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Note: Google maps is incorrect for West Boca Raton Community High School it points to Boca Raton Community High School. The school is at the very west end of Glades Road (Google has it marked as University). Google has been notified. Bing and Yahoo maps are correct.

Contact Temple Beth Shira at 561-912-1453 or email: Info@TempleBethShira.org

May 01

2009

Family Promise ...an intro from Steve Sanders

Posted by Rick Alovis in Untagged

Hi Friends, Temple Beth Shira member Steve Sanders asked me to post this message regarding Family Promise, please take a moment to read about this program, and consider joining with Steve, our Social Action Committee, and other TBS members and volunteering. Thanks, Rick Alovis
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FAMILY PROMISE

Dear TBS MEMBERS,

I spoke at the last service, May 1^st, about Family Promise. This is a national organization comprised of 134 chapters including the one in South Palm Beach County , whereby interfaith communities collaborate to provide shelter, food and assistance in finding jobs and living accommodations for homeless families to enable them to achieve independence.

This is accomplished by host congregations, of which 9 are located in S. Palm Beach County, including B’nai Torah, whose role it is, in rotation, to provide overnight lodging, hospitality and meals for 3 – 5 families at any given time. This is backed by a day center at a separate facility that provides guests with a mailing address and home base from which to conduct employment and housing searches while their children are taken to their same schools that they have already been attending.

Since Temple Beth Shira does not have the facilities to be a host congregation, we can have volunteers to help these congregations and day center, and in so doing, be a supporting congregation.

The last meeting (March 22^nd) the temple board voted to become a supporting congregation by allowing congregants who want to volunteer for this program, to do so on behalf of Temple Beth Shira. I, along with the backing of the social action committee, volunteered to be the coordinator for prospective and actual volunteers between TBS and Family Promise, to disseminate any information and help coordinate volunteer activities.

Anyone interested in further information please contact Steve Sanders at 561-482-1443 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ., or visit the Family Promise website to watch a short video.

http://familypromisespbc.org/ShortTemplate4.html

Sincerely,
Steve Sanders

Oct 04

2008

A High Holy Days Story

Posted by Rick Alovis in Untagged

About a month ago a very interesting request came into our TBS email, it was from a sweet lady who has joined us, as many of you have, for High Holy Days services the last few years. She needed a copy of our High Holy Days Prayerbook, the red "Days of Repentance" version we use. She explained that her daughter was serving the US Government in Saudi Arabia, that her daughter sent her a message in code, it seems the only religion approved by the local government is Muslim. In code she requested her mom please "send a book, in particular The instruction manual" for use at the end of Sept, and to please put a book cover on the book.

She also asked her mom for a men's small round cap, and to send it to her via special diplomatic pouch so that it might get through to her.

Of course after checking with our Cantor and our TBS President I arranged to meet the mom and deliver to her, as our donation, a copy of the prayer book we have used together these past couple of weeks during our High Holy Day Services. I saw the mom at Rosh Hashana Services the other day and she told me we were successful in getting the book to her daughter who was very thankful. This story is a reminder of the amazing freedoms we enjoy living in our country, and of the continuing desire of we Jews across the world to maintain and practice our religion regardless of the obstacles.

Thanks, and L'Shana Tova,

Rick Alovis

Past President & Director of Communications

Temple Beth Shira

Oct 04

2008

Some Thoughts On Dorothy Stettner

Posted by Rick Alovis in Untagged

The other day one of our dear TBS members Dorothy Stettner passed on. If you didn't know Dorothy, that's a pity. For those of us who did know her, that knowing is a blessing we can all keep, and makes her loss all the more painful. Dorothy was married to Jack Stettner, and of course is the mom our our Spiritual Leader, Cantor Ellen Stettner, as well as son's Scott and Al. Our hearts go out to all the Stettner's. And if you saw how this family stuck together through this ordeal you know Dorothy and Jack did one great job. But you didn't need to be a Stettner to know how special Dorothy was, there are those people who we meet in our life, people who have an amazing warmth, and positive way, people who have that aura that makes you feel good, and special. Dorothy had that, like my own Dad may he rest in peace, when she entered the room her smile would light you up, when you talked to her you knew she was really listening. She endured her illness with tremendous dignity and grace. She made a difference and inspired by her example, and we will miss her.

Rick Alovis