January 22 - January 28, 2021 | Sh'vat 9 - 15, 5781
Rabbi Silverman's Message
...When day comes we step out of the shade,
aflame and unafraid
The new dawn blooms as we free it
For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it
If only we’re brave enough to be it

Amanda Gorman, the former youth poet laureate, concluded her poem “The Hill We Climb” with these words at the inauguration. If you have not watched her recite this tremendous work of art, please do so now.

We choose what we see. We choose who we want to be. But mostly, as this poem reminds us, we recognize that sometimes it takes bravery to make that choice. In Genesis, when God says “let there be light,” it comes, as we know, out of chaos. And it comes, as we know, out of darkness. It was a radical act. 

This week in Parashat Bo we read about the final three plagues in Egypt, considered by many to be the worst. Among them is darkness. A darkness, some Torah commentators have suggested, that meant that one couldn’t even see one’s hand in front of one’s face, and therefore the Egyptians would not move. It was not just that people were unable to see light. People were unable to act in the world. They were unable to be it.

We are faced with that choice as well.  A new President brings a new beginning, and for many, hope. But it is not enough to look to our leadership to guide us into a brighter future. We need to be brave enough to push them, and one another, forward. 

As we watch Amanda Gorman give us our charge, we see in her a tremendous light. Will we be brave enough to be one, too?
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, January 22nd
5:00 p.m. - Candle lighting, schmooze, and Kabbalat Shabbat
 
Saturday, January 23rd
10:00 AM - Tot Shabbat with Gavri Yares
10:30 AM - Schmooze
11:00 AM - Torah Study
12:00 PM - Mincha
 
Please find the link to this week's services on our website.

Torah Portion- January 22nd & January 23rd: Exodus 10:1−13:16

The Big Bold Jewish Climate Fest
January 27th - January 31st, 2021
Event will be held virtually
We are honored to partner with Hazon, and 60+ organizations, on this free, virtual and collaborative festival by and for people who want to activate Jewish values to move the needle on climate change. We believe the time has come to put climate change as a central moral issue of our community, and our current moment - as well as the holiday of Tu B'Shvat - is a unique opportunity for collaboration and engagement that might otherwise not have been possible.

To view the enter festival schedule and learn more, click here.

How To Talk About Racism With Your Child with Dr. Susan Linn
Saturday, January 30th, 8:00 p.m.
Zoom - Link will be sent upon completing registration
We invite parents of children ages 7 and under to join this innovative and educational program on how to talk about racism with your children. Learn how to effectively address issues of racism and implicit bias in America today, through functional language and lessons that children can understand and carry with them as they engage with the world around them. This program is held in partnership with Dor Hadash.


Susan Linn, Ed.D, is a world-renowned expert on creative play and the impact of media and commercial marketing on children.She is internationally known for her use of puppets as therapeutic tools for children. She pioneered this work at Children's Hospital Boston and the Children’s AIDS Program, where she used puppets to help children cope with illness, hospitalization, death, loss and other life challenges. Among many honors, Susan has received the Presidential Citation from the American Psychological Association for her work on behalf of children.

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.
IADS Centennial Committee - Join Today!

The Downtown Synagogue is turning 100 years old in 2021, and a Centennial Committee is forming to celebrate this special occasion! We are looking for people to join the committee and help plan and organize special events, both virtual and in-person, beginning in the Fall of 2021.

The committee will meet once a month through the spring, and possibly more frequently beginning in the summer. If this sounds like fun, be in touch with Jaemi Loeb.
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. 

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.