Shabbat Message

The Makom Minyan is a new working group of Shir Tikvah community members. “Makom” means sacred space, and it is also one of G-d’s names. We call ourselves Makom because we seek, through our work in strengthening how we gather together, to enter that sacred Makom, that sacred space. We call ourselves a Minyan to dedicate our conversations and labors together to our tefilah (prayer).

Dear Shir Tikvah, 

Last week we read Va-Y’Hi, the last reading from the Book of Genesis, where we found Jacob’s descendants finding safe haven in Egypt. This week, we read Sh’mot which begins the Book of Exodus where we discover that years later a new Pharaoh enslaved the Hebrews. As Jews, we have retold the Exodus story for thousands of years at Passover. For many of us at our s’darim (seders), we share our own personal experiences and perspectives of what it means to find ourselves in mitzrayim, the narrow place, and what it means to find ourselves in the expanse. 

Since March of 2020, we have been in the narrow place of the pandemic. Over the last month, the Makom Minyan has held space to share our stories of gathering online. We learned that many of us yearn to return to the physical sanctuary, and we also learned that many of us have found greater access and deeper connection virtually. We heard stories from people who are able to daven in community more often without the hurdles of commutes, inaccessible sidewalks, Minnesota winters. We heard from people who want to be together physically but can’t–because of distance, health issues, transportation barriers–and who are grateful to gather on Zoom. We also heard from people who just yearn to be back in person.

As Alison shared last week, we are partnering with the staff to plan for re-entry. We are working to develop ways of gathering that will allow each of us to count in Shir Tikvah’s minyan, whether we’re praying from our couches or break rooms or in the sanctuary on 50th. We know this won’t be simple, and we know that we will sometimes miss the mark as we experiment. We invite you to join us in this project with tenderness and openness and generosity.

We will continue to be in touch about how we gather as we move toward new ways of meeting each other. If you have questions about the Makom Minyan, Harry and Sam would be happy to hear from you.

Shabbat shalom, and we look forward to having the option to usher in Shabbat with you in-person or virtually.

Harry and Sam, Shir Tikvah Makom Minyan Organizers

Harry (he/him) joined the minyan because he was surprised to find himself connecting more broadly across the Shir Tikvah community while we’ve been gathering online, despite being apart physically. When his dad died in January of 2021, Harry found comfort in the virtual shiva that brought friends and family to him while he was in Virginia Beach.

Sam (they/them & he/him) joined the minyan because they couldn’t always access the physical sanctuary when they wanted to. When the community moved online 20 months ago, Sam suddenly had full access to davening in community. For them, access has meant a richer Jewish life with deeper connection to community, liturgy, and tradition.

Shir Tikvah Office Closed

Shir Tikvah will be closed December 24, 2021 through January 3, 2022. All of our online communal prayer events will still happen: Morning Minyan, Kabbalat Shabbat, and Havdalah. The emergency line for rabbinical care will continue to operate. Otherwise, Shir Tikvah will be closed and staff will not be available; we will be taking some needed rest at the end of the year. Thank you for supporting us and our time away!

Shabbat Shemot 5782



Friday, December 24th: Shir Tikvah Office Closed + Staff Off

12:15pm: Torah Study

6:30pm: Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Led by Rabbi Lekach-Rosenberg, Rachel Lipkin, and Mindy Benowitz!

Our digital siddur can be accessed here. Our standard Shir Tikvah Siddur for Shabbat can be found here.

Saturday, December 25th: Shir Tikvah Office Closed + Staff Off

7:00pm: Havdalah



Sunday, December 26th: Shir Tikvah Office Closed + Staff Off

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Monday, December 27th: Shir Tikvah Office Closed + Staff Off

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Gratitude + End of Year Giving

Thank you for the many ways you’ve lifted Shir Tikvah in 2021. This kehillah kedosha (holy community) continues to sing our song of hope with the help of your generous financial support throughout the year. 

As we enter the final days of 2021, we are especially grateful for your end-of-year gifts that are essential to our work in the world. Thank you to those who have made a gift, and thank you to those considering one.

We invite you to reach out with any questions. Courtney Nguyen, our Finance Manager, can assist with year-end giving or questions about your account. She is available at courtney@shirtikvah.net. As there are often questions unique to gifts this time of year, we’ve assembled some frequently requested end-of-year information:

• Make a 2021 Gift: To ensure your gift is considered a 2021 gift for tax purposes:
• Mail your gift of check, postmarked by December 31.
• Make your gift with credit or debit card online here by December 31.

• Zero Out: If you carry an outstanding balance on your Shir Tikvah account, it helps tremendously to pay by December 31st. Start 2022 fresh! Email Courtney with questions about your balance, or pay off here.

• Gifting Stock: Make an impact by donating long-term appreciated stock, bonds, and mutual funds, directly to Shir Tikvah. Email for transfer information.

• Qualified Charitable Distribution: You may give directly from your IRA, excluded from your taxable income, and have it applied towards your minimum distribution requirements! Consult your financial advisor or plan administrator for details.

Thank you for your continued support! Your gifts make our holy work possible.

Shir Tikvah | 612-822-1440 | office@shirtikvah.net | shirtikvahmn.org