|
Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue
|
|
Rabbi Silverman's Message
Last year several respondents to our High Holiday evaluation survey indicated that they would prefer different chairs in the future. So this year, you can use any chair you choose! You can adjust the volume, get a great parking space even if you're late, sit in the aisle seat, hold your crying baby as needed, and not need to rush out to get to a holiday meal...
As I find the silver linings in what will be an extraordinary year, I know many of you join me in the sadness of being unable to greet or comfort one another with a hug or even with eye contact, unable to feel the power of hundreds of people joining in prayer, unable to kiss the Torah or stand before the open ark.
Fortunately, if you register, you can join us on Zoom and we will be able to see one another smile. But please do not think of the services and learning this year as the experiences of past years just transferred to a screen. They aren't. There is no substitute for hugs or sitting with everyone in a stunning sanctuary, or in person learning, or hearing everyone say Ashamnu in unison.
So please think about a sacred intention that you have for the services. Maybe it is to take a breath and a break to welcome the new year, hear and speak a prayer differently this year, see one another in the sacred space we have created for this time in our homes, honor the memory of a loved one, learn something new in the sermons, hear Robert Orenstein's beautiful voice, hear the chanting of our incredible Torah and Haftarah readings, or wish a Shana Tova to a friend on Zoom or facebook.
And then get comfortable in your favorite chair, take a deep breath knowing that the technology will fail at some point, and be ready to experience something unprecedented in Jewish history. |
|
Update on Downtown Synagogue Zoom usage 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, September 11th
5:30 p.m. - Schmooze
6:00 p.m. - Services
Saturday, September 12th
9:00 a.m. - Detroit Partnership Shabbat with Reconstructionist Congregation of Detroit
Tot Shabbat Morning Service
Saturday, September 12th, 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m
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. Every second and fourth Saturday, 10:00 a.m -10:30 a.m. on Zoom.
Link to join Tot Shabbat Zoom here.
Meeting ID: 202 219 3921
Passcode: 618489
Community Coffee & Check-in with Rabbi Silverman
Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Zoom (see below for details)
Rabbi Silverman will be holding open hours to connect, catch-up, and drink some homemade coffee on Tuesdays from 11:00 a.m-11:30 a.m.
Link for all Coffee & Chat hours: Or call 646.876.9923, Meeting ID 594 469 508
High Holidays Technology FAQ Session
Wednesday, September 16th, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Zoom (see below for details)
Are you planning on joining us for the High Holidays? Do you want to learn more about Zoom technology and how to be prepared for virtual services?
Look no further- join us next Wednesday for a FAQ session on Zoom, technology during the High Holidays, and what to expect!
________________________________________________________
If you need help setting up Zoom technology, please email us and we will walk you through it.
|
High Holidays with the
Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue
High Holiday services - open to all and free of charge or obligation - will be held virtually this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While we won't be gathered in person, we will gather remotely as a community, staying safe and healthy, as we usher in the Days of Awe.
We ask that you and your family pre-register for services. Upon registering, you will receive an email with the link to our machzor.
|
Shofar Mobile: Coming to a
Corner near You!
While many aspects of the High Holiday season will be different from years past, one thing that remains the same is the powerful sound of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah.
This year, we will have a Shofar Mobile traveling throughout the day on Sunday, September 20th to various neighborhoods throughout the City of Detroit. We invite you and your family to safely attend the shofar blowing nearest to you.
Please see below for a list of locations where the Shofar Mobile will be making an appearance:
-
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m., Jewish Senior Life, Oak Park
- 1:00 p.m. - 1:30 pm., Palmer Park, Detroit
- 2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., Woodbridge, Detroit
- 3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m., Tashlich at Milliken State Park, Detroit
- 4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Eden Gardens, Detroit
- 5:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Gordon Park, Boston Edison, Detroit
Exact locations and addresses will be announced closer to the date.
If you or someone you know is not able or comfortable leaving their home to hear the shofar, please reach out to us. We will do our best to make accommodations.
|
Contemplative Racial Justice Coaching Seminar
with April Baskin
We invite you to join us for the Contemplative Racial Justice Coaching Seminar, an interactive and innovative 3-part learning series led by April N. Baskin. Participants will be encouraged to explore their own spiritual landscape in regards to their relationship with racial justice in 2020. Through this multidisciplinary program, individuals will deepen their understanding of authentic inclusion, diversity, and equity through contemplative writing practices.
All sessions will be held via Zoom platform. Please see below for session schedule:
- Thursday, October 8th, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
- Thursday, October 15th, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
- Thursday, October 22nd, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
- Thursday, October 29th, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. (Q &A Session)
This program is offered at no cost, due to the generosity of funding provided by The Jewish Fund.
|
The Case For Change: Individual Transformation & Community Resilience
Learning Series with Hadar Faculty
Rabbi Yitz Greenberg has spent his long career teaching about human dignity and our being created in the image of God: Rabbi Shai Held has spent decades teaching about similar themes, with a special emphasis on the centrality of love in Jewish theology, spirituality, and ethics. What are Rabbis Greenberg and Held's greatest passions and deepest doubts about these ideas?
How do these themes relate to one another and more importantly, how can they speak to the present moment, as we struggle with a global pandemic and with the quest for racial justice? Join Rabbi Greenberg and Held in conversation with Arna Poupko Fisher, renowned Jewish educator and Jewish studies professor.
|
Downtown Synagogue Siddurim
Have you been participating in services? Are you ready to have your very own copy of the Downtown Synagogue prayer book? Our prayer book is unique as every Hebrew word is both transliterated and translated, and was prepared by our member Joe Lewis.
We are happy to provide contact-less delivery directly to you, so that you can continue to worship with us from the comfort of your home.
If you are interested in purchasing a prayer book for a suggested donation of $36, please reach out to Liz.
|
Community Resources for COVID-19
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.
|
|
