CHAILITES

March 30, 2023

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

(Mahatma Gandhi)

Tot Shabbat, Bagel Nosh & Family Service

Saturday Morning!

You are invited to join us on Saturday morning, April 1, at 9:00 am for a fun and interactive Tot Shabbat Service at Wilton’s own Temple B’nai Chaim! Please come and bring a friend - human or plush - because Shabbat is always more fun with friends! Come for the music and dancing, learn about Shabbat, meet new friends and stay for the bagels and lox after the service!! After our bagel nosh, we will have a Family Shabbat Service for families with children ages 7-13. What a great way to start out your Shabbat Saturday!!

RSVP for Tot Shabbat here!

Mazel Tov to Sharon Sobel!

On March 25th Sharon Sobel, passed the gavel as she completed her term as President of WRJ Northeast District. She was wished many blessings as she continues her numerous acts of community service and assumes the role of Past President, WRJ Northeast District. TBC Sisterhood joins Women of Reform Judaism in our pride and gratitude to Sharon for so many acts of selfless service.

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Share Your Simcha! TBC congregants are invited to share news of their family events and celebrations in Chailites. Please send your information to chailites@templebnaichaim.org.

Fundraiser by Friends and Family of Wilton Resident Arinzechukwu Red Ukachukwu

To assist his family after their devastating loss

Click here to Donate

More Photos from TBC’s Interfaith Teen Shabbat!

(previously mislabled 'WEPCO Shabbat')

On Friday March 17 TBC welcomed the confirmation classes from Our Lady of Fatima Church, Saint Matthew's Episcopal Church, Wilton Congregational Church, and Wilton Presbyterian Church, who joined our teens for a pizza dinner and education program followed by Shabbat services with the congregation. (Thank you to Moses Alexander for the great set of photos of the event!)

Check Out The Pictures Here!

We had over 50 confirmation students and their parents and mentors join our B’nai Mitzvah and Confirmation students and families for a marvelous evening of learning, laughter, food and prayer. We also welcomed fellow clergy from Wilton Congregational Church and many TBC congregants and guests. Our sanctuary was filled with more than 70 people for a wonderful Learners’ Service, and many stayed after for a delicious Oneg.

RS Passover Model Seder, 3/26

A grand time was had by all our TBC Religious School Students and teachers this past Sunday at our Model Seder! We are all now Pesach ready and full of gratitude for all who helped prep, set up, manage during the event and clean up. Wishing all a Happy and Kosher, Zissen Pesach!

Drinking and Drashing:

Torah with a Twist

What a blessing to spend time Talking Torah with our High Holiday 5783 Student Rabbi, Amanda Katherine Weiss, and 5th year Cantorial Student, Gabe Snyder, on the most recent episode of their FABULOUS PODCAST: Drinking and Drashing: Torah with a Twist!! Grab a glass and listen for the call as we discuss Parashat Vayikra!!

From the Podcast Hosts: “When you really encounter your life, do you ever think about what you're offering to the world? How about whether or not you were called to act, or whether you chanced upon something? What about our links to tradition--how do we maintain links to the past while cultivating the creativity of the present? We are so lucky to have had Cantor Harriet Dunkerley of Temple B'nai Chaim walk us through the start of a new story with  #Vayikra #Torah #podcast #community #cantorial #cantor #CanAnd #HHD #TorahTwists”

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drinking-drashing/episodes/Ep--320---Vayikra-with-Cantor-Harriet-Dunkerley-e20lvll

"Antisemitism is NOW!" Shabbat / Speaker Program Coming April 21

We are living in an alarming period of rising antisemitism in the United States. According to the Anti-Defamation League antisemitic Incidents have increased significantly from 2021 to 2022 in each of the major types of incidents that they track. 

