For Immediate Release: 8/30/05
Bet Havarim's next Shabbat service will be conducted on Friday evening, September 16th, at St. David's Episcopal Church in Dewitt, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Members of Bet Havarim's Shabbat will conduct the service with songs and liturgy led by Bet Havarim's cantorial soloist, Hanita Blair. An Oneg Shabbat will follow the service.
In addition to the prayer service, Delia Temes, a member of the Shabbat Committee will lead readings of selected essays taken from the book, "I Am Jewish." This series of essays was written by Jews from around the world and are personal reflections inspired by the last words of reporter Daniel Pearl who was assassinated. The essays focus on identity and heritage. A discussion period will follow the readings. Also taking part in the program will be Shabbat Committee members Don Kates and Marty Levine. "We hope that, by reading and discussing these essays, we will provoke thought about our own identities and how they resonate with our own sense of Jewishness," said Temes.
A retreat focusing on Bet Havarim's future direction is scheduled Saturday, September 10th at 2 p.m. at Alverna Heights Fayetteville. The event will be facilitated by Bill Redfield. Following the discussion, a Havdalah service will be held and will conclude with a BBQ dinner at 5 p.m.
Returning to led Bet Havarim's High Holy Days Services will be Rabbi Deborah Waxman, vice president of governance at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia. Rosh Hashanah services will be observed 7:30 p.m., Monday, October 3rd and 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, October 4th, Kol Nidre services on Wednesday, October 12 at 7:30 p.m. Yom Kippur services will begin at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, October 13, Yizkor services will be conducted at noon. Concluding Shofar service on Yom Kippur will start at 6:30 p.m., followed by a Break-the-Fast reception hosted by members of Bet Havarim's High Holiday Committee. Further plans will be announced shortly.
Services at Bet Havarim's are open to the public. For information about Bet Havarim, service schedules, D'vrei Torah, etc., visit Bet Havarim's web site at http://www.BetHavarimSyr.org, send email to info@BetHavarim Syr.org, or phone Marty Morganstein at 637-5390 or Mel Shindler at 478-6856.
St. David's Church is located on Jamar Drive. From the intersection off Maple Drive and E. Genesee St. in Dewitt (across from Wegman's) drive south on Maple Drive and take the third right turn on to Jamar Drive. The Church is located at the end of Jamar Drive with off-street parking available. St. David's is handicapped accessible.