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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.
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From our Rabbi
We wish Rabbi Perry a relaxing summer! You can look forward to her next article in August.
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From our President
Dear friends,
June can be a bit overwhelming for many of us. I mean that in a good way.
There is so much to take note of and celebrate this time of year. Many of us have family members graduating from college, high school, or even kindergarten and we stop to commemorate these happy events. Here at the temple we have recently had an adult B'nai Mitzvah service, Chai School graduation, and installation of our new Board. Not too long ago we passed the Torah down to our incoming Kitah Hay class, and Jodi led our children's choir at our Teacher Appreciation Shabbat. Most weeks from spring through June a son or daughter in our community becomes a bar or bat mitzvah. There is indeed much that we take time to celebrate every year at this time.
Transitions can fall into all kinds of categories. We had a beautiful evening honoring Yael and, though we will miss her immensely, we have already started to forge new bonds with Dale as leader of our school. A number of temple members have stepped up recently to chair committees, often taking over from other temple members who had served in those spots for years. And just recently our membership voted to accept a new set of Bylaws, bringing our top governing document into the 21st century.
The point is that all of this represents growth, and that's a good thing. Those who move on to new things are growing. Those who step into their shoes are growing. We have these sorts of milestones and transitions happening around us all year long. But in the early summer we all tend to stop and take notice a bit more.
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From Our Education Director
Shalom Chaveirim,
As summer finally rolls in (I have my AC blasting as I write this), we have two full months stretching before us. For those who work, it is life as usual, however, for educators and students a whole different reality opens up. Summer Camp!
I have four children who attended various Jewish Summer Camps; one happy sleep-over camper, one who wrote home letters of joy and informed my husband and me on the day we picked her up an "extra special letter" would be arriving explaining what she really thought of camp. She assured us she would never return; one who cried so much from the first day we raced to pick her up 10 days in, pale and wan; and one who happily attended Jewish day camp only, opting never to try the sleep-over version. Camping is no doubt an American Jewish institution and is where children often make their most meaningful connections and long-term friendships.
Being from South Africa, I attended a staunchly Zionist youth camp called Habonim. We pitched tents, dug toilets, and were eaten alive nightly by mosquitos. No bug-spray or suntan lotion for us! We also slept in sleeping bags close to the ocean in a location called Plettenberg Bay in the Western Cape Province. I can still sing my camp song, just stop me in the halls and ask me to do so! There is something quite magical about boys and girls leaving their everyday lives and connecting in an environment which is unpolluted and pristine. As I thought about camp and all those who will attend this summer, I did some research and found online articles which explore Jewish camping, including reasons to attend Jewish summer camp; and the history and 'cult' of Jewish summer camping. See the following links :
https://reformjudaism.org/six-reasons-attend-jewish-summer-camp
I have a challenge for Congregation Shalom campers, parents of campers, or counselors of all ages, past and present. Please allow me a brief glimpse into your lives at camp. Share your favorite memory/memories of a summer experience, be it at a Jewish camp, or otherwise. Why is camping so important to you? On the other hand, why doesn't camping appeal? If you prefer, you could even write a short (one paragraph) review of your favorite camp and why it is so special. Humor is always welcome!
I hope to learn about you and have us share memories. This camp-share seems like a great jumping-off point.
Jewish Reading Recommendations:
The Jewish Book Council
Henry Roth: Call It Sleep; Amos Oz: The Reader; Eric A. Kimmel: The Golem's Latkes; Ann Koffsky: Noah's Swim-a-Thon; Harry J. Getzov: gOld
Mekor Judaica
Akiva Tatz: The Thinking Jewish Teenager's Guide to Life
Stay tuned for more adventures i
n Jewish learning and engagement
...
Dale Norman
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Bylaws Special Meeting Held June 20th
Thank you to all who came and supported the process.
New Bylaws have been approved by the congregation.
The Bylaws will be posted on the Members Only section of the website shortly.
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Summary of Dues and Fees
Fiscal Year 2018 - 2019
These are Congregation Shalom's approved dues and fees for fiscal year 2018 - 2019:
Dues:
Family $2,110
Single $1,275
Affiliate $355
Young Adult* $36
*Member 29 years old or younger with no child of school age
Assessments:
Long Term Maintenance $215
New Member Fee $100 per year in years 2-6 of membership
School Fees:
Pre-school (members) $364
Pre-school (nonmembers) $421
Religious school $426
Hebrew school $465
Chai school (Confirmation program) $413
Post-Confirmation (grades 11-12) $209
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Social Action/Social Justice Committee
WHAT DOES THE NFL AND CONGREGATION SHALOM HAVE IN COMMON??
