March Bulletin 2020 : simplebooklet.com

FOUNDATIONS OF JEWISH FAMILY LIVING RABBI BEN HERMAN S U N D A Y S 9 3 0 1 0 3 0 A M B E T S H I R A C O N G R E G A T I O N M A R C H 1 M A Y 3 T u i t i o n 1 1 8 t u i t i o n i n c l u d e s r e q u i r e d b o o k Foundations of Jewish Family Living is a new learning opportunity for parents that provides a thought provoking encounter with the core values of Judaism At a time in a family s life when a child is experiencing his or her own Jewish education this rich learning experience provides parents with the learning the language and the confidence to be a teacher to their own children and support Jewish learning at home Parents who complete 6 out of 7 sessions will receive 250 to be applied to their Bet Shira Religious School tuition This incentive grant is made possible by the generosity of Debbie and Michael Troner To Register or Learn More Visit cajeadultlearning org Call 305 576 4030 x 128 Email adultlearning caje miami org Torah Study March 7 3

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rabbi ben herman 4 Rabbi Ben herman Rabbi betshira org Joy Comes in Adar The translation of this is From entering the Hebrew month of Adar our joy increases One month a year and two months in a Jewish leap year like this we are asked to amplify the amount of happiness that we are feeling As Jews we are supposed to delight in the survival of the Jewish people on Purim the central holiday in Adar through the defeat of Haman in Persia The idea of feeling joy during Adar is juxtaposed with the month of Av for which the Mishnah teaches that we should put aside our happiness because of the destruction of the Temple In Adar it is customary to gather together to have festive meals and listen to the Megillah the narrative of our salvation Spring is in the air and we can see leaves growing on trees and flowers blooming Certainly this is the cause for excitement and exhilaration Is it possible to have complete joy during Adar as tradition suggests There are social economic and spiritual challenges that we experience in Adar just like in every month and unfortunately there are illnesses and personal losses that occur in Adar In addition while many of us can revel in Esther saving the Jewish people it can be more difficult to find joy in reading about Haman s cruel plot and the vengeance taken in the 9th chapter of Megillat Esther The Book of Esther How can we experience joy in Adar when there are factors that do not coincide with our ideas of happiness In examining these dilemmas I want to first differentiate between individual and communal joy There are times when we are personally experiencing difficulties yet there is a holiday or Bar or Bat Mitzvah in our community It can be a struggle to get excited for these events yet in such moments our challenge is to be there to share in the celebration Similarly at Adar a time of great joy for our people it is a mitzvah to celebrate However we must also allow for the reality of our current situation and realize that while the present is a moment of stress there will be celebratory moments in our lives as well I also would like to distinguish between aspects of Purim that we enjoy and those that are more bothersome Some of us including me are bothered by parts of the Book of Esther Similarly the drinking and excessive partying that occur on Purim might disturb others of us It is important to be mindful of these aspects while at the same time to think about those aspects of Purim that we enjoy For some of us Purim is about seeing everyone in costume for others it s about hearing a dramatic reading of the Megillah for others it s being with children and grandchildren and for others it s eating hamentaschen All of these factors can add to our joy in experiencing Purim as well as to the month of Adar which leads up to it I wish everyone an enjoyable Adar which leads into a festive Purim May those experiencing difficulties at this time I pray that things will get easier and that joy will find you as you will come together with us as a community I look forward to a festive multigenerational Purim celebration at Bet Shira Congregation with a fabulous Purim Shpiel abbreviated Megillah reading and happy Purim Hag Sameach Rabbi Ben Herman

