- Congregation Beth El–Keser Israel
85 Harrison Street, New Haven, CT 06515-1724 | P: 203.389.2108 | office@beki.org
85 Harrison Street, New Haven, CT 06515-1724 | P: 203.389.2108 | office@beki.org
…uctionist concept of God as the power that makes for good in the world; in times of stress and sorrow, to the comforting Shekhina, to — I’m not sure what — some combination of these and other things, too, including, in times of doubt, how can we ever know if there is a God? But I still say the Shema. When I say the Shema, I assert that I believe in something beyond myself that gives meaning to my life as a person and as a Jew. When we say the Shem…
…reflect us, so close that we breathe our spirit into them, then we are sometimes more like the stern judge. And as that stern judge we give tzedaka without hesed, justice without mercy. We set strict limits and threaten stern consequences. Sometimes we have to – that mythical world of only-mercy did not survive. Could not survive. But we have to be very careful about those consequences too – because that other mythical world, the world of only-jus…
…om Service August 25, 2024 9:00 am More Info USY Leadership Mini Retreat – Time TBA August 25, 2024 12:00 pm More Info Elm City Winds Annual Summer Concert August 25, 2024 4:30 pm More Info In-person & Zoom Service August 25, 2024 5:45 pm More Info Rabbi Off August 26, 2024 6:45 am More Info In-person & Zoom Service August 26, 2024 7:00 am More Info In-person & Zoom Service August 26, 2024 5:45 pm More Info Rabbi Off August 27, 2024 6:45 am More I…
…autonomy. Some time later, when Israel was again under foreign rule — this time by the Romans — Jews again organized to defend the Temple and all that it stands for. But this time, during the decades before the destruction of the Second Temple, our ancestors organized a creative nonviolent campaign to defend Jewish society. The historians Josephus and Philo both record how our ancestors organized strikes, boycotts, peaceful demonstrations, direct…
…e using the money to improve their lakeside cottages or whatever. After 23 years of this abuse of the public trust, the king put his foot down. To give Yehoash his due, he was annointed when he was seven years old, so he was still only 30 when he decided to get tough on the priests. In any case, he saw that the priests had been collecting money, but deferring maintenance on the Temple. Yehoash intervened to take the whole process out of their hand…
…gles and couples in their 20s and 30s who gather frequently throughout the year to share a Shabbat Dinner, Sunday Brunch, Ḥanuka celebration or sacred time. Recognizing that many synagogue community activities and programs are geared for families with young children or for seniors, the 20s-30s Ḥavura presents an opportunity for “young people” without children (or with just a few) to explore and celebrate their Jewish identity in a synagogue settin…
…ethnicity came to dominate much of Palestine only in the past two hundred years. When Maimonides lived in Acco 850 years ago, French was the predominant language in Jerusalem. None of this is to deligitimize Arab claims; after all, most of Israel’s Jewish population is descended from immigrants from Arab countries, Africa and Europe. The fact that my great-great-great grandfather Dov ben Ze’ev lived in northern Israel does not give me a “first co…
…of learning that links one generation to another. Special Needs Seder Most years shortly before Passover, the Sisterhood, along with Kulanu and in conjunction with the Jewish Family Service and Abel Catering, hosted an Adult Special Needs Model Seder at BEKI. From 1983 to 2014, the Sisterhood has hosted several dozen Jewish adults from the New Haven area with a variety of special needs. For many, this was their only taste of Passover, and one that…
…DMV; I’ve even slept in Ben Bernanke’s bed, though he wasn’t there at the time. Although the promise of government death panels was made by Republicans, I turn to you for help because you are the closest thing we have in Connecticut to a Republican, no offense, and because you are by all accounts highly regarded among your Senate colleagues. I would add that I once supported a Republican in his race for the Senate, and even though he was sentence…
…Applies year-round except for Rosh HaShana & Yom Kippur. Service Place Time Friday Afternoon & Evening Kabbalat Shabbat Chapel Fridays, 6:00p – 7:00p Saturday Morning Shaḥarit & Musaf Sanctuary Weekly, 9:15a – Noon Children’s Ḥavura (Preschoolers) Youth Room Weekly, 11:00a – 11:45a K-2 Kehila (Grades K-2) Classroom 6 Weekly, 11:00a – 11:45a Junior Congregation Beit Midrash Weekly, 11:00a – 11:45a Snow & Emergency Info…
