This Week at Mount Zion

September 3 / 30 Av

Bulletin |||| Calendar|||||||Donate|||||||Adult Education

For those in sorrow about the heart-breaking news of six hostages killed in recent days by Hamas, there is a gathering this Wednesday at the Barry Family Campus, 4330 Cedar Lk Rd S, St Louis Park. We have been praying for the hostages for over 330 days. There are too many victims in Gaza and our hearts also break for the tragedy there, and it is ok for an evening to focus our grief on these six people, ages 23-40, and gather in a humanitarian outcry about this senseless moment. It is devastating.

– Rabbi Adam Stock Spilker

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Fall 2024 Bulletin Online!

(September - November)

Just a few highlights!

• High Holy Days information. (pp. 6-8).
• Invite your friends and acquaintances to Meet Mount Zion! Sun, Sept 22. (p. 11)
• October 7 Commemoration at Adath on Mon, Oct 7. (p. 21)
• Savor: A Sephardic Music and Food Experience, Fri - Sat, Dec 6-7. (p. 22)
• MaZAL: Adult Learning Opportunities. (pp. 18-23)
• Join us for the Installation of Rabbi Renetzky on Fri., Nov 22. (p. 3)

Thank you to Siana Goodwin and Janet Kampf for cleaning our terrace, fixing a leaking faucet, and restoring the small garden by the Syndicate Ave entrance. All are invited to stop by to appreciate this sacred work.

Community Life Passages

We extend condolences to our member Alan Milavetz (Bonnie Resnick) on the death of his father, Robert Milavetz, on August 26.

We regret to inform you of the death of our member Ethel Schaen on August 14. Our condolences to her family.

Twin Cities Gathering with J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami

Thursday, September 12, 7:00 pm at Mount Zion - Please register by September 6!

Dessert reception to follow.

Jeremy Ben-Ami, President, J Street, will share his thoughts on the devastating Israel-Hamas war, unpack the roles of the American Jewish community, Congress and the Biden Administration, and explore the possibilities for building a safer, more peaceful future.

Register

High Holy Day

Adult Volunteer Choir!

Sing at the Rosh Hashanah Shacharit (Morning) and Yom Kippur Afternoon services!

Rehearsals: Weds, September 18, 25, and October 9, 7:00-8:00 pm

Please join us—we want to hear everyone’s voices! No experience or music reading abilities needed! Questions: Contact Cantor Jennifer Strauss-Klein at jstraussklein@mzion.org).

Could this be an MZ Small Group?

Congregant organized and led gatherings.

Jewish Philosophy Book Club

Are you interested in ideas... about ideas? Are you always looking for an excuse to use the word "dialectical" in conversation? Consider the Jewish Philosophy Book Club! We will read and discuss the works of Jewish philosophers from Adorno to Butler to Wittgenstein to Zinn. If this speaks to you (dialectically?), please e-mail Daniel Lupton: danlupton@gmail.com.

Begins this Thursday!

20s and 30s: Preparing for the High Holy Days

Thursdays, September 5, 19, and 26, 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Join Rabbi Heather Renetzky and Director of Youth and Young Adult Engagement Abby Gore as we prepare spiritually, emotionally, and socially for the high holidays. We’ll explore themes such as forgiveness and intention setting as we get ready to greet the Jewish year 5785! This program is geared toward our Mount Zion members in their 20s and 30s.

Details

Hineni: Adult Jewish Learning & Contemplative Practices presents

Practical Teshuvah

Wednesdays, September 18, September 25 and October 9, 6:30 - 8:15 pm

Mount Zion is a co-sponsor of this event.

During the month of Elul leading up to Rosh Hashanah and the 10 Days of Awe connecting the Jewish new year with Yom Kippur, we have a special call to take the time to reflect.

Details

Learn with Rabbi Renetzky!

Wrestling with Sacred Text: Confronting Patriarchy and Violence against Women in the Book of Genesis

Wednesday, September 18, 6:00 - 7:15 pm

In this session, we’ll use the story of Dina as a case-study, exploring how wrestling with a difficult text can help us uncover new understandings. We’ll learn from modern feminist midrash and commentaries in conversation with our own experiences.

Details

Friday, September 6

6:30 pm Shabbat Services

Pulpit Guest: Liza Lieberman

In person or online via Livestream on mzion.org or Facebook Live!

Saturday, September 7

9:00 am Torah Study

In person and via Zoom Meeting ID: 949 308 718

10:00 am Shabbat Services

In person or online via Livestream

Shoftim - Deut. 18:6-19:13

Eliza Miller will be called to the Torah

as Bat Mitzvah.

This Shabbat!

Pulpit Guest: Liza Lieberman, MAZON

During Shabbat Services on September 6, 6:30 pm

Liza Lieberman is Vice President of Public Affairs at MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, promoting the organization’s policy priorities in the fight to end hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds.

High Holy Days Bulletin 5785

Inside this bulletin, you will see the many opportunities we are providing for the High Holy Days. Some are the familiar services, and some are newer traditions that have resonated with our community.

Read now.

Need a Lulav and Etrog?

Order by September 9!

Mount Zion is offering to order a lulav and etrog for your home. The cost is $65/set. Please place your order by September 9.

GOTV Postcards and Pastries Party

Sunday, September 15, 10-11:30 am

Looking for a way to participate in the election this year? Mount Zion is supporting the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism’s nonpartisan “Every Voice/Every Vote” campaign. Join us on September 15 to help get out the vote in swing states. We will learn about the campaign and hand write postcards together. In addition, the League of Women Voters will join us to be sure we are all registered to vote and answer any questions about the upcoming election. And there will be pastries! Please contact Sharon DeMark at sdemark@comcast.net with any questions.

Jewish Community Action's Democracy Defense Summit

Sunday, September, 15, 5:00 - 7:00 pm, Zoom (Link provided when you sign up)

MZ’s Tzedek Committee invites you to JCA’s Jewish Community Democracy Defense Summit. We'll hear from the allies and activists who are leading the work, along with some special guests to be announced (stay tuned!).

In the Community

- Jump Into A Summer Mikveh Lake Immersion - Join Maayanot and community partners for six mikveh lake immersion opportunities this summer at a Twin Cities lake. All are welcome to participate in this ancient, renewed ritual of full body immersion. If you are marking a special event or a milestone moment, or just want to feel refreshed, we hope you join us for this meaningful Jewish experience. The next one, "Elul Lake Immersion " will be at a Twin Cities Lake on Thursday, September 5 at 4:30 and 6:00 pm. Details and registration.

- On Sunday, September 8, 2024, the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest will mark 40 years, by celebrating the contributions of Jewish Americans who have served in this region. From Sol Star, Mayor of Deadwood, Dakota Territory, to current public officials, Jews have been, and continue to be, well-represented. A panel discussion will take place on September 8 at 7:30 pm, moderated by Robin Washington, Editor at Large, The Forward, will explore how being Jewish has influenced their service. Confirmed panelists include Minnesota’s Secretary of State, Steve Simon, Maryland Congressman, Jamie Raskin and Minnesota State Senator, Sandra Pappas. Purchase tickets.

- Cutting Through the Noise: Exploring Mindfulness with A Social Justice Lens at George Floyd Square, 38th and Chicago with Jia Starr Brown and Ben Connelly. Tuesdays, 11:30am-12:30pm until September 17. In a world rife with systemic injustice, “cutting through the noise” has never been more critical. Let us come together with a commitment to justice to embody peace and bear witness in shared public places. Sponsored by: Minnesota Multifaith Network; Minnesota Zen Meditation Center; Twin Cities Buddhist Sangha. Details.