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Joelle Dvir Programming VP of Programming 6 Joelle Dvir gmail com When I took the VP of Programming role I was excited and nervous Bet Shira had been my spiritual home since birth but I hadn t quite established my own community as an adult here Two years later I am so grateful I took the chance I ve built best friendships and deepened my connection to our Bet Shira kehillah I walk into the synagogue and see people who have become my family family of all ages that know me my husband and our children A Friday night group who is as invested in seeing how my girls are growing as I am They take joy in seeing Gabriella learn the words to Veshamru and light up when the Shema is said They tell me it s a good thing when the baby cries because a baby crying is the best thing you can hear in a synagogue They bring Hanukkah gifts for the girls It is so incredibly special The weeks leading up to 2020 were some of the busiest and most exciting in years More than 50 volunteers worked to make Havana Nights a raging and fun success More than 205 attendees raised more than 55 000 Just a few weeks later nearly 200 people packed Bet Shira to celebrate our annual Hanukkah Party Vodkas Latkes Dreidels Since then the events have kept coming New Member Shabbat Rabbi s beautiful installation and Super Bowl Shabbat Now all eyes are on our Purim Shpiel led by Paul Hoyle and an amazing cast who will be performing Disco Operetta Purim Night Fever Get your tickets for Purim dinner now and make sure you don t miss this incredible all ages event Then look ahead to our other spring events for Yom Hazikaron Yom Haatzmaut and our Mother s Day challah bake There is always something exciting going on at Bet Shira I want everyone to have their own special connection to Bet Shira s kehillah So I ask that if you want to get involved in any way by helping plan events with the programing committee taking charge of your own event or participating in an event or affinity group like running sewing or Mah Jongg please let me know I d love nothing more than to help you find your home at Bet Shira I m lucky I found mine and will keep working to ensure that Bet Shira offers programming that meets the needs of all current and prospective members Thank you to all those who have been coming to our events To those of you who haven t come this year I encourage you to come to our Purim Shpiel and see our strength warmth and community in action It s an incredibly special sight that no pictures can adequately capture Join the movement be part of the family Hope to see you all soon Best Joelle Dvir VP of Programming

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Dr Judith gampel 10 Dr Judith Gampel Early Childhood Education Director Jgampel betshira org Educationally Speaking The March Bulletin comes out this year after Early Camp Registration and after Early ECC Registration But yet our current ECC school year isn t over We have so many decisions to make before we even have time to process what is happening around us This process brings to mind one of my favorite classic books The Important Thing with words by Margaret Wise Brown and Pictures by Leonard Wesgard One of the verses that I like so much is as follows The important thing about you is That you are you It is true that you were a baby And you grew And now you are a child And you will grow into a man or into a woman But the important thing about you is that you are you I think about this verse in relation to Bet Shira Early Childhood Center What I hear from our families all the time is that The important thing about Bet Shira ECC is That Bet Shira ECC is a place where young families feel at home It is true that Bet Shira ECC caters to babies But those babies grow And as those babies grow and their families grow Their love of Judaism their core values and their kindness does too But the important thing about Bet Shira ECC is That it is a place where young families feel at home Be sure to register for school and camp so that your family will have the opportunity to attend a program where everyone feels at home Judi Gampel Ed D Early Childhood Education Director

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ECC Happenings Wednesday March 4 P T C Meeting Kiddush Court 9 15 a m Thursday March 5 Pre Nursery Family Holiday Bridge Purim Round Robin Shabbat Preparation Activities for Pre Nursery Parents and Students 10 30 a m 11 45 a m Leo and Gloria Martin Social Hall Friday March 6 Pre Nursery Family Holiday Bridge Purim Dinner and Service 6 00 p m 8 00 p m in the Arin Stacey Applebaum Sanctuary Graciously Sponsored by our Sisterhood and P T C Friday March 6 Jammies and Jeans A Hands On Interactive Program for Young Families 6 00 p m Service 6 30 p m Pizza Dinner Please RSVP to Gladys 305 238 2606 Sunday March 8 PURIM CARNIVAL 11 15 a m Megillah Reading 12 00 3 00 p m Purim Carnival Rock Climbing Wall Giant Slide and many other rides Feast Silent Auction Face Painting Game Booths And so much more 3 00 4 00 p m Sugar and Spice Puppet Show BUY YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE Tuesday March 10 ECC Purim Celebration Parents Invited 9 15 a m Megillah Reading with Rabbi Ben Herman 9 30 a m Interactive Purim Schpiel and Class Pictures 10 00 a m Hamantashen for all Thursday March 19 School Committee Meeting 9 15 a m Kiddush Court Thursday March 19 Holidays to Go Passover Cooking Class Open to the Congregation 7 00 p m School Social Hall Instructor Judi Gampel Ed D A perfect guide for those new to holiday preparation Dr Gampel will help you sweeten up your Passover Seder with a menu that you can adjust for your family s tastes Please R S V P to Gladys in the ECC office 305 238 2606 18 00 a person Monday March 23Friday March 27 Spring Break NO SESSIONS Infant Extended Day Open

