Counting the Omer Shabbat Services TBD This Week Celebrate Shavuot Annual Congregational Meeting Gifts from the Heart Congregational Needs Survey
Shorashim News Sisterhood & Brotherhood Tzedakah & Acts of Loving Kindness Congregational Israel Trip Sharing Our Lives Office Hours
Counting the Omer and Counting Our Days Today is the 48th day of the Omer
A Message From Your Rabbis: We are almost there! Shavuot begins tomorrow evening. We are glad to be counting the days of this journey with you. Here are a few thoughts as we conclude this time in our Jewish calendar:
"How does this happen? That busyness reigns supreme, that ambition drives the day, that exhaustion connects moment with moment, that we simply forget to pay attention to what is noble and grand and really important. That we ignore what is beautiful and possible. But we are invited by the rhythms of Jewish time to transcend our human tendency towards oblivion. We are invited to gain a sense of footing, to lift our eyes beyond the mundane and think and learn, consider and see what is possible in our lives. For forty-nine days, count each day and notice. Our lives our worthy of consideration. Making our days count for something is grand.
You have to make the decision to live another day. You have to make the decision to live another way." - adapted from Rabbi Karyn Kedar, Omer: A Counting
Our Building is still closed, but our Community is open. We remain connected to one another, engaged in Jewish life and learning, and available to help one another in this time of need.
Torah Portion: Naso (Numbers 4:21-5:31)
Shabbat Evening Service Livestream Friday, May 29 Shabbat at 6:30 pm
Please join us via livestream to celebrate Shabbat. All ages are welcome to participate. Each week we are now sharing Shabbat greetings from different temple members. Although we cannot be together, we can still welcome in Shabbat together! In honor of Parashat Naso, we will offer a special priestly blessing for our community.
Zoom password: 112426 If you are interested in being notified directly about the service, send your email address to Rich Lustig
THIS WEEK at TBD
"Office Hours" with the Rabbis
Rabbi Karen and Rabbi Micah Citrin are available for individual appointments by phone or Zoom Tuesdays-Thursdays. Please email the rabbis or leave a message on their temple voicemail to set up an appointment. We are here for you.
Lunchtime Talmud this Thursday, May 28, 12:00-1:00 pm
We are continuing our study of Talmud Brachot (Blessings) with via Zoom. Join us for meaningful and lively discussion. For a copy of the text, click here. All are welcome!
Celebrate Shavuot THIS Thursday, May 28 at 7:30 pm
On Shavuot, we celebrate receiving Torah at Sinai, and our renewed commitment to Jewish learning and community. Join Rabbi Karen, Rabbi Micah, Rabbi Zoob, and rabbinic intern SAM Luckey for an engaging evening of study on Erev ShavuotThursday, May 28 at 7:30 pm via Zoom. The theme will be: “Our Torah of Healing and Comfort.” We will also join in a few songs and blessings, and offer "Mazel Tov" to SAM on their ordination. Bring your own dairy dessert! Please Register Hereto participate and you will receive the Zoom link.
Annual Congregation Meeting THIS Sunday, May 31 at 7:00 pm
This year's Annual Congregational Meeting will take place on Sunday, May 31 at 7:00 pm via Zoom. All are encouraged to participate as we elect new temple leaders, consider by-laws revisions, approve next year's budget, and express gratitude for our temple community. We need a quorum of 75 members to hold this important meeting.
Come together with the rabbis and our community as we say goodbye to Shabbat with this brief, beautiful ceremony. All ages are welcome. Bring your beverage or dessert of choice! Find the Zoom linkhere.
Gifts from the Heart Annual Fund
The Temple's Gifts from the Heart Annual Campaign continues through the spring. Your annual giving supports all of our temple programs, even when they are online. Your gifts also help us to be able to care for our building, sustain our staff, and support our community. Any amount is welcome. To give online use this link or send a check to the temple office. THANK YOU!
Staying Connected
It is important that we stay connected as a community at this time. The clergy and Temple Beth David Board are here for you. We invite you to take a moment to fill out this brief survey here: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 who might be willing to help a congregant in need.
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 in the fall. Find the link to online registration and more information about our education programs below. Your timely registration will help us plan, thank you! Please contact Rabbi Karen with any questions.
Log into your ShulCloud member account first to make it easier. Contact Leah if you need assistance.
TONIGHT at 5:00 pm via Zoom, the Temple Beth David Brotherhood invites you to Hearing Men's Voices (HMV). HMV is for men who wish to connect with other men through discussion of interesting and important topics such as family, work, ways of having fun, Judaism, and health and well-being. HMV is a confidential program that we've conducted before and is enjoyed and valued by participants. Please join us here!Questions and suggestions are welcomed. RSVP to Mike Brier at 617-462-3501 or mjbrier1@gmail.com.
Sisterhood Wine & Cheese Social
Join us for our monthly Wine and Cheese social TONIGHT at 7:00 pm. Click here to join!
Sisterhood Book Club
Join us for the Book Club at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, June 3. We will be discussing Out of Egypt by Andre Aciman. Click here to join!
Temple Beth David has been a wonderful support for our Jewish 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. With the pandemic, there is a greater than ever need for food. 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). Be sure to have items shipped 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!
JF&CS
Jewish Family and Children’s Services has lots of ways you can help:
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.
Sharing Our Lives
Are you celebrating a special birthday, anniversary, or lifecycle occasion? Let the Rabbis know. Receive a special blessing during services or sponsor an Oneg 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.
TBD Israel Trip 2021
Join Temple Beth David for our second congregational trip to Israel in April 2021! Registration is now open.Visit this linkfor more information and to register. Contact Rabbi Micah with any questions.
The Temple's administrative staff and clergy are currently working remotely.LeahandLindacan be reached via email during regular temple office hours Tuesdays-Fridays.
For pastoral needs, please 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
