Israeli Ceramics Exhibit, music and dance!

We are very fortunate to have an exciting Israeli ceramics exhibit at the Whatcom Museum. From the Melting Pot Into the Fire: Contemporary Ceramics in Israel will run from March 25 through July 8, 2012. This is the only West Coast stop for this exhibit. Mark your calendars:
* Sunday, May 20, 2 - 4 p.m.: Beth Israel members will have a special opportunity to view the exhibit at the Museum's Lightcatcher Building and enjoy an Israel dance celebration on Sunday, May 20. From 2 to 2:30 p.m., all students of Beth Israel Religious School (and their parents) are invited to join Sabrina Freeman while she teaches some Israeli folk dances. At 2:30 p.m., What the Chelm! will begin playing, and everyone can show off their new dance moves. There will also be an opportunity to tour the ceramics exhibit as part of this event. Since this is a Family Day at the Museum, admission is just $3 for museum non-members. This event is open to the public, so invite your friends and neighbors to join the fun.

CBI supports Marriage Equality

The Board of Directors voted for Congregation Beth Israel to endorse Washington United for Marriage, the campaign to secure marriage equality for lesbian and gay couples in Washington state. Beth Israel's Social Action Committee proposed this action to the Board. In joining the Washington United for Marriage coalition, our congregation is following the lead of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, the Anti-Defamation League, and many civil rights, gay rights, and religious organizations whose endorsements are listed on the website www.washingtonunitedformarriage.org. Pictured at left, CBI members hold bumper stickers that say "I do support Marriage Equality," provided by Washington United for Marriage at Beth Israel's Marriage Equality Forum Feb. 9, 2012.

Double your mitzvah!

   Just like exercise, using Beth Israel Scrip is most successful when it’s part of your regular routine. We all buy groceries and prescriptions regularly, and many of us give gift cards as presents. Make it easy on yourselves, and have a regular Scrip order – it can be monthly, or quarterly, whatever works best for you! Our Scrip coordinator, Joan Wayne, will make sure to get the gift cards to you on a routine basis. It’s one less thing for you to have to remember, and it becomes a regular donation to our congregation! 
   Scrip can also be used to make donations to other organizations, or people in need. Recently, a Bellingham family lost their home to a fire, and all four family members were hospitalized due to their injuries. An amazing outpouring of support found them a temporary home and furnishings. They are continuing to accept donations of gift cards to places like Fred Meyer, Haggen, the Food Co-op, The Market (formerly Cost Cutter) because food, clothing and other every day necessities will be a longer-term need. If you buy Scrip from Beth Israel, and donate it to a cause such as this, it’s a DOUBLE MITZVAH! Check with the local organizations you support, and they likely would welcome gift card donations to help out their clients. 
   Who knew that a piece of plastic could be part of Tikkun Olam? 
   For a complete list of participating merchants, go to www.glscrip.com, or contact Joan Wayne, jawayne2@yahoo.com; download an order form, or call the Beth Israel office at 733-8890.

The Shul Shofar is the newsletter of Congregation Beth Israel in Bellingham, Washington. Download the May 2012 issue now! (.pdf file)

Thinking about Camp Kalsman?

   It's never too early to start thinking about summer, especially spending it at Jewish sleep away camp! 
   We're lucky to have Camp Kalsman in our back yard -- just an hour's drive south to Arlington. 
   Check out Camp Kalsman online at kalsman.urjcamps.org, and stay up-to-date with their blog, kalsman.rjblog.org. They're also on Facebook, where they recently posted the news that they've been selected as one of six camp/school partnerships in the Foundation for Jewish Camp's Nadiv Program. They wrote: "This program gives us the exceptional opportunity to partner with Temple de Hirsch Sinai (in Seattle) in the hiring of a leading-edge Jewish educator." 
   For scholarship information, contact the Beth Israel office.

Rabbi Cindy Enger is the spiritual leader at Congregation Beth Israel. Rabbi Enger received her rabbinical ordination in 2001 from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, she completed her undergraduate education at Princeton University and then received a J.D. from New York University School of Law. Prior to rabbinical school, Rabbi Enger practiced law in Chicago.  Read more