| BnaiVail.org

by jeanne on Dec.21, 2011, under General

Chanukah Greetings

Limmud Colorado… part conference, part festival, and all worthwhile. Denver Tech Ctr, January 21-22, 2012.Learn and experience Judaism in fun, innovative ways. “Limmud” in Hebrew, translates to “learning,” and is one of Limmud Colorado's primary values, along with diversity, dialogue, volunteerism, and just plain fun. It's a lot like camp for all ages. www.limmudcolorado.org

A Story from Board Member Phil Brodsky

When Sunny and I moved to the Vail Valley in 2002 we knew almost no one in town and hoped to find a community we could relate to. One of the first things we did was check out the local synagogue, B'nai Vail. At the beginning of the service the cantorial soloist, Maxine Graboyes, began to sing and I turned to Sunny and said, "That's Maxine Flaishman! I went to elementary school with her and she sang at my Bar Mitzvah. I haven't seen her for over 40 years." We rekindled our old friendship (her husband, Warren, was in the same class) and went on to make friends with many other members of B'nai Vail. How this instant community works in Judaism is a mystery to me but it has worked in every town I've lived in.

For those of you who have gotten involved in the workings of B'nai Vail, especially at the Board level, I suspect you have shared my delight in the sense of community you have felt. It doesn't matter where you grew up or what your former Jewish affiliations were. It doesn't matter if you are a full or part-time resident of the valley. There is something about the shared sense of humor, experiences, and mishagas that bonds us all together and makes us happy that we got involved.

If you haven't attended a Board meeting, you are missing out on a unique experience that defies description. If you do attend a meeting, you will probably get hooked and want to join the Board. When you do join, you will be rewarded with new friends, a new sense of micro community and the satisfaction of helping to set the future course for the Congregation.

If you’d like to know more about the current issues that the Board is working on, give our president Karen Numerof a call, 970-390-8128. If you wish to attend and check out a meeting, call Jeanne at 477-2992 or email her at admin@bnaivail.org.

Phil Brodsky chairs the Nominating Committee.

Upcoming Board Meetings: 5:30 pm

Wednesday, January 25, 2012, Executive Committee

Vail Interfaith Chapel, downstairs

Thursday, February 16, 2012, Executive Committee

Edwards Interfaith Chapel Library

Wednesday, March 14, 2012, Board Meeting

Vail Interfaith Chapel, downstairs

B’nai Vail Congregation, www.bnaivail.org,

970-477-2992; 19 Vail Road, Vail CO 81657

Tot Shabbat

On occasional Friday evenings at 5:30 pm, we have a gathering for the youngest members of our community (up to five years old) and their families.

These festive gatherings are usually at a home.

If you would like to be included in the Tot-Shabbat list for special invitations and / or would like to host, please contact Wendy Kronholm at 970-376-4236.

Welcoming some New Voices!

B’nai Vail members were unanimous in our strategic planning sessions: B’nai Vail wants more music. We posted an ad, looking for a song-leader/ music teacher, and were blessed with a couple of rabbis who are passionate about Judaism and organic farming! Rabbi Dr. Hersh Saunders is a musician, a dental surgeon, and a shochet (kosher slaughterer);

Rabbi Elisheva Brenner is a retired trial lawyer, gifted educator, and CEO of Eco-Glatt. Together they live on a ranch in Southern Colorado where they raise sheep & cattle, great veggies, chickens for eggs, teach and rabbi.

Please keep an eye out for Rabbis Hersh and Elisheva at Sunday School and at our family Shabbat programs, and give them a warm welcome!

Contributions to the B’nai Vail Music Fund are appreciated!

Jewish Journey – Adult Education

Classes meet at the Edwards Chapel

Tuesdays 4:45-6:00pm

Our fall sessions covered the fall holidays, Jewish prayer, Bible, and Talmud introductions. Here is our Winter & Spring Calendar:

January 3 – Life Cycle 1: Birth, bris, b’nai-mitzvah

January 17 – Life Cycle 2: Marriage & divorce

January 31 – Jewish Mysticism

February 7 – Tu B’Shvat – Birthday of the Trees

February 14 – Life Cycle 3: Dying, Death and Mourning

February 28 –Turning the World Upside Down: Purim

March 13 – Jewish Ethics Part 1

March 27 – Passover

April 3 – Jewish Ethics Part 2

April 10 – Holocaust: Heritage and Lessons

April 24 – Israel as the Jewish Homeland

May 8 – Philosophy of the Medieval and Modern Eras

May 15 – Contemporary Judaism

May 22 – Shavuot & Closing

Please let Rabbi Debra Rappaport know if you are interested in participating. rabbidebra@bnaivail.org or 970-390-1400.

Save the date: March 17, 2012 at the Edwards Chapel: "Venetians Nights Opera Cabaret

B’nai Vail Congregation, www.bnaivail.org,

970-477-2992; 19 Vail Road, Vail CO 81657

B’nai Vail Winter Calendar

Shabbat Services

Family Shabbat Service followed by Potluck dinner

Friday, January 6, 2012, 6:00, Edwards Chapel

God tells Abraham that he and his people shall be a blessing – come explore what that means and how we might do that! With Rabbis Debra Rappaport, Hersh Saunders, and Elisheva Brenner

Shabbat Service, Vail Interfaith Chapel

Friday, January 13, 6:30 pm

Shabbat Potluck at the Lipnicks’ Home

Friday, January 20, 2012, 6:30pm

RSVP 970-479-7437

Minyan on the Mountain

Saturday, January 28^th, 9:30 am, Eagle’s Nest

Havdalah & Tu B’Shvat Seder

Saturday, February 4, 2012, 6:00-8:00 pm

Edwards Interfaith Chapel

Shabbat Potluck, Host TBD

Friday, February 10

Shabbat Service, Vail Interfaith Chapel

Friday, February 17, 6:30 pm

Special Musical Guest Cindy Paley

BnaiVail.orgBlending the Traditional and Modern in a Welcoming Jewish Community

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