A WARM WELCOME MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE
We would like to get to know you. Please take time to get to know us, too!

This is a special call for those attending Shabbat Services. The Membership Committee needs help greeting new members and visitors to Temple at Friday night Shabbat Services. We ask you to volunteer by distributing new member bags and introducing yourself to our guests and new members. This is a fun and easy job and a wonderful way to get to know other Temple members.

You can volunteer to do every week or once a month. Please call Ray Fales at 704-778-5143 to volunteer. A Schmooze table will be set up after the 8 pm Shabbat Service during the Onegs so new and not-so-newmembers can have the opportunity to stop by to say hello.

NEW MEMBERS A “Meet & Greet” is planned for this spring at Rabbi Judy and Chip Wallach’s home. Please look for further information in the April Voice.

Chavurot Chavurah means friendship and fellowship. A Chavurah is a small group of people who meet regularly in members’ homes for interesting discussions, holiday celebrations and other activities. Each group decides on its own activities and programs. If you are new to the Temple or the community, or just want to meet some other people your age and/or with similar interests, in a small group setting, joining a Chavurah may be a perfect way to develop new friendships.

Do you have questions, suggestions, or would like to get involved with the membership committee?

Please call or email us. Karen Franklin at karenfranklin@carolina.rr.com or 704-541-3087 or Tammy Menaker at smenaker1@carolina.rr.com or 704-541-6439.

Please contact Shelley Pawlyk at opengates@att.net 803-548-1064 or Don & Renie Fernbach dfernbach@comporium.net 803-548-2073 for more information.

Chavurah L’Chaim Coordinated by Lew Kirschner, this group of adults in their 60s has provided its members a way to establish relationships with new friends within the Temple Beth El community.

Chavurah L’Chaim has recently enjoyed two wonderful activities. In November we met at the home of Dick and Janis Silverman where they kindly shared their enthusiasm for and knowledge of Jewish music. We all left with our toes tapping! In December we attended Theatre Charlotte, enjoying nine nine minute plays written
for the weekend performance. Afterwards we gathered at the home of Stan and Elaine Trost for coffee and lively discussion.

Over the past 6 months, the members have hosted a series of exciting events and programs.

Events have included a Game Night, Chanukah party, pot luck dinner, book discussion of “Plot Against America,” a movie at the Temple about the great Hall of Fame baseball player, Hank Greenberg, and a discussion of the book, I Am Jewish, personal reflections inspired by the words of Daniel Pearl. This busy Chavurah has events planned through the end of the calendar year. At this time, Chavurah L’Chaim has reached its maximum membership.

“Looking for a few new members” This Chavurah began a number of years ago at Temple Beth El and is looking to add new members. The present members range from forty-five to sixty-five years old. Activities are social, and the group meets once a month for dinner at a restaurant and then goes back one of the Chavurah member’s home for coffee and dessert. For more information, please contact Dianne Ross at (704) 846-9295 or rossdh@carolina.rr.com.

Chavurah Kol Ami - University City This Chavurah has formed to bring together families and individuals who live in the North Charlotte/University City area. They meet for social activities, holidays and education. They have joined with UNCC Hillel for a Sukkot celebration and shared a Passover Seder together. For more information contact Andrew Kaplan at (704) 293-2151 or arksales@aol.com.

Volunteer Program is beginning
Lauren Cantor is developing a Volunteer Program for Temple Beth El and is looking for someone to help her. This is a great opportunity to become involved and, for just a couple of hours a week, you can be on the ground floor helping to create a great new program. Contact Lauren
at (704) 643-7430 or lstcantor@earthlink.net.

Mitzvah Made Easy When you come to Temple for services, bring a canned good or paper goods such as toilet tissue or paper towels to our “grocery basket” in the coat closet. This is an easy mitzvah, and the items are delivered
to needy families through Jewish Family Services. It is important to do this all year, not just at holiday time. 

Membership & Chavurot Happenings

Interfaith Couples Chavurah
If you are in an interfaith relationship and would like to be in a chavurah with other interfaith couples, our first gathering is coming up!

Please contact Alyson Grossman at alyrg@hotmail.com. A chavurah is a perfect way to develop new friendships and you are sure to find it wonderfully enriching.

A NEW CHAVURAH - CHEERS TWO, is starting for Temple members in their 40s and 50s. Many Temple members have inquired about joining Chavurah “Cheers - The Chavurah Where Everyone Knows Your Name.” So many, in fact, that Judy Seldin Cohen and Jeff Cohen, founders of Cheers, are in the process of organizing “Cheers Two.” A first event is in the planning stages now. Please email Judy at judyseldin@yahoo.com if you would like to be included.

Judy Freger is forming a CHAVURAH FOR SINGLE PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN. (Yes…teens count.) For further information please contact Judy at 704-708-8277 or jartistmom@yahoo.com.

MEMBERS WITH FAMILY IN THE MILITARY…. If you have a family member(son/daughter/wife/ husband) away from home serving our country, Temple Beth El wants to know. We want to keep in touch with you. To offer support give Charlotte & Howard Weisblat a call at: 803-547-5885 or hawhowarda@yahoo.com.

“NEW AND NOT SO NEW MEMBERS” Please note the location change for the “New and Not So New Members” gathering every 2nd Friday of the month. We now meet outside the Gold Chapel at 7:00 PM.