April 2 - April 8, 2021 | Nissan 20 - 26, 5781
Rabbi Silverman's Message

Mental health matters. The past year has been tremendously challenging. That takes a toll. As we enter spring, the weather starts to get warmer, the flowers begin to bloom, and as the vaccination rate continues to rise, we can rejoice that families and friends are finally becoming able to see each other in person. If you have not yet gotten a vaccine, every adult over 16 in Michigan will become eligible on Monday. There is a lot that can bring us hope.

And we are also experiencing a rapid rise of COVID infections in Michigan. We are not yet out of the woods (or the wilderness). And for those experiencing depression or other mental illnesses, daffodils and warmer days are certainly nice, but not a cure. 

Please take good care of yourselves and get help if you need it. The Jewish obligation to place saving a life above all else can apply to you, too. And mental health is a part of keeping yourself alive. Please wear a mask, please get a vaccine, and if you are feeling depressed, please reach out to me, a friend, a family member, or a medical professional. Because your mental health matters, your physical health matters, and you matter.
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, April 2nd
5:00 p.m. - Erev Shabbat in Song: Candle Lighting, Schmooze, Kabbalat Shabbat
 
Saturday, April 3rd
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- April 2nd & 3rd: Holidays Exodus 14:30–15:21

Passover Yizkor Service 
Sunday, April 4th, 9:00 a.m. 
Join us to make minyan in community, as we honor the memories of loved ones.

How To: Sustainably Live & Work From Home
Monday, April 19th, 6:00 p.m.
Link will be provided upon registration
As we settle into year two of doing everything from home - living, working, socializing virtually- do you find yourself wondering how you could be more sustainable? Do you find yourself forgetting to recycle and compost as much as you used to, but don't know where to start now?

Look no further - join the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue and Hazon Detroit in learning new, creative ways to rededicate yourself to environmental sustainability, all from the comfort of your home.

Register here by Sunday, April 18th to receive the program Zoom link.

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.
Celebrating 100 Years of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue

In December of 1921, Charles and Nathan Agree, along with the Canvasser, Kaplan, Rosin and Zatkin families, announced the founding of the Isaac Agree Memorial Society. The society was named in honor of their father, a Russian immigrant who came to Detroit in 1904. The society held its first services in a home on Rosedale Court and, as they say, the rest is history.

As the growing congregation in the heart of Detroit looks forward to celebrating its 100 years serving the community, we are looking for your stories. Did your Grandfather come to services at IADS? Was your brother’s Bar Mitzvah in the sanctuary above Kosin’s? Did you blow the Shofar at High Holy Day services at the Veteran’s Memorial Building? What about the Hanukkah celebrations and epic dance parties, have you been to any of those? We want to hear about your or your family’s connection to the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue over the years and how we have been a part of your lives.

In addition to the stories, we are also hoping to grow our collection of archival materials, so we’d love any photographs or other memorabilia that you’d like to share. Stories, video and digital photographs can be submitted here. If you have questions or would like to submit physical items, please contact the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue at 313.324.8006.
Welcome our newest IADS members!

Rachel Lachover and Scott Sadoff, child Asa

Sara and Jeffrey Sonne, children Jude, Liv

Heidi and Jared Owen, children Jordan, Eli
To learn more about Hazon's Relief Garden Initiative and start growing local produce at your home, click here.
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.