Temple Beth Torah

ELECTION TIP OF THE DAY, 11/2/2020 I vote because it's what small-d democracy is about. Because there are places where people fight for generations and stand for hours to cast a ballot knowing what we ought to remember: That it makes a difference. Not always a bid difference. Not always and immediate difference. But a difference. --- Ellen Goodman ELECTION TIP OF THE DAY, 11/1/2020...Continue reading

A Prayer For This Moment on the Eve of Our National Election Rabbi K’vod Wieder Holy One of Being Give me the patience, the trust, and the readiness... To respond to the unfolding events of this nation as a vessel for your love, your justice, and your mercy. Let me rest in Your expansiveness - to be present with the uncertainty, the anxiety, the anger, the chaos, and the hope. While the storm may swirl around me online and on the streets, let me feel your call to recognize Your Presence in the cacophony of voices trying to find their way to a better tomorrow. Let me respond with the deepest respect to every soul on the firm ground of what I know to be true and real - to be your ever loving partner in creating a world filled with Your Presence.

Mussar (ethical) lessons in respect to the Election by Rabbi Marcia Plumb: There are two Mussar teachings that may help us. The first speaks to those of us who have engaged in volunteering during this election season, and who have already voted. You have already practiced the middah/trait ofzerizut/enthusiasm and persistence. Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto wrote, Just as Enthusiasm can result from an inner burning so can it create one. That is, one who perceives a quickening... of his outer movements conditions himself to experience a flaming inner movement. May your zeal for a just world inspire you to treat all as children of God. May your external efforts for healing our country bring healing and hope to your own soul. The second teaching speaks of bitachon/trust. According to Mussar, God gave us free will and intelligence to make choices. We are obligated to use those gifts to do our best to shape a world of justice for all. Once we have done our best to determine the outcome on Tuesday, and voted, we can do no more. The results of our efforts are out of our control. It is time to let go of worry. Fear will only dampen our spirits. Bitachon reminds us that, regardless of the results, we will continue to work to fulfill the Jewish teaching to repair the brokenness in our society. There will still be work to do after the election. May the zerizut/enthusiasm and participation generated by this election bring us bitachon/trust in ourselves and our ability to hope and do our best to better our country.

Advice for Election Night 12 Cheshvan 5781 - October 30, 2020 A Word from Rabbi Schulman... Like many of you, I have been anticipating the November 3 election with a powerful mix of emotions. Hope and dread combine in differing amounts depending on the hour. Therefore, I received with great appreciation some helpful advice about how to approach election night. This guidance is provided by Rabbi Jordan Bendat Appell, a staff member of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality. His advice offers a spiritual framework for preparing and experiencing November 3. My hope is that some or all of his guidance will help you as well. The following is adapted from his teaching: For election night, set an intention. Before turning on coverage, pause and formulate a guiding vision for how you hope to receive and hold whatever happens and whatever you experience. Please note, this intention is not an opportunity to remind yourself of your desired outcome-- you know this already! Don’t Hide/ Be Brave: To quote the title of Alan Lew’s (z’l) book, This Is Real and We are Completely Unprepared--we cannot and will not be ready for what will occur. This not- being-readiness could easily translate into a deep desire to hide from the difficulty and fear of this moment. We need to summon the courage to face whatever arises-- internally and externally. Be Gentle: When it requires courage, as this moment does, it behooves us to be gentle towards ourselves. Take breaks while you watch the coverage on election night. Drink or eat something delicious, bringing mindful, sweet attention to the experience of eating and drinking. Try to carve out extra time after the election to do the things that ‘fill your bucket’-- be outside, speak with loved ones, exercise. Pay Attention to Motivations and Intentions: Of course, it is essential that we are all as informed as possible. However, does watching returns until 3AM serve us? Maybe! It is essential that we each pay close, honest attention to what drives what we do and the choices we make. Hopefully, this insight will help guide towards an appropriate, healthy balance of us of being informed, and feeling connected-- but not overcome and controlled by the firehose of information and opinions. Feel the feels: Relate to whatever arises as Torah, pointing towards essential truths of this human life. While you don’t necessarily need to act on each feeling, welcome everything in. Please remember that on the night following the election, we will have an opportunity to gather as a congregation on Zoom. On Wednesday night at 7:30pm, we will share and reflect in a supportive, positive manner.

The Elections: Can we live with people with whom we vehemently disagree? A 5 minute video by Rabbi Zvi Hirshfeld, teacher at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSEWlh01ghE

TBT friends and families, we have some joyous news this morning about 2021 Camp Newman! Please watch the video below. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=360522788592475

We are so excited to announce that Wise Sons Jewish Deli is coming to TBT for a pop-up event on Wednesday, 11/11! You must PRE-ORDER your food online by 4:00pm on Friday, 11/6, then come to TBT on 11/11 between 11:30am and 1:30pm to pick up your order. Purchases day of will not be available - you must order in advance, online only at https://wisesons.square.site/s/order Items for pre-order include bagels, shmears, lox, sliced pastrami and turkey, chicken soup, matzoh balls,... rye bread and challah, chopped liver, latkes, rugalach and black and white cookies, and SO MUCH MORE! Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen is dedicated to building community through traditional Jewish comfort food. Founded in San Francisco’s Mission District, Wise Sons pairs classic Jewish recipes with the best Californian ingredients to make delicious deli fare that would make your bubby proud.

Saturday, 10/17 is the last day to support our annual High Holy Days food drive in support of the Alameda Co. Community Food Bank. We are at 85% of our goal. If you can help, please go to https://www.vfd-accfb.org/grouphome.aspx?ID=7485. It's such a mitzvah!

Thank you to the TBT members that participated!! We made a difference!

The Women of Temple Beth Torah invites all members to the WTBT Membership Zoom Tea at 2:00pm on Sunday, 11/1. Since we can't get together for dinner this year, let's get together on Zoom for tea. We will have a few fun games and time to schmooze with old and new friends. Women who have paid their WTBT dues by 10/25 will receive a small gift before the tea. An Evite and a Zoom link will follow soon. If you haven't done so yet, please click here to join WTBT. https://docs.google.com//1FAIpQLSf-WAuB6h37WwckP-/viewform

Link for Shabbat/Simchat Torah Service http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv10PI_HXkQ

Come join our virtual shaking of the lulav and etrog.

A prayer for President Trump, Melania Trump, Hope Hicks, and all who are stricken by COVID: Source of healing, Cast the light of health and well-being On those who've been exposed to coronavirus,... Those who have contracted the disease And those -- God forbid -- who contract the disease in the future. Bless them, protect them and bring them speedily to full recovery. Bless all who are ill With healing of body Healing of soul And healing of spirit. , . Baruch atah Adonai, m’kor chayim. Blessed are You Adonai, source of Life. 2020 Alden Solovy and tobendlight.com. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Yom Kippur Afternoon - Ne'ilah Services http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py-Sh6gqp2o

Yom Kippur Morning Service http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwTlJkxjF-I