Celebrating our Member Milestones: Vicki and Jerry Stewart

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Celebrating our Member Milestones: Vicki and Jerry Stewart

02/21/2022 10:01:14 AM

Feb21

Member Milestones is an initiative at Temple Beth El to spotlight our longtime members, who have provided a strong foundation for our community.

Check out other Member Milestones stories here.

Meet Longtime Members Vicki and Jerry Stewart

Interviewed by Sue Center
Written by Aleeza Hoffert

Jerry and Vicki Stewart have a wealth of fond memories of their many years at Temple Beth El.

Jerry joined as a kid with his family in 1940, before there was a Temple building, when Temple members met at the First Congregational Church on the corner of Gorham Street and Wisconsin Avenue. Confirmation was held in the Woman’s Club Building on Gilman Street. He was in the Temple’s second confirmation class, the first one to have a class picture, which now hangs on the wall near the sanctuary. The TBE building was constructed while Jerry was in the army.

Vicki, who grew up in Milwaukee, became a member of TBE when she married Jerry in 1957. Their wedding took place at Temple Emanu-El in Milwaukee, which required that one of their own rabbis participate in the ceremony, so Rabbi Joseph Baron of Temple Emanu-El and Rabbi Manfred Swarsensky of TBE co-officiated their wedding. The two rabbis were friends and were both of German descent. Vicki likes to say they were “twice married” because two rabbis officiated.

Jerry and Vicki’s two daughters, Lisa and Tracy, grew up at Temple Beth El.

Photo: Lisa and Tracy Stewart

One of Jerry’s favorite memories from his early years at Temple is when Rabbi Swarsensky was gifted a car by the congregation. In Germany, before the Nazi reign, Jews of high esteem didn’t drive their own cars; they had someone drive them. So, when Rabbi Swarsensky was given the car, he didn’t know how to drive it. Temple members participated in teaching him to drive. Jerry, as a teenager with a license, was part of this group, and his tasks included driving with the rabbi to the veterans’ hospital in Tomah. They drove along old Highway 12 toward Baraboo. When they reached the long, narrow bridge that crosses the Wisconsin River, Rabbi Swarsensky didn’t want to drive across it. With some encouragement, Jerry finally convinced the rabbi to drive over the bridge. When they got to the other side, poor Rabbi Swarsensky was soaking wet from the effort and quite upset. So he relinquished the wheel, and Jerry drove from then on.

Photo: Vicki and Jerry Stewart dance at their wedding.

While Jerry and others successfully taught Rabbi Swarsensky to drive, they didn’t teach him how to change a tire. When Rabbi Swarsensky was driving to Milwaukee years later to marry Vicki and Jerry and got a flat tire, he had to wait for a kind soul to help him change it. Everyone was ready and waiting for him when he finally arrived at the wedding.

More recently, while the Stewarts were talking with Rabbi Swarsensky’s son Gerald, he mentioned, “You know, I drive funny. I drive with my left foot instead of my right foot, and my father taught me how to drive.” Jerry responded, “That’s because I taught him how to drive with his left foot instead of his right.”

One of Vicki’s fond memories of TBE is of the dinner dances or “dinner and a show” evenings that were special Temple events. Alma Baron would direct and create a script, and Harlen Smith was the musical director. Vicki had such fun with these events, and she lights up just thinking about them.

Vicki was involved with the Council of Jewish Women that met at Temple. She was an active member of Sisterhood and was on the board of directors. While she was on track to be president at one point, that didn’t happen. During the year she would have been named president, she became a founding member of the Madison Repertory Theatre and didn’t have the time to do both. She had a long career both as a volunteer and in a professional capacity with the Rep, only retiring when Jerry retired from the life Insurance business that his father had started and Jerry had continued to run. In retirement, Jerry and Vicki spent winters in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Photo: Vicki Stewart, Rona Malofsky, and Judy Schreiber (also a Milestone Member) at Food-A-Rama in 2011

Food-A-Rama holds a special place in Vicki’s heart, as it was a catalyst for her, and many others, to get involved in Temple life.

