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   | Temple B'nai Chaim : Member of URJ Temple B'nai Chaim is a modern reform congregation inspired by over 5700 years of tradition. We believe in a living Judaism compatible with contemportary science, historical understanding, and ethical sensibilities, which reflects everyday reality. Our campus is located on property just off Route 7 near Georgetown. Our members mainly are from Fairfield county with the majority living in Bethel, Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport, Wilton & Norwalk. See our future: Visit the Kulanu- New Building Design page (now on this site) |
For up to the minute school closings check email or call the office and press 3 This website may not be always up to date on school or Temple closings
Did you see the article by Lois Alcosser all about TBC in the November Wilton Magazine? The link on-line is http://www.wiltononline.com/wilton/articles/print.asp?id=4464 Click Here for the Parking Lot Duty Schedule 2008 & School Calendar
| Date | Time | Place | No Sunday School Until
April 27, 2008
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| TBC | June 1 - Fundraiser
B'Nai Relay
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9:OOAM | TBC | Yom Ha Shoah
Thursday, May 2, 2008
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| Everywhere |
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Religious School : Sundays 9:00AM 1st session, 11:00AM 2nd session Hebrew School W/Th @ 4:20pm Please be on time Beit Tefillah : House of Worship  | Join us each Friday night for our Shabbat services. In the summer services begin at 6:00PM. During the year (September to June) our regular service begins at 7:30 PM. Please check our calendar each week for which service is being held. A brief description of the various Shabbat Service formats and a schedule of Shabbat Evening Services for September through June is below. |
Beit Midrash : House of Study
 | From the earliest Religious school experience in Junior Chai (ages 3-4), through confirmation class studies with the Rabbi, the Temple B'nai Chaim Religious School strives to provide our students with a foundation for experiencing the joy, pride and learning that come with being part of a Jewish community. |
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Beit Knesset : House of Gathering
 | Whether it is a celebration of our wonderous holidays or a social gathering to discuss the latest events in our community, TBC welcomes you to participate with us. There are numerous social events throughout the year. Please go to the calendar section of the site to see the next events. |
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Celebrate Shabbat 2007- 2008 : As always, everyone is welcome to all services. Below are the dates for the services for 2007/2008
Family service (7:30 p.m., ~45 minutes long, 1st Friday of the month)
Focus - geared towards families with school aged children. We will sing upbeat melodies used in school and camp. There will be no formal sermon. Come welcome Shabbat with high energy and a youthful spirit! September 7 (Shabbat Family Service and Prospective Member Reception), October 5 (Shabbat Family Service and Simchat Torah Celebration), November 2, December 7, January 4, February 1, March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6
Torah service (7:30 p.m. ~1 hr,15 mins, 2nd Friday of the month)
Focus - this service is for those who love to hear the Torah chanted and expounded upon. There will be a full Torah service and sermon with traditional melodies and rituals. October 12, November 9, December 14, January 11, February 8, March 14, April 11, May 9, June 13
Musical Shabbat (7:30 p.m. ~ 1 hr, 15 mins)
Focus - these services will feature an expanded musical component, with special selections program by the cantor around a unifying theme or genre. Guest artists and musicians may be present. November 30, January 25, February 15, June 20
Kabbalat Shabbat (7:30 p.m., ~ 1 hr, 15 mins ) & Discussion group
Focus - this service will have an abbreviated liturgy, with a focus on discussion of a relevant topic suggested by the Torah portion or current events. Come prepared to share your thoughts and reflective, Jewish setting.
