April 29, 2021 | 17 Iyar 5781

Included in This Month's Newsletter Upcoming Shabbat and Classes Havdallah/Cheese Tasting-Register Now Annual Meeting Register Today Learn About Upcoming Holidays Community Events

Upcoming Services and Events

Spotlight Calendar Members and guests are always welcome to attend our Shir Ami Services, Classes and Special Events. May Board Meeting - for Leadership May 3rd, Monday 7:30 PM via Zoom Shabbat Service May 7th, Friday 7:30 PM via Zoom Rosh Chodesh May 10th, Monday 7:30 PM via Zoom Havdallah/Shavuot - Cheese tasting May 15th, Saturday 7:30 PM via Zoom Essential Jewish Conversations:  What Do Jews Believe About Jesus? May 17th, Monday 7:30 PM via Zoom Annual Meeting for Members Only May 30th, Sunday 11:30 AM via Zoom Shir Ami Members: Officer Nominations email went out on 4/25. Please keep your eye out over the next two weeks regarding the following: Ballots for voting will go out in early May. Annual Questionnaire will be emailed out this week. Your prompt responses to these emails will help us to plan and be well prepared for May 30th. We always strive to have full participation in our Annual Meeting. Your voices, ideas and feedback truly matter to us! Register for Annual Meeting Shabbat Service Friday, May 7th 7:30 PM via Zoom Please register to join us on Zoom for our upcoming Friday night Shabbat Service. The PDF for the service can be found on the homepage of our website and the Zoom link will be emailed to those who are registered. Nancy Heller and Roger Lob will lead the candle lighting and kiddish in honor of Nancy's 60th birthday Register for May 7th Shabbat Service Shavuot Cheese Tasting and Havdallah Service Saturday, May 15th 7:30 PM via Zoom If you'd like to order a cheese tasting package, the fee is $15 per person. Celebrate and join together in community with this delightful paring of music and dairy in honor of Shavuot - what could be better? Following the Havdallah service, Joel Collamer, our Board Treasurer and cheese aficionado will lead us in a virtual culinary adventure into the art and appreciation of great cheeses. Register before May 8th so we can pre-order, prepare and deliver a package for each person that will include 4 cheeses to be sampled Some fruit and nuts Crackers Red and White wine pairings will be suggested, but you will need to supply your own wine. Register for May 15th Havdallah/Shavuot Service

Understanding More About Upcoming Holidays...

The celebration of Lag BaOmer (the 33rd Day of the Omer) begins tonight! Are you wondering what this holiday is all about? Click here to learn more about Lag BaOmer and what it stands for. Shavuot is the holiday which celebrates the receiving of Torah at Mount Sinai. It is customary to eat dairy. There are many explanations for this custom but it can be linked to the verse from Exodus which extols the land of Israel as a "land flowing with milk and honey." Click here to learn more.

Living and Learning Classes

Shir Ami's Rosh Chodesh Study Group Monday, May 10th 7:30 PM via Zoom Not required, but if you have the book, please read chapters 20 and 22. We will NOT be discussing 21 so please enjoy reading and thinking about that chapter on your own.  My Jewish Year, 18 Holidays, One Wondering Jew by Abigail Pogrebin  Interested in forging a deeper sense of spirituality and connection to the holidays? Come celebrate the New Month and do a "deep dive" into the Jewish calendar with other women from Shir Ami. Noted author and feminist, Abigail Pogrebin, takes us on a one year journey through the entire Jewish calendar in her book, My Jewish Year. Each session is a stand alone. The book will be our guide but if you haven't read the chapter you can still participate.   Bring your own cup of tea! Register for May 10th Rosh Chodesh

Essential Jewish Conversations: Beliefs and Values Monday, May 17th 7:30 PM via Zoom Topic:  What do Jews believe about Jesus? Call it a symposium, a salon, a forum or a debate, Jewish life has long been centered around a vibrant exchange of ideas and viewpoints--a sacred conversation meant to bring meaning to our lives.

Register for May 17th Essential Jewish Conversations

Community News

Marking Rabbi Aaron Panken's Third Yahrzeit: "Jews of Color" Tuesday, May 11th 6:00 PM Via Zoom Rabbi Panken was a former colleague of Cantor Abramson and former HUC President. Join Rabbi Angela Buchdahl and HUC faculty member Dr. Bruce Phillips for an informative and enlightening discussion that embraces and celebrates diversity and inclusion among the Jewish People. HUC President Andrew Rehfeld will serve as moderator, and Rabbi Panken’s teaching on the subject will be incorporated throughout.  Click here to register.

Social Action

PLEASE TAKE A LOOK at our updated Social Action page, to view more about: Opportunities to support and volunteer at Building One Community Sandwich making for individuals at The New Covenant Center Ways we can each help combat racism Shopping for Seniors with JFS Dignity Grows supplies essential toiletries to people in need and more worthwhile activities...

Build community through Social Action projects: Recruit some Shir Ami friends to participate in one of these projects with you! Let us know your plans - [email protected]

For a full listing of all local events of Jewish interest visit the websites for: UJA/JCC of Greenwich UJF Greater Stamford, New Canaan, Darien  JCC Stamford   Jewish Family Services Greenwich Jewish Family Service Stamford   Interfaith Council of Southwestern CT Learning in Retirement Stamford

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CongregationShirAmi.org 203-900-7976 [email protected]

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