adult Education Judaism @ Home Judaism @ Home is a new series of Beth Israel workshops aimed at congregants who would like to cultivate and fine tune their home spiritual practices. Many Jewish holidays are home-based celebrations built around prayers, food, family, and fun. Where do you start? How can you make your current holidays more inspiring and memorable? Three workshops will help those at all levels of practice enhance their home celebrations with a focus on Shabbat and Havdalah, celebrating Hanukkah, and preparing for Pesach. Fill out the registration form at the end of the booklet to RSVP. Cost for the Pesach program is $18 per family (BI members) or $36 per family (nonmembers.) Upcoming dates and times: Nov. 2 -- Shabbat and Havdalah, 7:30 pm, BI Library Nov. 30 -- Celebrating Hanukkah, 7:30 pm, BI Library March 4 -- Prepare for Pesach, make a family Hagaddah, 10:00 am, BI Social Hall Shabbat Plus Experience Shabbat with a little extra inspiration and learning added to it. These periodic discussion sessions held following Kiddush give participants a chance to explore the Jewish seasons, holidays, and current events in a friendly session. Upcoming dates: Nov. 11 (Veteran s Day discussion), Jan. 20 (Yom Cholent), March 17 (Passover Wine Tasting), April 28 (Book Discussion: The Year of Living Biblically, by A.J. Jacobs) Jewish Comedy Weekend Did you hear the one about the Rabbi who walked into a bar... Don t be an April fool. Come Discuss The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs at Shabbat Plus on April 28. Then come back on Sunday, April 29, for a Mel Brooks Film Fest. An early (more family-friendly) movie will show from 5:00-7:00 pm, then a more grown-up comedy will show from 7:30-9:30 pm. Inclusion Shabbat Join Beth Israel for a special Inclusion Shabbat to coincide with Jewish Disability Awareness month. Beth Israel prides itself on being a welcoming congregation. At this Shabbat, we will explore potential barriers which could prevent full participation for individuals with both visible and invisible conditions, and how we can aspire to be a house of prayer for all people. More programming details will follow in congregation emails and Shabbat Sheets. Inclusion Shabbat is Feb. 9-10
JANUARY Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 7:30 pm Jewish Ethics Course 4 5 6 10:30 am Pre-K 11:15 am Tot Shabbat 7 9:30 am Brotherhood Breakfast 8 9 10 7:30 pm Jewish Ethics Course 11 12 13 14 9:30 am Shelter Meal 10:00 am BI BITE 15 MLK Day 16 17 7:30 pm Jewish Ethics Course 18 19 20 Shabbat Plus: Yom Cholent 21 9:30 am Brotherhood Breakfast 10:00 am PJ Library Bagels & Books 10:00 am Craft-O-Rama 22 23 24 25 26 27 9:30 am Learning Minyan 28 9:30 am CPR Class 29 30 31 Tu B Shvat Tu B Shvat program
Adult Education BI Brotherhood Hearing Men s Voices Through Hearing Men s Voices, BI Brotherhood members will explore the full spectrum of men s relationships with family, community, and Judaism using texts as a springboard for discussions about the challenges of contemporary life. All sessions are at 7:30 pm, and held in private homes. Topics, locations, and speakers TBA. BI Brotherhood Breakfasts Share a meal and interesting conversation with a series of breakfasts featuring a variety of speakers on Sunday mornings throughout the year. All breakfasts begin at 9:30 am following Sunday Morning Minyan (8:15-9:15 am.) Speakers begin at 10:30 am. Upcoming breakfast dates: 10/15, 11/12, 12/3, 12/17, 01/07, 01/21, 02/04, 03/04, 03/18, 04/15, 05/06, and 05/19 (Brotherhood Shabbat). For more information about BI Brotherhood, contact the BI Office at (508) 756-6204. BI Sisterhood BI Sisterhood, affiliated with the Women s League for Conservative Judaism, is a multigenerational group of women who enjoy learning and socializing together. The group sponsors the BI Gift Shop (located in the Library), organizes apples and honey for Yom Kippur Break Fast, bakes hamentaschen for Purim, and supports the Torah Fund to help train the next generation of cantors and rabbis at the Jewish Theological Seminary, among many other things. Sisterhood s Fall Kickoff event: Then & Now, is on Sept. 17 at 10:00 am in the Library. Cost: donation to Torah Fund, a contribution to Sisterhood, or volunteer commitment. Contact Sisterhood President Lois Sobel through the BI Office at (508) 756-6204. Mah Jongg Bam! Learn how to play Mah Jongg, or brush up on your skills through BI Sisterhood and Membership. Upcoming dates: 9/7, 9/14, 9/27, 10/18,11/01, 11/09, 11/29, 12/06, 12/20. Contact BI Membership Vice President Lydia Borenstein through the BI Office at (508) 756-6204.
