Bet Havarim, Syracuse's Reform Jewish Havurah announced its second, monthly Shabbat service to be conducted on Friday evening, July 18, 2003 at St. David's Episcopal Church on Jamar Drive in Dewitt, (off Maple Drive, across from Wegman's), beginning at 7:30 p.m.
"Our June 20th service was well received with close to 40 people attending," said Mel Shindler, Bet Havarim's Shabbat Committee's Chairperson, adding, "Our committee members Frann Albert, Zarita Hack, Marlene Holstein, Fran Mylon, Ilse Salomon, Delia Temes and Harriet Tetley all endeavored to create a service that was warm and meaningful. Committee members Frann Albert, Zarita Hack, Helen Marcum, Marty Morganstein, Fran Mylon & Harriet Tetley participated in the leading the service," said Shindler. Shindler participated as well. He continued. "We are currently planning future services that we hope will be creative and inspirational."
Joel Miller, Executive Director of Hillel at Syracuse University will speak at the August 15th service. Lemoyne College Professor John Langdon has been scheduled to speak on Israeli-Palestinian relations at the October 17th service. "We are planning our services so that our speakers will not only address our Havurah members but will dialogue with us thus creating a true learning experience," according to Frann Albert, a Shabbat committee member. Future programs in the planning stages include Klezmer music and torah study.
Bet Havarim's Shabbat services are lay created and led. The Shabbat committee is encouraging all those interested in becoming part of the services in any capacity or who may have ideas and suggestions for future services to phone Mel Shindler at (315) 478-6856.
Bet Havarim's High Holy Day Committee chaired by Toni Meltzer is currently interviewing rabbis for the Havurah's Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services. "We are endeavoring to create meaningful services and will shortly announce the name of the rabbi who has been chosen by our committee to conduct our High Holy Days services," said Meltzer, whose committee members are Frann Albert, Roz Bilford, Marlene Holstein, Marty Morganstein, Mel Shindler, Marcia Schotz, Delia Temes and Harriet Tetley.
Bet Havarim also announces that they have a website created by former Syracusan Alan Marcum, with Nescorna Professional of Palo Alto, CA, son of Stan & Helen Marcum. Further information regarding the Havurah can be found at http://www.BetHavarimSyr.org, e-mail info@BetHavarimSyr.org, or contact Marty Morganstein, (315) 637-5390.