March 4 - 11, 2021 | Adar 21 - Adar 27, 5781
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, March 5th
5:00 p.m. - Candle Lighting, Schmooze, Kabbalat Shabbat.
 
Saturday, March 6th
9:00 a.m. - Torah Study
10:00 a.m. - Services

Please find the link to this week's services on our website.

Torah Portion- March 5th & 6th: Exodus 30:11−34:35

Havdalah for Immigration Reform with HIAS
Saturday, March 6th, 8:00 p.m.
We invite you to join the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, JCRC/AJC, and Repair The World Detroit to learn about current legislation affecting the refugee/asylum seeker community and action steps you and your family can take to support them. Erin Greenbaum, Senior Director at HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society), will share about the work being done at HIAS and lead an engaging group discussion on how our community can support refugees and asylum seekers throughout the Greater Metro Detroit area.


Shabbat For Reproductive Freedom and Prison Abolition
Friday, March 12th, 5:00 p.m.
Zoom - Register below
Join Repair the World Detroit in welcoming in Shabbat through learning about the reproductive freedom from activists working with incarcerated folks. We aim to gain a deeper understanding of prison abolition as a pathway out of reproductive injustices across the country. Rituals led by Rabbi Ariana Silverman.


Through Parted Waters: Community-Wide Pesach Learning
Monday, March 15, 2021, 6:45 pm - 8:15 pm
Passover is not just an honoring of the freedom of the exodus, but is also a celebration of community and covenant. Educators and learners from across the community will come together virtually for a night of Torah and simchah! Gather with community for a welcome and Niggun, then all participants will have their choice of experiences with the dynamic leaders listed below, followed by a final l’chayim!

Presenters and session topics can be found here.

Passover Havdalah with the Downtown Synagogue
Saturday, March 20th, 8:00 p.m.
Link will be provided closer to date
Join Rabbi Silverman and Pastor Aramis Hinds from Breakers Covenant Church International as they lead a discussion and reflection on what Passover means to our community this year.

Barbara & Douglas Bloom Matzah Factory At Home
Sunday, March 21st, 3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, 1457 Griswold, Detroit
Getting ready to celebrate Passover? Worried that this Passover will be different than past years? JFamily has got local families covered with the Barbara and Douglas Bloom Matzah Factory At Home Kits!

Each bag includes everything you need to make matzah at home: 10 Plague Finger Puppet Project, Afikoman Bag Project, Rolling Pin, Dough Docker, Measuring Cups, Aprons, Flour, A Feather to Search for Chametz (unleavened Bread), Seder Plate Puzzle, and a Passover Headbands Game.

To learn more and register for pick-up, click here.

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.
Welcome Gavri Yares, Musician In Residence!

We are honored to welcome Gavri Yares to the IADS staff as our Musician In Residence. Learn more about Gavri's background and our latest musical offerings in this article.
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. 

  • City of Detroit COVID-19 Vaccine Information: Check your eligibility and schedule your covid-19 vaccine through this resource. Eligible groups will be added to this page as additional vaccine becomes available.

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.