Winter schedule: This will be the last week for our winter schedule! Tomorrow, Saturday January 23, Shacharit will take place at 8:30 am. Starting next week on January 30, we will be resuming with the 9:00 am start time for Shabbat Shacharit.

This past year has been a very important time for the Congregation. In light of that, we hope that you will join us on Sunday January 31 at 10:00 am for a virtual Annual General Membership Meeting. We’d love to have your participation so that we can engage and discuss how we will work together in this coming year to advance and strengthen our community. Please see below for the agenda and other details. We will also be voting on a new slate for Kesser board members. 

As Jews, the attribute of Hakarat HaTov (gratitude) is paramount. Given that, I wish to express our gratitude toward President Trump for a number of the great achievements he garnered for the State of Israel during his term. In particular, I am grateful for his moving the American embassy to Jerusalem as well as taking America out of the Iran deal. Perhaps more than anything, I am grateful that the Trump administration demonstrated that Israel can have peace with its Arab neighbors, especially with the United Arab Emirates, among others.

As our country transitions to a new administration, the Jewish community renews its commitment to work with our elected officials. We pray for their wisdom and success in leading our country, as well as for that “elusive” national unity President Biden called for. Speaking of unity, in my recent Zoom Drasha, we discussed the national vaccine effort and what it can mean for our future as a society. We also discussed the Torah approach to vaccination in general, and the Covid-19 vaccines in particular. If you haven’t had a chance, I hope that you will tune into our latest Podcast: In Your Blood You Shall Live. In this podcast, we discuss the Parsha, vaccines and more! 

I would also like to extend a Mazel Tov to Charles & Donna Kuttner on the milestone of their 50^th anniversary, which they are celebrating today, January 22. It’s so wonderful to share in this joyous occasion with the Kuttners. On behalf of the Shul, I wish them many more happy and healthy years together. To read more about their story, please click here.

We’re in the process of preparing Kesser’s 2021 Congregational Directory. Please let us know — via the link below — if your contact information or preferences have changed. Thanks for your help! Please contact Shannon Katz if you have questions.

To register for minyanim click here.

Join us daily for Daf Yomi with Rabbi Fischer. Click this link to join the class live, and click here to see the schedule. You can download the entire Talmud for free on your mobile device with apps like Sefaria and E-Daf.

Join Rabbi Ken Brodkin every Sunday morning at 9:15 am. Explore practical Halacha and Gemara as we delve into the second chapter of Shabbat. This chapter focuses on the laws of lighting Shabbat and Chanukah candles, amongst other topics that pertain to daily Jewish living. Click here to join.

Parshat Hashavua

Join Rabbi Fischer Monday evening at 7:30 pm to learn about the weekly Torah portion and get involved with a Q&A. Click here to join the Zoom meeting. To enhance your experience, read the Parsha before class.

The Garbonzos food cart is located in the MJCC parking lot. It is open Sunday - Thursday 11:00 am - 7:00 pm and Friday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm. The menu includes pita sandwiches, plate options, soup, and sides. Garbonzos is gluten free and vegan. Click here for the full menu. To place a phone order call (503) 475 - 4875.

Allen Levin of Century Catering & Cafe at the J is preparing kosher meals for people to take home and serve. Currently, orders are due by 8:00 pm Tuesday for pickup between 3:00-5:00 pm Thursday at the turnaround in front of the MJCC. The menu offers soup; entrees including schnitzel, fish, beef, chicken and burger options; and dessert. Meals certified by Oregon Kosher. If there is interest, a kosher pizza night might be added. For the coming week’s menu and to order meals, email [email protected] by Sunday 6:00 pm to sign up to receive the weekly menu. (If you do not receive a confirmation, please try again.)

Want to share announcements, community news, or events? Click here to send your news to be added to next week's email.

Click here to view zmanim for Shevat

CHOLIM LIST: Each week during the Torah Reading we make a misheberach for those who are ill. Click here for our current misheberach list. To make changes, please email us at [email protected]