chai from b et h el DECEMBER 2017 | I SSUE NO 2
T HE CENT ER OF JEW I SH L I FE I N FORT BEND COUNT Y
Chanukah We are all Menorahs Rabbinic Ruminations by Rabbi Josh L obel Chanukah, our ?Festival of L ights,? is one of our most treasured and celebrated holidays. We spin the dreidel, eat our fill of latkes and sufganiyot, and, of course, give each other presents. But the highlight of our Chanukah celebration is the lighting of the menorah. We recall the victory of the Maccabees who fought to keep their heritage and traditions alive. We also remember the miracle of the oil, which was only supposed to last one night, but instead lasted eight. Each night we add a candle, watching as the flickering flames spread their light in our homes and in our hearts. I n the Jewish tradition, light is one of our most important symbols. T he very beginning of our Torah tells the story of the creation of the world which commences with the Eternal?s command, ?L et there be light.? L ight to dispel the darkness of the chaos, the void. L ight to illuminate the universe. Only when God fills the world with light can the rest of creation come into existence. Much in the same way, we, the Jewish people, are commanded to be a ?light to the nations,? meaning, through our loving, compassionate, just, and charitable actions, we are to serve as a shining example to the world. I t is our responsibility to cut through the darkness of hate and oppression, of bigotry and intolerance, of greed and arrogance. We are meant to fill the world with light, creating a world overflowing with goodness, holiness, and peace. Simply put, we are commanded to be the living embodiment of a menorah. T his year, may our celebration of Chanukah remind us of our responsibility to be a menorah, to bring light to dark places. L et?s ensure that our own unique light shines through, warming and illuminating our world. Chag Sameach!
RELIGIOUS SCHOOL UPDATE After all of the Fall Holiday celebrations and learning, the religious school classes delved into their ISJL core curriculum. Here are some class highlights from October and November. Our Kinder- first grade class is learning about Mitzvot and Jewish Values.The students have a class mitzvah tree and post their mitzvah leaves of acts done during the week. When the class studied the mitzvah of Welcoming the Guests, they prepared snack for the 6th? 8th graders and welcomed them to their classroom. Everyone enjoyed the snack and had fun being with each other. Our second ?third graders are learning about Jewish community and culture. Class activities have included, making a floor plan for a synagogue, learning about Jewish symbols, tracing Hebrew letters in gel, and making own Hebrew flashcards. Our Kinder- 3rdgrade classes have T?fillah, prayer service every Sunday, enjoy music every other week, and are learning the Hebrew alphabet. The 4th grade class enjoys learning about the different Biblical personalities that strengthen the Jewish connection to God and to the land of Israel. Many discussions have evolved about the role of women in Judaism.The 5th grade class is staring to learn about the Jewish life cycle. Each student has created a life cycle booklet for a fictitious child and will document his/her life through pictures. The class had a model baby naming and invited their parents to attend. The family program included study time with the parents, a baby naming skit, sweets, and a mitzvah project.Hebrew is enriched with fun games such as Hebrew basketball and Hebrew Jenga. This semester, our 6th? 8thgrade class is learning about the Holocaust; what can result from stereotyping, prejudice and racism. Class activities evolve around discussions, creative writings, simulations, and video excerpts. On a lighter side, the class is part of Chalon L?Atid (Window into the Future), the suburban congregation program sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston. We hosted the first event. The speaker was Susan Shaw from the Anti-Defamation League and then the social was at the Sugar Land DECEMBER UPCOMING EVENTS Ice Skating Rink. December 1: K- 3rd grade Shabbat with Shir Shabbat/New Member Shabbat December 3: Chanukah Shop and Schmooze 9:00 - noon Annual Religious School Fund-raiser December 3: 6th-8th grade Chalon L?Atid Event- Dave and Busters, Genesis Steakhouse, and Feeding the Hungry Mitzvah December 10: Annual Religious School Maccabee Games December 17: Chanukah Pancake Breakfast.
