Member-Led Shabbat Service — Sat Aug 9, 11:00 am

August 7, 2025 by •

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, our Summer Member-Led service series continues with another relaxed, welcoming, and illuminating experience for you.  This Saturday, August 9 at 11:00 am our longtime member and esteemed Board representative, Dr. Bobby Baum will lead aShabbat morning service and give his talk, “Bumper Sticker Theology”.  Sounds like an intriguing topic!  Zoom will also be available for anyone who needs it, please contact us for the link.

August 2025 Chai Lites

July 31, 2025 by • ,

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, there’s so much for you to see in the August Chai Lites!  You just have to look inside for information on the upcoming Brotherhood/Sisterhood meeting and bagels (Sunday, August 3 at 10 am), the new picture of Bexleigh Feldman (she is a cutie!), announcement about our Meet and Greet with Rabbi Guyster on August 24, lay services, and more!  Thanks once again to Past President and Past Editor Lorraine Mixter for preparing another fantastic newsletter, and for all your contributions.

2025AugChai Lites

Request for Chai Lites Content

July 25, 2025 by •

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Congregation, Past President and Editor Lorraine Mixter is kindly continuing the Chai Lites production for the coming month.  Please send articles, columns, photos, messages, and updates to her at lorrainemixter@aol.com by Monday, July 28.

Member-Led Shabbat Service — Fri Jul 25, 7 pm

July 24, 2025 by •

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, our Summer Member-Led Shabbatseries continues with what is sure to be an enjoyable and meaningful service prepared by our esteemed president, Uriah Rose, along with Krystal Rose.  The service will be this Friday, July 25 at 7:00 pm.  You can join us at our synagogue building, and Zoom is available by contacting us.

Member-Led Shabbat Service — Sat Jul 12, 11:00 am

July 9, 2025 by •

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, our series of relaxed and inviting Summer, Member-Led Shabbat services continues, with a warm and illuminating service presented by our Board Trustees, Arlene Greenberg and Lee Ann Martinez.  They are a dynamic duo!  Services will begin at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 12.  After the service a group is going to Bowman Yard at 308 4th St. SW in Winter Haven for lunch, so if you are interested, inquire within.

We and the Meryl Crews family appreciate all of the prayers, good wishes, meals, and visits since Meryl experienced her medical event, hospitalization, and rehab earlier this year.  Meryl’s healing process will now continue at home.  She and her family will need support through this adjustment.  Debbie Grinker kindly set up a GoFundMe account to let us help, so if you can and would contribute, here is the link:
 

July 2025 Chai Lites

July 1, 2025 by • ,

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, the July 2025 issue of the Chai Lites is here!  The last month was a difficult one with more sadness than we wanted for the start of our Summer, but because of all of you we also had much sweetness.  We so appreciate Lorraine Mixter for jumping in to prepare this issue while Ethan took time with his family, and we thank her and all of you for filling the newsletter with the things that make us smile and keep us together.

2025JulyChai Lites

Member-Led Shabbat Service — Fri Jun 27, 7:00 pm

June 25, 2025 by •

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, our Summer Lay Service series continues with a warm and friendly, member-led Friday evening Shabbat service and talk on June 27 at 7:00 pm, our Summer evening meeting time.  Our longtime member and Board Secretary, Margo Fleisher, will lead the Shabbat service and give a short talk about Remembrance.  The event will occur simultaneously in our synagogue building for those who can attend in person, or on Zoom for those who cannot, please contact us for the link if you wish to attend via Zoom.

Baruch Dayan haEmet: Sandra Gasson

June 20, 2025 by •

Dear Temple Beth Shalom Members, please receive this notice and join in giving comfort to the family and friends of Sandra Gasson, who recently departed us.  Sandy was a longtime member of both our and Temple Emanuel’s congregations, an important source of support to our Jewish community, and a delightful participant in our Mah Jongg club.  She faithfully attended almost every service and social occasion, and was lovely to see and talk with.

 
Funeral services will be on Tuesday, June 24 at 10 am in the Temple Emanuel section of Oak Hill Cemetery at 4620 US 98 South in Lakeland, 33812.  Rabbi Will Guyster will officiate.  
 
Shiva will be at the home of Debra and Jay Adelman, daughter-in-law/son of Sandy Gasson on the same day, June 24 at 6 pm. The address is 905 Flag Court in Auburndale, 33823.  Please attend if you can to bring the sacredness and Mourner’s Kaddish, and to honor Sandy’s memory.
HaMamkom yenachem etchem b’toch sh’ar avelai Tziyon v’Yerushalayim.
May God comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Joseph Rodriguez Celebration of Life — Sun Jun 22, 4:30 pm

June 19, 2025 by •

Dear Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, please join us to celebrate the memory of our recently departed president and friend, Mr. Joseph Rodriguez.  We will gather at our synagogue building on Sunday, June 22 at 4:30 pm to share in Joseph’s legacy, all that he built with us as a Temple Beth Shalom and Brotherhood/Sisterhood member and leader.  Joseph often said how much the friendship in these organizations meant to him, and we enjoyed his good humor and the activities he planned.  We will commit to carrying these things on with him in our hearts and minds.

 
If you have any questions, please contact organizer Sandi Grinker at sandigrinker@gmail.com.  If you are unable to travel to the synagogue for any reason, you may join us through Zoom, please contact us for the link.

Member-Led Shabbat Service — Sat Jun 14, 11 AM

June 12, 2025 by •

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, this Shabbat we have the first in our series of Summer Member-Led services coming up for you to enjoy.  This Saturday, June 14 at 11:00 am our Past President and Past Editor Who is Excellent in So Many Things, Lorraine Mixter, will lead us in a relaxed and pleasant Shabbat morning service and give a talk on the day’s parsha.  Lorraine and the rest of us would love to see you.  🙂
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From the Union For Reform Judaism / Reform Movement

Resources for Marking the Anniversary of October 7th

Resources for Marking the Anniversary of October 7th jemerman

Israel Peace and Security
Photo of two hands holding a memorial candle, with white label and a blue star of david on it
These materials include readings, interviews, and more that reflect on the year that has passed since the October 7th attacks.

Crossing the Bridge from the Particular to the Universal

Crossing the Bridge from the Particular to the Universal jemerman

Yom Kippur
Photo of a person standing at the end of a dock on a body of water with the sun setting
This year, as Jews across the globe begin to prepare for the High Holy Days, the most sacred time of year, I personally feel a sense of deep despair and fierce urgency to enter the year of 5786 embracing the particular and the universal.

Poems of Sorrow and Hope

Poems of Sorrow and Hope jemerman

Arts and Culture
Photo of a sun setting over a desert
As I wrestled with my feelings after October 7th, I found that poetry offered me an unexpected outlet. Whether reflecting on the lives lost, the joy of seeing hostages come home, or the comfort I found in our traditions, writing gave me a respite from the complex emotions I was experiencing.

Two Pockets, Two Lessons, One New Year

Two Pockets, Two Lessons, One New Year jemerman

High Holidays
Photo of a shofar, kiddish cup and old prayer book
As the shofar’s call approaches and we step into the sacred space of a new year, we are invited to hold two truths at once: that our lives matter beyond measure, and that we are but a small part of a vast and unfolding universe.