Congregational Journey: Planning for Beth El’s Next Chapter
Shabbat Services & Daily Minyan
All services and classes can be accessed directly from the weekly e-blast to members (no login necessary) or by following the links on our website (login required).
Shabbat – Friday
Kabbalat Shabbat 5:45 PM
Shabbat – Saturday
Shacharit, Torah, & 9:30 AM Musaf Services
Children’s Playroom 9:30 AM
Mini-Minyan (1st -6th graders) PAUSED will resume in September
Mazal Tots (birth-kindergarten) 11:15 AM
Mincha Service, includes Mourner’s Kaddish for both Saturday and Sunday 12:15 PM (or 20 min. after morning service, whichever is later)
Havdallah ZOOM ONLY, SEE CHART BELOW
There are no regular services, in person, on Saturday evenings.
Candle & Havdallah Times; plus Havdallah Service Time
Shabbat Friday Saturday Candle Havdallah Service
July 3-4 8:11 PM 9:09 PM 9:30 PM
July 10-11 8:09 PM 9:07 PM 9:25 PM
July 17-18 8:05 PM
Summer
Shabbat Morning
Speaker Series
Special Shabbat Programs and Events
July Fri 17 5:30 PM Shababa: Summer Edition Sat 18 5:00 PM Supper & Study with Rabbis Rosen and Zerin, facing page
Sat 25 3:00 PM Playgroup in the Park
August
Sat 15 5:00 PM Supper & Study with Rabbis Rosen and Zerin, facing page Sat 22 3:00 PM Playgroup in the Park Fri 28 5:45 PM Shabbat Under the Stars, see p.12
Shababa: Summer Edition
FRIDAY, JULY 17
5:30 – 7:00 PM
July 24-25 8:00 PM 8:57 PM 9:15 PM
July 31-Aug 1 7:53 PM
Aug 7-8
Aug 14-15 7:35 PM 8:31 PM 8:50 PM
Aug 21-22 7:24 PM 8:21 PM 8:40 PM
Aug 28-29 7:13 PM 8:10 PM 8:30 PM 7:44 PM 9:02 PM 9:20 PM 8:49 PM 9:10 PM 8:41 PM 9:00 PM
Daily Minyan
Shacharit Sun 8:45 AM Mon–Fri 7:00 AM
NOTE: during the summer, even when the office is closed, there is no change to morning minyan
Mincha/Ma’ariv Sun–Thu 5:30 PM
AGES: 0-8, with their grown-ups
REGISTER: no charge; tinyurl.com/ShababaJuly17 -
Playgroup in the Park
SATURDAYS,
JULY 25 tinyurl.com/725Playgroup
AUGUST 22 tinyurl.com/822Playgroup
3:00 – 5:00 PM
LOCATION: Eisenhower Park, 33 Sheep Hill Dr, West Hartford
AGES: 0-5, with their grown-ups
REGISTER: for planning and weather purposes
Beth El Temple Y West Hartford,
Observing Together - Summer
The Three
Weeks
Y Shiva Asar B’Tammuz Y Tisha B’Av
Shiva Asar B’Tammuz
THURSDAY, JULY 2 Regular daily service times
Tisha B’Av
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22
7:00 PM Tri-Synagogue Event, with reading of Eichah, Book of Lamentations AT BETH SHOLOM B’NAI ISRAEL, MANCHESTER
THURSDAY, JULY 23 AT BETH EL TEMPLE 7:00 AM Morning Minyan (neither tallit nor tefillin worn at this service) 1:30 PM Community Mincha Service (please bring tefillin) 5:30 PM Evening Minyan
Mitzvot Opportunities
3-Season Opportunities
Jessie’s Community Garden
CONTACT: Dane Kostin, dkostin@comcast.net
Garden Club News
CONTACT: Sheila Fox, 860-828-3939, sheilaf33@icloud.com; Alison Demarest, 860-810-2084, alisonsupermom@comcast.net; Robin Santiago, 860-490-7661, robin@rsantiagodmd.com
Both of these outdoor activities make great B’nei Mitzvah projects. Volunteers are invited to come with friends, as a family, or solo.
