Veterans, Menorahs and Latkes

Veterans, menorahs and latkes, oh my! photo 2

Last Sunday Beth El was packed!

The BE Religious School kids had a fantastic, Hanukkah themed morning, while the Jewish War Veterans of Austin enjoyed a festive holiday luncheon.

The children made creative menorahs. They were given a variety of materials and each made a unique hanukkiah to share with their family. (A couple were left at BE – so if your child came home without one, let us know.)

Cantor Ben-Moshe, Morah Anat and I led a fun Hanukkah sing-a-long, and chat. It was extra special because many of the Veterans joined us.

Morah Bev, Iris Koeller, Morah Iris and the kids made delicious latkes and sufganiot.

A big thank you to the parents who stayed to help and join in on the super busy morning.

We wish everyone a Happy Hanukkah and terrific winter break!
Beth El Religious School will resume on January 8th!

I hope to see you at the Hanukkah party this Sunday!

L’Shalom,

Shereen Ben-Moshe   mike miller

Birthright Israel talk to Sunday school

It was SO nice to have our Beth El Religious School kiddos back last Sunday.  Aviv talk

We hope all our BERS families enjoyed Thanksgiving!

The morning was filled with learning and fun.

Kitah Alef, Morah Anat’s class created an amazing hanukkiah. Each child wrote a prayer they wished for their family on a candle. They also spent the morning learning about the Parashat, singing songs and working on their Hebrew skills.

Morah Lital’s class worked on their Hebrew skills. She taught them some new Hanukkah songs and commented on how impressed she was with the songs they already knew.

Morah Bev’s class practiced the Friday night prayers and read about the history of the Hasmonean Period.

Vania and Marina worked on a new portion of the BERS Torah project. They created a picture of the story of Rivka and Eliezer at the well.

We also had Aviv, Morah Lital’s husband, come talk about Israel Birthright trips. He showed some great pictures of the fun things they did on the trips he led as a soldier in the Israeli Navy. Aviv also talked about working for the Minister of Minority affairs. During that time, he helped create some important laws that helped Israel’s religious minorities. He did a wonderful job explaining the Israeli system and even had a selfie of him in the prime minister’s office. Judith gave the children each a piece of pottery from an archeological dig that is 2000 years old and from the time of the Maccabees!

Another fabulous Sunday at BERS!!

See you next Sunday!

L’Shalom,

Shereen Ben-Moshe

Parashat Toldoth

Friday Night Shabbat Services
December 2, at the regular time of 7:00 PM.
We have a special guest Gil Levy Director of Jewish Family Services who will give our Dvar Torah. Light deserts following.

Shabbat morning services are Saturday December 10 at 9 AM.

Sunday school THIS Sunday December 4.

Sisterhood painting class also this Sunday December 4 at 1PM. Painting with artist Sharon Yam-Sananes, wine and cheese and camaraderie.

HOLD THE DATE : THE HANNUKAH PARTY OF THE YEAR! Only a month away, plan to join us on Sunday December 25 at 5 PM at Beth El for one cool Hannukah party. Live music, food and candle lighting! Free and open to the community.

Candle lighting in Austin is at 5:12 PM

Cantor Ben Moshe’s Message
This week we read Parshat Toldoth about the life of Yitzhak, his wife Rivkah, and the conflict between his sons ‘Esav and Ya’akov. The friction between the brothers is not the only conflict in the Parshat, though. Yitzhak is driven out of Gerar because of jealousy over his success. This is a common theme throughout the history of our people-wherever Jews succeed, and we often do, we are resented for it, as though our success is somehow undeserved. Jewish history is littered with sad examples of banishments and pogroms due to envy. Even the Shoah, the greatest tragedy to befall us since the destruction of the Second Temple, was in large part armed robbery of the Jews of Europe, just as the Jews of the Middle East and North Africa were robbed of their property. The Torah, however, gives us hope. Eventually, Avimelech the king of Gerar concludes a treaty with Yitzhak, recognizing the justice of his position. May the day come soon when all envy ceases, and all the nations of the world choose to live in peace with our People. Shabbat Shalom.
Hazzan Yitzhak Ben-Moshe

HOLD THE DATES: First Friday speakers at Beth El.

We look forward to welcoming Gil Levy, head of Jewish Family Services who will come and give a talk/Dvar Torah on Friday December 2 THIS FRIDAY.

Friday January 6, Rabbi Daniel Septimus CEO of the Austin JCC will likewise be our guest speaker at Beth El.

On the first Friday of February, we welcome Rabbi/Cantor Marie Betcher who will talk about the great work she does as a Police Chaplain. And the third Friday (OK, just to change it up a bit), Jay Rubin, former CEO of Shalom Austin and avid historian will come to speak!

** Sunday school at 10 AM this Sunday with special guests Aviv Canaani who led Birthright trips to Israel while serving in the IDF and Judith Golden who attended Birthright.

PAINTING AND WINE!
**THIS Sunday December 4th at 1 PM please come for a Hannukah themed art project with artist Sharon Yam-Sananes. We will be making a beautiful canvas hamsa. Please also plan to bring items for a clothes exchange that afternoon – adult and children’s clothes, small household items, chachkes, shoes, and other items that we can swap with each other and donate the leftovers to charity. Huge thank you to Sharon for volunteering her time and supplies!!! You may bring a healthy kosher nosh – dairy – to go along with the wine!

**On January 24th at 7:00 p.m. we will be having another book club event, The event will be at the home of Yael Shacham, who has graciously volunteered hosting our evening get together. The name of the book and its author, that we will be discussing, is “A Pigeon and A Boy” by Meir Shalev.

Please consider a generous donation to our shul.