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May 2025 Chai Lites

May 1, 2025 by • ,

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, the May 2025 Chai Lites issue is here!  Thank you everyone for getting that content in so quickly.  Lorraine Mixter did a lovely job with our newsletter as Editor these last many years, and consistently got us the news we needed and the updates from our friends.  She is passing on the Editor duties to one of our new Board Trustees, Ethan Feldman, and with his talents it is sure to continue to be a pleasure to read.

2025MayChai Lites

In Recognition of Rabbi Herzfeld’s Service to TBS

April 30, 2025 by • ,

Dear Temple Beth Shalom Congregation, by now you would have heard of the retirement of our longest-serving rabbi, Garson Herzfeld.  Rabbi Herzfeld had the longest term, consecutively or not, with Temple Beth Shalom of any rabbi since our congregation formed 40 years ago.  By a lot.  If you ask Rabbi Herzfeld why or how he came to be with us this length of time when so many others found better opportunities or more convenience, or something else to do; when there were so many stressors (economic challenges, hurricanes, personal illnesses, miles to travel, problems to solve, family changes, Covid)…he might say because he valued our little, warm Jewish community and our relationships.  We might say the same.

 
Rabbi Herzfeld’s last service with us will be on Friday, May 30, and we will have dinner in his honor.  We hope you will join us then.  
 
We would like to prepare a meaningful gift for Rabbi Herzfeld, with a contribution from each of you to remember us.  We’ll compile a booklet of any of the stories, photos, messages, acknowledgements, anything you will share about Rabbi’s time with us.  What did he teach you?  What was unique about his services, Torah Study, holidays?  What is a fond memory?  Please collect and email as much as you can to us by Friday, May 16 so we can prepare the gift for the end of the month.

Member-Led Service — Fri Apr 25, 7:00 PM

April 23, 2025 by •

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, is it Summer already?  It feels like it in some ways.  We are starting early with a relaxed, reflective, Member-Led service this Friday evening, April 25, at 7:00 PM (NOTE THE EARLIER TIME).  Join us for a traditional Reform Jewish service led by Lorraine Mixter for her last week as our President (Mazel Tov!).  

 
TBS Members, Lorraine and all of our Board also look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, April 27 at 2:00 PM.

Baruch Dayan haEmet: Morton Levine

April 8, 2025 by • ,

Dear Temple Beth Shalom Congregation, this morning we learned of the passing of our longtime member and friend to us all, Mr. Morton Levine.  Funeral services are planned for this Wednesday, April 9 at Rolling Hills Cemetery.  To extend your support to the family and for more funeral details, you can reach Morty’s daughter, Mona, at 678-683-4110.

 
 

At the rising sun and at its going down; We remember them.
At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter; We remember them.
At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring; We remember them.
At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer; We remember them.
At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of the autumn; We remember them.
At the beginning of the year and when it ends; We remember them.
As long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us as We remember them.

When we are weary and in need of strength; We remember them.
When we are lost and sick at heart; We remember them.
When we have decisions that are difficult to make; We remember them.
When we have joy we crave to share; We remember them.
When we have achievements that are based on theirs; We remember them.
For as long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us as, We remember them.

‘We Remember Them’ by Sylvan Kamens & Rabbi Jack Riemer

April 2025 Chai Lites

April 3, 2025 by • ,

Dear Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, kinoheara, the April 2025 Chai Lites issue is here!  It is full of legit good things for you this month.  Look inside for information and updates about our upcoming events:

  • Community Passover Seder, April 13 — if you haven’t made reservations yet, there is still a little time!  Also, the crew needs volunteers for setup, serving, and cleanup.  Contact Lorraine Mixter at lorrainemixter@aol.com.
  • Member-Led Service — Friday, April 25 at our usual Friday night member-led service time, 7:00 pm.
  • Annual Meeting — Sunday, April 27 at 2:00 pm.  Members be sure to attend, your support and input is needed.
  • And lots of social and educational events!
Many thanks to President and Editor Lorraine Mixter for consistently bringing us this quality content all these years.  Many thanks also to our contributors.

Passover Seder Volunteers Needed

April 3, 2025 by • ,

Passover Seder

Looking for volunteers to assist with our

Passover Seder to make this a special event.