The NFL Players Coalition has organized a national series of forums with District Attorney Candidates and held their first forum in Dorchester on June 19, sponsored by the ACLU.
Our Social Action & Justice Committee is working with the ACLU on their "What a Difference a DA Makes" campaign. Guess that means Shalom and the NFL are on the same team!
The ACLU campaign is designed to raise awareness of the importance of the District Attorney in our justice system, to arrange public forums to bring DA candidates before the public, and to register and encourage people to vote. This is a non-partisan project. We're scheduling a training date with the ACLU in July for anyone who'd like to work on this national effort, alongside other religious and secular groups in our area. Primary elections are the first week in September, and the summer will be a busy time. Please let us know if you'd like to volunteer.
Here's some more information about the Players Coalition from the Opinion page of the 6/21 NY Times:
" Our being professional athletes have nothing to do with our commitment to fighting injustice. We are citizens who embrace the values of empathy, integrity and justice, and we will fight for what we believe is right. We weren't elected to do this. We do it because we love this country, our communities and the people in them. This is our America, our right.
We intend to continue to challenge and encourage all Americans to remember why we are here in this world. We are here to treat one another with the kindness and respect every human being deserves. And we hope our elected officials will use their power to do the same."
Note: A special thanks to football guru and Committee member, Dan Dubner for sharing this important football news.
Some members of the Social Action & Justice Committee gathering for our end of year dinner and celebration. They look happy, right? Remember, there's plenty of room in the picture for you!!
Mitzvah Month
Thanks to those who volunteered to serve at the barbecue at Chelmsford Senior Housing, and to helping prepare the Paul Center for the summer season. Due to lack of signups, we will try again in the fall to schedule a volunteer day at Mill City Grows.
Successful Blood Drive - June 11, 2018
Our blood drive yielded 31 units of blood, including 9 double red power donations. Thanks to all who participated!
Need for volunteers at Table of Plenty in Chelmsford
Congregation Shalom is part of a team of volunteers at the Table of Plenty in Chelmsford, an organization that serves a free meal to all, no questions asked, every Tuesday from 5-6pm at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Chelmsford Center. Our team serves every other month on the third Tuesday, and will next serve on July 17, 2018. If you have time to volunteer during the afternoon on Tuesdays and would like to take part, please contact Sue McDonald at
[email protected]
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Monthly Food Donations for Middlesex Transitional Living Center
Congregation Shalom is collecting food for the Lowell Transitional Living Center. It is easy to help out with this mitzvah. Donations of meatloaf, and/or brownies and/or salad are accepted each month. There will be a cooler chest located by doors of Congregation Shalom. Simply place your donation in the cooler and know that you have done a good deed! You can leave your donations in the cooler beginning on Wednesday, Ju
ly 18th (starting around noon) through Thursday, July 19th (until 8pm.) August dates will be August 15-16 - mark your calendar now!
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Adult Education
Our planned Adult Education events for this year are completed. We hope you have enjoyed them! We are welcoming two new committee members and would love to welcome you to join our committee. Drop us a line if you are inclined!
Our next article will be published in August... once we've finalized events for next year!
As always, if you have suggestions for the Adult Ed committee, please contact us at
[email protected]
L'hitraot!
Tamar Wexler and t
he Adult Education Committee
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Save the Date
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Groups
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Quick Links
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Links to Our Website
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HIGH HOLIDAY SERVICES AT CONGREGATION SHALOM 2018
Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Sunday, September 9th. We offer several services and encourage you to choose the services that are best for your family. We are delighted to welcome back Meryl Gold as our cantorial soloist for the High Holidays. A full description of the various services will be provided in the August newsletter.
ROSH HASHANAH
SUNDAY, September 9th at 8:00 p.m.
MONDAY, September 10th :
Family Service - 9:00 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.
Adult Service - 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Young Children's Service - 2:45 p.m.
Taschlich - planning in progress
TUESDAY, September 11th:
Adult Service - 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
YOM KIPPUR
TUESDAY, September 18th - 7:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, September 19th:
Family Service - 9:00 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.
Adult Service - 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Young Children's Service - 1:45 p.m.
Additional programming is being planned for Yom Kippur afternoon.
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Statement of our New Policy on Acknowledging Donors
The Board of Trustees has approved a new policy to publish the names of donors to Congregation Shalom. Beginning September, 2018, the Newsletter will include the names of those making donations to Congregation Shalom's General Fund (which includes all donations not designated for a specific fund), Chai Fund, Music, Social Action, Education, Tree of Life, Library, etc. A complete list of funds can be found on the Congregation Shalom website. At the end of the year an accounting will be published of the current financial status of each fund.
