Celebrating our Member Milestones: Howard and Sandra Goldberg

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Celebrating our Member Milestones: Howard and Sandra Goldberg

02/28/2022 10:34:04 AM

Feb28

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 Member Howard Goldberg

Interviewed by Susan Ottmann
Written by Aleeza Hoffert

Howard Goldberg was born in 1937, two years before Temple was founded by his parents and others on November 20, 1939.

Howard has remained a TBE member his whole life, even when he has moved elsewhere for school or, as in recent years, when he has split his time between Madison and Sarasota, Florida.

He treasures the friendships he made within the Jewish community through grade school, high school, the AZA youth group, and a bowling league that was popular at the time. The Madison Jewish community was small, which he views as a plus: “In addition to all the good things I had going for me in Madison, I had the Jewish community, the people and events.” He does not remember experiencing antisemitism in Madison and never felt that being Jewish was viewed negatively here.

Howard’s mother, Beatrice (Babs), was born in Omaha, Nebraska. His father, Mark Goldberg, immigrated to the U.S. from Russia and found his way to Madison to join relatives here. Mark attended the University of Wisconsin and met Babs through his roommate, who was engaged to Babs’s sister. They ended up having a double wedding.

As a young child, Howard went to Sunday School all over Madison, wherever space was available, because the new congregation didn’t have its own building. In those days, Rabbi Manfred Swarsensky taught all the classes. Howard’s mind was often elsewhere, and he recalls being a poor student. He never learned to speak or read Hebrew, though it was not Rabbi Swarsensky’s fault. He had special tutoring sessions at Rabbi Swarsensky’s apartment, where he would see the rabbi’s mother, who lived with the rabbi. She was the shortest lady he’d ever seen, and he doesn’t remember her name; she was always called “Mother Swarsensky.” He recalls that she was a wonderful lady.

Sam Stein, who owned the Quality Service Laundry company on Regent Street, led the charge to construct a Temple building and was instrumental in overseeing the arrangements. After schlepping all over the city to attend Temple events and programs, Howard really enjoyed the experience of gathering at the new building, starting in the fall of 1950. Howard remembers the dedication of the building fondly, as he was involved in recording it on a Magnecord reel-to-reel tape recorder. “It was quite an experience, which I’ll never forget.” Howard notes there have been a lot of physical changes to Temple since the building was constructed. The area at the back of the sanctuary used to include a stage, and that was the bimah. The building has grown significantly over time.

Howard’s confirmation class photo hanging in the Temple hallway includes these friends: Toby Heilprin and her cousin Larry Heilprin, Gail Chechik, Nancy Wagner, Penny Haines, and David Boner. David Boner moved to San Diego in the early 1950s, and they’ve always stayed in touch, including a phone call one week before this interview. Through AZA youth group activities, Howard got to know the Beth Israel Center kids as well.

After graduating high school, he went to Pomona College in California. He was in ROTC in college, and after graduating with a BA in economics he went into the army, commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant. He served as a platoon leader in the Transportation Corps at Fort Eustis, Virginia. After his active duty, he went to the University of Wisconsin to study marketing, but then he began selling life insurance and never completed that degree. Instead, he decided to learn more about the tax laws around life insurance. He received a law degree from UW and eventually joined the Madison law firm of Murphy Desmond S.C., which he is still with after all these years.

One of the best things that happened to Howard was when he started dating a girl at UW after returning from his active duty in the army. They attended High Holy Day services at TBE early in their relationship. In one of his sermons, Rabbi Swarsensky mentioned a gentleman in Eau Claire, who turned out to be his date’s uncle. In 1961, Sandra (Sandy) and Howard were married in Wausau, where Sandy had moved in high school after growing up mainly in Appleton. They’ve been married for over 60 years.

Photo: Howard Goldberg, Phyllis Lefcowitz, and Jerry and Vicki Stewart at TBE's 75th anniversary gala

Howard served on the TBE Board of Trustees when Rabbi Swarsensky retired and Rabbi Kenneth Roseman was hired, as well as on the board of the Madison Jewish Community Council (now the Jewish Federation of Madison). Howard and Sandy were involved in creating and setting up Gan HaYeled preschool. Judy Ladinsky and Francie Saposnik were also part of this effort. During its first few years the school was held in Neighborhood House. It then moved to Beth Israel Center, to Temple Beth El, and finally to its current home at the Jewish Federation building. Sandy and Howard’s three children all attended.

Howard enjoyed traveling to Spain with Rabbi Jan Brahms on an Ayelet Tours trip right after the 9/11 attacks. Many who had signed up to go decided to cancel. The remaining travelers joined a group from Rochester, New York. They learned a lot about Jewish history in Spain, much of which was not pleasant. “The Jewish cemeteries were destroyed and the headstones were used to pave the roads,” Howard notes. “The government, at the time that we were there, was trying to encourage Jewish tourism.” They went to Barcelona and visited other Jewish communities in that area, as well as Madrid, Toledo, Seville, and Granada.

Music is a big part of Howard’s life, and he appreciates that music is an area that has changed a lot at Temple. He is impressed with the musical development at TBE. “It’s become excellent!” he says.

Howard makes it a point to be at Temple Beth El every summer for his mother’s yahrzeit as well as to attend High Holy Day services at TBE.

Howard and Sandy’s three kids—Julie White, Mark Goldberg, and Deborah Leonard—all grew up at Temple, and his two daughters and their families still reside in Madison, while his son lives in Florida with his wife. His grandsons attended Sunday School at Temple Beth El. He was overjoyed to welcome his great-granddaughter, Sloan Ashe Montgomery, into the family in October 2021.

Photo: Howard Goldberg and family. Front row: Gretchen Montgomery, Deborah Leonard, Sandy Goldberg, Julie White. Back row: Devon Montgomery, Joe Leonard, Howard Goldberg, Josh Eastmead.

Being active in the Jewish community continues to be important to Howard, and he encourages others to be involved as well, noting that it’s “a great way to meet people when you move into a new community.”

Howard and Sandy have made many new friendships through the congregation they are involved with in Sarasota, Florida. Howard is currently serving as the Volunteer Committee coordinator there, and is also on their Bulletin Committee and Membership Committee. He was the chair of their Endowment Fund for seven years as well. As the Volunteer Committee coordinator, his primary task is to get new members involved in a committee or group as quickly as possible to begin building friendships and having a stake in the congregation. “If you participate in a committee, you’re going to participate in your Temple and you will meet friends.”

Howard has enjoyed many social gatherings at people’s homes over the years, and he encourages everyone to make connections and get involved.

This 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.

A video of our Membership Shabbat Reception, held on Friday, February 25, 2022, can be found here. You can find a link to the Milestone Members book featuring these stories on our Members Only page. (You must be logged in to view.)

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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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.
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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.
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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 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 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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