February 29, 2012 - Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills

By Rabbi Sara Mason-Barkin,
Congregational Educator & Religious School Director
RabbiMasonBarkin@tebh.org
Get Away with Temple
Emanuel!
Temple Emanuel Family Retreat:
January 27 - 29
There is an old Hasidic story in which the rabbi's young son
begins to wander away from the village to meander in the
woods. His father worries, because the woods are so dark
and dangerous. He fears that something lurking there might
harm his him.
He says to his child, “You know, I have noticed that you like
to spend time in the woods each day. I wonder, why do you
go there?” The boy replies, “I go there to fi nd God.”
“That is a good thing,” his father gently replies. “I am glad
you are searching for God. Do you know that God is the
same anywhere?”
“Yes,” replied the boy, “but I am not.”
While those of us at Temple Emanuel are unlikely to let
our children wander alone in the wilds of Los Angeles, we
understand the sentiment that sometimes it is necessary to
get away from one’s ordinary schedule and surroundings
to connect with ourselves and one another in a different,
deeper way. Shabbat can help, as it breaks us out of our
norm and requires us to slow down. However there might
be times when even Shabbat in the city is not enough.
Sometimes we just need to get away!
For the last several years, groups of families from Temple
Emanuel have taken to the roads to experience a weekend
away at the Temple Emanuel Family Retreat. Together, we
have explored themes of Shabbat and family, taken hikes,
Temple Emanuel Religious school is currently accepting enrollment.
For more information, please contact RabbiMasonBarkin@tebh.org.
(8) TEMPLE TOPICS /// JANUARY – FEBRUARY 2012
Temple Emanuel Religious School
Tu B'Shevat Family Day
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Religious School families celebrate the birthday
of the trees
• 9:00-10:00 Hebrew Learning & Parent Schmooze
• 10:00- 10:30 Welcome & Assembly
• 10:30-11:30 Multi-Sensory, hands on Tu’b’Shevat
family activities
• 11:30 Celebrating the birthday of the trees!
done yoga, traversed an adventure course, climbed trees,
created art and celebrated community. In this setting,
children are free to run and play in a safe place and adults
have time together for conversation with old friends and
new.
We are still Temple Emanuel when we gather away from our
‘regular’ sacred space, but there is undoubtedly something
different when we are away in nature together. Whether it
is the crisp, cool feeling in the air, the shared Shabbat meals,
or the way that relationships with our Temple friends deepen
and grow, it is undeniable: God is the same anywhere, but
when we get away we change, and are able to see the world
with new eyes.
We hope that you will join us this year for our annual Temple
Emauel Family Retreat. Families of all shapes and sizes
are welcome! This year we will journey together to Camp
JCA Shalom in Malibu. We begin with Shabbat on Friday
afternoon, January 27 and return on Sunday, January 29.
Please contact me with questions at rabbimasonbarkin@
tebh.org, or go online to register at www.tebh.org/retreat
L’Shalom,
Rabbi Sara