There is strength in numbers. We invite you to grow strong with us. To become a member, click here for a form you can fill out right on your computer.
What does Brotherhood mean to our congregation?
Brotherhood is one of three major fundraising and leadership groups within our congregation at Beth Haverim Shir Shalom.
Simple.
What does this mean? We do know that Brotherhood builds the sukkah each year, has an open fire pit and makes smores in the fall and winter, hosts a suite at the New York Boulders each year, meets once a month for dinner, once a month for breakfast, and we also host an annual Hanukkah dinner/party.
Wonderful.
But that’s not all. Brotherhood co-sponsors many other activities. We sell hamantaschen and give the proceeds to the Youth Group on Purim. We collect clothing and coats and other items year-round in conjunction with our Youth Group and deliver them to Midnight Run to distribute directly to the homeless community in NYC. Twice a year we participate in Midnight Run, where we are actively out on the streets making a difference in the lives of others.
But that’s not all. Brotherhood supports Social Action, Michelle Mitzvah and Sisterhood in many social action events, supports the BHSS Community Garden, and so much more at BHSS and in the communities at large.
Brotherhood is one of the many supports that holds our congregation high. It’s not what we do for the community, but it is about creating a community within our congregation where brothers and sisters can get together and have a safe place to express themselves, relax and do good for others and ourselves.
We are grateful for our members, both existing and new, and would like to invite everyone at BHSS to check out some of our events, come to a meeting, participate in a community building event and strengthen our position within our BHSS Community.
If you would like to learn more, or become part of our email chain, please reach out to us at [email protected] or [email protected].
We don’t have a president, or a formal board. We do have a bunch of past presidents and dedicated people who participate and help us do good in the community.
We are BHSS Brotherhood. Repairing the World, one Mitzvah at a time.
If you would like to know more about the Brotherhood or would like to get involved, contact us at [email protected] and either Jonathan, Erb, Ian or Allan will get back to you.
Brotherhood is here …
to serve our entire community during these challenging days. Please email us at [email protected] with your contact information to ensure we have your current information.
Join us on Facebook for updates, and look for our weekly emails regarding upcoming meetings and conference links and dial-ins. Our group is Beth Haverim Shir Shalom Brotherhood.
An open letter to our fellow members of Beth Haverim Shir Shalom:
Since 2012, BHSS Brotherhood held a winter coat drive every year. For the first few years, donations were made to several different recipient organizations – New York Cares, People to People, and Episcopal Church of Suffern. Since 2016, our annual winter coat drive became an annual seasonal clothing drive, collecting all clothing for Fall/Winter, and Spring/Summer, and the recipient was People to People, for their varying programs…all local…coat drive, seasonal clothing, dress for success…and we gave them clothing for Men, Women, and Children.
This year, 2018, something interesting happened. Our first delivery in October, a yield of about 15 large bags of clothing that took two overstuffed vehicles to deliver, did not all make it to People to People. It seems that the people of Rockland and Bergen Counties…which includes the members of Beth Haverim Shir Shalom…had donated so much clothing that they were only able to accept clothing donations on Mondays and Thursdays, leaving the other days of the week for their other donations of food, school supplies, hygiene products, and so much more. These are good problems to have! One carload was donated to People to People, and another carload to the Episcopal Church of Suffern (that houses the Suffern Soup Kitchen).
As we were preparing for our latest delivery, we found out that People to People is not accepting any clothing donations until January 15, 2019! So, today, we came to the Temple and bagged up the clothing for donation…and this yield filled up a very large car with another 15 bags of winter clothing. This donation is on its way to the Nyack Homeless Project…another local non-profit serving local people in need.
From the bottom of our hearts, the leadership of BHSS Brotherhood thanks our fellow congregants for the amazing donations, and the constant and continual support and donations of clothing, as our annual seasonal clothing drive continues. The generosity of the congregants of BHSS is boundless. The noblest thing a Jew can do is perform anonymous acts of Tzedakah (Righteousness) to help the stranger and to feed and clothe the needy who live in our own communities.
Thank you to our community, and may our generosity, kindness, and Tzedakah warm the hearts and souls of many more each day, each year, and for years to come.
L’Shalom!
SIncerely yours,
BHSS Brotherhood
EVENTS:
For more information about our events, contact [email protected] or (917) 531-0043
Who We Are:
Men Supporting Men, Men Supporting the Community
On behalf of the BHSS Brotherhood, we would like to welcome you to our community.
In recent years we all have experienced greater demands on our time. With increased responsibilities, we have had to sacrifice part of ourselves in order to meet these obligations; but at what cost? Fortunately, there is an organization in our community where men can make new friends, have conversations with those who face similar challenges, have social activities with other men, and even take care of some of their spiritual needs. That is Brotherhood.
Brotherhood provides men the opportunity to:
Make new friends – Join us for our monthly meetings where we get together for friendship and conversation at local restaurants. Our meetings are typically held on a Thursday evening. Come for dinner, a snack, or just a drink; the choice is yours.
Discuss issues important to you – New this year! Join us for our Sunday Morning Rap Sessions where you discuss any issues you want; be it sports, work or other challenges or topics; all in a non-judgmental setting. Also, participate in our continuing Men’s Health Series.
Participate in social activities – Activities geared towards father/child relationships, family as well as men-only events. Enjoy a night at the theatre with your Brotherhood friends and family; attend our popular Chanukah party!
Fulfill spiritual needs – Participate in a monthly Minyan, Brotherhood Shabbat, Men’s Seder (where we discuss issues facing contemporary man), and special services.
Become part of a group that provides programming for the community – Pizza night in the Sukkah, sponsoring the showing of important movies and other educational and entertainment programs.
Whether you are a young man with children or an empty nester, there is something for everyone in Brotherhood. As a member of Brotherhood you not only invest in your community, you are investing in yourself. Aren’t you worth it?
All men who are Jewish or a partner in an interfaith relationship are warmly welcomed.
Temple Community Network (TCN)
TCN is a professional networking group that is currently focused on the the job search needs of our community. Whether you are in transition/job search mode or are currently employed and can offer assistance, we encourage you to participate. The highest level of tzedakah is enabling the recipient to become self-sufficient. TCN is a joint project of Beth Haverim Shir Shalom, Temple Beth Rishon, Barnert Temple, and Temple Beth Or.
Barnert Temple, 747 Route 208 South, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
Directions to Barnert Temple:http://barnerttemple.org/about_us/about_us.php3?page=249
(Don’t trust your GPS on this one, use these directions.)
For more information, contact Bob Roman (Temple Beth Rishon): [email protected], Bob Levin (Barnert Temple): [email protected], Mala Lawrence (Temple Beth Or): [email protected], Ed Vogel (Beth Haverim Shir Shalom): [email protected] or Ken Lang (Temple Beth Tikvah): [email protected].