It is customary to recite Psalm 27 each day of the month of Elul. The Psalm begins, "Adonai uri - God is my light and my refuge, whom shall I fear?" The verses reflect a range of human emotion and a wavering sense of faith. The overarching theme is quest and spiritual struggle, not certainty. The Psalmist searches for light, peace, and strength in tumultuous times. Verse 4 is especially highlighted by various melodies for these words: "One thing I ask of You, Adonai, that I may dwell in Your house all the days of my life, knowing Your beauty, and dwell in Your holy place." Several questions come to mind: What does it mean to dwell in God's house? In what ways do we find beauty and holiness beyond the physical temple building, especially this year, when we will be celebrating the New Year at home and perhaps outdoors in nature? To help guide your personal recitation of this Psalm, please find two video melodies set to verse 4 below, one that we are singing on Shabbat evenings, sung here by Cantor Billy Tiep, and a newer melody by Chava Mirel recorded along the beautiful coast of the Pacific Northwest.
Mazel Tov to Shayla Forman, daughter of Leslie and Daron Forman, who will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah this Shabbat morning.
Torah Portion: Ki Tetzei (Deuteronomy 21:10 – 25:19)
Shabbat Evening Service Friday, August 28 Shabbat at 6:30 pm Outdoors At Temple Weather Permitting & Livestream "Shabbat in the Lot" and Shofar Blast for the Month of Elul!
It is looking like another nice evening outdoors! Celebrate Shabbat outdoors at Temple with physical distancing or through live-stream at home. Seating according to household groups will be in the Temple parking lot by the Beit Simcha. Children are welcome!
Email info@templebethdavid.net for any zoom link or to have your name added to the distribution list.
UPCOMING at TBD
Lunchtime Talmud THIS Thursday, August 27, 12:00-1:00 pm
We are continuing our study of Talmud Brachot (Blessings) via Zoom. Join the Rabbis and fellow congregants for meaningful and lively discussion. All are welcome, beginners, too! For a copy of the text,click here.
Mamaleh's Comes To Westwood!
You can order your favorite deli food from Mamaleh's for delivery to the temple parking lot. Delivery will be between 3:00 to 5:00 pm on Thursday, September 3. Order online at mamalehs.com from 5:00 pm Thursday, August 27 to 12:00 pm, Thursday, September 3. Click the Order Online button and select CLICK HERE TO VIEW MENUS. Then select SUBURBAN PICKUPS. There is an order minimum of $50.
Elul Class with Rabbinic Intern Batya Ellinoy Tuesdays September 1, 8, and 22, 7:30-8:30 pm on Zoom
Please join us as we learn together and walk the cycle of the High Holidays as a "Journey of Transformation." Our guide will be Rabbi Alan Lew's remarkable and accessible book: This is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared. You are encouraged to read the book. Batya will shape your personal High Holy Day preparation with discussion, chanting and music, mindfulness exercies, and other interactive reflections. We will look at our lives with compassion. Batya is a fourth-year rabbinic student at Hebrew College and our own rabbinic intern and cantorial soloist!
Confirmation Rescheduled for September 4
All are welcome to celebrate our 5780 Confirmation Students on Friday, September 4 (September 11 weather date) at 6:00 pm outdoors and livestream as they lead our community in prayer and share their personal beliefs and reflections.
High Holy Day Machzor Prayer Books
Would you like to purchase your own set this year of Mishkan Ha'Nefesh, our special holiday prayer bookto have at home? You can do so here (order soon): HHD Machzor. You can also order through the Israel Book Shop in Brookline. We will be arranging a time soon for you to sign out and pick up copies from the temple as well.
Shorashim News
Shorashim Religious School
REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR! We look forward to welcoming our K-12 students and families. Find the link to online registration and more information about our education programs below. Please contact Rabbi Karen with any questions.
This year we are glad to offer in person and remote learning options. Begins September 13!
Log into your ShulCloud member account first to make registration easier. Contact Leah if you need assistance.
Join us on Wednesday, September 2 at 7:00 pm to discuss Pachinko by Min Jin Lee, the acclaimed historical novel following a Korean family eventually migrates to Japan. The characters are subjected to issues of racism and stereotypes, which seem especially relevant today.
Sisterhood Bike Ride
Join us on at 10:00 am on Monday, September 7, Labor Day, for a bike ride on the beautiful bike trail in Holliston. We will meet at the Doubletree in Milford at 11 Beaver Street. We can access the bike trail from there. RSVP to sisterhood@templebethdavid.netif you would like to join us.
Staying Connected
It is important that we stay connected as a community. The clergy and Temple Beth David Board are here for you. We invite you to take a moment to fill out this brief survey:COVID-19 Needs Surveyto find out if you are someone who needs help with groceries, technology, or other day-to-day needs, or if you are someone willing to help a congregant in need.
Temple Beth David has been a wonderful support for our neighbors who are living with food insecurity. Our donations of canned salmon and whole grain pasta are combined with donations from other congregations to provide much needed supplies to families in need. Here is how you can help! Place an order on Amazon from the Family Table Wish list via this link. (Quantities of 12 cans or 8 boxes are more helpful and less wasteful than delivery of single items). Ship to the JF&CS Waltham location: 1430 Main Street, Waltham MA 02451 If you are able and willing to do delivery of food to families in need, either from Waltham or Canton, please contact Lisa Katz. Thanks to everyone for their ongoing support in this difficult time!
Are you celebrating a special birthday, anniversary, or lifecycle occasion? Let the Rabbis know. Receive a special blessing during services in honor of a significant moment in your life. Share your simcha in our Shofar newsletter. Please let the Rabbis know if you have a loved one who would like a visit or to be included in our prayer for healing. Temple Beth David's Caring Connections committee is here to support you.
L'Dor V'Dor (From Generation to Generation)
If you are interested in making a future gift to the L'Dor V'Dor Endowment Fund, or you have made arrangements for TBD in your estate plan, please contact Immediate Past President Paul Greenberg.
Community Virtual Learning
Elul Together
Hebrew College warmly invites you to join for Elul Together: Preparing for the High Holidays in a Time of Upheaval. To bring us together in this unprecedented year of preparation, each Monday of Elul Hebrew College will post a week’s worth of short videos featuring our faculty, alumni and students blowing shofar, offering teachings, and singing melodies to Psalm 27, the psalm for the Days of Awe. Elul Together videos will be short and sweet, and are meant to accompany everyone, whether you’re living alone or have a little one on your lap.
Join the Women's Rabbinic Network for a month of inspiring video teachings, sent via email as well as posted on our Instagram and Facebook, that will provide you with short kavanot, spiritual offerings to help you reflect, explore, and contemplate as you continue your journey into the Jewish new year. We welcome you to sign up for this spiritual journey:
Join us on a fascinating two-year journey through the narrative of the Jewish people from ancient to present times. Explore in-depth four key area of Jewish history: Hebrew Bible, Rabbinics, Medieval, and Modern. Begins October 2020!
Enjoy a free class! —- a sample class will take place on Tuesday, September 8 at 7:30 pm. Me'ah is a program that surveys the history of the Jewish people from their beginnings to the 20th century. Click here for more information.
The temple's administrative staff and clergy are currently working remotely.Leahcan be reached via email during regular temple office hours Tuesdays-Fridays. The rabbis are available by phone, Zoom, or in person.
For pastoral needs, call the main temple phone number and you will be directed to the rabbis.
Convenient shopping for meaningful gifts for the holidays, B'nai Mitzvah celebrations and house gifts. All profits benefit Temple Beth David. For further information contact Rachel Watsky