Lifelong Learning for Adults
Supper & Study with Rabbi Rosen & Rabbi Zerin
SATURDAYS, JULY 18, AUGUST 15
5:00 – 6:45 PM
COST: $10/session/person, tinyurl.com/SupperStudy
KNITzvah Group
SUNDAYS, MONTHLY, 10:00 – 11:00 AM resumes October 25
CONTACT: BJ and Fran, knitzvahgrp@gmail.com
NOTE: we're available via email for questions, pick up/drop off of yarn, finished projects, etc
Weekly Adult Classes
Lunch & Learn TUESDAYS 12:00 – 1:00 PM doesn’t meet during the summer
Talmud Study WEDNESDAY 10:15 – 11:15 AM
Bible & Breakfast THURSDAY 8:00 – 9:00 AM
Supporting Beth El
We deeply appreciate the following Thoughtful Contributions.
Y This list reflects contributions received and processed through May 19, 2026
Y For the next edition of Temple Topics, contributions need to be received in the office by July 20, 2026
We would like to thank an anonymous donor for the new Siddur Lev Shalem for use in the Levine-Shein Chapel.
There are two ways to make a donation:
Y Go to the Beth El website: www.bethelwesthartford. org/giving
Y Mail it in
Please be sure to include:
à the name of the fund
Thank you for the anonymous donation of an expanded yahrzeit plaque wall and a new bimah table cover in the Levine-Shein Chapel.
à whom you wish to honor/ remember and your relationship to the person
à their address for an acknowledgment card à your address/phone/email
Print clearly – or submit the information typed.
Every dollar contributed can and does make a difference and will be acknowledged.
The minimum donation for each listing is $10
Unrestricted funds support the timely needs of Beth El Temple. Restricted funds benefit specific purposes and objectives. For a complete list of funds and any specific designations, please visit our website.
Torah Fund 2025-2026
Thank you to the following Beth El Temple women who responded generously to the Women’s League Torah Fund Campaign. Their support helps Jewish students become rabbis, cantors, and Jewish educators.
Scholarship Patron
Dr. Ellen Leonard
Benefactor
Vida Barron
Carolyn Bernstein
Rivka Dvorin
Susan Eisner-Saidel
Rabbi Ilana Garber
Jill Epstein Jones
Leah Katz
Barbara Klau
Other Donors
Shelley Barker
Rena Citron
Jacalyn Cohen
Naomi Cohen
Guardian Phyllis Berman
Jeanne Kleinman
Myra Kleinman
Gina Koppel
Lois Koteen
Michelle Kunzman
Jean Meyer
Beth Papermaster
Gail Reiner
Alison Demarest
Bette Jane Diamond
Sharon Efron
Eva Kaplan
Nancy Rosen
Sharon Gorlick
Royer
Susan Samuels
Paula Steinberg
Francine Stier
Deena Myers
Maura Nemirow
Judyth Singer
If you have not already contributed and would like to do so, please write a check to Torah Fund, and send to Torah Fund Chair: Jill Epstein Jones, 10 High Point Lane, West Hartford, CT 06107.
Supporting Beth El
Sharon & Bob Efron Family Fund
Mildred, Hyman & Edward Glasband Memorial Fund
Gloria Goldenberg Music & Lecture Series Endowment Fund
Richard & Debbie Gutcheon Family Endowment Fund
Anna Heineman Memorial Fund
Leah Goldschmidt Katz Endowment Fund
& Harry Kleinman Endowment
David S. Kravet Endowment Fund
Sandra L. Kravet Woman of Valor Endowment Fund
Kreinik Family Endowment Fund
Judie & Coleman Levy Family Fund
Diane & Richard Lieberfarb Endowment Fund
Ludgin Family Endowment Fund
Lois & Alvin Reiner Family Fund
Rosen Family Kehillah Kedosha Fund
& Susan Schenker Endowment
Swaye Family Fund
Supporting Beth El, cont.
Sisterhood-Women’s Network Endowment Fund
Clara & Mickey Sowalsky Gabbai Rishon Endowment Fund
Leigh A. Newman & Gary S. Starr Family Fund
Sussman Families Fund
Amy E. Toyen Endowment Fund
Wasserlauf Family Endowment Fund
I. Milton Widem Adult Education Fund
Summer Fun
Beth El Softball Season is in Full Swing
SUNDAY MORNINGS, THROUGH EARLY FALL, 9:30 – 11:30 AM
LOCATION: CIGNA fields (in Bloomfield off Simsbury Rd.)