She enjoyed the cooking sessions and packaging the homemade baked goods with Lucy Williams, who ran the bakery. She started at cooking sessions with Sue Blotner and Sandy Dutch. In later years Vicki volunteered on the buffet line or as a cashier. She also enjoyed working with Judy Schreiber, who decorated and prepped the room. Even this past year, while living at Capitol Lakes, Vicki participated in Food-A-Rama. She coordinated a food order for 13 residents that Amy Fields delivered to Capitol Lakes, where many met in a common room to have their own Food-A-Rama luncheon. Vicki fondly remembers another Sisterhood activity: meeting in Ida Swarsensky’s library to record textbooks for visually impaired UW students.

The Stewarts cherish memories of many family milestones at Temple Beth El, including their two daughters’ life-cycle moments, from their confirmations to their weddings. For the wedding of their younger daughter, Tracy, Vicki had arranged for some UW graduate students to play the processional music. The bridal party entered and arrived at the bimah, and the students kept on playing. It seemed the students weren’t sure when to stop playing. Finally, Tracy’s older sister, Lisa, the matron of honor, motioned with a swipe of her hand, and the music stopped. Without missing a beat and with a serious face, Rabbi Jan Brahms said, “And now for their next selection.” “That was just his fabulous sense of humor,” Vicki reflects.

Rabbi Jonathan Biatch would often come to Scottsdale for a conference of midwestern rabbis, and he would always reach out to the Stewarts along with other congregants, including the Spitz, Roth, and Malofsky families, and they would get together for a meal, which everyone enjoyed.

Photo: Vicki and Jerry Stewart (second and fourth from left) with Karen Roth (also a Milestone Member) and Rona Malofsky at TBE's 75th anniversary gala

Many of their close friends were from Temple. Vicki was part of a TBE wives’ mah jongg group, and Jerry played poker with a bunch of TBE guys. They were also involved in the Madison Jewish Community Council (MJCC, now the Jewish Federation of Madison), whose women’s division organized fundraisers and functions that Vicki and her dear friends all had turns leading. Jerry served as president of the board. Many other MJCC leaders became their lifelong good friends as well.

Vicki was involved with the Downtown Rotary Club, which gives an annual award in Rabbi Swarsensky’s honor. Vicki is proud to have chaired the committee that gives out the award, and she was so pleased that Sharon Swarsensky and her husband would come to the luncheons to hear all the good things people shared about her father, Rabbi Swarsensky.

They have loved seeing the Jewish community evolve, commenting that “it’s a wonderful thing.” They have enjoyed being members of the Madison Jewish community and are proud TBE members. This involvement made it easy and important for them to share their Jewishness with their secular neighbors and friends.

Vicki and Jerry know that everyone must get started somewhere when joining Temple, and they encourage everyone to become involved. They recommend that you participate in a way that’s true to yourself: Rather than only tagging along to something your partner or children are doing, engage as yourself, too.

This weekly email series highlights members of 54 or more years who have been vital to building, growing, and sustaining the congregation. We thank the team of volunteers who have helped recognize these members by conducting interviews, writing their stories, proofreading, and more.

Please join us to celebrate all our members—new, longtime, and in between—at our Membership Shabbat Reception on Friday, February 25, where we will debut a special publication featuring these stories and more.

May we continue to go from strength to strength!

Click the Donate button below to make a donation in honor of our Milestone Members. Select Member Milestone Honors for the donation type.

