Dear Temple Beth El Member,
As we celebrate this 100th anniversary year of the TBE Brotherhood, we are proud of our century of service to our Temple families as well as the greater Detroit Jewish community. Brotherhood is still here today actively doing what we can to continue serving even during this challenging time in the face of an unrelenting pandemic.
Although coronavirus restrictions have caused us to modify or postpose some of our usual activities, it has also prompted new opportunities to support Temple and the community. Some of these include: co-sponsoring Temple’s recent drive-in movie day, making financial donations to Yad Ezra and several other charitable food kitchens and a special covid relief fund set up to anonymously assist Temple families who have been severely impacted by the pandemic.
Brotherhood is also continuing our donations to the Prentis Memorial Library in honor of each B’nai Mitzvah celebrant as well as co-sponsoring the Tzedakah Boxes gifted to those celebrants. We will be partnering with Sisterhood to zoom monthly cooking classes with local caterer Paul Wertz and as in the past, we are sponsoring the Temple Chanukah gift bags sent to TBE college students. This past summer, our Brotherhood softball team played their socially distanced softball games and next February, we will be co-sponsoring with Temple the second annual NFL Super Bowl Party.
The postponed events we served to Temple membership will return as soon as the pandemic allows. Our extremely popular hot Sunday breakfasts and the monthly speaker series will resume, as will Brotherhood’s discounted admissions to Detroit Symphony Orchestra concerts and Jewish Ensemble Theatre plays when their in-person seasons return.
We are asking for your support, either by contribution or preferably by becoming a Brotherhood member, so that we can continue making a difference during this period of covid-19. Please print the membership form (click here) and mail the completed form with your check to Temple Beth El Brotherhood.
Your contribution is greatly appreciated and I know that by working together and supporting each other, we will get through this difficult time and once again enjoy our Jewish community at Temple Beth El.
Thank you and please stay safe and healthy.
Mark Schonberger
President, Brotherhood of TBE
The Brotherhood of Temple Beth El, established in 1919, was one of the first brotherhoods in the country. In 1923 we helped found the National Federation of Temple Brotherhoods.
The founders of Temple Beth El Men’s Club sought a way for men to become more active in congregational life, while enhancing camaraderie and enriching the social and cultural life of members. The concept was an immediate success from the very first project held in December 1919.
The Men’s Club rapidly grew to over 800 members. Its members over the years offered support to existing Temple programs, routinely created new programs where there was a need, built fraternal bonds, and provided a pool of volunteers for the congregation ranging from ushers to those visiting the homes of the bereaved. This vibrant and dynamic group existed for the next 60 years until the social forces of the late 20th century began to take their toll. Traditional male roles changed both within and without the congregation. Many no longer perceived the pivotal position played by Brotherhood and saw Brotherhood membership as a less valued asset in their lives. Temple members often found ways outside the congregation to express their interests and concerns.
The Temple Beth El Brotherhood of the 21st century has treated these challenges as obstacles to overcome. We have expanded membership to the entire community. Our programs are open to all – not just Brotherhood members. Brotherhood has formed linkages to other synagogues and faith communities for purposes of joint action to address social ills. We have attempted to convert Brotherhood to an organization of action and one of leadership, while being cognizant of our 94-year commitment to Temple Beth El, the Reform Movement, and Detroit’s Jewish community. Brotherhood no longer tries to fit members into “little boxes,” but seeks to have each member express the person’s interests and meet the person’s concerns. Our goal is to make Brotherhood a value added component in the lives of each of its members.
Lenny Beigler, President
Bruce Jacob, Treasurer
Julian Prince, Corresponding Secretary
Mark Schonberger, Immediate Past President & Recording Secretary
Directors:
Josh Cohen
Ben Cole
Jeff Hollander
Barry Kaplan
Craig Matichuk
Bruce Plisner
Billy Wiseman
Marc Zupmore