Chanukah Shabbat and Potluck (Fri, Dec 27)

"8th night of Hanukkah," Paul Jacobson, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Join us for a special Chanukah Shabbat on Friday, Dec 27, at 5:30 p.m. for potluck and 6:15 p.m. for informal celebration.

We'll have an informal evening, beginning by lighting the Shabbat candles, singing a few songs, and eating a potluck dinner. Then we light the Chanukiot, play dreidel, and enjoy a festive evening as a community.

Bring a menorah and candles! We will set up a table for families to light their menorahs together!

See the newsletter from 12/20 in your inbox for the link to the potluck sign up (meat and parve).

Family Shabbat (Fri, Dec 13)

Join us for a special Family Shabbat service! The Religious School will be leading the service, and all members of the Auburn Jewish Community are invited to attend. We will have enough pizza for every one.

Please bring a dairy/parve dessert or salad.

Dinner at 5:30, followed by a service at 6:15 PM - please make a note of the time change from our regular 7PM service schedule.

Simchat Torah Weekend with Mackenzie Haun of ISJL (beginning Fri Oct 25)

Our ISJL Fellow, Mackenzie Haun, will be in town this weekend from Friday through Sunday.

Mackenzie will begin by a special Simchat Torah service at 7:00 on Friday, Oct 25.

Mackenzie will lead Torah study on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. and then participate in Religious School on Sunday.

And don't forget about Craig Darch's book talk on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.!

Craig Darch: The Story behind the Stories (Sun, Oct 27)

Join us to hear Craig Darch read excerpts from two stories in his forthcoming book L’Chaim and Lamentations and talk about what led him to write them.

Release date: October 8
Discussion date: Sun, October 27 at 2:00 p.m.

Read more and order from the publisher at http://www.newsouthbooks.com/bkpgs/detailtitlecoupon.php?isbn_solid=1588383695 and from other major outlets, including Amazon.

Available in print and digital editions.

Come build and decorate the sukkah! (Sun, Oct 13)

Join us as we build the community sukkah.

When: 10 a.m., Sun, Oct 13

As John Heywood wrote, "Many hands make light work." RSVP to Barbara so we know we have enough hands.

Children can make decorations, and everyone can contribute to the mitzvah of building and dwelling in the sukkah.

Picnics may be enjoyed in the sukkah, or you may trek to your favorite lunch spot in excellent company!

Discussion of Ariel Samson: Freelance Rabbi (Sun, Sep 22)

Ariel is constantly looking in from the outside, even when he's on the inside. He's a young black Orthodox rabbi. He's not a convert, and he's not Ethiopian.

He's Ariel, and he lives in a world that doesn't quite know how to make sense of him.

Join us for an engaging discussion of MaNishtana's book Ariel Samson: Freelance Rabbi.

Discussion Details

Sunday, September 22
3:00 p.m.
Congregation Beth Shalom

Bagel Brunch to Cap a Rabbinic Weekend (Sun, Aug 25)

Rabbi Tamara Miller here for the weekend

• Rabbi Miller is leading us beginning Fri, Aug 23, at 7:00. 
• Socializing (9:00), Torah Service (9:30), and study (10:15) on Saturday.
• Religious School begins on Sunday at 10:00.
• And Bagel Brunch for the community to socialize with Hillel and AEPi follows on Sunday at 12:30!

Weekend with Rabbi Tamara Miller (beginning Fri, Aug 23)

(With Bagel Brunch!)

Rabbi Tamara Miller is leading us Fri, Aug 23, through Sun, Aug 25.

Please join us for the fun and enlightenment!

Friday 

• 7:00 p.m. — Friday Shabbat service

Saturday, Times Tentative

• 9:00 a.m. — schmooze
• 9:30 a.m. — Torah service;
  we need 10+ commitments for minyan
• 10:15 a.m. — Torah study

Sunday 

• 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. 
• 12:30 p.m. — Bagel Brunch

About Rabbi Miller

Rabbi Miller is a vibrant and devoted rabbi with three decades of sharing Jewish wisdom in the greater Washington, D.C., area.

She received her ordination as a pluralistic rabbi at the Academy for Jewish Religion in New York City and now specializes in Jewish life cycle events and non-denominational, multi-faith spiritual counseling.

You are welcome to take a look at Rabbi Miller’s Spiritualetters blog. She looks forward to the opportunity to guide us on our spiritual journey.

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This visit marks Rabbi Miller's third weekend with us. Please come to enjoy her singing, Torah reading, and spiritual leadership.

Blood Drive (Sun, Apr 21)

Come join us from 10 to 2 on Sunday, April 21, for our annual blood drive.

LifeSouth will bring the Bloodmobile and their friendly staff. Bring a healthy, well-fed, well-hydrated you. Bring a friend. Bring all of your local friends, for that matter!

LifeSouth says,

To give blood you must be in good health, 17 years or older (or 16 with parental permission), weigh at least 110 pounds and show a valid photo I.D.

Good health? Yep. Remember that iron supplement if you need it.

At least 110 lbs? Got it!

17+ years old? Most of us qualify.

Saving a life is a mitzvah. The blood is needed locally and will save lives. Furthermore, you are needed for this mitzvah. Many in our community donated whole blood after the recent tornadoes and must finish waiting the mandatory 56 days. If you are eligible and able, please show up and donate. Don't be shy about bringing friends. Do it for the t-shirt and snacks. Do it for the congregation. Do it because it's important. Whatever brings you out is fine; just come out to donate.

