Shabbat Blast

Shabbat Blast!!!

CLICK BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Hazak Activities

Midweek Meditation is BACK!

Bereavement Support Group

August 20, Summer Blast Off/Open House

Erev Shabbat – August 11, 2017

8:00 pm: Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma'ariv Service

Candlelighting: 7:40 pm

Shabbat, August 12, 2017

Parshat Eikev

Nosh and Drosh 9:00 am

Services 9:45 am

NEWS AND NOTES:

Coming Soon!!! The Congregation Beth Ohr High Holiday Mechina service! A New Idea for an Old Concept! The service is for families and learners where adults and kids will explore the High Holiday service in an accessible and meaningful way.  We are looking for input from all members.  Please contact the Rabbi at rabbi.bernstein@cbohr.org, the Cantor at cantor.myerson@cbohr.org, Mrs. O. at principal@cbohr.org, and Sheree Jarmol at 1froggy@optonline.net with any comments or concerns about this meaningful event.

Congregation Beth Ohr is creating a Caring Committee.  This group of individuals will be available to help with transportation to Doctors, Hospitals, or other Medical Visits.  If you are in need of a ride, or if you are available to help, please contact the office at 516-781-3072

Dear [first_name],

I’ve heard many people say that no one ever taught them how to pray. This is different from stating that they never learned traditional Jewish prayer. One can know the words of the Shema by rote without feeling the intent behind it or knowing how to have a conversation with God, the Source of Creation. You can cover your eyes, do the choreography correctly, but not experience any deep connection. As a person who is intensely loyal to traditional Jewish prayer, I also feel that my own repetition often lacks spontenaity, emotional involvement, and any transformation of the soul.

And this struggle is not just evident to us, but evident to our tradition. The root for Shema (שמע) is present all througout the parshiot we read last week and are reading tomorrow. This points us to the challenge of remaining invested in our Jewish observance, but not complacent in robotic recitation. Last Shabbat, we read the Shema itself. This week, in Parashat Eikev, God tells us about observing mitzvot with the word “תשמעון,” with the root, “shema” in the middle. The word Shema embodies layers of meaning, including: physically speaking prayer loud enough for us to hear ourselves, understanding the words coming out of our mouths, observing commandments, and praying in our own language. (Masechet Berachot 15a). The Mishnah struggles with our desire to speak the words of our tradition but make sure that the prayers we speak are also personal.

Traditional prayer without any sort of connection is like a house that has no furnishings. It isn’t livable. So if you find yourself saying the words and want to learn more about the content or find space to work on your own personal prayer, let’s talk!

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Bernstein

Wednesday August 23rd- Midweek Meditation on the Beach 

HAZAK ACTIVITIES

Thurs. Aug. 22 – Vanderbilt Mansion and Planetarium – 9:45 AM departure

Although quite far off, put Wed. Nov. 8 on your calendars.  Rabbi Bernstein will be accompanying us on a visit to the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) for an interesting day – a tour of the facilities, some interaction with students, a visit to the rare books collection, some learning with one of Rabbi Bernstein’s teachers, and lunch at the Seminary.  Details about time and cost will be sent in a later mailing.

Game Days (all Mondays at 1:30 PM):  Aug. 21; Sep. 11, 25; Oct. 16, 30; Nov. 13, 27; Dec. 11

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For further details please refer to flyers in recent mailings and in lobby of synagogue. Or call Bill Berkowitz (516) 221-2056 or Lucy Safir at (516) 221-4107.

Pre-registration recommended for in-house-programs, and pre-payment for trips.

Congregation Beth Ohr, in conjunction with The Friedberg JCC, will be hosting a Bereavement Support Group for those who have lost a spouse in the last year.  Congregation Beth Oh will be hosting these meetings on Tuesdays, July 11 through August 29 at 11 AM.  If these times are not convenient or you would like more information, please see our Partners In Caring Page.

Thank you to Lauren Lefkowitz for building the lovely bin. Please use this for all of your donations!

Heading to Israel in 2018. Informational sessions have occurred. We have hit our Max! If you would like to get on the waitlist, contact the office. Click here for a detailed itinerary!

Rabbi's Bar/Bat Mitzvah Class! Mondays at 6PM, join the Rabbi for an informative class to learn all about the Torah/Haftorah Service, the prayers and tunes associated with it, and the history of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah service. This is geared toward those who do not have any background in the Torah Service. Flyer is available here.

Junior Congregation is done for the year. Watch for the dates for Next Year! Miss Rachel is looking forward to coming back and spending Shabbat with all of the students!!!