June 2014
Coming Events at Beit Haverim
Rabbi Alan Berg Cantorial Soloist Ann Brown
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Song of Miriam Mittleman Jewish Community Center
10:00AM
Shabbat Services Fridays at 7:00 p.m. at Beit Haverim 1111 Country Club Rd. Lake Oswego, OR 97034
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Congregational Meeting
7:00PM
BH
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Shabbat Service led by Rabbi Berg
7:00PM
BH
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Torah Study led by Rabbi Berg
10:00AM
BH
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A Tisket, A Tasket, Come Bid on a Basket Fundraising Auction Home of Rita and Steve Sherman
7:00PM
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Board of Trustees Meeting
7:00PM
BH
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Shabbat Service led by Gabe Hunter-Bernstein and Ann Brown
7:00PM
BH
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Ladies Night Home of Claire Frye
6:30PM
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Shabbat Service led by Rabbi Berg and Ann Brown
7:00PM
BH
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Torah Study led by Rabbi Berg
10:00AM
BH
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Shabbat Service led by Gabe Hunter-Bernstein and Ann Brown
7:00PM
BH
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 311 Lake Oswego OR 97034 Rabbi’s Hours: by appointment
Phone: 503-568-1241 Email : office@beithav.org Website www.beithav.org
Beit Haverim is an open, inviting, and spiritually alive Jewish community, located just outside of Portland, Oregon in Lake Oswego. We welcome everyone to our Reform congregation of Jews by birth, Jews by choice and Jews at heart.
FROM Rabbi Alan Berg Thank You Alan Cohen Dear Friends, How Beit Haverim has changed during Alan Cohen’s three years serving as president! The new directory you will very soon receive is the result of an amazing team, especially Dena Gutterman, Francia Trosty, and Allison Fowler. But the deeper reality of what that directory represents, that of a community with a vision, where people are there for each other and pulling in the same direction, is a result of Alan’s distinctive character, his values, his skill, and his temperament. He was blessed with a great team on the temple board. It’s impossible to say enough about the quality and commitment of our board and our volunteers. However, in the Reform synagogue model of governance, a tremendous amount is asked of our presidents. In any given day, our temple depends on a combination of people getting along, getting the job done, taking care of management business, paying the bills and holding to a vision. You’d be surprised to discover how each of those is a part of our temple president’s daily portion. Alan has brought exceptional strength to keeping our temple whole, and moving in the right direction. The relationship between the temple president and the rabbi is often critical for the temple’s very heartbeat. Alan and I really did not know each other very well when our work together commenced. We got to know each other through sheer on-the-job problem solving, and ours has been an exemplary partnership. A personal thanks to you, Alan. All of those lunches, chats, meetings, texts and e-mails were a part of the creation of Beit Haverim for a new generation. I know it will be a pleasure as we continue to work together. Alan, Liz, Aaron, Abby and Alisssa, you are a treasured family in our temple. Thanks for the loan of Alan. Beit Haverim is blessed to look forward to Sue Greenspan serving as our new temple president. We could not be more fortunate in both the continuity and experience that Sue brings. As temple vice-president, Sue knows our community and our hopes for the future. Sue has been there with a great heart, leadership, and seemingly time for every task of temple life. We are delighted that she and Dan, and the Greenspan extended family are so active and building our temple in so many ways. I along with our many leaders have enjoyed working with Sue and we are delighted that Sue is our new president. Alan, we have big plans for you for the future. How about Development Chair? That’s a good portfolio for this esteemed, soon to be, immediate, and probably ready already for the next challenge, past-president. You are the greatest! B’Shalom, Rabbi Alan Berg
June, 2014
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Letter From Our President, Alan Cohen As I write my final letter to you as the president of Beit Haverim, I think about what I first wrote back in 2011. I said that my main goal was to make our community even stronger when my term ends than when it began. I hope I succeeded in that respect. I look around and see a very active and connected community. Just looking at our May calendar, we had so much going on! In addition to Shabbat Services, Torah Study and Religious School, we had a community spaghetti and bingo night (and what a fun night it was), confirmation class, adult b'nai mitzvah, foundations of Judaism class, board of trustees meeting, and a blood drive. Our men's group and ladies’ group are very active, and in June we'll have a Congregational Meeting that will lead to a new president being elected by the board, as well as what looks like an amazing fundraiser event. Many of these regular activities that bring our community together in wonderful ways are new since my term began, and I’m proud to have played a part in bringing them to our congregation. Speaking of being proud, I am so pleased to announce that beginning in July, Rabbi Berg will be increasing his time from 50% to 75%. Beit Haverim is so fortunate to have his leadership, and I personally have very much enjoyed working with him these last few years. I will miss my close collaboration with Rabbi Berg. It's been quite a journey for me on a personal level. There have been good days and some bad days, but mostly good days. What I have found to be the most rewarding is the ability to make a positive impact on the congregation. I've had a lot of help from a wonderful group of dedicated volunteers that is your Board of Trustees, and this group will continue the work they are doing. I've thought about what I want to do after my term as president ends, because I feel like my work isn't done. This past year we've received two substantial endowment gifts, which will benefit our congregation long term. To help create more opportunities for endowment and estate planning gifts, I'll be taking on the position of Development Director. I will work hard to lay the foundation for creating a very stable and wellfunded congregation. I hope to have a conversation with every family about how we can all work together and make our community even stronger than it is now. Regards, Alan Cohen
June, 2014
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Events in June The 22nd Annual Song of Miriam Award Celebration Sunday, June 1, 10:00AM Location: Mittleman Jewish Community Center Beit Haverim is very happy to announce that the Song of Miriam Award will be presented to Naomi Angier this year. We are so grateful to Naomi for taking on many responsibilities that keep Beit Haverim moving forward. Click here for reservations.
