Coming Events at Beit Haverim March 2015 1
Religious School Board of Trustees Meeting Hebrew School
2:30PM 2:30PM 4:30PM
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Confirmation Class
6:00PM
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Hamentaschen Bake Home of Karin Stolz
10:00AM
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Potluck Dinner Shabbat Service led by K/1 Grade Religious School Class, Rabbi Berg and Ann Brown & Birthday Blessings
6:00PM 7:00PM
BH BH
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Shabbat Service led by Rabbi Berg
10:00AM
BH
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Religious School Purim Carnival Purim Service
2:30PM 3:30PM 5:00PM
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Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class
7:00PM
BH
13
Bar Mitzvah of Nathan Sansone
7:00PM
BH
14
Tot Shabbat
9:30AM
BH
14
Torah Study led by Rabbi Berg
10:00AM
BH
14
Trivia Night! Celebrate Conference Center
6:00PM
15
Religious School Hebrew School Good Deeds Day
2:30PM 4:30PM 2:30PM
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Ladies’ Night Home of Sue Greenspan
6:30PM
18
Confirmation Class
6:00PM
BH
20
Shabbat Service led by Rabbi Berg and Ann Brown
7:00PM
BH
21
Torah Study led by Rabbi Berg
10:00AM
BH
27
Shabbat Service led by Gabe Hunter-Bernstein 7:00PM
Rabbi Alan Berg Cantorial Soloist Ann Brown Shabbat Services Fridays at 7:00 p.m. at Beit Haverim 1111 Country Club Rd. Lake Oswego, OR 97034
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
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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 PURIMY THOUGHTS ABOUT PURIM Dear Friends, An excellent guide through the practices and meanings of the festivals is Seasons of Our Joy by Arthur Waskow. Waskow’s book has become a classic, and I can easily understand why. Consider this passage on Purim: “The scroll of Esther lends itself to the belief that it was written for and already hilarious Purim, because it seems so clearly a literary joke: a mobilization of hilarity and humor to cure the soul of fear and to shatter the pompous pretensions of all tyranny.” Waskow suggests that Purim, like all of the holidays, has greatest meaning when observed in the context of the entire festival cycle. Thus, not only are we with Esther at Purim, but also on Shavuot we are with Moses on Sinai, and on Tisha b’Av, we witness the destruction of the temple. The Jewish calendar carries us on a journey that touches all of the realities of what it means to be human. The primary goal of Jewish faith is the sanctification of time. We all share the desire to give our lives meaning and purpose. All of the beauty of our sacred calendar is one thing; its structure can be confusing. The dates, the times of the holidays themselves seem always to be moving around, and in a not quite logical pattern. This is why we Jews spend the summer wondering, often aloud, often to ourselves, “Is Rosh HaShanah early or late this year? The confusion is justified. There are six different possible lengths - from 353 to 385 days. These all occur within an established 19 year cycle that includes 7 leap years. Each leap year has an additional month called Adar II. To really burrow down into the technical stuff, the Jewish calendar is called a Luni - Solar because it is tied to they cycle of both the moon and the sun. By contrast, our civil calendar is only solar, and the Islamic calendar is only lunar. Jewish holydays are a way of apprehending the harmony of the cosmos, of nature, of the world we live in. So, in Jewish life, Passover, the planting festival is called the season of our freedom. As the exodus from winter to spring unfolds, we celebrate our exodus from slavery to freedom. These seasons of our joy, through which we sanctify time, allow us to transform life’s daily challenges into gifts from God. Happy Purim, Chag Purim. Rabbi Berg
March, 2015
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Letter From Our President, Sue Greenspan The first 6 weeks of January and February were a very busy time for Beit Haverim. 