Beth Shalom Passover Seder (Sat, Apr 20)

Photo courtesy of Quinn Norton, Flickr. CC BY-NC-2.0.

Passover Seder 2019
with Rabbi Dreffin

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Time, Place, and Cost

Women's Club of Auburn
712 Sanders Street, Auburn, AL 36830
Saturday, April 20
5:30 p.m.

$15 per member
$25 per non-member
$5 per child 5–12 (under 5 free)
$30 per family

The costs will help cover the main dishes, the venue rental, etc. As in the past, side dishes will be potluck (meat or pareve only, with no chametz, please). Likely we will email a SignUpGenius link soon.

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RSVPs and Payment

Please RSVP to bethshalomauburn@gmail.com

*Make checks payable to Beth Shalom.
Bring to the Seder or send by mail (details to come: probably mail to Scott Z.).

– Contact us at the email above for full mailing details.

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What is the "Community" in "Community Seder"?

This Seder, always a lovely event, brings together people from across our local Jewish community—including interfaith partners and family members, as well as students. As instructed, we celebrate our exodus from Egypt by observing the Pesach holiday. But also, we connect with friends and community.

Are you Jewish and new to the area? Seeking a welcoming egalitarian Jewish congregation? Looking for Jewish community? We would love to hear from you.

If, instead, you are looking for an educational Seder—a Seder for the broader community to learn about Passover—unfortunately, we likely cannot accommodate your needs at this time because of limited space.

Magical Purim Party Weekend with Rabbi Tamara Miller (beginning Fri, Mar 22)

Rabbi Tamara Miller is leading our Purim celebration Fri, Mar 22, through Sun, Mar 24.

Please join us for the fun and enlightenment!

Friday 

• 7:00 p.m. — Friday Shabbat service

Saturday

• 9:00 a.m. — schmooze
• 9:30 a.m. — Torah service;
  we need 10+ commitments for minyan
• 10:15 a.m. — Torah study
• 5:00 p.m. — dinner at Beth Shalom: Hogwarts House chicken; everyone is invited
  See Signup Genius (coming soon by email)
• 6:00 p.m. — Purim Spiel
• 6:15 p.m. — Megillah reading
• 6:30 p.m. — Dessert (parve or dairy only) 
• 7:00 p.m. — Havdalah service

Sunday 

• 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — To the best of our knowledge, Rabbi Miller is visiting the religious school

About Rabbi Miller

Rabbi Miller is a vibrant and devoted rabbi with three decades of sharing Jewish wisdom in the greater Washington, D.C., area.

She received her ordination as a pluralistic rabbi at the Academy for Jewish Religion in New York City and now specializes in Jewish life cycle events and non-denominational, multi-faith spiritual counseling.

You are welcome to take a look at Rabbi Miller’s Spiritualetters blog. She looks forward to the opportunity to guide us on our spiritual journey.

---

This visit marks Rabbi Miller's third weekend with us. Please come to enjoy her singing, Torah reading, and spiritual leadership.

Lee County Tornado Recovery

We are deeply saddened by the losses and devastation in Lee County. Our neighbors are hurting in unimaginable ways. The recovery process will take a long time and significant resources.

Please visit the Congregation Beth Shalom Facebook page for guidance on how to help. If you are on our email list, please check your email as well.

Thank you.

Camp Shabbat (Fri, Mar 1)

Come celebrate Shabbat with a special camp spin for kids!

ISJL Fellow Mackenzie Haun is in town and excited to spend Shabbat with you! (We might have s'mores.)

Camp Shabbat runs from 6:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. with regular services to follow.

Lecture: Jews of India (Mon, Feb 25)

Image via Magnes Museum.
CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Join us on Monday, Feb 25, for Jews of India, a lecture by John McLeod.

This lecture is part of our Educational Scholarship Program.



Photo: Torah scroll case and finials from a synagogue in Kolkata, India, 1830.

Weekend with Rabbi Tamara Miller (beginning Fri, Feb 15)

Rabbi Tamara Miller is coming to Congregation Beth Shalom Fri, Feb 15, through Sun, Feb 17.

Join us, beginning with the Friday potluck!

Friday 

• 5:30 p.m. — Potluck at the synagogue;
  See Signup Genius (available Feb 1)
• 7:00 p.m. — Friday Shabbat service

Saturday

• 9:30 a.m. — Saturday morning service;
  we need 10+ commitments for minyan
• 6:00 p.m. — gather to socialize at a member's house (see email for location)
• 6:30 p.m. — Havdalah service, followed by desserts (parve or dairy only);
  See Signup Genius (available Feb 1)

Sunday 

• 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — Rabbi Miller visiting the religious school.

About Rabbi Miller

Rabbi Miller is a vibrant and devoted rabbi with three decades of sharing Jewish wisdom in the greater Washington, D.C., area.

She received her ordination as a pluralistic rabbi at the Academy for Jewish Religion in New York City and now specializes in Jewish life cycle events and non-denominational, multi-faith spiritual counseling.

You are welcome to take a look at Rabbi Miller’s Spiritualetters blog. She looks forward to the opportunity to guide us on our spiritual journey.

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This visit marks Rabbi Miller's second weekend with us. Please come on Shabbat on Feb 15 and Feb 16 to enjoy her singing, Torah reading, and spiritual leadership.

Community Cleanup Day (Sun, Jan 27)

Broom via MabelAmber, Pixabay. 

Join us for our community cleanup day on Sunday, January 27, at about 1:00 p.m.

Help us tidy the shed and spruce up the facilities.