TBC Leaf Logo - color
CHAILITES
July 15, 2020
(Dates and times are also on the TBC calendar)

Click on the link below to register for the Zoom online event:
Please remember that you must REGISTER for everything that you plan on attending.**

Once you click on the registration link, you will be taken to a webpage where you will enter your name and email address. Once you submit this information, you will receive a CONFIRMATION EMAIL that includes the LINK you will use to join the program and the PASSWORD that you will need to enter after clicking the link to join.

**YOU MUST SAVE THE CONFIRMATION EMAILS THAT YOU RECEIVE. THEY ARE THE ONLY PLACES WHERE THE LINKS AND PASSWORDS WILL APPEAR.**

If you would like friends or family members to attend any of these programs, you can forward this email to them and tell them to use the links below to register. We would love to add them to our community!  
This Friday Night's Opening Niggun
 
Here is a link to our opening Niggun for this Friday's Shabbat service. What is a niggun? A Niggun is simply a wordless melody - one that is repeated for the purpose of building energy to prepare us for prayer. This Niggun (which you can listen to here) is by Nava Tehila.
Hashkivenu - a Jewish Lullaby

Have you been anxious or uneasy lately? Is sleep a long lost friend that you wish would drop by for a socially distant visit? Have you run out of lullaby's to sing to the kids? Hashkivenu, a Jewish prayer traditionally recited at night before bed, asks God to protect us with a shelter of peace that we may safely rest through the night. It is no wonder then that the Hashkivenu is often thought of as a Jewish lullaby! Give a listen to this beautiful setting of Hashkivenu by Craig Taubman. The melody seems to sing the sentiment on its own....
 
"Grant oh God that we lie down in peace and raise us up, our Guardian, to life renewed. Guard our going and our coming, to life and to peace, evermore..."

May you each be blessed with your own "Sukkat Shalom," your own Shelter of Peace, and may your nights to come be restful and restorative so that your days may be filled with joy and wonder....

B'shirah u'Vracha! (In song and blessing)
Cantor Harriet
Coming Soon - Tot Shabbat and a New Film Club
 
TOT SHABBAT - Beginning on Friday, August 7th, Cantor Dunkerley will offer a fun and engaging Tot Shabbat before each Family service. Children age 6 and younger will be able to spend 20 to 30 minutes singing and dancing with the Cantor. Of course, everyone is invited to participate in the fun. Watch for details in the coming weeks.
 
NEW FILM CLUB - The Adult Education Committee is very excited to be planning the launch of a new film club. Check out future Chailites for the name of the first movie and the date and time for our discussion.
Plans are taking shape for Religious School and teen education this fall. Whether in-person, remote, or a combination of both, TBC is committed to providing quality educational experiences for all students. Parents can plan on the general framework staying the same:
  • Jr. Chai (3-4 year olds) - Sunday 1x/month - 10:00 -11:30 am
  • Kindergarten - 3rd Grade - Sunday - 9:30-11:30 am
  • Grades 4-7 - Sunday - 9:30-11:30 am & Wednesday - 4:20-6:00 pm
  • TBC Teens - Grades 8-12 - Sunday 2x/month
The teen program includes:
  • Confirmation for 10th graders
  • L'Taken Political Action Seminar in Washington, DC (Gr. 10-12)
  • Programming designed with teen input
Teens in grades 8-12 looking for a great volunteer opportunity at temple, please consider joining the Madrichim program to assist in classrooms or the Religious School office on Sunday mornings or Wednesday afternoons. Click here for the Madrichim Registration Form for 2020-21. 
 
Membership Packages!

In order for the Temple to be prepared for Religious School and High Holy Days, we ask you to please return all forms and fees no later than July 31, 2020.
TBC Book Group

We had a wonderful turn out for our book group's get together last Thursday to discuss, How to Be an Antiracist by Abram X. Kendi. We had a very lively and productive discussion, not only about the book, but how we can coordinate with our Social Action Committee to address racism in our community. What also grew out of our discussion is a plan to open a dialogue about racism with parents and their teens and then get together (via Zoom) to share our thoughts. Look for more information in the next few weeks.
Our Daily Bread Food Pantry!

