October 16, 2020 • Volume 17 No. 17 |
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This Shabbat we read the story of Noah and the flood. As we know, when the waters finally subsided, God placed a rainbow in the sky as a reminder to God not to destroy the earth again. For many of us, the rainbow is a sign of hope, one we look for with excitement after the storm. The Torah portion of Noah always falls during the Hebrew month of Cheshvan—a month absent of holiday observances, given the nickname of Mar Cheshvah-bitter Cheshvan. Yet, for our congregational community there is a rainbow peering through the COVID-19 clouds. This year, during Cheshvan we embrace a Shehechiyanu moment. More than 7 months have passed since we have been able to worship together in our sanctuary.
Beginning next Friday, October 30th, we will once again be celebrating Shabbat in our beautiful Raizen sanctuary. The service will be limited to a maximum of 20 people, and pre-registration will be necessary. How often each month one may register to attend will depend upon how many people desire to worship in person. Health checks, masks, and social distancing will be required. Similar to our Sukkot morning celebration, seats will have name cards for each individual or family pod. The clergy will be behind plexiglass and sanitized prayer books will be on each seat. If you wear a kippah or a tallit, you will need to bring your own.
Throughout this pandemic, there is no higher Jewish value than Pikuach Nefesh—preserving our health and well-being. This must also be true regarding reopening our sanctuary for in-person worship. I urge anyone who is over the age of 60 and/or has health issues putting them at risk, to consult with their primary care physician before registering to attend services. Please know, services will also be livestreamed, using similar technology that made our High Holiday services so meaningful.
Indeed, this is a Shehechiyanu moment. May we give thanks to God for enabling us to reach this moment.
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Deborah A. Hirsch, Interim Rabbi |
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Shabbat Services
Tonight Friday, Tomorrow Saturday
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Friday, October 23: Shabbat Evening Service at 6:00 pm continues to be available via the Stream Services Webpage on the Temple Website. But, join us earlier at 5:45 pm every Friday via Zoom ( Meeting ID: 829 7590 5319 Passcode: 7AZ7u7), for some "casual welcome and conversation" before the services switch to LIVESTREAM. This is a recurring link every week!
Saturday, October 24: Shabbat Torah Study and Morning Blessings with Rabbi Hirsch via Zoom: (Meeting ID: 820 2427 9550 Passcode: 2uRykB), at 9:00 am. Join us at 8:50 am on the SAME Zoom link for Shabbat greetings before the service begins.
5:00 pm Shabbat Afternoon Service/Bar Mitzvah Henry Meisner via LIVESTREAM
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Click for the Online Shabbat Leaflet
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Temple Israel On-Going Programming |
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Daily Check-Ins continue to be 3 pm for now, on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. You can find the check-ins on the Temple Facebook page or in Connections on the Temple Website.
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Kehillah Shirah on Thursdays, 10:30 am via ZOOM ON-GOING
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Every Friday, The Responsa Class is an opportunity to spend some study time with Rabbi Hirsch on Friday mornings, 9:00 am. The class will be thought-provoking, interesting, but better yet, YOUR class to ask questions and study issues. Connect via ZOOM: Meeting ID: 206 879 5603 Passcode: 3GAeKM.
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Kehillah Shabbat on Friday, 10:30 am via ZOOM ON-GOING
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Connect With Temple Israel |
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Connect with Temple Israel can be found on the Temple Website, and includes current events or activities. Please visit!
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Camp Pinebrook Veterans' Day Mini Camp
Wednesday, November 11th
For Ages 2.5 – 8, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Extended Care Available: 7:30 am – 6:30 pm
$100 includes lunch and a full day of activities. Mask required. Register Now!
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“SOCK”tober is underway and the Social Action Committee is collecting NEW socks for all ages.
Socks will be distributed between HOPE Community Services, Midnight Run, The Sharing Shelf, and Hearts and Homes for Refugees.
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Support the Diaper Drive
When: On-going
Where: Giving Corner in the Temple Israel Lobby or Box Outside (Front Door)
What: Please bring disposable diapers or wipes to support the recently launched Westchester County Diaper Bank. We have the greatest need for diaper sizes 3, 4, 5, & 6, and all pull-up sizes. Closed packages preferred due to COVID!
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Spotlight on Temple Israel |
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Spotlight can be found on the Temple Website towards the bottom of the homepage, and includes past events, activities, tells of the culture, or highlights congregants at the Temple. Please visit!
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Here All Along: Finding Meaning, Spirituality, and a Deeper Connection to Life – in Judaism, by Sarah Hurwitz, former speech writer for Michelle Obama
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To reach Temple Israel clergy or staff, click here.
Visit our website for more information.
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We are a community that adds meaning and purpose to modern lives through an inclusive approach to Judaism. We live our Jewish values in our worship, celebration, lifelong learning and Tikkun Olam–the repair of the world. |
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