- 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
…store front, a dining room, a concentration camp, or in a submarine. Any space with any architecture or decorations can serve as a sanctuary – just as bare rations can sustain us when we are hungry. But once our basic needs are satisfied, humans often want satisfaction of a higher level. Beyond providing a spare utilitarian structure, are there ways we can arrange the physical space of the sanctuary that will permit us to more easily to open our…
…of continuing love and concern. Dear Rabbi, What is the symbolism of throwing the dirt on a coffin at a Jewish funeral? Signed, Dying to Know Dear Dying, It is not a symbol. It is part of an actual burial. The first shovels of dirt at a burial service can be a very difficult moment for the mourners, because it brings home the reality of the death in a very direct way. While some mourners choose not to attend the burial service, it is important t…
…hettos, we are not the Pope. Once again we see that you don’t have to be Jewish to be Jewish, but it helps. Dear Rabbi, When should a young Jewish man approaching bar mitzva age begin putting on tefillin? Signed, Men in Black Dear Men in Black Leather, The Talmud (Sukka 42a) records a statement from the Mishnaic period: “A minor who knows how to wave the lulav is obligated to wave; to wrap in fringes (tsitsit) is obligated with respect to fringe…
…t thrown in pit, sold into slavery, and put in prison in a foreign country with no parole. So where did he go wrong? One way to look at it is that he was not considerate of the feelings of others, his brothers in particular. They were not favored, and they had to work hard. Yosef was totally insensitive to their feelings. He just didn’t get it. It’s a miracle that everything worked out all right. Speaking of miracles, let me say something more abo…
…evision programs around the world some months ago depicting an Israeli Telephone Company employee stuffing faxes into the Western Wall. It is in fact a custom among many of our brothers and sisters to insert small handwritten personal notes and petitions to God between the stones of the Kotel, the Western Wall of the Temple in Jerusalem. The service provided by the phone company allows people unable to visit the Wall in person to fax their petitio…
…relate them to a project were starting at BEKI, a project that I hope you will participate in. If it thrives it will help us become an even more caring community than we are now. If you see your fellow’s ox or sheep gone astray, do not ignore it; you must take it back to your fellow. If your fellow does not live near you or you do not know who he is, you shall bring it home and it shall remain with you until your fellow claims it; then you shall…
…members. Tefila leaders and Torah readers are always needed. Daily Minyan Participation – Adult Jews are needed to form the quorem for daily morning, afternoon and evening services, and other adults and children are needed to help strengthen the community and fellowship every day of the year. Captains are needed to help organize daily services. Master Chefs, Vegetable Choppers & Shoppers – Cooks, cleaners, shoppers and organizers are needed to p…
…ward. And I approached Darryl and asked her to teach me and she has worked with me patiently for almost a year now, and praised each of my little successes. And Bruce stood by my side all along…cheering me on, sharing my excitement, honoring the path my life was taking. Last summer I went up to the bima for the first time. I heard myself singing to God sacred words that had been sung so many times before me. I loved this person who was singing, an…
…en, an agency down the street where adults with developmental disabilities participate in an assisted learning apartment program. At Chapel Haven, adults learn how to do everyday chores — how to cook, clean, and balance a check book. But the Jewish residents also wanted to learn about synagogue life and their Jewish heritage. As a special educator, Johnston wanted to integrate these adult into BEKI’s services with “dignity and respect.” She wanted…
…mourn together. By filling out the membership application, you signal your willingness to share yourself with others, and to let them share with you. The application asks what you are hoping to get from synagogue membership, as well as what efforts and talents you want to bring to the community. It also asks about your yahrzeits (the dates when loved ones have died), so we can remember them on the anniversaries. Above all, membership lets us know…
