March 31, 2022 | 28 Adar II 5782
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Included in This Month's Newsletter
Upcoming Shabbat Service
Second Night Passover Seder
Torah Portion with Cantor Abramson
Safety Workshop Summary
Blessings and Simchas
Holocaust Memorial Service
Ways To Support Ukraine
Tour of Exhibition
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Upcoming Service and Passover Seder |
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Ten Minutes of Torah with Cantor Abramson
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the ordination of women in rabbinate, Cantor Abramson was invited by the Union for Reform Judaism to write the weekly D'var Torah for the parshiot of Leviticus (8 weekly Torah portions) for the 10 Minutes of Torah digest--a weekly online publication by the Union for Reform Judaism.
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When a Hallway is Sacred: Priests and Purity
Commentary on Parashat Tazria
A few years ago, the New York Times ran an article on the subject of organ donation entitled "Rituals of Honor in Hospital Hallways." The article described a moving ritual by hospital staff to honor a deceased person who intends to be an organ donor. In this particular hospital, when a donor is carefully wheeled down the hallway to the operating room, each available staff person (nurse, housekeeper, social worker, dietician, doctor, or volunteer) pauses and stands in silence, with quiet reverence, to honor a person who has chosen to be an organ donor...
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Shir Ami Members Attended Training Workshop |
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On March 15, Shir Ami members Dahni Nisinzweig, Marie Orsini Rosen, Evan Salop and Nancy Heller attended a training workshop on "Active Threats Training." This pro bono workshop was led by Michael Shanbrom of the Secure Community Network and came to Shir Ami's attention through UJA-JCC Greenwich co-president and Shir Ami member Margie Black. The 90-minute training covered such protection essentials as always being alert, having a plan especially if we get separated, practice and commit to action, do "combat breathing" to stay calm and focused and above all put your own safety first before helping others. "First responders may know little at first. People may be running. Police may have difficulty distinguishing between the attacker and those attacked. Police will not answer questions or tend to the wounded. And most importantly try to stay near an exit, and if you can escape or are rescued keep your hands up and out of your pockets," Shanbrom advised. There will be several follow-up trainings, in which Shir Ami will continue to participate. Shir Ami is grateful to Margie for calling the training to our attention and to Secure Community Network for its work on congregational safety and security. |
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Rosh Chodesh for Women and Men
Monday, April 11
7:30 PM Via Zoom
This month, we will discuss:
Ch 7 - Choose Happiness - Lessons for Living Like an Expert
30 Lessons for Living, by Karl Pillemer, is our core text for our Rosh Chodesh gathering. All of our discussions are "stand alone" and you do not have to have read the book to participate. Members and guests are welcome!
The book relates life lessons learned, as he interviews older people and organizes their responses in categories to which we can all relate, no matter what our age.
The wisdom gleaned from people who’ve lived and learned through their lives will often mirror our own experiences, confirm conclusions we’ve come to, and, perhaps, show us that ~ in spite of self-doubts ~ we’ve done our homework pretty well.
The next book discussions will be on: 5/2, 6/6
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Essential Jewish Conversation
Monday, April 25th
7:30 PM Via Zoom
We will explore the Jewish Perspective on Judaism, Earth Day and Climate Justice
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. This year we will continue our exploration of the Jewish perspective on a range of beliefs and values.
Future conversations will take place on: 5/16, 6/20
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Joan and David Green
In honor of Joan’s daughter Melanie’s birthday
In honor of Susan Nisinzweig and Lila Croen's birthdays
To the Social Action Fund
Shir Ami
Blessings for a Happy Birthday to all of our members with April birthdays:
Fran Pribish 4/3
James Roth 4/9
Cantor Jill Abramson 4/20
Chip Raymond 4/24
Eric Birnbaum 4/29
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In our NEW weekly Blessing and Simchas, we invite members to offer congratulations on a special event in someone’s life, blessings for healing, or to remember a loved one.
Submit your listing including your name, the occasion and the recipient's name/s to shirami.info@gmail.com with the subject line, "Blessings and Simchas". In order to appear in the next week's newsletter, the entry must be received by 9:00 AM on Monday morning.
