May 6, 2021 | 24 Iyar 5781
Included in This Week's Newsletter
Upcoming Services and Classes
Havdallah/Cheese Tasting-Register by 5/8
Annual Meeting-Register Today
Fill Out Our Questionnaire
Greenwich Jewish News
Refugee Family Donations Needed
Upcoming Services and Events
Spotlight Calendar

Members and guests are always welcome to attend our Shir Ami Services, Classes and Special Events.

May

May 7th, Friday
7:30 PM via Zoom

May 10th, Monday
7:30 PM via Zoom

May 15th, Saturday
7:30 PM via Zoom

May 17th, Monday
7:30 PM via Zoom

DATE CHANGE
Annual Meeting- all members welcome
May 27th, Thursday
7:30PM via Zoom







Important Actions for Shir Ami Members:

A revised Officer Nomination email went out on 5/4. All nominations are due by Wednesday, May 12th.

Please fill out the Annual Questionnaire by Tuesday, May 11th. To access the questionnaire, please click here

Your prompt responses will help us to plan and be well prepared for May 27th.
Register now to attend our
Annual Meeting
Thursday, May 27th
7:30 PM via Zoom
(Note date change)

We always strive to have full participation. Your voices, ideas and feedback truly matter to us!
Shabbat Service
Friday, May 7th
7:30 PM via Zoom

This Friday evening, Cantor Abramson will offer a special Sermon in Song; Enjoy a suite of Sephardic songs on themes of love, light and renewal.

The PDF for the service can be found on the homepage of our website and the Zoom link will be emailed to those who are registered.

Nancy Heller and Roger Lob will lead the candle lighting and kiddish in honor of Nancy's 60th birthday
Shavuot Cheese Tasting
and Havdallah Service
Saturday, May 15th
7:30 PM via Zoom

If you'd like to order a cheese tasting package, the fee is $15 per person.

Celebrate and join together in community with this delightful paring of music and dairy in honor of Shavuot - what could be better?

Following the Havdallah service, Joel Collamer, our Board Treasurer and cheese aficionado will lead us in a virtual culinary adventure into the art and appreciation of great cheeses.

Register by May 8th so we can pre-order, prepare and deliver a package for each person that will include
  • 4 cheeses to be sampled
  • Some fruit and nuts
  • Crackers

Red and White wine pairings will be suggested, but you will need to supply your own wine.

Click here to learn more about the holiday of Shavuot.
April/May Issue of Greenwich Jewish News

During COVID they have not been mailing out hard copies of the Greenwich Jewish News so it is easy to miss. Please make a point to read this issue. Shir Ami submitted five articles including:

  • Love & Loss in the Time of Covid by Rabbi Emerita Vicki Axe
  • Was There Anything Good in Such a Bad Year? by Marie Orsini Rosen

There are also many interesting community events coming up in May and June. Click here to read the digital version.
Living and Learning Classes
Shir Ami's
Rosh Chodesh Study Group
Monday, May 10th
7:30 PM via Zoom

Not required, but if you have the book,
please read chapters 20 and 22. We will NOT be discussing 21 so please enjoy reading and thinking about that chapter on your own.
My Jewish Year, 18 Holidays, One Wondering Jew
by Abigail Pogrebin

Interested in forging a deeper sense of spirituality and connection to the holidays? Come celebrate the New Month and do a "deep dive" into the Jewish calendar with other women from Shir Ami. Noted author and feminist, Abigail Pogrebin, takes us on a one year journey through the entire Jewish calendar in her book, My Jewish Year.

Each session is a stand alone. The book will be our guide but if you haven't read the chapter you can still participate.  

Bring your own cup of tea!
Essential Jewish Conversations:
Beliefs and Values
Monday, May 17th
7:30 PM via Zoom
Topic: 
What do Jews believe about Jesus?
Call it a symposium, a salon, a forum or a debate, Jewish life has long been centered around a vibrant exchange of ideas and viewpoints--a sacred conversation meant to bring meaning to our lives.
Community News
Marking Rabbi Aaron Panken's Third Yahrzeit: "Jews of Color"
Tuesday, May 11th
6:00 PM Via Zoom

Rabbi Panken was a former colleague of Cantor Abramson and former HUC President. Join Rabbi Angela Buchdahl and HUC faculty member Dr. Bruce Phillips for an informative and enlightening discussion that embraces and celebrates diversity and inclusion among the Jewish People. HUC President Andrew Rehfeld will serve as moderator, and Rabbi Panken’s teaching on the subject will be incorporated throughout.  Click here to register.
Social Action
Stamford Interfaith Refugee Settlement (SIRS) is reaching out for donations to help its group of volunteers furnish an apartment for the next refugee family we welcome some time this year. The group has received many donations, but still has the following needs:  

  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Laptop computer
  • Used furniture, furnishings and linens:  a set of bunk beds, rugs (hall runner and decorative rugs 8X10’ max), mattress covers (unstained or new), linens for single beds (“in a bag” or sheets, blankets & comforters)  
  • Used kitchenware: teapot, canisters, large skillet, wooden cooking spoons, steak knives, rolling pin, casserole
  • Cash donations or gift cards for items that must be new: mattresses and box springs, pillows. (We will not know the number needed until two weeks before a family arrives.) 

SIRS also continues to look for additional volunteers to help welcome and support the family as they work toward self-sufficiency to become productive members of our community. 

Visit the SIRS website, sirsct.org, for more information and to contact them, sirsct.org/contact.  
PLEASE TAKE A LOOK at our updated Social Action page, to view more about:
  • Opportunities to support and volunteer at Building One Community
  • Sandwich making for individuals at The New Covenant Center
  • Ways we can each help combat racism
  • Shopping for Seniors with JFS
  • Dignity Grows supplies essential toiletries to people in need
  • and more worthwhile activities...

Recruit some Shir Ami friends to participate in one of these projects with you!
Let us know your plans - shirami.info@gmail.com
Other Community Websites
CongregationShirAmi.org
203-900-7976
shirami.info@gmail.com