February 25, 2021 • Volume 17 No. 35 |
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Purim begins tonight! Purim does not quite share the majesty of the High Holidays; the delicious, fried food of Chanukah (is there really a latke/hamantaschen debate? Latkes are so much better!); or the home ritual of the Passover seder. But it does have its traditions and ritual commandments. You may not know that on Purim, we are instructed to:
- Read the Megillah, and if possible, substitute the actual time and place (Persia, a long, long time ago) for something vaguely contemporary, like New York in the 80’s, or Elton John’s house in the 70’s—you get the picture.
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Drink until you can no longer recognize the difference between Haman and Mordechai, or until you actually think hamantaschen are good cookies.
- Wear a mask. I guess we’ve been celebrating Purim all year long…. :(
- Join the Zoom Purim Spiel! (This is one of the most ancient and important Purim mitzvot)
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Drink until the kooky Purim lyrics to your favorite Elton John Songs seem really, really funny, and we all actually sound like Elton John.
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Send Mishloach manot (gifts) to all of your friends. And if we can, try to put something in there that they would actually like!
- Send gifts to the needy. No joke here. Just do it. And in fact, do it all year round. Don’t wait for Purim.
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Eat a festive Purim meal! In other words, don’t just have hamantaschen.
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Join in the Zoom Purim Spiel! (The rabbis of the Talmud tell us this may have been the original 11th commandment)
Finally, as Jews we live by the principal of pikuach nefesh: preserving health and life is more important than any other ritual commandment. So, all joking aside, if alcoholism or the adverse effects of alcohol are an issue for you, you should not partake. If not, you know what to do. And in case I didn’t mention it, you should join us on Zoom for the Spiel: Esther Saved Our Lives Tonight!
Chag Purim Sameach! Happy Purim!
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Cantor Randall M. Schloss |
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Esther Saved our Lives Tonight: an Elton John Purim via Zoom, will be different, but we can still enjoy a timeless story and fun music. Join us! – Rabbi Hirsch and Cantor Schloss |
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Purim Spiel & Megillah Reading
TONIGHT Thursday, February 25, 7:00 pm
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One of the four Purim Mitzvot is to give Matanot L'evyonim (gifts of food to those who are food insecure). The Festival of Purim will be the official kickoff for the Brotherhood/Sisterhood Food Bank Challenge.
Brotherhood/Sisterhood is pledging $1,000. Join them in helping those in need and fulfilling this commandment of Purim by either donating online, or sending a check to the Temple (memo: food bank challenge). Donations are tax deductible.
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DON'T MISS OTHER EVENTS BELOW! |
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Shabbat Services: Friday, Saturday |
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Friday, February 26
6:00 pm Shabbat Evening Service (Casual Welcome and Conversation at 5:45 pm via ZOOM Meeting ID: 885 5732 2368, Passcode: 7wW055) via LiveStream
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Saturday, February 27
9:00 am Shabbat Torah Study and Morning Blessings (Shabbat Greetings at 8:50 am) with Cantor Schloss via ZOOM Meeting ID: 914 4375 6981, Passcode: 2GCYAY, and via LiveStream
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Click for the online Shabbat Leaflet
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Temple Israel On-Going Programming |
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Daily Check-Ins next week will be Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
You can find the check-ins on the Temple Facebook page or in Connections on the Temple Website.
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Kehillah Shirah on Thursdays, 10:30 am via ZOOM ON-GOING.
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The Responsa Class is an opportunity to spend some study time with Rabbi Hirsch, on Fridays 9:00 am, discussing thought-provoking and interesting issues. Connect via ZOOM: Meeting ID: 206 879 5603 Passcode: 3GAeKM.
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Kehillah Shabbat on Friday, 10:30 am via ZOOM ON-GOING.
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The Origins and Evolution of Reform Judaism
On-going Sessions:
March 4, 7:00 pm
March 11, 8:00 pm
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Join Rabbi Hirsch, via ZOOM, who will delve into the origins of Reform Judaism and how it has adapted/changed over the generations.
If you've missed a session, click here for the YouTube video (Part 1) for congregants.
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4th Annual Benefit for Music at Temple Israel
Saturday, March 13, 7:30 pm
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"For there is always light...."
The benefit concert raises funds to support music programming at Temple Israel, and will be presented via Zoom.
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Suggested donation: $36 for adults, $18 for seniors/students and opportunities for sponsorships. Click here to register and find out more.
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Congregational Mitzvah Season
Among some....
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"Love in a Box" is hosting a zoom decoupage session which has been MOVED to: Sunday, March 21st, 4:00 pm (from Wednesday, February 17th). Please RSVP
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Sisterhood Yoga
This FREE Yoga event will be taught by yoga instructor and Temple Israel congregant Debbie Zimmerman.
Please have a mat ready for the event.
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Sisterhood Common Read
Sunday, April 25, 10:00 am via Zoom
The book chosen for the Sisterhood Common Read is An Innocent Bystander: The Killing of Leon Klinghoffer, by Julie Salamon.
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Camp Pinebrook Still Enrolling Campers!
Are your children, grandchildren, or friends' children interested in Camp Pinebrook for the summer, or do you know someone who is?
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Send for Me, by Lauren Fox, is a TODAY SHOW “#ReadWithJenna,” BOOK CLUB PICK and New York Times Book Review bestseller listing. Read more...
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Impact of COVID-19 on the Immigrant and Refugee Community
In conjunction with HIAS Refugee, WJCI invites you to attend a special zoom event with Westchester R2C on Sunday, March 7th, 10:00 am. Register here
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SAVE THE DATE
Friday, March 5th, 6:00 pm
Shabbat Evening Service / National Refugee Shabbat via ZOOM
(Come early for the Casual Welcome and Conversation at 5:45 pm)
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UJA-Federation will be hosting a virtual musical tour of Jerusalem with Yonina on Sunday, March 14th at 11:00am! Yoni and Nina are an Israeli-American couple who started sharing music through weekly home videos on social media. Check out a sample of their pre-recorded tour of Jerusalem and promo video!
If you’d like to sign on to this special event or have any questions, please reach out to Becca Newman (UJA-Federation of New York) at newmanb@ujafedny.org.
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Westchester To Help Seniors Navigate Vaccine Appointment Process
Westchester County's Department of Seniors Programs & Services will be helping seniors navigate the vaccine appointment process.
The department has an information and assistance phone line that is available to help Westchester's seniors from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm weekdays at (914) 813-6300.
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"Strangers in a Foreign Land" Conversation
Temple Israel is one of the five faith-based members of ICNAW.
If you would like to donate to continue the support of refugee families settling in Westchester, please do so:
- By check made out to Beth El, indicate in memo for ICNAW 1324 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10804
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Online via PayPal: http://bit.ly/ICNAWPayPalCUUC (or visit to cucwp.org and click on donate) to donate by PayPal or credit card. MUST indicate "ICNAW" under "Other."
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To reach Temple Israel clergy or staff, click here.
Visit our website for more information.
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We are a community that adds meaning and purpose to modern lives through an inclusive approach to Judaism. We live our Jewish values in our worship, celebration, lifelong learning and Tikkun Olam–the repair of the world. |
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