Preparing Body and Soul for the High Holy Days
Beth El is offering two different learning opportunities to help us prepare Body and Soul for the High Holy Days.
Cooking for the High Holy Days
Looking for new recipes for the High Holy Days? Trying to please the particular palates around your family’s table? Then come join some of Beth El’s fabulous cooks for two special cooking demonstrations that will be sure to add new traditions to your family celebrations. Both classes will meet in the Offit Kitchen from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Registration is $15 for one class, or $25 for both.
Tuesday, Sept. 1 Heart Healthy Holiday Foods taught by Sonya Goodman in the Offit Kitchen, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 3 An Elegant Dairy Break-the-Fast presented by Sylvia Schneider and Anita Baum in the Offit Kitchen, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Preparing for the Days of Awe Mini-Series
Have you ever wished for a chance to be really prepared for what happens in the synagogue over the High Holy Days? If so, this mini-series might be just what you have been waiting for! All sessions will be held in the Agus Library.
A Musical Overture to the Days of Awe with Cantor Thom King
Wednesday, Sept. 2, 8:00-9:00 p.m.
Cantor King will introduce us to the musical modes and themes of The Days of Awe. Come hear the similarities and differences of the music of the season, and explore how the meaning and experience of the prayers are informed and enhanced by its music.
The Theology of the High Holy Day with Rabbi Steven Schwartz
Thursday, Sept. 10, 8:00-9:00 p.m.
The High Holy Day Prayer Book is filled with deep theological statements about God and recurring themes of this holy season. Rabbi Schwartz will help us appreciate the different theological statements of the prayers and guide us on how to understand them for our own meaningful personal spiritual experience.
The Book of Jonah with Sandy Winters
Monday, Sept. 21, 8:00-9:00 p.m.
The Book of Jonah is read on Yom Kippur afternoon, and is a powerful study in contrasts and contradiction. A careful look at the language used in this biblical book will be the concluding session in our series “Preparing for the Days of Awe.”
“Open Sukkot” Sunday, Oct. 4, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Sukkot is a beautiful holiday that entices and engages all the senses. Sharing this celebration with others in a sukkah adds an extra dimension to this joyous season. The Congregation’s clergy are delighted to invite you as their guests to their family sukkot. Addresses and directions will be available soon.
Special Program In Memory of H. Allan Lipsitz
Finding God as Jews and Christians with Rabbi Steven Schwartz and Dr. Chris Leighton Thursday, Oct. 8, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. at Beth El
Join us for this special program of learning in memory of H. Allan Lipsitz, Beth El Congregation's Program Director from 1998 - 2007. Rabbi Steven Schwartz, Senior Rabbi of the Congregation, and Dr. Christopher Leighton, Executive Director of the Institute of Christian and Jewish Studies, will explore the ways Jews and Christians attempt to seek, and find, God in their lives. This special program will serve as a prelude to our Agus Academy this year. It is offered free of charge and is open to the community.
“Shabbat Morning Services Smorgasbord” Nov. 14
Beth El’s Shabbat morning service is second to none in its beauty. Even so, the needs of contemporary Judaism suggests that “one size does not fit all” when it comes to prayer. Come and join us to explore different types of prayer services. Four different services will be offered: a healing service, a learner’s service with both “what is” and “how to” components, and a service with Jewish meditation, chanting and other elements will all be offered over a two-hour period. At the end of this special morning, we will all join together for the congregational Kiddush. More details on the different service options and their leaders along with registration information will be available soon.
Baltimore Board of Rabbis Adult Institute of Jewish Studies, Tuesday evenings Oct. 13, 20, 27, and Nov. 3
This year Oheb Shalom hosts the 61st Annual Adult Institute of Jewish Studies sponsored by the Baltimore Board of Rabbis. The Institute offers a unique opportunity to learn from local rabbis and educators representing every Jewish denomination and to learn and socialize with a cross-section of the community. Participants may register for two 45 minute sessions or one dual-session class over the course of four weeks. The Institute runs on Tuesday evenings, from 7:30-9:15 p.m. with a short break at 8:15. More information about the Adult Institute will be mailed under separate cover.
Holy Dinner Series
Are your weeks so crazy that Friday evening dinnertime isn’t anything special? Do you wish that you could be at a nice dinner party every once in a while without having to be a guest or a host? Do you like a nice dinner out without having to worry about long lines or parking? If so, or even if not, Beth El has something special cooking up! Come join us for delicious Shabbat and Holyday meals with your family and friends at Beth El. Mark your calendar now for these dates; registration material will be forthcoming.
Friday, Nov. 6 Traditional Shabbat Dinner
Friday, Dec. 11 Israeli themed Shabbat/Hannukah Dinner
Friday, Feb. 5 Chinese Shabbat Dinner
Friday, April 9 Post Passover Pasta Fest Shabbat Dinner
Tuesday, May 18 Dairy Dinner on the Lawn pre-Shavuot Dinner