Update: Starting on May 12, we will have new Gaga/people and Gaga/dancers classes at CBE! Gaga/people’s entire May schedule is below:

Congregation Beth Elohim (CBE) (Brooklyn) – Gaga/people (starting May 12)
Saturdays, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – taught by Lee Sher

Congregation Beth Elohim (CBE) (Brooklyn) – Gaga/dancers (starting May 12)
Tuesdays, 8:00 p.m. – 9:15 p.m. – taught by Jye-Hwei Lin
Thursdays, 3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. – taught by Candice Schnurr
Saturdays, 12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. – taught by Hsin-Yi Hsiang

Gaga is a movement exercise developed by choreographer Ohad Naharin. It is used in daily training sessions by the dancers of Israel’s Batsheva Dance Company, and taught in dance academies around the world. Click here to learn more.

Deals with the commandment that we “afflict ourselves” on Yom Kippur in this week’s portion as a case study in how Jewish law forms and evolves. Ever wonder what the Mishnah or Gemora is? This podcast will answer it.

Listen each week for a special podcast by Revson Rabbinic Intern Marc Katz as he explores themes and issues in the weekly Torah portion. For more Torah learning with visit our weekly Torah study class (Chevra Torah) each Shabbat morning at Congregation Beth Elohim at 11:15am.

To download and subscribe to this podcast on itunes click here.

Deals with Lev. 18:22 (the prohibition against homosexuality) and asks the question: How do we deal with difficult texts in our day?

Listen each week for a special podcast by Revson Rabbinic Intern Marc Katz as he explores themes and issues in the weekly Torah portion. For more Torah learning with visit our weekly Torah study class (Chevra Torah) each Shabbat morning at Congregation Beth Elohim at 11:15am, picking up again next week. This week instead of Chevre Torah we will be celebrating Marc’s ordination with a special oneg and class starting at 11:20 after services.

To download and subscribe to this podcast on itunes click here.

Regularly, between 10-15 members of our community and staff have been gathering together to pray, and to allow those who would like to fulfill the traditional obligation of saying Kaddish with ten people present.

You can read more about Rabbi Bachman’s experiences at our minyan in his blog, in this post from September and this update from December.

Our minyan is currently traditional/egalitarian—and if this is a new service for you, we are happy to help you learn how to participate!

Rabbi Andy Bachman and the CBE clergy team

Our camp programs are filling up, but we still have some spots available in the Elementary Division and Travel Camp.

Learn more about all our camps: Elementary Division, Preschool, Summer Twos, and Travel Camp.

Register now for a summer of fun, excitement, play, and exploration!

This week’s podcast explores flexibility in leadership and the role of the priest in bringing a person with the biblical skin affliction, tzaraat back into the camp.

Listen each week for a special podcast by Revson Rabbinic Intern Marc Katz as he explores themes and issues in the weekly Torah portion. For more Torah learning with visit our weekly Torah study class (Chevra Torah) each Shabbat morning at Congregation Beth Elohim at 11:15am, picking up again next week.

To download and subscribe to this podcast on itunes click here.

This week we explore the death of Aaron’s sons, Nadav and Avihu. Why did they die? And what lessons or ethics are the rabbis trying to teach us with their explanations and blame for their deaths.

Listen each week for a special podcast by Revson Rabbinic Intern Marc Katz as he explores themes and issues in the weekly Torah portion. For more Torah learning with visit our weekly Torah study class (Chevra Torah) each Shabbat morning at Congregation Beth Elohim at 11:15am, picking up again next week.

To download and subscribe to this podcast on itunes click here.

This Shabbat we will be reading the traditional Passover reading (Deuteronomy 14:22 – 16:17 & Numbers 28:19 – 28:25). In it we find a commandment not to “harden our heart to the poor.” This is a perfect quote for Passover. This podcast will explore the connection between the commandment to give charity and Passover.

Listen each week for a special podcast by Revson Rabbinic Intern Marc Katz as he explores themes and issues in the weekly Torah portion. For more Torah learning with visit our weekly Torah study class (Chevra Torah) each Shabbat morning at Congregation Beth Elohim at 11:15am, picking up again next week.

To download and subscribe to this podcast on itunes click here.

Originally from Barrington, RI, Marc received a B.A. from Tufts University in 2006. He majored in religion and was captain of the swim team. Marc has served as Legislative Assistant at the Reform movement’s Religious Action Center, lobbying for environmental protection and health care reform on behalf of the Reform movement. Marc lives in Park Slope with his wife, Cantor Julia Katz, who will be starting her career this fall as well, joining the clergy team at Central Synagogue in Manhattan. When not running in Prospect Park or eating at his favorite Thai restaurants in the neighborhood, Marc can be seen working his shift at the Park Slope Food Coop.

On Sunday, May 6, Marc Katz will be ordained as Rabbi by Hebrew Union College, a proud moment for Marc, his family, and our whole community. We are thrilled to welcome him as a full-time member of our Clergy team. Please join us in welcoming Rabbi Marc Katz!

Andy Bachman, Senior Rabbi
Charles Nathan, President
Monika Hamburger, Executive Director

Photo credit: Leanna Miller

The scaffolding in front of the Sanctuary has been removed! This exciting moment marks the completion of the repair of the slate dome, the main roof, and parapets. We are delighted to report that we have a safe, watertight roof and ceiling! If you haven’t had a chance to come see the sanctuary, come by soon — they will be building new scaffolding next week to being work on the façade. Many thanks go to our generous donors who have supported The Journey Home campaign, to the tireless efforts of our volunteers, to our wonderful construction crew, DP Construction, and to the friends and neighbors of CBE. Like us us on Facebook to see regular updates on our progress.