March 19 - 25, 2021 | Nissan 6 - 12, 5781
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, March 19th
5:00 p.m. - Erev Shabbat in Song: Candle Lighting, Schmooze, Kabbalat Shabbat
 
Saturday, March 20th
10:30 a.m. - Schmooze
11:00 a.m. - Torah Study
12:00 p.m. - Mincha

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

Torah Portion- March 19th & 20th: Leviticus 1:1−5:26

Passover Havdalah with the Downtown Synagogue
Saturday, March 20th, 8:00 p.m.
Join Rabbi Silverman, Pastor Aramis Hinds from Breakers Covenant Church International, and members from each congregation as they reflect and share personal experiences from the last year. As we move into Passover, we find hope in the year to come with our joint communities.

Passover Around The World - A cultural, culinary, art & musical experience
Sunday, March 21st, 10:00 a.m.
Zoom - RSVP here
Join us for Passover Around the World, a culinary, cultural, musical and art experience. Together, we will learn about how the Jewish holiday of Passover is observed all around the world. Join us in the kitchen to make 2 different kinds of charoset, a tasty dish we have on our seder plate. We will create a beautiful art project for our Passover table, listen to some Passover melodies from far away lands, and learn about how other Jews celebrate the holiday that connects us as a Jewish people, Passover.

This program is most appropriate for families with children 0-10 years of age and we strongly encourage parent participation for our cooking activity. We welcome your entire family!

This program is a partnership of Dor Hadash, Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, Congregation T'chiyah, and the Reconstructionist Congregation of Detroit.

RSVP today to ensure you receive your supplies prior to the program.

Passover Second Night Schmooze
Sunday, March 28th, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
We invite you to join us for a Second Night Schmooze. Catch up with our community, share your dinner menu, and connect to virtually celebrate Passover.

If you do not have plans to virtually attend a Passover seder, please reach out to us.

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.
Start Here: Jewish Anti-Racist Cohort will bring together a group of early to mid-career white-identifying Jewish professionals and passionate lay leaders dedicated to examining the impact of race and racism in our organizations and community.

Over the course of a six-month fellowship, participants will advance and challenge their understanding of their own racial identity, build relationships with peers from across the spectrum of Jewish Detroit, and gain tools to help build a more inclusive and equitable Jewish community. Thanks to the support of our Federation as well as the Max and Marjorie Fisher and Jamie and Denise Jacob Foundations we are able to offer this in-depth professional and leadership development experience at highly reduced cost of just $150 per participant - if cost is a barrier, please reach out to us.

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. 

  • City of Detroit COVID-19 Vaccine Information: Check your eligibility and schedule your covid-19 vaccine through this resource. Eligible groups will be added to this page as additional vaccine becomes available.

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.