Teruah
TU B'SHEVAT
A strong, vibrant community with a spiritual heart embracing Jewish life and its diversity.
(ISSN 1177-2352)
TU B'SHEVAT
A strong, vibrant community with a spiritual heart embracing Jewish life and its diversity.
(ISSN 1177-2352)
Opinions expressed in Teruah do not necessarily represent the views of Beth Shalom Board of Management.
Header
In March 2023, Beth Shalom will launch a new Jewish Education Programme. This programme will have a professionally designed curriculum, using internationally respected multi-media learning resources, tailored to the values and goals of our community. It is quality, dynamic Jewish learning for today.
During the school year, we will offer a family-focused programme, combining in-person and online delivery. The programme will include—
Half of the fortnightly meetings will be only for the children. The other half will invite the children and their families to engage in family learning. We have decided to adopt this Family Learning model after listening to what parents have told us and researching international best practices for Jewish Education.
Join us and spread the word
I invite you and your family to join us next year and be part of our Jewish learning programme. I also invite you to spread the word. If you know of children and families who might want to be part of a dynamic, Progressive Jewish learning experience, tell us about them or put them in touch with us at Learning@BethShalom.org.nz. Parents (both Jewish and not Jewish) and grandparents are most welcome!
Alongside this update, we advertised a position for a co-ordinator who will support our teachers and engage with our children and members. Feel free to let people know of this opportunity as well.
Further details about timing, content and registration will be provided in February. In the meantime, we can share a little bit more about the new programme’s mission, values and goals.
Our Mission
Our mission is to ensure that kids at Beth Shalom will feel at home in our Jewish community, living our shared Progressive values and familiar with our language, traditions and customs. They will have pride in their Jewish identity and be ethical and moral human beings.
Header
At Beth Shalom, we are committed to Jewish education that enables our children to:
Graduate Profile for young people aged 6-15
Our higher-level hopes and expectations for our graduates align with four themes:
We also expect that our graduates will have the following capabilities:
Looking forward to seeing you in March
The launch of our new education programme will be the product of much hard work done during 2022 by Beth Shalom’s Education Committee. I want to thank the Committee’s Chair, Marion Heppner, and its members, Rabbi Dean, Kira Bacal, Ted Ries, and Tanya Thomson, for their dedication and work throughout this year. And I want to thank you, our families, for your patience and support. I wish you all the best for the rest of the Summer and a great start to the school year.
Stay tuned for more information in February and our March launch!
Yours, Arie Rosen
Board Member, Beth Shalom
Header
Part-time contract opportunity based in Auckland:
Coordinator of the Jewish Education Programme at Beth Shalom
| Date position is available from: February 2023 |
| Address: 180 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland 1023, New Zealand |
| Email: office@bethshalom.org.nz Telephone: + 64 9 524 4139 |
| Website: https://bethshalom.org.nz/ |
| President: Michelle Wise Rabbi: Dean Shapiro |
About Beth Shalom
Beth Shalom, Auckland’s Progressive Jewish community, is diverse, inclusive, egalitarian and welcoming, with 200 member households who hail from across the globe. We are led by a committed Board of Management and Rabbi Dean Shapiro, who spent three years with us previously and returned eighteen months ago from the United States to live in New Zealand with his family.
The opportunity
At Beth Shalom, we are re-imagining our Jewish education offering, starting with the launch of a new Programme for young people and their families in March 2023. This Programme will be a combination of in-person classes and activities at our shul in Epsom and elsewhere in Auckland, Bar and Bat Mitzvah training, and online Hebrew classes (using curricula and materials from a reputable provider), which students will log into from home.
We have done a lot of thinking about who we are and our aspirations for our students. Now we are ready for a charismatic, dynamic Coordinator to help bring life to our vision. Our Coordinator will be warm, welcoming and able to connect with all people, particularly young people and their families. They will also have excellent communication and organisational skills and experience and be very comfortable with working and communicating collaboratively online. They will need to have some understanding of the Jewish calendar and life-cycle events, but they will not have to be Jewish or speak Hebrew. Classroom experience preferred.