Congregational Meeting Wednesday June 4, 7:00PM Location: Beit Haverim, 1111 Country Club Rd. Lake Oswego, OR 97034
Please join us for our congregational meeting and enjoy bagels, schmere, and coffee . We will be giving a brief update on what's new at the congregation, fill you in on plans for the coming year, and vote on a slate of Board of Trustees.
Ladies Night Tuesday, June 17, 6:30PM Home of Claire Frye Address will be given at the time of RSVP
Get ready for Summer! Join us for our monthly potluck as we await the arrival of summer. Bring your favorite summer potluck dish.
June, 2014
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Events in June Reservations and Event Details
Bid on amazing baskets that include Taste of Italy, Date Night (which includes a $100 restaurant gift card plus theater tickets), and a brand new American Girl Rebecca doll (yes, the Jewish one!). June, 2014
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Jewish Film Festival Beit Haveirm’s adult ed committee chair, Naomi Angier is coordinating our Beit Haverim community to attend two upcoming theatre events. You can buy tickets to the 2 films or any other at the film festival, by visiting NW Film and then going to "Festivals & exhibitions" and then clicking on "Jewish film festival”. Please email Naomi Angier to let her know if you are going so we can save seats. Opening Night Sunday June 15, 7:00PM Friends from France France/Russia 2013 Directors: Philippe Kotlarski, Kira saksaganskaya, Anne Weil In 1979, a young couple, Carole and Jérôme, go behind the Iron Curtain to Odessa on a vacation to celebrate their engagement. At least, that’s their story. In truth, they are cousins who have come to the USSR to secretly meet with persecuted Jews denied visas to leave the Soviet Union. By day, Carole and Jérôme act like tourists, but by night, they reach out to the so-called “refuseniks” in an attempt to help them flee the country. As the pair begins to infiltrate this dark, Cold War world, they’re confronted with a reality they never expected. Throughout, Carole is motivated by political commitment and a taste for danger, but it soon becomes clear that Jérôme has a hidden agenda (101 minutes)
Saturday, June 21, 8:00PM Hunting Elephants Israel 2013 Director: Reshef Levi Nominated for seven Israeli Academy Awards including Best Film, HUNTING ELEPHANTS is a bank heist caper and coming-of-age tale alternately full of jocular hijinks and tenderness. When Yonatan’s—somewhat of a boy genius—father suddenly dies of a heart attack, his mother leaves him in the care of his cantankerous grandfather Eliyahu and mate Nick, both former Zionist freedom fighters now barely existing in a nursing home. Guilt-ridden over his father’s death and mortified when his mother, out of financial desperation, begins dating the manager of the bank where his father worked, Yonatan and his aging guardians hatch a plot to rob the bank that wronged his family (107 minutes)
Save the date B’not Mitzvot August 9—Abigail and Audrey Minch August 16– Jacob Sherman August 23– Edyn Pilkington
June, 2014
January 10, 2015—Natalie Goldberg April 18, 2015—Caden Ellertson April 25, 2015 Matigan Williams June 20, 2015—Zack Friedman August 29, 2015—Gabriel Horwitz Page 6
Recap of May Events Spaghetti/Bingo Night A good time was had by all last month at the annual Spaghetti Bingo night celebrating the last day of Religious School. Thanks to the amazing group of men and women who helped make this event happen. The food was delicious and the bingo was exciting, thanks to Rob Hershinow, our amazing caller. Check out the photos here.
