ISAAC AGREE DOWNTOWN SYNAGOGUE
April 17-23, 2020 / Nissan 23-29, 5780  
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Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue
A Message from Rabbi Ariana Silverman

As our previous schedules and routines have been disrupted and we remain in the same place most of the time, the days sometimes lose their differentiation, and we ask whether today is a work day or day off, Monday or Wednesday, whether it is morning or afternoon, and as we look out the window at snow capped daffodils, whether it is spring or winter. In these moments I am especially grateful for Judaism's rituals and reminders that separate time.  

Lighting Shabbat candles helps to internalize that it is Friday evening, and extinguishing the havdalah candle marks Saturday night. The worship service includes a different psalm for each day, and is different for morning, afternoon, or evening. A blessing for an approaching new month is part of the Shabbat liturgy, and there are rituals for the first day itself. Holiday celebrations have symbols and rituals to place us not just in the Jewish liturgical year but in the seasons. And we are now in a period of counting the Omer, marking each and every day until Shavuot.

As our secular liminal time continues, I invite you to try more of these rituals, and do more of them in community. We are lighting Shabbat candles as part of our Friday evening worship, will continue our Saturday morning and holiday worship, and will join for online Havdalah on April 25 at 9pm. And we will soon be counting the Omer online as we build toward an online Tikkun Leil Shavuot. I look forward to joining you as we mark time in ways that are both ancient and quite new. Rituals and traditions that have sustained people for generations can be part of sustaining us now.
Virtual Shabbat Services - *Updated Schedules* 
Friday nights
On Friday nights, we will begin at 5:30 p.m. with some check-in time, and then around 6:00 p.m., we will hold a mincha service (for anyone who wants to tune in before we welcome Shabbat) followed by Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv. 
 
On the first Friday night of each month, we will hold a Tot Shabbat service led by Rabbi Silverman and Gavri Yares from 5:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. We invite you and your young children to join us in song!  
 
Saturday mornings
On the first and second Saturday mornings of the month, we will have Torah Study at 9:00 a.m., followed by a worship service at 10:00 a.m.

Tomorrow, along with each  third and fourth Saturday mornings of the month, we will have our Sleep-In Shabbats starting at 10:30 a.m. with Schmooze time, 11:00 a.m. Torah Study, and 12:00 p.m. Mincha service.

Tomorrow, along with each  third Saturday morning of the month, we will hold a Tot Shabbat service  led by Rabbi Silverman and Gavri Yares from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. We invite you and your young children to join us in song!

Link for all Shabbat Services:
Or call 646.876.9923, Meeting ID 594 469 508

Community Coffee & Check-in with Rabbi Silverman
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Zoom (see below for details)
Starting Tuesday, March 24th, Rabbi Silverman will hold open hours to connect, catch-up, and drink some  homemade coffee on
Tuesdays & Thursdays from 11:00 a.m-12:00 p.m.

Link for all Coffee & Chat hours:
Or call 646.876.9923, Meeting ID 594 469 508

Tot Shabbat - Morning Service
Saturday, April 18th, 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Zoom (see below for details)
Join us for a our monthly Saturday morning Tot Shabbat service! Tot Shabbats will be held on the third Saturday mornings of each month. Families and children are welcome to join in for community, prayer, and song led by Gavri Yates.  

Link for Tot Shabbat services:
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. 
 
Technology Buddy 101 
 
In this age of social distancing, isolation is a critical concern for folks living alone, especially seniors in the community without a working knowledge of the technology we use to stay connected. The Detroit Jewish Coalition, a coalition of Jewish organizations within Detroit City Limits, is looking to offer Technology Buddy 101 support for seniors. We are in need of tech buddies to help coach, mentor, and support.  
 
Interested in coaching and mentoring? Sign up here.
 
We will be holding a volunteer training session on Monday, April 20th and Wednesday, April 22nd at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom- https://zoom.us/j/184007035.  
 
Lastly, if you or someone you know is technologically-challenged, be on the lookout for a separate sign-up.

Questions? Email Becca Steinman-Degroot.
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:
 
Unemployment Insurance Agency: Please visit the UIA website to learn about how to file for unemployment.   
 
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. 
 
Jewish Family Service: Please view this PDF to learn about all local resources, compiled by JFS. Resources include financial assistance, employment services, housing, food assistance, transportation, and much more.  
 
Yad Ezra: Please visit Yad Ezra's website to learn more about their current food distribution services.  
 
Pantry Net: Please visit Pantry Net's website to view a local listing of pantries throughout Michigan.   
 
JHelp: Please visit JHelp's website 
to view resources that may support the local Jewish community.
 
JHelp Food Delivery Program: JHELP/Kosher Meals on Wheels program is for people over 60 years of age and those with disabilities in the tri-county area who need Kosher food and do not have other options for receiving support with their food needs. The food delivery service is free.

For those who do not qualify for government funding and may be unable to pay the full cost of the meal, costs will be subsidized by the Jewish Federation and our generous donors. Please call 1-833-445-4357 to register for this program. 
 
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. 
 
CDC: Please visit the Center for Disease Control & Prevention's website to stay up to date on the COVID-19 pandemic.  
 
2-1-1 United Way: Please visit United Way's website to learn about local support resources being provided to community members.   
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.
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The Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue
1457 Griswold - Detroit, MI - 48226 - (313) 962-4047