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Temple Beth El
2702 Arbor Drive
Madison, WI 53711

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AugAugust 14 , 2025

Congregational Book Club
Thursday, Aug 14th 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Join us in reading and discussion of challenging, but accessible, contemporary Jewish writings.
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Thursday ,
AugAugust 14 , 2025

Sisterhood Exec Committee Meeting
Thursday, Aug 14th 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

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Friday ,
AugAugust 15 , 2025

Singles Creating Community Coffee Klatch
Friday, Aug 15th 9:00 am to 10:30 am
Please join the Singles Creating Community group for breakfast.
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Sunday ,
AugAugust 17 , 2025

Magic Pride Festival
Sunday, Aug 17th 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Temple Beth El is partnering with Beth Israel Center and Congregation Shaarei Shamayim to host a table at the festival. Don't forget to stop by our booth if you're attending the festival!
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Tuesday ,
AugAugust 19 , 2025

Environment and Climate Change Action Team Meeting
Tuesday, Aug 19th 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Join our action team as we make plans to engage the congregation in activities that raise awareness about environmental issues. We meet on Zoom.
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Thursday ,
AugAugust 21 , 2025

Play Mahjong with Sisterhood
Thursday, Aug 21st 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Join Sisterhood for a fun afternoon of Mahjong!
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Friday ,
AugAugust 22 , 2025

Senior Shabbat Dinner
Friday, Aug 22nd 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Enjoy Dinner together after the 6:00 pm Shabbat worship.
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Monday ,
AugAugust 25 , 2025

Sisterhood Exec Committee Potluck
Monday, Aug 25th 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

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Thursday ,
AugAugust 28 , 2025

TBE Monthly Meditation Group
Thursday, Aug 28th 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Please join us on the 4th Thursday of the month as we continue the growth in our community around spiritual practice and meditation.
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Monday ,
SepSeptember 1 , 2025

Office Closed for Labor Day
Monday, Sep 1st (All day)

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Thursday ,
SepSeptember 4 , 2025

House Committee Meeting
Thursday, Sep 4th 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

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Thursday ,
SepSeptember 4 , 2025

Social Action Committee Meeting
Thursday, Sep 4th 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Social Action Committee meetings are held at 7:00 pm on the first Thursday of most months at Temple Beth El.
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Friday ,
SepSeptember 5 , 2025

Camp Shabbat and End of Summer Celebration
Friday, Sep 5th 5:15 pm to 7:00 pm
Join us for Shabbat Across Madison as we celebrate the end of another beautiful summer in Madison.
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Sunday ,
SepSeptember 7 , 2025

Play Mahjong with Sisterhood
Sunday, Sep 7th 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Join Sisterhood for a fun afternoon of Mahjong!
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Monday ,
SepSeptember 8 , 2025

ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eating Out)
Monday, Sep 8th 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

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Tuesday ,
SepSeptember 9 , 2025

Board Meeting
Tuesday, Sep 9th 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm

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Sunday ,
SepSeptember 14 , 2025

Tots and Tunes
Sunday, Sep 14th 10:45 am to 11:45 am
This song and craft program for families with children ages 0–5 is open to the entire Madison Jewish community.
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Sunday ,
SepSeptember 14 , 2025

MJND Apples and Honey Cook-off and Tasting
Sunday, Sep 14th 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Join Madison's Jews Next Dor (20s and 30s group) for our apples and honey cook-off and tasting!
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Tuesday ,
SepSeptember 16 , 2025

Environment and Climate Change Action Team Meeting
Tuesday, Sep 16th 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Join our action team as we make plans to engage the congregation in activities that raise awareness about environmental issues. We meet on Zoom.
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Thursday ,
SepSeptember 18 , 2025

Sisterhood "Monthly Mingle" Lunch
Thursday, Sep 18th 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Join us for a Sisterhood lunch!
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Thursday ,
SepSeptember 18 , 2025

Play Mahjong with Sisterhood
Thursday, Sep 18th 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Join Sisterhood for a fun afternoon of Mahjong!
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Monday ,
SepSeptember 22 , 2025

Office Closes at 12:00 pm
Monday, Sep 22nd 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm

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Tuesday ,
SepSeptember 23 , 2025

Office Closed for Rosh Hashanah
Tuesday, Sep 23rd (All day)

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Tuesday ,
SepSeptember 23 , 2025