5 congregational desserts were hosted and members were invited to talk about their wishes and desires for the future of Beit Haverim. I would like to, first of all, thank the hosts/hostesses of these event; Don and Ione Spear, Sue and Dan Greenspan, Gabrielle and David Williams, Florence Yospe, and Nancy Lepler and Alvin Payne. I have been asked numerous times what went on at each of the desserts. Since congregants were invited only to one event, many were curious of the topics discussed at the other meetings. To follow is a summary of what we learned from our participating members: Beit Haverim is a welcoming, inclusive, and diverse congregation. Rabbi Berg and Cantor Brown are very approachable to adults, as well as children. The services are well paced, with flexibility and spontaneity. Cantor Brown and her music are a major focus of services. Most people like the idea of sharing space with another congregation. The financial burden to the congregants is less and it is ecologically sound to be able to use one facility more often. One congregant mentioned that with so many interfaith families, the synagogue/church is comfortable for the non-Jewish spouse. Religious School -- Jewish Education is our primary goal We should sharpen our message and mission statements. Continuing open enrollment with advertising in the surrounding areas (Wilsonville, Sherwood, Newberg, Tigard, Tualatin). More hands on projects with the entire school. Education beyond Bar/Bat Mitzvah Adult Education Have some activity to draw adults every Sunday, even if it is coffee and papers; people come to seek out other Jewish people. Plan a series of Adult Education Classes for the year. Hold classes on Sunday during Religious School Times. Some suggestions for classes: parenting classes, Biblical Hebrew vocabulary, ways to enhance home worship. Tikkum Olam Do projects that encompass the entire committee; partnering with other congregations/ Community Projects – Humane Society, Rosemary Anderson High School in NE Portland. Involve the children Long term Tikkum Olam projects Membership Enlarge the membership committee – outreach to the surrounding area Actively seek instead of passively/reach out to unaffiliated Enlarge the signage on Country Club to include service day and times, religious school Form groups – senior, tots, school age, post Bar/Bat Mitzvah Shabbat Dinners at Congregants’ home This is just a partial list of suggestion and ideas that were generated during our congregational desserts. As I have said before, we have many ideas, but we need your help in getting the work done. I want to thank all of you that have stepped forward to volunteer on committees. Your names have been given to the Committee Chairs and you will be contacted soon. If you would like to be included on a volunteer list, please call Allison at the Beit Haverim Office. Shalom, Sue Greenspan March, 2015
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March Events Hamentaschen Bake Friday, March 6, 10:00AM Home of Karin Stolz, Please email to RSVP Come join the fun! We are baking hamentaschen for the Purim carnival. Make a batch of dough the night before and bring with you. We roll, fill and bake and laugh! Different fillings will be provided --poppy seed, hazelnut, and fruit flavors. We need lots of hands to get this done! Please bring a snack to share, your rolling pin and a cookie sheet. Coffee and tea provided. See you at Karin's kitchen!
Shabbat Service led by Religious School class grade K and 1, Rabbi Berg and Ann Brown - Birthday Blessings! Friday, March 6 Potluck Dinner 6:00PM Shabbat Service 7:00PM Join us for a potluck dinner and stay as the Kindergarten and 1st grade Religious school class leads Shabbat Service. We will also be celebrating our March birthdays.
Beit Haverim Youth Group The Beit Haverim Youth Group is for kids 8th grade and up. We are doing fun activities and getting to know each other. The Youth Group is open to kids outside of Beit Haverim. The group is led by Sami Oberlander. Please contact her if you’d like to know more about the Youth Group. Next event is Friday March 6, 8-11PM Join Beit Haverim teens and friends for an evening of unlimited laser tag at Ultrazone! Cost: $22 covers laser tag Snacks available for purchase. RSVP to Sami Oberlander
March, 2015
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March Events Beit Haverim presents the Annual Purim Carnival followed by a Purim Service! Sunday, March 8 2:30 to 3:30 Religious School 3:30 to 5:00 Carnival 5:00 to 6:00 Service Join us for games, crafts, snacks, and extra special Hamentaschen made by the Women's Group. Bring a can of food for our Oregon Food Bank collection bin to get extra game tickets. Kids of all ages are welcome to come in costume and join the fun! The carnival will run until 5:00pm and will be immediately followed by the reading of the Megillah at the Purim Service. We need volunteers to run the carnival! Please click here to volunteer for an activity. Please contact Sara Hauck with any questions.
Ladies’ Night Tuesday, March 17, 6:30PM At the home of Sue Greenspan Address and directions will be given when you RSVP Potluck Dinner Since it is St. Patrick's Day, bring your favorite Irish Dish or whatever you like. We will spend the evening decorating Seder Plates for the Congregational Seder. All materials will be supplied. No special talent needed, just your enthusiasm.
