Bet Chaverim's Mission to Israel
In February, 2020, just before COVID-19 disrupted travel, Rabbi Blumenthal led congregation members on the shul’s first mission to Israel, a nearly two-week journey covering ancient and modern Israel. The mission was a tremendous success, strengthening our members’ bonds with the Jewish state and with each other. Planning for a new mission is expected to begin in 2022.
Comedy Night by Zoom
In the midst of the COVID crisis, Bet Chaverim hosted a night of stand-up comedy featuring American comedian Michael Capozzola, a Jewish-Italian performer based in London. Michael appeared via Zoom and was a great hit with his combination of Jewish “schtick” and observations about modern life.
Jewish Movie Night
Open to all members of the community, Jewish movie night has featured fascinating documentaries about Jewish subjects, shedding light on noteworthy moments in Jewish history including the award winning film about the development of the Israeli national baseball team, Heading Home. Another film offered an in-depth look at 20th Century philanthropist Julius Rosenwald who partnered with African American communities across the South to build more than 5,000 new schools – often called “Rosenwald Schools” – for African American youth during the Jim Crow era of “separate but equal.”
Bet Chaverim hosted a three-part lecture series that covered key aspects of Israeli cooking, an exploration of Mid-East policymaking on Capitol Hill and a discussion about the Holocaust in North Africa and the righteous Arabs who helped shield Jews from the Nazis in Algeria, Morocco and other places where the Vichy government or Nazi authorities ruled.
Paint and Sip
In the midst of the COVID crisis, Bet Chaverim held an online painting and wine event for more than forty art (and wine) fans via ZOOM. Under the direction of an instructor from the Online Paint and Sip Studio in New York, participants were guided through their individual efforts to recreate Monet’s famous Bridge painting using supplies that were pre-ordered. While Monet’s genius may not have been fully duplicated, a great deal of fun (and wine) was enjoyed as members “uncorked their creativity.”
Participation in the Jewish Federation of Howard County’s Mission to Israel and Poland
Several couples from Bet Chaverim joined the Federation Mission in 2015, and presented highlights of this unique adventure to the congregation at an Oneg shortly after returning. The trip strengthened our ties to Israel, the bond among members and the relationship of the shul to the Federation. Today, congregants are welcome to share their Israeli experiences throughout the year, and we look forward to hearing from new as well as veteran members.
Speakers Series
Bet Chaverim launched its new speaker series in the Spring of 2022, featuring: international affairs expert Lesley Weiss on Jews and the war in Ukraine, Michael Rubin on Jewish genealogy, award-winning late night TV writer Rob Kutner on writing comedy and David Raphael on the Jewish Grandparents Network. Seen via ZOOM and Facebook, the series obtained hundreds of viewers. Plans are underway for continuing the program.
Torah on Tap
This monthly program focuses on familiar and some not-so-familiar Torah passages as Rabbi Blumenthal leads a group discussion of the selected reading and its relationship to holidays, other Torah learnings, and Jewish life generally. Congregants bring their favorite beers, soft drinks and snacks to this informal get together, often sharing libations as they share insights.