M'KOR MAIL
August 8, 2018
This Shabbat is also Rosh Hodesh ("The New Moon"). In Jewish tradition, each month begins at the new moon, when a barely perceptible sliver of light is visible. The month that begins this Shabbat is Elul, the four weeks devoted to preparing for the spiritual work of the Days of Awe, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. That work is called teshuvah, or "turning," and is an invitation to re-set our spiritual, ethical and behavioral coordinates so that we are tracking towards becoming the best persons we know we can be.
 
In Jewish mysticism, there is a debate as to whether teshuvah is an "awakening from above" provoked by God reaching out to us, or an "awakening from below," provoked by us making the first move and reaching out to God. The month of Elul is said to represent "awakening from below" - our reaching out to God, so that when Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur arrive, our efforts are met by God reaching out to us in reciprocity.
 
You may want to subscribe to Jewels of Elul to receive a free daily digital Jewish spiritual insight for each of the thirty days leading up to Rosh Hashanah.
 
Cantor Harrison and I invite you to gather for refreshments this Friday at 6:00 pm, followed by our Kabbalat Shabbat service at 6:30 pm. On Shabbat morning, I will be leading Torah study at 10:00 am on the Torah portion Re'eh.
 
Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Richard Hirsh



If you wish to have a Mi Shebeirach said during our Shabbat services, please let us know by noon each Friday so we can give the names to the rabbis.
 
In This Message
WE CELEBRATE
The Bat Mitzvah of 
Mya Gluck
daughter of Ruth Gluck
 
The Birth of
Gavin Isaac Lin 
son of Lan & Beth Lin
 
THE WEEK AHEAD
 
Friday, August 10 
6:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service (Chapel)
Please join us for pre-service refreshments starting at 6:00 pm.
 
Saturday, August 11
10:00 am Torah Study, led by Rabbi Hirsh (Chapel)
 
Monday, August 13
7:30 pm Fundraising Committee Meeting (Boardroom)
 
Tuesday, August 14
7:30 pm Adult Education Committee Meeting (Boardroom) 

Friday, August 17
6:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service (Chapel; webcast)
Please join us for pre-service refreshments starting at 6:00 pm.   
Join fellow congregants for a Chinese-Thai dinner (fixed menu) at Hong Kong Fusion in Cherry Hill. $25 per person. BYOB. RSVP required by August 10.  
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Please click on each event name for more information or to register for that event.
  
Calendar & Source Advertising & Calendar Simcha Greetings
All Materials Due for Calendar, Simcha & Source (Fall Issue): August 10
Contact Sara Honovich or Marilyn Hailperin for more information or to determine what best fits your advertising needs.

2018-19 Membership Renewal Forms 
The start of Religious School and the High Holy Days will be here soon - Kindly return your completed forms and initial payment as soon as possible. If you need the forms or have any questions, please contact the synagogue office. As always, our Financial Secretary is available to discuss any financial concerns you may have.

Our service schedule is listed on your High Holy Day tickets and on our website calendar.

Saturday, September 1, 8:30 pm  

Family Tashlich Service
Monday, September 10, 3:00 pm (off-site at Croft's Farm)

Saturday, September 15, 9:00 am

Wednesday, September 19, following N'eelah (approximately 6:30 pm)
For late-breaking news, please visit our website at www.mkorshalom.org.

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Michelle Bross
Executive Director
Congregation M'kor Shalom
850 Evesham Road
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
(856) 424-4220
(856) 424-2890 (fax)
ExecutiveDirector@mkorshalom.org