Included with the dues letter that will be sent to you in July, you will be asked to check off the following box if you wish your donations throughout the year to be listed anonymously:
_____ I / We wish to donate anonymously.
We want to honor your wishes. If at any time you want to change your donation status, please indicate the change on your check and with a separate note and send it to the temple office. Please let us know if this is a permanent change, or a one-time adjustment for that donation.
Please note: The monetary amount of any donation will NOT be published.
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Good and Welfare
Condolences to
Arnie Eskenas and Bobbie Newman and their families on the passing of their father Joe Eskenas.
Mazel Tov to Paul and Carolyn Hantman and Jane Morrissey on the birth of their granddaughter/great granddaughter, Leila Mae Psillas.
Mazel Tov to Jessica Cohen and Jamie Evans on the birth of their daughter Eleanor Ruby Cohen.
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Ella Antokal
Hilda Edelstein
Bernard Hovsha
Evelyn Rodman
Sam Salmirs
July 13th
Martin Berenson
Abraham Danzig
Joseph David
Alfred DesLauriers
Sam Fagelman
Marianne Fried
Adele Friedlander
Dorothy Griffith
Rose Kallus
Joan Liebman
Arthur Nahabedian
Michael Picard
Lawrence Wikander
July 20th
Sidney Berenson
Melvin Boroshok
Joseh Davis
Ana Elkins
Zelman Kamien
Nathan Harry Katz
Sherry Rosenberg
July 27th
Evelyn Derby
Jusdin David Goldman
Rita Miller
Moses Soloman Strock
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| 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.
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| 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!"
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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.
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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.
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Fundraising
No more paper container
The Chelmsford Board of Health has put so many restrictions on paper recycling containers and we were unable to fulfill the new requirements. If you haven't noticed, the green and yellow paper container is gone. To begin with, the container had to be on a cement slab and then it had to be contained by a fence. The BoT felt that the cost of doing this could be put to better use in the Temple. Don't give up saving paper - if you live in another town, look for the yellow and green containers - they can be anywhere. If you know where one is, let me know at
[email protected] and I will get the word out. We can still 'do good'.
It is time to start thinking about our On-line Auction. In the next few months you will be getting a letter asking for donations. It could be anything - a sculpture or painting that no longer fits your décor. How about a skill you are an expert at and are willing to share. If you know of a store or restaurant that may give us a gift certificate, please let us know. We need your help to make the Auction a success.
The Fundraising Committee
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Grocery Cards
It's the Perfect Time to Join the Grocery Card Program
Time to stock up on summer favorites! Hosting a 4th of July BBQ? Hungry kids home from college? Pick a store and an amount and join in to receive grocery store gift cards. I send you the cards, and you write a check to the Temple. That's it! You'll see how easy it is to fundraise for the Temple and get all your basics and party items without spending any extra money or time. You can get in on the monthly mailings or just get cards when you need them.
Contact me to get started with one of our best fundraisers. I have gift cards for Hannaford, Donelan's, Whole Foods and Stop & Shop. Your payment to Congregation Shalom results in 7% cash back for the Temple.
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Sisterhood News
Just because it's summer doesn't mean we take a break from getting together for fun. We have two events this month.
Our Annual Pool Party will be at Debbie Arthur's home on Monday, July 16 at 6:00 p.m. We are so appreciative of the Arthurs for offering to host again this year. Watch for an evite soon.
We have added a new activity on the morning of Sunday, July 29. We will gather at the temple to carpool or meet at Brookdale Fruit Farm in Hollis, NH to pick our own berries. After we fill our baskets, we will relax and enjoy lunch together. More info coming soon.
If you need a birthday, graduation, or wedding present, 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.
We are moving our board meetings to Monday nights. Our next meeting will be on Monday, August 6.
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Shalomites
The Shalomites had a very successful year! As we say goodbye to our seniors, we look forward to welcoming the incoming eighth graders at our events starting next school year! Next year's board includes:
President - Abby Segal
Membership and Financial Vice President - Tyler Boroshok
Programming Vice President - Maura Maguire
Religious and Cultural Vice President - Alexa Tanzer
Social Action Vice President - Jeffrey Morrissey
Communications and Liaison Vice President - Ilana Berkovitz
Assistant Programming - Noah Ablove
Recording Secretary - David Shuldiner
Ryan Chandler - 8th Grade Representative
Hannah Wolman - 8th Grade Representative
Our outgoing president Sam Segal will serve as the NFTY Northeast Religious and Cultural President.
We look forward to seeing what next year has in store for us!
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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].
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Extended Community
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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.
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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
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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].
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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.
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Please support our Congregation Shalom advertisers 
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