Header
The role will be 10 hours per week, working as an independent contractor, during the 2023 school year. Some but not all of the work will need to be done in-person at our shul in Epsom, Auckland. A few hours per week will need to be done online from home or the Beth Shalom office. The hourly rate will be up to $35 per hour, depending on skills and experience.
The successful candidate will report directly to the Board, as represented by the President or his/her designee(s). They will be working collaboratively with the Beth Shalom Board of Management, Education Committee, Rabbi and, most importantly, our on-the-ground teachers.
Key duties and responsibilities of the Coordinator:
Could this be you?
If you want to help shape Progressive Jewish Education in Auckland, have excellent communication and organisational skills and experience, and this role sounds interesting to you, we encourage you to apply. Please email your Expression of Interest to office@bethshalom.org.nz, including an up-to-date CV and contact information.
Header
Jewish Education at Beth Shalom
At Beth Shalom, we are committed to Jewish education that enables our children to:
We have developed a Graduate Profile for young people aged 6-12. Our higher-level hopes and expectations for our graduates align with four themes:
We also expect that our graduates will have the following capabilities:
Header
Jerusalem: City of a Thousand Synagogues. I tried to visit as many as I could, the year I lived there.
Each one had something special: particularly intense praying, a chazzan with a soaring voice, or a beautiful view of the Old City, a pomegranate tree, or children at play. I felt like a hummingbird sampling the many manifestations of Judaism, traveling the Jewish world week after week. There was always something new to see, to feel, to learn.
Shabbat ought to delight and surprise us. After all, we aren’t the same each week – we’ve had different experiences and we’re in different moods. Why shouldn’t Shabbat?
In the coming months, I’ll be refreshing some of Beth Shalom’s Shabbat experiences, in addition to services with which we’re familiar. Each is an opportunity for a robust Jewish experience with prayer, song, learning, and fellowship. Here’s what’s in store:
Shabbat B’Yachad. Everyone is welcome at Shabbat B’Yachad – families, learners, and people proficient in prayer. The singing will be accessible, and we’ll pause from time to time to explore the structure and meaning of Jewish prayer more deeply, with questions suitable for people of all ages and backgrounds. Shabbat B’Yachad (“Shabbat As One”) will take place one Shabbat morning each month.
After services conclude, you’re invited to the hall to order a pizza and study Torah. We’ll have tables for families and tables for adults on their own, with age-appropriate texts and questions. The first Shabbat B’Yachad will take place on 25 March.
Rabbi’s Tisch. Chassidic Jews will often gather around the rabbi’s table, singing, drinking, learning, and eating. It’s a joyful, communal time.
We’ll create our own tisch one Shabbat each month. Following a morning service in our familiar format, we’ll move to the hall to sing Shabbat zmirot/songs. I’ll teach some Torah and tell some stories. We’ll explore mindfulness, that is, the practice of bringing our awareness to the here and now, and we’ll share a catered vegetarian lunch. Rabbi’s Tisch is the perfect way to live and learn more Jewishly, to get to know others in the community, and to experience the spaciousness afforded by Shabbat.
The first Rabbi’s Tisch will take place on 11 March, after services.
Shirei Shabbat. An especially rhythmic, spicy Shabbat service, when I’m joined by a classical guitarist and percussionist (thank you, Meir!) for wall-to-wall singing of contemporary Jewish music with words you know – much of it from Israel. Shirei Shabbat (“Songs of Shabbat”) lets you float away or dance, as you wish. Shirei Shabbat was quite popular last year; I look forward to reviving it once we identify a new guitarist.
Header
We’re approaching these with a spirit of discovery. That is to say that they’ll shift to suit the people who come. Like Shabbat itself, they won’t be the same month after month but will evolve over time.
We can’t promise that each of these special Shabbat observances will happen on the same week each month – our schedule is too full for that. But we’re planning for each of them every month, shifting from week to week as festivals and bnei mitzvah allow. You’ll know how we’re observing each Shabbat in Teruah, the Beth Shalom website, and Social Media.
