Life Cycle Events

End of Life Workshops

February 10, 2022 By Melissa Schapiro in Death / Bereavement

The three-part End of Life planning workshops, presented by the Care Committee, are available to view online.

The first presentation on February 20, 2022, by Dr. Bill Lombard:

The second presentation DWD (Death With Dignity), MAiD (Medical Aid in Dying) and VSED (Voluntary Stopping of Eating and Drinking), by Nancy Simmers, RN, and Rabbi Samuels, can be viewed by clicking here.

Nancy Simmers is a volunteer for End of Life Washington and co-founder and coordinator of VSED Resources Northwest, a non-profit that provides information, counsel, and resources about Voluntary Stopping Eating and Drinking. See www.endoflifewa.org and www.vsedresources.com for more information

Advance Care Planning/Living Will, with Hillary Walker, with slides (same workshop as one offered by Adrienne Doucette), can be viewed here.

Death/Bereavement

April 26, 2016 By urjnetworkadmin in Death / Bereavement

When a loved one dies, families and friends need comfort and support. The time of bereavement is difficult. Please call the office or Rabbi to set up funeral services, shiva minyans, and unveilings and for the support your family needs during this time.

Rabbi Samuels is here to help you and your family though this stage in life. He will inform you of the various end-of-life Jewish rituals and do his best to accommodate your specific needs. You can download information about Beth Israel’s cemetery fees here.

Click here for a map of the cemetery. On entering the cemetery, Section 1 is to the left of the walkway and Section 2 is to the right of the walkway. A list of who is buried at Beth Israel Cemetery is available here.

Beth Israel has an End of Life pamphlet (below), and an online “My Wishes” form, that can help with advance planning. If you prefer to have a printed copy, you can pick them up in the Beth Israel office.

end_of_life_pamphlet_FINAL_4-13-16

Pastoral Care

June 16, 2013 By urjnetworkadmin in Pastoral Care

Rabbi Samuels is very committed to pastoral care and wants to provide support to his community when they need it most.

Our temple community wants to provide support for congregants who might be ill. Please call the Rabbi or Office so they know about a family member or congregant is ill, and they will set up a visit. Our Caring Committee also follows up with congregants who are ill with hospital and in-home visits.

Consecration

June 16, 2013 By urjnetworkadmin in Consecration

During the festival of Simchat Torah, our community celebrates the beginning of formal Jewish education of our youngest Temple members as the students receive a special blessing and gift.

Conversion

June 16, 2013 By urjnetworkadmin in Conversion

Please contact the Rabbi directly if you are interested in the process of becoming Jewish. Rabbi Samuels is constantly guiding individuals on this journey and will make sure to assist you on this sacred path.

Lifecycle

June 16, 2013 By urjnetworkadmin in Life Cycle Events

As a member of Congregation Beth Israel, you will find that your synagogue community will support you in all life cycle events and celebrate your important moments.

Weddings

April 26, 2013 By urjnetworkadmin in Marriage

Our Rabbi enjoys working with couples of all backgrounds to make each wedding a meaningful celebration. Couples should contact the rabbi for an appointment and to set a wedding date.

Rabbi Samuels is certified in administering the Prepare-Enrich pre-marital counseling program.

Couples thinking about marriage are encouraged to read: “Beyond Breaking the Glass: A Spiritual Guide to Your Jewish Wedding” by Nancy Wiener, and “The New Jewish Wedding” by Anita Diamant.

Baby Namings/B’rit Milah

April 26, 2013 By urjnetworkadmin in Baby Namings

To schedule a baby naming at the synagogue, or a Brit Milah ceremony, please contact the Rabbi.

We celebrate the great blessing of a newborn daughter with a ceremony that brings her into the covenant, and confers upon her a Hebrew name. Rabbi Samuels can help you think through and design this ceremony, which can take place either at home, or at the synagogue, and on any day, including Shabbat.

The Torah commands us to circumcise our newborn sons on the eighth day of their new lives. This powerful ceremony celebrates new life, and also brings our sons into Judaism’s sacred covenant. Rabbi Samuels can put you in touch with a Mohel (ritual circumciser), help the parents understand the ceremony, and co-officiate, along with the Mohel.

Confirmation

November 8, 2011 By urjnetworkadmin in Confirmation

This class meets once a month during our regular Sunday Kesher time 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

During this two-year course that culminates with the 10th graders leading the annual Confirmation service in the spring, students will delve into the world of advocacy and social justice. Rabbi Samuels teaches from a rotating list of issues that are both current and also relevant in the world of Jewish justice work. Every two years, Rabbi Samuels chaperones Confirmation students to the L’taken Social Justice Seminar in Washington DC, organized by the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. This is a life-changing experience and one that allows each student to lobby their elected officials on an issue they are passionate about. Students also make friendships with other Jewish teens who care about changing the world for the better. Confirmation class uses much of the RAC’s resources in learning the background of each issue which include, but are not limited to: How to be an advocate, Climate Justice, Gender Pay Equality, Gun Violence Prevention, Criminal Justice Reform, Healthcare, LGBTQ Rights, Fair Trade Products, Immigration Reform, Reproductive Rights, Euthanasia, and Anti-Semitism.

Life Cycle Events

October 28, 2011 By urjnetworkadmin in Life Cycle Events

Brit Milah

The Torah commands us to circumcise our newborn sons on the eight day of their new lives. This powerful ceremony celebrates new life, and also brings our sons into Judaism’s sacred covenant. Rabbi Samuels can put you in touch with a Mohel (ritual circumciser),help the parents understand the ceremony, and co-officiate, along with the Mohel.

Baby Naming/Simchat Bat

Bar/Bat Mitzvah

Bar/Bat Mitzvah students are moving from childhood to adulthood, from learning to be responsible to being responsible. As son or daughter of the commandments, you commit yourself to be proud membership in our ancient people.

Wedding

Rabbi Samuels can help you prepare for this wonderful, joyous occasion, by teaching bride and groom the meaning of the ceremony, from Ketubah (marriage document), to Kiddushin (Engagement) to Huppah (Marriage Canopy) to Nissuin (marriage ceremony) to breaking the glass. We also counsel you, offering Jewish wisdom in preparation for a life dedicated to love and companionship. We also work with you in designing the ceremony, providing our knowledge and experience.

Funeral

Our tradition offers several powerful end of life rituals – Kriah (tearing of a garment), Levayah (funeral procession), Hesped (eulogy), Kevurah (burial) and Shivah (seven days of mourning). Rabbi Samuels will instruct you on these and other rituals. We can also perform the funeral ceremony, and help you understand and implement other meaningful Jewish mourning practices.

SPONSORING A KIDDUSH

Whether you are interested in sponsoring a basic Kiddush or a full Kiddush luncheon, our staff can assist you with all the preparations! Please contact us for more information!