June 2025 Chai Lites

June 3, 2025 by • ,

Dear Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, join us in thanking Ethan Feldman for preparing this significant issue of the Chai Lites, and his first one as our new Editor.  He did a great job in organizing and sharing our memories of Rabbi Herzfeld upon his retirement.  He also had to make edits upon our receiving the news we never wanted, the unfortunate and sudden passing of our president and friend, Joseph Rodriguez.  Please see Joseph’s last column.

2025JuneChaiLites

Baruch Dayan haEmet: Joseph Rodriguez

June 1, 2025 by •

Dear Temple Beth Shalom Congregation, it is with great sadness we report to you the sudden passing of our friend and congregational leader, Joseph Rodriguez.  Joseph had just resumed the role of temple President at the beginning of May and did a great deal of work in just the last few months on the future of Temple Beth Shalom.  Joseph was also an important part of leadership for the Brotherhood/Sisterhood and planned a number of enjoyable and meaningful events to give additional life to that group.  His humor and camaraderie will be dearly missed.  

i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun’s birthday; this is the birth
day of life and of love and wings: and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any–lifted from the no
of all nothing–human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)
e.e. cummings

 

Shabbat May 30-31

May 28, 2025 by •

Dear Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, please join us for the last Shabbat of the “school year” and our last Shabbat officiated by Rabbi Herzfeld with us.  The journey does not end, but it changes direction!  As has been our custom in the Zoom era, the Shabbat and pre-Shavuot service begins on Friday, May 30 at 7:30 both in the synagogue and on Zoom accessible via contacting us.

Torah Study has been one of Rabbi Herzfeld’s favorite activities with us, and ours too.  We will be in the synagogue building together on Saturday, May 31 at 10:00 am to meet with Rabbi Herzfeld via Zoom, or you can again join us on Zoom as well from your home.

Member-Led Shabbat Service — Sat May 10, 11:00 am

May 9, 2025 by •

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, after the Spring holidays and the snowbirds go home, and the school year is coming to a close, things are just getting started at our synagogue!  We have a first lay Shabbat service of our 2025-2026 year led by our returning Congregational President, Joseph Rodriguez on Saturday, May 10 at 11:00 am.  Come and help Joseph kick Shabbat and this calendar year off this Saturday.

Dinner with the Rabbi — Fri May 30, 6 PM

May 7, 2025 by • ,

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.
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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
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

Rosh HaShanah
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

Rosh HaShanah
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.