From the President

With Chanukkah still fresh in our minds, we now turn the secular calendar and move forward with winter... the good news is that the days are getting longer... the not so good news... anyone seen winter? Our next large community celebration is Tu B'Shvat in early February, but before that, Bet Shira still has much to offer in our twice monthly Shabbat services, our weekly Torah study and our discussion groups. I'd like to thank Mark Saran and his team of volunteers to stepped forward to guide the Bet Shira Chanukkah party. Its nice to know that when a request is made to our community, someone will take on the challenge. Speaking of which, if you would like to help plan \ lead this year's Tu B'Shvat services, please contact me!
                                                 ~ Jon

UPCOMING BET SHIRA EVENTS

Shabbat Evening Service
Led by Deb and Jon Bakin
Friday, January 13th, 6:30 - 9:30 PM
St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Shabbat Morning Service
led by Amy Mook
Saturday, January 28th, 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
St. Paul's Episcopal Church

see the calendar for details

Our Chanukah Party was a great success!
Fun was had by all at our annual Chanukah party. Thanks to the amazing effort of Mark Saran the party room was transformed into an exotic bedoin tent and the tables were set for Chanukah. Barry led the latke makers in whipping up a giant batch of terrific latkes, Judith-Kate and Perry led us in song, the chanukiot glowed with the beautiful lights of the 6th night. The atmosphere was warm cozy, and our Bet Shira family shared in yet another memorable Jewish holiday.

Tu B’Shevat Seder and Pesach Seder Planning!
The Bet Shira annual Tu B'Shevat Seder is scheduled for Friday, February 10 in conjunction with our February Erev Shabbat service. We are looking for a volunteer chairperson to lead the event. Hilary Metzger is happy to assist whomever volunteers.

The Bet Shira community Pesach Seder is scheduled for Saturday, April 7. Barry Lerich is leading the committee to organize the seder this year. If you would like to be a part of the committee please contact Barry at 379-3042 or barryell@olypen.com. We expect to have the first committee meeting early in February.

Religious School Update here

Call for Winter Shelter Volunteers

Bet Shira will once again be teaming up with the Quaker and Buddhist Sangha communities to provide meals and overnight monitoring for the winter homeless shelter.  Our group is scheduled for the week of January 29-February 4.  If you are interested in volunteering, or want to learn more about the shelter, please call Stephanie Tivona Reith at 379-0386 or e-mail her at sjreith@gmail.com.

Wandering Jews Gatherings (“Wandering from House to House, and Topic to Topic”

Sunday, January 22, 10 am – noon
Topic: What is Renewal Judaism anyway?    details here

Thursday Evening Torah Study
Meeting weekly at St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

Upcoming dates:
January 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th, 6:30-8:30 PM

A Torah study group is underway and you are invited to join us, it is open to all. We meet at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Thursday evenings after the religious school meets, 6:30 - 8:00 pm. more on Calendar page.

On January 8, 2012, Stephanie Tivona Reith is scheduled to receive ordination as a rabbinic chaplain after four years of full-time, intensive Jewish study, plus hospital-based chaplaincy training. Read more here.

Current Jewish Issues Forum: “The Jews of Cuba”
January 19, 2012 7:30 pm
The program is free and open to the public. For more information, contact admin@kolshalom.net or call (206) 842-9010.

Music of Remembrance Upcoming Concerts:
Outreach: Between Two Worlds
Time: Saturday, January 28, 2012 - 2:00pm
Venue: Good Shepherd Center

Outreach: Not Martyrs, Not Saints
Time: Saturday, March 24, 2012 - 2:00pm
Venue: Good Shepherd Center

Membership
About 66% of our members have submitted their membership renewals for 5772. It would be a great help for our budgeting if those remaining could submit their renewal as soon as possible.
A link to the new membership form for 5772 can be found on our Membership Page.

Website
We hope that you will like what you find here, and welcome your comments. Please email: betshira@yahoo.com for general comments. info@amymook.com for website comments.

Submissions will be evaluated by the Board of Bet Shira prior to publication.  Submissions must be germane to the purpose of Bet Shira and www.betshira.com.  Commercial solicitations cannot be published. Please send your submissions in digital format.