February 5 - February 11, 2021 | Sh'vat 23 - 29, 5781
Rabbi Silverman's message
My Jethro Inspired February

This week's Torah portion, Yitro, includes the revelation at Sinai, and in particular, the Ten Commandments. However, its name, Yitro (Jethro), refers to Moses’ father-in-law, who gives Moses some much needed advice.

Moses had been trying to handle all of the questions and internal affairs of the Israelites. Jethro advises him to delegate. Trying to do too much could wear Moses out and could make him less able to focus on the most important questions that require his attention. And this refocus is well timed as Moses is about to get himself and the community ready for the revelation at Sinai.

I am not Moses. But particularly for this month, I am heeding Jethro’s advice. It is good advice in general, but especially as our community prepares for a momentus convocation. While certainly not on the scale of the revelation at Sinai (unless the planning committee has plans of which I’m unaware…), this year’s end will include a once-in-a-lifetime occasion.

As many of you know, the Downtown Synagogue will be celebrating its centennial this December. We will look back with pride that for 100 years our congregation has served our community from generation to generation. A centennial is also a sacred call to plan for the future. 

Particularly for the month of February, I will be empowering some wonderful people to take on some aspects of what I am privileged to do each day. I will be focused on fundraising to meet the needs of our remarkable growth and exciting future as we serve the next generations of Jews. I will still be available for time-sensitive pastoral needs. I will be a little less present on Shabbat and less personally responsive to your questions over email. 

Some of my time will also be devoted to the other responsibility that Jethro brought to Moses’ attention. Jethro brings Moses’ wife and children with him so they can rejoin the community after a temporary absence. Although I would like to believe that Moses’ delegation and refocusing allowed him to also be a better spouse and parent to his children, the text does not specify that. But I will. I will be taking some personal time off to focus on my family. We are all trying to meet the needs of our loved ones during these challenging times. That is sacred work, too.

I am deeply grateful to Jethro for his wisdom. I am grateful to my family for their patience and resilience. I am grateful to the team that will allow me to step back from some things so I can focus on others. And I am grateful to each of you for your excitement and support as we prepare for the next 100 years of our sacred journey.
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, February 5th
5:00 p.m. - Candle Lighting, Schmooze, Kabbalat Shabbat.
 
Saturday, February 6th
9:00 a.m. - Torah Study
10:00 a.m. - Shacharit

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

Torah Portion- February 5th & 6th: Exodus 18:1–20:23

Detroit Conservative Shuls' Purim Celebration
Thursday, February 25th - Friday, February 26th
All events will be held virtually
Celebrate Purim with us! Adat Shalom Synagogue, Congregation B'nai Israel, Congregation B'nai Moshe, Congregation Beth Ahm, Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, and Congregation Shaarey Zedek, are coming together to celebrate Purim this year. On Erev Purim, join us for the Family Musical Megillah Party, and a traditional Megillah reading followed by a hilarious standup comedy show with Joel Chasnoff, “Jokes On Us: The Joys and Oys of Being Jewish”. On the morning of Purim, Friday, February 26, we will read the Megillah Esther during the morning service. Free of charge and open to the community.


Mishloach Manot Drive-Thru
Sunday, February 21, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Address provided in registration form
The Downtown Synagogue wants to wish you a Chag Purim Sameach by providing you with sweet treats and warm wishes. Pick up your free Purim Goodie Bag through a contactless drive-thru at Rabbi Silverman's home.

We have a limited number of goodie bags, so make sure to register today to secure yours!


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.
Tributes

In gratitude for the kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity accorded to me by so many members of the IADS family by Martin Herman

In memory of Irving Karp with blessed and fond memories by Louis Antonino

In memory of Elise Yellin by Martin Herman

In memory of Robert Boggs by Martin Herman

In memory of Shirley Kantor Behr by Martin Herman

In memory of Judith Herman by Lavea Brachman and Andrew Smith

In memory of Barrett Chomsky by Louis Antonino

In memory of Lori Factor Guttman by Liz and Les Kannon

In honor of Sonya Cherkasova's 80th birthday and may she live to 120 by Rachel, Vadim, Sonia and Jacob Avshalumov

In memory of Barrett Chomsky by Susan and Merrill Gordon

In honor of DION (Detroit Interfaith Outreach Network), founded by Rabbi Dorit Edut, on receiving the Outstanding Interfaith Group Award from the Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit by the Board and Staff of IADS
Welcome new IADS members!

Welcome to our newest members, Grace van't Hoff and Aaron Lewis, and Laura and Gavri Yares.
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.