We Are Here For You!

Eric Imley & Gale Swartz, Co-Presidents

eimley@yahoo.com   swartzplace@gmail.com

First of all, we want to go on record that Temple Beth El is NOT CLOSED! While we have ceased, temporarily, using our physical building we are continuing to ZOOM full stream ahead!

In addition, Rabbi, Cantor, Carrie, Shoni and the lay leadership are here for you, your friends, relatives and the greater LA Jewish Community to help during these trying times.

Hopefully, you have been able to participate in some of the many electronic offerings that have been created to replace our usual activities held in our building as well as some new ones. They are all hosted on ZOOM with most also being simulcast on the Temple’s Facebook page as Facebook Live programming. Offerings include, but certainly not limited to, Shabbat services, youth programs, Torah School, Coffee Talk, Cantor’s Corner, weekly Happy Hour, meditation classes, Passover cooking class series, and so much more! The links to these events can be found in the weekly Tuesday/ Friday emails as well as on the Temple Website (bethelsp.org).

Did you know that as long as you can use a telephone you can use ZOOM? The call-in audio phone numbers are included with each of the ZOOM meeting details. Just call the phone number on your house phone or cellphone and you will be able to listen and participate in the discussions wherever you are even without a computer!

We want to reassure you, that the business of the Temple is being conducted as usual, albeit maybe with different technologies than in the past. Employees are being paid, the building is secured and being maintained, lay and professional leadership meetings are being held, including the monthly Temple Board of Director’s meeting on 3/25/2020, our annual budgeting process is on-going, nominations for the Board of Directors is open (contact Marvin Belzer with nominees), social action projects, Open Tent activities and so much more!.

While we all hunker down and do our best to stay healthy, please remember that the Temple’s financial needs still continue even though we have switched to a ‘virtual TBE’. Your donations are critical to enable us to continue provide for our wonderful staff and clergy, pay our bills and to continue to provide programming and nurture our community.

During this stressing and distressing time, it is understandable that many of us are feeling helpless, isolated, and alone. Temple Beth El has been one way that we can come together as a community and feel that connection we are missing these last weeks staying at home. Many of you have expressed your gratitude that our beloved TBE has been that connection for you, including your friends and family, enabled by our many virtual programs. We are always looking for more helping hands for us to serve our beloved Temple Beth El community. Please, please remember, we are here for you.