Letter from Cantor Abramson; Shabbat Service and Passover Seder

March 4, 2021 | 20 Adar 5781

Included in This Week's Newsletter

Reflections from Cantor Abramson

Purim Story Slam Recap

Passover Seder Coming Soon

Upcoming Shir Ami Classes

Request for Member Spotlight

Community News

Reflections from Cantor Abramson

Dear Shir Ami Members and Friends,

It has been a year of pandemic living. Without a doubt, we shall surely look back on this past year and discuss how we navigated the pernicious virus. And during this same year, we've experienced a "crisis within a crisis," as we witnessed a social pandemic of racial injustice. In short, these two crises have asked us to do two different yet interrelated tasks: hunker down to survive, but speak out so that others may live.

We've sheltered in place, ordered in, and depended on delivery for basic needs. And yet, the racial injustice has demanded that we speak up, demonstrate, and make our voices heard. While aspects of COVID have required us to "lay low," addressing systemic racism requires that we reach out to others, initiate dialogue, and build new relationships across communities of difference.

Certainly we know that not everyone has been able to stay home; we salute and celebrate those essential workers who have served and continue to serve on the front lines. In addition, COVID has required us to face the challenges of racial injustice too as we know that communities of color have been disproportionately affected by the virus.

Yet, the lessons remain the same: some aspects of a crisis demand we minimize our interactions with other people, while other aspects demand we reach out. Let us remember that the Hebrew word for "crisis" is "mashbir," which means "birth stool." For even within a crisis, new opportunities are "born."

L'Shalom,

Cantor Jill Abramson

Shabbat Services

Shabbat Service

Friday, March 12th

7:30 PM via Zoom

Please join us on Zoom for our Friday night Shabbat Service. The PDF for the service may be found on the homepage of our website and the Zoom link will be emailed to those who are registered.

Thank you to Peggy and Jerry Sturman for hosting and leading us in the Candle Lighting and Kiddush.

The Purim Story Slam Was Great!

A big thanks to our storytellers, Alina Rodescu Pitchon, David Radin, Lila and Walter Croen, Joel Collamer and Cantor Jill Abramson for making this a wonderful evening! As you can see in the picture below, each story received great applause. The story telling was once again a wonderful way to experience Purim with our congregation.

Please click here to view a video of the full Candle Lighting Service and Story Slam.

Please note that of our Shir Ami videos are posted as "unlisted" on You Tube which means that nobody can find them by searching online. They can only be accessed if you have the link.

Passover is coming...

Second Night Passover Seder

Sunday, March 28th

6:00-7:30 PM via Zoom

Let's join together online for a Zoom virtual Community Seder with Cantor Abramson and our congregational family. As we saw last year, it will be a unique and beautiful Seder experience.

Location:

Your dining room table

(BYOSP - bring your own Seder Plate food)

Zoom link and pdf of the Haggadah will be emailed to those who register. The pdf of the Haggadah may also be found on our homepage.

As we will once again this year miss eating the many delicious recipes we are used to enjoying at our Pot Luck dinner, we instead thought it could be fun to share some of your favorite Passover recipes with each other. Please email us your favorite recipes and we will make them available on our website in time for you to prepare some of them for your Seder. Please submit your contributions no later than March 14th.

Our 2nd Night Seder will be very special and enjoyable as always. Please feel free to invite your friends and family to join us. This is a great opportunity for them to feel the spirit of Shir Ami.

We look forward to celebrating Passover with you!

In honor of Passover, Shir Ami will be making a donation to some local food banks using funds already in our Social Action Fund. If you would like to add to this fund, please click here to donate.

Living and Learning Classes

Shir Ami's

Rosh Chodesh Study Group

Monday, March 15th

7:30 PM via Zoom

Read chapters 16 and 17

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.

The discussion will focus on the themes of the holidays (the book is the backdrop).

Each participant is invited to procure her own copy of the book.

Here is a free link to the first 6 chapters of the book click here

Bring your own cup of tea!

Essential Jewish Conversations:

Beliefs and Values

Monday, March 22nd

7:30 PM via Zoom

Topic:

Can I Be an Athiest and a (Good) Jew?

What Does Judaism Say About God?

Join Cantor Abramson this month as we explore the Jewish perspective on Judaism and God.

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.

We want you...to be our next Member Spotlight!

Please contact Suzanne at shirami.info@gmail.com if you would like to be highlighted in an upcoming newsletter. It's fun to get to see and learn more about our members. If you are interested, please send a photo and a short write up.

For examples of previous spotlights about our interesting congregants, please see the Member Spotlight page on our website. click here.

Community News

Re-entering a Changed World, with Dr. Betsy Stone

Thursday, March 11, 2021

7:00 PM via Zoom

Join us as we welcome back noted psychologist and Jewish educator, Dr. Betsy Stone, for a discussion on reentry after Covid-19.

Lockdown was relatively simple - cancel plans, stay home. Now, we are different people than we were a year ago. Covid has taken family, friends, jobs and freedom.

What will it feel like to reopen? How do we reenter a world that has changed? Join Dr. Stone as she facilitates a discussion about how to navigate this strange new world.

Free and open to the community - registration required.

To find out more about what is happening at JFS click here.

Social Action

Build community through Social Action projects:

Recruit some Shir Ami friends to participate in one of these projects with you!

Let us know your plans - shirami.info@gmail.com

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...

For a full listing of all local events of Jewish interest visit the websites for:

UJA/JCC of Greenwich

UJF Greater Stamford, New Canaan, Darien

JCC Stamford

Jewish Family Services Greenwich

Jewish Family Service Stamford

Interfaith Council of Southwestern CT

Learning in Retirement Stamford