Beth El Temple is a warm and welcoming Egalitarian Conservative Jewish community in the heart of Harrisburg, PA, where friends and families connect with each other, engage in meaningful prayer and discover new ways to celebrate our traditions and cultures.
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Beth El Update 5/25/2020
Chaverim, Our Beth El COVID-19 Task Force, which includes Rabbi Cytryn, Executive Director Bill Walter, board leadership, and medical professionals from our congregation, has been meeting on a regular basis to ensure that we do our best to make the right decisions regarding synagogue operations during the current pandemic. At our most recent meeting, the committee discussed the state government's announcement that Dauphin County will soon be transitioning to "yellow" as well as the federal government's directive that houses of worship are "essential" and must be allowed to operate. While the committee understands the economic rationale for the move to yellow and fully endorses the idea that synagogues and other houses of worship are essential, we also believe that, under the Jewish principle of Pekuach Nefesh (preservation of life), we should continue to operate at the present time as we have these past two months, with all minyanim and programs being conducted virtually. We are fortunate that our congregational family continues to gather via zoom or live streaming to worship, to celebrate, to mourn and to learn together. We will continue to care for and support one another, fulfilling an essential role in our lives. If there are additional ways that Beth El can support you or your family during these difficult times, please contact Rabbi Cytryn or Bill Walter, both of whom have done an incredible job keeping us together as a congregation through their love and dedication. We promise that we will continue to evaluate the safest course of action and work to create a plan so that when we can open the doors of Beth El Temple, we do it safely. "May the Source of strength who blessed the ones before us, help us find the courage to make our lives a blessing, and let us say: Amen." - Debbie Friedman and Drorah Setel. Wishing you safety and good health, Bill Walter, Rabbi Eric Cytryn, Rick Leiner, Rhea Swidler, Brandon Smith Staying Connected During Covid-19 Meetings, Classes, Services, Groups Via Zoom Video All classes, meetings, services, and groups will move to on-line formats, effective now and until public health and leadership recommendations change. Program updates will be forthcoming. If you still need additional help using Zoom, please contact Bill at bill@bethelhbg.org. Caring for Each Other and Staying Connected While we are physically apart from each other, we want to support each other during this challenging time. We will be making phone calls to all our members to see how we can help. If you would like to arrange a virtual meeting or a receive pastoral care via Zoom with Rabbi Cytryn, please email rabbi@bethelhbg.org. If you have any business or general synagogue questions please email Bill Walter bill@bethelhbg.org or Patty Brown patty@bethelhbg.org . The Synagogue Building and Services We know how important it is for us to stay connected to each other and to find spiritual strength in this time. We have been in communication with leadership and are currently exploring ways to engage you in our services. We will soon send out information and resources on how to participate. Other Ways You Can Help If you have any ideas for ways, you'd like to help create a connection and support our community, please let me know at bill@bethelhbg.org. Chazak, Chazak V'Nitchazek, Be Strong, let us Strengthen one another. L'Shalom, Bill Walter bill@bethelhbg.org 717 586-5379 Eric Cytryn rabbi@bethelhbg.org 717 574-5720 Rick Leiner 717 497-8478 rickleiner@gmail.com Rhea Swidler rswid@me.com |
What's Happening at Beth El
Annual Raffle Catered Dinner Auction!
Bid Update 5/28/2020 Once again, we are fortunate to have Paul Schmanske, with his creative cohort Michael Girsch, offering to cater a special dinner for 10 people as part of our annual raffle. Auctioning off these dinners is one of the highlights of the Beth El Raffle. This year, since we must hold a modified event virtually due to Covid-19, the bidding process will be different. The current bid 5/28/2020 $450.00 and bids must be submitted in additional $50.00 increments. To submit bid(s), they must be in "writing" via email and sent to bill@bethelhbg.org so they can be recorded and posted. It is necessary to have the bids in "written" form to ensure transparency and accuracy. The bids will be posted by the amount, twice a week on the Beth El website. A weekly email will be sent out summarizing the bids so to allow bidders to submit additional increased bid amounts. The last day to submit a bid will be Sunday morning of the raffle June 14, no later than at 9 a.m. The fortunate winner will be announced during the virtual raffle program. So play to win, be generous and enjoy the "journey." Thank You! Raffle Committee Chairs Bob Lieberman Neil Weber |
There are always some things that we could use that either are not budgeted for the current year or are simply things we COULD use but do not ABSOLUTELY need. Click here to see the list of those things.
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