Thanks to a number of very generous congregants, we donated another $2000, for a total of $3000, to Our Daily Bread Food Pantry in Danbury. We THANK YOU and those in need THANK YOU!  The pantry has been serving between 150-160 families each time.  Funds are still desperately needed, so any additional donations would be greatly appreciated.  It's easy - donations can be made through the Social Action fund - or by going to  www.dailybreadfoodpantry.com.   In more typical times, the Social Action Committee volunteers about once a month.  Jane Alexander, your esteemed co-chair of social action, continues volunteering there through this very challenging time.  
 
Food donations are also accepted:  Food Donation Hours are now Tuesday - Thursday 10:00 am - 1:00 pm.  (Call the Daily Bread office at 203-748-3561 i f nobody is in the pantry to receive your donation.)
This Week's Torah Portion
Matot - Ma-sei (Numbers 30:2 - 36:13)
 
In this week's Torah portion, Moses speaks to the heads of the Israelite tribes to explain the laws governing vows made by men and women. I srael wages war against the Midianites and the laws regarding the spoils of war are outlined. Moses tells Israel to remove the current inhabitants of the land that God will give them and to destroy their gods. The boundaries of the Land of Israel are defined, along with those of the Levitical cities and the cities of refuge. God makes a precise distinction between murder and manslaughter. And, the laws of inheritance as they apply to Israelite women are delineated.
Yahrzeit Memorial Plaques at TBC

During this challenging time, we know that many of us are thinking of loved ones who have passed away. We invite you to commemorate the lives and blessings of your loved ones with a memorial plaque. A special service of dedication for the entire community will be scheduled at TBC when that again becomes possible.  Ordering information is available here .
Need Help or Pastoral Care?

If you or anyone you know in the congregation is ill or in need of care, please contact Cantor Dunkerley.

If you want to add (or remove) a name from the Mi Shebeirach (prayer for healing) list, please contact Denise Seccurra.

Social Action Volunteers Needed!  

TBC Social Action Committee. The TBC Social Action Committee has many local ways for you to help others, from pitching in at a soup kitchen to preparing dinner at an emergency shelter.  New opportunities, dates, and times are posted to the TBC website, so please take a look and see where you can help

Other Community Opportunities. There are also other ways to get involved in our communities. You can serve as a foster family, deliver food to those in need, and/or host a high school child in the ABC program.
 
 
 
Above - TBC and other volunteers at the Dorothy Day Hospitality House / Danbury Soup Kitchen
Upcoming Events and Save the Dates! 
Welcoming Shabbat Together - Register here
Friday, July 24, 7:30 pm
 
Torah Study - Register here
Saturday, July 25, 9:30 am

Welcoming Shabbat Together - Register here
Friday, July 31, 7:30 pm 

Torah Study - Register here
Saturday, August 1, 9:30 am

New Tot Shabbat - Register here
Friday, August 7, 5:00 pm

Family Service Welcoming Shabbat Together - Register here
Friday, August 7, 6:30 pm

Torah Study - Register here
Saturday, August 8, 9:30 am

Welcoming Shabbat Together - Register here
Friday, August 14, 7:30 pm

Torah Study - Register here
Saturday, August 15, 9:30 am
 
 
See the TBC Calendar for more upcoming events

Yahrzeits, July 17 - 23
    Zeicher tzaddik livrachah! 
May the memory of the righteous be for a blessing!

Florence Wolfman Saturday 7/18/2020 mother of Michael Wolfman
Peter Meehan Monday 7/20/2020 father of Chris Meehan
Alene Schwartz Monday 7/20/2020 sister of David Schwartz
Jonathon Michael Bennett Tuesday 7/21/2020 father of Jennifer Meehan
George Kren Tuesday 7/21/2020 friend of Rebecca and Daniel Darst
Charlotte T. Alexander Thursday 7/23/2020 mother of Moses Alexander
Terrence Levy Thursday 7/23/2020 father of Debra Case
It is traditional to light a memorial candle on the eve of the yahrzeit at home and to recite Kaddish when lighting the yahrzeit candle. It is also a custom to make donations in memory of loved ones around the time.
Help Support TBC

TBC Links


Contact Us

        Temple B'nai Chaim             Mailing Address: P.O. Box 305, Georgetown, CT 06829
        Phone: 203 544-8695          Location: 82 Portland Avenue, Wilton CT 06897 ( Directions)

      Cantor/Educator : Cantor Harriet Dunkerley 
        President: June Mara           Office Manager/Facility Use: Denise Seccurra
Don't miss out!  Like and Follow #TempleBnaiChaim!
                Pinterest