May 18, 2012   26 Iyyar 5772

Temple Beth-El, Jersey City, NJ
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Interior of main sanctuary (photo by Leo Ferreira)

Click here to see more photos of our beautiful and historic sanctuary.

WELCOME to Temple Beth-El  

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Temple Beth-El is the Reform Jewish congregation of Jersey City, across the Hudson River from New York City. Our temple has long been known for the friendliness, enthusiasm, and community involvement of its members, as well as its impressive 1920's-era synagogue.

A Reform congregation and a member of the Union for Reform Judaism since 1914, Temple Beth-El was founded in 1864 on York Street, in downtown Jersey City. In 1925-6, we built and moved into our magnificent sanctuary at what is now the corner of Harrison Avenue and Kennedy Boulevard.

We are a small, liberal congregation. Diversity is one of our strengths. Our joint religious school (with Temple Beth Am of Bayonne) serves families from a half-dozen cities along the Western bank of the Hudson. Interfaith, multi-ethnic, single parent, gay and lesbian families are warmly welcomed. Come visit, and see how perfectly you will fit into this community.

Follow the links below for the full text of Rabbi Hachen's inspiring High Holy Day sermons

Learn more about the themes here:

Challenge yourself with the Really Big Questions for the year.

Temple Beth-El is honored to support the Hudson Jewish Community Forum.
Participate in the preservation and celebration of a rich, vibrant, diverse Jewish community in Hudson County.

Visit www.hudsonjewish.org for more information.

Click HERE to subscribe to Hudson Jewish's e-newsletter.

The most effective way to donate to Temple Beth-El is to send us a check. 100% of your donation will go to TBE. If you prefer the convenience of a credit card, you may now make your donations on-line. The credit card companies will deduct up to a 5% fee. Click on the "Donate Now" button below to make a donation via VISA or Master Card.



Shop and Support TBE Simultaneously!!  

You can help Temple Beth-El while you shop Amazon. Just begin your shopping trip here. Enter a word or phrase into the search box above, or just click on the word "Amazon". Either way, a percentage (usually 6%) of what you spend on Amazon in this visit will come back to Temple Beth-El. It helps TBE, and doesn't cost you ONE CENT!
Why visit BethEljc.org often?  

  Our new website is a pretty smart site!  It updates itself constantly with fresh information about the Jewish world from the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ).  Just look for the banner like the one above that says "from the Union." 

Weekly Torah Commentary
News From the Jewish World
Significant Jewish Books
Religious Action Center
What is Reform?
Blessings & Current Holiday Information
Israel Features & Resources

Come back regularly, and see what's new! L'hitraot! (see you soon!)
... and Bring Your Friends!  

Tot Shabbat followed by Bring Your Own Picnic 

 Calling all Preschoolers and their Grown-ups! Join Rabbi Debby Hachen on May 26 at 10:30 AM for a special morning of Shabbat songs, prayers and story. Bring a picnic blanket and lunch to enjoy on the temple lawn or at nearby Lincoln Park following our Shabbat time. RSVP’s preferred to office@betheljc.org. Drop-ins ALWAYS welcome.

Gifts Galore!!!!!!!  

Click here to shop our new online Judaica store!!

  • A percentage of all purchases at the Gift Shop comes to Temple Beth-El. See this month's specials here. We appreciate your support.
Upcoming Events at Temple Beth-El  
May 2012
05/18 -  Shabbat Service including honoring Cantor Fletcher for her year of service to Temple Beth-El. (8:00 PM)
05/18 -  Oneg Shabbat co-sponsored by Carly and Seth Siditsky & by Batia Zumwalt and Andrew Edlin (8:01 PM)
Carly and Seth are honoring Seth's birthday and Carly's graduation from her master's program. Batia and Andrew are celebrating the Bar Mitzvah of Daniel Edlin.
05/19 -  Torah Study Verse-by-Verse (9:30 AM to 10:30 AM)
In depth Torah study - no previous experience or knowledge of Hebrew required
05/19 -  Shabbat Morning Services with Daniel Edlin, Bar Mitzvah (10:30 AM)
Daniel Edlin will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah and assist in leading the service. Kiddush Luncheon to follow. All are welcome.
05/20 -  Religious School - Closing Day (9:30 AM to 12:00 PM)
05/25 -  Shabbat Services (8:00 PM)
05/26 -  Torah Study Verse-by-Verse (9:30 AM to 10:30 AM)
In depth Torah study - no previous experience or knowledge of Hebrew required
05/26 -  Shabbat Morning Services (Lay-led) (10:30 AM to 11:30 AM)
05/26 -  Tot Shabbat followed by Bring Your Own Picnic (10:30 AM)
Calling all Preschoolers and their Grown-ups! Join Rabbi Debby Hachen for a special morning of Shabbat songs, prayers and story. Bring a picnic blanket and lunch to enjoy on the temple lawn or at nearby Lincoln Park following our Shabbat time. RSVP’s preferred to office@betheljc.org. Drop-ins ALWAYS welcome.
05/26 -  Brief Shavuot Eve service followed by movie (7:00 PM)
Join us for a Shavuot service, then see the powerful award-wining film “Live and Become.” It is the beautifully filmed fictional story of an Ethiopian boy who is airlifted from a Sudanese refugee camp to Israel in 1984 during Operation Moses. Traditional cheesecake for dessert
05/27 -  Shavuot Morning Service with Yizkor (10:30 AM)
June 2012
06/01 -  First Friday Community Dinner (6:30 PM to 7:30 PM)
06/01 -  First Friday Shabbat Experience (7:30 PM)
06/02 -  Torah Study Verse-by-Verse (9:30 AM to 10:30 AM)
In depth Torah study - no previous experience or knowledge of Hebrew required
06/02 -  Shabbat Morning Services (10:30 AM to 11:30 AM)
06/02 -  TBE JBoomers - Barbecue (4:00 PM)
Barbecue for the Temple Beth El JBoomers hosted by Ellott and Stacey Goldstein at their home in Hoboken. Each attendee is also asked to bring an appetizer or side dish. Please RSVP to office@betheljc.org with number attending, and what you are bringing. Address details provided at time of RSVP.
06/08 -  Shabbat Service (8:00 PM)
06/09 -  Torah Study Verse-by-Verse (9:30 AM to 10:30 AM)
In depth Torah study - no previous experience or knowledge of Hebrew required
06/09 -  Shabbat Morning Services (10:30 AM to 11:30 AM)
06/10 -  2012 Flea Market (10:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
Incredible sale of great items
06/15 -  Shabbat Service (8:00 PM)
06/15 -  Shabbat Service with Installation of New Board (8:00 PM)
06/15 -  Oneg Shabbat sponsored by the Congregation in Honor of Irwin Rosen and his 18 years of Service as President of Temple Beth-El (8:01 PM)
06/16 -  Torah Study Verse-by-Verse (9:30 AM to 10:30 AM)
In depth Torah study - no previous experience or knowledge of Hebrew required
06/16 -  Shabbat Morning Services (10:30 AM to 11:30 AM)
06/22 -  Shabbat Service (8:00 PM)
06/23 -  Torah Study Verse-by-Verse (9:30 AM to 10:30 AM)
In depth Torah study - no previous experience or knowledge of Hebrew required
06/23 -  Shabbat Morning Services (10:30 AM to 11:30 AM)
06/29 -  Shabbat Service (8:00 PM)
06/30 -  Torah Study Verse-by-Verse (9:30 AM to 10:30 AM)
In depth Torah study - no previous experience or knowledge of Hebrew required
06/30 -  Shabbat Morning Services (10:30 AM to 11:30 AM)

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