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Committees & Groups

The following are a few of the Committees & Groups at our Temple:

Adult Education Committee:
Learning with others in community allows us to live our Jewish value of Talmud Torah. Whether you can pop in for one class or make it for an entire series, we invite you to stimulate your lifelong love for Judaism and learning. Recents topics include our very popular Can We Talk series (How To Build Relationships Through Disagreement), Vaccination and Ethical Questions Posed by the COVID-19 Vaccines, our 2020-2021 Adult B'nei Mitzvah class, and holiday-specific programs. These programs are offered free of charge. Check out our YouTube playlist for recordings of previous adult education classes, our list of Jewish learning resources and podcasts, and Orange County Community Scholar Program (CSP) links on our temple webpage.

Point of Contact Myles Feinman, honestloanguy@gmail.com

Click Here to visit the Adult Education Page

Audacious Bakers:
Did you know that the Friday night dessert oneg (translated as “pleasure, joy, exquisite delight”) often includes baked goods made lovingly by temple members? These amazing congregants invite you to join their efforts and become an “Audacious Baker” even if you don’t bake! How?
• Volunteer to come in on a Friday before 5pm to platter pastries. There are up to 20 
    specific Fridays per year that we need this help when we are able to meet in person, so be in touch for dates.
• Stay after those select Friday night services to carefully put away the unused pastries in 
   freezer-proof containers.
• Bake pastries at home or in the upstairs kitchen at the synagogue.

Point of Contact Sherri Krause, shkrause29@cox.net 

BE Sisters:
You’ll find us to be a relaxed, fun and welcoming group of women who want to get to know you and help you feel a part of our congregation family. We have lots of programs, events, and opportunities to share this year. Membership is $36/year. Check out our Facebook page! 

Point of Contact Debbie Grinacoff, besisters@gmail.com or 516-721-9395

Click Here to reach our committee’s page

 

Bereavement Committee:
Our committee’s overall mission is to provide bereavement support groups, as well as additional grief related workshops, to the general adult South OC community at-large. Through our long term partnership with both O’Connor Mortuary, Laguna Hills and Vitas Health, Irvine, we are able to provide the highest level of end of life and bereavement expertise to both the bereaved and caregivers alike.

• Our adult bereavement support group, facilitated by Vitas Health, is 6-8 
    week evening sessions limited to a maximum of ten participants. 
    Registration is free, open to the general public, and non-denominational.
• Several times a year, Dr. William “Bill” Hoy, Baylor University, a nationally     
    recognized expert in the field of bereavement, joins us for a special one 
    night workshop to discuss various topics relating to the grief journey.

Please check the temple website for upcoming dates.

Committee chair: Phyllis Blanc, phyllis.j.blanc@gmail.com

 

Center for Jewish Learning Parent Committee:
The mission of the TBESOC Center for Jewish Learning (CJL) Parent Committee  is to support the curriculum goals of the CJL program, and to provide consistent communication between families, staff, and administration. We are committed to providing support and collaboration between families and the CJL staff in order to achieve consistent engagement and feedback for a meaningful, productive, and fun Jewish learning year for the students and parents.

Point of Contact Julie Fingersh, julesif@yahoo.com and Melissa Roye, melmo3@yahoo.com
 

Chop & Chat Crew:
Did you know that when we are able to meet in person, every Shabbat morning after the Conservative worship service, we continue the special time with our community by sharing lunch together? Sometimes Torah discussions can be heard along with lots of laughter as friends relax and celebrate what good things happened during their week. We always end in songs of praise as we thank The Holy One for the meal (Birkat HaMazon or colloquially known as “benching” in Yiddish). These meals are lovingly prepared weekly by our Chop & Chat Crew in the kosher dairy kitchen. We invite you to join us to cook hot dishes and challah, and prep for Saturday morning. Contact Sandy for upcoming dates and times.

Point of Contact Sandy Rothberg, sandy@rothberg.org

 

Chai Guys
Typically meet the third Thursday of the month.  For more information contact Brad Shapero at info@PremierHealthCareSC.com

 

 

 

Conservative Ritual Committee (CRC):
The CRC works closely with the clergy to plan, facilitate and coordinate Conservative worship and the Tuesday evening Marty Stein Refuat Hanefesh Healing Service. The CRC continuously evaluates the effectiveness of these TBESOC worship programs to best meet the needs of the community, and to enhance the community’s observance, leadership and participation in Shabbat and various holidays and festivals throughout the year..
Committee chair: Brad Shapero, drshapero@premierhealthcaresc.com

 

Education Committee:
Sub Group – Religious School Committee
The mission of the TBESOC Religious School Committee is to support the goals of the TBESOC Religious School, to promote school programming, to further communication between the Religious School and families, and to build our TBESOC community through a meaningful religious school experience.
Points of contact:
Melissa Roye    melmo3@yahoo.com
Julie Fingersh    julesif@yahoo.com
Dayna Herz    daynaherz@gmail.com

 

Gift Shop:
Our Gift Shop carries a variety of Judaica items for all occasions! Please visit us before Friday night services or during designated hours. If you have a few hours a month to volunteer, it is a great way to meet other congregants. If you are a Mahjongg player, we also have a game in the Gift Shop! Please contact Karen Forrest at boopedo1@gmail.com for more information. 

