A Note from Dr. Eliyahu Krigel

And there I will thank You, for You have answered me, and You have been salvation to me.

-Psalms 118:21

Thank you so much, Todah Rabah, to the BET community for the very warm welcome I’ve experienced since starting last month as your new Director of Education and Family Engagement. From Shabbat dinner with Rabbi Rosen and family to Shabbat dinner with Rabbi Zerin and family, the warm hospitality my family and I have received has made this transition smooth and genuine. Meeting the community and the BET families who were able to attend Celebrate! West Hartford was so inspiring. Our community truly does show up for each other!

My family is filled with gratitude as we begin this new chapter of our lives. This summer my wife Shanti and I will be celebrating our 23rd wedding anniversary. Our son Isaiah works in Seattle for a law firm after having graduated from Gonzaga University with a BA in Political Science and a double minor in Entrepreneurship and Marketing. Our daughter Kaela will be a freshman this fall at UMass Amherst. We are all so excited for our future with the BET family.

The quote above from Psalm 118 is a reminder to show Hakarat Hatov, gratitude, with action and deed. Hakarat Hatov symbolizes our ability to recognize the good. The way we actively express our gratitude helps highlight what we’re truly grateful for.

At SULAM, we strive to ensure all of us demonstrate Hakarat Hatov on a continuous basis. Thank you to Michelle Konigsburg and the SULAM educators for graciously and thoughtfully giving so much to the SULAM experience. Our learners demonstrate gratitude by collecting Tzedakah (sacred giving), showing appreciation to our incredible educators and teaching assistants, and greeting everyone we encounter with a caring smile. One of our goals at SULAM is to ensure all our learners are heard and deeply listened to with gratitude and appreciation in a heartfelt way.

Whether a baby, a bubbie, or somewhere in between, I’m here to help you on your Jewish educational journey. My door is always open. If I can assist you on your journey of exploration, please let me know. May each one of us be blessed with the ability to go within by remaining connected to our passions and by consistently showing appreciation and gratitude.

~Dr. Eliyahu Krigel (ekrigel@bethelwh.org)

SULAM

Classes begin Sunday, September 10

Registration is open at bethelwesthartford.org/member.

United Synagogue Youth

WHUSY, the local chapter of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism's youth movement, serves teens from Beth El Temple and The Emanuel Synagogue. USY offers local and regional programs and conventions, local social and social justice activities, and more!

AGES: grades 6-12

CONTACT: Marisa and Max Beede, Advisors, whusyadvisor@gmail.com

PS: Mazel Tov to our member Lily Temkin on being elected to the 2023-2024 Region Board as Vice President for Social Action/Tikkun Olam HaNer USY (New England Region).

JTConnect

JTConnect’s classes, programs, and events are enriching touch points along a young person’s Jewish journey and offer valuable opportunities for growth and leadership development.

Members of Beth El and our professional staff teach classes. Dr. Eliyahu Krigel will be teaching a class this fall on Monday nights!

AGES: grades 8-12

CONTACT: Caroline Poland, Executive Director, office@jtconnect.org