April 16 - April 22, 2021 | Iyar 4 - 10, 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, April 16th
5:00 p.m. - Erev Shabbat in Song: Candle Lighting, Schmooze, Kabbalat Shabbat
 
Saturday, April 17th
10:30 a.m. - Schmooze
11:00 a.m. - Torah Study
12:00 p.m. - Mincha

Please find the link to this week's services on our website.

Torah Portion- April 16th & 17th: Leviticus 12:1-15:33

How To: Sustainably Live & Work From Home
Monday, April 19th, 6:00 p.m.
As we settle into year two of doing everything from home - living, working, socializing virtually- do you find yourself wondering how you could be more sustainable? Do you find yourself forgetting to recycle and compost as much as you used to, but don't know where to start now?

Look no further - join the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, Green Living Science, Michigan Interfaith Power & Light, Midtown Composting, and Hazon Detroit in learning new, creative ways to rededicate yourself to environmental sustainability, all from the comfort of your home.

Register here to sign up for your free Sustainability Starter Kit from Hazon!

Thursday, April 22nd, 7:00 p.m.
Zoom - See registration link below
Detroit Jews for Justice, Repair the World Detroit, the Coalition for Black and Jewish Unity, Congregation Shir Tikvah, and the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue are hosting a joint film screening and fundraiser for the Sarah E Ray Project. Sarah E Ray, also known as “Detroit’s other Rosa Parks,” was a civil rights trailblazer and paved the way for Rosa Parks in her fight to desegregate public transportation. We will be learning about her fight to desegregate the Boblo boats in Detroit, and how she and her partner Raphael Haskell continued to serve the city of Detroit long after the closing of the historic Supreme Court case. Participants will be able to interact directly with the producers of the film, who will join us for a Q&A session.


8th Annual Tikkun Leil Shavuot: A Night of Learning in Community
Sunday, May 16th
5:00 p.m. - In person, masked, socially distanced session (location TBA)
7:00 p.m. - Virtual sessions via Zoom
You and yours are invited to take part in a night of study, developing new skills, and being together in community. Classes in past years have included Latin Dancing, Yiddish Poetry, White Supremacy in America, Knitting & Crafting, Judaism & Anarchism, Israeli Immigration Law, and so much more!

If you are interested in leading a session on a skill or topic that you're particularly passionate about, please fill out this form.

*Event schedule and Zoom link will be shared closer to event date*

Check-ins with Rabbi Silverman
Many of us need a little extra support and care these days. Please reach out to Rabbi Silverman to schedule a personal check-in.
If you need help setting up Zoom technology, please email us and we will walk you through it.
Celebrating 100 Years of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue

In December of 1921, Charles and Nathan Agree, along with the Canvasser, Kaplan, Rosin and Zatkin families, announced the founding of the Isaac Agree Memorial Society. The society was named in honor of their father, a Russian immigrant who came to Detroit in 1904. The society held its first services in a home on Rosedale Court and, as they say, the rest is history.

As the growing congregation in the heart of Detroit looks forward to celebrating its 100 years serving the community, we are looking for your stories. Did your Grandfather come to services at IADS? Was your brother’s Bar Mitzvah in the sanctuary above Kosin’s? Did you blow the Shofar at High Holy Day services at the Veteran’s Memorial Building? What about the Hanukkah celebrations and epic dance parties, have you been to any of those? We want to hear about your or your family’s connection to the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue over the years and how we have been a part of your lives.

In addition to the stories, we are also hoping to grow our collection of archival materials, so we’d love any photographs or other memorabilia that you’d like to share. Stories, video and digital photographs can be submitted here. If you have questions or would like to submit physical items, please contact the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue at 313.324.8006.
We are honored to be part of this year's Detroit Jewish Film Festival. The Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue will be co-sponsoring the film A Crime On The Bayou in partnership with Barbara Nusbaum, Dale & Bruce Frankel, JCRC's Coalition for Black and Jewish Unity, and The Workers Circle - Michigan.

To learn more about the Film Fest, click here. More information about complimentary tickets to our sponsored film will be provided in coming weeks.
LGBTQ Jewish History Timeline Workshop with Keshet

Join Keshet and Repair the World Detroit on Monday, April 19th at 7:00 p.m. for this interactive workshop to learn about LGBTQ+ history. No matter what your previous knowledge is, we encourage you to come and guarantee you’ll learn something new! Register here.
FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. FEMA's mission is to help people before, during and after disasters — and they are dedicated to helping ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus. This is why FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. Expenses that qualify for reimbursement include a burial plot, a marker or headstone, clergy or officiant services, the arrangement of a funeral ceremony, and more.
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. 

  • City of Detroit COVID-19 Vaccine Information: Check your eligibility and schedule your covid-19 vaccine through this resource. Eligible groups will be added to this page as additional vaccine becomes available.

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.