March, 2015
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Spring Fundraiser
March, 2015
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Passover Join us for a family-friendly Seder with Rabbi Alan Berg and Cantorial Soloist Ann Brown Saturday, April 4th The 2nd night of Passover
Check in begins at 5:30 pm Seder begins at 6:00 pm, with dinner to follow. Celebrate Conference Center 15555 Bangy Rd, #100 Lake Oswego, OR Buffet dinner includes: Matzoh Ball Soup Roasted Chicken Salmon Vegetarian Entree Option Salads Side Dishes Homemade Desserts Gluten-free Matzoh available. Children 5 and under are free. Please bring a non-perishable food item for the Sunshine Pantry. Register here. No cancellations or refunds after March 30th. If you are in need of financial assistance, please contact Allison Fowler in the office at 503-568-1241 or office@beithav.org before sending in your registration. Your contact will be held in confidence. March, 2015
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Mitzvah Projects
March, 2015
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Mitzvah Projects In the News Matigan Williams' dance shoe mitzvah project was featured in the Lake Oswego Review on 2/19/15. Click here for article. My name is Caden Ellertson and I am having my Bar Mitzvah on April 18. My Mitzvah project is about stroke awareness and the importance of understanding the warning signs. I became interested in this subject because my Aunt had a stroke 8 months ago. Everyone was extremely surprised that she had a stroke since she is young (in her 50’s) and is physically healthy. No one in my family had experienced a stroke before she had hers. Before she had her stroke I did not know much about a stroke, what it was or how it affected a person. I thought you had to be much older than my Aunt. But I found out lots of information talking with her and doing research on strokes. One of the most important things to know about a stroke is that you have to act fast when it starts. Below is a great way to tell if someone may be having a stroke. A stroke happens when a part of the brain dies from lack of blood, usually because one of the arteries that supply oxygen-carrying blood to the brain has been damaged. Stroke is a common and often misunderstood condition and its early symptoms are often ignored. Some brain cells deprived of oxygen die within minutes. Others may take a few hours to die depending on the nature of the blockage or hemorrhage. When part of the brain dies from lack of blood flow, the part of the body it controls is affected. Strokes can cause paralysis, affect language and vision, and cause other problems. The loss of physical and mental functions is often permanent and can include motor-function disability. The most effective treatment for stroke can be administered if it is within three hours of the onset of stroke but to receive them, one must recognize the warning signs and act quickly. My project turned out to be more of a way for me to understand what my Aunt went through and the courage she had to get better. My whole family helped her and was with her every bit of the way to help her recover. She has had a positive attitude and worked very hard. Watching her determination has been a very good lesson for me on how to get through a very hard time in your life.
Everyone is Welcome! All members are encouraged to attend any and all B’nai Mitzvah at Beit Haverim. Don’t wait for an invitation to feel welcome, as it is our responsibility as fellow community members to support our Jewish youth as they reach this important rite of passage into Jewish adulthood. March, 2015
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Upcoming Events Adult B’nai Mitzvah Saturday, May 2, 10:00AM Please join Rabbi Berg and Beit Haverim as Hannah Berkowitz Suzanne Causer Suzanne Greenspan Robin Kay Karin Stolz are called to the Torah as they become Daughters of the Commandments. This is the first adult B'nai Mitzvah in many years, and all are invited to attend.
SAVE THE DATE! Sweet Repeat Saturday, May 9, 2:00PM Home of Janet Sahni You are invited to a women’s closet exchange event that we call Sweet Repeat. We all have those items in our closet that don’t fit quite right, or are the wrong color. Those impulse buys that we later regret. Let someone else give them the love that they deserve while you take home something to make you happy....and it all benefits Beit Haverim! This year we’re including teenagers too, bring your daughter. Bring three or more of your gently used, clean clothing or accessories (shoes, purses, scarves, hats, costume jewelry etc.) to exchange for “new to you” items. For $25 you will get coffee, soft drinks, wine, sweet treats, and a minimum of 3 "new to you" wardrobe additions! If you bring 3 items, you can take home 3 items. If you bring 5 items, then take home 5, and so on. This event will be held at the home of Janet Sahni. Address, payment options, and further details will be provided upon RSVP. Please feel free to invite friends and family. The more the merrier! Look to our April newsletter for the registration page. March, 2015
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Committee Updates Beit Haverim Cookbook Order your copy of Bubbe and Zayde Cook. All recipes are from members of Beit Haverim. All tested by families and well loved. We are very excited with the results and can’t wait to try all the fabulous recipes. These will make great gifts and wonderful addition to anyone’s cookbook collection. They are $15 each. Please use this link to place your order.
