Shul shopping — Five great reasons to join Beth Tikvah

Joseph Henson President

In our 55 years of marriage, my wife, Lee, and I have relocated many times.

On average, a little over every seven years, we were shul shopping. Being a member in a compatible synagogue is important to us. When we had children, our shul shopping primarily focused on what we thought about the religious school. Now, being in our empty-nest years, our perspective has morphed to a senior adult focus. This leads me to the five great reasons to join Beth Tikvah:

Reason No. 1

Beth Tikvah is a welcoming congregation in a hands-on way. On a Friday evening in June 2012, when we first sat in a pew at Beth Tikvah, a long-standing member, Sue Brown, turned around and welcomed us into the community. She told us about all the great things going on in Beth Tikvah and the wider Jewish community. She invited my wife to join her. Now when we meet new people who are shul shopping, we want them to feel just as welcome at Beth Tikvah.

Reason No. 2

We have an exceptional Kiddush luncheon experience following Shabbat morning services. Beth Tikvah has a kosher dairy kitchen, and our volunteer members prepare much of our kosher style dairy menu. Volunteers go shopping for the other essentials. Kiddush and conversation begins at noon and lasts an hour or so, followed by volunteers helping put away things and clean up.

Reason No. 3

We offer a wide range of member programming. We host the Naples Jewish Film Festival, a popular speakers’ series and informative Scholars in Residence weekends. We recognize and remember significant events like Gen Shoah or Israel’s Independence with respect and reverence. Always among our most popular events are the holiday celebrations, like Chanukah, Purim or our kosher First Night Seder. Since Naples is a retirement-oriented community, we are still often apart from our families. Thus, our holiday gatherings are happy times for us. While age does have some effect, we may not be as spry when dancing around the synagogue on Simchas Torah for example, we are enthusiastic!

Reason No. 4

Beth Tikvah is a supportive congregation helping one another in times of need. Since many of us do not have a family network in the Naples area, Beth Tikvah tries to help. When troubled times happen, our Chesed Committee maintains contact with those undergoing difficulties by providing a caring response, whether it is a bouquet of cheerful flowers or arranging for a meal during a member’s illness. Our Chesed fund provides assistance to mourners during Shiva. Beyond the fine work of our Chesed Committee, Beth Tikvah members regularly reach out with a kind word to fellow members who are ill or experiencing the loss of a loved one.

Reason No. 5

Beth Tikvah’s life cycle commemorations are rarely for Bar/Bat Mitzvah boys and girls and even rarer for marriages, but we do regularly have Bar/Bat Mitzvah Torah readings to celebrate the 50 years and higher since the celebrant first stood before the congregation. Wedding anniversaries of 50 years and more are almost a weekly event.

You can participate in our traditional Shabbat services by joining us for Shacharit beginning at 9:30 a.m. You will see Beth Tikvah is very egalitarian and inclusive. Our members can be as active as they wish in our services by being Torah readers, gabbai or leading readings from the prayerbook. Each of us benefit from Rabbi Chorny’s Torah commentary and sermons.

I am certain that you will agree with Lee and me: Beth Tikvah should be your new shul of choice!