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.
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! by Dr. Laura Bernstein, Executive Director
Temple Beth El
July 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 ...
Read More →
Immigration Rally Speech 6/30/18 by Rabbi Asher Knight
Rabbi Asher Knight
July 5, 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 ...
Read More →
Vigil and Call to Action- This Saturday
Temple Beth El
June 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 ...
Read More →
Transformation at Temple Beth El by Andy Harkavy, Director of Congregational Engagement
Madeline White
June 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 ...
Read More →
Special Message from Rabbi Knight
Rabbi Asher Knight
June 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 ...
Read More →
How I Spend my Summer Vacation by Susan Jacobs, Director of Education
Susan Jacobs
June 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 ...
Read More →
This, Too, is Torah by Rabbi Dusty Klass (from Charlotte Jewish News Editorial June-July 2018)
Rabbi Dusty Klass
June 6, 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 ...
Read More →
1998 was 20 Years Ago by Cantor Mary Rebecca Thomas
Cantor Mary Thomas
May 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 ...
Read More →
At Mount Sinai by Candace Naliboff, Director of Member Services
Candace Naliboff
May 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 ...
Read More →
Putting the Sacred Into the Business Side of Synagogue Life by Laura Bernstein, Executive Director
Temple Beth El
May 10, 2018
Im ein Kemach ein Torah; im ein Torah ein Kemach. Where there is no bread, there can be no Torah; where there is no Torah, ...
Read More →
Welcoming a Rabbinic Intern in June by Rabbi Asher Knight
Rabbi Asher Knight
May 2, 2018
Dear Temple Beth El Family, I am excited to announce that from June 11th through August 8th, we will welcome Student Rabbi Hannah Elkin for ...
Read More →
What We Learned (Community Organizing Report Back Session)
Temple Beth El
April 30, 2018
What we learned (words written and shared by Andrea Cooper): As you might guess, we saw a range of experiences among congregants about race. If ...
Read More →
Baby Boomer and Empty Nester Update: Find Your People at Temple Beth El by Rabbi Asher Knight
Rabbi Asher Knight
April 30, 2018
It is customary for Jews to study one of the six chapters of Pirke Avot – the Ethics of our Ancestors – on each of ...
Read More →
Once a Camper, Always a Camper by Susan Jacobs, Director of Education
Susan Jacobs
April 25, 2018
Once a camper, always a camper! It’s been many, many years since I was a camper at a Jewish sleep away camp but it’s in ...
Read More →
Celebrate Your Life. Be a Part of Mitzvah Day. by Jill Lipson
Temple Beth El
April 24, 2018
One Saturday morning after our Farber Leadership Group session in 2010, I was having brunch before services. Rabbi Judy took a seat beside me, and ...
Read More →