Volunteer Opportunity within the Religious School We are in need of volunteers. YOU are very important to our program! The success of our religious education program depends on the dedicated individuals in our congregation willing to share their time, talents and knowledge with our future, the children. We encourage all our members, as well as parents of children in our program to help. I am looking for members who would be willing to substitute in the classroom on Sundays, help set up snacks on Sunday, and classroom aides for a second set of hands when needed. Please let Heather Kirkbride know if you are interested in these or the many other volunteer opportunities that are available.
Friday Night Shabbat Clean Up The Congregation is looking for people that would be willing to come a few minutes early to Shabbat Services and help set up for the Oneg and then spend a few minutes after cleaning up. This would entail setting up the Bima, pouring wine, putting cookies on trays, and wiping down the counters. If you are interested, please call Allison at the Temple Office at 503-568-1241. She will assign you a date and a board member to work with.
New Kosher Options at Costco! Tigard Costco- 7850 SW Dartmouth St. Tigard, OR 97223. Sale Dates: March 9th- The Beginning of April Carrying: 1. Whole White Fish- Acme Smoked Fish 2. White Fish Salad- Acme 3. Potato/Apple/Broccoli/Matzah Kugel 4. Stuffed Chicken with Vegetables 5. Beef Stuffed Cabbage 6. NY Deli Sliced Pastrami 7. Kosher Shredded Mozzarella 8. Kosher Sliced Muenster March, 2015
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Tributes & Memorials In honor of
Thank you to Barbara Gold for your donation to the general fund. Thank you to Ed Sherman for your donation to the Sherman Building Fund. Thank you to Lynn Kovacs for your donation of beautiful Judaica.
Donations At Beit Haverim we are often asked the question, “How much does the Rabbi (Temple) charge for officiating at a life cycle event (baby naming, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, wedding, or funeral)? The answer is, “The Rabbi charges nothing.” The Rabbi officiating at these events is just one of the many privileges of membership at Beit Haverim. However, it is a tradition to make a donation to one of the many funds we have established at Beit Haverim in honor of your event. A congregation does not survive on dues alone. It is through your generous donations that many of our programs are able to function. The next time you are called to the Bima to say an Aliyah, dress the Torah, carry the Torah through the congregation, remember it is an honor. Do a Mitzvah and make a donation to the fund of your choice. Click here to make your online donation! Thank you!
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!
Pet Loss Support Our member, Sharon Rose, is offering pet loss support for other members of Beit Haverim at no cost. Sharon is certified to do this. If you need some help, you can just call or email Sharon and she will be happy to talk with you as you go through your grief process. Email Sharon or call her at (503) 352-5045.
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! March, 2015
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Community Events Weekend in Quest Friday afternoon through Sunday noon, March 6-8 An Exhilarating Study Weekend in Astoria, on the Beautiful Oregon Coast by the Mighty Columbia River Click here for more information. The Rise and Fall of Ladino-Speaking Jewry Professor Devin E. Naar University of Washington Sponsored by the Institute for Judaic Studies of the Pacific Northwest Portland, Oregon
PJA/MJCC Used Booksale to benefit PJA Library and MJCC Facilities March 8th 1-5:30pm March 9th 8am-7pm March 10th 8am -7pm At the MJCC 6651 SW Capitol Hwy. All books $2, Kids' Books $1, Tuesday Special everything $1 All are welcome, but please be prepared to show ID at the door.
NEWS From LOUCC Our partner in worship, LOUCC, will be having a GRUBBY HANDS DAY on March 15, 2015. Grubby Hands Days is a chance to work together with LOUCC in sprucing up the facility, both inside and out. March 15 just happens to be our GOOD DEEDS DAY. We will be making LINUS BLANKETS. If you would like to do a good deed, but are not inclined to cutting and knotting blankets, perhaps you would like to lend a hand around our joint facility – gardening or straightening up. If you are interested, please call Sue Greenspan for more information.
