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IN THIS ISSUE:
- Shabbat at Touro
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Shabbat Shirah Service in the Main Sanctuary: Music From the First 100 Years of Touro Synagogue
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Tu B'Shevat Rocks! For Ages 0-5
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Congregational Speaker Event: The Shape of Israel with Israel Educator Elhanan Brown
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Hineini: Touro Solidarity and Learning Mission to Israel - Deadline to Register is January 31
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Finding Joy and Purpose in Parenting Jewishly: Now Meeting Sunday, February 18 during Yamim Yafim
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Tikkun Olam: Tu B'Shevat Tree Planting Opportunity January 26-27
- Stop the Bleed Training on January 30
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IMPORTANT: Touro's office will be closed for a planned power outage from 8:00am to 3:00pm on Wednesday, January 24. There will be no disruption to our evening programming. | |
A Message from Rabbi Bauman | |
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Dear Touro Synagogue Family,
I write to you with a heavy heart upon the news of the death of Tawfiq Abdel Jabbar, a Palestinian American teenager who was killed by an off-duty Israeli police officer and civilian in the West Bank on Friday. Tawfiq was born and raised in Gretna, Louisiana, and so his family and community are our neighbors, a relationship that our Jewish tradition views as sacred. Regardless of the emerging details around the incident which led to his death, I hope you will join me in holding Tawfiq’s loved ones in prayer for comfort and strength as they endure the agony of losing him, especially to violence in this ongoing conflict.
Amidst the news of Tawfiq's death, we also learned that yesterday was the deadliest day since the start of the war for the IDF soldiers and reservists fighting for Israel's safety; we carry the families of the 21 reservists who died yesterday in our hearts, as well as the thousands of Gazan civilians who have been killed since the start of the war. We continue to keep close the over 130 hostages still being held by Hamas terrorists, among them the two youngest (Ariel Bibas, 4, and Kfir Bibas, recently 1) whom we pray are still alive.
This war has taken so much from so many, and it is incumbent upon us to remember, as our Talmud teaches, that every single death is a uniquely unbearable tragedy for that person's family and community. Acknowledging this truth and mourning alongside our people and all people is how we ensure this war does not rob us of our humanity. May our Touro community continue to be a place where the complexity of living Jewishly -- of holding dear all that makes the Jewish people unique, at the same time as expressing the broadest possible love and concern for all peoples -- is sought in earnest. As hard as this is to speak about and to hold within us, please know that I offer these words humbly and with fervent prayers that each person’s grief finds a home within our synagogue family.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Katie Bauman
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Shabbat Shirah
Friday, January 26, 6:00pm
Main Sanctuary
Music from the first 100 years of Touro Synagogue
with the Touro Synagogue Choir
Shabbat Shirah is made possible in part with grant support
from the New Orleans Recreation and Culture Fund
Followed by Shabbat Dinner
Livestream Available
Childcare Available! See below for more information.
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Prayer Gathering at 5:30pm
Forgotston Chapel
It is a custom in Judaism to pray for the release of captives. On Friday evenings, we will gather in the Forgotston Chapel to read the over 100 names we have of those still being held since October 7, and to offer a prayer for their release, as well as the protection of civilians who are caught in the warzone. All are welcome.
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Kehilah KIDosha
We are excited to offer Shabbat childcare during Shabbat Evening Services for two age groups:
Ages 0 – 3 Years: Our youngest children are invited to Shabbat Babysitting to play with toys, color, and get a visit from our very talented music educator, Aaron.
Ages 4 – 2nd Grade (~7 Years): Join us for Kehilah KIDoshah! Students will learn all about a relevant Jewish topic like holidays, the weekly Torah portion, or special Shabbat traditions. We will then play fun games related to our topic of the day and have music time with Aaron.
We encourage our 3rd-6th grade Uptown Hebrew students to stick around for services and practice their Hebrew skills! Activity bags are available during services to all students.
Children must be accompanied by an adult at drop-off. Please reach out to Sara with any questions at sara@tourosynagouge.com.
Click Here to Register
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Shabbat Morning
Saturday, January 27
Torah Study
9:00am-10:15am in the Forgotston Chapel
Thank you to David Hammer for leading the discussion this week!
Click here for more details
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Contemporary Shabbat Morning Service
10:30am in the Forgotston Chapel
Livestream Available
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Tu B'Shevat Rocks!
For Ages 0-5
Saturday, January 27, 9:30am
Click Here to RSVP
Parents, children five and under, and their siblings are invited to a special Tu B'Shevat edition of Shabbat Rocks this Saturday at 9:30am. Join us for singing, praying, playing, Torah, and of course, challah and juice!
Please RSVP so we know you are able to attend and can prepare the right amount of materials. It's a huge help.
