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Shababa

Shababa is a fun, engaging “service” for our youngest generation. All children 5 and under (and their siblings, parents, and grandparents) are welcome to experience the joy of Shabbat with dancing, singing, stories, and a chicken nugget dinner. PJs are optional! Join Rabbi Rachel Zerin in this free monthly program – part of our early childhood education.

RSVPs are not required, but are encouraged to enable us to better plan for dinner. Sponsorship opportunities are available – for just $50 you can celebrate a child’s birthday by sponsoring that month’s Shababa. To RSVP or sponsor a dinner, please contact Rabbi Howard Sowalsky at hsowalsky@bethelwh.org or (860) 233-9696.

Mini Minyan

It’s the next step for our Shababa graduates. Kids ages 5-8 join together for Friday night prayers and stories. Then they join our Shababa friends for chicken nugget dinner.

Mazel Tots

Mazel Tots is the spot for kiddos on Shabbat mornings! Parent volunteers lead songs, prayers and stories. This program is geared for children from birth through kindergarten with their parents, but all are welcome. Please bring a small, kosher, nut-free snack for your child.

This is free to the entire community. Parents must stay with children during this hour and all are welcome to the bima in the sanctuary at noon for kiddush and a treat. Contact Rabbi Howard Sowalsky at (860) 233-9696 for more information.

Shabbat Club

Our Shabbat Club makes it cool for kids @shul. Created and led by Beth El parents! SC is for kids in grades K-5. Songs, prayers, stories, games, snacks and more make Shabbat Club the place to be!

Fri, January 21 2022
19 Shevat 5782

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Monday ,
JanJanuary 24 , 2022

Sizeism in a World of "Likes" and Social Pressure
Monday, Jan 24th 7:00p to 9:00p
Size has a visual component that people can make an immediate judgment about and as such, size remains one of the most targeted identities. What exactly is sizeism and why is it one of the 9 identities that National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) focuses on? Join us as we explore the many facets of this controversial topic and the stigmas that surround body image and size. NCCJ's mission is to promote inclusion and acceptance by providing education and advocacy while building communities that are respectful and just for all. They are changing the world by changing our communities, one mind at a time. Click in for details!
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Thursday ,
JanJanuary 27 , 2022

The Relationship Between Israel and the Holocaust with Dr. Avi Patt (now on Zoom)
Thursday, Jan 27th 8:00p to 9:00p
Beth El’s own Dr. Avi Patt will discuss the relationship between Israel and the Holocaust, the topic of the next book he is writing. Dr. Patt is the Director of the Center for Judaic Studies and Contemporary Jewish Life at UConn. The date of the program, January 27, 2022, is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Click in to register for this in-person event!
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Thursday ,
FebFebruary 3 , 2022

Chai Society Presents: Cultivating Resilience
Thursday, Feb 3rd 1:00p to 2:00p
How can moments of crisis – whether a communal challenge such as a pandemic or a personal challenge such as illness or loss – foster clarity of purpose and priority? How can we cultivate resilience? How can Jewish texts and traditions support us in these tasks? Join Rabbi Rachel Zerin for an exploration of these timely and timeless conversations. Click in to register for this program on Zoom!
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Saturday ,
FebFebruary 12 , 2022

Hollywood Havdalah
Shabbat, Feb 12th 5:30p to 8:30p

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Sunday ,
FebFebruary 13 , 2022

Morning Minyan & the World Wide Wrap with Men's Club!
Sunday, Feb 13th 8:45a to 9:30a
We invite you to join us for the mitzvah of wrapping tefillin in a minyan service. This will be followed by a special tefillin program and prayers with Rabbi Zerin where we can learn about tefillin: how it is made, why we wear it, the value of wearing it, and of course, how to wrap it. Breakfast will follow. Click in for details! All our welcome in person; please see bethelwesthartford.org/coronavirus for details and protocols. Each minyan includes Kaddish for those in mourning and those observing yahrzeit and incorporates some English readings. We read Torah on Monday and Thursday mornings, as well as on Rosh Chodesh (the new month). At each service we read a list of names of those loved ones for whom yahrzeit is being observed. Our minyans are very welcoming to those who are saying Kaddish or simply want to sit in the comfort of a prayer community.
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