Ladies Tea The Beit Haverim Ladies enjoyed an afternoon tea on a beautiful Saturday May afternoon! Special Thank You to Suzanne Causer, her daughter, and grand daughter for their special touch of tea ambiance and prep of tasty treats! Check out photos here from our afternoon!
Clothing Drive Thank you, thank you! Thanks to your generosity we were able to donate an SUV load of clothes. The clothing was dropped off and there were tears and hugs. The folks at the Clothes Closet were very grateful! We will be doing another drive for them in the fall, so keep saving up! Thanks again!
Kol hakavod Religious School! We contributed to the $232.01 in December for Typhoon Hayan and the rest of our tzedakah from the religious school went to: Jewish Federation: $14.62 Portland Mitzvah: $21.93 Jewish Family & Child: $73.10 MJCC: $14.62 OAJC: $7.31 PJ Library: $58.48 JNF $73.17 June, 2014
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Recap of May Events A Wonderful All Music Service time was had by All! It was a real pleasure to be in attendance at our Annual All Music Service on Friday evening, May 16th. In a fine vocal style, Gabe Hunter-Bernstein assembled wonderful service readings, and Ann Brown provided her beautiful voice and guitar accompaniment. Allan Kalik perfected and conducted our choral pieces as Anna Wessel ably accompanied on the piano. Heartfelt thank you’s go to Sharon, Hannah, Sheri, Judith, Andy and Gabe for providing the beautiful choir sound. Abigail Cohen provided a very moving piano rendition of Lechi Lach, and Alissa chanted the V’Ahavta with Ann. It all came together so sweetly and beautifully. Several new people had come with their excitement about the prospect of an “All Music Service!” And after, many in the congregation commented on their enjoyment of the evening. It was so very good to worship together in song! About Our Choir ♬ The Beit Haverim Volunteer Choir exists to assist in congregational worship. We practice and sing under the direction of Allan Kalik, our excellent conductor and musical director. Our choir includes men’s and women’s voices. We rehearse enough to learn the music, but not so often that it is intrusive to our busy lives. Choir members are not professional musicians; rather, we sing to add dimension to our worship and to our community. As a bonus, when we sing together, we often find it personally exhilarating! Our choir will next be singing for the High Holidays, beginning in late September. (Evening Rosh Hashanah services will be on September 24th) We will begin rehearsing about 4-6 weeks before that. Do you enjoy singing? We are looking for men and women who would like to sing with our choir. You do not need to read music. If you would like to sing with us or would like more information, please contact Judith Kleinstein.
Donations Sue and Dan Greenspan in honor of David Minch’s conversion. From the Williams family in honor of Mark Newman and his wonderful work with the Religious School, Malka and the RS teachers. June, 2014
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Beit Haverim News David Minch’s Conversion to Judaism Congratulations to David Minch for completing his conversion to Judaism. David has been working towards this important milestone for several years now with an added emphasis on the last 18 months and looks forward to a lifetime of Jewish study, learning, and continued participation in the Jewish community. From left to right: Rabbi Berg, Rabbi Rose, David Minch, Ann Brown
New Member Corner The Fowler Family Please welcome the newest members to our Beit Haverim family -Allison and Brad Fowler and their daughter, Lauren. Brad is a real estate developer, while Allison works part time as the Beit Haverim office manager (yes, that's how you know the name!). Lauren currently attends PJA as a kindergartener, and will enter the first grade at Riverdale Grade School in the fall. Lauren's hobbies include swimming, daddy pinching, tae kwon do, playing with their two dogs, rainbow loom, and going for long walks to Starbucks with her mom. She looks forward to attending the Beit Haverim Religious School this fall. The Fowler family comes to us from Shaarie Torah, where Allison continues to be active in the Women's Group. Welcome Allison, Brad, and Lauren!
June, 2014
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Get Involved! Beit Haverim Cookbook Remember the time you were at a Friday Night Shabbat Potluck and you had the best tasting (fill in the blank) ever? You wish you had that recipe. Well, the time has come! The Ladies' Group is compiling a cookbook of all those delicious recipes. We are looking for everyday recipes as well as those special holiday recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation. Whether it is Kugel, or Taco Salad, or that dessert that was gone before your eyes, we are asking you to share. Don't forget all those oneg or break-the-fast treats.
