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.
Discovering The True Meaning of Community Involvement by Howard Olshansky
Temple Beth El
08/13/2018
I have often grappled with the challenge of community involvement. This is an inherent conflict for me. I tend to be a pretty private person, ...
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Kehilah Kedoshah – A Holy Community by Susan Jacobs, Director of Education
Susan Jacobs
08/07/2018
As much as we are dedicated to having our students love Jewish learning, at Temple Beth El Religious School, we also strive to have our ...
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Turn! Turn! Turn! by Ross C. Levin
Temple Beth El
08/01/2018
Pete Seeger’s scripture based “Turn! Turn! Turn!” made popular in the 1960s by The Byrds, is open to a myriad of interpretations. For me, it ...
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About The Israeli Nation-State Law by Rabbi Asher Knight
Rabbi Asher Knight
07/25/2018
The Israeli Knesset recently passed a controversial “Nation-State law.” The law has received statements of opposition by Jewish organizations and communities from throughout the world. ...
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Elul: Preparing for the High Holy Days by Rabbi Asher Knight
Rabbi Asher Knight
07/25/2018
The month of Elul – August 12-September 9 – is our prelude for the Days of Awe. The name of the Hebrew month, spelled aleph, ...
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A Modern Lament by Student Rabbi Hannah Elkin
Temple Beth El
07/18/2018
Tishah B’Av, the holiday that commemorates the destruction of the ancient Temples in Jerusalem and other tragedies in Jewish history, can seem removed from our ...
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Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! by Dr. Laura Bernstein, Executive Director
Temple Beth El
07/12/2018
Have you had the privilege of reading about Humphrey the Hamster? Brought to life by author Betty Birney, Humphrey lives in the fictitious Longfellow School ...
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Immigration Rally Speech 6/30/18 by Rabbi Asher Knight
Rabbi Asher Knight
07/05/2018
“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…” Inscribed over the entrance of the Statue of Liberty, Emma Lazarus’ poem ...
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Vigil and Call to Action- This Saturday
Temple Beth El
06/27/2018
Members of Temple Beth El have diverse perspectives on immigration. We value laws, rules, borders and security. Judaism also teaches us that every human being ...
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Transformation at Temple Beth El by Andy Harkavy, Director of Congregational Engagement
Madeline White
06/21/2018
This past week, my wife and I bought new patio furniture off of NextDoor. We immediately thought about how nice it will be to enjoy ...
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Special Message from Rabbi Knight
Rabbi Asher Knight
06/19/2018
Members of our community have reached out in recent days in shock and horror that the administration is separating undocumented children from their parents. Rabbi ...
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How I Spend my Summer Vacation by Susan Jacobs, Director of Education
Susan Jacobs
06/14/2018
School is over for the year and as I reflect on the past year, I can say that Religious School had a great year. The ...
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This, Too, is Torah by Rabbi Dusty Klass (from Charlotte Jewish News Editorial June-July 2018)
Rabbi Dusty Klass
06/06/2018
At the annual Shalom Park Freedom School fundraiser this year, the program began with a short video outlining just how far behind a kid in ...
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1998 was 20 Years Ago by Cantor Mary Rebecca Thomas
Cantor Mary Thomas
05/29/2018
I had quite a few conversations last week about time. There was a conversation with my mom about whether or not she or I qualified ...
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At Mount Sinai by Candace Naliboff, Director of Member Services
Candace Naliboff
05/16/2018
I am a Jew by choice, and also a Jew by birth. My ancestry and family history is very interesting and the road is quite ...
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