April 18, 2024/ 10 Nisan 5784 | |
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Included in This Newsletter
Passover Second Night Seder - 4/23
Weekly D'var Torah
Last Call - Shir Ami Springtime Gift
Interfaith Seder Photos
Civil Rights Learning Opportunity - 4/28
New Class - Counting the Omer
New Greenwich Jewish News
New Social Action Opportunities
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Weekly D'var Torah - Passover | |
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For the next few weeks, this column will shift from the Torah cycle to Passover.
by Rabbi David
The freedom we celebrate at Passover is "ours." Each year, we ritually spill a drop from our cups of joy for each of the Ten Plagues, to symbolize that we cannot drink a full cup of joy when our freedom comes at another's high cost. So what can we say this Passover, when the price of freedom, and the cost we risk without it, both are so high? 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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Civil Rights Learning Opportunity For All | |
Interfaith Passover Seder | |
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A small but enthusiastic group of Shir Ami members and friends enjoyed the Interfaith Seder on April 11th held at UConn in Stamford. Rabbi David was one of the clergy present who represented different faiths and participated in some of the readings. There were guests who were experiencing their first seder and several elected officials.
The Seder, led by Rabbi Joshua Hammerman from Temple Beth El, who is retiring this year, ended with a meaningful statement: "We pray that, at this time next year, we live in a world that has recognized and celebrated the value in our diversity and has committed itself not to fear, but to love; to live in a community that is united together."
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LAST CALL FOR SHIR AMI SPRINGTIME GIFT
There still is time to make an unrestricted gift of any amount and join our generous anonymous family in supporting Shir Ami’s operations no later than 4/22.
It's easy to make a gift: (1) mailing a check to Congregation Shir Ami, 1273 East Putnam Avenue, PO Box 312, Riverside CT 06878, or (2) donate online with our usual donation link: Shir Ami - Donate Note: if you donate online, you will be asked if you are willing also to pay the PayPay processing fee.) Either way, be sure to note that your springtime gift is UNRESTRICTED.
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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:
- Wednesday, May 8th for 2-3 volunteers to gather at Schoke JFS to write greeting cards, pack toiletry kits, Shabbat candles, etc.
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Tuesday, May 21st 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!
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
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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 April birthdays:
David Pribish - 4/3
Chip Raymond - 4/24
Eric Birnbaum - 4/29
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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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