Jewish Identity

Woman of Valor

Posted on January 15, 2020

Sisterhood Woman of Valor 2019-20: Jodi Siegal Sisterhood held its annual Woman of Valor dinner on Dec. 19, 2019, honoring Jodi Siegal. Approximately 50 Sisterhood members attended the dinner to honor Jodi, whose commitment to community is evidenced by her many activities at TBE since becoming a member in 2000. Jodi is a TBE board Continue Reading »

Standing Together at Sinai, Soul to Soul: A profile of Russ and Barb Johnston

Posted on January 15, 2020

For years, Barbara and Russ Johnston have been a fixture at TBE. They’ve been the friendly faces at the Bagel Cafe, Sisterhood and the temple choir. But what you may not know about the Johnstons is their special love story – not just for each other, but for Temple Beth-El, the community that first brought Continue Reading »

Mourning Trees

Posted on May 7, 2019

I have never felt a connection to the Holocaust. To me, it was always a horrific crime against humanity and never a terrible act against my own people. But on a recent trip to the concentration camps of the past, where I saw the ashes for myself, it has never felt more real. Being in Continue Reading »

In a League of Their Own — Our Tree of Life Gala Honorees

Posted on March 10, 2019

Move over, Marvel heroes. At Temple Beth-El, we have our own superheroes, and we are proud to be celebrating everything they’ve accomplished at the upcoming gala dinner dance on Saturday, May 11, 2019. Here’s a closer look at our three honorees and what inspires them to go above and beyond.   Ellen Davidson It makes Continue Reading »

Far from the Home I Love: The Jewish Immigrant Story in Song

Posted on November 13, 2018

Once again, the TBE Cantorial Concert Committee, led by Jim and Beth Lavranchuk, is laboring to bring another beautiful musical event to fruition. Our subject is a bit deeper this year, and possibly a little darker. But only by descending is it possible to rise: out of the darkness we hope to bring you light. Continue Reading »

The Future’s So Bright, We’ve Got to Wear Shades

Posted on May 7, 2018

Years ago, when Pam and I first joined a Reform congregation, I noticed that the walls of the synagogue were adorned with pictures of young women and men in robes, usually accompanied by the rabbi and cantor. A small engraved plaque identified each photograph as the “Confirmation Class” of some year. The photos stretched back Continue Reading »

A Letter to My Grandchildren

Posted on May 1, 2018

To my future grandchildren, I don’t know you yet. You haven’t been born or conceived; your mothers aren’t even in serious relationships! Yet I think of you. I wonder what you will know of me, whether we will share our holidays, whether you will think of yourself as Jewish. I deeply hope so. There’s a Continue Reading »

Losing My Voice, Finding Perspective

Posted on January 14, 2018

So I’d like to start off by saying that I’ve never actually written a blog post before. Like, ever. So I hope I’m doing it right. But I guess I’ll find out. For those of you who don’t know, I spent these past four weeks at URJ Kutz camp in Warwick, NY. Here I’ve spent Continue Reading »

What Judaism Means to Me

Posted on January 2, 2018

Editor’s note: The following is an excerpt of remarks made by Shelley Drozd during Yom Kippur’s Reflection Service. We enjoyed it so much we wanted to share her words with you. I feel my Judaism in my DNA. I come from a long line of Glasers who arrived in this country from Latvia in the Continue Reading »

Learn It, Love It, Live It

Posted on September 1, 2017

Welcome back to all! We hope you had a good summer. We are so excited about the new program year and look forward to seeing you when Religious School opens on Sunday, September 10 and throughout the year. Each year on opening day, we begin with a conversation. We ask you to imagine your child Continue Reading »