FEBRUARY Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 Go Red Shabbat 10:30 am Rimon Pre-K 11:15 am Tot Shabbat 4 9:30 am Brotherhood Breakfast 10:00 am BI BITE 10:00 am Souper Bowl Sunday 5 6 7 8 9 Inclusion Shabbat 10 Inclusion Shabbat 11 9:30 am Shelter Meal 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 President s Day 20 21 22 23 24 9:30 am Learning Minyan 25 10:00 am Hamentaschen Making 26 27 28 Purim Rimon/Purim
Adult Education topics will be taught by Rabbis, Cantors, educators and lay leaders from throughout Central Massachusetts This program is coordinated by the Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts and hosted by Congregation Beth Israel. Hebrew For All Beginning and Intermediate Hebrew Course Are you interested in learning Hebrew, or taking your current skills to the next level? A multi-level class will meet on Mondays from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in the BI Library. The fee for the 10-week course is $100, with a minimum of four students required. Beginner books are $16. Intermediate books are $32. Both can be purchased from the instructor. The first class is on Oct. 16 at 6:30 pm. An additional course focusing on reading from the Sidur will be added depending on interest. Contact course instructor Ziva Rosenhand at ziva.rosenhand@gmail.com for more information. Congregation Beth Israel! November 18 from 5:30 to 11:00 pm. For more information, contact the Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts at (508) 756-1543, or info@jfcm.org. Conversational Hebrew Practice conversational Hebrew during Kiddush. Find the table with the sign, improve your Hebrew skills, and make some new friends in the process. All levels welcome. Torahthon Support BI with Smile When purchasing books or other materials for classes, use Amazon Smile, and designate Congregation Beth Israel as your organization to assist. A small percentage of your purchase is donated back to the synagogue, and that makes us all Smile. Join the greater Central Massachusetts Jewish Community in an evening of study and friendship. Various Jewish www.bethisraelworc.org
MARCH Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Purim 2 3 10:30 am Rimon Pre-K 11:15 am Tot Shabbat 4 9:30 am Brotherhood Breakfast 10:00 am Judaism @ Home: Pesach Prep & Family Haggadah making 10:00 am PJ Library Bagels & Books 5 6 7 8 9 10 9:30 am Rimon 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Shabbat Plus: Pesach Wine Tasting 18 9:30 am Brotherhood Breakfast 9:30 am Shelter Meal 2:00 pm JCC Author Series 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 10:00 am BI BITE 26 27 28 29 30 Erev Pesach 31 Pesach I
Adult Education Social Action January: Congregation Beth Israel s Social Action Committee offers opportunities to give back to the greater Central Massachusetts community, and beyond. If you are interested in joining the committee, or have questions about how you can help, contact Michelle Cochran at weefishe@comcast.net. February: Paper Goods Souper Bowl Sunday March: Purim food drive April: TBA May: Two main initiatives are monthly tzedakah collections -- a marked bin can be found near the Library -- and monthly preparation of meals for local shelters. TBA September/October: November: Winter Gear and Thanksgiving food drive December: TBA Congregation Beth Israel! Please Note: A special Souper Bowl Sunday soup preparation will be held on Feb. 4. Watch for details. (Don t worry, it s before the big game.) Contact Michelle Cochran at weefishe@comcast.net for more information. You Can Make a Difference! Tzedakah Collection School supplies and a High Holiday food drive Cooking dates: 9/10, 10/22, 11/19, 12/10, 01/14, 02/11, 03/18, 04/22, 05/13. Shelter Meals Cooking for shelter meals takes place