Announcements on Shabbos - January 17, 2026
To find more detailed announcements,
click here for Kishrei Kehillah

Beth El Briefings

Mazel tov to Rabbi Charlie and Dr. Andrea Wershof Schwartz on the Bar Mitzvah of their son Aviv Yonah. Mazel tov to Aviv’s sisters Maayan and Noa, and to Aviv’s grandparents, Minda and Peter Wershof of Ottawa and Barbara and Jack Schwartz of Portland, Oregon. May Aviv continue to grow and be a source of pride for his family and community!

Thank you to Rabbi Charlie and Dr. Andrea Wershof Schwartz for sponsoring Kiddush this week in honor of Aviv’s Bar Mitzvah. After Kiddush everyone is invited back into the Main Sanctuary for Bar Mitzvah related speeches.

Mazel tov to Gaby and Barton Zwiebach on the birth of a graddaughter born to parents Katherine and Aaron Zwiebach. May the precious new addition be raised to Torah, Chuppah and Ma’asim Tovim!

Shabbat Snif this week will take place at Shaarei for grades 2-6 at 4:00pm.

Seudah Shelishiet this week will take place in the Social Hall.

Parent-Child Learning—THIS WEEK: Come enjoy some Torah learning with friends and family with FOOD, ICE CREAM, TREATS, & PRIZES galore. We will be meeting this Motzei Shabbat Parshat Vaera, Jan. 17th at 6:30pm for grades 1-8. Packets will be distributed for learning. Grades 1-5 will be tested orally and grades 6-8 will be tested by a Kahoot Challenge for a chance to win prizes. The older group should bring a device that is capable of connecting to the kahoot. We will also have a few devices available for use. In addition to the weekly prizes, children who consistently attend will receive a grand prize at our Grand Finale—guaranteed! There will also be an even bigger prize raffled at this Grand Finale event. Come learn, have fun, eat, and win prizes!

DEADLINE THIS SUNDAY: Shabbat Shirah Shabbaton with Eitan Katz is planned for the weekend of Jan. 30-31. We’ll be kicking off the Shabbat weekend with a festive Kabbalat Shabbat, a full course Friday night Communal Dinner catered by Andrew’s, Friday Night Tisch, Shabbat Morning services, Seudah Shelishiet with zemirot, and ending off with Maariv and a musical Havdallah! The Friday Night Communal Dinner requires RSVP no later than this Sunday, Jan. 18th: https://forms.gle/5FqrY18jfM2qjtjNA. See flier.

DEADLINE THIS SUNDAY: An Evening of Thanks for Those Who Keep Our Shul Safe: Sat. evening, Jan. 31st at 8:00pm, the shul is planning a communal evening get-together in honor of individuals who serve as Six13 volunteer security guards at Congregation Beth El-Atereth Israel. The event will be hosted at a private residence with sushi, desserts, drinks and musical entertainment provided by Eitan Katz. RSVP here: https://forms.gle/Soq7vZ7LoTFBgaRr9

SAVE THE DATE: Friday Night Cholent Cook-Off: By popular demand the shul cholent cook-off will be back on Friday night, Feb. 7th. Details to follow. Contact James Wolfe for other info.

SAVE THE DATE: Scholar in Residence—Rabbi Meir Finkelstein will be speaking to us on Friday night, Feb. 7th followed by the cholent cook-off, as well as other times later that Shabbat. Details to follow.

High School Chaburah with Rabbi Segal on Hilchot Shabbat will continue this Sunday, Jan. 18th after the 4:35pm Mincha/Maariv minyan.

Sunday Activity with the Shlichot will take place at Beth El in the downstairs Youth Room from 10am-12pm and will involve falafel making.

Semichat Chaver Program: Join Rabbi Segal this Tuesday, January 20th at 8pm as we continue to learn about the topic of Bassar B’Chalav and laws related to Kashrut.

Thursday Morning Learning: The Parshat HaShavua Shiur with Rabbi Segal will take place this Thursday morning, Jan. 22nd at 11am via Zoom. Look out for the link in your email.

Hosting Our Shlichot: To host our shlichot for a Shabbat meal please sign up here. For questions, please contact Michal Weitman, Beth El’s liaison for the Shlichot: weitmanm@gmail.com.