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.

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

March 11, 2025 by • , ,

Passover Seder

Sunday, April 13th, 2025

In-person and on Zoom (contact for link) at 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)

Dinner with the Rabbi — Fri Mar 14, 5:30 pm

March 10, 2025 by • ,

Dinner with the Rabbi

Enjoy a meal with Rabbi Herzfeld, take the opportunity to chat with the Host and the Rabbi

March 14th at 5:30 pm

Host: Lorraine Mixter

Thai Haven

309 W Central Ave, Winter Haven, FL 33880

R.S.V.P. by March 12th to:  lorrainemixter@aol.com

Or text or call: 863-409-8509

Lorraine and the Rabbi look forward to dining with you.

Lakeridge Winery Outing — Sun Mar 23

March 10, 2025 by • ,

Brotherhood/Sisterhood Outing

Join us. Temple Beth Shalom Brotherhood/Sisterhood March 23rd, 2025

Lakeridge Winery

Carpools leave from Temple Beth Shalom @ 11:00 am.

Carpooling suggested as parking is limited.

Live Entertainment, Food Court & Wine Bar

Dennie and the Jets are the entertainment on Sunday.

No need to eat before you come to enjoy the afternoon, simple food options are available to purchase, however, no outside food is allowed.

At the outdoor wine bar the full line of Lakeridge wines is offered, imported and domestic beers, and when available seasonal drinks like mulled wine, wine slushies, and sangria.

Enjoy a complimentary winery tour and wine tasting, where you can taste a selection of wines.

ID Requirements for Tastings

US citizens: state issued drivers license, military ID, or state ID card.

No outside food, beverages or coolers allowed. 

Be sure to bring your lawn chairs! Seating is limited if you plan to sit and eat and drink.

Wine prices are by the glass, starting at $6 a glass (soda & water are available).

For more information, please contact Beverly Lerner: 863-294-6042 (home) Bevlerner@aol.com

March Chai Lites

March 1, 2025 by • ,

Shabbat Shalom Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends!  We are grateful once again for our President and Editor, Lorraine Mixter, and all of our content contributors for preparing our lovely newsletter and keeping us informed about the events in our community.  Here is the March Chai Lites with up-to-date information about the upcoming Spring holidays and festivals, and our activities.

2025MarChaiLites-compressed

Baruch Dayan haEmet: Adrianne Sundheim

February 25, 2025 by •

Dear Temple Beth Shalom Congregation, we learned last night of the recent passing of Mrs. Adrianne Sundheim, a cherished member of our congregation and wife of Rabbi Frank Sundheim, who served our synagogue 12 years ago or so.  You might remember Adrianne was a dedicated teacher for decades and a potter, and we still enjoy the use of the kiddush cup she made at our Shabbat services.  She was a dear friend of our Rabbi Herzfeld, and he will be one of the rabbis acting in her funeral.  There will be a memorial service for her at Schaarai Zedek on Friday, February 28 at 11:30 am.  May her memory be for a blessing.

 
The young child asked, “Where is Grandma?”
And the adults gasped
Not knowing what to say
Certainly not in the earth
Buried, covered over with soil and small rocks
Certainly not in the heavens
Distant, far off, a fantasy of the imagination.
Much closer than earth, much closer than heaven
Grandma, dear child, is within us all.
In our memories of her kindness and goodness
Memories that are not faint echoes but resonate in us each day
Grandma is in our tenderness with each other, in our loyalty to family
For friends, in our love of our people.
Nothing noble dies with death.
Warm embraces, wise counsel do not
Evaporate into the air.
Grandma is not “where” but “when”
Whenever we gather together to celebrate festivals
Whenever we offer help to the poor, the homeless, the sick
Whenever we defend the innocent
Raise our voice against injustice
Grandma’s influence is present.
Grandma stood for ideas and ideals
Grandma stood for care and concern and comfort of the other. What she stood for we now stand for.
Even as we rise for the Kaddish
In her memory,
In her honor
For her immortality.
Rabbi Harold Schulweis

Chai Lites Submissions Reminder

February 24, 2025 by • ,

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Congregation, it’s a short month, so the Chai Lites submission deadline is fast approaching!  Please get your columns, updates, thank-you messages, photos, and anything else you have to share to President and Editor Lorraine Mixter at lorrainemixter@aol.com by Thursday, February 27.

Member-Led Service — Sat Feb 22, 11:00 AM

February 20, 2025 by •

Affiliated with the Union of Reform Jewish Congregations

Lay Services

A morning lay led Sabbath service is now scheduled for:

 Saturday, February 22nd at 11:00 am.

It will be led by Sandi Grinker and Deborah Grinker.

Following services stay for lunch at the Temple . We will be serving lox,  bagels, tuna fish and all the fixings. Please join us for lunch. All are welcome to stay.

Sandi

Zoom is available for those who need it, just contact us for the link.

Shabbat — Feb 14-15

February 13, 2025 by •

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, this Shabbat is all love (why should this one be any different? 😄❤️)!  Rabbi Herzfeld will lead our Shabbat service on Friday, February 14 at 7:30 pm.  You can as always attend with us in our sanctuary or on Zoom.  Our Meryl Crews will be unable to sing with us, but you may be able to sing for her!  She might be able to join us on Zoom, so attend if you can and show what she taught you.

Torah Study is again hybrid, set up at our building and also available on Zoom on Saturday, February 15 at 10:00 am. Contact us for the Zoom link.

Mi Shebeirach — Meryl Crews

February 11, 2025 by • ,

Dear Temple Beth Shalom Congregation, one of us needs your healing support at this time.  Our longtime member, cantorial soloist, and friend, Meryl Crews, fell ill and has been hospitalized at Lakeland Regional Health for the last 10-12 days.  Some ways you can support Meryl and her family at this time:

  • Meryl is getting better but has a lot of recovering to do.  She cannot talk right now, but loves you all and welcomes visitors.  
  • Jimmy is spending all of his time with Meryl and would benefit from microwaveable, prepared meals (he needs gluten-free).
  • Your prayers for healing always help.
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