Chai from Beth El - April 2018 Magazine by Chai at Beth El

chai from b et h el APRI L 2018 | I SSUE NO. 6

T HE CENT ER OF JEW I SH L I FE I N FORT BEND COUNT Y

Rab b inic Rum inat ions by Rabbi Joshua L obel Isidor I. Rabi, a Nobel laureate in physics, was once asked, ''Why did you become a scientist, rather than a doctor or lawyer or businessman, like the other immigrant kids in your neighborhood?'' Dr. Rabi's answer was profound: ''My mother made me a scientist without ever intending it. Every other Jewish mother in Brooklyn would ask her child after school: 'So? Did you learn anything today?' But not my mother. She always asked me a different question. 'Izzy,' she would say, 'did you ask a good question today?' That difference - asking good questions -made me become a scientist!' In the Jewish tradition, asking questions is central. There is no better example than the experience of the Passover seder. Over the course of this beautiful ritual meal, both children and adults we are encouraged to ask questions. We begin by reciting ?Ma Nishtanah Ha?lilah Hazeh Micol Ha?layot?? ? ?What makes this night different than all other nights,? before delving into more inquiries designed to cause us to learn more about this festive holiday. But there is a deeper meaning to our obligation of asking questions. The former president of Yeshiva University, Richard Joel, opined, ?The most basic lesson of the Pesach Seder is that freedom carries with it the opportunity- indeed the requirement - to question. Slaves don't get to ask questions; they simply follow orders. As free individuals, not only are we permitted to question, but we are indeed mandated to do so.? Asking questions is a sign of freedom. Slaves do not question ? they just do what they are told. But now that we are free, we have the luxury to ask, to probe, to inquire, to question each and every part of the seder experience, just as Jewish tradition maintains we should do regarding all aspects of our faith. We are not meant to be passive, robotic, in our observance of Judaism. We are meant to be active learners, curious, inquisitive, voracious in our quest for knowledge. This Passover, let us embrace our freedom by asking good questions. In this way, we gain a deeper understanding of our faith and demonstrate what it means to be truly free. Chag Sameach!

ALL ARE WELCOME AS WE COMMEMORATE

YOMHASHOAH HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY WEDNESDAY Apr i l 11, 2018 6:15PM CBE Sanct uar y

MEMORI AL SERVI CE CANDLE LI GHTI NG RECI TATI ON OF KADDI SH Six million died. We must not forget them. Their death shall not be in vain. This shall never happen again. In memory of the helpless infants, children & teenagers who were cut down like young trees before their time. We shall not forget! In memory of all the mothers who died with their children in their arms. We shall not forget! In memory of all the mothers and father who were cruelly separated from their families! We shall not forget! In memory of all the scholars, teachers, Rabbis who were the first to be seized. We shall not forget! In memory of the "Heroes of the Resistance" who fought the Nazis - so few against so many. We shall not forget! In memory of the martys who gave their lives to help their brothers. We shall not forget!

CONGREGATION BETH EL 3900 RAOUL WALLENBERG LN M ISSOURI CITY, TX 77459

Con gr egat ion Bet h El Celebr at es

Isr ael @ 70 You ar e in vit ed t o ou r Yom Ha'At zm au t Celebr at ion ! Wedn esday, Apr il 18, 2018 6pm - 7pm Enjoy Tastes of Israel ~ Birthday Cake Brief Service ~ Israeli music

FREE & OPEN TO THE COM M UNITY! For in f or m at ion con t act t h e t em ple of f ice at 281.499.5066 or adm in @bet h elt x.or g

