Rabbi’s Corner: Parashat Pinchas & Brit Shalom
The Jewish Review
July 8, 2020
Generally, I savor weekly Torah study in anticipation of a brief escape from the many causes for alarm we read and hear in never-ending news cycles:
Pandemic. Police brutality. Systemic racism.
No such luck this week…
Ancient traditions turn to modern technology for Holy Week
Central Oregon Daily
April, 2020
Several major holidays take place this week. This year, they are ancient celebrations with a modern twist, thanks to COVID-19.
“Typically, this is when our whole family would get together, and sit around the table and share a Passover Seder,” says Ron Schutz, President of the Jewish Community of Central Oregon.
Rabbi Johanna Hershenson, of Temple Beth Tikvah in Bend adds, “We gather together with friends, with families, with neighbors and we retell this story of redemption from slavery.”
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A Temple Grows in Bend, OR
Oregon Jewish Life
June, 2018
You may be surprised to learn that the idyllic town of Bend has a thriving Jewish community. Jewish families, singles and retirees from around the country fall in love with Bend, discover Temple Beth Tikvah and join to make friends and connections.
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They Wake You from Your Slumber:
How Jo Booser Got Her Shofar
Oregon Jewish Life
September, 2015
The haunting sounds of the shofar have awakened people from their spiritual slumber every year since ancient times. Made from any kosher animal, but usually from ram or antelope horns, the shofar is sounded on Rosh Hashanah, and in some communities, during the month of Elul and at the end of the Yom Kippur fast. Shofar blowing consists of three basic sounds: tekiah, a long, unbroken blast; shevarim, three short, sharp notes; and teruah, a rapid series of short, sometimes staccato notes.
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Holiday Arrivals:
Temple Beth Tikvah to Unveil Unique Work of Judaic Art
Oregon Jewish Life
August, 2013
Founded in Bend five years ago, Temple Beth Tikvah has grown in quantity and spirit. The synagogue started with 40 member families and now has almost 70. They’ve affiliated with the Union of Reform Judaism, provided social, cultural and educational opportunities for their close-knit community and look forward to working with Johanna Hershenson, their first resident rabbi (see story next page). And, thanks to a few members’ vision and contributions from the congregation, they are creating a stunning new addition to Oregon’s Judaic treasures.
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Temple Beth Tikvah Welcomes Rabbi Johanna Hershenson
Oregon Jewish Life
August, 2013
When Rabbi Johanna Hershenson saw an opening at Temple beth Tikvah in Bend, she knew she was ready for her next adventure. Born in Washington, DC, and raised in Maryland, her 18-year rabbinic career has taken her to Los Angeles, Alaska, New Zealand and even the Czech Republic. She arrived June 19 with her husband, two teenage daughters and a well-traveled Australian shepherd, and looks forward to working as the young congregation’s first resident rabbi.
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New Rabbi in Town:
Bend’s Temple Beth Tikvah Welcomes its New Leader Just as its Ark Nears Completion
Bend Bulletin
July 16, 2013
Meeting Rabbi Johanna Hershenson for the first time, it’s hard to believe she and her family arrived in Bend just a few weeks ago. With her casual style, easygoing nature and love of the outdoors, she seems perfectly at home in the High Desert.
Hershenson is the new rabbi for Temple Beth Tikvah, a Jewish Reform synagogue formed in 2008 with about 70 member families. In the past, the synagogue had a part-time rabbi who visited once a month. Hershenson, 45, will still work part-time, but she is the congregation’s first rabbi to live within the community.
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Temple Beth Tikvah Celebrates its Founding
Oregon Jewish Life
July, 2013
On June 1 Temple Beth Tikvah celebrated the fifth anniversary of its founding with a dinner at the Mountain Room of the Deschutes Brewery. The evening honored the vision of the founding families who brought the dream of a Reform Jewish congregation to Central Oregon.
