|
A Night at the (Movie) Theater
A group of approximately 20 B.A. moviegoers converged on the Gershman Y on Saturday, March 3,
to see Man is Woman, a French film about a gay Jew.
The boisterous crew took seats along with other Jews from around the greater Philadelphia area. The
movie offered an offbeat (as only the French can), but often poignant look at the expectations of society, our families, and sometimes even ourselves, about what we must do to make both us and our families happy.
The story revolved around David (and what better name for a gay Jew?), who, in the process of resisting his family's attempts to marry him to a nice Jewish girl, has started to shut himself off from his family and Judaism. His mother sets him up with a nice Jewish girl (and she really is very nice), and the fact that he likes her, combined with incredible pressure from his family, makes him decide to marry her.
The trail of deceptions balanced against David's desire to do the right thing (whatever that may be) led to often hilarious, and occasionally bizarre plot twists. The resolution? Let's just say you had to be there. Those who attended were glad they did!
Back to top of this page.
B.A. on TV
Congregation Beth Ahavah was in the television spotlight this spring. Our president appeared as a guest on Philly Live, a public affairs program airing Tuesday evenings at 7:30 on WYBE-TV - Channel 35.
If you tuned in on April 3rd, you had a wonderful opportunity to hear him talk about our congregation and field some questions, too. He told us how he became involved with Beth Ahavah, and why it is important to have a g/l/b/t congregation in this area. He reminded us how welcoming a congregation we are, regardless of our individual histories (or lack thereof) with other synagogues and Jewish schools. Our members' Jewish backgrounds span the spectrum, including Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist. And in a way that only Beth Ahavah could, we make it work so you feel comfortable, no matter who you are and where you've been.
Kudos to him for handling some tough questions, too. While most of the questions were quite friendly, and some even flattering (many from our members), some were more difficult. One caller quoted the Bible and even referred to us as "followers of Moses." As part of his answer, he deftly replied that we are monotheists and therefore believers in God and not Moses.
His enthusiasm really showed through, which helped our congregation look great on television. So don't be surprised if, at services one Friday evening, someone tells you that he or she is there because they watched a show about us. And the fact that he looked MAH-VE-LOUS in that suit didn't hurt either!
Back to top of this page.
President’s Address
Hello readers!!! I hope this newsletter finds you all well and beginning to enjoy warmer weather.
As summer approaches I am reminded that according to the Jewish calendar the year is more than half over. Our High Holiday committee has begun to meet and plans are underway for the upcoming year's services. Also, a new board of directors is to be installed as Beth Ahavah moves into its 27th year.
Spring has been a busy season. We had our annual Passover Seder with more than 50 people present. In late April, our WRJ (Women of Reform Judaism) hosted the "Post Passover Pasta Party" which was a dinner fundraiser for the synagogue that proved to be not only lucrative but also a blast, and again we were actively involved in this year's Pridefest week. I also had the privilege of representing the congregation on an episode of WYBE's gay and lesbian talk show Philly Live that was dedicated to the g/l/b/t Jewish community.
I want to remind all of you that Beth Ahavah's programming and activities do not slow down as we move into the summer months. Friday Shabbat evening services continue at 8:00 p.m. There is discussion about starting a monthly Shabbat morning service (more info to follow). We have our men's club annual trip to Rehoboth Beach, DE, in June and our WRJ chapter has events planned monthly through the summer months. These events are opened to members and non-members alike. I encourage you to check our website or call the office to find out more information about what is going on.
Back to top of this page.
West Side Megillah
B.A. was the center of the theater world on Saturday evening, March 10th for the east-coast premiere of West Side Megilla. West Side Megilla is the revival of West Side Story, Jewish style. As of Shofar press time, The New York Times review had not been printed. Read excerpts from the review in the upcoming printed issue of the Shofar.
Back to top of this page.
Special "Guy" Featured at March Chavurah
Outside, the weather was miserable. Inside, the company was warm and welcoming. The March Women's Chavurah/WRJ event was held at a member's home in Wynnewood. Special guest facilitator Ayala Guy, a professor from Temple University, led a fascinating program about Tikkun Olam.
The evening began with Havdalah, followed by an incredible potluck buffet. After dinner all eyes focused on Ayala, who began our discussion with some distinctly different views of Tikkun Olam, the most important of which was the need to repair oneself. This generated some very spirited and emotional discussion. Everyone agreed this was one of the most interesting programs we have had in a long time.
Back to top of this page.
Post Passover Party --- Primo
Grazie (thank you) to the WRJ/Women's Chavurah and their hard-working band of balaboostas for a very successful and fun Post Passover Pasta Party! With a huge assortment of food, wine and a very special "Maitre Dyke," B.A. was transformed into an exclusive Italian bistro. The 50+ attendees had plenty of time to eat (and eat and eat) and shmooze, and left with full bellies and smiles on their faces. Thanks to all who attended and worked on this event to make it not only a fun and delicious evening, but also a very successful fundraiser!
Back to top of this page.
The Oneg Guy
In my twenty-plus years of being a member of Beth Ahavah, I am more convinced than ever that at the heart of our congregational life is our observance of Shabbat. I have learned that attending services is important to many of us.
When you attend services, there are flowers on the bimah, and an Oneg follows services. The Oneg provides the opportunity to reconnect with old friends, and make new friends within our gay Jewish community. The flowers and Oneg are sponsored by members, families, friends, organizations, as well as non-members, and provide a wonderful way to acknowledge all life-cycle events while performing a mitzvah at the same time.
Share the joy of Shabbat and these special events with the congregation by sponsoring flowers for the bimah and/or the Oneg. The suggested contribution of $36.00 (double chai) each is tax deductible, and your sponsorship relieves the treasury of the expense for that week enabling the designated funds to be used in other areas of programming and services provided by Beth Ahavah.
Check out the Oneg Sponsors section of the printed Shofar, and share your news and support with our congregational family. Even those who cannot regularly attend services continue to help support our synagogue through their sponsorship.
To sponsor, you can call the synagogue office at 215-923-2003, box #7.
|
