|
Congregation Shalom is a Reform Jewish community committed to education, spiritual growth,
and Tikkun
Olam (healing the world).
We are proud to be an extended family of
equals - welcoming,
caring, and inclusive.
Together, we engage in religious observance,
enjoy social activities, and
pursue life-long learning.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From our Rabbi
In the book of Proverbs we learn:
Happy is the one who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding;
For its value is greater than silver, its yield than fine gold.
It is more precious than rubies, no treasure can match it.
So how do we find wisdom or gain understanding? In the Jewish tradition, we learn that such insight and wisdom are gained through a commitment to life-long learning, asking questions, engaging in respectful debate, opening our minds to new ideas and engaging with others. Our adult education committee has worked hard over the last two years to bring opportunities for these types of learning experiences and as a result many of us have felt intellectually challenged and engaged.
Two more such opportunities are available to us in December and I hope you will consider joining us for both. If you are interested in learning more about issues of religious pluralism and equality in Israel, I invite you to come hear Lesley Sachs speak at our congregation on Monday, December 4th at 7:00 pm.
Lesley has been advocating for religious freedom for many years: as the Executive Director of IRAC (Israel Religious Action Center), Vice President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, and for the past 7 years as Executive Director of Women of the Wall where she has led the organization to unprecedented growth and worldwide success. In 2014 she was awarded the National Council for Jewish Women's Outstanding Israeli Feminist Award, in recognition of her many accomplishments.
Since 1988, Women of the Wall has fought for women's right to pray collectively and aloud with Torah Scrolls, Tallitot and Tefillin at the Western Wall, Judaism's holy site. Through education, social advocacy and empowerment, Women of the Wall strives to change the status quo,
and works to expand civil rights, human rights and religious freedom in Israel. Women of the Wall stands proudly and strongly in the forefront of the movement for religious pluralism in Israel, with the hope to inspire and empower women from all over the world and across the spectrum of Jewish movements to find their spiritual voices and create meaningful Jewish identities. Women of the Wall has also been involved in efforts to establish a pluralistic, equalitarian and equal prayer space at the Western Wall. Please see their web-site:
www.womenofthewall.org.il
and Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/womenofthewall/
For those who are interested in spirituality, prayer and poetry, I invite you to come and learn from Alden Solovy on Sunday December 10th at 7:00 pm. Alden Solovy
spreads joy and excitement for prayer. A liturgist and poet, he's written more than 650 pieces of new liturgy, often challenging the boundaries between poetry, meditation, personal growth and prayer. His third book,
This Grateful Heart
, has been published by the CCAR Press. The Jerusalem Post called his writing "soulful, meticulously crafted." Huffington Post Religion said "...the prayers reflect age-old yearnings in modern-day situations." Alden has taught in synagogues and Limmud events in the U.S., the U.K. and Israel. He also teaches creative liturgy at HUC-JIR in Jerusalem. A native Chicagoan, Alden made aliyah to Israel in 2012.
Alden's presentation, which is entitled, "The Art and the Act of Prayer" will look at and reflect on how concepts like: Wow!, Gimme!, Thanks!, and Oops! are essential forms of prayer. We'll look at examples of each as the doorway into a conversation about the purpose and power of prayer, using Alden's innovative 'Conceptual Map of Prayer.' What constitutes prayer? And what's the nature of prayer? Learning with Alden Solovy will help us to enliven our understanding of both the art and the act of prayer. Although many of his concepts are Jewish in nature, many of them are universal, so feel free to bring friends outside the Congregation Shalom community to learn with us.
Hope to see you there!
L'shalom,
|
From our President
Being the season of Thanksgiving, I'd like to write today about people who have my thanks for helping me to fulfill our temple's mission. I find this hard to do...not because I lack gratitude, but because I feel unable to express much beyond the simple words "thank you" when so much more should be said. But our tradition teaches us that we should do what we can, and not avoid a task because we cannot 100% complete it. So here goes.
I am thankful to the employees of the temple for their dedication and for the support they have given me. Rabbi Perry provides the central core and inspiration to our spiritual mission. She is relied upon by members needing personal support, and - the piece you may not know about - is aware of most of what is happening in our building, from new technology to the detailed room setups needed for each event on our temple calendar. She knows the people here and has the history to give relevant input on a wide variety of subjects. I'm still learning, and I rely on her a lot.
