August 5,
Dear friends,
It feels like summer, doesn't it?
I had the privilege last week of serving on the rabbinic faculty at Goldman Union Camp Institute in Zionsville, Indiana, with a stellar group of our movement’s youth and emerging adults, some who are part of the greater Fairmount Temple community (pictured here). It was a joy to experience the love of Judaism with the lucky campers.
Following my time in Zionsville, I had the delight of going right from camp to our wonderful Fairmount Temple Block Party on Sunday! As we continue to navigate through the pandemic, our time together on Sunday felt that much sweeter!
All told, more than 300 of us gathered in beautiful weather, laughed, sang together and played games.
The photos below capture just some of the joy of being together.
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On behalf of our amazing co-chairs, Alina & Andrew Kahn (pictured here), their hard-working committee, and our Fairmount Temple staff - thank you for joining us!
Speaking of thanks - I invite you to join us, either in person or virtually, for this week's Shabbat Evening Service as we thank Todd Silverman for his inspiring leadership over these last three years. Under his guidance as president, this temple community remained engaged and vibrant, despite a world-wide pandemic. At Friday's service, we will bestow a special blessing on this very special person! Thank you, Todd!
L'shalom,
he/him/his
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Virtual Learning Series on Mishkan HaNefesh (Sanctuary of the Soul)
For this year's High Holy Days, we will be introducing the Reform Movement’s new machzor (High Holy Day prayer book), Mishkan HaNefesh, which translates to Sanctuary of the Soul and reflects many trends in our movement, and in our world. We are providing one set of books to every Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple household.
Temple members can pick up their prayer book set at Fairmount Temple, Thursday, Aug. 4, 9 am-5 pm, and Friday, Aug. 5, 9 am - 3 pm, as well as after Friday's Shabbat Evening Service. Pick-up will be also available on Opening Day of Religious School, Sunday, Sept. 11, 9 am - noon as a drive-thru option. Additional prayer book sets can be purchased when doing your pick-up.
We invite you to explore these new High Holy Day prayer books through two upcoming virtual sessions being led by our clergy:
This Sunday, August 7, 9:30-10:30 am - Rabbi Elle Muhlbaum will explore some of the liturgical and contemporary poetry featured in Mishkan HaNefesh and dive into the beautiful themes of the High Holy Day season.
Sunday, August 21, 9:30-10:30 am - Rabbi Joshua Caruso will revisit many of the tried and true prayers you will recognize from Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur worship, and see how the new prayer book accentuates and deepens their meaning.
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Shabbat Evening Service, in person and streamed
Friday, Aug. 5, 6:15 pm
Please join us in person or virtually for this Friday's Shabbat Service when we will honor Past President Todd Silverman (pictured). The service will be led by Rabbi Joshua Caruso and Cantor Vladimir Lapin.
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FYI - you can also find Cantor Laureate Sarah Sager's weekly reflections on our YouTube channel.
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Shabbat Morning Torah Study (via Zoom)
Saturday, August 6, 9:15 am.
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Our Clergy in Chautauqua this Summer
Rabbi Elle Muhlbaum and Cantor Vladimir Lapin will be leading Shabbat Services and Torah Study at Chautauqua Institution, Aug. 19-20. If you'll be at Lake Chautauqua that weekend, contact Rabbi Muhlbaum and Cantor Lapin to let them know you will be there!
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Reservations Open for Men of FT BBQ on Aug. 16 |
The Men of Fairmount Temple will hold their annual members’ BBQ at the temple on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 6 pm, rain or shine. The menu will include burgers, hot dogs, and side dishes.
Musician Rick Iacoboni will provide live guitar music and magician J.R. Greco, will entertain everyone with his with tricks.
There is no charge to attend for Men of FT members and their spouses or significant others. Temple members who aren't members of Men of FT are invited for only $10.
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NEW - August Connections
Click here for the August issue of our Connections newsletter.
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Do you Know Someone Who Might like to Join our Team at Fairmount Temple?
Teaching Faculty - Our Early Childhood Center is seeking nurturing and energetic teachers for our weekday program for those 18 months - 5 years. Our Religious School program is seeking engaging and caring teachers for Hebrew and Judaics classes for Sunday program, Pre-K - 6th grade. Contact Rabbi Elle Muhlbaum here.
Maintenance Staff - We have an opening for a part-time member in our maintenance staff. To learn more, contact Maintenance Supervisor Aaron Reynolds here.
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In sadness we share the passing of our member
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Help Us Make a Difference!
Our past collections for
I Support the Girls and Share What You Wear (a program of NCJW) were very successful! The menstrual hygiene products we collected were given to women and teens experiencing poverty, house fires, foster care placements, displacement from their home countries, domestic violence, and other forms of need or crisis. When women and girls in these situations are trying to manage trauma, they should not have to worry about where they are going to get pads and tampons.
The need for menstrual supplies is even greater now because these products have become very expensive. Please help! In addition to new boxes of tampons, pads, and liners, we are happy to accept open packages. Did you purchase a brand that you didn’t like? Donate them!
Our collection runs through Sunday, August 14. You can drop off donations in the collection bin in front of temple or you can use this link to make your purchase and have it delivered to the temple.
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Upcoming Siegal Lifelong Learning programs led by our members:
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Fairmount Temple services and events in the MAIN WING (non-school area) of our building allow the option of wearing masks or not. In the interest of community safety, we continue to strongly encourage COVID-19 safety practices including vaccination and have carefully limited seating capacity to 150 persons in our Mandel Sanctuary with distanced seating available. Families hosting lifecycle events may insist on masks and we will help to require masks at their event with advance notice. We reserve the right to reinstate full mask requirements or other strict measures if necessary. We are continuing to carefully monitor the COVID-19 situation carefully, in consultation with our medical advisory team, and we thank you for your cooperation with us. Out of caution for those who cannot get vaccinated, it remains required to wear masks in the education wing of our temple facility. We ask you to support this policy and take steps to ensure one another’s safety at this time of concern which remains heightened.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us by email here or call us at 216-464-1330.
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We Nurture Love, Justice, Hope, Joy, Connection & Growth
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