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May 2, 2024/ 24 Nisan 5784
May Newsletter
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Included in This Newsletter
Shabbat Service - 5/10
Annual Meeting/Rabbi's Installation - 5/19
New Rabbi's Corner
Weekly D'var Torah
Counting the Omer
Social Action Opportunities
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May 2024: Getting Married
This month, we're on the runway to not one but two congregational weddings. The second of them, metaphorically speaking, is next month in June, when metaphorically the Jewish people stand at Sinai again to receive Torah anew. In many ways, it's like a "wedding." We'll get there.
But first, we – the Shir Ami community , and I as rabbi – are slated to have a "wedding" of sorts between us. On May 19, we'll confirm my "installation" as rabbi of Shir Ami. What is this about, and why is it like a "wedding"? Read more...
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D'var Torah by Rabbi David
Parashat Aharei Mot 5784 (2024)
The Jewish people are Western civilizations first "People of the Book." Beginning with Torah, the accumulated wisdom of 3,500 years of Jewish civilization offer plenty of words to live by.
That very phrase – "words to live by" – traces its roots to this week's Torah portion. The phrase is so common that we rarely stop to consider what it means to "live by" words.
That question is very much on my mind and heart this week – during this pivotal time for our people, our planet, democracy and our justice system – when so very much hangs in the balance.
Read more...
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There are two additional places where you can read current and past Divrei Torah and other posts by Rabbi David. Check them out!
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The Blog on our website gives you a chance to read and re-read the Rabbi's posts.
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Our Facebook page, has been under utilized for many years, but now, the Rabbi has revitalized it by posting his blog posts there too. If you are a Facebook user, please be sure to "like", "follow" and/or share the Congregation Shir Ami Facebook page.
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Freedberg Kosher Pantry -- We Need Volunteers!
The JFS Freedberg Pantry in downtown Stamford serves all people in need, and they are sorely in need of volunteers. Shir Ami can help by volunteering.
Thank you to those who have already volunteered over the last couple of months by distributing food at their pantry on Greyrock Place.
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Two additional options to volunteer are:
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Tuesday, May 8th as a volunteer day to sit around a table and create laundry kits, bottle spices, pack care packages, and more! This will be a 10:00 to noon activity. Bring a friend and enjoy the conversation while creating items to support Schoke JFS!
- Wednesday, May 21st for 2-3 volunteers work at the Kosher Pantry.
Please contact Ronny to let her know if you would like to volunteer for either or both of these dates.
Ronny Kaplan
ronnykaplan@snet.net
203.249.0602
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Sometimes the stresses and challenges of life can be more than you can handle alone. JFS of Greenwich is offering a new women’s support group offering the opportunity to meet with other women exploring life challenges in a safe circle of support Gain perspective, heal through shared experience and feel empowered. Meets weekly on Monday evenings in person at JFS of Greenwich. For more information, contact Cynthia King at cking@jfsgreenwich.org or call 203-622-1881. | | |
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Soul Stretch – Counting Omer for Character Where it Counts
Tuesdays at 8:00 - 8:30pm via Zoom
April 30 - June 11 (7 weeks)
Passover launches two journeys at once. In spiritual history, it's the start of our ancestral journey from enslaved hopelessness without a future toward becoming a free people heading to the Land of Promise.
In Judaism's annual holiday cycle, Passover also launches a seven-week journey of the heart from "liberation" to the "revelation" we call Shavuot, when we celebrate standing together at Sinai anew. This springtime season offers a community pathway to refine our characters together.
If this sounds like another planet's Judaism, you're in for a treat! Read more...
Click here for Zoom link
Please note that unlike all other online offerings, Soul Stretch will not be recorded to ensure a safe space for authentic participant sharing.
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During our first week of our Omer journey from Passover (liberation) to Shavuot (revelation), the theme was love (hesed) – our capacity to love and be loved, and to do so in balance and harmony.
This second week of Omer is dedicated to strength (gevurah). In this journey of character refinement, "strength" doesn't quite mean feats of physical power, but two different kinds of inner qualities. Read more...
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Soul Spa is open to all.
Our Torah study each week on Shabbat morning has become a mainstay of our programming. As we examine the parashat each week under Rabbi David's guidance and questioning, our sacred writings become more familiar, the stories clearer, and the teachings more meaningful.
Soul Spa is free for members and non-members alike. You may drop in as frequently or as infrequently, as you like. Please click here to find the weekly Zoom link and for recordings of previous discussions.
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Join Rabbi David for a first foray into the Jewish wisdom and ethical tradition, centered on Pirkei Avot. Together we'll explore ancient Jewish principles for just and good living – and bring those principles to life among us and in a world straining for justice and goodness. No experience necessary: all materials will be presented with English translation.
Classes from 7:30pm - 9:00pm on the following Wednesdays:
May 8, May 29, June 12
The class is free for members and $120 for non-members. Classes will be recorded and posted on our website.
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April Issue of
Greenwich Jewish News
Please click here to read the digital version. Please see Shir Ami articles on pages 6, 7 and 8.
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April Issue of
New Jewish Voice
Please click here to read the latest digital version.
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Blessings for a Happy Birthday to all of our members with May birthdays:
Irv Goldstein - 5/1
Nancy Heller - 5/4
Melanie Rose - 5/17
Marjorie Black - 5/18
Marie Orsini Rosen - 5/22
David Sanders - 5/22
Barry Stein - 5/22
Fran Pribish - 5/30
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In our weekly Blessing and Simchas, we invite members to offer congratulations on a special event in someone’s life, blessings for healing, or to remember a loved one.
If you make a special donation and would like to share it in the newsletter’s “Blessings and Simchas, let us know by emailing shirami.info@gmail.com with the subject line, "Blessings and Simchas" no later than 9:00 AM on Monday. Be sure to include the wording for how you want the donation and the donor to be recognized including your name, the occasion and the recipient's names.
You are not required to make a donation but if you chose to, you may do so on our website's donation page or by mailing a check to Congregation Shir Ami, 1273 East Putnam Avenue, P.O. Box 312, Riverside, CT 06870-9998.
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2023-2024 Membership Drive Continues | |
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For those of you who are not yet Members but are considering joining Shir Ami, we warmly welcome you!
The Benefits of Membership:
Being a Member of Shir Ami, allows you special access to
- practice our faith together and learn from the Torah and each other
- help shape our community
- support Shir Ami's mission
- find inspiration in our diverse offerings of services, classes and events where there is something for everybody
- participate in rituals, group trips and events reserved for members
- have access to our wonderful clergy for pastoral care
- recognize our loved ones who have passed during our Yizkor service each year
We hope you will join our community at Congregation Shir Ami. The Membership Policy has details on dues, benefits, events, life-cycle and pastoral care and general involvement in congregational life. And if you already are a member, it's a good time to revisit the policy and refresh your memory on why you joined.
If you are interested and would like to know more, please look for membership information which can be found on our website's membership page. The easy to fill out form may be completed online and submitted with a button, or can be printed out and sent to our mailing address: Congregation Shir Ami | 1273 E Putnam Ave, PO Box 312, Riverside, CT 06878
Contact us if you have any questions or would like to speak with an officer or our clergy, shirami.info@gmail.com
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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If you're only receiving the newsletter monthly and would like to receive it weekly, please click the link above to edit your email preference. | | |
CongregationShirAmi.org
203-900-7976
shirami.info@gmail.com
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