Yael Hurwitz-Lange, our Education Director, brings a professional approach to running our school, along with the caring interpersonal skills that are evident to all whose children are students here. She often goes beyond the scope of her job to be a "sounding board" when I need one. She draws on her experience and often provides a useful or creative suggestion.
We have a group of ladies working in our office who are essential to our day-to-day operations, each giving far more than we can reasonably expect. Bonnie Nojeim is a bookkeeper par excellence, following up on details without fail. Joan LaRochelle provides administrative support to our school and Rabbi. This is a task without boundaries, and she is always on top of things. Phyllis Kallus, our secretary, has been dealing with a medical issue, and I have learned how much she was doing now that she's at home recuperating. I thank Bonnie and Joan for offering to work the extra hours to cover in Phyllis' absence, and I thank Sandy Moore for stepping in now to give them some relief.
I'm thankful to a number of people who have addressed things that have come across my president's desk recently. Eileen Hirsch has generously volunteered her graphic design expertise to polish some new temple brochures, as well as continuing to support our web site. Our House Committee has been kept busy lately and its chair, Jerry Lotto, has a new job that requires him to travel frequently - so Larry Cohen, Mitch Hyatt, and other members of the House Committee have been doing extra to address building-related issues. Rosanne Riddick, our Treasurer, has the continuing task of helping me to understand the fine nuances of temple finances.
I'm thankful also to my husband. Cory has been unfailingly patient with my (near) obsession with temple business and the time it takes from my day. He offers advice when I ask for it, but offers his tacit support always.
I hope you each join me in thanking the people in your lives who offer support and love. It's the season for it.
|
From our Education Director
The word summer camp conjures up warm memories of long sunny days with no commitments, no homework and no responsibilities. However, the fun of smores, ice-cream, and the pool that reminds us of summer camp has been enriched with the idea of a Jewish summer camp, an experience that entwines the best of summer with the richness of Jewish tradition to create a warm and nurturing Jewish environment for our children to grow, have fun and explore their Jewish identity within an informal and fun camp experience.
A similar type of experience can be found in Jewish youth groups. Teens participate in programs and prayer experiences that seem relevant to their issues and concerns. They take active leadership roles in running programs, writing services and more. The ability to simply hang-out in a unique community, with kids who share a similar life experience as Jews can be transformative for some kids. Each of these informal Jewish learning experiences provides an opportunity for deep connections, fun, spirituality and more.
If I (Yael) ask anyone about his or her camp memories, it almost always involves the friendships that are created during the summer. My children both went to Camp Tel Noar, a Jewish Camp in New Hampshire. They would come home and share how much they loved their friends; their counselors; the field trips and they loved Shabbat. It was Jewish Summer Camp at its best.
If I (Shoshana) were to reflect on my informal Jewish experiences, I would certainly highlight my two experiences as a counselor at Eisner Camp in Great Barrington; one time when I was a junior in high school and one time when I was a junior in college. It is really impossible to put into words how being in such a unique, caring community influenced the direction of my life. I would also reflect on my experiences in NFTY while in high school. I would say that these were the most meaningful and impactful Jewish experiences of my early years. I can also say with confidence, that NFTY has been a huge and formative part of my daughter's Jewish life experience.
Congregation Shalom is a part of the Union of Reform Jews (URJ) and we are lucky to have several incredible camps both locally and around the country run by the URJ. Whether your child is passionate about art, music, science or sports, day camp or overnight camp or even a trip to Israel and beyond, there is a URJ camp or experience to meet that need. In addition, the URJ sponsors teenage camp experiences for leadership development as well as the Mitzvah Corp trips. Each camp meets the unique needs of your child and offers the best of camping and informal Jewish education, within the framework of an inspiring Reform Jewish community. In addition to summer experiences, the URJ youth group program known as NFTY offers our teens an amazing opportunity for community, learning and personal growth. These events happen during the school years.
