The Urban Dictionary defines “nosh ‘n schmooze” as “a gathering of friends at a favorite local restaurant where everyone eats and shares stories with each other. Usually occurs at a place that serves bagels.” That is exactly what we do! Once a month, Rabbi Asch hosts an informal discussion of all things Jewish over bagels and coffee at Bagel Mainea, the best little bagel shop in Augusta. Come schmooze with her!
Conceived and coordinated by congregants Nancy Ross and Gail Fels, the Temple Beth El Book Club meets every other month to discuss a book with Jewish themes or values. Past books include Lucette Lagnado’s The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit: A Jewish Family’s Exodus from Old Cairo to the New World and Amos Oz’s Between Friends. Please email Gail (gpfels@aol.com) or Nancy (nancyjeanneross@gmail.com) to learn more about how to join up.
As Jews, we are encouraged to pursue tikkun olam (repairing the world) — each of us has a responsibility to help make the world a better place. In the Pirkei Avot, Rabbi Tarfon teaches, “It is not your obligation to complete the task, but neither are you at liberty to desist from it entirely.” Social action matters to us at Temple Beth El — through social action, each of us can help repair the world. We offer year-round opportunities for members to get involved to improve our Maine communities.
Beth El in Action
Beth El in Action is our community organizing initiative. Members of the Temple have organized with members of the interfaith community to make our schools more welcoming of minority religions. We have worked with four local school boards and though our work they have passed religious accommodation policies. These policies say that schools will not schedule important events (back to school night, picture day, homecoming, field trips, etc.) on important religious holidays and will allow students extra time to make up work they have missed. We are now meeting with principals to talk about how we can help to educate school staff about religious diversity.
Volunteering
Our dedicated group of Temple Volunteers opens up Addie’s Attic once a week. This free clothing bank serves those in need in the Augusta area. We also run a High Holiday food drive, and collect diapers for Basic Essentials Pantry. We feed the hungry every 5th Saturday in partnership with the local Catholic church. We are privileged to work with our faith partners to give back to our community.
Work with Immigrants and Refugees
Temple members are actively involved with the Capital Area New Mainers Project or CANMP.
Hebrew School–9:30am to 12 on Sundays
We are proud of our Hebrew School, which offers enthusiastic teachers, small class sizes, and a vibrant curriculum. If you are interested in enrolling your child, please contact Rabbi Asch to arrange a meeting.
At each Hebrew School session, there are four distinct parts to each student’s learning, all of which are important to helping to raise our children as educated, “menchy” Jews with a strong sense of Jewish identity and community.
1. All School Time
We set aside time for our students to spend with other Jewish kids and build a community of Jewish friends and adults. During these diverse classes, teachers also incorporate activities which help our students get to know one another better and develop friendships. Past classes have included cooking, Jewish music, art, drama, photography, games and more!
2. Judaic Content
We want our students to have a broad knowledge of Jewish texts, history, and values. Our youngest students study a different holiday or value every session; our elementary school students work with the Chai curriculum to teach Jewish values. Our b’nai mitzvah students focus on different modules created by our four teachers.
3. Hebrew
Having a basic knowledge of Hebrew helps our students pray in our community and in Jewish communities they encounter for the rest of their lives. We use Hebrew Through Movement program to teach vocabulary and understanding. Students also master letters, and learn the meanings behind the prayers as well as basic Hebrew vocabulary and root words.
4. Prayer
Each week we have Circle Time, which is a prayer service that helps to build community and teach students the basic elements of prayer. This is a vital part of our day together. Students learn the prayers by participating actively in Circle Time; parents can help by following along with their children. This is also time to learn the structure of the service and basic prayer choreography (when to sit, stand, and bow). Finally, it is a time to have a group teaching about a Jewish value, a big question, a ritual, and other important topics
Our adult learning is now hybrid. Check our calendar for the latest schedule and your weekly email for the login information and special announcements. To get added to the weekly email list, contact the Temple office (bethelaugusta@gmail.com).