APRIL 2018

MAY2018

NO Religiou s Sch ool

7pm Executive Meeting

9am PS Lag B'Omer Splash Day

7pm Star Wars Shir Shabbat

7pm Executive Meeting

7pm Bobby Socks & Doo Wop

NO Hebr ew Classes

9am Annual Meeting

No Pr esch ool/ Tem ple Of f ice Closed - Pesach 7pm Sh ir Sh abbat

1:30pm Seniors Current Events 7pm Board Meeting

BEFTY - NFTY Citywide Program off campus

7pm Volunteer Shabbat

7pm Board Meeting

9am Confirmation Class

Yom HaSh oah

7pm Sh avu ot Ser vice

13-15

NFTY Spring Kallah Greene Family Camp Spring Retreat (2nd-8th grade)

7pm Ritual committee meeting

1:30pm Seniors

Yom HaAt zm au t

Memorial Day

CBE Book Club

1:30pm Seniors Current Events

Last Day of Pre-School 6pm Preschool PK Graduation

10:30am BEFTY Shabbat

IN OBSERVANCE OF PESACH

IN OBSERVANCE OF M EM ORIAL DAY

THE TEM PLE OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED

FRIDAY, APRIL 6

M ONDAY, M AY 28

FRIDAY NIGHT SHABBAT SERVICE: 7PM SATURDAY MORNING TORAH STUDY: 9AM SUNDAY MORNING RELIGIOUS SCHOOL: 9AM SUNDAY MORNING INTRO CLASSES: Judaism 9:15AM ; Judaism 10:15AM WEDNESDAY HEBREW CLASS: 5:15PM WEEKLY EVENTS: Boy Scouts meet ever y Monday @ 7pm; Tor ch meets ever y Thur sday @ 7:30pm FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ANY OF THESE EVENTS VISIT WWW.BETHELTX.ORG

Relig ious School New s March was a short month, but filled with a lot of activities, especially Passover celebrations. Also, Kesler Freidman, our ISJL Fellow, was in town for her spring visit. She told a story at the Friday night Shabbat service and lead Torah study on Shabbat morning. On Sunday, Kesler lead the K5th graders in our Passover Palooza. We had special guests, Miriam, Moses, and Aaron at our Passover Palooza. They told their story and talked about their important characteristics. The students made colored salt by choosing the food color that correlated to an attribute of God and/or Jewish value. The students endured a ten plagues relay and baking matzah in a hurry, just like our ancestors. The morning ended with our ?meal? of maror, haroset, matzah, and chocolate covered matzah. Many thanks to our parents, Teresa Freidman, Tina Steiner, and Betty Braun for helping with the program and to our teachers and madrichim for leading the stations: Cantor Waghalter, Roy Uri, Cara Gehring, Katie Goodman, Pat Rose, Sophie Friedman, Elliot Kalmus, and Ian Hernandez, and to Kesler Freidman for a great Passover Palooza. The Wednesday Hebrew classes learned about the Passover seder through reading games such as; Ten Plagues Go Fish and Four Questions BINGO. The students also reviewed Passover songs, blessings, and Passover symbols. Happy Passover to everyone- Pesach Sameach! APRIL CALENDAR: April 1 and 4 - No classes April 8 - Classes resume April 11- Hebrew classes and Yom Hashoah service April 15 - Religious School celebrates Yom Haatzmaut, Israel Independence Day April 18 - Hebrew classes and Yom Haatzmaut service April 22 - Religious School April 25 - Hebrew classes April 29- Religious School

"Tzed akah (g iving ) out weig hs all ot her Rabbi Lobel, Cantor Waghalter, President Yaffa Steubinger and the entire Board of Directors are excited to share information about the Bridge to Our Future pledge campaign. Three years ago, the Board of Directors and temple leadership began to evaluate the finances of Congregation Beth El. Membership dues and annual fundraising events do not meet the fixed annual expenses of our synagogue as it is for most congregations. While the current Board of Directors and staff continue to pursue additional income producing opportunities, another Board committee looked at common fundraising models. With an eye on how to ensure the financial stability of Congregation Beth El now and in the future, this committee initiated the Bridge to our Future pledge campaign. This three-year fund-drive is similar to an annual appeal, with fewer meetings! Along with our clergy, members of this robust and energetic committee will be meeting with everyone in our Congregation Beth El community to share more specific details and to listen to your ideas. Please expect to hear from us soon! Bridge to our Future Pledge Cam paign Com m it t ee Chair: Carol Cooper Advisor: Eunice Reiter Committee Members: Blanca Feldman, Irene Helsinger, Marc Helsinger, Michelle Michener, Amy Okie, David Rosen, Yaffa Steubinger, Debby Williams, Jeff Wormser

