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PAST EVENTS:

DOG FRIENDLY HIKE & HAVDALAH: On Saturday, December 1st , a group came together in the afternoon to explore Turkey Creek at Emma Long. We were a diverse group that included a many humans and loads of dogs. It was nice to chat and walk the trail. Some of the hikers and some new people then met at Mt. Bonnell for a sweet havdalah service.

ZILKER THEATRE MUSICAL production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC: On Saturday, July 14th , we gathered at Zilker to enjoy the show. We dined, played games, and chatted waiting for the show. There was some weather drama. What we saw of the show was great and the weather added a bit of excitement. It finally rained right after Maria got married so the few remaining people headed home. We'll do it again next year, hopefully with less weather drama.

KAYAK & PICNIC: On Saturday, June 16th , a group met to spend the morning kayaking on lake austin, then adjourned to Zilker for lunch.

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS VS. TEXAS A&M TENNIS : On Saturday, April 14th, our tennis fans gathered together to watch some exciting collegiate tennis.

RESTORATIVE YOGA & JEWISH MEDITATION : On Saturday, April 14th, we joined together to renew, recharge, reinvigorate, and restore. Welcoming Shabbat by honoring rest and relaxation. What a wonderful and peaceful way to enjoy Shabbat!

BIKE RIDE: On Saturday, March 31st , a small group gathered to enjoy a nice Shabbat bike ride at the Gilleland Park Trails in Pfluegerville.

AUSTIN PREMIERE OF "THE GEFILTE FISH CHRONICLES": On Saturday, March 24th , with Passover fast approaching, we watched the Dubroff, Patasnik and Zodikoff Clans prepare for passover. We heard about the creation of the documentary from some of it's stars, got some great new recipes, and were reminded of the special family fun that is seders together.

HAVDALAH ON MT. BONNELL: On Saturday, March 10th , a small group gathered in the unusually wet weather to mark the end of shabbat with havdalah on Mt. Bonnell.

SOCIAL JUSTICE: On Saturday, February 25th , a group came together to discuss and determine which social justice topics best fit for our community.

CHALLAH BAKING: On Saturday, February 11th, there were 2 houses fill of people joyously baking. We came together to share in the mitzvah of challah baking. Everyone had a chance to make dough and learn how to create several braids. Check out the photos to see their stunning and yummy work.

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS v. TEXAS TECH BASKETBALL: On Saturday, February 4th, a group of temple sport enthusiasts got together to enjoy a little Texas rivalry basketball. Final score Texas 74 - Texas Tech 57. A great way to end shabbat and begin the week.

RESTORATIVE YOGA & JEWISH MEDITATION : On Saturday, January 28th, we joined together to renew, recharge, reinvigorate, and restore. Welcoming Shabbat by honoring rest and relaxation. What a wonderful and peaceful way to enjoy Shabbat!

BIKE RIDE: We had planned to have a bike ride on Saturday, December 3rd . We had our first weather outtage due to some very much needed rain. We'll reschedule the ride for spring.

SUKKAH PICNIC & SOFTBALL: On Saturday, October 15th , a group came together. We dined in the sukkah and enjoyed the lovely fall weather. We were a little light on softball players so a game of catch followed.

GAME NIGHT: On Friday, September 16th, we joined together to play games, relax, and chat. There was something for everyone including mexican train, ping pong, canasta, and bananagrams.

RESTORATIVE YOGA & JEWISH MEDITATION : On Saturday, September 10th , we joined together to renew, recharge, reinvigorate, and restore. Welcoming Shabbat by honoring rest and relaxation. What a wonderful and peaceful way to enjoy Shabbat!

MUSICAL JAM & HAVDALLAH: On Saturday, August 27th , we gathered together to celebrate the end of shabbat by singing and playing musical instruments together. There were many songs while a wonderful ad-hoc band accompanied Abby...there were drummers, egg shakers, triangle players, rattle shakers, and clappers. We finished with Havdallah and yummy snacks.

ZILKER THEATRE MUSICAL "FOOTLOOSE": On Saturday, July 23^rd , we gathered together to enjoy the end of our Shabbat. We started with a picnic on the hill. Then sat under the stars watching Footloose. It was a fun evening and we're looking forward to next year's performance....The Sound of Music.