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Ren e B Rittner 12 Ren e B Rittner Director of jewish learning rrittner betshira org The Squeaky Wheel At home we have a handheld version of the game Oregon Trail Yes poor Karen does still die from dysentery and the wagon wheel still falls off when you cross the river too late The wheel made me think of the American Proverb the squeaky wheel gets the grease As I often do I wanted to find the origin and true meaning of the saying and learned we know very little about it Around 1910 a poem is published that states I hate to be a kicker I always long for peace But the wheel that squeaks the loudest Is the one that gets the grease The poem has been attributed to many different people as well as simply listed as anonymous Simply stated we don t know where the line comes from or who penned the poem What we do know is the idea crosses cultures with similar proverbs all around the world I personally liked the version from China that translates the crying baby gets the milk All of these proverbs teach us The one that makes needs known is more apt to have them met The question what about the person that does not share their needs or does not share them in the right place That person has less of a chance to receive something that they need There is also the issue of the person that speaks to be heard and has the need answered but rather than availing themselves of the addition or change finds another reason to shout out Why comment on this here I have always stated please come to me or the JLC committee chair currently Jenine Simon to let us know both where we are hitting the mark and where we need to reach higher We cannot know if we are not told The only promise I will ever make is to listen If there is something I can do to meet the need I will try and do so Last year we were asked Why are we not part of USY The answer at that time we are but we have no students wanting to be a part of USY activities This year we held a Kadima event here on the campus with over 60 middle schoolers coming from around South Florida Our congregation had more students than I have fingers represent us We had adult volunteers manning those areas that we needed to staff and then representatives from the Region taking care of the rest It was deemed a success We paid our dues to USY Kadima for the first time in many moons and have had someone represent our congregation at a couple of USY events

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Looking at both items and questions the most interesting thing is that the people that squeaked did not necessarily choose to attend either the youth group or the educational programs and those that have come did not let us know they were missing the opportunities The JLC will continue to find ways to reach out to our teens some want connections by volunteering others like to visit in the JLC office some come to learn and some come for youth group The task at hand especially while we are small is to create something new that keeps our core and expands I plan to think out of the box and work with Rabbi this summer to create a new thing I ask only that if you have ideas or needs to please reach out and give us a path to follow Guess it s time to change the saying Don t walk behind me I may not lead Don t walk in front of me I may not follow Just walk beside me and be my friend Attributed to Albert Camus and put into the Jewish world in the 1980s by Uncle Moishy and the Mitzvah Men If we work together I believe we can grease the wheel and meet the needs of those that speak out and those that do not Ren e B Rittner MSW MAJS MAJE M Ed JLC Dates Sunday March 1 8 Purim Carnival 15 Wednesday March 4 11 18 Youth Group Dates March 7 USY Arvot Spring Fling 8th 12th grade at Temple Sinai Hollywood March 8 Purim Carnival March 13 15 Gesher Impossible 8th grade convention where 8th graders become USY and no longer Kadmia USY HaNegev Convention in Orlando Ren e B Rittner We were also asked for educational programming for our teens We received a grant to bring back Rosh Hodesh a program for those that identify as female and to add Shevet the program for those identifying as male We sent representatives to training in PA to learn to implement the program We launched the programs on Sunday afternoons being told that was a good time for the once a month program Interest was high but turnout not what we would have liked to see We continue to hold the meetings but still have not had the groups take hold They are meant to be small but they are also meant to be consistent with participants We need to reassess 13

