Request for Chai Lites Content

October 26, 2025 by • ,

Shavua Tov Temple Beth Shalom Congregation, it is that time again!  Lorraine Mixter will be preparing the November Chai Lites this week.  Please help her by sending your content such as articles, photos, columns, and updates to her at lorrainemixter@aol.com by Wednesday, October 29 — the sooner, the better.

Torah Study and Shabbat Service — Sat Oct 25, 9:15 am

October 23, 2025 by •

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, as we discussed at the beginning of the month, the congregation preferred that this Shabbat Service would occur on Saturday morning, October 25.  We had such a good discussion on Yom Kippur afternoon that Rabbi Guyster suggested we schedule a Torah Study session!  The morning begins with Torah Study at 9:15 am — note the earlier time. The Shabbat service will follow at 10:30 am.  We are so looking forward to this date and to seeing you — if you cannot travel out to the synagogue, both activities will also be accessible through the Zoom link, please contact us for the link.

Member-Led Sukkot Service — Fri Oct 10, 6:30 PM

October 6, 2025 by •

Dear Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, we have many thanks for the Brotherhood/Sisterhood for quickly organizing a group to decorate our Sukkah, and now we invite you to enjoy it with them, the congregation, and our larger community in a brief member-led Sukkot service on Friday, October 10 at 6:30 pm.  Weather permitting, please join us in the Sukkah to make blessings and shake the lulav and etrog.  The group is headed to Outback Steakhouse for dinner after the service if you would like to join that as well.

TOMORROW/Sun Oct 5, 12 PM — ALL HANDS NEEDED FOR SUKKAH DECORATING

October 4, 2025 by •

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, the Brotherhood/Sisterhood is leading a Sukkah decorating session at our location tomorrow/Sunday, October 5 at 12:00 pm, weather permitting.  Great if you have decorations and branches or palm fronds from your yard you can share.  If you don’t feel up to climbing or walking around in the grass, we can definitely use your help sorting, repairing, and making decorations and just sharing your good vibes.  This is a great activity for our young members and friends, so bring the kids!

Next Service — Sat Oct 25, 9:30 am

October 3, 2025 by •

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, it was such a wonderful time with you on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur!  We have a terrific community because of you.  We had such a good talk on Yom Kippur that we asked the participants if they’d like a format like that the next time we meet.  After polling the group and checking with Rabbi Guyster on his schedule, we determined that our next best opportunity will be Saturday, October 25 — so we will cancel the service on Friday night the 24th and meet Saturday morning, October 25 at 9:30 am for a Shabbat service and Torah Study we’re sure will be friendly, interactive, and illuminating as was our meeting this week. We will have any updates as the date approaches.

October 2025 Chai Lites

October 1, 2025 by • ,

Gmar Chatimah Tovah again Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends!  Our intrepid Editors, Lorraine Mixter and Ethan Feldman compiled a lovely issue of the Chai Lites before Yom Kippur for you.  It was wonderful to see so many of you on Rosh Hashanah, and we look forward to having you with us again this week.

2025Oct Chai Lites

Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur — Wed Oct 1, Thurs Oct 2

September 30, 2025 by •

G’mar Chatimah Tovah Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends!  The High Holidays continue with this week’s Kol Nidre/Erev Yom Kippur service this Wednesday, October 1 at 7:00 pm.  The Yom Kippur Morning Service follows at 10:00 am on Thursday, October 2.  We return on Thursday afternoon for the Yom Kippur Afternoon Service at 4:00 pm, followed by Yiskor and Neilah.  

 
If you are participating in the Break Fast after services on Thursday and if you have not done so already, reach out to our Break Fast Coordinator, Sharon Johnson at 516-241-4512 or Wb2LfY@msn.com.
 
All services on Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur will also be available on Zoom, please contact us for the link.

Time to Build the Chai Lites!

September 28, 2025 by • ,

Shana Tovah Temple Beth Shalom!  It’s a new year, a new month approaches, so it is time to build a new issue of the Chai Lites!  We need your help to bring it in for October and Yom Kippur.  Our experienced editors, Lorraine Mixter and Ethan Feldman await your updates, messages, columns, photos, and articles.  Please send them to lorrainemixter@aol.com by October 1 so they can get it going for us.

Yom Kippur Break Fast Coordinator Needed

September 24, 2025 by • ,

Happy New Year Temple Beth Shalom Members!  An update, we had a need and Sharon Johnson stepped forward — thank you Sharon!  If you are attending the Break Fast after Yom Kippur services and you have not checked in with Sharon yet, please contact her and let her know what you will contribute.  Sharon is at 516-241-4512 or Wb2LfY@msn.com.

Baruch Dayan haEmet: Gerald Heyman

September 22, 2025 by •

Dear Temple Beth Shalom Congregation, we received the sad news today that our cherished member and friend, Jerry Heyman, after a long illness passed into eternity last night.  His loving kindness endured through all.  We remember Jerry as a dedicated longtime member of Temple Beth Shalom, often as a participant on our Board and a cheerful presence at many of our services and activities.  He was an important part of us through our synagogue’s busiest years and contributed much with his gentle intelligence and positive attitude.  His smile and encouragement will be dearly missed.  

 
What though the radiance
Which was once so bright
Be now for ever taken from my sight,
Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass,
Of glory in the flower,
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind;
In the primal sympathy
Which having been must ever be;
In the soothing thoughts that spring
Out of human suffering;
In the faith that looks through death,
In years that bring the philosophic mind.
                                                                                                                                                   Splendour in the Grass by William Wordsworth
1 2 3 4›»

From the Union For Reform Judaism / Reform Movement

Five Ways to Encourage Teens’ Jewish Identities

Five Ways to Encourage Teens’ Jewish Identities jemerman

Teens
Photo of a teenage girl holding a Torah and walking about the room
Many Jewish teens leave home believing they've "finished" their Jewish education after their b'nei mitzvah or after confirmation. I certainly did. But that's like thinking you've mastered math because you learned multiplication tables.

Marking this Moment: Resources for the Release of the Hostages

Marking this Moment: Resources for the Release of the Hostages urjadmin

Israel
A yellow ribbon wrapped around a candle in front of the Israeli flag
May these prayers and rituals guide us through this emotional time and foster a sense of community and compassion.

Wrestling With God After My Miscarriage

Wrestling With God After My Miscarriage jemerman

Photo of a young woman feeling sad and stressed, sitting on a chair with her legs curled up against her body and her hand covering her face
Looking back, part of my anger with God was also anger at myself. Growing up, it was understood that I would eventually get a job, get married, get pregnant, and have children of my own. When I miscarried, I felt like I had failed at something fundamental.

Creating A Workplace of Belonging

Creating A Workplace of Belonging jemerman

Racial Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (REDI) Communities of Belonging
Photo of a blue and white sign with a wheelchair character shown going up a ramp
Here are a few pieces of Jewish wisdom that make excellent guiding principles, for those of us with disabilities and allies, to create a workplace of belonging for everyone.