January 8, 2026 /18 Tevet 5786 | | |
Included in This Newsletter
Service Model Message
Shabbat Services - 1/9 and 1/23
D'var Torah from Rabbi David
Update on Classes
Social Action News
| | Service Model Message from Rabbi David | | |
An "Oneg Shabbat" Model Starting in January
If you've been a regular participant at Shabbat services this autumn, perhaps you've begun to notice subtle shifts in tone and pace.
Shir Ami is diverse in many ways, so I've been slowly experimenting with different approaches to Shabbat. My purpose has been to honor the whole of our diverse community, authentically, and also calibrate the palette of "feel" over time.
Here's to make this subtle shift more explicit and invite us to co-create different kinds of Shabbat experiences together, starting in January. Read more....
| | D'var Torah by Rabbi David | | |
Weekly D'var Torah
Parashat Shemot (5786)
On Tyranny and Spiritual Response
The Exodus story resounds through time as the first liberation narrative of Western civilization.
It drives Jewish identity. It calls us into lives of empathy and social justice. It shaped Christian and Muslim life, and liberation movements around the world.
Yet the miraculous liberation from Egyptian bondage that we retell at Passover is not the whole story. Before awesome powers, before signs and wonders, the pre-liberation has much to teach us about the nature of tyranny – and what the risk of tyranny demands of us. Read more...
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Shir Ami's three learning series include deep and profound sharing. Please consider joining us!
In Liturgy of the Prayerbook (Sundays 5:00pm), we're completing our word-by-word journey through the evening service. Shortly we'll explore Kaddish, then move into spiritual practices around the Shema.
In SoulSpa (Saturdays 10:00am), we've closed the Book of Genesis. The Book of Exodus opens onto our epic journey from bondage to liberation and our journey into peoplehood, Torah, commandment and legacy.
In Illness & Healing (next and final session is January 20, 7:00pm), we explored the sacred art and practice of visiting the sick (bikkur holim). Our final session will be on Jewish mystical and trans-rational approaches to illness and healing in Jewish tradition.
| | Click here for more information. | | Please click here to find the weekly Zoom link and for recordings of previous sessions. | | | |
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 $1,118 and paid our $250 commitment for each of October, November, December, and January 2026.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.
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Moral Mondays At The Stamford-Norwalk Judicial District Court
Area multi-faith leaders have joined the national movement of "Moral Mondays," rallying at courthouses every Monday at noon and pushing back through prayer, teachings and song against the brutality and inhumanity inflicted on our immigrant friends. Moral Mondays were launched by Rev. Dr. William Barber in 2013 as a protest against extreme poverty. Today, Moral Mondays have become a protest against the horrific treatment we all have witnessed throughout the country and at our own local courthouse. Please join multi-faith leaders and community members from as close by as Stamford, Norwalk, Greenwich and New Canaan and as far away as New Haven and New York every Monday at noon at Stamford-Norwalk Judicial District Court, 123 Hoyt Street, Stamford CT 06905. As our own Rabbi David has instructed us, Jews cannot be bystanders.
| Community News and Events | | |
November Issue of
Greenwich Jewish News
Please click here to read the digital version. Please see Shir Ami items on pages 4, 6, 7, 18 and 20.
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December/January Issue of
New Jewish Voice
Please click here to read the latest digital version.
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Blessings for a Happy Birthday to our members with January birthdays:
David Green - 1/4
Karen Brand - 1/5
Nancy Birnbaum - 1/6
Zaac Lake - 1/15
Abby Ross - 1/16
Rick Lake - 1/22
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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 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 | |
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:
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Membership Letter - from our Shir Ami Officers
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Membership Form - easy-to-fill out online or print
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Membership Policy - details on dues, benefits and more
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!
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For a full listing of all local events of Jewish interest visit the websites for:
| | 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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