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Lambeth House Shabbat Services
with Community Clergy
Twice Monthly on Fridays, 4:00pm
We look forward to bringing the music, blessings, and joy of Shabbat to the residents of Lambeth House, along with clergy colleagues from around the New Orleans Jewish community. Scheduled Dates: January 26; February 16, 23; March 8, 22; April 5, 19; May 10, 24
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CONGREGATIONAL SPEAKER EVENT | | |
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The Shape of Israel: A Learning Session with Israel Educator Elhanan Brown
Wednesday, January 31
7:30pm-9:00pm in the Forgotston Chapel
Open to All
During this session, Elhanan will present on the political and military history of Israel that will bring important context to the current crisis. A seasoned Israel educator, professional tour guide, and Israel historian, Elhanan teaches with appreciation for nuance, a deep sensitivity to the humanity of all peoples, and a perspective born of decades of study and experience.
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Teen Session: 6:00-7:30pm in the Teen Lounge
Open to all 6th-12th Graders
Join your Jewish peers for a discussion about all things Israel with Elhanan Brown, an Israeli teacher and tour guide whose passion for Israel is contagious and uplifting. Click here to RSVP for the Teen Session.
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SOLIDARITY AND LEARNING MISSION TO ISRAEL | |
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Hineini: Touro Solidarity
and Learning Mission to Israel
February 2024
Deadline to Register is Wednesday, January 31
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If you are considering participating in this mission to Israel, please fill out this interest form. Cantor Margolius will be in touch soon to answer any questions you might have.
If you are ready to say “Hineini — Here I am” and register for this trip, click here for the trip website, followed by the red “registration open” button in the lower-right corner.
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From February 18 to 23 — just around the corner — we invite you to join us on a Touro Synagogue Solidarity and Learning Mission to Israel. This will be a trip unlike any other we may have experienced to this holy land, and I pray, unlike any yet to come. This is a visit to say to our Israeli family “Hineini — Here I am. I’m here for you. I’m ready to help.” We will share our hands and hearts in this unique time of need, and return with an important first-hand perspective in this critical moment. [...]
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OPPORTUNITY FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS | |
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Finding Joy & Purpose in Parenting Jewishly
A space for conversations, reflection and
support as we navigate raising Jewish children.
NEW DATE! Sunday, February 18
During Yamim Yafim
Click Here to Register
Parenting Jewishly is something we are blessed to do in community, and we have a wealth of resources among us to share strength, creativity, and support. Throughout this Spring, we’ll gather, learn and teach each other as we find joy and purpose in parenting Jewishly. All parents are welcome, regardless of religious background.
Given scheduling challenges, we are going to postpone the launch of Finding Joy & Purpose in Parenting Jewishly until Sunday, February 18 during Yamim Yafim. (We hope to have childcare in place for the littles.) Location TBD. Please stay tuned for more details!
Contact Naamah Paley Rose, Chelsea Hylton, or Rabbi Bauman with questions.
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Tikkun Olam Commitee:
Tu B'Shevat Tree Planting Opportunity
Friday, January 26 - Saturday January 27
9:00am-3:00pm
CRCL Restoration Headquarters
6207 E St. Bernard Hwy | Violet, LA
CRCL is hosting Central Wetlands Unit Cypress Tree Plantings on Friday, January 26 and Saturday, January 27. These plantings are taking place in Violet, LA, just 20-30 minutes outside of New Orleans, and go from 9:00am to 3:00pm.
Click Here to Register for Friday, January 26
Click Here to Register for Saturday, January 27
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Stop the Bleed Training
Tuesday, January 30, 7:00pm
Touro is pleased to offer the opportunity to our congregation to participate in a STOP THE BLEED course. A bleeding injury can happen anywhere. Instead of being a witness, you can become an immediate responder. This will be a 1-hour training at Touro Synagogue on Tuesday, January 30 at 7:00pm that will include a presentation and hands-on practice of applying direct pressure, packing a wound, and using a tourniquet to stop bleeding. To register/for questions, please email tourotraining@gmail.com.
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Hatikvah: Hope Reborn
Saturday, February 24, 7:30 PM
Louis J. Roussel Performance Hall
Loyola University New Orleans
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Presented by Israel Prize winner and pianist, Dr. Astrith Baltsan, Hatikvah: Hope Reborn is a mesmerizing multimedia concert, based on revolutionary research, presenting the fascinating story of Israel's national anthem, from medieval times to present. This event features: music by Mozart, Chopin and Smetana; Jewish and Israeli folk, pop and rock tunes; archival recordings, and current footage of Hatikvah singing by Holocaust and October 7 survivors.
Click Here to Learn More and Purchase Tickets
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The revitalization of our carefully and lovingly maintained home has begun! For the most current information, construction timeline, progress, and more, bookmark our Lifting the Sky Blog at TouroSynagogue.com/LiftingTheSky.
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Please notify us when your name, address or other contact information changes so that we can address you correctly in our communications. | |
TOURO SYNAGOGUE | 504.895.4843 | |
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