Archive: September 2016

Ritual Reflections – A Collaborative Effort

Posted on September 5, 2016

With the regular services about to begin and the High Holy Days just around the corner, the members of the Ritual Committee have been working with the temple’s clergy and professional staff, and with other committees, to prepare for the arrival of 5777. Ushers, greeters, parking, tickets, seating arrangements, security, sound system, silver polishing, special Continue Reading »

Sept – Oct 2016 Mensch of the Month

Posted on September 5, 2016

Our September Mensch of the Month is Gari Bloom. Gari is a quiet force behind many activities at temple. She and her family, hubby Charlie and kids Ali (21) and Mack (16), have been members of the community for 16 years. Professionally, Gari is a dentist in a general dental practice in New Brunswick, where Continue Reading »

Mitzvah Month

Posted on September 5, 2016

Once again this year, we are planning our second annual fall Mitzvah Day, which means if the high holy days are right around the corner, that must mean that Mitzvah Day is just down the block. This year we are planning an entire Mitzvah Month during November, starting with Mitzvah Day on November 6. In Continue Reading »

Thoughts from NFTY in Israel

Posted on September 1, 2016

A senior at Hillsborough High School and a member of our SMOOCHY Board, Sam spent a portion of his summer in Israel as part of the NFTY in Israel program. Here he offers reflections on the impact of the trip on his life. [Rapper] A$AP Rocky said it best, “Everything eventually becomes a memory, so Continue Reading »

Meet Rachel Frish, Director of Youth Engagement

Posted on September 1, 2016

Shalom y’all! My name is Rachel Frish and I am thrilled to be the new Director of Youth Engagement here at Temple Beth-El. I’m a recent graduate from the University of Kansas (go Jayhawks!) with a degree in communications. I have lived in Dallas, Texas for most of my life, but was born in Bergen Continue Reading »

At Temple Beth-El, We Make Jews

Posted on September 1, 2016

Recently, I have been thinking about our mission. We have a beautifully written vision statement that accurately reflects who we are and what we strive for as a community. (If you haven’t read it, you can find it here.) However, it’s also long and difficult to remember. It occurred to me that if we asked Continue Reading »