Spring is the time of renewal and clearing out of cupboards and closets! As I began that never-ending task recently, I came upon a family photo taken in the ?90?s when my children were young and all together in the same house. Now, we are geographically spread out; but remain bonded and rejoice in those times we are able to come together. Like my family, Congregation Beth El has changed in the last decade as we welcome new members and see others depart; however, the core remains firm. CBE welcomes Jewish residents whether they have just relocated to Fort Bend or have decided to reconnect with their heritage. CBE welcomes the interfaith couple, the newly single, and the finally retired member to become fully engaged in worship, study, and community good works. The need for family support never diminishes nor does the need for Congregation Beth El, the Jewish center in Fort Bend County, Texas. In order to maintain this legacy, our financial resources must be secure. The Bridge to our Future pledge campaign is designed to fill that need. Members of the pledge committee will continue to meet with each member during the coming months to share ideas and goals. L?shalom, Carol Cooper

com m and m ent s. " ~ TALMUD Special thanks to the following congregants who have spearheaded the Bridge to our Future pledge campaign. CBE is blessed to have many generous members who continue to sustain our congregation by volunteering and sharing their resources with our community.

CHESED

of Giving

Dar r ell & Joy Car aw ay, Kay Dan ziger , Br ian Silver st ein & Debbie William s, Bar bar a Zack

KINDNESS $10 ,0 0 0 +

SHALOM

FRADA BOXER & GEORGE STARKSCHALL Alan & Bet sy M or gan

PEACE $5,0 0 1-$9,999

BARRY & M ONICA FINBERG

MITZVAH Car ol Cooper , M ar c & Ir en e Helsin ger , Ralph & Car ol Kat z, C OMMANDMENT Rabbi Josh u a & Dr . Elizabet h Lobel, An on ym ou s Don or $2,50 1-$5,0 0 0

BONIM BUILDERS

BILL & ELLEN ASNES, DAVID & RACHEL ROSEN Rich ar d & Ter esa Fr iedm an , Br ian & An gela Per r y, Alan & An n Sch n eider , Yaf f a St eu bin ger