DECEMBER 20 17 Ri chard Fri edm an
6
Ralph Katz
19
Davi d Rosen
27
Mi chael Mucasey
7
Marvi n Greenfi eld
21
Matthew Di lli ngham
29
Maury Marlow e
16
Alan Selbst
24
Judd Karni low
29
Alan Schnei der
16
Marc Elli son
27
Mi chelle Mi chener
30
Edw ard Carli n
19
Steven Gartzm an
27
Blake Kurlander
3
Thaddeus Ni ckels
18
Li lly Cordover
25
Evan Claret
4
Beyla Meyerson
20
Grace Adam s
27
Matthew Sack s
4
Sophi e Ri chards
20
Alexi s Leva
27
Noah Haas
5
Si m one Braun
21
Declan Garrett
29
Em m a Hei nly
12
Alexander Di lli ngham
23
Stella Block
30
DECEMBER 20 17
Jeffrey & Natali e Kase
7
Dean & Dani elle Krantz
17
Ralph & Carol Katz
18
Chri stopher & Carolyn Wade
19
Mi chael & Jenni fer Roth
24
Gi l & Patri ci a Gui llory
26
Ni cole & Ti m othy Hardesty
28
Davi d & Rachel Rosen
28
Jeff & Peggy Novy
30
IN OBSERVANCE OF THE WINTER HOLIDAYS t h e CBE t em ple of f ice w ill be closed M on day an d Tu esday, Decem ber 25 & 26 an d Jan u ar y 1 & 2
DECEMBER 2017
JANUARY 2018
1
6pm New M em ber & Religiou s Sch ool Sh abbat
1-2
Happy New Year! - Temple office closed
3
9am Chanukah Shop & Schmooze 9am Religious School 9am Confirmation Class 9:15am Intro to Hebrew 10:30am Intro to Judaism
3
7pm Executive Committee Meeting
7
9am Religious School 9am Confirmation Class 9:15am Intro to Hebrew 10:30am Intro to Judaism
8
PRESCHOOL CLASSES RESUME
9
1:30pm Seniors Current Events
10
7pm Board Meeting
14
9am Religous School Family Program 9:15am Intro to Hebrew
15
MLK DAY CBE Temple office closed NO PRESCHOOL
17
5:15pm Hebrew Classes
21
9am Religious School 9am Confirmation Class 9:15am Intro to Hebrew 10:30am Intro to Judaism
23
1:30pm Seniors Current Events
24
5:15pm Hebrew Classes
26-28
NFTY Winter Conclave
27
10:30am Religiou s Sch ool Sh abbat
28
9am Religious School 9am Confirmation Class 9:15am Intro to Hebrew 10:30am Intro to Judaism 10:30am Religious School Celebrates Tu B'shevat
31
5:15pm Hebrew Classes and Tu B'shevat program
6-10
Rabbi Lobel @ URJBiennial in Boston
6
9am Preschool Parent-Teacher Conferences 5:15p Hebrew Classes
9
Torah Study
10
9am Religious School Pancake Breakfast 9am Religious School & Confirmation Class 1pm Seniors Celebrate Chanukah
12-19
Ch an u k ah
12
1:30pm Seniors Current Events
13
5:15pm Hebrew Classes
15
9am Preschool Chanukah Party 7pm Cantor Rene Waghalter Installation & Community Menorah Lighting Ceremony
16
9am Torah Study 10:30am Religious School Shabbat
17
9am Religious School Chanukah Latke Breakfast 9am Religious School & Confirmation Class 9:15am Intro to Hebrew 10:30am Intro to Judaism 1pm Chanukah Hangout @ Barnes & Noble
22
No Preschool Winter Break through January 7
23
No Torah Study
24
No Religious School
25-26
Temple office closed
27
No Hebrew Classes
30
No Torah Study
31
No Religious School
FRIDAY NIGHT SHABBAT SERVICE: 7PM SATURDAY MORNING TORAH STUDY: 9AM 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
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