Congregation Beth El of Windsor

05/14/2026

A lovely Seder Dinner!

Thank you to everyone who joined our Second Seder dinner on April 2nd, 2026.
It was a beautiful evening filled with friends, dedicated members, and families.

Thank you to the many volunteers for your time involved in the planning and preparation of this amazing night!
Chag Sameach!

02/22/2026

A fun time was had by all at our Hamantaschen Bake on Thursday night.
There can never be too many Hamantaschen for Purim!

01/27/2026

06/13/2025

To the Beth El Community,

Late last night, I received a call from my husband Jim—he had been following Israeli news sources reporting that Israel had launched strikes on nuclear and military targets in Iran. At that time, nothing had appeared yet on Canadian or American news outlets. I went to bed with a heavy heart, unsure of what I could do other than pray.

This morning, I awoke to a message from our president, Julie Tepperman, asking if I might send a note to the congregation. Though I am just weeks away from concluding my time as your rabbi, I am still your rabbi today—and in a moment like this, I knew I needed to speak to you.

When I awoke, I also saw a post from a dear friend and colleague—Rabbi Nachshon Carmi, one of my classmates, who was ordained alongside me and now lives in Yerushalayim. He had shared a video taken from his balcony: the sky was clear and blue; the typically bustling pre-Shabbat streets were silent. Only birdsong and the sound of a light breeze could be heard. No one was outside. It was Erev Shabbat. But it was also something else, and everyone was indoors. Waiting.

And we too, here in Canada, are waiting.

We are a people waiting, and praying. We are holding our breath alongside our brothers and sisters in Israel. Because when one part of Am Yisrael is trembling, the rest of us tremble too. It doesn’t matter whether we live in Eretz Yisrael or in Windsor—we are one people, one heart, one shared fate. We wait. And we pray. Together.

And so I ask you now, as your rabbi, in these final days of our journey together:

Believe. Even in the face of fear and uncertainty. Believe in our people, in our story, in our future.

Have faith. In the power of prayer, in the wisdom of restraint, in the possibility of peace.

Hold compassion. Let your heart remain soft. Do not let fear harden you. Be gentle with each other, with yourself, with the world.

And above all, do not turn away from hope. The sky over Jerusalem was blue today. And that means there is still light. There is still beauty. There is still God.

May the One who makes peace in the high heavens bring peace upon us, upon all Israel, and upon all who dwell on earth.

L'shalom
Rabbi Hazzan Devorah Fick

04/11/2025

Dear beloved Beth El community,

As we approach the sacred threshold of Passover, I want to share how deeply moved and held I’ve felt by your love, prayers, and kindness over these past several weeks. Though I haven’t always been well enough to respond to the many calls and messages, please know that every blessing and thoughtful check-in has reached me. You’ve reminded me what it truly means to be part of a community—not just as your rabbi, but as someone embraced and uplifted by you.

I am so very grateful.

To those who have stepped up to keep our community vibrant and whole—thank you. To the lay leaders of our Shabbat services, Torah studies, and Tot Shabbats; to those offering pastoral care, helping with Kiddush and Oneg, and organizing Purim and the Seder; to those supporting our Religious School; and to the leadership of our Board, Committees, and Staff—thank you. You haven’t just kept the flame burning—you’ve tended it with love and strength. You’ve shown that Beth El is more than any one of us. You are Beth El. This community is alive, resilient, and beautiful.

A final note of gratitude: I rarely mention individuals by name, as someone important is always at risk of being unintentionally left out. But in this case, I believe it’s important to acknowledge a few who have taken on significant coordinating roles behind the scenes. Thank you especially to Congregational President Julie Tepperman, Ritual Co-Chairs Sarah Shklov and Audrey Bondy, Shabbat Morning Gabbai David Reis, and Religious School Director Miriam Goldstein.

And now we stand together, much like our ancestors at the edge of the sea—on the brink of something sacred and new. Indeed, Passover is the season of becoming. In these precious hours before the miracle of crossing begins, we can feel the tightness of Mitzrayim: the narrow places—the waiting, the wondering—and ready ourselves for transformation.

This year, I invite us all to ask: "What is next?"
What freedom do I long for? What possibility awaits just on the other side?

May this season bless us with the courage to step forward, the wisdom to trust the journey, and the deep comfort of knowing we walk together—toward healing, renewal, and liberation.