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Eating Jewish in Bend
Oregon Jewish Life
July, 2013
Where do you get “Jewish” food in central Oregon? I was told of sources for pastrami, challah, bagels – boiled and otherwise – and even kosher meals available by pre-order by the Chabad rebbetzin. And on a recent visit I discovered a chocolate and wine café owned by a member of Temple Beth Tikvah that was heavenly.
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Jewish Olympics
Oregon Jewish Life
July, 2013
More than 9,000 athletes from 72 countries are expected to participate in the 19th Maccabiah Games in Israel July 18-30, including nine athletes and an accommodations manager from Oregon.
The Maccabiah Games began in 1932 in what was then British-ruled Palestine. Held every four years in Israel, the Maccabiah Games now are the third-largest international sporting event after the Olympics and the World University Games.
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Central Oregon Adventures
Oregon Jewish Life
June, 2013
With its pristine environment, breath-taking scenery and wealth of outdoor activities, Bend is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the Pacific Northwest. No matter what the season, visitors can enjoy a diverse range of activities such as cross-country skiing, hiking and even llama-riding. Young professionals, families and active retirees are increasingly finding their bliss in the heart of Central Oregon. In addition, the city of Bend is home to a thriving, growing Jewish community that now includes three synagogues.
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Central Oregon Jews Consecrate Cemetery
Jewish Review
October 15, 2011
On a beautiful September 18, Temple Beth Tikvah and Shalom Bayit Synagogue con- secrated Gan Shalom, Garden of Peace, the first Jewish cemetery for all of Central Oregon. From North to Madras, South to Chemult, East to Burns, and West to Black Butte, Jews now have consecrated ground for burial.
The cemetery is located at Deschutes Memorial Chapel and Gardens on North Highway 97 in Bend. Lauren Olander played the flute accompanied by violinist Jo Booser. Rabbi Jay Shupak chanted an ancient melody that floated across the empty ground containing 104 burial plots. Rabbi Glenn Ettman led the service.
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Reform Shul Grows with Luck, Work, Creativity
Jewish Review
September 15, 2010
Founders and board members of Bend’s Temple Beth Tikvah attribute the congregation’s phenomenal growth since its creation two years ago to luck, serendipity and beshert, while in almost the same breath praising motivated members for donating their skills and time to make things happen.
“We’ve been very, very lucky, but a lot of people are working to make that happen,” said TBT president Lisa Uri. “The amount of time some people have put in is really unfathomable.”
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Ten Adults Become B’nai Mitzvah
Jewish Review
July 15, 2010
Temple Beth Tikvah, Bend’s Reform Jewish congregation, celebrated the b’nai mitzvah of its first adult Hebrew class on June 26.
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Bend Kids Help Shelter
Hebrew School Students Learn Important Lessons at Bethlehem Inn
Bend Bulletin
June 23, 2010
“See these?” Jared Charney Cohen, 8, pointed to the bright Hebrew letters on the side of a paper-covered oatmeal container filled with money. “Do you think these are just meaningless lines?” he asked the adults and children outside the Bethlehem Inn, a Bend homeless shelter.
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Bat Mitzvah At Age 92
Bend Woman Will Go Through Religious Rite of Passage Saturday
Bend Bulletin
June 22, 2010
As a girl growing up in Alabama, Ceil Hermann knew she was Jewish, but that was about it. As a member of one of only three Jewish families in town, she didn’t go to temple or study the faith.
Now, at age 92, Hermann feels she is coming full circle. She is preparing to go through a bat mitzvah as part of a group of adults at Temple Beth Tikvah.
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Small Temple Acts Big in Bend
Social Action Big Part of New Congregation
Jewish Review
June 1, 2010
During its short two-year existence, Bend’s 62-family Reform congregation has used social action to make its mark in Central Oregon.
“Members come to me with needs they see,” said Temple Beth Tikvah Social Action Chair Rebecca Gundzik. “To me, it’s important people do something they feel passionate about.”
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