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Beth El Temple Center is a Reform congregation of approximately 400 memberships, affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism. Beth El Temple Center is located in Belmont, Massachusetts and serves many surrounding communities, including Cambridge, Watertown, Waltham, Lexington, Arlington and Somerville. Beth El has a strong egalitarian tradition and welcomes Jews and their families who want to be a part of our Jewish community. Beth El Temple Center offers a place for learning and living Torah, a place to help repair the world, and a place to nurture your soul. |
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Written by Rabbi Jonathan Kraus
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Thursday, 22 July 2010 21:02 |
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This week’s parasha (Torah portion) finds Moses continuing his farewell address to the Israelites. It begins with Moses’ poignant recollection of how he once pleaded with God to reverse the decree prohibiting Moses from crossing over into the Promised Land. God’s initial response is both angry and concise: “Enough! Never speak to Me of this matter again!” (Deuteronomy 3:26). But God, possibly regretting this initial response, continues by instructing Moses to ascend the top of Mt. Pisgah to look at the Promised Land across the river and then to prepare Joshua to take over leadership of the community (3:28).
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Don’t miss the opportunity to join us for summer services at Beth El in July and August! Our brief, Friday night service starts at 6:00 p.m. and is held outdoors on the terrace if the weather permits. Many congregants use the opportunity to meet for this relaxed, half-hour service and then share Friday night dinner together. The early, short service, especially when held outdoors, also has been a good fit for many of our families with younger children.
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Knesset Vote on Conversion Bill Postponed Until October 2012
From the Union for Reform Judaism site:
Success was achieved July 21st in stopping a Knesset vote on the conversion bill. No issue in recent memory has so mobilized Jews from all streams and all parts of Israel and the Diaspora as has the bill proposed by MK David Rotem to vest authority for conversions in the hands of the Chief Rabbinate. Tens of thousands of emails and faxes against the bill received by the Prime Minister's office supported the conviction that the faith and practices of the overwhelming majority of the world's Jews must not be delegitimized.
The Knesset has now adjourned until October. While a vote on the bill was prevented this week, there is more to be done. Over the next few months, we will continue to work with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Jewish Agency Chairman Sharansky, and MK Rotem to craft a bill that addresses the problems that currently characterize the conversion process in Israel and that respects all streams of world Jewry.
For more information on this issue you can visit http://urj.org/israel/rotem.
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