At Beth Tikvah

Shelley Goodman

March was a month of constant activity. Rabbi Elson was our Scholar in Residence. In addition to conducting services, he spoke to the congregations on the topic of artificial intelligence and inspired us with a discussion of how, by living in the moment, we could hold onto the memories

Rabbi Chorny conducted a very interesting class for several sessions explaining how one could navigate technology through the lens of Halacha.

Amici Music returned to Naples, entertaining and teaching us about Jewish Jazz, and The Phil Jason Speaker series highlighted talks by Joyce Schrager and June Sochen on world events as well as Stuart Mest who spoke about medical driven genocide during the Holocaust.

Beth Tikvah partnered with Jewish Federation of Greater Naples to create a community collaboration and a bright future for the Naples Jewish Film Festival. Four films were shown and a fifth was added for those who subscribed to the series. Once again, the event was well-attended and a great success. This new collaboration will allow the festival to continue its tradition while broadening its reach and appeal to an even wider audience.

April is upon us and our winter residents are leaving to resume their lives up north. Much like summer camp, we find ourselves saying goodbye to days packed with activities as well as many dear friends. We wish all who are leaving Naples a healthy, happy few months. Travel safely and come back to us soon.

April is a busy month full of all things Passover. Passover Seder is one of the Jewish community’s most enduring rituals because Passover is at its heart a festival of liberation and the journey towards freedom that we take together as a society.

On April 12, on the Eve of Passover, an excited crowd of members and nonmembers will gather to celebrate a kosher Seder. The food will be catered by Aroma and served by Chef Herb and staff from Prestige Catering. Rabbi Chorny will conduct the traditional Passover service enhanced by music and song provided by his family.

Prior to the Seder night, Arlene Levin will conduct a class to demonstrate some of her favorite Passover dishes. Space is limited and reservations are required. If you are interested in attending the class or the Passover Seder, go to www.bethtikvahnaples.org, contact office@bethtikvah.us or call 239-434-1818.

All Beth Tikvah events are open to the Greater Naples community. We hope you will come and celebrate with us by reserving at office@bethtikvah.us.

As always, it takes a village to raise a community. We are very grateful to all who willingly volunteer to make Beth Tikvah the warm welcoming sacred place for all who enter to pray and learn. It is our honor to work together to continue to grow with pride in our past and faith in our future.

April happenings

• April 8 – Arlene Levin demonstration of Seder dishes

• April 12 – Passover Seder, 7 p.m.

• April 19 – Passover Last Day –Yizkor, 9 a.m.

Religious services

• Friday services – 6:15 p.m.

• Saturday services – 9:30 a.m., concluding with a Kiddush luncheon

We convene Yahrzeit minyanim upon request.

You may reach Rabbi Chorny directly at 239-537-5257.