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Harriet rudoff Sisterhood President Sisterhood Bet shira sisterhood betshira org February has been our busiest month so far We have had several successful and sold out events Thanks for your participation Let s keep it up We had the Red Shabbat to commemorate Heart healthy month with a lovely sponsored Kiddish The Art Deco Walk in Miami Beach was a big hit and well attended We enjoyed seeing the sights and eating lunch together It is events like this that help to build lasting friendships and we learn what we all have in common as Jewish women We share common interest sand life styles unlike others A big thank you to Linda Spiegelman Connie Nahmad and Iane Deutsch for the success in planning this event Bunco was a blast We always have fun as it is an evening to make new friends The Wine and Cheese was free flowing A good time was had by all especially Shimon and Jerry Thank you to Sandy Katz and Marilyn Wolfson for guiding us though this game Participation and engagement are the key themes here The more that we participate the more fun we have and friendship and enjoyment make for a more productive Sisterhood Sisterhood made a donation to the Purim Carnival and Renee Rittner purchased a floor size Connect Four for the children to play with and to permanently have at Bet Shira JLC She sent a beautiful thank you to us If you have any ideas that you would like to see implemented please feel free to come to our meetings and let us hear them You can always contact me Sisterhood Shabbat is in the works and all signs point directly to it being a wonderful day The fellowship in our synagogue will be visible as our members chant the Torah and Haftorah portions All the members will be given a part in the services if they would like The two women who have assumed leadership for this event are Joan Kobrin and Regina Francis Our Kiddish will be wonderful and is sponsored by Joe and Lilian Sheingold and prepared by our Kiddish Committee under the guidance of Tobe Marmorstein Bimah flowers were made possible by Maddie Messinger and Rita Levin Todah robah In conclusion March is just as jam packed Save the date for the Progressive Dinner on March 15th at 5 30pm Please look for your colored envelope and send in your reservation ASAP Thank you to the hard working committee members They have worked very hard to make this an evening to remember Torah Fund is coming on March 14 2020 Ellen Gall is leading this service to honor the benefactors to Torah Fund See her if you would like a part in the service Our next meeting is March 11 2020 See you all there Sisterhood President Harriet Rudoff 16

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Passover Flowers Order your special table arrangement of white or spring colored flowers now Send to your wife mother self aunt daughter or best friend even someone celebrating Easter The arrangement can be made oblong or round The cost 45 Delivered April 8 erev Pesach Deadline is Friday April 3 Please submit your order by email to Iane Deutsch at ianedd6747 hotmail com Be sure to include address for delivery Your payment must be made to secure your order Payment to Bet Shira Sisterhood by check We cannot take charges Send to Bet Shira Sisterhood Passover Flowers 7500 SW 120 Street Miami Florida 33156 Jewish Mythical Monsters in our Sacred Texts Rabbi Manny Vinas Thursdays 7 30 9 00 pm Bet Shira Congregation February 13 April 23 200 Making Sense of the SEnseless Passing the Tragedy Test Rabbi Richard Agler DD Tuesdays 10 30 am 12 00 pm Bet Shira Congregation February 11 March 17 172 19

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College Outreach Program Do you have a son daughter or grandchild away at college Bet Shira Sisterhood sends out a holiday care package twice a year We are currently collecting names and mailing addresses for our college students so we can send them a Passover box For families with a child in college it is free Grandparents aunts uncles and friends are welcomed to send out a care package for 18 payable to Bet Shira Sisterhood which covers the cost and postage of the package Please send an email with the student s name and college mailing address where the package is to be delivered to bscollegeoutreach gmail com The deadline for Passover College is Friday March 20th to ensure enough products will be ordered Thank you for your support and if you have any questions please email Nancy Crair at bscollegeoutreach gmail com 20

