January at Beth Tikvah

Steven Chizzik, President

January is typically the month that all of us here in Southwest Florida feel most blessed to be living in paradise. It is also a time when family and friends want to visit. Everyone up north hopes to escape the winter and “get a break from the cold.”

So why are my wife and I going to New Jersey for a week in January? We are blessed to have our oldest grandson becoming a Bar Mitzvah! The past two years have been very diffi cult for everyone. The COVID virus changed our lives and restricted us from being with friends and family. We were prevented from celebrating SIMCHAS in person. There has been so much anguish in the world, we must now take every opportunity given to us to celebrate.

There is an often-used Jewish expression “Only Simchas.” This blessing is often heard when people meet at funerals, shivas and unveilings. Unfortunately, lately we’ve heard it way too often. It is my new year wish for this year that each of us only celebrate SIMCHAS. My wife, Gayle, and I look forward to seeing our grandson, Zachary, become a bar mitzvah. I am preparing to read Torah to support Zachary, and look forward to celebrating this joyous occasion with family and friends.

In January, Beth Tikvah has an amazing number of events taking place. You are all invited to join us.

After hosting three Zoom musical events last year by the fabulous Amici Music, led by Daniel Weiser, Beth Tikvah will host Amice Music live and in person on Jan. 5. The playlist will be announced closer to the event.

A full-day in-person program of learning will take place on Sunday, Jan. 30, led by Sandra Lilienthal. This year’s topic will be “To Live Jewishly is to Live with Community.”

Beth Tikvah will also host an Eat and Learn Shabbat with Rabbi Irving Elson, head of the Jewish Welfare Board Jewish Chaplains Council and JCC Association Armed forces and Veterans Service Committee. His topic will be “The Ethical Challenges in Modern Warfare.”

Our own Rabbi Chorny will begin his two-session “Jewish Values in Changing Times” on Jan. 19.

I again would like to remind everyone that Beth Tikvah is now offering new members their first year’s dues free of charge. If you or a friend wishes to experience the warmth and community found at Beth Tikvah, please join us.

Beth Tikvah is the affiliated congregation in Greater Naples of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ). We are grateful to Jewish Federation of Greater Naples (JFGN) for support of our Scholar in Residence, Naples Jewish Film Festival and All Things Jewish programs.

Beth Tikvah “Happenings” in person and on Zoom

Sunday, Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. – Daniel Weiser and Amici Music: Jewish Jazz

Sunday, Jan. 9 at 11 a.m. – Rosh Chodesh Women’s Study

Friday, Jan. 14 at 6:15 p.m. – Scholar in Residence Rabbi Elson “Ethical Challenges of Modern Warfare”

Saturday, Jan. 15 at 9:30 a.m. – Rabbi Elson Guest Sermon

Wednesdays, Jan. 19, 26 at 12:15 p.m. – Jewish Values Rabbi Chorny

Thursday, Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m. – June Sochen and Joyce Schrager, speakers

Sunday, Jan. 23 at 2:30 p.m. – Movie plus discussion

Sunday, Jan. 30 at 11 a.m. – Sandra Lillenthal, Day of Learning

Religious services streaming schedule

• Sunday morning services begin at 9 a.m. in person and on Zoom

• Friday services begin at 6:15 p.m. in person and on Zoom

• Saturday services begin at 9:30 a.m. in person and on Zoom

• We convene Yahrzeit minyanim upon request.

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