We invite all parents to join us on Wednesday, December 13 at 5:15pm for a special presentation where we will welcome Aaron Gurvis, who serves the dual role of being a representative from the URJ camps as well as the assistant regional advisor for NFTY-NE. He will share with students and their parents, information about the amazing possibilities that the URJ youth experience has to offer; from camping to teen trips, from family camps to participating in NFTY. We will learn about all the amazing opportunities open to our children and how informal Jewish experiences can really enrich our children's lives. Remember those gift certificates your children received when they were consecrated and became Bar/Bat Mitzvah? These are the programs that these certificates can be used for. From 6:00pm - 6:30 pm there will be a presentation for the older students and their parents. We hope that everyone from Grades 8-12 will join us for that part of the evening. You do not need to be enrolled in Chai school to join us for this presentation. We are excited to be together to learn about the incredible possibilities that the URJ camps and youth programs have to offer.
Please also remember to join us at 12pm on December 17 for our annual Hanukkah Party. We are thrilled to once again celebrate with music, good food, art activities and more in a fun an engaging community celebration.
Rabbi Shoshana Perry
Yael Hurwitz-Lange
|
From our Cantorial Soloist 
We begin each service at Congregation Shalom with a lot of "yi di ing". Why do we do this? Why do we sing, with wonderful energy, these wordless melodies or niggunim? There are practical, spiritual, and historical reasons for this custom. Each niggun (singular of niggunim ) helps us to prepare for a musically rich experience. Practically speaking, we all love to schmooze when we see each other in shul and chanting a niggun is a polite and festive way to gather a congregation together. Niggunim also relax us and warm us up to the notion of participating in song and prayer. Historically and spiritually however, niggunim have a very specific origin. The Chassidic developed the niggun, a sacred folk-art form, to achieve a state of oneness with God. The term D'veykus, meaning fusion with God, is said to be realized by chanting vocables such as "yi di' or "la la" that have a mystical meaning, rather than a dictionary meaning. This practice makes the music primary, not the text. Singing niggunim prepares us to embrace fully the melodic experience of each service.
In addition to beginning our Shabbat services with a niggun, I start each Kol Kolot rehearsal with a wordless piece. This ritual not only helps our junior choir to warm up their voices, but also serves to propel us into meaningful and engaging song sessions. Kol Kolot will be leading us in some niggunim and several beautiful songs on Friday December 1st at 7 PM. Please join us for this mutigenerational Shabbat service for our entire Congregation Shalom family. Even though it will be a little early for Hanukkah on this night, our sanctuary will be buzzing with the essence of the Festival of Lights. Come to sing and to celebrate!
B'Shalom,
Jodi Blankstein, Cantorial Soloist
|
Adult Education
We had a terrific event on November 5th - "
A Survivor's Reflections and Insights for the Present Day" with Dr. Ornstein. Her comparison of propaganda and 'fake news' allegations continues to haunt me. Click here to read the speech she gave.
For future events, if you have suggestions for the Adult Ed committee, please contact us at
[email protected].
Here are
our upcoming events:
Torah Study
Saturdays 9:00 a.m. on
Feb 10, Apr 7
Mishnah Pe'ah 1: "These are the obligations without measure, whose reward, too, is without measure: To honor mother and father, to perform acts of loving-kindness, to attend the house of study daily, to welcome the stranger, to visit the sick, to rejoice with the bride and bridegroom, to comfort the bereaved, to pray with sincerity, to make peace when there is strife. And the study of Torah is equal to them all because the study of Torah leads to them all."
Come study Torah with us!
Great Decisions
Sundays at 11 a.m. on
Jan 21, Mar 18
Great Decisions, the centerpiece of the longest-running civic education program in the United States devoted to foreign affairs, empowers readers to discuss global issues shaping U.S. foreign policy and the world. The briefing book provides historical background, current U.S. policy and alternative policy options, informative maps and detailed graphs, suggested readings and resources. The reading for each meeting is between 8 and 10 pages.
January 21, 2018: Conflict in the South China Sea
March 18, 2018: Prospects for Afghanistan and Pakistan
Pre-registration is required for this program! For more information on the topics go to
http://www.fpa.org/great_decisions/?act=gd_topics.
The cost of the booklet will be $18.00, limited to the first 20 attendees. To sign up, please contact [email protected] by October 8, 2017.
