W&S SHABBAT BULLETIN

Calendar - Please see Upcoming Events Below

Thanks to Michal Goldman, who sent this update to the minyan listserv:

You might remember that in 2023, when the Soviet invasion of Ukraine was very much on our minds, our Minyan launched a Sherman Sass fundraiser in support of four organizations working in Ukraine. One of those organizations was the Action for Soviet Jewry, which had launched a new telemedicine project based in Dnipro to reach and treat elderly, house-bound Jews who, especially in this time of war, could not access much needed medical care.

Debbie Kardon was the point person. Here is what she wrote today: 

"The Worship and Study Congregation at Harvard Hillel was one of the first funders of our telehealth program. 

I wanted to share this recent report we created and thank you for helping launch this important project. It is especially valuable today, as the fighting intensifies and it is even harder for our elders to leave their apartments. 

I am so appreciative of your generosity at a time we really needed it to launch this unknown project successfully. It has literally saved lives. 

Debbie"



You can read the report here. Learn more about Action for Post-Soviet Jewry here.

We are open to suggestions for tzedakah projects and ideas for organizations to support as we move towards the spring. Please be in touch!

Shabbat, November 7 - Parashat Chayei Sarah

• 9:30 am at Harvard Hillel
• Friday Evening Candle Lighting: 4:13
• Potluck Kiddush
• Zoom Access Available

Shabbat, November 14 - Parashat Toldot

• 10:00 am at 100 Centre Street, Brookline
• Friday Evening Candle Lighting: 4:05 pm
• Potluck Kiddush
• Zoom Access Available

Minyan Service Opportunities

We need folks to volunteer to be present early at services and to stay late to help clear up after Kiddush. We also need folks to manage the Zoom access when Rabbi Jim is not around. If you have ideas about how to encourage members to help out more (or simply want to help out yourself!), please be in touch: rabbijim@worshipandstudy.org.

I want to put out a call for people to volunteer to bring Kiddush (rather than relying on a Potluck Kiddush). It does not need to be substantial—just a contribution to the life of our minyan! I have prepared a brief document about our Kashrut Standards, and I am very open to feedback about it. If you'd like to sign up to bring a spread for Kiddush, please be in touch with Maurie Fox-Warren or Loren Joseph.

Tzedakah Opportunities

• The next Shabbat Dinner in Brookline will be December 11 at 5:30 pm at 1550 Beacon Street. You are welcome to join us as a volunteer (and have a delicious kosher meal). Please let me know if you're planning to come.
• Our next "Soup Making Thursday -- Hanukkah Edition" at First Church Cambridge is this Thursday, December 10 from 4:00-6:00 pm. Please let me know if you're planning to come. See the full schedule here.

This Week’s Services

Reading from Torah

Hayei Sarah (Genesis 23:1 – 25:18)

W&S Torah reading for year II of the triennial cycle:  Genesis 24:10–52 

And [Abraham’s] servant took ten camels, of the camels of his master, and departed; having all goodly things of his master's in his hand; and he arose, and went to Aram-naharaim, unto the city of Nahor. And he made the camels to kneel down without the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time that women go out to draw water.  And he said: 'O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, send me, I pray Thee, good speed this day, and show kindness unto my master Abraham. Behold, I stand by the fountain of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water.  So let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say: Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say: Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also; let the same be she that Thou hast appointed for Thy servant, even for Isaac; and thereby shall I know that Thou hast shown kindness unto my master.' (Genesis 24:10-14)

Johann Carl Loth, Elizarus and Rebekah at the Well (Germany, 1670s)

Reading from Prophets

I Kings 1:1-31

And King David was old, well on in years; and they covered him with garments but he never felt warm. (I Kings 1:1)

King David and Abishag by Pieter Fransz de Grebber

(First half of 17th Century)

Upcoming Events

Check out worshipandstudy.org/events/ for more information.

• Check out the Harvard Hillel Calendar. 

Sunday, November 22 - One Minyan One Book

• 7:30 on Zoom
• Discussing This Is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman

Sunday, December 6 - Hanukkah Party (Tentative)

• 2:00 - 5:00 pm
• Music by Kevin Lubin
• The Gazebo at 165 Pleasant Street, Cambridge (chez Loren and Petra)
• Bring snacks and libations
• We'll have latkes and sufganiot

Thursday, December 10 - Soup Making at First Church

• Come make soup with a group of minyan friends.
• 4:00-6:00 pm at First Church (11 Garden St.) Cambridge
• Please let me know if you're planning to come.
• Feel free to bring something to eat: vegetarian appetizers, bread, dessert, and non-alcoholic libations...
• Bring a hanukkiah and holiday treats!

Please note that you must be vaccinated and boosted to attend Worship and Study services; masking is optional. 

Check out our web site: worshipandstudy.org and send your friends there!

For Shabbat, click the following links to download the Lev Shalem liturgy and the W&S Amidah Guide.

If you'd like to sign up to bring a spread for Kiddush, please be in touch with Maurie Fox-Warren or Loren Joseph.

We also need people to deliver a D'var Torah, to lead services or to leyn Torah. Please review this spreadsheet for availability and be in touch with me: rabbijim@worshipandstudy.org (for leading services or serving as gabbai); or Susan Brand: susan.brand@comcast.net (Torah chanting); or Harvey Mendelsohn harveymendelsohnbooks@yahoo.com (D'var Torah).

Zoom Services

Please feel free to reach out to me if you need help with the technology.

Click: https://hebrewseniorlife.zoom.us/my/rabbijim

If you have the Zoom app, you can simply click “Join” and type in “rabbijim”

Call: 267 831 0333 or 301 715 8592 

After the greeting, enter Meeting ID: 583 155 5454 #

If you need a toll-free number, please let me know.

Shabbat Shalom

Worship and Study Minyan at Harvard Hillel | Email Address | Website