The TBE Blog is the space where Temple Beth El’s Leadership Team members reflect on relevant topics that are most meaningful to us. Here you will find musings on everything from prayer to politics, music to mysticism and history to current day life. From our iPads, smartphones, and laptops to yours, these are the things that inspire us, keep us up at night, and fuel our own Jewish journeys.
Perpetually Seeking Freedom by Rabbi Dusty Klass (Charlotte Jewish News Editorial Apr. 2019)
Rabbi Dusty Klass
04/04/2019
Every year, a little over a month after Purim and its revelry, we gather at tables – round tables, square tables, multiple tables cobbled together ...
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Mitzvah Day is Important by Stella Traw
Temple Beth El
04/01/2019
I think that Mitzvah Day is important because it gives people opportunities to help people in need. It also gives people a chance to help ...
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Home by Cantor Mary Rebecca Thomas
Cantor Mary Thomas
03/28/2019
Home. Take a moment and imagine home. Not the home you live in right now or even the home you might dream of for the ...
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The Power of Volunteering: Our lives changed because of you! by Eileen Schwartz
Temple Beth El
03/05/2019
I reached out to the TBE Caring Committee (now called Hineynu) in December 2015. I was my Mom’s caregiver. I was feeling isolated, exhausted and ...
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About Chevrah Kadisha by Courtney Rosenthal
Temple Beth El
03/05/2019
Rabbi Dusty Klass once told me that as Jews, we just “get death right.” As someone who wrestles with considering her own mortality and the mortalities ...
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When God Takes Attendance, How Do You Respond? by Rabbi Dusty Klass
Rabbi Dusty Klass
02/28/2019
Every time I had a substitute teacher in high school, I braced for impact as soon as the poor unassuming sub took attendance. “Dustin? Dustin ...
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Advocacy and Action by Cantor Andrew Bernard
Cantor Bernard
02/21/2019
The transition to retirement has been surprising. After years of working at 110% (on a slow week), I was looking forward to continuing some of ...
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TriBE Update by Andy Harkavy, Director of Congregational Engagement
Madeline White
02/13/2019
It has been an exciting journey to get to where we are today with our TriBEs (Small Groups) at Temple Beth El. We are fortunate ...
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Repairing the World through Racial Justice by Jennifer Clark (Charlotte Jewish News Editorial, Feb. 2019)
Temple Beth El
02/06/2019
Tikkun olam—repairing the world, often through social action—has long been a cornerstone of Temple Beth El’s mission and values as a congregation. We have seen ...
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United in Purpose and Mission by Rabbi Asher Knight
Rabbi Asher Knight
01/28/2019
On January 7th, Temple Beth El’s Board of Directors passed a new Core Purpose and Mission. The process of listening to our members, learning about ...
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Mending the Hole by Susan Jacobs, Director of Education
Susan Jacobs
01/16/2019
The death of a loved one is an inevitability in everyone’s life. It is tragic and painful, regardless of the age or circumstances. Most often, ...
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Moving Forward Together – A Perspective on the Women’s March from Current and Past Senior Rabbis by Rabbi Asher Knight and Rabbi Judy Schindler
Temple Beth El
01/10/2019
We are excited to participate in this year’s Charlotte Women’s March at First Ward Park on Saturday, January 26, 2019. Before the march, at 10:20 ...
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Congregants Create Bonds at Temple Beth El
Madeline White
01/03/2019
Engagement is a big buzz word in the Jewish world right now. Many Jewish institutions talk about engagement while some simultaneously struggle to truly engage ...
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Asking…Not Always Easy by Candace Naliboff, Director of Member Services
Candace Naliboff
12/19/2018
If you are like me, you have had times in your life when people have said to you, “Why didn’t you just ask me?” I ...
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Share the Warmth, Shine Bright by Andy Harkavy, Director of Congregational Engagement
Madeline White
12/12/2018
This time of year always seems particularly tough. It gets darker earlier. The weather gets colder. Many things which I am excited to do outside ...
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