REUNION AT THE OASIS : On Friday, July 8^th , we headed out to Lake Travis to enjoy the sounds of Reunion while dining at the Oasis. It was nice to be together after services enjoying dinner, drinks and dancing.

SAN GABRIEL PARK : On Saturday, June 25^th , we spent the morning enjoying the park. Some people enjoyed walks on the trails while others stayed by the cool CASTLE playscape. We ended our morning with a nice picnic.

TORAH STUDY 101: On Saturday, May 14^th - from Aaron (son) – I had fun. It was really interesting. What we did was we discussed the Torah Portion which was Behar and I learned about why and how there is a sabbatical year and a jubilee year. The Rabbi explained how that happened. from Lisa (Mom) – I enjoyed it too. It is nice to be able to take my children with me to anything at Beth Shalom and know that they will be welcomed and that people are excited they are there. It was such a nice way to kick off our Shabbat day.

"MUSICAL JAM" GATHERING : On Saturday, May 7^th , we came together on a Shabbat afternoon to "Jam". People brought their voices, instruments, music, and ruach! It was a great way to enjoy a Shabbat afternoon.

"TAKE 5" CONCERT : How great it was to relax and listen to some wonderful music with other Temple Beth Shalom members on Shabbat. Take 5 presented its “I Sing” performance at the Long Center’s Rollins Studio Theater on April 30^th, 2011 to an appreciative audience , with classics such as “Time After Time”, “Java Jive”, “Old Man River”, “Route 66”, Dave Brubeck’s “Take 5” (of course!), and many more memorable tunes. Temple Beth Shalom’s Fred Lugo wonderfully soloed on the Beatles “Revolution” and “In My Life”, and in Hoagy Charmichael and Ned Washington’s “The Nearness of You”. Along with his Take 5 singing partners Tish Bender, Edie Elkjer, Grady Basler and Pete Meeker, their presentation was upbeat and reminiscent of the Manhattan Transfer, and stayed very energetic throughout the 1 and ½ hour performance. Accompanied by Kay Rivers on piano, Art Kidd on drums, and Utah Hamrick on stand-up bass, the performance was a real treat for the eyes, ears, heart, and a wonderful addition to our Shabbat. After the performance, about half of the Temple attendees enjoyed a hearty dinner and schmoozing at Threadgill's on Riverside Drive. What a wonderful way it was for us to be together on Shabbat!

KAYAK AND PICNIC: Saturday, April 23^rd - Spending Shabbat morning with familiar faces and new friends was a nice way to start the weekend. With some regulars and first-timers at the Rowing Dock, the group enjoyed kayaking with each other, and occasionally breaking off to explore turtles and other wildlife along the shore. Our time on Lady Bird Lake was a pleasant balance of introspection and conversation. Being out on the open water, in the fresh air, and surrounded by lush tree-lined banks is an exercise in simply being. In between moments of self-reflection, I enjoyed getting to know people better. We are lucky to have such a great place to be in nature without leaving the city, and a warm Temple family to share the experience. No Jewish event is complete without the requisite noshing. The kayak group merged with a few more families near the Zilker Park playscape for a casual Passover picnic.

BIKE RIDE : On Saturday, March 26^th , we grabbed our bikes and headed to the Veloway. We enjoyed riding with each other (and no cars!) and looking at the beautiful surroundings. We finished our morning with a lovely picnic.

CHALLAH BAKING: On Saturday, March 5^th , we came together to share in the mitzvah of challah baking. Everyone had a chance to make dough and learn how to create several braids. Check out the photos to see their stunning and yummy work.

ROLLER SKATING: We kicked off our Got Shabbat events on Saturday, February 19 with a fun afternoon of roller skating. After lacing up our skates, we gathered for a Shehecheyanu in honor of our 1^st time skaters, those who hadn’t skated in 20+ years, and just for being together. All had a great time skating, what a fun way to spend a Shabbat afternoon with our Temple community.

Suggest an Event or Submit a Quote
Shabbat manifests in unique ways for each individual. What happens between Sundown on Friday and Sundown Saturday may take place on the J campus, in your home, or with friends. As the lights are kindled each week, our Temple Beth Shalom family is discovering new paths with one another...at the Veloway, Skateland, Zilker Park, baking challah and listening to music. What is meaningful is doing it together.

We look forward to hearing from congregants who can open our eyes to new journeys.

