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.
Advocacy and Action by Cantor Andrew Bernard
Cantor Bernard
February 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
February 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
February 6, 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
January 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
January 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
January 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
January 3, 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
December 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
December 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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All is Never Lost: Chanukah Light by Rabbi Dusty Klass
Rabbi Dusty Klass
November 26, 2018
December is the darkest month of the year. It’s no coincidence that Chanukah, a holiday in which we are commanded to increase light each night, ...
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Hard Conversations – A Light in the Darkness by Susan Jacobs, Director of Education
Susan Jacobs
November 20, 2018
On a typical Sunday morning at Temple Beth El Religious School, you will see students piling into school and hear the din of their giggles ...
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We Listen and Learn from You by Sam Swire, Director of Youth Engagement
Temple Beth El
November 15, 2018
This past weekend I had the privilege of helping to staff our 10th graders’ annual Confirmation Trip. While most would shy away from accompanying 26 ...
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Explore Your Love for Israel (Charlotte Jewish News Editorial, December 2018) by Cantor Mary R. Thomas
Cantor Mary Thomas
November 13, 2018
Chanukah rolled around about halfway through my year living in Jerusalem while a student at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion, the Reform ...
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Reflections Following Pittsburgh by Rabbi Asher Knight
Rabbi Asher Knight
November 7, 2018
Reflections following Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue November 2, 2018 Tragedy upon tragedy – ripples upon ripples. A community of worshipers at Tree of Life ...
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Meditation’s Surprising Ties to Our Religious Practice by Adam Bernstein
Temple Beth El
November 1, 2018
In an attempt to divine some order from mid-life chaos, I recently turned to meditation. The loss of my parents, a health scare and other ...
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