Chai from Beth El - January 2018 by Chai at Beth El

chai from b et h el JANUARY 2018 | I SSUE NO 3

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

by Cantor Rene Waghalter Still feeling the glow and the love from a very moving installation at Congregation Beth El on Shabbat Chanukah. The sanctuary was set up with tables in the middle for everyone to light the candles, which glowed warmly and brightly throughout the service. My son, Zev, helped to light the gift of a wonderful Chanukah menorah shaped like a musical staff, complete with treble clef and musical notes. Rabbi Lobel picked it out personally, and my family will treasure this special piece of Judaica always. Jodi Buck, whom we are lucky to have as principal of the Religious School, brought the kids up to the bimah to present a gigantic Chanukah card, which the kids had all signed. Jeffrey Shapiro had the idea for this sweet gesture, and Zevi helped decorate the front with a popsicle-stick menorah. We all sang Chanukah songs and then the choir and I sang two pieces we had prepared especially for the occasion. Of course there was a feast that followed! Alison Hernandez baked a delicious challah in the shape of a Chanukah menorah for hamotzi, and Jodi Kessler and the kitchen crew served delicious latkes and sufganiyot. Rabbi Lobel kept all the speakers a secret, so I was pleasantly surprised when my father came up to the bimah! He of course opened with a joke. The other speakers also deeply touched my heart with their beautiful words: Cantor Katz, who has been so gracious and generous with his counsel and support; Missi and Mark Shapiro, chairs of the installation and dear friends for <mumble mumble> years; President of the congregation Yaffa Steubinger, who is the consummate captain of the ship and is so much fun to work with; and of course Rabbi Lobel, who is such a mensch and a fantastic rabbi. He has welcomed me professionally like no other rabbi has, and he and his family have welcomed me and my family personally. It is a true pleasure to be part of his team. I was truly overwhelmed by everyone's kind words and have never before felt so appreciated, honored, and humbled. Many many thanks to everyone involved, including Missi and Mark Shapiro; Rabbi Josh Lobel; Religious School principal, Jodi Buck, and our Religious School students; Cantor Ralph Katz; President Yaffa Steubinger; my dad, Dr. Richard Waghalter; my husband, Dave O'Brien and our son, Zev; Ann and Alan Schneider, Laura Scheiner, and David Rosen, of the CBE Choir; Jodi and Glenn Kessler and all the latke and sufganiyot cooks; Norma Gonzales, Gerald and Concha, who keep our temple running; and all of you--the wonderful congregation--who offered such a warm welcome. To anyone I may have forgotten, please forgive me! The sense of community is so strong at our temple. I could not be happier to serve and be part of the CBE family. See you in 2018!

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL UPDATE December was a very busy and exciting month. We started off with the Kinder ? 3rd grade Shabbat and our Shir Shabbat and New Member Shabbat. Dinner and prayerful songs filled the room and you could feel our community ruach (spirit). Sunday, December 3rd was the Religious School Fundraiser - Shop and Schmooze. Religious School, Sisterhood, and Beth El?s Senior group provided Chanukah and Judaic items for sell and goodies to eat. We also had about 15 vendors composed of congregants and members of our community selling their merchandise. It was a very successful morning, and thank you to everyone for their support of the Religious School. The following week was our annual Maccabee Games in honor of Chanukah. Teams created cheers and team posters. Competitions centered around Chanukah themes, such as: BINGO of Chanukah symbols, potato sack races, Ga-ga, potato relay races, a gelt dig, and dreidle games. Many thanks to our 6th - 8th grade class and madrichim (guides) for leading the activities. Our last weekend before winter break was filled with more Chanukah celebrations. Shabbat was Beth El?s annual Chanukah Candle lighting and this year it was also the installation of Cantor Waghalter. At the end of the service, the Religious School presented Cantor Waghalter with a welcome card. On Sunday, we had our family Chanukah Latke Breakfast with Chanukah singing. Students then continued with their learning. Some activities included making dog biscuits in doing the mitzvah of honoring our animals, making sufganiyout (donuts) in celebration of Chanukah, learning about Raoul Wallenberg, and reinforcing Hebrew skills. A special thanks to our teachers for providing your children with a positive and engaging Jewish learning environment. Happy 2018 to everyone!

JANUARY 20 18 UPCOMING EVENTS 7 - Religious School Resumes 10 - Hebrew Classes Resume 14 - 4th -5th grade Family Mitzvah Program 27 - 4th ? 7th grade Religious School Shabbat 28 - K- 3rd grade Tu B?shvat Celebration, 6th ? 8th grade City-wide program at Congregation Emanu El 31 - Tu B?shvat Seder during Hebrew classes

JANUARY 20 18 Dolores Schoner

Mi chael Cohen

Elli e Haber

Robert Goodm an

Ira Goldstei n

Nathan Si m oneaux

Larry Ostrow

Euni ce Rei ter

Scarlett Ni ckels

Ji m m y Goldm an

How ard Hochm an

Rodney Lerner

How ard Schencker

Steven Levi ne

Robyn MacAdam s

Ki m berly Yates

JANUARY 20 18 Gerald and Susan Sher

Dani el and Ti na Stei ner

Henry and Eva Fackeldey

Bryce and Rachel Adam s

Davi d and Marci e Wei ssm an

Aaron and Joyce Schnei der

Judd and Sheri Karni low

Melvyn and Dorothye Abels

Glenn and Jodi Kessler

SAVE THE DATE Con gr ega t i on Bet h El i n vi t es you t o 2 n d Ni gh t Pa ssover Sed er Sa t u r d a y, M a r ch 31, 20 18 Ri ver b en d Cou n t r y Cl u b | 1214 Du l l es Aven u e | Su ga r La n d , TX774 78 M or e i n f or m a t i on t o f ol l ow

JANUARY 2018

FEBRUARY 2018

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Happy New Year! - Temple office closed

7pm Executive Committee Meeting

9am Religious School 9am Confirmation Class 9:15am Intro to Hebrew 10:30am Intro to Judaism

5:15p Hebrew Classes 7pm Executive Meeting

7pm AIPAC Annual Event

1:30pm Seniors Current Events

5:15p Hebrew Classes 7pm Board Meeting

PRESCHOOL CLASSES RESUME

1:30pm Seniors Current Events

7pm Board Meeting

9am Religious School Family Program 9:15am Intro to Hebrew

MLK DAY CBE Temple office closed NO PRESCHOOL Interfaith Youth Tikkun Olam Project

No Religious School YOM Lim m u d - Day of Learning @ Congregation Beth Yeshurun

5:15pm Hebrew Classes/Mishloach Manot Activity

10:30am Religious School Shabbat

5:15pm Hebrew Classes

9am Religious School 9am Confirmation Class 9:15am Intro to Hebrew 10:30am Intro to Judaism

9am Religious School 9:15am Intro to Hebrew 10:30am Intro to Judaism BEFTY Stock

1:30pm Seniors Current Events

5:15pm Hebrew Classes

NO Hebrew Classes 6pm Er ev Pu r im / Pu r im Sh piel

26-28

NFTY Winter Conclave

10:30am Religiou s Sch ool Sh abbat

9am Religious School 9am Confirmation Class 9:15am Intro to Hebrew 10:30am Intro to Judaism 10:30am Religious School Celebrates Tu B'shevat

5:15pm Hebrew Classes and Tu B'shevat program

IN OBSERVANCE OF THE M ARTIN LUTHER KING HOLIDAY t h e CBE t em ple of f ice w ill be closed M on day Jan u ar y 15

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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