For Immediate Release – 5-4-06

By Mel Shindler

On Friday evening, May 19^th, Bet Havarim will conduct its Shabbat Service in the sanctuary of St. David’s Church in Dewitt. The service will begin at 7:30 pm. Conducting the service and singing the liturgy will be Bet Havarim’s Cantorial Soloist, Hanita Margulies Blair. Readers are members of Bet Havarim’s Shabbat Committee chaired by Mel Shindler. An Oneg Shabbat will follow the service.

“Our services are usually conducted in the Social Hall of St. David’s, however this month due to the ‘Celebration of the Arts’ and ‘Youth Celebration of the Arts’ events at St. David’s, we are locating our May 19^th Shabbat service to the church sanctuary,” said committee chair, Mel Shindler. “We do encourage our members to visit this wonderful presentation of local visual and performing artists which is being presented for its 36^th year,” added Shindler.

On Saturday, May 20^th, Bet Havarim members will be traveling to Oswego to visit the “Safe Haven Museum” at Fort Ontario. The tour has been planned and organized by Bet Havarim member, David Kapell, and includes a welcome by a museum staff member and a visit with a former “Safe Haven” resident. Fort Ontario was the site of residency by 982 European Jewish refugees who were brought to the United States in August, 1944 and remained there until February 1946. The group will meet at Wegman’s parking lot at 9:00a.m., Saturday, May 20th, and return later that afternoon. There will be a charge which will include transportation and the visit to the “Safe Haven Museum”. The group will also gather at Coleman’s Pub for lunch. For those who wish to do so visits to the “H.L.White Museum” as well as “Fort Ontario” can be made at a slight additional charge.

Prepaid reservations are required by May 12^th and may be made by contacting Helen Marcum at (315) 637-4647 or by email: hrm4910@aol.com.

Bet Havarim’s first Torah Study & Discussion group held its first study session on April 1^st. “We decided to meet once monthly, at least in the beginning, and to discuss the Torah portion for that particular week,” stated Shindler. The first discussion was facilitated by hosts, Wendy and Don Kates. Wendy presented a summary of that week’s portion and a Parashat which then led into the discussion. Attending the first discussion were Jeff Fuchs, Marty Irwin, Wendy Kates, Don Kates, April Rando, Mel Shindler and Ellie Young. “Our second Torah Study was hosted by Marty Irwin on Saturday, April 29^th, and a lively and interesting discussion took place”, said Shindler, adding, “while some of our group are quite knowledgeable about Torah and others just beginning to explore Torah, we all learned and enjoyed the gathering and are looking forward to our May meeting. Anyone interested in joining Bet Havarim’s Torah Study & Discussion group may contact Mel Shindler at (315) 478-6856 or by email: mels@twcny.rr.com.

Bet Havarim’s Shabbat Worship services are conducted at St.David’s Episcopal Church located on Jamar Drive in Dewitt. The church is handicapped accessible and may be reached by traveling south on Maple Drive from the intersection of East Genesee St., across from Wegman’s, and taking the fourth right turn on to Jamar Drive. The church is located at the end of Jamar Drive and off-street parking is available. Information about the service may be obtained from Marty Morganstein at 637-5390 or Mel Shindler at 478-6856.

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