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 What a year this has been for Congregation Beth El! We began with tragedy, as Hurricane Harvey swept through Houston, leaving a trail of destruction and devastation in its wake. It was a very difficult time and many are still feeling the effects. However, out of the darkness came a burst of light in the form of the efforts of countless volunteers who provided aid to those affected by the storm. We showed who we are as a congregation, as we reached out to each other and provided much needed support to those in need. The spirit of volunteerism is vital to our synagogue. It is what will continue to be the driving force in our continued development as a kehillah kedoshah, a holy community. We have accomplished so much as a congregation in the last four years, demonstrating that when we work together towards a common goal, there is no limit to what we can achieve. I hope you are as proud as I am of the tremendous volunteers who worked tirelessly on behalf of the synagogue. Whether it was assisting with holiday programming, providing educational offerings, organizing social gatherings for all ages, or maintaining our facility ? these dedicated congregants came together to make an impact. As our year comes to a conclusion, let us remember the meaningful moments, the joyous celebrations, and, most importantly, our friends at Beth El who make this synagogue our Jewish home. This is a wonderful community and I am proud, as always, to be your rabbi. With blessings, Rabbi Josh Lobel

Relig ious School New s During the month of April, our students celebrated Eretz Yisrael- Land of Israel. This year marked the 70th year of Israel?s Independence. Over the course of the year, students were learning 70 fun facts about Israel such as; cherry tomatoes were engineered in Israel, Israel?s cows produce more milk than cows from other countries, and even the glue on Israeli stamps is kosher. We celebrated Yom Ha?atzmautIsrael Independence Day by finding as many facts about Israel in 30 minutes. Groups also had to buy from a shuk (Israeli market), be in the IDF- Israel Defense Forces, do some Israeli dancing, write birthday wishes, and create a map of Israel out of ice cream. It was a fun morning of learning, doing, and celebrating! We?re coming to the end of the year and wanted to highlight a few class activities: · The K-1 grade class honored the mitzvah of Saving the Earth by planting plants and learning what it takes to keep a healthy environment. · The 2nd and 3rd graders had a mock Shabbat on a Sunday and are learning the rest of the Hebrew alef bet. Some students are even reading Hebrew words! · The 4th graders have completed their Hebrew program and are ready to start their prayer curriculum. · The 5th grade class organized a vow renewal for Doug and Laura Scheiner, and Steven and Shawn Gartzman as the culminating marriage life cycle unit activity. Mazal Tov to the Scheiners and Gartzmans. · Middle school studied the issues of the prophets Jonah, Joel, and Ruth and how they can connect their stories to the issues they face today and to bring about change.

Some of our teachers have been testing out seesaw to communicate with their families. Seesaw is a program that empowers students to independently document what they are learning at school. Students can ?show what they know? using photos, videos, drawings, text, PDFs, and links. Teachers can also send messages and reminders. May 6 is Teacher Appreciation and the last day of classes. Hebrew classes will end on Wednesday, May 9. It takes a community to build a successful religious school. I would like to thank Teresa Friedman, our Education Committee Chair, for her hard work, dedication, ideas and support to our religious school. Many thanks to our hard working, creative staff and madrichim for providing a positive learning experience for our children:, Jason Blake, Cara Gehring, Katie Goodman, Pat Rose, Laura Scheiner, Doron Steinberg, Roy Uri, Cantor Waghalter, Sophie Friedman, Ian Hernandez, and Elliot Kalmus.

MAY2018

JUNE 2018

4

7pm Star Wars Shir Shabbat

1

7pm Shir Shabbat

5

7pm Bobby Socks & Doo Wop

3

9am Board Retreat

6

9am Annual Meeting

5

7pm Executive Board Meeting

8

1:30pm Seniors Current Events 7pm Board Meeting

11

7pm Ritual Committee Meeting

12

11

7pm Volunteer Shabbat

1:30p Seniors Current Events 7pm Board Meeting

13

9am Confirmation Class

25

7pm Ritual committee meeting

19

7:00pm Sh avu ot Ser vice & Con f ir m at ion

26

1:30pm Seniors Current Events

20

9:30am Sh avu ot M or n in g of Lear n in g To Boldly Go Where No Man Has Gone Before

