RABBI EMANUEL ROSE will lead Rosh Hashanah services for new Bend congregation Temple Beth Tikvah.

Bend group gears up for Reform congregation

By Paul Haist

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Rabbi Emanuel Rose of Portland, emeritus rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel, will lead Rosh Hashanah services this year at what is on track to become Bend’s first Reform Jewish congregation.

Temple Beth Tikvah is the name chosen for the new congregation, whose affiliation with the Union of Reform Judaism is likely to be taken up by the national body about mid-year of 2009, according to Dan Fishkin of Bend, a member of the Beth Tikvah Steering Committee.

Rose said he would be assisted by Cantor Stephen Saxon of San Mateo, Calif. Saxon was recommended by Rabbi Alan Berg who worked with Saxon when he, Berg, was rabbi at Peninsula Temple Beth El in San Mateo.

Berg is a former associate rabbi at Beth Israel who worked closely with Rose. He was the first rabbi at Portland’s Havurah Shalom before going on to lead Temple Anshe Amunim in Pittsfield, Mass., and then accepting the San Mateo pulpit. He makes his home today in Portland.

Berg will lead Yom Kippur services for Beth Tikvah and will be joined by Portland-based violin virtuoso and recording artist Aaron Meyer who will perform “Kol Nidre.”

Rose said his High Holiday participation with Beth Tikvah came about because of his long relationship with Marshall Glickman.

Glickman, the son of former longtime Portland Trailblazers President Harry Glickman, makes his home today in Bend.

“Marshall called to arrange a meeting with me in Portland and told me about their plans in Bend and asked me if I would help,” said Rose. “I’ve known Marshall since he was a little boy, and Harry has done a lot for this community.”

Fishkin suggested that the participation of Rose, Berg, Saxon and Meyer meant a great deal for the nascent congregation.

Of the sermon anticipated by Rose, he said, “We know it’s going to be very meaningful coming from one of the most esteemed rabbis in the country.”

Rose led Beth Israel for more than 46 years and was and remains prominent among North American Reform leaders and American rabbis generally.

Fishkin praised Berg for his role as the leader of “three of the country’s most prestigious congregations.”

As the first Reform congregation in central Oregon, Fishkin said they are reaching out to all Jewish families in the region.

“We are a very open and accepting congregation for all Jews, interfaith families and couples,” said Fishkin. “We are hopeful that will resonate with lots of other people.”

At present, according to Fishkin, the group comprises about 30 members. They have held Shabbat services in private homes and at a local park. He recently hosted Shabbat services for 40 in his home.

“We are very hopeful that after the High Holidays we can attract 50 to 70 family members,” he said. “The goal is to have approximately 100 member families.”

He said achieving that goal is “predicated on getting sufficient publicity that we will be a true Reform program.”

The Reform movement already has sent a representative to Bend. Rabbi David Fine, the URJ’s Pacific Northwest Council regional director, came from Seattle in July.

“Fine came to Bend to discuss affiliation and assist us in finding rabbis,” said Fishkin.

He said the URJ weighs applicants for affiliation twice a year and the next opportunity would come in 2009.

Beth Tikvah’s first High Holy Days services will be held at Touchmark, Terrace Lodge, in southwest Bend. There will be no cost for tickets, but reservations are required.

Tickets may be reserved online at www.bethtikvahbend.org or leave a message at 541-388-8826 and a Beth Tikvah representative will return your call.

Beth Tikvah’s entire High Holiday schedule will be published in the Sept. 15 High Holiday edition of the Jewish Review.

Bend has grown rapidly in recent years. Its population in the 2000 census was 52,029. Six years later its population was estimated at 71,892.

The Deschutes County city is home to two other Jewish groups, Shalom Bayit-Jewish Community of Central Oregon, an unaffiliated group led by Rabbi Jay Shupack, and Chabad of Bend led by Rabbi Yitzchok Feldman.

TEMPLE BETH TIKVAH HIGH HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

ROSH HASHANAH
Rabbi Emanuel Rose and Cantor Stephen Saxon
7 p.m., Sept. 29 Erev Rosh Hashanah
10 a.m., Sept. 30 morning service
4 p.m., Sept. 30 Tashlich (at Farewell Bend Park)

YOM KIPPUR
Rabbi Alan Berg and Violinist Aaron Meyer
7 p.m. Oct. 8 Kol Nidre
10 a.m., Oct. 9 morning service
1 p.m., Oct. 9 adult education
2:30 p.m., Oct. 9 family service
4 p.m., Oct. 9 Yizkor
5 p.m., Oct. 9 Neilah
6 p.m., Oct. 9 Community Break Fast
Services at Touchmark, Terrace Lodge

Tickets free but reservations required to www.bethtikvahbend.org or call 541-388-8826.