Congregation Beth-El Zedeck

05/21/2026

Chag Shavuot Sameach! As we enter the holiday tonight, we celebrate the giving of Torah and the joy of learning together. Whether you’re staying up late for study or savoring the sweetness of the holiday tomorrow, wishing you a meaningful and uplifting Shavuot.

!חג שבועות שמח

05/19/2026

Congregation Beth-El Zedeck stands in solidarity with the Islamic Center of San Diego community following the tragic shooting that has shaken so many families and lives. We mourn with those who are grieving, pray for the healing of the injured, and hold close all those affected by this senseless act of violence. In moments like these, we are reminded of our shared responsibility to support one another with compassion, strength, and unity. May the memories of those lost be a blessing, and may peace and comfort find all who are hurting.

Rabbi Hal B. Schevitz
Cantor Melissa Cohen

04/29/2026

Following last weekend’s performance of Fiddler on the Roof at Civic Theatre, Rabbi Hal led a powerful talkback exploring tradition, identity, and the ways Jewish life is often misunderstood or reduced to stereotypes. It was a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the show's themes through a deeply human lens. The show runs through May 9.

04/20/2026

Thank you to all who came out for our Rosh Ḥodesh Iyar workshop. Between the botanicals, the Dead Sea salt, and all those essential oils, the whole synagogue smelled like renewal! Your bath and shower spheres were a beautiful way to welcome the month.

04/17/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended our latest Rabbis Dennis and Sandy Sasso Civic Engagement Program. We’ve been learning so much through these meaningful conversations!

A special thank you to Judith Thomas of Indy Arts Council and Megan Telligman of Indiana Humanities for sharing their insights on philanthropy, community connection, and the power of the arts and humanities to bring people together.

We appreciate all who helped make the evening such a success and look forward to continuing the conversation.

04/15/2026

04/15/2026

36 women… that’s 2 chai… and yes, we’re counting it as a very good sign. Thank you to everyone who came out for Sisterhood Mahj and made it such a lively, joy-filled gathering. And to our bonus players who squeezed in, we see you, and we’re glad you did. 🀄✨

04/13/2026

A tremendous thank you to everyone who joined us at BRICS yesterday for the Sisterhood Torah Fund Donor Recognition gathering. We loved diving into The Neighborhood of Saturdays: Multiethnic Memories of Indy’s South Side with Dr. Susan Hyatt—and yes, enjoying a little late‑morning ice cream together.

Your generosity supports Torah Fund, which strengthens Jewish learning and unity by sustaining the five global Masorti/Conservative institutes of higher education.

And, you can read "The Neighborhood of Saturdays" online here: https://iuidigital.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/NOS/id/2122

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04/09/2026

We've had the NASA livestream on all week as the Artemis II mission unfolds. One moment that really moved us was the crew’s request to name a lunar crater "Carroll" in memory of Commander Reid Wiseman’s late wife. It is a gesture of love and remembrance carried farther from Earth than any of us has ever traveled. ❤️ In Judaism, we say "zikhram livracha", may their memory be a blessing. Even out in the quiet of space, memory has a way of anchoring us.

(The bright spot in the center of this image is "Carroll")

04/06/2026

For now, the winter is past,
The rains are over and gone.
The blossoms have appeared in the land,
The time of pruning has come.
The song of the turtledove
Is heard in our land.

כִּֽי־הִנֵּ֥ה הַסְּתָ֖ו עָבָ֑ר הַגֶּ֕שֶׁם חָלַ֖ף הָלַ֥ךְ לֽוֹ׃
הַנִּצָּנִים֙ נִרְא֣וּ בָאָ֔רֶץ עֵ֥ת הַזָּמִ֖יר הִגִּ֑יעַ וְק֥וֹל הַתּ֖וֹר נִשְׁמַ֥ע בְּאַרְצֵֽנוּ׃

Song of Songs 2:11-12