 

 

Hineinu Caring Committee:
The Hineinu Caring Committee lovingly supports our congregants who are going through life challenges, such as observing shivah for a loved one or recovering from illness or surgery, and works in close coordination with our clergy to care for our temple families in times of need by making caring calls, visiting members, delivering meals, and assisting with shivah minyanim and meals of consolation.

Committee co-chairs: Wendy Schwartz, drtcher@aol.com, and Kathy Shapiro, shapsrus@gmail.com

Hineinu Caring Committee: Cooking with Kavanah
Cooking with Kavanah is a group of Hineinu Caring Committee volunteers who gather together, throughout the year, at the temple to cook and stock the freezer with meals for our congregants who need a little taste of home cooking; the meals are then delivered by our amazing Hineinu team members to congregants in need following a surgery, illness, or challenging life event.
Led by Patty Holzman Rosenbaum, pattyhrosenbaum7@gmail.com
Cindy Leish, personal.leish@gmail.com

Hineinu Caring Committee: Schmooze Crew
The Schmooze Crew is a group of dedicated Hineinu volunteers who regularly chat or “schmooze” with TBESOC congregants recovering from a lengthy illness or injury, through friendly phone calls or in-person visits.
Led by Patty Holzman Rosenbaum, pattyhrosenbaum7@gmail.com

 

Hiking Group:
Are you passionate about hiking? Have you considered going on a hike, but don’t have anybody to go with or are hesitant to take that first step? We have a group for you! Explore the beautiful outdoors and connect with the wider Jewish community on our periodic beginner to low-intermediate level hikes around Orange County. Guided by Mansour Kohanteb, an experienced hiker, the Hiking Group is an ongoing, drop-in opportunity for all ages—and no prior experience is necessary. The trails vary in location, elevation and difficulty so you can pick and choose which hike to join.
Point of Contact Mansour at mansourteb@gmail.com

 

Israel Matters Committee:

The Israel Matters Committee strives to deepen the bond between the State of Israel and Temple Beth El of South Orange County by creating and implementing education and advocacy programs targeted to increase the congregation’s knowledge and experience of Israeli life and culture, and to facilitate support of Israel. In conjuction with the Adult Education Committee, we are please to be offering a three-part seminar exploring Zionism, international Jewry, and anti-Semitism.

•  October 26: Rabbi Daniel Moshe Levine of UCI Hillel presents The History of 
Zionism: From its Birth in Eastern Europe During the Late 19th Century All the Way to the Miracle of the Jewish State.
•  January 25:  Rabbi Stanley Davids of ARZA (Association of Reform Zionists of 
 America) presents Starting Slowly: A Liberal Zionist's Search for the Israel that 
He Loves.
•  February 22: A three-way panel discussion on the intersection of anti-Semitism 
and anti-Zionism including Rabbi Levine, Rabbi Davids, and a member of Hasbara (an advocacy training program focused on bringing students to Israel and training them to be effective pro-Israel activists on college campuses).

Committee chair: Charlene Zuckerman, czuckerman55@gmail.com

Click Here to reach our committee’s page

 

Jewish Values in Action (JVIA):
Jewish Values in Action, advocates and engages in civil action 
to advance social justice in accordance with Jewish values. We put on educational programs which advocate for social action to try to eradicate the root causes of social injustice. JVIA has chosen to focus on the following Issues this year:
         • voting rights
         • environment issues/climate change
                                                         • equal rights/racial justice
                                                         • anti-Semitism

Points of  contact Maurie Edelman at nycmaurie@gmail.com and Carol Singer at normcarol@cox.net 

Click Here to reach our committee’s page

 

Jews with Conservative Values:
JCV’s mission is to represent a conservative perspective by offering diverse programs and speakers promoting community and unification through a Jewish conservative perspective on social, political, cultural and educational values. This committee is currently working on programs to present to its members and the congregation at large. They are also working on Tzedakah projects and action projects. All are welcome.