Daf Yomi
In January 2020, we started a Talmud study each week before Torah study. We meet at 10:00am to look at part of the Talmud from the last week of the Daf Yomi cycle. Some participants are studying on their own each week and some just join us on Saturday. There is no need to have prior experience with Talmud study and all the texts are provided.
Torah Study
We are a community that loves learning — in a synagogue with fewer than 110 families, we regularly have 15 people show up for Torah Study on Saturday mornings. Rabbi Asch leads us as we read, discuss, question, argue, and explore the richness and complexity of the Torah and other foundational texts of Judaism. All are welcome to attend at 10:30am and to join us for Shabbat lunch after Torah study.
Soup and Study
This popular monthly study features a variety of topics from bikkur holim (caring for the sick) to Reform Responsa to High Holiday texts. It always has lively discussion, as well as soup, salad and fruit. Be sure to RSVP for this program so we will have enough soup!
Our community celebrates all the traditional Jewish life cycle events. Rabbi Asch is always available to both members and non-members to discuss her participation in your event.
Please email Rabbi Asch (rabbiasch@gmail.com) for more information.
• Brit milah/Baby naming: We celebrate the birth of children with a traditional ceremony welcoming them into the covenant. Rabbi Asch designs each ceremony with the input of the parents to make it meaningful and personal for the families. Rabbi Asch is available to do namings for families who are not affiliated with the synagogue. Please contact her. She would love to work with you on designing a special ritual.
• Bar Mitzvah/Bat Mitzvah: Rabbi Asch officiates at these meaningful ceremonies which are crafted to meet the needs of each child. With a small number of ceremonies each year, Rabbi Asch is able to get to know the students well. In addition to attending Hebrew school, students study with Rabbi Asch for nine months leading up to the ceremony. They lead the service and at least three aliyot from the Torah. They offer a teaching about the Torah portion and do a haftarah project. Additionally they become part of the community by attending services and holiday celebrations and participating in a mitzvah project. If you are new to our community, please be in touch with Rabbi Asch if you are interested in a Bar or Bat Mitzvah for your child.
• Conversion to Judaism: We welcome all people who are interested to converting to Judaism. For more information please look at the “Converting to Judaism” page under the “Join” tab.
• Weddings: Rabbi Asch officiates at weddings for members and non-members who choose to get married in Maine. Please contact her as soon as possible to find a date when she is available. [It is best to be in touch with her before booking a venue.] Rabbi Asch works to get to know each couple she marries. She will do 4-5 pre-wedding counseling sessions with each couple and work with them to craft a ceremony that is meaningful.
• Funerals: The Temple community is here for you when you experience a death. Rabbi Asch is available to officiate at funerals and the community comes together for shivah minyans at the family’s home or the Temple. Rabbi Asch does funerals all over the state of Maine. If you have a death, please contact her as soon as possible to make arrangements. We also have yizkor services four times a year. Rabbi Asch studies mishna with people on the yahrziet of their loved ones. This is a traditional form of honoring those who have died.
We celebrate all the Jewish holidays with services, special programs, community, and, of course, food. Holidays offer us an opportunity to gather as a community to connect with our traditions, worship and pray together, and enjoy traditional meals. For more information about our holiday service schedule, look at our calendar or Facebook page.
High Holidays
We gather together for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services where we use the Reconstructionist machazor. Our services combine a reverance for tradition with modern readings and melodies. We host the Lipman Kiddush on the first day of Rosh Hashanah and a tashlich at the Hallowell boat landing. We have multiple services on Yom Kippur day and end with a break fast. We also have children’s services for our youngest members. All are welcome to attend; no tickets are required. We request that visitors offer a donation.