Women of the Wall with Executive Director Lesley Sachs
Monday, December 4 at 7:00 PM
Against the rules for women to carry a Torah? Yes, it is at the Western Wall in Jerusalem! Come and hear the latest from the organization Women of the Wall which works to attain social and legal recognition of the right of women to wear prayer shawls, pray and read from the Torah, collectively and aloud, at the Western Wall. Women of the Wall works to further their mission through social advocacy, education and empowerment.
Lesley Sachs,
is the 2014 recipient of the NCJW Jewel Bellush Outstanding Israeli Feminist award, a founding members of "Isha L'isha - Haifa's Feminist Center" and worked for 10 years in the Israel Women's Network. Lesley served as executive director of the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC), vice president of the World Union For Progressive Judaism and founding director of Project, Kesher IsraelShe served on the board of directors for the Jerusalem Women's Shelter and for the JNF-KKL. She is also the chair of the pre-army mechina Michmanim in Jaffa.
The Art and the Act of Prayer with Alden Solovy
Sunday, December 10 at 7:00 PM
Wow! Gimme. Thanks. Oops. These are essential forms of prayer. We'll look at examples of each as the doorway into a conversation about the purpose and power of prayer, using Alden's innovative 'Conceptual Map of Prayer.' What constitutes prayer? And what's the nature of prayer? This special session will enliven our understanding of both the art and the act of prayer.
Alden Solovy
is
a liturgist and poet who has written more than 650 pieces of new liturgy, challenging the boundaries between poetry, meditation, personal growth and prayer. The Jerusalem Post called his writing "soulful, meticulously crafted." Huffington Post Religion said "...the prayers reflect age-old yearnings in modern-day situations." Alden has taught in synagogues and Limmud events in the U.S., the U.K. and Israel. He also teaches creative liturgy at HUC-JIR in Jerusalem. His latest work is available at tobendlight.com.
|
Caring Yarns
Caring Yarns is in need of 35 knitted or crocheted squares to make afghans. Squares need to be 10 x 10 (please measure). Use 100% acrylic yarn. 4ply- worsted weight only,. Yarn can be any shade of blue or pure white (not cream or off-white).
If you would like to learn how to knit or crochet, please email
caringyarns@congregationshalom.org
and we will arrange lessons for you.
Thank you! Janet & Laura
|
|
|
Save the Date
Women of the Wall, Director Lesley Sachs - December 4th at 7:00 p.m.
The Art and Act of Prayer with Alden Solovy - December 10th at :700 p.m.
|
Groups
|
Quick Links
|
|
Links to Our Website
|
December Oneg Schedule
Dec 1 - 7:00 p.m. Grade 4 Family Shabbat w/ Kol Kolot - Libby & Gallagher*, Dangel & Gordon, Feuerstein, Heater, Miller B&L, Silton
Dec 15 - 6:00 p.m. Channukah Tot Shabbat - Music with Sue Horowitz - Danzig A&K, Lazar
Dec 15 - 7:15 p.m. Adult Sweet and Soulful Channukah Shabbat - music with Sue Horowitz - Curry, Myers, Sedgwick, Sullivan, Szabo & Wexler
|
The 50th Anniversary Gala: A Night to Remember
On Sunday, October 15, 2017 at 5:00 PM m
any of us convened at Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua, NH to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Congregation Shalom and to pay tribute to our Founding Families, Past Presidents, and Spiritual Leaders, Rabbi Shoshana Perry and Rabbi Terry Bard. The evening was very special and if you attended, we are sure you left with a strong sense of how lucky we are to have such an amazing community and extended family.
Some important statistics about our celebration:
- 20 Founding Families were honored. We were lucky to have 7 of these families present or represented at the gala (Eleanor Ames; Ethel Kamien; Eileen Pearlman representing her parents Donald and Shirley; Paul & Laura Rodman; Paul Royte; David Weintraub and Jane Morrissey; and Stu and Barbara Weisfeldt).
- 22 Past Presidents were honored. We were fortunate to have 16 of these presidents present or represented at the gala (Eileen Pearlman representing her father Donald Pearlman; Eleanor Ames representing her husband Martin Ames; Paul Rodman; William Bernstein; Barry Danzig; Phyllis Howard; Ethel Kamien; Malcolm Roberts; Alan Fidler representing his wife Laurie Fidler; Mitch Hyatt; Michael Bresnick; Laura Rodman; Lynne Rothstein; Richard Smith; Stephen Rodman; and Tamar Wexler).