Temple B’nai Chaim, as part of our engagement with the ADL’s Kulanu / Antisemitism initiative, will hold a special Shabbat / Speaker Program on Friday April 21 (RSVP requested). Following that evening’s condensed Shabbat service, TBC colleagues who have been participating in our Antisemitism Action Group will provide us with an overview of the current state of antisemitism in the U.S., along with a summary of the positive steps that have been taken by national organizations, the U.S. government, Connecticut State government and local law enforcement to try to track antisemitism in all its forms and to help protect Jewish citizens and communities. They will also outline what we ourselves at TBC must now do to step up to these challenges.

A light supper will be served at 6:15 pm before the service; the service will begin at 7:00 pm and finish around 7:20 pm. Short presentations by TBC Kulanu participants will follow, with a time for questions at the end. Oneg to follow.

Please make sure to RSVP as to whether you will join us for supper at 6:15 pm and stay for the service and program.  Also indicate whether you will have younger children along that can be entertained by madrichim in the old sanctuary during the program part of the evening.

Click here to RSVP

TBC is Here For You!

If you or a family member is ill or in need of care - or if you know of someone in our community who needs help - please contact Cantor Harriet. Our Caring Committee is here to provide assistance - meals, rides to doctors' appointments or shopping.

Yahrzeits March 31 - April 6

Zeicher tzaddik livrachah!

Saturday, April 1

Sue Barasch, aunt of Moses Alexander

Verna Nurick, mother of Rachel Langberg

Sunday, April 2

Fannie Klein, grandmother of Jaime Kapel

Monday, April 3

Klaus Brinkman, brother in law of Bonnie Heft

Robert Myers, father of Jane Alexander

Wednesday, April 5

Belle Herman, aunt of Mitchell Farber

Thursday, April 6

Ernestine Lizan, grandmother of Meryll Wolfman

It is traditional to light a memorial candle at home on the eve of the yahrzeit. You may also find it meaningful while kindling the yahrzeit candle to offer prayers of remembrance or reflect on your loved one’s life. Many also choose this time to make monetary donations in memory of loved ones. 

Yahrzeit Memorial Plaques

When remembering loved ones who have passed away, we invite you to commemorate their lives and blessings with a memorial plaque for the TBC wall of remembrance. Ordering information is available here.

Ten Minutes of Torah!

The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) provides rich resources for Torah study from a Reform perspective. Their Torah Study website includes "The Torah Explained," "Torah Portion Calendar" and an overview of each week's Torah portion. Click here to sign up today!

A reminder that the Federation for Jewish Philanthropy of Upper Fairfield County schedules a variety of programs that TBC members will find interesting.

Their calendar of upcoming events is available here. Those wishing to receive their weekly mailing list will find the registration form here.

ShopRaise Now for TBC!

Passover is nearly here! Whether you're shopping for food or decor for your home, or anything else, we've got you covered. A portion of every purchase you make with the ShopRaise app can benefit TBC. Make this Passover a time of giving for everyone.

More information about ShopRaise for TBC can be found here.

Handmade Kippot Still Available!

The kippot are $18 each, and we will continue to use the proceeds to ship Machzorim to the community and also send the balance of the proceeds to purchase food! Please make checks payable to: Temple B'nai Chaim, with 'TBC Social Action Fund-Ugandan Jewry' in the memo line. Additional donations are welcome through the TBC Social Action Fund on the TBC Donation Page with a note indicating 'Ugandan Jewry' as the recipient.

As a result of your generous donations, we recently sent 90 High Holiday prayerbooks and $265 from the bake sale to the progressive Ugandan Jewish community. They have used the money to purchase food for members of their community plus 200 kilos of beans to plant.

Tree of Life

Tzedakah Fund

Yahrzeit Memorial

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Contact Us

If you have TBC community news you'd like to share, please send the information to chailites@templebnaichaim.org!

Temple B'nai Chaim    

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 305, Georgetown, CT 06829

Phone: 203 544-8695    

Location: 82 Portland Avenue, Wilton CT 06897 (Directions)

Cantor/Educator: Cantor Harriet Dunkerley

Assistant Director of Education: Elisheva Gluck

President: June Mara  

Office Manager/Facility Use: Denise Seccurra