Tashlich
Tuesday, Sep 23rd 1:15 pm to 2:15 pm
Following the Rosh Hashanah morning service, we proceed to Lake Wingra to symbolically cast away sins, as well as any thoughts and behaviors that no longer serve us well.
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Thursday ,
SepSeptember 25 , 2025

TBE Monthly Meditation Group
Thursday, Sep 25th 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Please join us on the 4th Thursday of the month as we continue the growth in our community around spiritual practice and meditation.
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Wednesday ,
OctOctober 1 , 2025

Office Closes at 12:00 pm
Wednesday, Oct 1st 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm

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Thursday ,
OctOctober 2 , 2025

Office Closed for Yom Kippur
Thursday, Oct 2nd (All day)

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Thursday ,
OctOctober 2 , 2025

House Committee Meeting
Thursday, Oct 2nd 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

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Thursday ,
OctOctober 2 , 2025

Social Action Committee Meeting
Thursday, Oct 2nd 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Social Action Committee meetings are held at 7:00 pm on the first Thursday of most months at Temple Beth El.
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Sunday ,
OctOctober 5 , 2025

Sukkah Building with Men’s Club
Sunday, Oct 5th 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Join the TBE Men's Club and friends as we set up the Paul S. Gratch Sukkah for our 28th year. Everyone is welcome! No previous experience or skill required. Please bring work gloves and a 6' ladder or cordless drill if you have one.
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Sunday ,
OctOctober 5 , 2025

Play Mahjong with Sisterhood
Sunday, Oct 5th 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Join Sisterhood for a fun afternoon of Mahjong!
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Monday ,
OctOctober 6 , 2025

Office Closes at 12:00 pm
Monday, Oct 6th 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm

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Tuesday ,
OctOctober 7 , 2025

Office Closed for Sukkot
Tuesday, Oct 7th (All day)

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Thursday ,
OctOctober 9 , 2025

Sisterhood Exec Committee Meeting
Thursday, Oct 9th 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

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Thursday ,
OctOctober 9 , 2025

Board Meeting
Thursday, Oct 9th 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm

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Sunday ,
OctOctober 12 , 2025

Tots and Tunes
Sunday, Oct 12th 10:45 am to 11:45 am
This song and craft program for families with children ages 0–5 is open to the entire Madison Jewish community.
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Monday ,
OctOctober 13 , 2025

Office Closes at 12:00 pm
Monday, Oct 13th 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm

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Tuesday ,
OctOctober 14 , 2025

Office Closed for Simchat Torah/Sh'mini Atzeret
Tuesday, Oct 14th (All day)

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Thursday ,
OctOctober 16 , 2025

Play Mahjong with Sisterhood
Thursday, Oct 16th 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Join Sisterhood for a fun afternoon of Mahjong!
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Sunday ,
OctOctober 19 , 2025

Sukkah Take Down with Men's Club
Sunday, Oct 19th 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Join the TBE Men's Club and friends as we take down the Paul S. Gratch Sukkah for our 28th year. Everyone is welcome! No previous experience or skill required. Please bring work gloves and a 6' ladder or cordless drill if you have one.
Register Now

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Monday ,
OctOctober 20 , 2025

Sisterhood "Monthly Mingle" Lunch
Monday, Oct 20th 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Join us for a Sisterhood lunch!
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Tuesday ,
OctOctober 21 , 2025

ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eating Out)
Tuesday, Oct 21st 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

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Tuesday ,
OctOctober 21 , 2025

Environment and Climate Change Action Team Meeting
Tuesday, Oct 21st 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Join our action team as we make plans to engage the congregation in activities that raise awareness about environmental issues. We meet on Zoom.
MORE INFO
Thursday ,
OctOctober 23 , 2025

TBE Monthly Meditation Group
Thursday, Oct 23rd 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Please join us on the 4th Thursday of the month as we continue the growth in our community around spiritual practice and meditation.
MORE INFO
Thursday ,
OctOctober 23 , 2025

