11 am: Jewish Humor with TAA's Richard Huttner via Zoom. Click here for details: Richard Huttner
Celebrate Hanukkah
with TAA!
December 10th-17th
Sunday, December 6th @ 2pm
Join TAA's Janet Cline for a Zoom Cooking Class to make Sufganyot (Jelly Donuts). Register hereto receive recipe, video and Zoom link by email so you'll have time to gather ingredients and prepare dough before Zoom Cooking Class!!!
Let's all light our Hannukiot together! Click on the link above to sign up to lead one of the 8 nights of Hanukkah from your home. No experience necessary! Each night we will have a short program where we light, sing, and have time for a five minute reflection about light in the darkness. If you have something to share or read, please sign up for that as well.
Saturday, December 12th
Join us for a TAA Chanukah celebration with candle lighting, music and a skit by SCRS alumni, Details to follow...
Sunday, December 13th
1:00-4:00PM
Soul Collage
Using images as a window to the soul
...Participants will receive guidance in assembling their supplies.
"Everyone Eats!" Action Shelter Lunch team is looking for new members. As part of the Cape Ann Interfaith Commission, every week we provide a bagged lunch for each of the 34 residents at the Action Shelter. The more volunteers we have the lighter the load for our team and the greater the joy and comfort for our community. If you can help out, even just for one week a year, please sign up here or
email Martha Morgan at morganottenheimer@comcast.net. These lunches are much appreciated! And, a BIG THANK YOU to Ellen Solomon for organizing these lunches for many many years!
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Join us in reading:
The Dignity of Difference: How to Avoid the Clash of Civilizations
To honor the memory of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks (z"l) we are having a communal reading of his book The Dignity of Difference. We will discuss the book in four conversations following Shabbat zervices on January 2, 9, 16 and 23. You can attend as many sessions as you like. We encourage you to order the book from the library or a local bookstore. If purchase of the book is a barrier to participation please contact Rabbi Lewis as there are funds specifically donated to assure cost will not be a barrier to participation.
Support the Cape Ann Kids campaign thru December 1st!
With so many families struggling with lost wages, lack of childcare, and financial instability, we know the need in our community will be greater than ever this year. Donation to the Cape Ann Kids Holiday Fund will allow us to provide gift cards for hundreds of families in need. Gift cards will offer families the safest, most flexible option to provide that special gift for their children. Here's the link: https://capeannkids.org/
Discover the hidden meaning of Hanukkah by uncovering your faith and belief in yourself, and finding the hidden light in the heart of darkness. The community is invited to a Hanukkah program facilitated by Ariela HaLevi, Director of Healing, Intuitive Guide and Energy Healer of Soul Centered. The program is sponsored by Lappin Foundation, Jewish Community Center of the North Shore and North Suburban Jewish Community Center and is free and open to all. Register here forFinding The Hidden Light or online at lappinfoundation.org
Children of all ages are invited to a Hanukkah Puppet show. Join puppeteer Anna Sobel as Josh and Danny discover, Hanukkah Harry doesn’t deliver presents; he is alive in anyone that stands up for themself and creates a miracle for the people that they love. The show is free and all are welcome. Visit LappinFoundation.org to register for the Zoom line or click here: PJ Library Hanukkah Harry Puppet Show!! For more information contact Sharon Wyner at
The community is invited to a family Hanukkah concert featuring award-winning song writer and educator, Eliana Light. Join us on Sunday, December 13 at 4 pm on Zoom. The program is free and everyone is welcome. Invite your family and friends to join you on Zoom. Bring your Hanukkah menorah and candles for the menorah lighting following the concert. Visit LappinFoundation.org to register for the Zoom link. For more information contact Sharon Wyner at swyner@lappinfoundation.org or call (978) 565-4450. Register here.
Caregiver's Support Group
The Caregivers Support Group is meeting on Zoom at 10:30 am every Tuesday. Please contact Susan Doughtyto join the Zoom list
Jewish Book Month Speaker Series at JCC North Shore
12/1: Dr. Sarah Wolf on how foreign the beit midrash would feel to the early Rabbis
12/8: Dr. Amy Kalmanofsky on what the Bible really had against Jezebel
Niggun & Nourishment, Gratitude
Tuesday, November 24, 2:30-4pm
Join us as members of the Rabbinical Assembly share sweet niggunim (wordless melodies), calming meditations and uplifting Torah on the theme of gratitude.
Join Ziegler faculty as they explore issues related to race, gender equality, intersectionality, and building a democracy of the future. Download the full descriptions for each Ziegler session here.
12/2: Rabbi Dr. Gail Labovitz on what Exodus has to teach us about intersectionality
12/9: Rabbi Dr. Aryeh Cohen on building a multiracial democracy
Lappin Foundation and Temple Ahavat Achim are inviting the community to commemorate:
International Holocaust Remembrance Dayat 7:30 pm on Wednesday, January 27, 2021.
This s a Zoom event Human Connections in aDisconnected Universe,A Three-Generation Family Presentation featuring Judith H. Sherman, Author, Poet and Holocaust Survivor.
Judith H. Sherman is the author of Say the Name: A Survivor’s Tale in Prose and Poetry. Contact Sharon Wynerto register.
On College and Jewish Life during pandemic and the opportunities and challenges of virtual connections
ANNOUNCEMENTS
TAA wishes everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Please be safe!
Shabbat Zervices: PJ’s Optional
By Miriam Weinstein
When we stopped in-person services who knows how many months ago, we only thought about what we would be losing. Now, it turns out that we have actually gained some things.
1. The pajama option. You know if you fall into this camp. But it only applies to the bottoms.
2. Services are shorter
3. We actually see each other’s faces
4. Bigger attendance: usually someplace in the 30s, often hitting 40. Not always the same faces, but a fairly consistent core group.
5. More flexibility. You can come and go as you please. Take a break. Get a drink. Rabbi Lewis is very good about announcing the page numbers.
6. Invigorating d’var Torah and discussion.
7. Break-out rooms. We have been meeting in small groups for a few minutes for a check-in. People have felt really good about having a short time to talk to people beyond immediate friend groups.
8. The possibility of more: We are considering having a virtual kiddush, to include something like speed dating: instead of one break-out group early in the service, have a very fast visit in two or three groups.
9. Low barrier to entry. Just show up. You can download the siddur and Etz Haim, or you can borrow an actual book. Or buy your very own copies.
10. A no-judgement way to practice your Hebrew.
11. A slap your forehead understanding of Shabbat. In this period of sameness, marking Shabbat takes on new meaning.
12. A way to feel good about your community. This is making us stronger, creating new webs of belonging.
13. Someplace else where your comments and suggestions are welcome. Let us know what you would like to see in services.
14. I didn’t want to end this at 13. And, these days, 14 is the obvious number.
When newcomers try attending these services, they tend to be amazed at how accessible and enjoyable they are. There is lots of talk about making something like this available when in-person services resume.
You do have to sign up in advance. But your sign up gives you access for as long as this continues. You can even sign up on the day you want to attend.
Our building remains physically closed until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our staff is checking email and voicemail. We welcome you to join us for any current Zoom offerings and we look forward to re-joining with you in person again soon! Stay healthy and safe.