With love and immense gratitude, and wishes for a peaceful Shabbat and a meaningful and joyous Passover,

Rabbi Cantor Devorah Fick

03/14/2025

Mazel tov John! From your friends at Congregation Beth El of Windsor

Congratulations to our president, Dr. John Cappucci on being awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal. Presented in the name of the King, the medal is awarded to Canadians who have rendered significant service to Canada. Dr. Cappucci was awarded the Coronation Medal for his work in promoting interreligious and ecumenical dialogue in our community. He was formally presented with the medal by Member of Parliament, Mr. Chris Lewis of Essex with nominations from Elder Lana Talbot and Mayor Crystal Meloche of LaSalle. Roman Catholic Diocese of London The Basilians The Historical Sandwich FIRST Baptist Church Town of LaSalle Chris Lewis MP University of Windsor

02/28/2025

Beth El Community,

Right now, we are carrying so much. As a Jewish family, we are sitting shiva together, mourning the Bibas children and the unthinkable cruelty we have witnessed, holding the weight of this moment in our history.

How do we bring all of this into our holy space? How do we create sanctuary to dwell with a God who is both of light and darkness, good and evil? (Isaiah 45:7) How do we hold each other through this?

​I​ have a way: I want to invite you​ to come to Shabbat tomorrow morning​. To be together. To pray, to chant Torah, to lift each other up in blessing. To bring what is on your heart into our sacred space.

This week, in Parashat Terumah, we are called to build such a sanctuary:

וְעָשׂוּ לִי מִקְדָּשׁ וְשָׁכַנְתִּי בְּתוֹכָם
"Let them make for Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them." (Exodus 25:8)

After services, we will gather for a Lunch and Learn, to engage in a conversation about what it truly means to build a sanctuary: a place of safety, vulnerability, strength, and holiness. We will create a space where we can be real with one another, ask the hard questions, and share from our hearts with care and respect. Together, we will set guidelines to ensure that this remains a truly safe and sacred space for honest and meaningful conversation.

I invite you to come—to build this sanctuary together, just as our ancestors built the Mishkan in the wilderness. Each of us brings something essential: ​o​ur heart, our perspective​s, our voice, our feelings, our thoughts, our experiences. This is how we create holiness—not alone, but together, in this place.

Every one of us matters when we come together to build our sanctuary. Every gift, every voice, every talent, every one of us. If you are able, I hope you will come. (But please register! We want to be sure we have enough food! ​https://bethelwindsor.org/adult-ed/​)

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Devorah

Rabbi Hazzan Devorah Fick
Congregation Beth El
2525 Mark Ave., Windsor, ON N9E 2W2
Office: 519-969-2422 (Canada)
Cell/Text: 517-918-3156 (US)
[email protected]

02/13/2025

Dear Beth El Family,

As we approach Valentine’s Day, a time to express love and appreciation, we are reminded that love in Jewish life is chesed—loving-kindness, the foundation of who we are as family here at Beth El. We are a place where all who seek a Jewish home are welcomed, embraced, and valued. We open our arms wide because we know that belonging is not about meeting arbitrary criteria—it’s about showing up, seeking connection, and embracing Jewish life and love. We are Beth El, the House of God: love is at the heart of who we are as a community, with our God, in this sacred space.

In this spirit of love and connection​ we will celebrate Shabbat ​this week in a way that reflects the warmth and chesed of our community. As we gather together, we will not only welcome Shabbat but also hono​ur the power of love in all its forms—through words, through shared meals, through music, and through the embrace of community.

Tomorrow Night: A Celebration of Love & Community:

6:00 p.m. – Valentine Making and Exchange: Write the words your heart longs to hear, then share them in a beautiful act of chesed.

6:15 p.m. - Dinner: Enjoy vegetarian pasta, salmon, and salad.

7:00 p.m. – Musical Shabbat: Lift your spirit in prayer and song.

8:00 p.m. – Sweet Oneg: Thanks to Mitchell & Baila Dietrich, in loving memory of Baila’s brother, Sheldon Indig.

RSVP for Dinner: Shabbat Dinner Registration – Please register to ensure we have enough food! https://bethelwindsor.org/shabbat-dinner/

This Valentine’s Day Shabbat, my deepest prayer is that we, the Beth El family, embody the spirit of chesed—that every person who walks through our doors feels truly seen, deeply valued, and fully embraced. May we be the community that warms the coldest days with kindness, steadies the uncertain with love, and reminds each soul that they belong. In every act of welcome, in every shared moment of connection, let us be the hands and hearts of a love that knows no bounds.

In love and loving-kindness,
Rabbi Devorah

01/22/2025

Mark your calendars for an exciting upcoming panel, featuring the great niece of Rosa Parks.

It's sure to be a wonderful event.

09/04/2024

September 11, 11am Assumption University