TBE Monthly Meditation Group
Thursday, Oct 23rd 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Please join us on the 4th Thursday of the month as we continue the growth in our community around spiritual practice and meditation.
MORE INFO
Thursday ,
OctOctober 23 , 2025

TBE Monthly Meditation Group
Thursday, Oct 23rd 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Please join us on the 4th Thursday of the month as we continue the growth in our community around spiritual practice and meditation.
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Thursday ,
OctOctober 30 , 2025

Sisterhood Potluck
Thursday, Oct 30th 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
TBE Sisterhood is inviting all women of TBE to join us for a potluck. Bring a dish, enjoy good company and good food. Beverages will be provided.
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Sunday ,
NovNovember 2 , 2025

Play Mahjong with Sisterhood
Sunday, Nov 2nd 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Join Sisterhood for a fun afternoon of Mahjong!
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Thursday ,
NovNovember 6 , 2025

House Committee Meeting
Thursday, Nov 6th 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

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Thursday ,
NovNovember 6 , 2025

Social Action Committee Meeting
Thursday, Nov 6th 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Social Action Committee meetings are held at 7:00 pm on the first Thursday of most months at Temple Beth El.
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Friday ,
NovNovember 7 , 2025

Likrat Shabbat Family Dinner
Friday, Nov 7th 5:15 pm to 6:00 pm
Join us for a light dinner preceding our Likrat Shabbat (Welcoming Shabbat) service on the first Friday of the month, November–May. Dinner is $18 per family unit/household. Please note: there is not a special Likrat Shabbat service on the first Friday in January.
Register Now

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Tuesday ,
NovNovember 11 , 2025

Office Closed
Tuesday, Nov 11th (All day)

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Thursday ,
NovNovember 13 , 2025

Board Meeting
Thursday, Nov 13th 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm

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Sunday ,
NovNovember 16 , 2025

Tots and Tunes
Sunday, Nov 16th 10:45 am to 11:45 am
This song and craft program for families with children ages 0–5 is open to the entire Madison Jewish community.
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Tuesday ,
NovNovember 18 , 2025

Sisterhood "Monthly Mingle" Lunch
Tuesday, Nov 18th 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Join us for a Sisterhood lunch!
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Tuesday ,
NovNovember 18 , 2025

Environment and Climate Change Action Team Meeting
Tuesday, Nov 18th 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Join our action team as we make plans to engage the congregation in activities that raise awareness about environmental issues. We meet on Zoom.
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Wednesday ,
NovNovember 19 , 2025

ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eating Out)
Wednesday, Nov 19th 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

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Thursday ,
NovNovember 20 , 2025

Play Mahjong with Sisterhood
Thursday, Nov 20th 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Join Sisterhood for a fun afternoon of Mahjong!
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Wednesday ,
NovNovember 26 , 2025

Office Closes at 12:00 pm
Wednesday, Nov 26th 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm

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Thursday ,
NovNovember 27 , 2025

Office Closed for Thanksgiving
Thursday, Nov 27th (All day)

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Thursday ,
DecDecember 4 , 2025

House Committee Meeting
Thursday, Dec 4th 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

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Thursday ,
DecDecember 4 , 2025

Social Action Committee Meeting
Thursday, Dec 4th 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Social Action Committee meetings are held at 7:00 pm on the first Thursday of most months at Temple Beth El.
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Friday ,
DecDecember 5 , 2025

Likrat Shabbat Family Dinner
Friday, Dec 5th 5:15 pm to 6:00 pm
Join us for a light dinner preceding our Likrat Shabbat (Welcoming Shabbat) service on the first Friday of the month, November–May. Dinner is $18 per family unit/household. Please note: there is not a special Likrat Shabbat service on the first Friday in January.
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Tuesday ,
DecDecember 9 , 2025

Board Meeting
Tuesday, Dec 9th 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm

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Thursday ,
DecDecember 11 , 2025

ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eating Out)
Thursday, Dec 11th 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

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Thursday ,
DecDecember 11 , 2025

Sisterhood Exec Committee Meeting
Thursday, Dec 11th 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

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