FREE WOOD Trees have been cut on the LOUCC Property and there is wood (fireplace and camp fire size pieces) available to anyone who would like some. It is in back of the facility. Take what you want!
March, 2015
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Community Events New Israeli Voices in Dance March 19-21, 8:00 PM Lincoln Hall, Portland State University U.S. Premiere. Israel has long been a hotbed of contemporary dance, with Batsheva Dance Company at its epicenter. In a thrilling shared program, Hillel Kogan, Batsheva rehearsal director, will bring his awardwinning duet We Love Arabs, involving Jewish and Arab religious identity, national symbols, and hummus! White Bird is commissioning Danielle Agami, former Batsheva dancer, to create a new work EXHIBIT before her Los Angelesbased company Ate9 that will overflow with Agami’s strong physicality, humor and theatricality. Naomi Angier and Leslie Bratschi will be attending on Sat. Mar. 21. Click here for tickets.
The Ministry of Special Cases by Nathan Englander March 14 – April 11 Milagro Theatre Buenos Aires, Argentina 1976. Kaddish, who defaces graves for a living, and his insurance clerk wife, Lillian, strive against the forces of inflation and political insecurity to provide a normal life for their obstinate teenage son. When the 'Dirty War' infiltrates their home, Kaddish and Lillian are forced into a search that will challenge their faith, their sanity, and their very union.
Click here for tickets.
March, 2015
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Community Events Good Deeds Day at Beit Haverim March 15, 2:30-5:30PM During Religious School Once again for Good Deeds Day, Beit Haverim will be making polar fleece blankets for Project Linus. These blankets are distributed to babies and children when they are hospitalized. All you need to do to participate in this worthwhile project is to bring a sharp pair of small scissors and a yard of fleece. If you are unable to attend this session, you can still participate. Visit Project Linus and complete directions will be given. Drop the blankets off on Sunday, March 15. Coffee and Goodies will be served!
Good Deeds Day in the Community On March 15, 2015, we are pumping up the volume of good in the world. Together. All over the world on March 15, hundreds of thousands choose to volunteer and help others, putting into practice the simple idea that every single person can do something good, be it large or small, to improve the lives of others and positively change the world. Let’s do some good in Portland! Projects include: blanket-making, homebuilding, gardening, social & senior services, and much more. Something for every age and interest. Click here for more information on the projects going on in the community and to sign up.
March, 2015
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In the Beit Haverim Community Yarzheits
Birthdays Eve Miller Alicia Kavka
March 2
Elizabeth Cohen
March 4
Helene Felder Callagan
March 9
Brianna McTeague
March 9
Sarah Freedman
March 11
Anna Spear
March 16
Joanne Gordon
March 22
Bradford Fowler
March 25
Debbi Bodie Sherman
March 25
Abigail Cohen
March 26
Alissa Cohen
March 27
Michael Horwitz
March 27
Sara Hauck
March 28
Joel Callagan
March 29
Jessica Stolzberg
March 29
March 1
Adopted Father of Constance Dorreman Emily Abramson
March 11
Grandmother of Amy Steingrebe Nora DeAsis
March 15
Mother of Lester DeAsis George Peterson
March 15
Step Father of Constance Dorreman Lola Kleinstein
March 16
Mother of Judith Kleinstein Todd Minch
March 17
Brother of David Minch Arnold Gold
March 18
Father of Janet Sahni and Former Husband of Barbara Gold Anna Goldberg
March 19
Grandmother of Matthew & Cary
Anniversaries Robin Kay & Jeffery David
Wayne Fine
March 2
Deborah Wexler & David Markgraff March 16 Barbara & Thomas Brady March 19 Simon Reissmann & Lauryn Marks March 21 Kari & Mark Lewinsohn March 25 Helene Felder & Michael Callagan March 26 Barry & Deanna Wiegler
Goldberg Joseph Natale
March 21
Father of Jo-Ann Moss Rachel Feigelah
March 25
Judith Kleinstein Ruth Elaine Spielberger
March 28
Mother of Michelle Minch Joseph Berkowitz
March 30
Father of Hannah Berkowitz Tim Marks
March 30
Grandfather of Lauryn Marks Ruth Miller
March 30 Mother of Eve Miller
March 26 August, 2015 March, 2015
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