GOT SHABBAT Quote of the Week:

Every Friday night as we sit down to our Sabbath meal and say a blessing over the wine I am reminded of how being a member of Temple Beth Shalom fills my cup. Whenever I attend an event or a board meeting or bring my children to Religious School I have a sense of being spiritually filled. That feeling comes from the atmosphere of our Temple events and from the members who I have come to know and over the years many of them I have come to consider a some of my best friends. -Cecelia Stewart

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Shabbat is special because...
...its the first Hebrew word I learned how to read. -Jakey
...it marks the end of the week and we get to rest. -Jaelin
...it celebrates God making the world. -Ben
Shabbat is the the most awesome holiday because it comes every week. -Ben
Shabbat is special to me because it celebrates being a Jew. -Jeremy
Thank you 2nd Graders for your insight.

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Once long ago in a place far away I dated a nice Jewish girl who was also a member of my synagogue at the time. The first time I went to her house on a Friday evening, she had baked a challah and had some wine and grape juice. She, her daughter, her daughter's boy friend, and I lit candles, drank wine/grape juice, and ate challah. It was a nice respite from a busy week, and for the next several weeks, as long as we dated, I went to her house for Friday night Shabbat. - Maurie Ommerman, Member of Temple Beth Shalom

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I've always wanted to learn to meditate, but have struggled with turning my brain off for long enough to feel the peace that supposedly comes with meditation. I've tried multiple times and have almost gotten there, but inevitably I start thinking about some important issue or another and reality rears its ugly head. Shabbat, specifically singing through a Shabbat service, takes me about as close as I've ever gotten to that peaceful state of mind. The music, coupled with chanting or reciting the familiar prayers, is only enhanced by the warmth of the congregation that surrounds me. Perhaps this is group meditation? Shabbat services; my successful form of meditation, my peaceful end to the week. - Jeri Saper, Temple Beth Shalom member

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Music during services brings me to Shabbat, whether the music is instrumental or vocal. I used to only feel comfortable when I heard the traditional melodies of my youth. But now I can appreciate and enjoy newer arrangements of the ancient words from our liturgy. However, I feel the most connected to my heritage, the most spiritual, the most prayerful when I am singing with the [Temple Beth Shalom] Kol Hakavod ensemble. -Judy Batlan Clack, Temple Beth Shalom Member

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Anybody can observe the Sabbath, but making it holy surely takes the rest of the week. - Alice Walker

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Perhaps we can think of this quote when wishing others (or ourselves) a “Shabbat Shalom”, a Sabbath of peace: “PEACE: It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.” - Anonymous

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A thought has blown the marketplace away
There is a song on the wind and joy in the trees.
Shabbat arrives in the world
scattering a song in the silence of the night:
Eternity utters a day. - Abraham Joshua Heschel, one of the leading Jewish theologians / philosophers of the 20th century.

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A few years ago, I woke up on a Friday morning and smiled while I was getting ready for work, because I knew that by the end of the day, it would be Shabbat. There are different aspects to Shabbat for me; there is the initial sense of community that I feel when I attend services on Friday night or Saturday morning. Shabbat has become that bright spot during a week crowded by two jobs, driving all over the place, meetings, working out, cooking, laundry, errands, running to the grocery store, bills, etc.. when all of that chaos from the week is not relevant. Shabbat is a time that I choose to reconnect with the things that I love and with the people I love, and there has been a sense of absolute serenity and peace that I have found during Shabbat that I have been able to carry with me into the next week. I look forward to Shabbat every week, and I smile every Friday morning when I wake up and start getting ready for work. - Brandon Poland, Member of Temple Beth Shalom

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On the last Women's Retreat several of us met for an early morning Shabbat walk through a residential neighborhood in New Braunfels. I said, "Well, if we had to live in new Braunfels this would be a nice place to live". Elyse Rosenberg chimed in and said, "None of us can live in New Braunfels. It's too far to drive to Temple Beth Shalom." - Cecelia Stewart, Member of Temple Beth Shalom

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I love having Shabbat dinner at home with my mom, dad and brother Noah. Sometimes Noah and I haven't settled down yet for the blessings so it's a little noisy at first before the calm settles in (that sentence added by mom, Lori). I also love going to the "real" service at Temple Beth Shalom. My favorite prayer is Aleinu because I like it when Rabbi calls up my family to open the ark. Sometimes I even get to go up to open the ark without my parents! - Shayna Levy, Member of Temple Beth Shalom