Chairs - Ellen Prince ellenprinc@aol.com  and co-chair: Mark Adler mvguy2000@yahoo.com]

Click Here to reach our webpage

 

Library Committee:
The Library Committee maintains the synagogue library, purchases books, seeks acquisitions and collects donations. We also sign books in and out and assist with organizing and publicizing various library events held throughout the year. Join us in our efforts!
Point of contact: Ben Rich, benjaminrich@icloud.com

 

Meditation & Jewish Spirituality:
Our unique, contemporary programming connects our members through meditation, contemplative prayer, and wisdom teachings from the Jewish mystical tradition, deepening our relationship with God and one another. We provide many opportunities to access resources to make meditation a part of your life here at TBESOC including our weekly Tuesday morning Meditation and Spiritual Practice With Rabbi K’vod Wieder, an opportunity to meditate together with gentle guidance and explore different dimensions of meditative practice. Check out our curated list of books and audio courses on meditation, and our YouTube playlist of previously recorded sessions.
Committee Chair: Dennis O’Reilly, dennis.e.oreilly@gmail.com
 and Ellen Prince, ellenprinc@aol.com 

 

Membership/Outreach Committee:
The Membership Committee’s purpose is to act as the stewards of TBESOC’s most precious resource, our membership. To that end, we will continue to develop, organize and implement programming and build resources to help welcome and integrate our newest members, while continuing to enrich and sustain our current members.

Point of contact: VP Membership, Tamara Griffin, tbesocmembership@gmail.com

 

Men's Club:
The Men’s Club is an auxiliary group for men seeking camaraderie in a Jewish environment, wanting to benefit the synagogue and its many programs, and having the desire to devote some time and energy to support the charitable and educational needs of the greater Jewish community both near and far. Our programming—some purely social and community building, some focused on fundraising, and yet others more collaborative to support other programs here at the synagogue—the Men’s Club of TBESOC welcomes member families of all ages and religious beliefs who want opportunities to experience more Jewish culture in their lives.

Click Here to reach our committee’s page

Point of contact: Jason Gregerman, joejr1997@yahoo.com

 

Rabbi Allen Krause Scholar-in-Residence
Help plan, fund raise, and implement the Rabbi Allen Krause Scholar-in-Residence

Point of contact: Rabbi K'vod Wieder, kvod@tbesoc.org

Volunteer Choir
Sings at our worship services.
Point of Contact: Cantor Natalie Young

 

 

Reform Rituals Committee:
The mission of the RRC is to provide guidance and feedback on the structure and content of Reform worship services, including but not limited to Friday night and High Holy Day services, and to assure that services are meeting the needs of those who engage in Reform worship. We work closely with the clergy on structure, content and melodies used in services; provide logistical support (calendaring, marketing, facility needs); and assist clergy in the planning and execution of services (identify honors, solicit and coordinate lay leaders).

Committee chair: Joan Moss, jdmoss@cox.net

 

TBESOCares:
TBESOCares is a new committee formed by the merging of Chavurat Tzedek and Team TBESOC. Our goal is to offer our members opportunities for tikkun olam (making the world a better place) by supporting our community. Our plan is to have monthly opportunities for members to work together through Interfaith Thanksgiving, charity walks, food drives, holiday gift drives, environmental clean up and much more. Check out our webpage for monthly opportunities.

Committee chair:  Merritt Weiss, bruinfan3@gmail.com
Click Here to reach our committee page

 

Torah Study Group:
Explore the weekly portion in a warm and welcoming atmosphere where each participant has the opportunity to learn, listen and share. The Torah Study Group provides its members and guests an opportunity to deepen their understanding of Torah in a safe and welcoming community which values respect for different perspectives and civility toward all. We value diverse opinions on the parashah being studied, including those not emanating from Judaism. Please join us in study any Saturday morning; a brief lay-led service follows the study.

Point of Contact: Rich Moldawsky, meestar@cox.net
  

Women’s Retreat Committee:
Connect with the women of Temple Beth El of South Orange County on an unforgettable Shabbaton! For over 20 years, TBESOC women have gathered for a themed weekend retreat filled with friendship, spirituality and self-discovery led by clergy, committee chairs and Jewish women from our community. This takes place every spring and no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Please join us for our next Women's Retreat May 13-15, 2022.

Latkes, Vodka & Babka, November 30: BYO chanukiyah and come celebrate the third night of Chanukah with us! Eat, drink, and have fun at our annual white elephant auction, all benefiting the BE Sisters Women’s Retreat Scholarship Fund.

Point of Contact: Cat Mirsk

Tue, March 19 2024 9 Adar II 5784