- 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
…or covering and seating? The committee will seek congregational input on a number of items, including the seating and potentially floor covering. The committee will make the final decision based on a variety of factors, including cost, durability, sustainability, and congregational input. Sound and Acoustics How will we handle room acoustics? We will work with the architect and potentially with an acoustical engineer. Is the space intimate enough…
…front page. Why do we bother trying to be good? When we try to do what is right and follow the rules, it is easy to become resentful of others who don’t. Precisely because it is our tendency to feel this way, our sages warn us not to. Our doing what is right must not be dependent on what others do. Our commitment to our shul, to our Torah, to living the life that God wants for us — these commitments must be based on our firm faith in God and our…
…here’s me. Now, don’t think I’m some arrogant girl who thinks she’s always right, because I am. But let’s get on with it. I wrote this in my room listening to some very angry music. Sometimes I think of myself as a very disturbed child, but everyone else thinks not. I put on a mask in front of people, making them think I am a opinionated, smart, sarcastic young woman. But inside, I am something completely different. Everybody does something behind…
…ng since 1998. Our children remarked at their bnai mitzvah that “Dad would sell us on Ebay if it weren’t for Mom!” Allison Jacobs & Joshua Kuhr and Noa and Oren We live in Westville. When we came to BEKI, we were excited to see the large number of children and families that were local to the Westville community. Having a place for the kids and us to learn and socialize is important. Jacob Robins The shared joy of davening and learning to…
…kett Ext. 114 Education Director Annie Norman-Schiff Ext. 113 President Russell Epstein Rabbi Eric Woodward Ext. 120 Ritual Committee Chairperson Bruce Spierer Youth & Family Programming Director Annie Norman-Schiff Ext. 113 BEKI Bulletin bulletin@beki.org Cemetery Association cemetery@beki.org Sisterhood Giftshop giftshop@beki.org Main Office Hours Monday 9:00a to 5:00p Tuesday Working remotely (available by phone 9:00a to 5:00p) Wednes…
…r of what I could never have. I couldn’t wait to leave. I ended up leaving right before Shabbat, in fact, which was supposed to be the highlight of the entire week. But just before I left, someone told me about a rabbi who did spiritual therapy sessions. I had no idea what that even meant but I was intrigued and maybe even hoped for a quick fix. And so I sought her out and, as luck would have it, she was free to see me. She asked me many questions…
…ase we didn’t get the structural point. In the second account of creation, right after the story of the first woman being created out of the human’s rib, the text says: “So a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his woman and they become one flesh” [2-24] and the very next line is: “and the two of them were naked the human and his woman and they were not ashamed.” [2-25] They become one flesh. But they are two. As a matter of fact, right…
…f herself are the stuff of miracle. The hardest thing to do is to praise a righteous person, because the language of praise is cheap and formulaic. Suffice it to say that if the best way to teach is by example, Ruthie is the greatest teacher I know of emuna, of hesed, and of avoda — of faith, of steadfast love, of the holy work of worship. Without any irony, I can say that she is truly a giant. Which brings us back to the place we started, the the…
…ircumcision. Please be in touch with him to help you find the mohel who is right for you. Rabbi Woodward has designed a custom liturgy for the naming of a baby girl that can be used either in a home ritual or in a synagogue ritual. These events can take place in your home or the synagogue; please see below for information about holding events at BEKI. Room rental prices are explained on page 2. BEKI believes in taking a robustly welcoming stance t…
…] is enhanced by swaying, then one should sway; if not, one should stand upright. The point is that one should pray with kavana. Dear Rabbi, Why can’t we chew gum and eat candy during services? Does the Torah forbid that, too? Signed, Bazooka Yosi. Dear Bazooka Yosi, I hate to be the one to burst your bubble, but the Torah does forbid you from chewing gum and eating during services. As the Good Book says, “My mouth shall be filled with praises o…
