Funeral Pre-Planning Presentation by Lakeland Memorial Gardens — Aug 17, 11 am

August 14, 2024 by •

Pre-Needs Funeral Conversation by 

Lakeland Memorial Gardens 

August 17th at 11 am

Everything you always wanted to know, but

were afraid to ask about:

Pre Planning a Funeral

Orlando Iglesias, Funeral Director will be

available to answer questions.

This is a brown bag lunch discussion.

Snacks, dessert and drinks provided.

Temple Beth Shalom

1049 Bradbury Road

Winter Haven, FL

 RSVP by August 9th to:

Lorraine Mixter  

 863-409-8509 or lorrainemixter@aol.com

Shabbat Presentation — SAT Aug 10, 11:00 AM

August 7, 2024 by •

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, this Shabbat’s meeting is on SATURDAY MORNING, August 10 at 11:00.  Shabbat is of course a time given to us for rest, reflection, and learning.  Have a relaxing Shabbat evening on Friday, and come refreshed and ready to take in what is certain to be another illuminating and meaningful presentation from our dear, Professor Howard Kerner.  Prof. Kerner provided to us a hint with his presentation title: “Jewish Athletes and the 1936 Olympics”, something very timely and of interest to us today.

August 2024 Chai Lites

August 1, 2024 by •

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, the August Chai Lites are here!  Not only does it contain the usual outstanding content like our schedule, photos of our adorable activity planners and participants, and reliably thoughtful columns, there are some presentations and services you won’t want to miss, and a valuable piece about dealing with antisemitic posts online.  We are grateful to our content creators and contributors once again.

2024AugChai Lites

Member-Led Shabbat Service — Fri Jul 12, 7:00 pm

July 10, 2024 by •

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, is it hot enough out there for you?  You are invited to another Summer Member-Led Shabbat Service with us, where the smiles are always warm, but the building is cool.  This upcoming service on Friday, July 12 at 7:00 pm is led by our esteemed newest Board member, Uriah Rose, with accompaniment by his mother and another valued new member, Krystal Rose.  We are looking forward to hearing what they have to share, and to seeing you, too.

July 2024 Chai Lites

July 1, 2024 by • ,

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, your July 2024 Chai Lites issue is ready in time for you to celebrate Summer, a new month, our country’s birth, and the return of our President and Editor from a distant land!  Thanks to all of you for getting your pieces in so quickly and Mazel Tov to Lorraine for getting it done on the road!  It looks fabulous!  It is Summer, but still there is a lot going on.  We look forward to seeing you.

 

2024JulChai Lites

Member-Led Service Fri Jun 21, 7:00 pm

June 20, 2024 by •

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, for our first Member-Led service of the year, Summer will officially be here!  It will be sunny and warm with our shared appreciation of our temple community.  🙂  Note the earlier time, Member-Led services start at 7:00 pm.  This Friday, June 21 we will have a service led by our esteemed cantorial soloist, Meryl Crews, with readings by your dedicated Secretary, Margo Fleisher.  We will have a discussion of the Torah portion for this Shabbat.

June Chai Lites

June 1, 2024 by •

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, welcome to June and a new issue of the Chai Lites!  It is lovely with photos and stories of what we are all doing together as a congregation and community.  Thanks to all of you who sent in the photos, and to all of you who are in the photos.  🙂    We have one more service (on Zoom June 7) and Torah Study with Rabbi Herzfeld before Summer vacation this season, and after that it’s up to us to continue learning and joining together for a little while.  Many thanks also to our President and Editor, Lorraine Mixter, for pulling it all together!

2024JunChai Lites

Brotherhood/Sisterhood Boat Ride — RESCHEDULED

May 17, 2024 by •

Dear Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, due to a greater than anticipated interest in this event, the Brotherhood/Sisterhood is rescheduling the Boat Ride to be able to accommodate everyone.  Please respond to Beverly Lerner at bevlerner@aol.com to confirm you can make the rescheduled date.

Brotherhood/Sisterhood Sponsored Boat Ride 
10:30-11:30 AM Saturday, May 25   JUNE 1
                                 livingwatercruises.com
$21 for Brotherhood/Sisterhood members.
$26 nonmembers. 
RSVP by May 12 to Beverly Lerner bevlerner@aol.com 
954-559- 6963
Lunch at Harborside (not included in the price of the cruise) 
Send your check to Joseph Rodriguez, 
3210 Great Heron Loop — Polk City, FL 33868

Shabbat May 17-18

May 15, 2024 by •

Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, this Shabbat we have an opportunity to join together in our synagogue to celebrate and remember.  This Friday, May 17 at 7:30 pm we have our traditional Shabbat service with Rabbi Herzfeld and music with Meryl Crews, along with observance of Yom Haazmaut.  

Later in the evening we will move to the lobby to present a leaf on the Tree of Life in memory of our dear friend, Phil Grinker.  You are invited to listen to and share  memories of Phil.  Phil was dedicated to the idea and reality of Israel, and to the principle of Tikkun Olam.  
 
And as always, Torah Study follows on Saturday at 9:30 am.  It is another chance for us to check in with each other and hear what folks have to say about what is going on in our world through the lens of Torah.

Tree of Life Leaf Dedication in Memory of Phil Grinker — May 17

May 13, 2024 by •

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Hello Temple Beth Shalom Members and Friends, we hope you will join us for Shabbat services on Friday, May 17 at 7:30 pm.  We will have our traditional Reform Shabbat service, and later in the service we will take some time to remember our dear friend, Phil Grinker in a brief dedication ceremony by our Tree of Life.  Please be sure to join Sandi and the family, and us in the synagogue.

«‹ 8 9 10 11›»

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.