This week's piece is the first in a series of articles focused on the Jewish High Holiday season. We hope the universal lessons of the holidays highlighted in the coming weeks will be advantageous to all, Jewish and non-Jewish alike. |
Using Jewish Holidays as a Spiritual Road
As I enjoyed the glorious sunny and beautiful weather this week, I noticed a bit of chill in the morning and evening air that made me aware that fall is around the corner. And with fall comes the Jewish High Holidays. The holidays this year have a cloud over them. Thinking about Rosh Hashanah without going to synagogue and Yom Kippur without a communal break fast is painful. The length of life under the pandemic, the distance of family we cannot hug and the yearning for community weighs on us.
As I watch my rabbinic colleagues work tirelessly to creatively plan how to shepherd their communities through this unprecedented season, I feel lucky to not be in their position. I am privileged to have the space to think about the deeper spiritual meanings underlying the holidays.
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Our Sincere Apology
Last week, we mailed out our most recent paper version of the Connections newsletter. We have just learned that due to a production error, we omitted some of the generous donations that were made to JSS during 2019. We want to apologize sincerely because without our donors, JSS could not provide valuable services to our community.
Harriet (z'l) & Michael (z'l) Amsterdam
Beth Israel Center
Lawrence Dahl
Bernie & Lenora Goldstein
Herman Goldstein (z'l)
Steven Goldstein & Laura Heisler
Islamic Relief USA
Steven Levine (z'l)
Rona Malofsky (z'l)
Jo Matzner
Joel & Deborah Minkoff
Pearl Nathanson
Carol Ottenstein & Ronald Sklansky
Muriel Rotter
Sol Zaichick
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Schmoozing and Yoga with JSS on Mondays
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Schmoozing at 11 am and
Yoga From A Chair with Betsy Haimson at 11:30 am
All abilities welcome
Meeting ID: 406 575 567
By phone
(312) 626-6799, 406 575 567#
For questions contact Paul Borowsky at (608) 886-6777 or paul@jssmadison.org.
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“Matzah Memories”
Thursday, August 20 at 10:30 am
We will gather some stories related to a particular food: “Matzah Memories.”
Paul Borowsky, JSS Volunteer Coordinator, will make his interpretation of Grandma Rose’s basic recipe for Matzah Brei. However, he is open to handing that off to anyone who would be interested, please call Paul at (608) 886-6777.
We look forward to hearing your memories and recipes around matzah and Matzah Brei. So, send your stories to Paul (paul@jssmadison.org), and bring them to the Zoom meeting!
Meeting ID: 819 3818 2547
By phone: (312) 626-6799
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GOOD NEWS!
JSS is excited to announce that we received a $2500 grant from Bader Philanthropies of Milwaukee to allow JSS to provide additional transportation support to older adults throughout Dane County, specifically focusing on those with fewer resources. When JSS cannot find a volunteer driver, trips to and from medical appointments, grocery stores and similar necessities will be made available for $8.00, round trip. We will use CarePool and taxis to provide this service throughout Dane County.
For transportation assistance, please contact us at 608-442-4081 or office@jssmadison.org. We will connect you with one of our social workers who will be happy to help you access this service.
We thank Bader Philanthropies for their interest in our community.
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Looking for JSS' weekly messages?
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JSS Wish List
- We have a client who continually needs Ensure or Ensure Plus Nutrition Shake in vanilla flavor only please.
- For potential refugee arrivals, we need digital thermometers, brand new with batteries and capable of reading degrees in Celsius.
Please call the office at (608) 442-4081 or email office@jssmadison.org if you wish to donate any of these items.
Thank you!
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A tribute gift is a meaningful way to convey sympathy to the bereaved, memorialize a loved one, commemorate a special occasion or honor a person’s life and accomplishments.
Your gift to Jewish Social Services made in honor or memory of this special person ensures a legacy that extends far into the future.
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Advocacy for Immigration
The administration’s decision on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for South Sudan is due Sept. 3, 2020.
Please call your representative and senator to urge the administration to extend TPS for South Sudan for 18 months and redesignate — the maximum protection under the law.
Safe return to South Sudan is impossible at this time, as war and one of the world’s most devastating humanitarian crises continues. In addition to extending TPS and protecting the 84 current South Sudanese TPS holders, the Department of Homeland Security must redesignate and extend protection to people who are more recently arrived.
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If you need help getting registered please reach out to us (608-442-4081).
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Jewish Madison Community COVID-19 Resources
The Jewish Federation of Madison has created an online resource that posts ongoing information from all of our Madison Jewish organizations and synagogues, to provide you with a comprehensive listing for virtual worship services, Shabbat gatherings, holiday celebrations, classes, study and discussion groups, entertainment, activity resources, messages from our rabbis, support, resources available, and more - all in one place.
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JSS is proud to be a beneficiary agency of: |
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