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You may remember a Shabbat like this … at a kibbutz in Israel, at camp or Hillel. The Shabbat when you walk around and everywhere you look there are people you know. You join them for meals and services, in the afternoon you relax and socialize, and then at night -- s'mores and singing around the fire. I experience that Shabbat once a year, when I go on the Women’s Retreat with Temple Beth Shalom. It's a wonderful experience and my thanks go out to those who make it happen. - Miriam Levenstein, Member of Temple Beth Shalom

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In the midst of the chaos that is our lives, Shabbat reminds me that we are a part of something of something stable and eternal. - Bob Batlan, Member of Temple Beth Shalom

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When we were living in Singapore I would log onto the Temple web site every Friday to check out the events of that weekend and see what we were missing out on. I missed TBS so much and although we loved living in Singapore we were so happy to get home to Austin and our TBS community. We have no family in Austin but every time I attend a TBS event I feel like I am with my extended family at home. - Cecelia Stewart, Member of Temple Beth Shalom

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We always made Shabbat special in our house when the boys were young. Being working parents, preparations began on Thursday evening by prepping the meal and baking challah (email me for a recipe). When Friday evening came around, there was often a house full of friends. Each child choose a colored candle from a basket which they would light for the candle blessing. Our dog would join us in Kiddush and enjoy a piece of challah with hamotzi. We played board games played after dinner and our evening ended with a special dessert - ice cream sundaes with brownies or chocolate chip cookies. The boys really looked forward to Shabbat. As they got older the best part became sleeping late on Saturday mornings.

Our house is much quieter on Shabbat now and we don't eat ice cream sundaes very often. Our sons, Benjamin at UT and Aaron at Georgia Tech, know it's Shabbat when their father and I call to bless them every Friday night! We still try to make this a special time, even from a distance. - Kelly Finkel, Religious School Director at Temple Beth Shalom

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When we were living in Singapore I would log onto the Temple web site every Friday to check out the events of that weekend and see what we were missing out on. I missed TBS so much and although we loved living in Singapore we were so happy to get home to Austin and our TBS community. We have no family in Austin but every time I attend a TBS event I feel like I am with my extended family at home. - Cecelia Stewart, Member of Temple Beth Shalom

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"I look forward to Shabbat...not that it is just Saturday and I don't have to work but that I can shut the world off! I don't look at my BlackBerry or email, I'm able to spend time with family and just rest as God intended. When we light the candles on Friday night and say the prayer, it is not just lehadlik ner shel Shabbat but more SHABBAT in gratitude that it is finally here!" - Lori Freedman, Rebbetzin of Temple Beth Shalom

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[Shabbat] is not merely a day off; it is rather an expanse of time that is holy, different in quality and essence from all other days, consecrated both to God and to us for the purpose of our fulfillment as Jews. Rabbi Mark Washofsky in"Jewish Living: A Guide to Contemporary Reform Practice ."

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Prior to the building of our Temple in Chicago, my parents were honored to house the Torah in our home from Shabbat to Shabbat. My father would transport the sacred document to the designated meeting place, either the basement of the bank or the Masonic lodge meeting hall. The Torah was housed in the alcove of a long removed Murphey bed. A chair was placed in front of the alcove and the Torah was flanked by a heavy wooden bookcase. I still have that bookcase.

At six years old, I was not privy to services. But with the establishment of Union Institute in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, (now Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute), the first of what would become many such camps including our own Greene Family Camp, I became a member of that congregation.

For years my parents sang in that congregation's choir. And when my father died, the choir paid tribute to his memory by singing at his service, an unprecedented tribute. He died the day before Rosh Hashanah. And I can still hear his booming bass voice as our Temple Beth Shalom Kol Hakavod Choir chants the service . Harmon Motch, Temple Beth Shalom Member

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My daughter loves to hear me sing the Shabbat blessings for candles, wine, and challah as we read "My First Shabbat board book" from The PJ Library. That title is a favorite selection throughout the week, but Madeline's recognition of the tunes is a joy to watch when the whole family sings them together on Shabbat. I'm looking forward to having her voice join ours someday soon! Susan Fern, Member of Temple Beth Shalom

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