WEEKLY NEWS

Double Edition, Nov. 16 / 22, 2022

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EXHAUSTED AND EXHILARATED

by Rabbi Falick

BOARD UPDATE

By Board President

Ned Greenberg

Friday Night Services

✦ THIS Friday, Nov. 18, 7PM


Due to circumstances beyond our control this Friday's service will be in person only.


  • GUEST AUTHOR: GWENDOLYN ROSE FORREST


"THE BORN GOOD ENOUGH MINDSET"

Local author and Humanist activist Gwendolyn Forrest will treat us to a reading from her book of "self-help" poetry. Her message is that we all have innate creativity and that our existence validates our worth. Join us for an inspiring Shabbat of Humanistic insights!

COMING UP:

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Nov. 25: No service

🍁 Thanksgiving Break 🍁


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✦ Dec. 2, 7PM


  • RABBI FALICK WILL SPEAK


ISRAELI ELECTION WRAP-UP

Israeli elections rarely provide a clear picture of governance right away. Rabbi Falick will review the results of the November election, where things stand in the coalition building process, and what that means for Israelis and for Diaspora Jews.


✦ Dec. 9, 7PM


  • GUEST SPEAKER: DEBBIE BINDER, TOWNSHIP CLERK, W. BLOOMFIELD


RUNNING MICHIGAN'S ELECTIONS

W. Bloomfield Township's Clerk will talk about the challenges of managing Michigan elections and what the Prop. 2 changes will do.


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HOLD THE DATE!


FRIDAY, DEC. 16


🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎


SOUPER SUPPER &

CHANUKAH CELEBRATION!


THIS WEEK!


A Visit to St. John's Armenian

Apostolic Church


Friday, Nov. 18, 1PM

Admission: $5


See this magnificent architectural masterpiece built in 1966 and tour the Alex and Marie Manoogian Museum, built in 1992.


Meet in the CHJ parking lot at 12:30PM. If you need a ride or can offer one, let us know when you RSVP.


For more information or to RSVP, contact:


CHJ Board Member / Daytimers Coordinator Suzanne Paul: suzanne@CRPaul.com.


REFUGEES & THEIR FAMILIES


TONIGHT!

WED., NOV. 16, 7PM


Shanda: A Memoir of Shame and Secrecy


by Letty Cottin Pogrebin


An intimate memoir from a founding editor of Ms. magazine who grew up in a Jewish immigrant family mired in secrets, haunted by their dread of shame and stigma, determined to hide their every imperfection—and in denial or despair when they couldn’t.


(In conjunction with the JCC Book Fair at which Ms. Pogrebin will speak.)

WED., DEC. 14, 7PM


Little Failure

by Gary Shteyngart


The all too true story of a Soviet Jewish immigrant family betting its future on America, as told by a lifelong misfit who finally finds a place for himself in the world through books and words.

ALL SESSIONS ON ZOOM!

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84795318662

For more information please contact program chair Fran Shor at: drfran45@gmail.com.


TOUR SECULAR

ISRAEL

WITH RABBI ADAM CHALOM &

RABBI JEFFREY FALICK


Sponsored by:

International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism

ONLINE INFORMATIONAL MEETING!


Sunday, Dec. 11, 12:30PM

All your questions answered!


Register at THIS LINK

DECEMBER 10 - 21, 2023

Itinerary and more at:

https://secure.ayelet.com/IISHJIsrael2023.aspx

Book by Jan. 1 and SAVE $150 per person!

A New History Class with Natan Fuchs

(In Person Only)


SUNDAYS at 10:30AM


JEWISH IMMIGRATION TO ISRAEL-PALESTINE

1880-1948

This members-only class will explore the various waves of immigration to Israel-Palestine from the rise of pogroms in E. Europe through the Holocaust and into the pre-State period.

LEARN TO PLAY ...

Sunday, Dec. 4, 1:30PM


Melanie Goldberg will teach those of us who don’t know how to play.


GUARANTEED FUN!

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING


Saturday, Dec. 10, 11:30AM to 12:30PM

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85946395860


ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND!

HELP US WITH SOUPER SUPPER / CHANUKAH CELEBRATION


COMING ON FRIDAY, DEC. 16!

It's getting closer ... and we need your help!


Chanukah ALREADY?! YES!! Planning is now underway for our annual project to fund our NOAH Feeding Center project.


There will be SOUPS of all kinds, bread, desserts, beverages, latkes, canned food sculpture making, Hanukkah songs and candle lighting. Suggested donations will be $10 per person, $25 per family and we'll be collecting cans of food. 