- With the 16 past presidents came 16 memories of their term as president, all of which showed how our congregation has developed through the years, from flying to London to arrange delivery of our first Torah to hiring of our spiritual leaders to replacement and repair of our parking lot.
- 23 amazing beautiful centerpieces were prepared by our members Janet Dubner, Margie Berenson, Pat Karpeles, Carrie Steiman, and Esther Wikander (with some planning help by Anne Rosenberg).
- Five of our members and MVJF contributed to the program for the gala: Paul & Laura Rodman, Marilyn Frank, Joanna Myers, Laurie Mindlin from MVJF, and our amazing MC, Stephen Rodman!
- Our cocktail hour music was provided by Michael Hirsch and Greg Montine. Michael is son of our members Eileen and Larry Hirsch.
- Our DJ, Marc Levin, provided us with an evening of fun music and had everyone dancing. For those who do not know, Marc has provided his DJ services for our annual Hanukkah Party for the kids for the last several years and is an important part of our community.
- Our member, Ron Michaud was our photographer and videographer for the evening. There are some details below on obtaining copies of the pictures and video from the gala.
- Our member, Larry Cohen, spent many hours putting together a photo montage that we all enjoyed viewing during the evening and included pictures from the beginning days until now.
- If you were not there, you may not realize that we received a congratulatory letter from the URJ and proclamations from Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, Governor Charlie Baker, State Representative Jim Arciero, and the Chelmsford Board of Selectmen. We will proudly display these in our library and hope you will stop by to see them.
- Everyone who attended the gala received a Tribute Book, a project which was led by Bruce Rosenberg and Eileen Hirsch. If you did not attend the gala and would like a copy of this Tribute Book, we have a limited number left. Please e-mail [email protected]if you are interested.
As we said during our toast that evening: "Now we can raise our glasses and let's say our final thanks to our Founding Families, Past Presidents, and Spiritual Leaders, Rabbi Bard and Rabbi Perry for leading the way these past 50 years and giving each and every one of us a place of worship and the community we call our extended family, and let's hope we can keep it going for another 50 years and future generations. Mazal Tov and L'Chaim."
With Love,
The 50th Anniversary Committee
(Liz Denly, Sharon Grier, Laura Rodman, Anne Rosenberg, and Esther Wikander)
*If you are interested in seeing photos from the gala,
click here. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the video from the evening, please e-mail
cs50th @congregationshalom.org
. There will be a small charge of $10 to cover the cost of the thumb drive.
|
Good and Welfare
Our condolences to Rich Smith and family on the passing of his mother, Bernice Smith.
Our condolences to Becky Bronson and family on the passing of her mother, Irma Bronson.
Mazel Tov to Jon and
Saralyn Kurland on the marriage of their son Scott Seth Kurland to Hayleigh Ilyse Walker.
|
Welcome New Members
We extend a warm welcome to the following families:
Lisa Lyman of Billerica, MA and Nicole and Joshua Cyker of Pepperell, MA
|
December Yahrzeits
December 8th
Barbara Baron
Harold Berit
Pauline Chertok
Joseph Goldman
Julius Hyatt
Marvin Kerzner
Pearl Park
Gert Wiener
December 15th
Max Epstein
Maurice Friedman
Bernard Miller
Arlene Newman
Irene Notinger
Steven Perry
December 22nd
Eli Baron
December 29th
Sadye Goss
Nathan Kupor
Sidney Kurland
Simon Malikan
Sadie Marx
Pearl Peralman Spiegel
|
Social Action Committee
Social Justice and Social Action at Congregation Shalom
We are excited to announce that the Social Action Committee is expanding to include Social Justice initiatives. Our committee will be collaborating with Reform congregations and other faith groups across the country. By combining social action and justice, we acknowledge that inequities in society require direct help to people in need as well as advocacy toward long term solutions. Over the course of this year we'll be focusing on issues of criminal justice and immigration. Right now there are criminal justice bills pending in the Massachusetts State House, and they are of immediate concern. Please watch for updates from us.
