Going forward, we will have hybrid (in-person and streaming) Shabbat Morning Services. If you come in-person, we ask that you sign up to come to services by Thursday morning. You can sign up for multiple weeks all at once or You can do it on a week to week basis. www.bnaitikvahma.org/shabbat_services For those attending any services in person: If you have not already done so, please submit your proof of vaccine online or email a copy to the office.
If you do not submit your card beforehand, you MUST bring it with you.
We will not be using the Zoom Links for Shabbat any more. Please update any information that you may have saved.
Office Hours
The office will be closed the next two Fridays, December 24th, and December 31st. Email messages sent to the office and voice mail messages will be checked periodically and responded to.
Monday, December 20, 2021 • 16 Tevet 5782 12:00PM Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Gordon Zoom Link Meeting ID 431 181 532 Passcode 183618 7:30PM Daily Minyan Zoom Link | Meeting ID: 844 4705 9779 | Passcode: 183618 8:00PM Novel Group
Tuesday, December 21, 2021 • 17 Tevet 5782 3:45PM Religious School 7:30PM Daily Minyan Zoom Link | Meeting ID: 844 4705 9779 | Passcode: 183618
Wednesday, December 22, 2021 • 18 Tevet 5782 7:30PM Daily Minyan Zoom Link | Meeting ID: 844 4705 9779 | Passcode: 183618 8:00PM Moral Thinking Behind Jewish Law (Halakhah) Zoom Link | Meeting ID: 868 0444 8894 | Passcode: 183618
Thursday, December 23, 2021 • 19 Tevet 5782 7:30PM Daily Minyan Zoom Link | Meeting ID: 844 4705 9779 | Passcode: 183618 8:00PM Grief Support Group Are you dealing with the loss of a loved one and could benefit from support? B’nai Tikvah member Lorraine Simon is leading a Grief Support Group, beginning Thursday, December 9 at 8 pm. This virtual group will meet twice a month through May. Lorraine is an experienced counselor who has led groups for over twenty years. Contact: lorrainesimon37@gmail.com
Friday, December 24, 2021 • 20 Tevet 5782 Office Closed 3:59PM Candle Lighting 6:00PM Shabbat Services Zoom Link | Meeting ID 978 470 037 | Passcode 183618
Rabbi Gordon's Lunch & Learn In Person and on Zoom Jewish Storytelling from Rebbe Nachman to the Coen Brothers
The Hasidic revolution involved a return from Judaism’s longtime focus on law (halacha) to the Jewish storytelling (aggadic) tradition. Hasidic stories range from fairy tales about lost princesses to stories of wonder-working rabbis. How did the medium impact the message? Why stories? How does this tradition continue in new forms today? Our class will conclude with watching the Coen brother’s film, "A Serious Man" (2009). All readings will be distributed in class and on line. No prior knowledge assumed. Mondays from Noon to 1:00 PM Dec. 6, 13, 20 Zoom Link - Meeting ID 431 181 532 Passcode 183618
Rabbi’s Wednesday Evening Class Zoom Only The Moral Thinking Behind Jewish Law (Halakhah) Starting with the Mishnah (220 C.E.), our class will read classics of Jewish Law, asking what ethical ideals underpin specific legal rulings. All texts will be read in English; no prior experience assumed. Texts will be screen shared in class. Wednesdays from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM Dec. 8, 15, 22 Zoom Link | Meeting ID: 868 0444 8894 | Passcode: 183618
Saturday, December 11 at 12:00 PM Enjoy a cup of coffee while discussing various topics ranging from the weekly parsha to current events. This informal group meets on Zoom. No RSVPs are needed; come regularly or just pop in on the occasional Shabbat. Zoom Link
Israel Trip NEW Dates and Itinerary! The Israel Trip will now take place May 10 - 22, 2022 Check out the new itinerary and let the office know if you would like to be added to the trip.
Mazel tov to our lead teacher/principal Michelle Langmead who will be honored as one of our community's extraordinary educators. We look forward to celebrating on Zoom on January 13th.
A Special Free Trip to Israel for those who are 22-26 years old
Minyan List for the Week Congregants commemorating a yahrzeit may wish to honor that event by leading some portion of the evening’s service. It might be as small as leading a prayer or could be leading all of Mincha or Ma’ariv. If you are interested in taking this honor feel free to call Joe Doniger at 781-910-7601 or email us at MinyanRangers@bnaitikvahma.org at least two days in advance, and we’ll help make arrangements with that night’s minyan leader. Due to the pandemic, as many people are observing a virtual Shiva week, if you inform the leader, a third Mourners' Kaddish will be included as is done in a shiva house.
