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Friday, December 13, 2019 /15 Kislev, 5780 Parashat Vayishlah Genesis 32:4-36:43 Dear Friends, It is a pleasure to be writing to you from the Union of Reform Judaism’s Biennial conference in Chicago. There are eight members of our Temple present. For the past couple of days, each of us have prayed, learned, and engaged in […]
No Longer Shall You Be Called Jacob One fact about this week’s parsha has long perplexed the commentators. After his wrestling match with the unnamed adversary, Jacob was told, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with beings Divine and human, and have prevailed.” (Gen. 32:29, JPS translation) Or “Your name […]
Hanukkah Candles Rabbi Cassi Kail rabbikail@bethelsp.org Aside from Shabbat dinners and Passover Seders, lighting the hanukiyah is one of the most beloved at-home Jewish rituals. Each night, Jewish families around the world gather to say the blessings, and welcome extra illumination into our homes and our lives. The Hanukkah lights are a powerful symbol of […]
Our Light Shines on Ourselves Racheli Morris, Director of Education TBEeducator@bethelsp.org On the 25th of Kislev, the Jewish holiday of lights begins. The holiday of Hanukkah means the holiday of dedication. Its stories come from many roots. There is the root of culture, politics, and religion to consider. Culture—With the spread of Greek culture known […]
B’tzalel Cantor Ilan Davidson cantor@bethelsp.org Just last month, we had a wonderful visiting group of 8th graders from Temple Israel in Long Beach. During their visit, I invited them to ask me any questions they might have about Temple Beth El, or even about me. Of course, some took this as a challenge to try […]
Family Promise and Temple Beth El For about two years, Temple Beth El members have been able to participate a few times a year in a program called Family Promise. Family Promise engages both the local community, as well as houses of faith, in the effort to combat family homelessness. Learn more at: www.familypromiseosb.org. Temple […]
From the Pulitzer Prize finalist, author of The Moor’s Account–a timely and powerful new novel about the suspicious death of a Moroccan immigrant that is at once a family saga, a murder mystery, and a love story, all of it informed by the treacherous fault lines […]
Taus Lecture Series 2019-2020 Dr. Don Schwartz, Professor Emeritus of History At CSU Long Beach, “America’s First Superhero: Harry Houdini” Evening Lecture Tuesday, December 10, 2019, 7:30 p.m. Rabbi Ed Feinstein, Senior Rabbi Valley Beth Shalom, “Your Soul—An Owner’s Guide” Lunch & Learn Wednesday, January 22, 2020, Noon Dr. Marc Dollinger, Professor of Jewish Studies, SFSU, […]
The Golden State Pops Orchestra will be performing Sandy Sherman’s Hanukkah song “There’s Something About Those Candles” The Golden State Pops Orchestra’s “Holiday POPS Spectacular” returns with a festive musical program at the Warner Grand Theater in San Pedro on Saturday, December 21 at 8:00 p.m. The Golden State Pops Orchestra is a professional orchestra […]
