Ha’azinu - Deuteronomy 32:1 - 52 - The Parashat Hashavua for Saturday September 22, 2018
Our Torah portion this week begins with the command, ha’azinu, literally to give ear to or to listen. For the past ten days we have been engaged in the work of Teshuvah, of returning to our true, authentic selves, through self examination, prayer, and giving to those in need. This process can only succeed if we listen, to our own inner voice, our conscience, that can tell us how to be the people we want to be, who can make a positive difference in the world. Over the course of the ten Days of Awe and into the coming year, let us all continue to listen, to giver ear to our inner voices and live according to its quiet urgings. In this way may we all have a good and sweet year.
From the President
The New Year started last week, so it is appropriate to make some changes in our lives and in our TBH community. We have signed a lease renewal with the Chinese Church for Christ which involves some accommodations by both parties. This relationship has been working for about 18 months so far, and now will continue for another 2 ½ years. If you have a chance, please say hello to Pastor Benjamin Yi and the rest of their congregation. They are lovely neighbors and have taken part in TBH activities including Food For Thought and our Community Seder.
Another important change is that we will soon be installing Automated External Defibrillators - AED’s as part of a safety upgrade. They will be deployed in the Religious School wing, in the office hallway, and someplace accessible to the kitchen and the Montessori School.
If there is something you would like to see the Temple do, please let me know. I have received suggestions from more Social Justice activities to Shabbatot or prayers in a natural setting. These are great ideas - and they wouldn’t take much time to organize.
We are what we do.
-- Neil Zarchin
The Holy Days Just Keep on Coming! Sukkah Building and Decoration Sunday September 23 at 10:30 AM
Join with other members of the congregation to build the TBH Sukkah and then help our religious school students decorate! Fun, weirdness, and refreshments.
Carla and Rabbi Dean’s Open Sukkah Sunday, September 23 at 2 PM
Carla Cassler and Rabbi Dean invite the community to join them in their Sukkah on Sunday, September 23, Erev Sukkot, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Come and join the Rabbi and his wife for some good food, friendship and time together in their sukkah.
TBH Volunteer Day at the GRIP Souper Center -- Wednesday, September 26 from 9:45 AM to 1:00 PM - Volunteers Critically Needed
Our next GRIP Souper Center day is Wednesday,September 26, from 9:45 AM to 1:00 PM.. If you can volunteer for food preparation (9:45-11:15), serving (11:25-1), or both; or if you can not come this month but can be on the list for future months, please contact
Jane Kaasa.
We only had three volunteers for serving this past month, which is not sustainable. If we do not have more volunteers, we will have to discontinue this mitzvah, which we have been doing for decades.
Simchat Torah Sunday, September 30
Simchat Torah marks the end of the Jewish High Holy Days and the end and the beginning of the annual cycle of reading the Torah. Come join us for an afternoon/evening of celebration.
4:30 PM -- Beit Midrash Hillel and Mazel Tots Special Session
Please note, Beit Midrash Hillel our religious school and Mazel Tots will meet at a special time, 4:30 PM on Sunday, September 30th.
5:30 PM -- Simchat Torah Pizza Dinner
Following religious school at 5:30 PM we will have a special pizza dinner for all religious school families and the entire congregation. Simchat Torah is joyous, pizza is fun. It’s a match made in heaven (pun intended). This is a great opportunity for our entire congregation to come together in fun and fellowship.
6:30 PM -- Simchat Torah Services
A special, fun filled service. We will dance with the Torah as we mark the end and the beginning of the annual cycle of reading the Torah. If we have enough people present we will fully unroll one Torah so we can see the entire Torah at one time. See if you can find your bar/bat mitzvah portion! Sweets and treats for the kids and adult beverages for the adults.
GRIP Harmony Walk/Run -- Saturday, October 27 at 9:00 AM
This is GRIP’s major fund-raiser. Sign up to participate or to support a walker. Information is in the lobby.
Beit Midrash Hillel, TBH's Religious School has begun
Kindergarten through Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation, and post B’nai Mitzvah Religious School classes meet on Sundays at 9:30 AM. Students explore Jewish history, culture, holidays, customs and Hebrew.
Interested parents and students are invited to visit the school: meet teachers and students, participate in classroom activities, and learn more about the Religious School’s educational program. For enrollment, information, or to plan a school visit: contact the office at 510-223-2560 or
tbh@tbhrichmond.org Learn more
TBH Religious School is looking for a 3rd-5th Grade Teacher
If you know someone who you think would be qualified, please contact
Larry Fox.
Hebrew Free Loan -- Interest-Free Lending
Hebrew Free Loan provides interest-free loans to help Jewish individuals in Northern California overcome financial challenges and pursue life dreams. Loans can be for various purposes, including personal and family issues, education, home-buying, business or unemployment, health care.
Learn more.
Help Food for Thought When You Shop
If you shop at Amazon, sign up for AmazonSmile by going to https://smile.amazon.com/, and selecting Temple Beth Hillel and Richmond Jewish Community Center Inc, Location: Richmond, CA, as your charity for donations. AmazonSmile has the same products and policies as Amazon and regularly donates 0.5% of all purchases. Learn more about the program
Sign up for the Lucky supermarket S.H.A.R.E.S program using your telephone number, and select Temple Beth Hillel. These stores donate 3% back to the Temple, which is used for Food for Thought.
Escrip also offers the opportunity for donations through other purchases, including online purchases and local restaurants, by registering your credit card.
Help Food for Thought continue to provide food for those in need.
If you wish to donate directly to Food for Thought, please write a separate check to Temple Beth Hillel and note that it is for Food for Thought. In any case, make sure to specify where you want your donations to go. This is especially true for electronic donations, which do not break down the totals.
Remember the Hungry and the Homeless – Keep the Barrels Filled
When you come to services please bring a non perishable food item. Cereal and peanut butter are in particular demand. Let’s keep the red barrels filled and in this way we can share our plenty with our neighbors.
In addition, you can bring hotel toiletries and other toiletries for Rubicon Programs to give to homeless participants. Toothbrushes, toothpaste, towels and deodorant are especially needed. There is a drop box for these outside Arlene's office. Please let Hallie know if you would like a donation receipt by contacting her at
hallief@yahoo.com.
Keeping In Touch With Us
We have two main ways to communicate with our community:
