The Men's Club of Congregation Beth El–Keser Israel has been a vibrant arm of the Congregation for generations. It is affiliated with the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs.
Men's Miqva Experience
Sukka Erection
High Holy Days Ushering
At right: Ezekiel Scroll Cover dedicated by Evelyn Maze
Men's Miqva Experience
On the morning before each of the Festivals (High Holy Days, Sukkot, Pesah and Shavuot) Jewish men and boys of the BEKI Men's Club go together to the New Haven Mikvah for private individual immersion. (Fathers may enter with their sons.) The miqva ("ritual bath") is a hygienic and warm setting for a "rebirth" experience. The miqva immersion is one way to help us enter a heightened state of purity and spiritual awareness as we prepare for the High Holy Days and the Festivals.
The New Haven Mikvah was designed by BEKI Men's Club member architect Arthur Ratner. The miqva has showers and dressing rooms. Those who would like to participate should bring a $5 user fee (cash or check payable to "New Haven Mikvah"), a towel and comb. To locate Hubinger Street, view our Map – the miqva appears near the bottom (south).
The Men's Club Sukka Erection is an annual event ideal for Men's Club members with their families, including children. A few days before the autumn festival of Sukkot, typically on a Sunday morning at 9:30a (following the 9:00a morning service), the Men's Club sets up the BEKI Sukka. It usually takes about 90 minutes. It is easy enough so that anyone can help, and if you don't want to you can stand around and kibbitz. At the Sukka Crafts Hour during the week BEKI and neighborhood children will decorate the sukka so it will be ready for use during the festival. The Men's Club gathers again to take down the sukka when we get around to it.
During the Yamim Noraim High Holy Days of Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur the Men's Club provides logistic support for the various services, as well as security and safety for the people and the building, by serving as ushers. They are always available to help someone find their seat, guide them to the bima on time if they are participating in the service, or to help a physician find a phone in case of medical emergency.
Email to Rabbi Jon-Jay Tilsen: jjtilsen@beki.org