December 4 - December 10, 2020 | Kislev 18 - 24, 5781
Rabbi Silverman's Message

This week I had the privilege of talking with my fellow rabbis in the Shalom Hartman Rabbinic Leadership Initiative about God. It is difficult, even for rabbis, to talk about God. Even as we affirm daily that God is One, within that Oneness we find so many names for God, metaphors for God, expressions of God’s presence (or feelings of God’s absence) in the world that our abundance of words can leave us at a loss for words. God can be understood by every person in a different way, all at the same time, without losing that fundamental Oneness.

And while this unified multiplicity is amazing in and of itself, I realized this week that it is also the simultaneousness of it that fills me with awe. We each appear in different roles/guises/expressions in our lives--we may be experienced differently by colleagues, parents, friends, romantic partners, children.  Being in different relationships with each of those people can feel natural. But trying to do it at the same time--for example, as some of us try to work and simultaneously care for loved ones in our home, or respond in the same moment to important incoming calls, texts, and email--can be impossible. God may have the potential for omnipresence. We do not. 

And so this week I was reminded and humbled by the fact that humans may be created in the image of God, but we are not God. We need to set reasonable expectations for ourselves and each other. And I am full of wonder and gratitude that God can play so many roles for so many people at the same time. Although we may not have the words to fully speak of God, God is present for us in every place and every moment, including the moments in which we may struggle with our own limitations, or moments when we stand in awe of the infinite.
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, December 4th
5:00 p.m. - Schmooze
5:30 p.m. - Kabbalat Shabbat with Gavri Yares
 
Saturday, December 5th
9:00 a.m. - Torah Study
10:00 a.m. - Shacharit Services
 
Please find the link to this week's services on our website.

Torah Portion- December 4th & December 5th: Genesis 32:4−36:43

Theatre Ariel Presents: True Colors, Stories of Identity, Love, Intermarriage, and Kimchi on the Seder Plate
Saturday, December 12th, 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
TrueColors shares with audiences unforgettable characters who tell personal stories about how they see themselves and how others see them. True Colors features ten stories by African-American, Asian, Latino, and multi-ethnic Jews.  
This enlightening show explores the impact of living as Jews of Color when inclusion and equity are not always practiced in the Jewish Community.  

Due to the generosity of The Jewish Fund, the Downtown Synagogue is honored to provide free tickets to IADS community members. To register, click here and make sure to enter Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue in the "Organization" entry field.

Annual Meeting & Hanukkah Party - Virtual Edition
Sunday, December 13th, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
We invite you to join us for our Annual Meeting and Hanukkah Party virtually on Zoom. The meeting is an opportunity to share exciting updates on our synagogue’s work and our growth and future, and the meeting will end with the election of members to the Board of Directors. Our annual Hannukah Party will immediately follow the Annual Meeting, and will also be held virtually via the Zoom platform. We hope you’ll join us for candle lighting, songs, and dreidel spinning.

Please RSVP your intent to join us for the Annual Meeting & Hanukkah party by Wednesday, December 9 at 3:00 PM to Liz Kannon.

NEXTGen Detroit Light Up The Night Community Event
Tuesday, December 15th, 5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
This year, no one lights alone! NEXTGen Detroit has eight glowing nights lined up so we can all burn brighter together. Every evening, a new special guest will join us on Zoom to lead us in lighting the menorah and bring a unique way to celebrate the holiday!

Join us Tuesday, December 15th as Rabbi Ariana Silverman leads the candle lighting for Night 6! Register here to receive the Zoom link and learn more.

Community Check-ins with Rabbi Silverman
By Appointment Via Email
Moving forward, we ask that those interested in having a personal check-in with Rabbi Silverman email her directly to schedule one.
If you need help setting up Zoom technology, please email us and we will walk you through it.
The JCC of Metro Detroit’s annual Jewish Book Fair is committed to the art of Jewish storytelling. They bring prominent and energizing authors and events from all over the world to metro Detroit. We invite you to join as they engage, educate, and entertain you with this year’s incredible lineup - virtually!

The Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue is proud to co-sponsor Amy Schwartz's book Can Robots Be Jewish?

"When Moment Magazine arrives every other month, loyal readers turn to the “Ask the Rabbis” column featuring rabbis who represent the range of Jewish thought – Independent, Humanist, Jewish Renewal, Reconstructionist, Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, Sephardic, and Chabad – and consider some of the most provocative questions of the day. Sometimes they agree, but not often. This book offers many of those debates and presents Judaism’s ongoing engagement with modernity. No need to be a scholar, the rabbis’ voices are lively and accessible and create a cross-denominational discussion that leads to a deeper understanding of Jewish wisdom and tradition."

On December 6th at 1:30 p.m. EST, Amy Schwartz joins Rabbi Aaron Bergman of Adat Shalom Synagogue to discuss her new book. To watch the interview live, click here.
Tributes

In honor of the birth of Jacob Avashlumov by Jodee Fishman Raines and Roy Raines, Arlene Frank, Liz & Les Kannon, Sigal Hemy, Ari Simon, Martin Herman, Debbie & Mark Landau, Laura & Gavri Yares, Aaron Agaronov.

In memory of Judith Herman by Carter Agree, Fred Cislo Jr., Eleanor Fradis, Beverly Fradis, Sarah Lutes, Elizabeth Landers, Louis Antonino, Beverly & Michael Goldenberg, Carol & Glenn Weisfeld, Shoshana Wolok, Anita & Dennis Blender, Lynn Stephen, Liz & Les Kannon, Harriet & Al Saperstein, Susie & Mark Brooks, Laura & Gavri Yares, Barbara Spreitzer-Berent.

In memory of Stefa Kupfer by Liz and Les Kannon.

In honor of Diana and Jennifer Bucan for all that they do for the Avshalumov, Bucan, Shumunov, Cherkasov, and Khaimov families! by Rachel and Vadim Avshalumov.
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.