CAPTAINS: Alan Cetel, 860-232-9515, acjctc@aol.com, Jacob Kovel, 860-651-9366, eaglewars@aol.com
Chai Society (indoor) Summer Picnic
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15 11:30 AM
REGISTER: tinyurl.com/ChaiPicnic2026
Hartford Yard Goats, Men’s Club
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23 1:05 PM
LOCATION: Dunkin' Donuts Park, 1214 Main St, Hartford
COST: $26, includes $2 for concessions; no charge to bring your child under 13
REGISTER: tinyurl.com/BEYardGoats2026
Walk Around the Reservoir
TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS 9:15 AM
LOCATION: Reservoir on Route 44, Albany Ave; meet in back parking lot
CONTACT: Stu Bernstein, 860-232-2012, scbernste@aol.com
Beth El Temple Wof West Hartford Inc. 2626 Albany Avenue West Hartford, CT 06117 bethelwesthartford.org
Jim Rosen, Rabbi JRosen@bethelwh.org
Rachel Zerin, RZerin@bethelwh.org
Associate Rabbi & Interim Cantorial Soloist
Rabbi Eliyahu Krigel, EdD EKrigel@bethelwh.org
Director of Education and Family Engagement
Rabbi Howard Sowalsky, HSowalsky@bethelwh.org
Chief Operating Officer
Joseph Ness, Cantor Emeritus
Stanley M. Kessler z’’l, Rabbi Emeritus
Lydia Lutt, Marketing@bethelwh.org
Social Media and Marketing Coordinator
Jason Kay, Engagement@bethelwh.org Engagement Coordinator
Phil Schulz, President President@bethelwh.org
Deborah R. Rosenfeld, Editor TempleTopics@bethelwh.org
Published every two months. Following the deadline schedule below, please submit articles to: TempleTopics@bethelwh.org
Send Life Cycle announcements to: info@bethelwh.org 1/25 for March-April 3/25 for May-June 5/25 for July-August 7/25 for September-October 9/25 for
Coming Soon...
Back to Beth El Block Party AND Shabbat Under the Stars
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28
5:00 PM Block Party open to all, no charge
6:00 PM Services open to all, no charge
7:00 PM BBQ RSVP required
REGISTER FOR DINNER: by 8/24 at noon, tinyurl.com/BETStarsDinner2026, $15/adult; $12/kids 5-12; free for kids 0-4; family max of $54
QUESTIONS: Rabbi Eliyahu Krigel, ekrigel@bethelwh.org
NOTE: committee chairpersons: register for a table at the Block Party, tinyurl.com/BETBlockParty
Gather with your community and learn about all that Beth El has to offer! Learn about our many programs and services, our education program for learners 013, High Holiday offerings, as well as new member discounts! Enjoy a bounce house, burgers and hot dogs, information about Beth El's many programs & committees, and other entertainment. The community is invited, so feel free to invite friends to this free event! After the Beth El Block Party, stay for Shabbat Under the Stars and celebrate Shabbat together as one community.
SULAM
- First Day
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 9:00 - 11:30 AM
Book in the Sukkah
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 6:00 PM
SPONSOR: Women’s Network
Distinguished Service Award Banquet
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 5:30 PM
SPONSOR: Men’s Club
Kitchen Use Guidelinesbethelwesthartford.org/Kitchen
Preparing for the High Holy Days
TEMPLE TOPICS
SPECIAL EDITION
All About the High Holy Days
Arriving in Mid-August
Everything you need to know about services, tickets, streaming, etc.
** Deadline = Friday, August 7 **
High Holiday Greeting Card
Begin the New Year 5787 with a Mitzvah! Join our community card to wish your Beth El friends a Shanah Tovah (Happy New Year).
Book of Remembrance
Our Yizkor Booklet recalls the names of loved ones remembered by people in our congregation. The books are used during the Yizkor Service on four holidays.
High Holidays at a Glance
Fri, Aug 7
Book of Remembrance AND Beth El High Holiday Greeting Card deadline
Fri, Aug 14 The month of Elul begins We blow the shofar at morning Minyan, Sunday through Friday.
Sat, Sep 5 Selichot
After Shabbat, enjoy this annual, pre-High Holiday Service and Program.
Fri, Sep 11 Erev Rosh Hashanah
Sat, Sep 12 Rosh Hashanah – Day 1
Sun, Sep 13 Rosh Hashanah – Day 2
Sat, Sep 19 Shabbat Shuvah
Rabbi Rosen’s annual visit to Lake Norden Badger.
Sun, Sep 20 Cemetery Service
Sun, Sep 20 Kol Nidre Mon, Sep 21 Yom Kippur