21

7pm Ritual Committee Meeting

22

1:30pm Seniors

28

Memorial Day Temple office closed / Preschool closed

30

Last Day of Pre-School 6pm Preschool PK Graduation

JULY 2018 3

7pm Executive Board Meeting

4

Independence Day - Temple Office closed

10

1:30p Seniors Current Events 7pm Board Meeting

24

1:30pm Seniors Current Events

IN OBSERVANCE OF M EM ORIAL DAY

IN OBSERVANCE OF INDEPENDENCE DAY

THE TEM PLE OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED

THE TEM PLE OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED

M ONDAY, M AY 28

WEDNESDAY, JULY 4

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

MAY 20 18 Danielle Krantz

1

Ellen Ellison

20

Barry Shapiro

3

Marc Helsinger

21

Amy Okie

5

Douglas Scheiner

24

Steve Coates

9

Russell Schnitzer

26

Joanne Must

9

Cindy Sugar

26

Debra Pacht

11

Douglas Baysinger

27

Shelly Kaplan

13

Heidi Dreyfuss

27

Mark Liss

15

Dayna Coates

28

Peggy Novy

17

Jim Paras

31

Evan MacAdams 17 Ari Claret

23

Daniel Haber

23

Everett Kaplan

23

Carson Block

25

Sophie Friedman 27

Janice Poscovsky 17 Jodi

Kessler

18

Robin Jerauld

19

MAY 20 18

Beau and Elizabeth Newlin

8

Geoff and Shelly Kaplan

28

Brian and Deborah Silverstein

10

Jonathan and Amy Okie

28

Michael and Erin Bersin

15

Alan and Ann Schneider

28

Maury and Michelle Marlowe

15

Evan and Leah Block

29

Mark and Lorin Nussbaum

20

Ronald and Sandra Sanders

30

Douglas and Jan Acker

24

Alan and Janet Selbst

30

Doron and Cherie Steinberg

25

Allan and Sharon Meyer

31

Robert and Mikele Simoneaux

26

M AY YAHRZEITS

M ay 1 / Iyar 16

M ay 10 / Iyar 25

M ay 17 / Sivan 3

M ay 2 / Sivan 10

Teddy Harris

David Abels

Brenda Blagman

Helen Amhowitz Rosenfeldt

Bertha Notowich

Jane Shane

Morrie Selbst

M ay 25 Sivan 11 M ay 2 / Iyar 17

M ay 12 / Iyar 27

M ay 19 / Sivan 5

James Moody

Ruth Tawil

Edy Weinbaum

Jack Kirsch

M ay 26 Sivan 12 M ay 5 / Iyar 20

M ay 13 / Iyar 28

M ay 20 / Sivan 6

Ann Studna

Alan Chapman

Pearl Altman

Eli Rothberg

Raymond Levin

M ay 6 / Iyar 21 Edward Fink

Esther Melasky

M ay 27 Sivan 13 Beverly Goldblum

M ay 14 / Iyar 29

Vera Helena Rosenheim Esther Gamache

M ay 21 / Sivan 7 Dorothy Raderman

M ay 29 Sivan 15

Joseph Nicholas

M ay 9 / Iyar 24

Annette Greenfield

M ay 22 / Sivan 8

Erwin Freschl Jack Raderman

Linda Levy

M ay 16 / Sivan 2

David Applebaum

Philip Young

M.M. Murrel Warren Koushel

Sidney Gerendash

Daniel Soffar

Sylvia Kostner

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 contact our Temple Administrator Norma Gonzales 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.

APRIL 2018

BEFTY In honor of Sophie Friedman's participation in the City Wide Yom Ha'atzmaut Celebration

On eg Spon sor

Rabbi's Discr et ion ar y Fu n d

In honor of Marc Helsinger

In honor of Don D'entremont

Carol Cooper

Deb and Jim Paras

General Donation Harry and Leticia Himmelstein

Flow er Fu n d

In celebration of Volunteer Shabbat

In memory of Edith Mullin

Yaffa Steubinger

Marvin and Ellen Greenfield

In memory of Jack Dorshaw Rachel and David Rosen

Libr ar y Fu n d

In celebration of BEFTY Shabbat

In memory of Eugene Mullin

Richard and Teresa Friedman

Marvin and Ellen Greenfield

Playgr ou n d Fu n d

Wayne and Michelle Croft In memory of Wencesloa Torres Harry and Leticia Himmelstein General Donation Patricia Hogan

Dor a & Dan iel Sof f ar Oper at in g Fu n d In memory of Jack Dorshaw Carol Cooper In honor of Marjan Rembert

Blair and Michelle Michener

Eunice Reiter

Brian and Angie Perry

Deborah and Jim Paras Blair and Michelle Michener

In memory of Wencesloa Torres

In memory of Dora Soffar

Rabbi Joshua and Dr. Elizabeth Lobel

Deborah and Jim Paras In memory of Don D'entremont Wayne and Michelle Croft

Thank you toour April Oneg Sponsors Rach el an d David Rosen in m em or y of Jack Dor sh aw BEFTY Par en t s in celebr at ion of BEFTY Sh abbat 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.

"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

chai from b et h el admin@betheltx.org