If you want to be part of a large, energized, national Jewish and multi-faith organization right here at Congregation Shalom, send us an email for more information at [email protected]
Congregation Shalom will host a blood drive on Monday December 11, from 2-7p.m. Volunteers are needed to help set up, staff, and clean up the drive. If you are interested in volunteering, please email
[email protected]
. If you would like to donate blood, please sign up at www.redcrossblood.org and enter in Congregation Shalom's zipcode (01863) to be directed to our location to sign up.
|
| Our Caring Committee Can Help
The Caring Committee is always available to provide meals or transportation to those members and families who need a little help. Please don't hesitate to email Katie Wolman at
[email protected]
or Rabbi Perry at
[email protected]
, or feel free to call Katie at home.
|
| Newsletter Ads and You!
We are always looking for advertisers for the Temple newsletter. Ads can be placed at any time with special pricing for members. Ads need not be for a year so if you want to try us, we take ads for 3 months as well as six months. If you decide to continue your ad for a full year, we do pro-rate the price. As the saying goes, "Try us, you'll like us!"
|
Youth Scholarships
Throughout the year, there are many enriching Jewish experiences available to our youth through our synagogue or the community. These include, but aren't limited to, summer camps and trips to Washington, New York, and Israel. Fortunately, there is some scholarship money available through the temple to those families in need of financial assistance for these opportunities. Please contact Margie Berenson at
[email protected] with any questions and/or for an application form.
|
|
Changed Your Address?
Notify us at: [email protected]
and we'll make sure all the right organizations at the Temple are informed. Please include your full name in your request.
|
|
|
| |
Fundraising 
The second session of our On-line Auction is underway. Despite the power outages that plagued us at the beginning of session one, it was very successful. There is always something for everyone. Whether it is restaurants, shops, martial arts classes or a grass trimmer, we have it. From an iPad Mini to pieces of art to towering plants, we have it. More than 20 members have donated auctions items and new listings come in almost every day, so if you have an item or service you want to donate, it is NOT TOO LATE. Items have come to us from as far away as Colorado. We welcome 'bits and pieces" up until a few days before the end of session 3. After you donate, don't forget to bid. After you have bid, check the link that tells you if you have been overbid and if that's the case, bid again.
Good luck in your bidding. Whether you win or lose, Congregation Shalom is the winner!!!
|
Sisterhood Snippets
We had a variety of successful events in October and November. Highlights included arranging flowers, yoga, a Shabbat walk, and a delicious brunch with fitness and nutrition tips.
Our focus shifts in December to celebrating the Festival of Lights and making the holiday season meaningful for all. It's a mitzvah to help others, especially at this time of year. As in the past few years, we will be collecting items to donate to House of Hope in Lowell. Requested items are: free and clear liquid laundry detergent, ladies sweatpants and packages of ladies underwear. Other personal care items are also welcome such as full size bottles of body wash, lotion, shampoo and conditioner. Additional things that are needed are full size bath towels, hairbrushes, plastic cereal bowls, plastic food storage containers, and alarm clocks. There will be a collection box in the Temple lobby through December 15.
It's almost time for the annual Chanukkah Fair. Patti Green has been busy rounding up both traditional and new items for the two day event. Come by to shop, or sign up to volunteer during religious school hours on Wednesday, November 29 or Sunday, December 3.
Our festive Chanukkah party will take place at Patti Green's house on Wednesday, December 6 beginning at 6:30p.m. We are grateful that Patti has offered to host, and hope many members will attend this fun evening. We will also be collecting items for House of Hope at the party.
On Sunday, December 10, we will meet at Simply Fit in Westford. Cindy Sacco will share more of her fitness tips and lead us in an exercise session.
Save the date for the Annual Brotherhood/Sisterhood Night Out on Sunday, January 14. We will meet at Burton's Grill in Westford at 6 p.m. for dinner.
Planning is underway for the 19th Annual Sisterhood Retreat on March 3rd.
This will be a one-day retreat (9 A.M. - 5 P.M.) at the Stonehedge Inn, Tyngsborough
Continental Breakfast and Lunch will be served. Come join your Sisters for services,music, study, socializing, and lots of laughter with Rabbi Perry and singer/songwriter Sue Horowitz. More information will be in January's newsletter. If you have questions, please contact [email protected]
Watch for evites with more details for all of our upcoming events.