Monday - 20th Captain: Marvin Wolfert Leader: Marvin Wolfert Harry Dietrich Linda Dietrich Stan Finer Judy Hochberg Elise Wolfert
Tuesday - 21st Captain: Joe Doniger Leader: Joe Doniger Stan Finer Gordon Gilbert Joyce Gilbert Ruth or Marshall Myers Marty Packer Cathy Stern
WEDNESDAY - 22st Captain: Howie Finer Leader: Howie Finer Sherri Finer Stan Finer Bob Pransky
SUNDAY - 26th Captain: Jon Snyderman Leader: Sharon Frank Stan Finer Paul Frank Janet Silberberg Jeff Weinberg
SISTERHOOD TORAH FUND
The mission of Torah Fund is ensuring dedicated leaders for future generations. The organizations thus funded are:
The Jewish Theological Seminary, NY
The Zigler School of Rabbinic Studies, LA
The Schechter Institute of Jerusalem
Sermenario Rabinico Latino Americano, Buenos Aries
The Zacharias Frankel College in Potstam
You can donate to the Torah Fund by purchasing cards for sympathy, welcoming babies, Misheberah, and plain note cards for $5.00 or by sending checks to B'nai Tikavh Sisterhood, with Torah Fund in the memo.
Contact Janet Silberberg
SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE
The IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance)Non-Legally Binding Working Definition of Antisemitism The IHRA is the only intergovernmental organization mandated to focus solely on Holocaust-related issues, so with evidence that the scourge of antisemitism is once again on the rise, they resolved to take a leading role in combating it. IHRA experts determined that in order to to address the problem of antisemitism, there must be clarity about what antisemitism is. The IHRA’s Committee on Antisemitism and Holocaust Denial worked to build international consensus around a non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism, which was subsequently adopted by the Plenary. By doing so, the IHRA set an example of responsible conduct for other international groups and provided an important tool with practical applicability for its member countries. This is just one illustration of how the IHRA has equipped policymakers to address this rise in hate and discrimination at their national level. The working definition of antisemitism The Stockholm Declaration states: “With humanity still scarred by …antisemitism and xenophobia, the international community shares a solemn responsibility to fight those evils.” As such on May 26, 2016, the the IHRA”s Plenary in Bucharest decided to adopt the following non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism:
“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
The Social Action Committee will be discussing various forms of antisemitism and, how, as a community or as individuals we can make a difference. In the meanwhile, remember that January 27th is International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the IHRA has created a toolkit with activities to help promote awareness. Just log onto their website if you are interested: IHRA.org.
Thank you to those that have donated to B'nai Tikvah. You can donate online at: www.bnaitikvahma.org/payment.php or send your donation directly to B'nai Tikvah.
General Fund Barbara Ennis in Honor of Jonah Sokolove Donna & Bob Blumenthal in Memory of Adele Levenson Elaine & Norman Swartz in Memory of Ralph Hurvitz Elaine & Norman Swartz in Memory of Jay Wassersug Sharon & Leo Orkin in Honor of the Yahrzeit of Irving S. Rokeach
Holocaust Memorial Courtyard Fund Myra & Bob Pransky in Memory of Adele Levenson Natalie & Ken Weinberg in Memory of Adele Levenson Joel Kessel Memorial Youth Fund Brenda Kessel Get Well Wishes to Walter Dore
Kirshner/Pearlstein Bereavement Fund Marshall Myers in Honor of the Yahrzeit of Frederick Myers Ruth & Marshall Myers in Memory of Etan Levine Ruth J. Myers in Honor of the Yahrzeit of Rabbi Abraham Jacobson Ruth J. Myers in Honor of the Yahrzeit of Sonia Jacobson Ruth J. Myers in Honor of the Yahrzeit of Paula Pavloff Susan & Norman Gotshalk in Honor of the Yahrzeit of Celia Gotshalk Rabbi's Discretionary Fund Anita & Arthur Podolsky in Memory of Jay Wassersug Sandra Liftman in Honor of the Yahrzeit of Alice Sneider Sandra Liftman in Honor of the Yahrzeit of Marilyn Bernstein
Religious School Fund Bonnie & Joe Doniger in Memory of Adele Levenson
Ruth Diamond Religious School Fund Dottie & Ira Kaye in Memory of Ernest Kaufman