We need help:

Boiling eggs for the Seder Plates

Setting up the tables

Creating Seder Plates

Preparing food for serving

Serving food

Cleaning up

If you would like to be a volunteer, please let us know by contacting: lorrainemixter@aol.com

Or text or call: 863-409-8509

Annual Meeting — Sun Apr 27, 2:00 pm

April 3, 2025 by •

Dear Temple Beth Shalom Congregants:

 

The Temple Beth Shalom Board members are pleased to welcome you to another year with our congregation and invite you to participate in our Annual Meeting and installation of new Board Trustees and Officers.

 

Please join us at the synagogue for the meeting and refreshments or via the Zoom link (contact us for it) on Sunday, April 27 at 2:00 pm to hear annual reports from our 2024-2025 President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Committee Chairs. At this Annual Meeting we will review the year’s activities and announce the 2025-2026 Board Trustees and Officers.  

 

Thank you, exiting Board members: Bert Devorsetz and Sandi Grinker, thank you both for your many years of dedication in these meetings. We hope to continue to see you!  

 

Welcome Diana Kramer, Bobby Baum and Jeffrey Goldblatt to the Board, you are most welcome! We are so glad for our continuing Board members: Joseph Rodriguez in the role of President, Uriah Rose as Vice President, Margo Fleisher for continuing the work of Secretary; Lorraine Mixter as Past President, Lee Martinez as Treasurer and Arlene Greenberg as Trustees. We are glad you continue to serve.

 

Please see and review the attached Annual Meeting Minutes from 2024. Also find below a list of the 2025–2026 Temple Beth Shalom Congregation Officers and Trustees. 

 

Thank you for choosing to be a member of Temple Beth Shalom, and we look forward to the coming year’s journey with you.

 

With Warmest Regards,

 

Temple Beth Shalom Executive Board

 

2025-2026 Board Officers and Trustees

Officers:

President:                       Joseph Rodriguez

Vice President:               Uriah Rose

Secretary:                       Margo Fleisher

Treasurer:                       Lee Ann Martinez

Past President:               Lorraine Mixter

 

Trustees:

Meryl Crews

Diana Kramer

Arlene Greenberg

Beverly Lerner

Bobby Baum

Jeffrey Goldblatt

Community Passover Seder — Sun Apr 13, 6:00 pm

April 3, 2025 by • ,

Passover Seder

Sunday, April 13th, 2025

In-person and on Zoom 6pm

Main Dish, Ritual Foods, Wine, Grape Juice, Water, Dessert

$20 for members $25 for non-members

Children 13 & under $18, & 5 years & under, Free.

Your check must be received by April 2nd

4 CUPS
4 QUESTIONS
4,000 YEARS

R.S.V.P. by April 2nd to: lorrainemixter@aol.com

Or text or call: 863-409-8509

Temple Beth Shalom
1029 Bradbury Road, Winter Haven Florida
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 313, Winter Haven Florida 33882-0313 Phone: 863-292-0722 (messages only)

Torah Study — Sat Mar 15, 10:00 am

March 13, 2025 by •

Dear Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, Torah Study will occur as scheduled this Saturday, March 15 at 10:00 am.  The session is a hybrid one, with Rabbi Herzfeld and students on Zoom (contact us for the link), and anyone venturing out to the building to attend is rewarded with a lovely breakfast nosh!  I hope you find it illuminating as we do, that these events in the Torah were written down thousands of years ago, but give us guidance for how to think and decide in the times we have!  Treat yourself right, come on down and participate.

Shabbat Service/Purim Celebration — Fri Mar 14, 7:30 pm

March 13, 2025 by •

Dear Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, we invite you to celebrate another Purim holiday as well as Shabbat with us this Friday, March 14 at 7:30 pm.  The evening will begin with a traditional, brief Shabbat service officiated by our mild-mannered and dignified Rabbi Herzfeld.  

 
As is Rabbi Herzfeld’s tradition at Purim, after the service he will excuse himself to give the bimah to his exclusively selected guest to lead us in reading Megillat Esther.  It is once again a mystery as to who he has invited this time, but they are sure to be colorful and energetic, and we are counting on you to welcome them.  
 
Zoom will not be available for this service, but it has to be experienced in person!  We need you there to make some noise, preferably in costume!  Children are especially welcome.  Expect to enjoy some fun and hamantaschen.
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