Beth Shalom’s wonderful lay leaders will continue to share their gifts, two erev Shabbat and two Shabbat morning services each month. And I’ll lead the familiar Beth Shalom erev Shabbat service once each month – although, to be clear, none of the prayer experiences I’ve described here is all that different from what we’re used to in our community. You will feel quite at home at any service.
And that’s the goal: that Beth Shalom will feel like home -- a place that’s familiar and appealing, where you can return again and again to recharge your batteries.
I had another Shabbat custom when I lived in Jerusalem. On Friday afternoon, as stillness began to settle onto the city but before shops closed, I bought flowers to bring beauty to my home. Shabbat is like a bouquet of flowers. Each kind is lovely, with a unique fragrance. But it’s made even more special when different blossoms are brought together.
I hope you’ll join our bouquet.
Header
On Friday 27 January, water was close to 1metre deep on Manukau Road. The contingent of community members who were at shul for Shabbat service, including Rabbi Dean and his family, had a harrowing journey home, with some unable to start their cars due to irreparable water damage.
As the weekend continued, Community Care reached out to our most vulnerable. Two retired members experienced water ingress to the downstairs of their homes and two households were evacuated, uncertain of whether they will be able to return.
Community Care is busy supporting our community members with daily phone calls and helping people to navigate support services. In the coming weeks when we know the extent of the damage, B&B will be doing a donation drive to help replace damaged household items.
Meir Alfassi and the Jewish Student Volunteers did a wonderful job of tidying Beth Shalom's grounds on Monday 30 January, with Meir undertaking daily checks of the shule. The Jewish Student Volunteers are a newly formed small group made up of Beth Shalom Youth Members, Habonim Madrichmot and Moshe House residents. This group of young people have raised up their hands to support community members affected by flooding. In the coming weeks, the crew are offering to assist community members. For more information either to help out as a JSV or for their assistance, please email kate.bukowski@gmail.com If you need support please contact office@bethshalom.org.nz so you can be directed to Community Care or the B&B.
Kate Bukowski, Board Member
Header
Header
Exciting news – registration for the WUPJ Connections 2023 is now open, on this site: https://wupjconnections2023.org/register/
I have already registered and would love for you to join me and so many of our friends from around the world, for the first in-person conference since 2017. The registration fee is the same as 2017, even though prices in Israel have increased considerably.
This will not be the same old “talkfest”.
No, this will be a very different and interactive experience: an “unconference” conference; and you can read more about it on the Connections 2023 site.
There are some suggested hotels on the registration site, being held for us by the tour company we have employed; but you may also wish to look at other accommodation, at a price point appropriate for you.
Even if you can’t come, please circulate this information to all your friends – we’d love to have a big New Zealand/Aussie/UPJ contingent.
If you have any questions, please contact me and I will try to help.
Looking forward to seeing you in Jerusalem
David Robinson
Vice Chairman – Finance
+6421524265 (m) david@dahata.co.nz
A group of Beth Shalom members has commenced, to think of and pray for individuals in our community, who are in need of healing.
The idea is that this group is not an organised group or minyan. Simply, caring people who, when made aware of the need, help healing with the power of prayer.
And that families in distress might receive comfort from the knowledge that this is taking place.
Caring for the unwell is part of being a community.
For those interested, I can supply articles: “The Jewish Way in Healing”, and some scientific research on the positive power of prayer in healing.
Header
From the back: Barbara Sandler, Bill Merrill, Sandra Brickman, Lorna Orbell, Sue Kranz, Rachel Zussman, Chris Shiller and Lita Summerfield.
Hi everyone,
What an unexpected start to the year weatherwise. At least the Summer has come back now, let’s hope it lasts.
Unfortunately, the community has seen quite a bit of Covid in the last few months and we have been able to give some assistance to a lot of those members. We have been happy to do this, it’s what we are here for, but feel we could have been there for a lot more of you if we had known about you? Every member of our community deserves the same level of concern and care, but we can only do for those we know about. There is no shame in admitting you are unwell and letting us help you with whatever your need is.