on Sundays at 9:30 at BI. Upcoming building renovations might change the cooking location. Check the BI email updates and Shabbat Sheet for any changes. Congregation Beth Israel depends on congregants like you to volunteer to help facilitate the many programs it offers throughout the year. Consider donating some time to help with setup, clean-up, or shopping for events. Are you short on time? If so, make a donation. Financial contributions to Beth Israel keep our programming fresh and exciting, and benefit the entire community. Your contribution counts! www.bethisraelworc.org
APRIL Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Pesach II 2 Pesach III 3 Pesach IV 4 Pesach V 5 Pesach VI 6 Pesach VII 7 Pesach VIII 8 9 10 11 Yom HaShoah / Yom HaShoah 12 13 14 15 9:30 am Brotherhood Breakfast 10:00 am Craft-O- Rama 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 9:30 am Shelter Meal 23 24 25 26 27 28 9:30 am Learning Minyan Shabbat Plus: Book Discussion 29 5:00 pm Mel Brooks Film Fest 30
Adult Education CPR Class A few hours on a Sunday morning could save a life. Congregation Beth Israel is hosting a CPR class for teens and adults at 9:30 am on Jan. 28. Learn a lifesaving skill you can share. Cost: TBD The following weekend is Go Red Shabbat, which raises awareness for heart disease and donations for research. Check the BI email updates and Shabbat Sheet for further information. Craft-O-Rama Are you crafty? Come show it. Bring a portable craft project -- knitting, crochet, scrapbooking, etc. -- and spend some time schmoozing with all your crafty friends at Beth Israel. Individuals are welcome to share their crafting skills, though no formal lessons will be offered. Dates: Jan. 21 and April 15 in the BI Social Hall, from 10:00 to Noon. (More regular meeting times can be added if there is interest.) For more information, contact Rebecca Weiner, BI Vice President for Education, through the BI Office at (508) 756-6204. JCC Author Series Author Alexandra Silber, in her novel After Anatevka: A Novel Inspired by Fiddler on the Roof, picks up where the beloved musical leaves off to follow Tevya s daughter Hodel and her fiance Perchik after they leave the village. Silber will discuss her novel at Congregation Beth Israel on Sunday, March 18 at 2:00 pm as part of the Worcester JCC s author series. A dessert reception and book signing follows the lecture. For more information, and to RSVP, contact JCC Cultural Arts and Adult/ Senior Director Nancy Greenberg at (508) 756-7109 x 232, or email at ngreenberg@worcesterjcc.org. Additional author events are held throughout the year. Check the Worcester JCC web page for the full schedule: worcesterjcc.org.
MAY Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 6:15 pm Rimon Lag B Omer Family Picnic 3 4 5 10:30 am Rimon Pre-K 11:15 am Tot Shabbat Sisterhood Shabbat 6 9:30 am Brotherhood Breakfast 7 8 9 10 11 12 9:30 am Rimon 13 9:30 am Shelter Meal 14 15 16 17 18 19 Shavuot Brotherhood Shabbat BI BITE 20 Shavuot 21 Shavuot 22 23 24 25 26 9:30 am Learning Minyan 27 28 Memorial Day 29 30 31
Notes
Registration Form Pre-registration for programming allows us to better prepare. Thanks! Submit forms to the synagogue office in person, or by mail at 15 Jamesbury Drive, Worcester, MA 01609. Contact the office with questions: (508) 756-6204. Contact Information Family Name: Address: Phone: Email: BI Member: (Y/N) Not a member yet? Contact the office and join today. Participant Name/Program Program Date Cost Total Due: Make checks out to Congregation Beth Israel. Separate registration forms for Rimon and Preschool at Rimon can be found on the BI web page, or in the synagogue office. Some program details might change. Check the weekly email notice or Shabbat Sheet for changes and updates.