November 2, 2023 / 18 Heshvan 5784 | |
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Included in This Newsletter
November Services 11/3 & 11/17
Weekly D'var Torah
November Rabbi's Corner
Upcoming Classes & Opportunities
Community Music Event
Interfaith Blood Drive - 11/4
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Upcoming Services and Calendar | |
Rabbi David On Torah And Mideast Events | |
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D'var Torah by Rabbi David
Parashat Vayera 5784 (2023)
On Spirituality and Judgment Amidst Trauma
It's another Torah portion ripped from the headlines, with plot twists, dubious behaviors and vexing moral quandaries all evoking recent Mideast events. We are called to confront not only how we navigate hard times, but also how we understand and judge behaviors arising amidst hard times.
Torah seemed to know what psychologists learned thousands of years later – and it matters a whole lot right now. Read more...
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November pivots into the heart of autumn and all of its many symbols and feelings of transitions. It's a time of "catching up to ourselves" at Shir Ami, navigating so much that's unfolding in the world around us, and seeking ways to truly count our blessings in gratitude for what is and what yet may be. Read more...
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In response to what is happening in the world we included an important update on Safety and Security in last week's newsletter. To read it in it's entirety, please go to on Resource page on our website.
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We recently included two inspirational articles about Shir Ami members; Eytan Nisinzweig's poem on peace in the world, and Nancy Heller, Mark and Roger Lob's Social Action experience. Their stories and others can be found on the Member Spotlight page on our website.
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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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Soul Spa got off to a great start this week with many participants. The session was recorded and can be accessed by clicking the link below.
Soul Spa is free for members and non-members alike. You may drop in as frequently or as infrequently, as you like.
Please click here for the weekly Zoom link and for recordings of previous discussions.
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Mitzvah & Mysticism: The Hidden Spirituality of Common Rituals with Rabbi David. Classes will be recorded in case you miss one. Please register if you're interested in being on the email list for this class. The class is free for members and $120 for non-members. | | |
Social Action TIKVAH Team | |
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Greenwich Interfaith Blood Drive
November 4, 2023
First Presbyterian Church
Blood donation is the ultimate act of kindness. When you roll up a sleeve, you help ensure blood is available for patients whenever & wherever needed. While we settle back into fall routines after the holidays, book a time to give blood before busy fall schedules ramp up.
Come to First Presbyterian Church of Greenwich (1 West Putnam Avenue) on Saturday, November 4 from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm. Sign up now and use code FPCG or call 800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Contact Barbara Salop if you have any questions: bdsalop@gmail.com or 203-496-1604.
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Let Us Know Your Interest | |
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Trip Ideas: Rabbi David shared during the High Holy Days, two ideas for trips he would love to take with our congregants. He'll only be able to do one of these trips this year and is interested to get feedback to see if there is enough interest to pursue one of these trips. Please email us to let us know of your interest level.
Email us to indicate your interest in either or both of these trips. Please put "Trip Interest" in the subject line.
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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
This is the time of year when many choose to join a congregation. If that is you, we hope you will join 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, shirami.info@gmail.com
All are welcome to join our community!
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Blessings for a Happy Birthday to all of our members with late October/November birthdays:
Eytan Nisinzweig - 11/1
Alina Rodescu-Pitchon - 11/1
Edwin Schechter - 11/1
Peggy Sturman - 11/2
Ronnie Polansky - 11/10
Ronny Kaplan - 11/27
Jackie Marschall - 11/29
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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 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 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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September/October Issue of Greenwich Jewish News
Please click here to read the digital version. Please see the following Shir Ami articles:
- Clergy's Corner article by Rabbi David p. 5
- A Joyful Start p. 6
- HHD Ad p. 8
- You Call This An Installation p. 14
- This is Real p. 16
- A New Blog Worth Reading p. 23
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October Issue of New
Jewish Voice
Please click here to read the latest digital version.
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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
shirami.info@gmail.com
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