October 30, 2025 /8 Heshvan 5786

November Newsletter

Included in This Newsletter

Special Membership Meeting - 11/6

Upcoming Shabbat Services

Weekly D'var Torah

Interfaith Blood Drive - 11/1

Social Action Project for JFS Pantry

Register for Classes

Shir Ami Membership

Spotlight Calendar


Members and guests are always welcome to attend our Shir Ami services, classes and special events (fees may apply)



November


Soul Spa: The Five Books of Miriam (virtual)

Saturdays, November 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29

10:00 AM


Liturgy of the Prayerbook (virtual)

Sundays, November 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30

5:00 PM


Special Membership Meeting

Thursday, November 6

6:30 PM


Shabbat Service

Friday, November 7

7:00 PM


Shir Ami Board Meeting (virtual)

Tuesday, November 10

7:00 PM


Jewish Spirituality of Illness and Healing (virtual)

Tuesdays, November 11 and 25

7:00 PM



December


Shabbat Service

Friday, December 5

7:00 PM - Details to Follow


Soul Spa: The Five Books of Miriam (virtual)

Saturdays, December 6, 13, 20 and 27

10:00 AM


Liturgy of the Prayerbook (virtual)

Sundays, December 7, 14, 21 and 28

5:00 PM


Darien Chanukah Candle Lighting

(Exact date TBD)

December 14-20


Chanukah Live!

Tentative date - December 20




2025-2026 Calendar is available on our website

Click here

To Make Donations or Payments:


To make donations or register for classes or events, please visit our website's donation page.


congregationshirami.org/donate.html

Contact Us:


Email Address

shirami.info@gmail.com.


Website

www.congregationshirami.org


Donations and Payments

congregationshirami.org/donate.html


Mailing Address

1273 E. Putnam Ave

​PO Box 312

Riverside, CT 06878

SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Thursday, November 6th

6:30 PM

First Presbyterian Church


Details in separate email sent to all members. For more information, call Abby Ross, 203-747-1359

Shabbat Service

Friday, November 7

7:00 PM


Please join Rabbi David to discuss Parashat Vayera. This Torah portion echoes our Rosh Hashanah portions about ancestry and peoplehood, and reprises the promises we made to ourselves and each other during the High Holy Days. Let’s celebrate each other and fill the sanctuary this Shabbat!


We thank Jackie and Ray Marschall for graciously hosting the Oneg.

D'var Torah by Rabbi David

Weekly Dvar Torah

Trust and Verify

Parashat Lekh Lekha (5786)


It's okay to be afraid during times of uncertainty, especially when much is at stake. 


But when we let fears rule us without lovingly questioning them, we tend to make what we fear more likely to impact us. 


​And then who are we really? Read more...


Shir Ami Classes

Part Two: Opening the Liturgy began August 24, 2025


Click here for more information.

Join our Rabbi David and Rabbi Rachel Barenblat of Congregation Beth Israel of the Berkshires for a year-long spiritual journey uplifting feminine and feminist voices too long sidelined from Jewish life. This weekly Torah series will continue Shir Ami's core commitment to weekly learning based on openness, questioning and deep meaning that is modern and relevant.  


As always, Soul Spa is free for members and non-members alike, and no prior experience is necessary. Drop in frequently or infrequently as you like. Our learning community is deep, real, safe, vibrant and refreshing. Please click here to find the weekly Zoom link and for recordings of previous sessions.

Social Action

Interfaith Blood Drive

November 1, 2025

First Presbyterian Church

8:30 AM - 1:15 PM


Blood donation can seem an abstract act, but it’s a mitzvah! And remembering that those we love may need blood at some time in life. I know it extended life for our friend Lynette Lyon. I think of her each time I donate, and of the Jewish commandments that blood donation allow us to fulfill. Please read this message about giving blood, and DONATE on November 1, by signing up now at rcblood.org/donate and use code FPCG (for First Presbyterian Church of Greenwich), or call 800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). So many who need our blood are counting on us!


 ~ Barbara Salop, in memory of Lynette Lyon 

(bdsalop@gmail.com; 1-203-496-1604)

and with thanks to Sandy Soule for her sage words forming the basis for this letter.



An EGG-cellent Social Action Project


Schoke Jewish Family Services, which runs the Kosher Food Pantry in Stamford, is asking for help collecting food due to increasing food insecurity and decreasing contributions. They have asked all congregations in the area to contribute regularly. Shir Ami has agreed to contribute $250 monthly for a year, which will be collected from members at each service or gathering. There will be an EGG BOX into which you can place your contribution. Our donation will be used to purchase FRESH EGGS, which are rarely available at the Food Pantry.


Rabbi David has offered to make up any monthly shortfall from his Discretionary Fund. On Shabbat, contributions should be made when you arrive, before services, out of respect for not handling money on Shabbat. 


We have already raised $900 and paid our $250 commitment for each of October and November. Thanks to those who have already contributed. Your donations are greatly appreciated!


Of course, anyone can make a contribution anytime, on our website's Donations page.

Community News and Events

September Issue of

Greenwich Jewish News


Please click here to read the digital version.

October Issue of

New Jewish Voice


Please click here to read the latest digital version.

Blessings and Simchas

Blessings for a Happy Birthday to our members with November birthdays:


Eytan Nisinzweig - 11/1

Ed Schechter - 11/1

Peggy Sturman - 11/2

Ronnie Polansky - 11/10

Brett Gerson Chinn - 11/15

Ronny Kaplan - 11/27

Jackie Marschall - 11/29

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 shirami.info@gmail.com 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 name(s).


If you choose to make a donation, you may do so by visiting 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. 

2025-2026 Membership Information

Thank you to those who have already completed your registration!


We warmly welcome you to renew your membership or to become a member of our Shir Ami community. 


Please visit our Membership Page where you can find:

  • Membership Letter - from our Shir Ami Officers
  • Membership Form - easy-to-fill out online or print
  • Membership Policy - details on dues, benefits and more


Membership allows you special access to:

  • practice our faith together and learn from the Torah and each other
  • participate in multicultural and multifaith activities
  • support Shir Ami's mission and our commitment to Tikkun Olam and social action
  • find inspiration in our innovative portfolio of services, classes and events
  • participate in rituals, group trips and events reserved for members
  • have access to our dynamic, multi-talented, creative spiritual leader for pastoral care and life cycle events
  • recognize our loved ones who have passed during our Yizkor service each year


As with most faith-based organizations, membership dues fuel everything we do and account for only 65% of our annual budget. Full dues payments and additional contributions are always appreciated. If an alternate arrangement is needed, please contact Co-Presidents Jackie Marschall at jackiea.broadcast@gmail.com, Abby Ross at aar1@optonline.net or Fran Pribish at fabprib807@gmail.com.


If you are interested and would like to know more, please find membership information on our website’s membership page. The easy-to-fill-out form can be completed online and submitted with a button, or printed out and sent to our mailing address: Congregation Shir Ami, 1273 E Putnam Ave, PO Box 312, Riverside, CT 06878.


Contact us at shirami.info@gmail.com if you have any questions or would like to speak with an officer or our clergy.


All are welcome to join our community!


Other Community Websites

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
shirami.info@gmail.com
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