This is a big project and we need your help with soup donations (homemade or purchased) with meat, vegetarian, vegan alternatives. We also need bread & desserts (including gluten-free),

cans of food for sculpture that will be donated to C.A.R.E.S ... and for you to bring your friends to this family-friendly event.


For more details and/or to offer soup donations or other help, contact Audrey Pleasant (audreypleasant@gmail.com).

COLLECTIONS UNDERWAY


Help us to clothe and supply those in need ...


... with toiletries and new winter wear: warm scarves, mittens, gloves, hats, and socks (no cotton). Drop off in lobby.


If donating gently-used or items from other categories, please first contact Audrey Pleasant (audreypleasant@gmail.com) for more information. 

KNIT / CROCHET / CRAFT ...

FOR A CAUSE


NEXT SESSION:

Saturday, Dec. 3, 2-4PM

EXHAUSTED & EXHILARATED

Who’s exhausted?


I’ll raise my hand first. And not only because Arthur and I contracted a horrible non-Covid virus while on a quick driving trip to see the grandkids (and their parents). Mainly because events in our nation and the world have been smacking us around like Cher slapping Nicholas Cage in “Moonstruck.”


In some ways, the results of the election last week were a good kind of slap in the face. Like Cher’s dressing-down of young Nicholas, they sent a message to “snap out of it.” At least for a few moments.


For many years authoritarians have been wreaking havoc with our country and our psyches. We’ve watched the ascent of Nationalist Christians (can I call them Nat. C’s?) and the breakdown of church-state separation. Our Supreme Court now regularly dismantles long-standing precedent and, for the first time in American history, revoked a long-settled constitutional right that impacted millions and millions of people. Immigrants were pursued, separated from family members. People of color and LGBTQ+ people have been harangued in the public square and murdered by law enforcement or in darkened alleys. A president attempted a coup that included an uprising at the Capitol.


And let's not forget the unprecedented rise in antisemitism.


Yet last week’s election was a rare and much needed reminder that the future may not be as bleak as we have feared. Record numbers of midterm voters lined up to refuse purveyors of 2020 election-denial the levers of power. From left to right and in between, voters came together in the name of sanity and democracy. I don’t know about you but I have been moved beyond words to watch conservative defenders of democracy like Liz Cheney (R-MT), Adam Kinzinger (R-MI), Gov. Larry Hogan (R-MD), and so many more pull together with those from the other side of the aisle on the one issue that simply must unite all Americans: preserving our democracy from an authoritarian takeover.


As a proud Michigander who misses his sun-soaked single peninsula-ed homeland a great deal less than you might think, I was ecstatic to see the results of our own ballot initiatives, especially the enshrinement of reproductive rights in the state constitution. I was also gratified to see how well the de-gerrymandering process instated by voters in 2018 worked during this its first test. In just a few short years Michigan has emerged as a model for how a divided state can govern itself without anyone’s thumbs on the scale.


These victories for democracy make the exhaustion feel worthwhile.


Of course, the battles are not over. We still have lots of work ahead of us. (We Jews perhaps more than some owing to the dramatic rise in attacks on us from left, right, center, and now ... oddly ... popular culture.)


But rational America showed up and, for the first time, included a whole new generation when Gen Z lined up to enthusiastically cast their very first votes. Their influence will only grow as they help their nation ensure that the trajectory toward a more united American democracy continues.


Next week is a time of gratitude for our nation, a well-deserved break to remind ourselves of the blessings we have.


I, for one, am grateful for family, for community, and for the gift I have found in Humanistic Judaism. For the first time in several years, I am also feeling grateful that the world’s oldest experiment in democracy, flawed and battered and beaten though it may be, may very well emerge from this darkness to fulfill the words of the poet Amanda Gorman who wrote:


That even as we grieved, we grew.

That even as we hurt, we hoped.

That even as we tired, we tried.

That we’ll forever be tied together, victorious.

Not because we will never again know defeat,

but because we will never again sow division.


In her famous poem Ms. Gorman went on to cite some words from Jewish tradition that have inspired people across the world for millennia:


וְיָשְׁבוּ אִישׁ תַּחַת גַּפְנוֹ וְתַחַת תְּאֵנָתוֹ וְאֵין מַחֲרִיד

 

And then everyone shall sit beneath their own vine and fig tree and none shall make them afraid. (Micah 4:4)


כֵן יְהִי ... Ken y’hi … May it be so.


Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

Board of Trustees

Monthly Update

Ned Greenberg, President

October 2022 Report


The Board thanked Rabbi Falick for the outstanding job done over the High Holidays as well as the impressive music under the guidance of Joseph Palazzolo. Although fewer attended in person than in the past (estimated averaging around 100-150 people), overall attendance was increased with the advent of online access to the services. We averaged 400 viewing connections for each service — with a high of 535 for Kol Nidre — with many of those connections likely representing more than one individual. The Temple invested in a high quality streaming service for the High Holidays and the difference was evident. Recognizing that streaming is here to stay, the Board discussed building in a more robust budget to maintain high quality for regular services as well.


The Board heard about the very successful Sukkot Celebration led by Audrey Pleasant and the Social Justice Committee (with special thanks to Dorit Ben-Gal and Howard Lederman for their work and contributions to the event). The work of Melanie Goldberg for both holidays was noted and greatly appreciated.


The Board heard about several new families joining the Temple and the expansion and success of our Spinoza Program. The Membership Outreach Committee, working with Michele, Wendy and Ann-Marie, is developing improved methods for outreach and new member tracking. Coupled with a plan for welcoming new members and engaging them in the many programs supported by the Programming Committee (a very active committee looking for you to join them), there is definitely expansion and success ahead in our membership efforts.


Of course, our Temple financials were reviewed and pledges remain on track. Notices are being sent out to those who haven’t yet fulfilled pledges or who forgot to make their pledge.


The Board started discussing plans for our annual Purim celebration and fundraiser -- save the date March 11. We are looking for individuals to help plan and those who would like to participate in a Purim Spiel. Submit your name to Rabbi Falick, rabbi@chj-detroit.org.


The Board meeting ended with a fine recognition that things are going very well at Temple!  

*CONGREGATIONAL NEWS*


MAZAL TOV TO ...

Executive Director Ann-Marie Fisher

on the birth of her grandson...


Avi Benjamin

de la Mora Fisher 

... and MAZAL TOV to mom & dad Kaleigh Fisher & Aldo de la Mora Fisher


... and MAZAL TOV to brand-new Big Sister Rafaela!

*IMPORTANT LINKS - TRIBUTES & YAHRZEITS*


Click here to see recent Tribute Gifts.


Click here to see upcoming Yahrzeit Memorials.

*REFUAH SHLEMA (SPEEDY RECOVERY)*

Best Wishes for a Speedy Recovery to:


Joe Gadon, RuthE Goldman, Max Lark, Rabbi Peter Schweitzer


Please inform us if you know that someone is ill or in need.

CURRENT COVID-19 SAFETY POLICY


VACCINATION & MASK REQUIREMENTS


VACCINATION IS REQUIRED. When CDC transmission levels are GREEN, masks are recommended but not required for everyone in public areas. When CDC transmission levels are at YELLOW or ORANGE, masks are required in public areas. (At congregational events where a meal is served, when seated at a table participants may eat and drink without masks.)

ONLINE, IN-PERSON & BOTH!

In-person classes require full vaccination; see above


RABBI FALICK'S SATURDAY CLASS ("REBBE'S TISCH")

Join him for a historical look at Jewish texts throughout the ages.

Saturdays, 10AM, Zoom Only

NO CLASS Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving Weekend)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/759671597


UNROLLING JUDAISM WITH RABBI FALICK

A deeper look at Jewish customs, traditions, and historical events ... from ancient times to today!

Mondays, 1PM, Zoom Only

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83254131837


JEWISH HISTORY (& CURRENT EVENTS DISCUSSION)

WITH NATAN FUCHS

See above for details.

Sundays, 10:30AM, In-Person Only / Recordings Online


SOCRATES CAFE

Every Tuesday, 10:30AM, Zoom Only

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/182488428


MAH-JONGG

Tuesdays, 1-2:30PM, In-Person

For more information, contact Denise Parker, 248.321.9428


YOGA

Wednesdays, 9:30AMIn-Person

ZOOM REQUIRES A PASSWORD!

The password was sent under separate cover. Please contact rabbi@chj-detroit.org if you need it.


ONLINE VIDEOS OF PROGRAMS & CLASSES

Visit LibrarySHJ.com and our YouTube page for videos of past services, classes, lectures, and more!

CONGREGATION FOR HUMANISTIC JUDAISM

OF METRO DETROIT


248.477.1410 / office@chj-detroit.org


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VISIT OUR WEBSITE!