Temple Beth Tikvah's Caring Committee

In our continuing effort to enhance the Jewish experience of our congregation, Temple Beth Tikvah has formed a Caring Committee. This committee will be directed by Dawn Markowitz, RN. Dawn and Robert Markowitz are members of TBT and long time residents of Clear Lake. Besides being in the caring field as a nurse, Dawn has extra expertise in case management and will bring that extra resource to our newest branch of the Temple Family Tree.

“Deeds of Kindness weigh as much as all the Commandments” Talmud: Peah, 1:1

Temple Beth Tikvah, as part of its efforts to continually foster a caring community, has created a program that provides support, solace and hope to congregants and their families during times of illness, suffering, loss and grief. And at the same time to reach out to these families during times of joyful transitions. We believe that no member of our community should be alone facing a serious physical or emotional crisis or death. While this new committee is in its formative period we are seeking any interested Temple members that would like to assist on this committee to please contact Dawn Markowitz, Rabbi Greene, or Clay Moliver.

Our initial areas of exploration will include:

-Supporting individuals who are critically ill and their families
-Helping individuals and families cope with death (finding and providing resources)
-Visiting people who are dying
-Providing assistance during a funeral (i.e.: house-sitting, setting up for the meal after)
-Providing assistance during Shiva (leading services, assisting with Jewish traditions)
-Being supportive after death (i.e.: maintaining ongoing connections)
-Reaching out to our youth leaving home
-Acknowledging transitional moments in our congregation (new births, grandparents, loss and Mazel Tovs)

None of us is immune from life’s struggles. For each of us, there is a turning point when we realize how fragile life is and how crucial community is. And even though the concept of community has changed drastically in this fast-paced, complicated world, the need for community has probably never been greater.

The phrase, “It takes a village” is very much applicable to synagogue life. For our moments of joy and sorrow, loss, illness, and loneliness, our temple must be a place that offers a framework for celebration, comfort and healing. As a congregation, a community, we can do so much to offer hope, strength and comfort.

A cadre of congregants has begun to lay a foundation to enable us to reach out to one another by performing mitzvot, acts of kindness and caring. We want to become, in the finest sense of the word, a caring community and hope very much that you will join us in this effort so that we can strengthen the connections that make this community so vital.

To contact our Caring Committee, email caring@templebethtikvah.org