Repairing the World through Racial Justice by Jennifer Clark (Charlotte Jewish News Editorial, Feb. 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 this in the number of canned goods collected for local food pantries around the High Holy Days and the many volunteer hours our congregants devote to causes in Charlotte and […]
United in Purpose and Mission by Rabbi Asher Knight
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 their vision of congregational life, writing the new mission, editing, and considering the nuances of language took a year and a half. The process began under Ginny Rosenberg’s presidency with […]
Mending the Hole by Susan Jacobs, Director of Education
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, we know it is coming and thankfully, only on rare occasions, are we shocked by the sudden loss of someone who is central in our lives. One minute they are […]
Moving Forward Together – A Perspective on the Women’s March from Current and Past Senior Rabbis by Rabbi Asher Knight and Rabbi Judy Schindler
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 am, a Temple Beth El group will gather and start with a Shabbat morning prayer experience. Marching on Shabbat? Shabbat can be prayer in action, either at Temple or in […]
Congregants Create Bonds at Temple Beth El
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 their constituents. We create a warm welcome that makes people feel good when they walk in the door – that’s only if they make a choice to walk in the […]
Asking…Not Always Easy by Candace Naliboff, Director of Member Services
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 know I have. Asking is not always an easy thing to do. Especially if it has anything to do with money. In my job, I have to ask. It is […]
Share the Warmth, Shine Bright by Andy Harkavy, Director of Congregational Engagement
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 become harder to do as a result of the unpredictable weather. Luckily, Charlotte, NC has warmer/shorter winters with many sunnier days than Cincinnati, OH and Baltimore, MD where I previously […]
All is Never Lost: Chanukah Light by Rabbi Dusty Klass
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, occurs exactly as our days become shorter and our nights become longer. The holiday season is full of that contrast, of moments of light and darkness. It’s in the joy […]
Hard Conversations – A Light in the Darkness by Susan Jacobs, Director of Education
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 and greetings as they make their way to class. School is a happy place where our Jewish students have the chance to hang out with their Jewish friends who they […]
