April 2021
“Introduction to Jewish Mysticism and Kabbalah: The World is a Gateway” led by Rabbi Marty Lawson
Dates: Tues., April 27, May 4, 11, 25, and June 1, 2021 @ 10:00am-11:30am The study of Jewish mysticism or Kabbalah is marked by a unique challenge. On one level, the material is easy to grasp. This is due to the fact that the insights which Kabbalah introduces are spiritual in nature. Each of us has the capacity to know the world in a spiritual way. Yet, on another level, the wisdom of Kabbalah is extraordinarily elusive. Kabbalah addresses some…
Find out more »The “Jewish American Princess” on Screen: From Stereotype to Role-Model
Join us for a three part series with Dr. Julia Wagner, live from the UK, as we examine the evolution of the "Jewish American Princess" character-type in film and television, from its misogynistic origins to unlikely heroines. Dr. Wagner will draw together the themes of the three lectures outlined below to ask how Jewish women on screen can assert their independence and effect social change. How do the characters portray female power, money and privilege, duty and loyalty, personal responsibility…
Find out more »Morning Mindfulness with Julie Potiker
Wednesdays mornings from 10:00-10:45 am Give yourself the gift of calm. Join Julie Potiker for this grounding way to start the day and move from a place of fear to a place of calm. In these forty-five-minute mindfulness sessions, you will experience bringing your attention to the present moment without judgment. For past sessions, visit: https://blubrry.com/balancedmind/ About Julie: Julie Potiker is a mindfulness expert with extensive teacher training in a variety of tools and methods, including Mindful Self-Compassion. Through her…
Find out more »Loving Your Neighbor: The Transformative Power of Service Learning with Rabbi Nevarez
Service-learning is an educational approach that combines learning objectives with community service in order to provide a pragmatic, progressive learning experience while meeting societal needs. Join Rabbi Nevarez on April 28th for a rich, enlightening (and visual) overview of his 17 years of leading service-learning trips to Latin America, the transformative impact and takeaways behind these experiences, and its subsequent introduction right here at Beth Israel. Promises to be an inspiring session! Originally from New York City, Rabbi Jason Nevarez…
Find out more »CONCEALED: Memoir of a Jewish-Iranian Daughter Caught Between the Chador and America
Join us on Thursday April 29th at 12:30 PM PDT (3:30 PM EDT) for a compelling CSP author event with Esther Amini. Esther grew up in Queens, New York, during the freewheeling 1960s. She also grew up in a Persian-Jewish household, the American-born daughter of parents who had fled Mashhad, Iran. In Concealed, she tells the story of being caught between these two worlds: the dutiful daughter of tradition-bound parents who hungers for more self-determination than tradition allows. Exploring the…
Find out more »Hartman @ Home: The Texts & Topics Shaping Modern Jewish Life
The Texts & Topics Shaping Modern Jewish Life: Exploring The New Jewish Canon A series convened by The Shalhevet Institute in partnership with the Shalom Hartman Institute. January 6, February 4, March 11, April 29 5:00pm - 6:30pm PST / 8:00pm - 9:30pm EST The New Jewish Canon, a new anthology edited by Yehuda Kurtzer and Claire Sufrin, pulls together a series of texts that shaped a generation. The book pairs each selection with an insightful contemporary essay explaining its continuing significance today. Join The Shalhevet…
Find out more »Preschool Shabbat
Start your Shabbat with your family, our Beth Israel Clergy, Cathy, and your preschool friends. We will sing, hear a story, and do the Shabbat prayers together. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Fridays, 10:00 - 10:30 am (Zoom Shabbat, recurring weekly) in 2021 Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29 Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26 March 5, 12, 19, 26 April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 May 7, 14, 21, 28 Register in…
Find out more »Virtual Erev Shabbat Services
Welcome Shabbat with this inspirational service open to all All our services will be ONLINE only until further notice. Watch the pre-recorded Shabbat services HERE (recorded earlier in the week). Access an online Siddur for Shabbat here. .
