Dear Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, we eagerly look forward to sharing the 2025/5786 High Holidays with you!  Our new Rabbi Will Guyster hit the ground running and is lovingly preparing the outlines and studying the parshot for this September and October.  We wanted you to have the schedule so you can prepare to observe and worship with us.

If you are not yet a member of Temple Beth Shalom you are welcome to attend the High Holidays with us, and request you support our efforts to maintain our Jewish community at this time and all year round with a donation ($100 is standard, but we will accept more).  We would love to consider your donation a partial payment of your first year of membership dues.

Please contact us if you plan to attend, and if you will accept one or more of the honors to fulfill on the bimah:

• Yom Tov Candle Lighting
• Aliyah (come to the bimah to give Torah Blessings)
• Hakafah (carry Torah from the bimah around the congregation and back up)
• Hagbah (lift Torah after portion is read)
• G’lilah (assist with dressing Torah and returning her to the Ark)
• Haftarah Blessings (these are a little bit extra for the High Holidays)
• Readings in English — translations of the parsha, Haftarah portion, responsive readings from Gates of Repentance

You will receive a prompt to come up to the bimah, so you won’t have to guess.  Members and early responders will receive priority in assigning honors, but no better way to strengthen your relationship to your synagogue and community than by helping to deliver the service, so let us hear from you.

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, here comes the last of our Summer series of Member-Led Shabbat services, before we begin services led by Rabbi Guyster and the High Holiday season!  This Friday’s service and talk are more great ones.  Margo Fleisher will lead a relaxed and welcoming, traditional Shabbat service beginning on Friday, August 22 at 7:00 pm, and Professor Howard Kerner will present another of his illuminating and inspirational talks about the best that is in us as human beings and Jews.  I hear that he will be talking about achievements by Jewish people and sharing a list.  I hope there is enough paper.  

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.

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.

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.