What is Congregational Shabbat? by Cantor Andrew Bernard
Congregational Shabbat is an energetic, highly participatory, multi-generational Shabbat morning series of activities, food, and worship designed to engage the great diversity of our Temple Beth El community. Beginning nine years ago, we adjusted the b’nei mitzvah calendar so that we could devote one Shabbat morning each month during the academic year (October through May) […]
Modim Anachnu Lach by Candace Naliboff, Director of Congregational Engagement
The first time I heard Ms. Patty sing Modim Anachnu Lach with our religious school children during t’filah on a beautiful Sunday morning, it brought that prayer to life for me in a way that I had not previously experienced. Modim anachnu lach – we give thanks, we gratefully acknowledge, we are thankful…all are words […]
Don’t Forget Who You Once Were by Cantor Mary Rebecca Thomas
I had a vacation day earlier this week, and I spent it entirely sitting in public spaces (Barnes and Nobles, Amelie’s) reading a book that simply had nothing to do with Judaism, or my job, or the Jewish people, or community building, or prayer, or Torah. It was just a book and a book […]
Tree People, Forest People, and Trying to be More of Both by Rabbi Dusty Klass
I have always been a Tree Person. When I go hiking, I’m the one taking close-up photo of a particularly gnarled root system or the jigsaw puzzle-piece shaped bark of a ponderosa pine. Don’t get me wrong; I love a gorgeous view. But my phone camera rarely captures the grandeur of a mountain range, so […]
Touching Torah by Susan Jacobs, Director of Education
How many of us grew up terrified of ever touching the Torah scroll? How many of us really ever had a chance to see the Torah up close? The Torah is our most sacred object and as I was growing up the Torah became something beyond my reach. Something so revered that being in close […]
My Life Is Like A Chapter Book by Dr. Laura Bernstein
As we conclude Yom Kippur, a holiday of intense introspection, and look toward Sukkot, a holiday that calls us outside into the world and outside of ourselves, I find myself thinking about what my life will be like a year from now or perhaps 10 years from now. What surprises are in store? What challenges await? […]
Return Again: Finding Meaning in Repetition and Repentance by Rabbi Dusty Klass
Earlier this week, Rabbi Knight, Cantor Bernard, Cantor Thomas and I sat down to talk through our Yom Kippur services. Halfway through, I threw up my hands exasperatedly. “Didn’t we already DO this prayer???” In fact, we had. And I have news for you. We are going to do “that prayer” again. Judaism is a […]
A New Year, New Opportunities by Rabbi Asher Knight
This New Year brings new faces and opportunities to Temple Beth El. Rabbi Klass and I are thrilled to join Temple Beth El’s dynamic team of lay leaders, clergy, and staff. We are excited by the opportunity to serve both our congregation and the broader Jewish community. And we look forward to meeting you and […]
In Light of the Recent Tragedy in Charlotte by Temple Beth El’s Clergy Team
Read this message written by Rabbi Knight and Rabbi Ezring and shared by the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte. We are deeply saddened by the events in Charlotte over the last twenty-four hours. The death of Keith Lamont Scott ignited protests that have injured and endangered both civilians and law enforcement. For months we have […]