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ADOPT A COP In Memory of RIchard Stone Mr Mrs Jan Spitzer Todah Rabah CARING KEHILLAH For The Yahrzeit of Rose Pullman Mr Mrs Kenneth Young In Honor of Max Fox Happy Birthday to a real mench Mrs E Goldman Mrs L Soltz Diaz In Memory of Berta Molina Mr Mrs David Kobrin In Memory of Phyllis Schocket Mr Mrs David Kobrin Mr and Mrs Morrie Siegel Deborah Rosenkranz In Memory of Richard Stone Mr Mrs David Kobrin Mr Mrs Neal Roth EARLY CHILDHOOD FUND For The Yahrzeit of Joseph Wolfson Mrs Marilyn Wolfson In Memory of Ira Segal Arnie Ronnie Ginsberg ENDOWMENT FUND In Memory of Phyllis Schocket Mr Mrs Jan Spitzer In Memory of your beloved father Mr Mrs Jan Spitzer KIDDUSH FUND For The Yahrzeit of David Molack Mr Mrs Bernard M Stein For The Yahrzeit of Leslie G Stein Mr Mrs Bernard M Stein For The Yahrzeit of Rose Glick Mr Mrs Kenneth Glick In Memory of Berta Molina Mr Mrs Gerald Rudoff In Memory of Ira Segal Mr Mrs Gerald Rudoff In Memory of Phyllis Schocket Mr Mrs Gerald Rudoff MUSIC FUND For The Yahrzeit of Nathan J Ginsberg Dr Mrs Neil Messinger For The Yahrzeit of Pearl Ginsberg Dr Mrs Neil Messinger In Memory of Ira Segal Mr 2 2 Mrs Robert Spiegelman In Memory of Richard Stone Linda Fefferman RABBI DISCRETIONARY FUND For The Yahrzeit of Ervin Golod Mr Mrs Jeremy Larkin For The Yahrzeit of Estelle Wild Ms Leah Cohen For The Yahrzeit of Oscar Larkin Mr Mrs Jeremy Larkin For The Yahrzeit of Sadie Sokol Mr Mrs David Sokol In Honor of Rabbi Herman Mrs Nadine Wenzel In Honor of Rabbi Herman Mazal Tov on your Installation Mrs Ariel Kobetz Mrs Shunit Roth In Honor of Rabbi Herman s Installation Mr Roberto Dr Betty Horwitz Mr Mrs David Kobrin Mr Mrs Gerald Rudoff Mr Mrs Leonard Goldberg In Memory of Lynn Geffman Mrs Zelda Schwebel In Memory of Phyllis Schocket Robert and Tracye Solove In Memory of Richard Stone Mrs Aileen Lafont Mrs Zelda Schwebel RITUAL FUND For The Yahrzeit of Sol Aptman Dr Mrs Michael Aptman In Appreciation of all your help with Richard s Shiva Mrs Audrey Stone In Memory of Berta Molina Mr Mrs Jan Spitzer SISTERHOOD FUND In Memory of Phyllis Schockett Robyn Barry Haber In Memory of your dear sister Phyllis Schocket Dr Mrs Ruben Gurvich TIKKUN OLAM FUND For The Yahrzeit of Annette Chabrow Mr Mrs Penn Chabrow For The Yahrzeit of Phyllis Weber Mrs Harriet Frillarte In Memory of Richard Stone Mr Mrs Leonard Bloom WHERE NEEDED MOST For The Yahrzeit of Benjamin Gubernick Mr Mrs Barry Gubernick For The Yahrzeit of Harriet Goldstein Mr Steven Goldstein For The Yahrzeit of Hy Friedman Mr Mrs Harvey Friedman For The Yahrzeit of Iiene Honey Friedman Mr Mrs Harvey Friedman For The Yahrzeit of Marcus Freundlich Mr Mrs Saul Silverman For The Yahrzeit of Netty Vaupen Mr Mrs Bill Winegar For The Yahrzeit of Ruth Schwartz Ms Loree Schwartz For The Yahrzeit of Samuel Schwartz Ms Loree Schwartz In Memory of Berta Molina Mr Mrs William Berk Mrs Elayne Tendrich In Memory of Geoffrey Allan Coll Mrs Audrey Coll In Memory of Ira Segal Mrs Elayne Tendrich In Memory of Lee Hersh Mr Mrs Gerald Rudoff In Memory of Michael Fishman Dr Mrs Stanley Rosenberg In Memory of Paul Beniamin Davis Mrs Audrey Coll In Memory of Phyllis Schocket Mr Mrs Martin Shtrax Mrs Elayne Tendrich In Memory of Richard Stone Debora Kanarev Mrs Robin Denison Peter Olivia and Julia Shapiro Mr Mrs Gerald Rudoff Mr Mrs Martin Shtrax Mrs Elayne Tendrich Mr Mrs Leonard Pinchuk YAHRZEIT FUND For The Yahrzeit of Edna Spiegelman Mr Mrs Robert Spiegelman In Memory of Harry Forman Ms Robin Forman as of February 20 2020

