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February 1, 2024/ 22 Shevat 5784
February Newsletter
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Included in This Newsletter
February Shabbat Services
Blood Drive - 2/16
Rabbi's Corner
Weekly D'var Torah
Message from Barbara and Evan Salop
Civil Rights Trip - Register by 2/7
Register for Pirkei Avot Class
New Events - Community News
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Are you Joining the Civil Rights Journey?
Deadline to Register Extended to 2/7/24
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Soul Spa is open to all.
Our Torah study each week on Shabbat morning, is new to us and 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.
The sessions are recorded and can be accessed by clicking the link below.
Soul Spa is free for members and non-members alike. Optional donations are always welcome and appreciated and can be made by clicking here.
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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NEW CLASS COMING - REGISTRATION OPEN!
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.
Please save these dates at 7:30pm - 9:00pm on the following Wednesdays:
February 7, February 21
March 6, March 27,
April 10, May 8, May 29
The class is free for members and $120 for non-members. Classes will be recorded in case you miss one and posted on our website.
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February 2024 has no Jewish holidays. And on both the secular calendar and Jewish calendar, February 2024 brings "leap time" – a leap day on February 29, and a whole leap month (Adar I) in Jewish time.
It's as if this no-holidays month operates to re-set time, to recalibrate so that not only calendars re-align but also so that we do. Because it does – for our community as well. Read more...
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D'var Torah by Rabbi David
Parashat Yitro 5784 (2024)
Coming Out to God
The journey from meaninglessness to identity to vision to purpose is a journey that hopefully all of us will choose to take throughout our lives. It's the quintessential journey of personal human development. It's also the quintessential journey of collective societal becoming.
For our ancient spiritual ancestors freed from Egyptian bondage, seven weeks of desert wandering led them to Sinai. There the Ten Commandments forged with them a new sacred covenant of spirit, ethics, relationship and law – who they were, and what they must become.
We've been tripping over it ever sense. 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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Dearest Shir Ami family ~
So many thanks for all your love and support during my recovery. To say that we are overwhelmed is to understate our gratitude by a mile. We are enjoying many delicious meals, along with the love and caring they bring. All the texts, emails and phone calls are the fuel for Barbara’s recovery, going strong and headed toward in-person Shabbats soon. Can’t wait to be together to give you our hugs of appreciation in person.
Love, Barbara & Evan
"There are no shortcuts on the journey, but it is easier, better, and shorter if we walk it together.”
Rabbi Daniel Allen
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Blessings for a Happy Birthday to all of our members with February birthdays:
Larry Polansky - 2/1
Jess Rosen - 2/2
Mark Lob - 2/3
Robert Schwartz - 2/12
Steven Black - 2/17
Jane Raymond - 2/17
Phil Rosen - 2/17
Yaelle Nisinzweig - 2/19
Karen Lob - 2/27
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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 [email protected] 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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SIRS is an organization that several of our members are involved with and our congregation, as a whole, has supported through past TIKVAH Social Action projects. | There is a suggested donation of $10-$20 for IRIS-Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services that can be collected at the walk. | | |
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Come join the community as the Bennett Center Presents
The Light of Learning: Hasidism in Poland on the Eve of the Holocaust
To learn more and register, click here. Shir Ami member, Barbara Salop is on the Advisory Board for the Bennett Center for Judaic Studies at Fairfield University. Shir Ami is a co-sponsor of this event.
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Nov/Dec Issue of
Greenwich Jewish News
Please click here to read the digital version. Please see Shir Ami articles on pages 8, 17, 19, 20 and 21.
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Dec/January Issue of
New Jewish Voice
Please click here to read the latest digital version.
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Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah
This will be an awesome opportunity for those with interest.
Email us to indicate if you're interested in being part of an Adult B-Mitzvah cohort.
Please put "Adult B-Mitzvah" in the subject line.
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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, [email protected]
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
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