November 23, December 21, December 28, February 22, April 18, May 23
Summer Kabbalat Shabbat Services (6:00 pm), June 27, July 4, July 11, July 18, July 25, August 1, August 8, August 15, August 22, August 29,
Tot Shabbat (6 p.m., ~30 mins. long scheduled occasionally)
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This brief service will be geared towards very young children and will feature a creative story or skip enhanced by child-friendly Shabbat music. The one half hour service will be followed by a one half hour (pot-luck-style) oneg. October 12, December 14, February 8, April 11, June 13
Special Shabbat Services
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September 28, Sukkot Service, 6:00 pm
October 19, Shabbat Service and Membership Recognition, 7:30 pm
October 26, Shabbat Service with Seventh Grade, 7:30 pm
November 16, Shabbat Service with Sixth Grade, 7:30 pm
January 11, Shabbat Service with Senior Youth Group
January 18, Shabbat Service with Fifth Grade, 7:30 pm
February 29, Adult Education Shabbat Service, 7:30 pm
March 28, Shabbat Service with Second and Third Grades, 7:30 pm
April 25, Shabbat Service with Junior Youth Group, 7:30 pm
May 16, Shabbat Service with Kindergarten and First Grades, 7:30 pm
May 30, Shabbat Service and Volunteer Recognition, 7:30 pm
June 6, Shabbat Service and Confirmation, 7:30 pm
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We may not always be able to put school closings on the Website. You can find out if school is closed by going to CTweather.com . In the left hand column click on IAN Cancellations, and then click on "Schools". Also check email or press 3 after calling the Temple office. You will also be able to find TBC closing information on: http://www.cancellations.com/ Enter your zip code or the zip code of the synagogue (06829) to see our postings. In addition, there will also be a message on the phone answering system at the Temple . Once connected to the main message press the number 2 or 3 on your touchtone phone to get to the religious school announcement
Serve a Meal @ Norwalk Emergency Shelter:
As a Temple community we have stepped up to cover Thursday dinner shift at the shelter. The work session is from 4:30pm to 7:00pm. We work under the direction of the shelter's chef. As a team we prepare the meal and help to serve the dinner. Clean up is pretty quick. We need a minimum of 3 helpers each Thursday. Think about working one Thursday for the next year. Ages 8 and above can be a big help in the kitchen, no one under 18 years of age can serve food out in the dining area. Call Katherine Mike Heft or Reese Schechter for details, directions and more!
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Sisterhood Judaica Shop:
Need a special gift? Come see the variety of items in the Sisterhood Judaica Shop.
For access to the shop please contact Linda Bolton in the Temple offiice or Lisa Oren the Judaica Shop Organizer. Holidayspecific items for Passover will arrive in March and we will have Sunday morning open hours again at that time. In the meantime, we have jewelry, Shabbat and other holiday accessories, and much more Judaica for yourself or a gift. The Judaica shop is located in the back hallway of the temple.
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We have raised over $2,000,000 towards our total goal of $3,000,000 - and that is with pledges from only one quarter of the members of Temple B'nai Chaim!! But we need your participation to reach our goal. We wish for each member to participate in our future. If you are ready to participate and meet please leave a message for Michael Johnston at the TBC office (203) 544-8695. Other Events
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Jewish Learning Hungry for a little Jewish learning over the summer (and through out the year)? Here are three easy to access, easy to use opportunities to learn from the convenience of your own computer brought to you by the Union for Reform Judaism's Lifelong Learning Department. Please take a nibble and enjoy!
Access 10 Minutes of Torah! Already reaching close to 20,000 people
Four years ago, the URJ started 10 Minutes of Torah, a one page e-mail each day on a Jewish topic. Just log on and choose which days you would like to receive this quick but thought-provoking resource. All you need is 10 minutes in order to do your part in adult Jewish study for the day. http://www.urj.org/torah/ten and if you’re looking to upgrade your Jewish learning hard drive, check out:
Eilu v’Eilu
This point/counterpoint model involves a dialogue between two contemporary scholars and provides for your active participation. This kind of intellectual debate is at the center of our tradition, and this is your way to be a part of it! http://www.urj.org/torah/ten/eilu/ Also, sign up your teens for:
iTorah
In this weekly email, young adults address Jewish issues relevant to their lives in a teen-friendly format. Perfect for personal use, youth group discussions and Hebrew High School study. http://www.urj.org/enews/itorah/
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Events in Our Community:
ARC:
The Association of Religious Communities presents Interfaith Peace Camp 2007. This camp runs from July 9-13 from 9:00am to 2:00pm with the last day at Temple B’nai Chaim with Rabbi Cohen. Each day campers, ages 9 to 12, learn about different religions, create unique crafts, play games, and make new friends while learning how peace is practiced in each faith tradition. For an application, contact Margaret by Thursday July 5, 2007 by emailing margaretbouffard_arc@yahoo.com.
Updates Send any Information to Linda Bolton that you would like on the site Volunteers are the life-force of our congregation; without them, we simply could not create the kind of community that we strive to be. We are extremely grateful for all the volunteers of our congregation. Please help us help people.