Congregation Beth El – Keser Israel Events—September 29 to October 27

‍Two Sukkah Parties

BEKI’s annual Sukkah Hop (a progressive party around Westville) will be Sunday, October 1. 

BEKI Apizza will be Wednesday, October 4 in the sukkah (inside in case of rain). Vegan and gluten free pies will be available. Reservations are due September 29 to the BEKI office, 203.389.2108 x114 or office@beki.org., $10/adults, $5/child under 12, $30 maximum/household.

Yizkor and Simchat Torah

Shmini Atzeret services on Saturday, October 7 will include Yizkor memorial prayers. Simchat Torah services on Sunday, October 8 will include torah processions, singing and dancing. Children’s programming that day will involve unrolling the entire Torah, celebrating, and learning. Details at beki.org.

Elm City Kallah

On Saturday, October 28, Maharat Rori Picker Neiss will speak at BEKI as part of the weekend Kallah. Her topic is “But My Ineffable Name I Did Not Make Known,” asking what this name is, what it signifies, and what is it to “know” God.

Picker Neiss serves as Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis, Missouri and is chair of the cabinet of Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis. She is a David Hartman Center fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America and a CLAL Rabbis Without Borders fellow. 

She will also speak on October 27 at Westville Synagogue and October 29 at Congregation B’nai Jacob. Elm City Kallah is made possible by generous grants from the James M. Shure Educational Fund and the Greater New Haven Jewish Federation.

Children’s Programs

Children's Havura, K-2 Kehila, and Junior Congregation, all led by parent or grandparent volunteers, meet each Saturday. For more information, consult Education Director Annie Norman-Schiff at anormanschiff@beki.org.

Youth Group

In September, twenty-three BEKI teens gathered for the youth group’s kickoff event. Over pizza and sushi, they discussed plans for the year and learned about BEKI’s teen learning program, called Teen Kesher.

The next youth group event, for students in grades 7 to 12, is Apple Picking at Lyman Orchards in Middlefield on Sunday, October 15 from 2-3:30 pm. Contact anormanschiff@beki.org for more information.

Study with the Rabbi

Rabbi Eric Woodward leads a discussion of the weekly Torah portion on Thursdays. Talmud class meets Sunday, October 22 and other select Sundays. Details at beki.org.

Current Exhibition

“Off Our Walls,” an exhibition of art from over eighteen BEKI homes, will be on display through October 28. The exhibition is open to the public by appointment; email office@beki.org or call 203.389.2108 x 114. 

Celebrating Gender Diversity 

Rabbi Dr. Jay Michaelson will speak on BEKI Zoom Wednesday, November 15 at 7:30 pm on the topic “Celebrating Gender Diversity in Jewish Tradition, Values, and Theology.” Michaelson is a political commentator, a rabbi, and the author of nine books including the bestselling God vs. Gay? The Religious Case for Equality. He holds a JD from Yale Law School and a PhD from Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Email office@beki.org to request the Zoom link.

‍Located at 85 Harrison Street (corner of Whalley Avenue - Route 63 - in Westville)