THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION
Parashat Shelah Lekha Shabbat Mevarekhim Hahodesh
2nd Triennial Numbers 14:8 - 15:7
Read the Portion on Sefaria.org - you can click a verse for commentary

RABBI'S CORNER
WHAT WE'VE BEEN THROUGH: PLEASE SHARE YOUR PANDEMIC WISDOM

As we move toward reopening and more in-person interactions, I am very curious to hear what you’ve learned from this uniquely challenging fourteen months of pandemic. From this experience, many of us have stories, not only of loss and deprivation, but also of deep learning and insight into our lives. Please share any insights or learning that grew out of the challenges we’ve faced.  

This week’s Torah reading is the dramatic/traumatic experience of the twelve Israelite spies who scout out the Land of Canaan. According to ten of the spies there was no hope because, “The country that we traversed and scouted is one that devours its inhabitants.” Two of the spies, Caleb and Joshua, counter that there is no need to fear because God is with them and “The land that we crossed through and scouted is a good land: exceedingly, exceedingly!” The result is that the Israelites need to remain in the desert for forty years rather than enter the land since they are not ready for the challenge.  

Reading the story again this year, at this moment, the themes of fear vs. hope in challenge feel extremely relevant. How do we understand what we’ve been through in a way that can strengthen us moving forward? 
 
TAA COMMUNITY CORNER
TAA’s new Community Corner offers unique opportunities to connect with fellow members while doing activities you love.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
ICE CREAM SUNDAE PARTY
Sunday, June 13, 3-4:30 pm
Outdoors at TAA
A chance for all ages to re-connect in person. We’ve missed each other! Safety protocols will be in place. BYOC&D (bring your own chairs and drinks). RSVP by June 6
TAA ANNUAL MEETING
June 15, 2021
6:45 Schmooze
7:00 Meeting Begins

Zoom link and materials will be forthcoming. We hope to see you all there!
KABBALAT SHABBAT
with Charlee Bianchini
June 18, 7:30 pm
Please note the change of date.
Join us for a service led by Rabbi Lewis with guitar and vocals by special guest Charlee Bianchini!
JEWISH VEG PRESENTATION AND Q&A
Monday, June 21, 7 pm
Learn why the environmental impact of animal agriculture is a Jewish issue and how our tradition of bal tashchit ("do not destroy") connects to our ancestral awareness of land stewardship. Stay tuned for registration info.
SAVE THE DATE: LIVE GARDEN TOUR
Sunday, July 11, 10 am to 3 pm Rain or Shine
This tour is open to TAA members and guests, and there is no fee. There will be Tzedekah boxes at each garden for an optional donation to benefit Backyard Growers. Contact Jasmine if you would like to contribute by decorating bird houses. Stay tuned for registration info.
  • THE AMAZING JEWISH CALENDAR with Cantor Bruce Siegel Sundays at 10 am. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER Visit our homepage to find recordings of past classes
  • TAA BOOK CLUB My Father's Paradise by Ariel Sabar, Tuesday, June 22, 7 pm. Please note the change of date. All are welcome! Contact Barbara Kaplan to sign up
TAA KIDS AND FAMILIES
ENGINEERING SCHOLARSHIP FROM THE LAPPIN FOUNDATION
Applications are being accepted for the Zakhar Vayntrub Memorial Scholarship in Engineering. Learn about Eligibility Requirements and Apply.
Contact Debbie Coltin for more information.
REGISTER FOR OUR WEEKLY EVENTS
Thursdays, 11 am
Sundays, 8:45 am
Saturdays, 9:30 am
with Richard Huttner Mondays, 11 am
ACCESS ELECTRONIC SIDDURIM / Contact Jasmine for hard copies
TAA COMMITTEES

Join the Caregivers Support Group for their Tuesday 10:30 am meetings

TAA’s Everyone Eats! Team provides lunch supplies to up to thirty-four guests each Sunday at Gloucester's Action Shelter. To join the team or find out more, email Martha. A big thanks to all our current volunteers!

Know Someone Interested in Joining our Community?
Refer prospective members to Richard Huttner and Elaine Byrne
EVENTS NEAR AND FAR
JLIVE WITH ZACHARY MAYER
Friday, June 4, 12:00 pm
Zach channels his family lineage of the four-generations of chazzanim (cantors) before him, as he helps communities around the country find their own joyous voices in song.
CAPE ANN ARTISANS OPEN STUDIOS SPRING TOUR 2021
June 5-6, 10 am - 5 pm daily

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO EAT JEWISHLY?
Sunday, June 6, 2:00 pm
Dr. David Kraemer on the evolution of Kashrut
Boston's Jewish Community Day School's Matters of Taste Speaker Series
THE ABRAHAM ACCORDS: ISRAEL'S NEW PLACE IN THE ARAB WORLD
Tuesday, June 8, 7:30 pm
A presentation by Ambassador Ido Aharoni.
JEWISH HERITAGE NIGHT AT FENWAY PARK
Tuesday, June 8
UPHEAVAL: THE JOURNEY OF MENACHEM BEGIN
Thursday, June 10, 8 pm
An exclusive virtual screening of the new documentary film and a dynamic panel discussion about the incredible life and legacy of Menachem Begin. Sponsored by OpenDor Media in partnership with the Lappin Foundation and the Skolnick Family Charitable Trust
  • AJC VIRTUAL GLOBAL FORUM June 6-9, This four-day online event will feature a historic opening plenary, conversations with world leaders, and debates about issues including restoring a deeply divided America, promoting Israel’s place in a reimagined Middle East, and combating rising antisemitism and other forms of hate. LEARN MORE
JEWISH MUSIC FROM THE PIONEER VALLEY
Presented by Mak'hela, the Jewish Chorus of Western Massachusetts
Shop AmazonSmile to support Temple Ahavat Achim.
Click the image to sign up!
86 Middle Street, Gloucester, MA 01930
(978) 281-0739 

Myron Geller, Rabbi Emeritus
Eric Kaplan, President
Phoebe Potts, Director of the Sylvia Cohen Family Learning Project
Jasmine Epstein, Office Coordinator
Laurie Williamson, Bookkeeper