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**Dickens and the Jews

ONLINE with Cantor Leon Litvack**

The Beth Israel Book Club is excited to host our very own Cantor Leon Litvack, who is a renowned Charles Dickens scholar, ONLINE on Sunday, February 22nd at 11 a.m.  Eastern time. Leon will discuss Oliver Twist’s character Fagin, and Charles Dickens’ relationship with Jewish people. There will be time for questions. This free event is brought to you by Beth Israel Congregation. To find out more about membership or to donate, click here. Please RSVP to Ron to receive the Zoom link.

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Happy Chanukah Graphic

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Chanukah Party Tickets – 

Get yours by December 17th!

Will you celebrate the miracle of light and the joy of Chanukah with your Beth Israel mishpacha, Saturday, December 20th? The fun starts at 11 am, with a latke lunch at 11:30 am, along with dreidel, songs, and Israeli / traditional dancing  at 1:00 pm. Tickets are REQUIRED. Get yours here before end-of-day December 17th. If $ is an issue, reach out. 

Can you help us make the party? Set up (Saturday, 9am), greeting guests, and/or helping clean up? Sign up here. Last minute helpers (Saturday at 9am sharp for set up, and clean up after the meal) are also welcome!

Do You Need Chanukah Candles or Gelt?

If so, Karen Fisher has some available as a fundraiser for the synagogue. Basic boxes of candles are $5 and small bags of chocolate gelt are $2 each. Email Karen to arrange pick up.

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Book Club January Meeting: 

“Girl In the Middle” (author: Anais Granofsky)

Following an excellent discussion, our growing Beth Israel Book Club will read The Girl in the Middle, Growing Up Between Black and White, Rich and Poor by Anais Granofsky, available from the Peterborough Public Library. We will meet and discuss on Thursday, January 15th at 5:30 p.m. (NEW TIME). All are welcome! If you have any questions, or to RSVP, please reply to this email.

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**Save the Date: Max Eisen Lecture

in Holocaust Studies**

The Max Eisen Lecture organizing committee warmly invites Beth Israel Congregation and friends to Flights of Spirit, the 2026 Max Eisen Lecture in Holocaust Studies, Tuesday, January 20th from 6 –7:30 pm at Trent University. The year organizers welcome Holocaust survivor and author Elly Gotz in conversation with Holocaust scholars Tomaz Jardim and Doris Bergen. This important talk continues the legacy of educating the public about the Holocaust and upholding human rights. Registration will open soon and is required to attend. Learn more at Trent University: Eisen Lectures.

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Peterborough Weekly – November 26: 

 Preparing Chanukah at Beth Israel

Go to the Peterborough Weekly flipbook link and look for the November 26th issue.  Checkout page 17! 

Many thanks to Alex and Ben!!

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BIC Torah Study – Online Edition!

The wonderful BIC Torah Study leaders are trying out an ONLINE torah study session! Join them Saturday, December 13th at 10:30am to read and discuss Parashat Vayeshev (Genesis 37:1 to 40:23), with the story of Joseph, his imprisonment, and the story of Tamar and Judah. Email Ralph B for the Zoom link.

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**Explore Judaism Peer Learning Group –

Save the Date!**

Join Jen Lewis and friends for a facilitated discussion Exploring the Jewish Diaspora, Saturday, January 17th from 10am-noon. How have Jews managed to integrate and thrive all over the world? Participants are invited to research and share findings about the Jewish diaspora in an area of interest (history, ancient history, the present, the synagogues – whatever feels relevant to you, as you are able). Bring a coffee, Jen will bring her semi-famous cookies (not really but for vegan and GF they taste pretty good) and we will learn together. RSVP here.

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Beth Israel Men’s Circle Starts SOON. 

The new BIC Men’s Circle is planning its first meeting very soon! This is intended as a way for Jewish men to connect and support each other towards becoming better partners, fathers, leaders and men. Meetings may include presentations, discussions, games, a hike, campfire or other ideas the men bring to the group. Phil Pellat has years of experience in men’s groups and looks forward to leading the Beth Israel Men’s circle. If interested, email Phil and include your phone number. We are hoping to start very soon. Thanks! 

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Torah Study Returns Saturday, Nov. 22!

Join us for Torah Study – the parsha will be Toldot, the story of Isaac, Rebekkah, Jacob and Esau (those family dynamics are always interesting!).

When:  THIS Saturday, November 22nd at 10:30 a.m.

Where:  at Beth Israel.

All welcome!!

We also plan to join for Torah Study ONLINE in early December. For more information or to register (appreciated but not mandatory), email us (mailto: bethisrael@jccpeterborough.com).

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Holocaust Education Exhibits,

Friday, November 14th

In recognition of Holocaust Education Week there will be an assortment of exhibits on display at Beth Israel Synagogue from 4 -8 p.m. (before and after the Oneg Shabbat service) .  The theme of the exhibits is: “Resistance and resilience: artifacts, stories and memorials about the Holocaust”. Included will be a display in recognition of Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat who provided means of sanctuary and safety for many Jews, an exhibit from Yad Vashem: “Heroism and Resistance: Rescue by Jews During the Holocaust,” Holocaust survivor memoirs from the Azrieli Foundation, and more. Please join us!