December 2, 2021 | 28 Kislev 5782
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Included in This Month's Newsletter
Chanukah Live!
New Caring Team
Abilis Holiday Gift Drive
December Birthdays
This Week's Torah Portion
Free Klezmer Concert
Other Community News
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Shabbat Service
Friday, December 10th
(Date Change)
7:30 PM via Zoom
Please register to join us on Zoom for our upcoming Friday night Shabbat Service.
We look forward to lighting candles and making kiddish together. Please feel free to bring a friend.
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Holy One of Blessing
On dark nights we kindle light.
With each candle, we grow in holiness.
Yet, we know there are places starved of light.
There is danger, oppression and many who long to be free.
As we light the lights of the Chanukiah,
May we dedicate ourselves to helping those who are in need.
And stand firm on a path of righteousness.
O Eternal Source,
May Your radiance light the way.
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Parashat Mikeitz
Genesis 41:1−44:17
Parashat Mikeitz tells of Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams, Joseph's rise to power in Egypt, and Joseph's testing of his brothers.
I once read that dreams are a "conversation between the conscious and the unconscious." What "conversations" may take place in your own interior world? What might those "conversations" reveal to us about our inner struggles or hopes?
To discover more about this week's Torah portion, please click here.
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Rosh Chodesh for Women and Men
Monday, December 6th
7:30 PM Via Zoom
This month, we will discuss:
Ch 3 - Glad to Get Up in the Morning
Lessons for a Successful Career
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.
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: 1/3, 1/31, 2/28, 4/4, 5/2, 6/6
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Essential Jewish Conversation
Monday, December 20th
7:30 PM Via Zoom
The topic we will be exploring is the
Jewish perspective on Cremation.
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: 1/24, 2/21, 3/28, 4/25, 6/20
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Wishing Happy Birthday to Members with
December Birthdays!
Lisa Zeitel Gaines - 12/4
Karen Meisel - 12/18
Larry Nadel - 12/29
Stanley Gratt - 12/31
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New Caring Team at Shir Ami
Times of illness can be lonely and challenging. As a congregation we wish to support those recovering from illness or injury, while still respecting preferences for confidentiality.
We are happy to announce that we have a new team called Shir Ami Cares. Special thanks to Joan Green and Linda Gratt for helping us create and for leading this new team.
Should you or a loved one be recovering from an illness or injury, Shir Ami Cares is ready to send you a little something in the mail to lift your spirits.
If meals are needed, the team will also be able to help organize that. In doing so, we will practice together the Jewish value of bikkur-cholim, caring for those who are ill or in need of healing.
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Social Action TIKVAH Team |
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Holiday Gift Drive for Abilis
Shir Ami has a tradition of buying gifts for the Abilis group-home residents who don't have families near by. This meaningful tradition will carry on this year. ABILIS is a local agency that provides comprehensive services for people of all ages with developmental disabilities. Click the orange sign up button to access the wish list. Select one or more individuals to purchase for. Instructions for delivery are on the form.
There are 3 safe options this year for you to participate. After signing up, let Susan Nisinzweig know which option you chose.
- Deliver your wrapped gift to her door.
- Have your online gift delivered to her house and she will wrap it.
- Donate money and she will do the online shopping for you.
You'll find further instructions and delivery dates on the sign up form and also on our Social Action page on our website.
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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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SHIINE A LIGHT ON ANTI-SEMITISM ON THE DAYS OF CHANUKAH AND EVERY DAY!
Dear Friends,
The Campaign will kick-off during Chanukah, The Festival of Lights, which began this past Sunday at sundown and continues through sundown on Monday, December 6th.
We also have a local effort in Connecticut: https://www.shinealightct.org/. This website has a great deal of information about antisemitism culled from different organizations like the ADL and PBS.
There also is a webinar about antisemitism on December 6th at 7:30 pm. The webinar is in partnership with NAACP Connecticut Chapter, Urban League of Greater Hartford, The Archdiocese of Hartford, the Office for Catholic Social Justice Ministry of the Archdiocese of Hartford and the Connecticut Council for Interreligious Understanding. Everyone is invited to attend. The event is free and open to the public; registration is required. Click here to register.
Sincerely,
Sharon Lewis
Director, Jewish Community Relations Council
United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan and Darien
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Stamford Symphony
An Evening of Klezmer
Saturday, December 11th
7:30 PM
Join the Stamford Symphony on Saturday, December 11, 2021 as they present a free online program, An Evening of Klezmer. This inclusive event is in affiliation with United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan and Darien , UJA-JCC Greenwich and The Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County.
The premiere will include Klezmer music performed by members of the Stamford Symphony, conversations with Stamford Symphony Music Director Michael Stern and Grammy-award winning jazz musician Branford Marsalis. Zalmen Mlotek, Artistic Director of the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene, will discuss and present some music from Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish.. Lamroth Hakol of Buenos Aires, Argentina will also provide musical entertainment. Click here to register.
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ADL In Concert Against Hate
Sunday, December 12th
8:00 PM Via Zoom
ADL In Concert Against Hate invites you to a night of music, community and celebration packed with spectacular, can’t-miss performances from acclaimed stars. This entirely virtual event gives you a front-row seat anywhere around the globe. Through storytelling and song, we’ll introduce you to real-life heroes and celebrate their extraordinary acts of courage and compassion in the face of bigotry and hate. Be part of the powerful chorus fighting hate for good and honoring those leading the way. Performers include Gloria Estefan and Josh Groban.
Click here to register for an unforgettable night of enduring joy that empowers each of us to show up with courage and fight hate for good.
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Current Greenwich Jewish News
Below is a link to the digital version of the Greenwich Jewish News. There are many interesting community events coming up that are listed in this issue. Shir Ami has several important articles. Click here to read the digital version that includes events being held in December.
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Facing Racism Training
Shir Ami received an invitation from Stamford Stands Against Racism for its Board of Directors and Members to attend a training on facing racism. Maire Orsini Rosen has already taken this training and said that it was excellent. The training, at no cost, would be held over the course of 5 weeks in January/February for 90 minutes each and is likely to be in the evening.
Cantor Abramson and Co-President, Marie Orsini Rosen encourage interested members to attend. Please reach out today if you would like to participate on behalf of Shir Ami,
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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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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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