Sukkot
Our Sukkah raising features crafts, games and fresh pressed cider! We celebrate Sukkot together, joining for meals on Shabbat evening and Shabbat day. We also have study sessions in the beautiful space. We end our week of Sukkot with a joyous Simchat Torah celebration including dancing, singing, and, of course, reading
Passover
We host a community potluck seder the second night of Passover. Led by Rabbi Asch this all- ages friendly observance features traditional Passover foods and songs as well as a new way to tell the Passover story each year. All are welcome. We ask for reservations so we have enough food and seats. Contact the Temple office to reserve your space.
Shavuot
We celebrate Shavuot each year doing what many of us love best, learning. Each year congregants teach some lessons and Rabbi Asch teaches as well. We take breaks for noshing and even cooking some traditional Shavuot foods. On Shavuot morning, like all festival mornings, we have a service including yizkor.
More! (Purim, Chanukkah, Tu BiSh’vat…)
At Temple B
eth El we love to come together as a community. Whether it is joining for a Purim skit, lighting dozens of chanukiyot at the Temple, or hiking though the Maine woods for Tu BiSh’vat we celebrate being Jewish all year. We hope to see you at some of our holiday observances.
We offer a variety of worship opportunities for our families. Rabbi Asch leads Friday night and Saturday morning family service throughout the year. These services feature songs, stories and many opportunities for participation. We also have other family events including pajama havdallah. Geared toward children, this service offers engaging stories, fun songs, and a festive atmosphere to share our love of Shabbat with our youth. Rabbi Asch is a former schoolteacher and a mother of three young children, so she knows how to connect with kids!
Renowned singer Robyn Helzner joined us for a Family Service in 2013.
Most services are in person and on Zoom. Please check our calendar for the latest updates. We welcome participants from all over Maine (and beyond!) To receive the Zoom login information, contact the Temple office (bethelaugusta@gmail.com). We encourage everyone to have a siddur (prayer book) at home. Let us know if you need to borrow one.
Friday Night Services
We invite you to welcome Shabbat with us at our Erev Shabbat service, which is held in our sanctuary twice a month. Some services start at 6:00pm , others at 7:00pm; check the online calendar for times. Shabbat is the most important day in the Jewish week, our time to rest, reflect, and replenish ourselves spiritually as we join together in prayer and blessings. Led by Rabbi Asch, this participatory service features prayers, songs, and readings from the Mishkan Tefillah, the inclusive prayer book of Reform Judaism.
The 7:00pm service is a thought-provoking and soul-enriching experience, followed by a joyous oneg (desserts and schmoozing) afterward.
The 6:00pm service is a designed for all ages and is followed by a potluck Shabbat dinner at 7:00pm. Please stay and join us for a meal. You are welcome to bring a dish (no meat, please), or just come. There is always enough food.
Saturday Morning Services
Our Saturday morning services feature joyful singing, reflection on the week, a Torah and haftarah reading and an interactive discussion. Sometimes we take our Shabbat morning services outside with our hiking Shabbat services held during the summer or Shabbat in the Wild during the winter. We always join together for a meal after services. Check our calendar to see what is happening this month at TBE!
Havdalah
We often have havdalah ceremonies to say goodbye to Shabbat. This brief service is a chance to check in with other TBE members and give thanks for Shabbat. Times change, so check the Temple calendar for details. If you need a havdalah candle, we are happy to provide you one from our gift shop. Havdalah blessings can be found here.
Family Services
We offer a variety of worship opportunities for our families, including a Saturday morning family service throughout the year. Geared toward children, these service offers engaging stories, fun songs, and a festive atmosphere to share our love of Shabbat with our youth. We also have other family events including pajama havdallah. Rabbi Asch is a former schoolteacher and a mother of three young children, so she knows how to connect with kids!
Shabbat in the Wild
During the time of deepest cold and dark, we take our prayer outdoors and spend a special Shabbat in the Wild. Walking by snowshoe through the woods, we experience the wondrous beauty of winter, stopping periodically to chant, offer readings, and share stories and insights with each other.
Temple Beth El
3 Woodlawn Avenue
Augusta, ME 04330
207-622-7450
