Sponsored by: Community You Can Believe In
Israel Engagement
Israel Engagement
Get to know Israel up close and personal. Beth El’s Israel Engagement Committee hosts – or co-hosts with other community organizations – programs and events designed to share Israel’s story. We explore history, politics, culture and day-to-day life, actively connecting our members to our homeland’s past, present and future.
From book talks - Mike Kelly, author of “The Bus to Jaffa Road” – to educational seminars – a panel discussion to educate high school juniors and seniors on the BDS movement on college campuses – to informational talks that can break your heart and at the same time, show resiliency – the parents of an Israeli soldier killed in Lebanon – our Israel Engagement Committee works to put our Jewish State front and center.
Our religious school students also get a chance to meet and learn from our region’s Israel shlichim (emissaries). These teens, from our sister Afula-Gilboa region, delay their military service to spend an academic year of outreach in the United States.
Every Spring: Meet Israel’s Robotics Team
Each year, Beth El families join with the Greater Hartford Jewish community to host young students from Israeli high schools who are participating in the Trinity College Robotics Competition. Welcoming a teen into your home is a great way for your family to make a personal connection with young Israelis. Your home can be kosher or non-kosher. Can’t host? Then join in the Friendship Dinner where you’ll meet these outstanding teens and see their robots at work. Or watch the teams compete at Trinity against students from around the world. Check Temple Topics for updated information on this annual spring event.
Sharon Efron (sgredancer@yahoo.com) and Robin Santiago (robin@santiagodmd.com) are always looking for new ideas. Contact them to get involved in this very important committee.
Tue, January 31 2023
9 Shevat 5783
Upcoming Events
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Sunday ,
FebFebruary 12 , 2023Morning Minyan & the World Wide Wrap with Men's Club!
Sunday, Feb 12th 8:45a to 9:30a
We invite you to join us for the mitzvah of wrapping tefillin in a minyan service. All our welcome in person. Breakfast will follow (RSVP Required). Cantor Joseph Ness will be speaking at the breakfast. Minyan attendees are encouraged to bring their own set of tefillin, but one will be provided if needed. 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. -
Friday ,
FebFebruary 24 , 2023Shababa
Friday, Feb 24th 5:30p to 7:00p
We invite you and your kiddos to welcome Shabbat at Beth El! Shababa is a fun, engaging evening for our youngest generation. Geared toward children 0-8 and their families, we invite you to experience the joy of Shabbat with dancing, singing, stories, and prayers, followed by a joyful Shabbat dinner experience for all (including dinner for the kids, and food for grown-ups, too!). RSVP below to join Rabbi Rachel Zerin and Jason Kay for this fun program. -
Sunday ,
FebFebruary 26 , 2023Breakfast Program with Doron Sheffer, UConn Huskies and Israeli Retired Professional Basketball Player
Sunday, Feb 26th 9:15a to 11:30a
Join us for a breakfast program with Doron Sheffer, Israeli Retired Professional Basketball Player! Sheffer is a father of five and lives with his family in Moshav Amirim in the Galilee, Israel. Since 1988, basketball has been an inseparable part of his life. He played for the UConn Huskies from 1993-1996 under coach Jim Calhoun. In his first season, Sheffer was the Big East Conference Rookie of the Year. While at UConn, Sheffer formed a trio (with fellow starters Ray Allen and Kevin Ollie) that won the Big East basketball championship in three straight years. He is the only player from UConn with 1,000 points and 500 assists, in three varsity seasons. He has also played on several Israeli teams including the Israeli National team. In 2002, following a diagnosis with cancer, Sheffer thoroughly changed his way of life on all levels: physically, mentally and spiritually. Today, he is a writer & speaker, life coach and workshop presenter. He gives talks and workshops that appeal to a wide range of audiences of all ages, in which he tells his life story and provides tools and tips for a more healthy, happy and balanced way of living. In his most recent book, The Game of Life, Sheffer demonstrates the connection between body and mind; the physical and spiritual worlds; the basketball game and the world of the Torah; and past, present and future. On one court biblical Moses, Joseph the righteous and King David play with Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. In his own unique manner, Doron uses the basketball game as an allegory for life and utilizes it as an educational and therapeutic tool that can help us win a much greater, more significant game than the one played on the basketball courts – a game he refers to as The Game of Life. The Game of Life will be available for purchase. Book signing will follow the program. RSVP Required. Any RSVPs after February 22nd or walk-ins will be accommodated at the discretion of the Men’s Club and will be subject to an additional cost of $5 per person. RSVP by Wednesday, February 22, 2023. Questions? Please contact Michael Bloom (860.983.3476 or michaelbloom820@gmail.com). This event is co-sponsored by Beth El Men’s Club and Israel Engagement Committee. -
Saturday ,
MarMarch 4 , 2023Mincha B-Mitzvah of Illy Sugarman
Shabbat, Mar 4th 5:30p to 6:00p
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Sunday ,
MarMarch 5 , 2023Purim Faire Extravaganza
Sunday, Mar 5th 11:30a to 1:00p
Join us for a Purim Faire Extravaganza! Suggested donation: $5/person Volunteers: needed to run booths, contact Liz edepalma@bethelwh.org Lunch: Prepared by Men's Club; items available for purchase