November 13 - November 19, 2020 | Cheshvan 19 - 25, 5781
Downtown Synagogue Zoom policy for services/programs
For increased security, we will no longer be sharing Zoom links for services and programs in our newsletter. We will be using a different Zoom link each week, and that link will be used for all services/events happening that weekend (Friday night Shabbat, Saturday morning Shabbat, Tot Shabbat, Havdallah, etc.). The new Zoom link will be posted weekly on our website at 4:30 p.m. on Friday afternoons.

Additionally, if you are joining from a cell phone, please update your name so that we know to let you in.

Thank you for your flexibility and understanding. We look forward to maintaining our community connection in these challenging times.

Virtual Shabbat Services Schedule
 
Friday, November 13th
5:00 p.m. - Candle-lighting & Schmooze
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. - Services
 
Saturday, November 14th (Detroit Partnership Shabbat with RCD)
9:00 a.m. - Torah Study
10:00 a.m. - Services
 
Please find the link to this week's services on our website.

Torah Portion- November 13th & November 14th: Genesis 23:1−25:18
 
Tot Shabbat Morning Service
Saturday, November 14th, 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m
Zoom - Click here to join (Passcode: 618489)
Join us for a musical journey through Shabbat! Grab your blankie or stuffed friend and join Gavri Yares for songs, prayers, and stories in English and Hebrew. Tot Shabbat will be offered every second and fourth Saturday of the month.
 
Post-Election Community Havdalah with Allan Lengel 
Saturday, November 14th, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
We invite you to join us in a community-focused Havdalah as we reconvene after the 2020 Elections. Allan Lengel, co-founder of Deadline Detroit, will lead us through reflection and analysis of what has changed, what will stay the same, and what next steps to prepare for after the 2020 election.  
 
Allan is a veteran journalist who has worked at major publications including the Washington Post and the Detroit News. Over the years, Lengel has covered major events including the 9-11 attacks, the Congressman William Jefferson investigation, the Chandra Levy probe, the anthrax attacks, the Oklahoma City bombing and the trial of Detroit Police Chief William Hart. He is a member of IRE (Investigative Reporters and Editors).

Community Coffee & Check-in with Rabbi Silverman
Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. 
Zoom (see below for details)
Join Rabbi Silverman for a community check-in every Tuesday morning.

Link for all Coffee & Chat hours: 
Or call 646.876.9923, Meeting ID 594 469 508
If you need help setting up Zoom technology, please email us and we will walk you through it.
Hanukkah Goodie Bags - Register today!
In preparation for our Virtual Annual Meeting and Hanukkah Party on Sunday, December 13th, we are creating Hanukkah Goodie Bags to be sent out to all interested IADS members and supporters living in Metro-Detroit.

If you would like to receive a Hanukkah Goodie Bag delivered to your home, please register here by Monday, November 23rd. We look forward to celebrating, even at a distance, with you!
The JCC of Metro Detroit’s annual Jewish Book Fair is committed to the art of Jewish storytelling. They bring prominent and energizing authors and events from all over the world to metro Detroit. We invite you to join as they engage, educate, and entertain you with this year’s incredible lineup - virtually!

The Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue is proud to co-sponsor Amy Schwartz's book Can Robots Be Jewish?

"When Moment Magazine arrives every other month, loyal readers turn to the “Ask the Rabbis” column featuring rabbis who represent the range of Jewish thought – Independent, Humanist, Jewish Renewal, Reconstructionist, Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, Sephardic, and Chabad – and consider some of the most provocative questions of the day. Sometimes they agree, but not often. This book offers many of those debates and presents Judaism’s ongoing engagement with modernity. No need to be a scholar, the rabbis’ voices are lively and accessible and create a cross-denominational discussion that leads to a deeper understanding of Jewish wisdom and tradition."

On December 6th at 1:30 p.m. EST, Amy Schwartz joins Rabbi Aaron Bergman of Adat Shalom Synagogue to discuss her new book. To watch the interview live, click here.
Please join Congresswomen Elissa Slotkin and Brenda Lawrence as they provide their remarks on the work of the Black Jewish Congressional Caucus; their thoughts on future collaboration, and reflections on the movie “Shared Legacies: The African American-Jewish Civil Rights Alliance” on November 17th at 6:30-7:30 pm.

A link to the film will be sent after individuals complete this registration form.
The staff and board of the Downtown Synagogue is thinking of ways to support our community's needs right now. If you or a loved one needs help, please let us know- we will endeavor to connect you to services or help you directly. Please reach out to Rabbi Silverman with resource inquiries.
In addition, we are aware of the following community resources:
 
  • Jewish Federation: Please visit the Jewish Federation Coronavirus community resource page which includes support for meal delivery, emergency loans for small businesses, and mental health support. 

  • City of Detroit: Please visit the City of Detroit's website to learn more about the free meal program/food resources, unemployment benefits, water restart plan, and what actions and precautions are currently being taken to slow the spread of COVID-19. 

Call for Mi Shebeirach
During our Shabbat morning worship, we read the names of people in our community who are in need of healing. As we invoke God's blessing, we also become more aware of the people who could use a little extra care. Please let us know if you would like us to read the name of a loved one.