You are not required to make a donation but if you chose to, you may do so on our website's donation page or by mailing a check to Congregation Shir Ami, 1273 East Putnam Avenue, P.O. Box 312, Riverside, CT 06870-9998.
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Gather with us for Yom Hashoah 7 pm, April 27 at Temple Shalom |
Hear from Holocaust survivor Endre (Andy) Sarkany, who was born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1936. The building he lived in was inside the Budapest ghetto, which is where he remainded during the Holocaust. Endre's father was taken to Mauthausen concentration camp in the spring of 1944. Endre escaped Hungary after the October 1956 uprising and immigrated to the United States. Over the past 10 years Endre has been speaking to students about his experiencs during the Holocaust, living under the brutatlity of the Soviet regime in Hungary, and finding a home in the United States.
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Social Action TIKVAH Team |
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How We Can Help The Crisis in Ukraine
We are all horrified at what is happening in Ukraine to all the people, and particularly to the Jewish population, some of whom have gone through this type of horror before.
Should you wish to send assistance to the Jews of Ukraine – here are some suggestions:
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Jewish Federations of North America are helping people make Aliyah to Israel, and supporting temporary housing, satellite phones, assisting internally displaced people, and providing critical welfare services. To contribute to Jewish Federations, go to UJF of Greater Stamford or UJA of Greenwich. This agency has been helping in Ukraine for decades, formerly known as United Jewish Appeal. The donation you make is credited to your local federation, but the entire donation goes to the central UJFNA and is sent to Ukraine to their local affiliates (JDC, JAFI, etc.) who have organizations on the ground.
The Joint Distribution Committee is on the ground in Ukraine delivering urgent lifesaving care to Jewish seniors and families: food packages, transport, accommodations for those fleeing, medicine, etc. Go to Donate.JDC.org to contribute.
Jewish Agency for Israel - North America - JAFINA is assisting Jews looking to make Aliyah, and supporting the local Jewish Ukrainian community. This agency is focused on helping Israel, but is on the ground in Ukraine, mainly assisting Jews who would like to go to Israel.
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TIKVAH - Touching Individuals with Kindness, Vision, and Hope
- Opportunities to support and volunteer to help immigrants and those in need.
- 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!
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Our Shir Ami member, Nancy Heller is the curator of this exhibit at the Flinn Gallery at Greenwich Library. After April 10th, she is happy to give a private tour any weekday evening except Thursday or during regular hours on the weekend. Please click here to contact Nancy.
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An Uncommon Planet Exhibiton
The Flinn Gallery celebrates the beauty and fragility of our ever-changing world in its current exhibition, An Uncommon Planet. The show features the work of two photographers, Jonathan Pozniak of New York City and Eric Seplowitz of upstate New York, and is curated by Greenwich residents, Nancy Heller and Alexis Abram. Both photographers are interested in the natural world and depict its unique features from different perspectives. Jonathan captures the majestic beauty of icebergs and aerial landscapes, while Eric reveals the stunning array of colors and patterns that exist just below the surface of rocks and minerals. Planned in conjunction with Earth Day, these photographers encourage us to look more closely at the world around us and appreciate both the evolution and impermanence of our ever-changing world.
An Uncommon Planet is on view March 24-May 5, 2022. To learn more, please visit their website.
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What is the purpose of living Jewishly?
Tuesday Evenings
April 19th - May 24th (no class April 26th)
7:30 - 8:45 PM via Zoom
$189 (includes book)
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For those of you who may be considering joining, we warmly welcome you!
Being a Member of Shir Ami, allows you to
- help shape our community
- support its mission
- find inspiration in our diverse offerings
- participate in rituals and events reserved for members.
- have access to our wonderful clergy
If you are interested and would like to know more
Click here to read our Welcome letter from Cantor Abramson and Shir Ami Co-Presidents Susan Nisinzweig and Marie Orsini Rosen
All are Welcome to Join Our Community!
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For a full listing of all local events of Jewish interest visit the websites for:
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CongregationShirAmi.org
203-900-7976
shirami.info@gmail.com
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