Exciting news re Community Care projects. Our Pre-Shabbat Lunch went well, and Chris will be telling you all about that elsewhere in this Teruah.
Our current project is the Community Care Fundraising Market to be held at Beth Shalom on Sunday 5 March and will combine with the Purim celebrations. This should be a fun afternoon.
We are looking for more stallholders and have decided that there will be NO stall fee. We have some interesting stalls lined up already but would like more.
Do you have a hobby or business that you could showcase at our market? The more stalls we have the more it will attract others and especially visitors to the market. If you think you would like a stall, please get hold of us to get more details. There will be more information about the Market given out to the community in the next Teruah and in the weekly email newsletter.
Header
To raise funds, we are also planning to hold a raffle and are looking for people to donate prizes. These can be physical prizes, or vouchers for anything; a meal, a massage etc. The more prizes the better. Contact us if you would like to chat about the raffle.
Community Care is looking for volunteers to join our telephone tree. If you have a couple of hours a month you could spare, we would like to hear from you. We would really appreciate some more members who could help us stay connected with some of the members of our community who for various reasons might appreciate a call. Please contact Chris Shiller (details below).
In previous communications we have mentioned that we have a very generous and anonymous donor who gives us a weekly stipend that is essentially used to provide a Shabbat meal to anyone in our community who is in need. This has been going for some time now and has been very successful. We are looking for more people who may be inclined to provide further assistance in this form of Tzedakah. Please be in touch with us and we can explain in more detail how this works, or feel free to provide a lump sum donation towards this very worthy cause. Thank you.
SO? HOW CAN THE COMMUNITY CARE TEAM HELP?
As usual, we are here to help and support you and want you to feel
comfortable to ask us for help: -
We know some of these suggestions may not always be possible, but we can still help you put things into place for when they are. As always though, we need to know if you want help of some kind before we can give it.
Do you know of someone who is unwell, that would benefit from: -
- a phone call
MOST important at any time. People on their own, even if they are well, can feel very isolated and lonely, and a friendly voice can be very comforting OR
- a ‘Get Well’ card
- some flowers to cheer
- receive a frozen meal
Header
Please get a family member to call us if you cannot.
INDEPENDENCE IS WONDERFUL
But do think about how a helping hand can support you in achieving this.
Especially, when it is offered willingly by members of our team.
LET US KNOW
We also want to know and share your good things and can only do so if we know about them, so please tell us if there is a special anniversary, or a new baby, or any other happy event on the horizon.
Please, continue to take care and stay safe.
Cheers
Lita (Chairperson) and the Community Care Team.
Contact:
Chris Shiller 021 177 4934shiller@orcon.net.nz
Lita Summerfield 021 297 9462 (TEXT ONLY) serendipitylns40@gmail.com
Lorna Orbell 022 026 2897chaim@slingshot.co.nz
Or contact the office 09 524 4139
Header
Summer greetings -
The Chevrah [B&B committee] have continued to focus on our commitment to ensuring that records are in order for members, the Chevra and Waikumete Cemetery.
Thank you to all who have written and called with the information you have on existing pre-purchase arrangements or for arrangements you wish to make. We have another meeting with Waikumete staff planned and hope to arrive on the same plan as we consolidate our records.
There is still time to be in touch if you have any questions regarding existing arrangements.
This coming quarter will include the development of a podcast as a format for information sharing about all matters related to Jewish ritual around death and burial practices including some practical considerations for informing decision making.
Also, before Pesach this year we will be having our Annual General Meeting - date to be confirmed at our next meeting. The committee is currently small in numbers and we are keen to build in room for succession. It's good to sit on a committee to learn the purpose and activity of the committee without an executive role and I encourage Beth Shalom members to consider the potential of being part of our Burial and Benevolence Chevra. Feel free to talk to me about what that might involve in terms of time commitment any time.
Wishing you a safe remainder of the Summer.
Sue Berman ph: +64 220513589