Don't forget that we have a variety of gifts and Judaica items available in our gift shop. Many beautiful options are on display. Contact us if you would like to make a purchase.
Our next board meeting is on Tuesday, January 2 at 7p.m. All are welcome to attend to share input and ideas.
|
Brotherhood News
|
Grocery Cards
With Hanukkah coming up, we all have extra items on our shopping lists. Are you doing additional shopping for entertaining guests or are the kids home from college? Go to the grocery store with a gift card that you purchased from our fundraiser and help the Temple while you fill your shopping cart.
Get grocery cards for Hannaford, Stop&Shop, Whole Foods or Donelan's, and the temple makes $7 cashback for each $100 purchased. This leads to thousands of dollars for our programs, with no extra out-of-pocket money from you. You can request cards just for December or January. I am also happy to help your family sign up for the monthly program if you are interested. I can send cards to college students, too. Just email
Toby Sedgwick at
[email protected]
and then start shopping and giving back to the Temple at the same time. Thanks so much for your support!
|
iGive for Congregation Shalom
Have you ever thought how great it would be to be able to shop online at 783 different well-known stores and still donate money to Congregation Shalom? Well, you can do that! It's free and easy so join those of us who have been sending donations to the synagogue for years simply by shopping by first going to the iGive website once you have established the link.
Click here
to register for Congregation Shalom to automatically be the recipient cause.
If you make a purchase through iGive within 45 days of signing up, an extra $5.00 will go to Congregation Shalom. If you have any questions, please contact Laura at
[email protected].
|
Extended Community
|
If interested in attending or to get more info contact Rabbi Perry at [email protected]
|
Reform Jewish Outreach Boston (RJOB)
offers classes and workshops supporting interfaith couples and individuals exploring Judaism:
Yours, Mine & Ours for Interfaith Couples
Interfaith couples who are seriously dating, engaged, or newly married strengthen their communication around faith, family, and culture, in a short-term, small group setting. Held October and March.
Introduction to Judaism
Explore a modern take on Jewish life. Engage with Jewish values, celebrations, and spirituality. Introduction to Judaism is an engaging 16-session course for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of Jewish life through a Reform lens. Courses starting in Brookline, Boston, and Sharon/Westwood.
Planning a Jewish Wedding
For Interfaith and Jewish couples. Explore the symbols of the Jewish wedding ceremony, ways to honor family traditions, and how to personalize your ceremony. Workshops in Boston and Cambridge.
|
Table of Plenty in Chelmsford
Free Dinner Served
Every Tuesday from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
at First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Chelmsford Center
All are welcome. No questions asked.
Also, if you know of someone who cannot get out,
but would benefit from a dinner being delivered to them, please contact us.
For more information contact:
[email protected]
www.tableofplentyinchelmsford.org
978-710-8328
Return to Quick Links
|
|
From the Visiting Nurse Association of Boston & Affiliates...
VNA Hospice Care needs volunteers! Hospice volunteers play a key role in helping to provide caring and compassion to patients and families facing life-limiting illness and loss. A volunteer may provide patients with company and emotional support, give the spouse, partner or other caregiver a needed break from care giving, and/or help caregivers run errands or get to and from appointments. A strong need exists for volunteers who can visit on weekdays. We also seek: musicians who would like to sing or play music quietly at the bedside of nursing home residents; Reiki practitioners who would like to offer Reiki to patients and/or caregivers; and people interested in visiting with their therapy dog. Volunteers who speak both English and a second language are also helpful. We provide volunteer training and ongoing support. Call 781-569-2888 and ask to speak to a Volunteer Coordinator for more information. Or email [email protected].
|
Spiritual Poetry Journal
"Soul-Lit" is a new on-line spiritual poetry journal. A number of entries have been from Jews and have
Jewish content. Writers are encouraged to submit their own poems which have a level of spiritual content to them. Two volumes have already been published.
To check out the website, please click here.
Please spread the word to members of the community who are writers / poets, and who may wish to submit their own writings.
|
|
Please support our Congregation Shalom advertisers 
|
|
|