Click here to submit your recipe online, or blank forms can be found at the temple. All recipes should be in by July 15th so we have them published by the holidays. If you have any questions call or email: Suzanne Causer (317) 694-3957 Karin Stolz (971) 219-3484 Sue Greenspan (503) 691-0370
Knitzvah! We are again knitting/crocheting hats, cowls, headbands and scarves for Lift Urban. They host a party every December for low income adults living in NW and Downtown Portland. This helps keep folks warm and it is often the only gift they receive all year. We have yarn at Beit Haverim that you can use. It is a basket in the fireside room. Last year we were able to give 47 items. It would be great to increase that number. Any questions, call Karin Stolz. Thank you so much for being part of this worthwhile project
June, June,2014 2014
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news Amazon Shopping Earns $'s For Beit Haverim
Just use this link here when you make your purchases through Amazon and Beit Haverim earns a percent of your spending. Be sure to share the link with family and friends - it really adds up!
Order your Siddur Today Several congregants have requested their own personal copy of our prayerbook, MISHKAN T'FILAH: A REFORM SIDDUR, TRANSLITERATED. We have ordered some to keep in the office. If you would like to purchase a copy, please click here. Add a special touch to your Siddur with foil stamped engraving done locally at At Grossenbacher Brothers, Inc. (GBI) located in Portland, Oregon.
Community News and Notables Help us share community news and notables. We'll include community members' simchas and acknowledgments of life event struggles and condolences. Let us know if you received an award/honor, earned a promotion, welcomed a new addition to your family, celebrated a special anniversary or occasion, are mourning a special person or healing from an illness or surgery. Email Gabrielle Williams (photos welcome) or call the office at 503-568-1241. We hope to hear from you!
Beit Haverim At Your Fingertips! Did you know that Beit Haverim offers a secure Member’s Only Section of the Web Site? You’ll find useful information there such as our membership directory. Visit Membership to learn how to obtain access to the Member’s Only. While we’re talking about on-line tools, don’t forget to Like the Beit Haverim Facebook Page! It’s a great way to be reminded of upcoming events April, June,2014 2014
June, 2014
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Thank you from the Jewish Federation Dear Beit Haverim Religious School Students, On behalf of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland and the PJ Library program, thank you for your generous contributions from your tzedakah collections this past year. It is wonderful to see the commitment you have for enhancing Jewish life. And, the difference you are making in the lives of so many can never be measured. May you all enjoy your summer break and know that Jews in Portland and around the world are blessed by your generosity. Warmest regards. Marc N. Blattner President and CEO
Community Events
June, 2014
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In the Beit Haverim Community Yarzheits
Birthdays Kari Lewinsohn
6/6
Hannah Macovsky
6/8
Elizabeth Willet
6/9
Jonathan Blatt
6/10
Matigan Williams
6/10
Eric Kalik
6/11
David Markgraff
6/14
Elizabeth Kalik
6/15
David Sahni
6/16
Adam DiVergilio
6/17
Lily McMullen
6/17
Barry Wiegler
6/17
Zachary Friedman
6/18
Edward Sherman
6/18
Yardena Barry
6/20
Amos Diller
6/22
Eliana Lefkowitz
6/22
Brittany Rose Moss
6/23
Addie Sokol
6/23
Daniel Beyer
6/24
Lee Anderson
6/27
Tessa DiVergilio
6/28
Martha Spinhirne
6/28
Eliana Scheele
6/29
Ruth Brilling Mother of Karin Stolz Olive Newman
Joseph Marcoux
6/2
Joseph Schuster
6/5
Father of Sharon Rose Ben Tzion Kleinstein
6/10
Father of Judith Kleinstein Virginia Williams
6/13
Grandmother of David & Gabrielle Williams Harry Hull
6/15
Great Uncle of David & Gabrielle Williams Jerry Rittenbaum
6/15
Father of Mark Rittenbaum Louis Lepler
6/18
Father of Nancy Lepler Jack Opper
6/18
Father of Babette Flynn, Grandfather of Liz Cohen Hugo Brilling
6/22
Father of Karin Stolz Grace Kavka
6/22
Mother of Alicia Kavka Jacob Sondheimer
Shira Fogel & Marty Lefkowitz
6/12
Gabrielle & David Williams
6/13
Susan Perlstein & Michael Willet
6/23
Grandfather of Gabe Hunter-Bernstein Thea Cohen
6/26
Mother of Alan Cohen 6/21
Naomi Angier & David McTeague
Blanche Rubin
6/29
Aunt of Hannah Berkowitz 6/25
June, 2014
6/1
Grandmother of Constance Dorreman
Anniversaries
Suzanne & Daniel Greenspan
6/1
6/30
Jacob Kleinstein
6/30
Paternal Grandfather of Judith Kleinstein Stephen Perry
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Partner of Brian Olson
6/30