$1,50 1-$2,50 0

KEHILLAH COMMUNITY $50 0 -$1,50 0

ADDITIONAL GIFTS: Doran & Cherie Steinberg

APRIL 20 18 Sharon Meyer

Jonathan Elitzky

Dean Krantz

Beau Newlin

Michael Roth

Geoff Kaplan

Sheldon Neider

Robert Simoneaux

Peter Allen

Andrea Croft

Beverly Lestz

John Hernandez

Jaymi Hale

Alan Morgan

Rachel Schneider

Lauren Steinberg 10

Cherie Steinberg

Cyndee Satter

Ryan Gartzman

Steven Diamond

Shawn Gartzman

Jason Eason

Blanca Feldman

David Satter

Amy Jerauld

Carol Schorn

Melissa Nickels

APRIL 20 18

Rodney and Debbie Lerner

George Starkschall and Frada Boxer

Rob and Jessica Sherman

Eugene and Danielle Castorina

Rachel and Tom Claret

Lisa and Michael Aquino

APRIL YAHRZEITS Apr il 4/ Nissan 19

Apr il 16/ Iyar 1

Apr il 24/ Iyar 9

Marc Bravman

Charles Meyer

Alan Stein

Ida Tatar

Apr il 17/ Iyar 2

Apr il 26/ Iyar 11

Apr il 5/ Nissan 20

Erna Stern

Richard Jaffee

Erv Shulkin

Apr il 18/ Iyar 3

Apr il 27/ Iyar 12

Apr il 8/ Nissan 23

Fred Bronstein

Joseph Rosky

Freda Kavy

Eva Kavy

Apr il 28/ Iyar 13

Apr il 10/ Nissan 25

Steven Lee Rosen

Shirley Albert

Jerry Seligson

Apr il 19/ Iyar 4

Irving Lichtenstein

Apr il 11/ Nissan 26

Gertrude Golden

Pati Mandell

Joseph Maurice Asnes

David Silverstein

Hunter Turberville

Eugene Mullin

Apr il 20/ Iyar 5

Reba Young

Apr il 12/ Nissan 27

Ruth Cohen

Apr il 30/ Iyar 15

Marcus Hochman

Apr il 21/ Iyar 6

Bobbie Eisenberg

Apr il 13/ Nissan 28

Roy Spiegel

Julian Mandelstamm

Joseph Greenfield

Stanley Spiegel

Morris Wolch

Tw o Ways t o Rem em ber You r Loved On e... You may choose to sponsor or co-sponsor a Shabbat Oneg at the time of your loved one?s yahrzeit. You may also purchase a memorial plaque for display in the sanctuary. Both are a meaningful way to honor the memory of your loved one. To arrange one or both of these honors, please call Norma Gonzales in our administrative office at 281-499-5066 or by email at adm in @bet h elt x.or g.

May your dear one?s life be forever remembered as a blessing.

MARCH 2018 Can t or 's Discr et ion ar y Fu n d

Dor a & Dan iel Sof f ar Oper at in g Fu n d

In honor of Seth Gratz Bar Mitzvah

In memory of Pauline Applebaum

Andrew and Alison Gratz

Marcia Forbes

In appreciation for officiating at Sophie Rodriguez's funeral service

In memory of Pauline Cooper Marion Pomerantz and Sharyn Hale

David and Rachel Rosen

Rabbi's Discr et ion ar y Fu n d On eg Spon sor

In honor of Seth Gratz Bar Mitzvah

In memory of Dora Soffar

Andrew and Alison Gratz

In memory of Dora Soffar Deborah and Jim Paras In memory of Howard Pomerantz Marion Pomerantz and Sharyn Hale

Deborah and Jim Paras General Donation

Rit u al Fu n d

Harry and Leticia Himmelstein

In celebration of Purim

In celebration of Jo Buchanan concert

In memory of Jean Pomerantz Marion Pomerantz and Sharyn Hale

Sybil Leson

Erin and Michael Bersin

Randalls believes in working together with customers to support programs that improve the quality of life in the community.They are committed to assisting non-profit organizations that are important to their customers and their families.Randalls offers customers a way to direct their donation dollars to their favorite non-profit organization. Sinceily thein program the fall of 1996, Fam m embegan or y ofin Dor a Sof f ar Randalls/Tom Thumb has donated nearly $48 million to over 8000 participating organizations.

Thank you toour M arch Oneg Sponsors Par as

Er in an d M ich ael Ber sin in celebr at ion of Joe Bu ch an an con cer t

DID YOU KNOW? .Beth El is a Good Neighbor Charity? We are. Link us today! Register your card to Con gr egat ion Bet h El - #2478.

A special Thank You to Harry and Leticia Himmelstein for their continued financial support of our Friday night Onegs. If you are interested in hosting an Oneg in honor or in memory of someone special, CBE has dates available. Sponsoring is as easy as 1-2-3! 1. Call Norma Gonzales at 281.499.5066 to pick a date. 2. Choose between two options: Make a $50 donation and CBE will do all the shopping or you can provide kosher style treats. 3. If you choose to provide the treats, please arrive by 6pm to allow time to set up. If you make a donation, no need to arrive early.

chai from b et h el admin@betheltx.org