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It s a Mitzvah We invite you to sponsor or co sponsor a kiddush to honor a simcha celebrate an anniversary or birthday If interested please contact Aileen Lafont at alafont betshira org or call 305 238 2601 ext 223 Bimah Sitters Greeters It is a wonderful honor and privilege to sit on the Bimah during services and greet everyone with a Shabbat Shalom If you would like to sit on the Bimah or greet on Shabbat morning please contact Mary Ann Deaktor at 305 238 2601 ext 206 or e mail mdeaktor betshira org In Memoriam Ira Schwebel brother in law of Zelda Schwebel Monte Glicken he is survived by his parents Howard and Barbara Glicken his brothers Jason Ben Andrew Aaron Stephen Sarah Thomas Maisie and by his extensive and close family Uncle Ellen Uncle Mel Brazer Aunt Sandy Bernhard Uncle Rod Macpherson first cousins second cousins and third cousins Support Our Synagogue with Amazon Smile Share with us Please share any births deaths deaths engagements weddings significant life cycle events or to add someone to our Misheberach Healing list with us by calling Mary Ann Deaktor at 305 2382601 ext 206 Advertise with Us Majklf Enroll for 12 months and get one month free Size New Monthly Rates Business Card 36 month Quarter Page 90 month Half Page 180 month Full Page 260 month Contact Kat Morrison at 305 238 2601 ext 211 or kmorrison betshira org for further information ARIN STACEY APPLEBAUM SANCTUARY ROBERT TENDRICH CHAPEL DAILY WORSHIP Sundays 9 30 A M Weekdays 7 30 A M Bagel breakfast served Tuesdays and Thursdays thanks to Roasters and Toasters SHABBAT WORSHIP Friday Nights 6 30 P M Saturday Mornings 9 30 A M SHABBAT TIMES Bet Shira Congregation is part of the Amazon Smile Charity Program an Amazon website that allows Amazon customers to choose a charity and designate to it 0 5 of every purchase So when you do your shopping through Amazon whether its books paper goods toys or anything you desire do it through Amazon Smile and choose to support Bet Shira Just start each shopping session at http smile amazon com ch 59 2500437 Once there you will automatically be supporting Bet Shira Congregation with your purchases Friday March 6 6 08 P M Havdalah March 7 7 16 P M Friday March 13 7 11 P M Havdalah March 14 8 20 P M Friday March 20 7 14 P M Havdalah March 21 8 23 P M Friday March 27 7 18 P M Havdalah March 28 8 26 P M Board of Directors Meeting Wednesday March 25 7 30 P M 23

March Bulletin 2020

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