Find out more »May 2021
Shabbat Morning Torah Study
Torah Study has moved to online only with the new time of 9:00 a.m.. You can connect via your computer or telephone. You will need to register just once for all future sessions: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/uJcqc-GhqzIswQYDIgFGeKY4EgkXp7tauA After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Come occasionally or come every week. These eclectic and lively discussions about the week’s Torah portion consider the text through traditional and modern commentaries, as well as through the lenses of history,…
Find out more »Virtual Shabbat Lay Led Service
An informal service, open to all, featuring prayer, singing and Torah discussion in a relaxed and friendly setting. For the Zoom link, please contact Gordon Glenn at gaglenn@prodigy.net to be added to the Lay Led Service list. For those who do not have your own Mishkan Ti’filah for Shabbat, you can get a Kindle version for $4.99 at the following link: Amazon/Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Mishkan-Tfilah-Shabbat-Reform-Siddur-ebook/dp/B016R0HSLU/ref=sr_1_2 If you have an iPad or iPhone, you can download a Kindle App from the iTunes Store and…
Find out more »Spring Forward – Virtual Annual Fundraiser
Please join us for Beth Israel’s Virtual Annual Fundraiser, Spring Forward- May 1st, 2021! Join us from the comfort of your home for our first Virtual Fundraiser, Spring Forward. The event will feature Havdalah with our clergy, a short program highlighting our Caring Community, and entertainment by comedian, Joel Chasnoff. Most ticket packages include food and beverage options, and you can bid on fabulous items in our online silent auction. Evening Line Up 7:00 pm PRE-EVENT ZOOM OPTIONS VIP Reception…
Find out more »Digging Up Armageddon: The Search for the Lost City of Solomon
The University of Chicago excavations at the ancient mound at Megiddo—biblical Armageddon—yielded stunning discoveries in the 1920s and 1930s that transformed our understanding of the ancient world. Their expedition made headlines around the world, unearthing biblical-era monuments including gates, palaces, stables, and temples, along with gold and ivory treasures. In this illustrated lecture, which is based on his new book published by Princeton University Press, Eric H. Cline, a professor of classics and anthropology and director of George Washington University’s…
Find out more »“Kreplach & Dim Sum: Yes, There are Jews in China” led by Robyn Helzner
Join us for a fascinating evening with the perfect blend of music, education, and entertainment! Celebrate the extraordinary presence of Jews in China LIVE via Zoom! Through lively stories, photos, videos, and music, Robyn Helzner shares an irresistible enthusiasm for both the ancient and modern Jewish communities of Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Kaifeng. Robyn served as the Cantor for the United Jewish Congregation of Hong Kong and officiated at the first Bar Mitzvah ever held in Beijing. For a…
Find out more »Shavua Tov Cafe
Start your week off on a positive note. Join Katey Lindley, Director of Caring Community, every Monday morning at 9:00 am on Zoom with your favorite morning wake-up beverage, as we explore Jewish quotes, humor and blessings. What could be bad? No fee, but please RSVP for planning purposes. RSVP just once to receive the Zoom link and password.
Find out more »RS Teacher Appreciation 5781
The Parent Connection is collecting money for Teacher Appreciation! In these unprecedented times, our teachers have worked so hard to engage our children in a meaningful way. We hope that you will join with us in our thanks, and donate money. We plan to purchase gift cards for our 13 wonderful teachers, 5 administrative staff and 67 Madrichim. In order to do this, we have a lot of money to raise! We deeply appreciate everyone's participation; the suggested donation is…
Find out more »Young Family Havdalah
Join our Rabbis for a musical morning filled with song and prayer. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Tuesdays 2021, 10-10:30 am: January 5, 12, 19, 26 February 2, 9, 16, 23 March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 April 6, 13, 20, 27 May 4, 11, 18, 25 June 1 Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEqdumqrDopHdxVb_KD2RCPkfEFHa13S6vO Zoom ID: 857 1022 1378; Password: havdalah
Find out more »“Introduction to Jewish Mysticism and Kabbalah: The World is a Gateway” led by Rabbi Marty Lawson
Dates: Tues., April 27, May 4, 11, 25, and June 1, 2021 @ 10:00am-11:30am The study of Jewish mysticism or Kabbalah is marked by a unique challenge. On one level, the material is easy to grasp. This is due to the fact that the insights which Kabbalah introduces are spiritual in nature. Each of us has the capacity to know the world in a spiritual way. Yet, on another level, the wisdom of Kabbalah is extraordinarily elusive. Kabbalah addresses some…
Find out more »Morning Mindfulness with Julie Potiker
Wednesdays mornings from 10:00-10:45 am Give yourself the gift of calm. Join Julie Potiker for this grounding way to start the day and move from a place of fear to a place of calm. In these forty-five-minute mindfulness sessions, you will experience bringing your attention to the present moment without judgment. For past sessions, visit: https://blubrry.com/balancedmind/ About Julie: Julie Potiker is a mindfulness expert with extensive teacher training in a variety of tools and methods, including Mindful Self-Compassion. Through her…
Find out more »Meir Shalev: An Intimate Conversation
Join us on Wednesday May 5, 2021 at 10:00 AM PDT/ 1:00 PM EDT for a conversation between Rachel Korazim and Meir Shalev, one of Israel's most preeminent and popular novelists, about his influences, his writing and his approach to storytelling. Shalev’s work, which includes works for both children and adults, is saturated with love of man and nature and brings to the forefront the magic of everyday life. His novels chronicle the experience of the settlers in the Jezreel Valley in…
Find out more »Gems of the Talmud: 4-Part Master Class
The Talmud is full of rich aggadic stories that offer not only a window into the lives and times of the rabbis but narratives meant to teach us about our own lives. In this 4-part series, we'll touch on some of the lesser known Talmudic stories and mine them for their literary richness. From spurned dinner guests to miraculous ovens, from powerful leaders and the women who outsmart them, these stories are sure to delight, surprise, and perhaps even challenge…
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