Counting the Omer and Counting Our Days Today is the 13th day of the Omer.
As the days of counting our shelter in place continue, we send warm thoughts and wishes from our home to yours. If you are missing the sanctuary, please see the reminder of our beautiful Omer calendar here, along with a few resources for the ritual of counting the Omer. In this difficult time, we hope you may find blessings to count as well. Please reach out so your temple community can help. We are "counting up" until we can see one another again. If you would like some more inspiration, check out the link to Israel's Koolulam communal singing group bringing the world together even when we're apart. Rabbi Karen and Rabbi Micah
Shabbat BaBayit (Shabbat at Home) A Special Sharing Shabbat THIS Friday, April 24 (Note Times and Links Below):
Each week now we are celebrating "Shabbat BaBayit," Shabbat at home. Based on our successful model of sharing Shabbat dinners with one another, the rabbis are inviting you this Friday to join them for Shabbat blessings and dinner via Zoom. All ages are welcome to participate. We will begin with a brief livestream service including Kaddish and then move to the Shabbat table. We look forward to welcoming and enjoying Shabbat together! Our Scholar in Residence is postponed for the Fall.
5:45 pm Short Service including Kaddish via Livestream 6:30 pmShabbat Blessings & Dinner with the Rabbis via Zoom You'll need to make your own food, but join the rabbis and temple friends for blessings, dinner, and singing around the Shabbat table!
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.
Bedtime Story, Song, and Shema with the Rabbis TONIGHT at 7:00 pm
We invite kids to get into pj’s and cuddle with their parents in bed. The rabbis will share a story, lullaby, and Shema to help everyone get ready for bed. Guaranteed to help the kids fall asleep! Warning: might induce sleep in parents, too. Bring your favorite stuffed animal. TONIGHT!
Lunchtime Talmud this Thursday, April 23, 12:00-1:00 pm
We are continuing our study of Talmud Brachot (Blessings) with the rabbis via Zoom. Join us for meaningful and lively discussion. For a copy of the text, click here. All are welcome, including first timers!
NEW Adult Education Counting the Omer Class Monday, April 27, 12:00-1:00 pm
The tradition of counting the days between Passover and Shavuot (the holiday that commemorates the revelation at Mount Sinai) traces back to the Torah. Over the millenia, this practice has taken on layers of meaning, including being a time for deep introspection as we prepare to stand again at Sinai and receive Torah. Join rabbinic intern SAM Luckey as we learn about the textual and historical layers and have time for guided self-reflection and sharing.
Yom Ha'atzmaut begins at sundown April 28-April 29 Here are a few ways to celebrate:
Sunday, April 26 at 2:00 p.m. Sustainable Nation Celebrate Israel through film. This documentary chronicles a growing crisis of humanity's access to clean drinking water and how Israelis have been at the forefront of solving the problem.
Wednesday, April 29, 2:00-3:00 p.m. Jewish Federation Global Celebration of Israel's 72nd Yom Ha'atzmaut Join Jews all over the world for a virtual celebration of Israel with celebrity musicians, chefs, and leaders. There will be music, video tributes, and more.
Wednesday, April 29, 7:00-7:30 p.m. Temple Beth David Yom Ha'atzmaut Virtual Concert Let's come together to celebrate Israel with a virtual concert currated by the rabbis. We will enjoy a variety of Israeli music through video and photos. Words will be included to sing along. We will end with a Zoom singing of Hatikvah.
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
Shorashim and Double Chai will receive separate emails about how learning experiences are continuing online.
*Join for Bedtime Story & Shema with the Rabbis Tonight! (see above)
Hebrew learning and Double Chai resume next week April 28/29. Grades K-6: Sunday, May 3, 9:30-11:30 am
Sisterhood & Brotherhood
Sisterhood Meeting
The next Sisterhood meeting is at TONIGHT at 7:00 pm. Connect with us using Zoom.
Sisterhood Wine & Cheese Night
Wine and Cheese is rescheduled to 7:00 pm on Thursday, April 30. Take some time for yourself and connect with other members in this challenging time. You can join ususing Zoom.
Sisterhood Book Club
Join us for the Sisterhood Book Club at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, May 6. We will be discussing The Pendulum by Julie Lindahl, a story about the author's grandparents roles in the Third Reich. Please join us via Zoom.
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.
Ways You Can Do Good
TZEDAKAH
The mitzvah of tzedakah, righteous giving, is a core value of our tradition and culture at Temple Beth David. With kids out of school who receive free lunches and work being disrupted for many in the greater Boston area, the services of food banks will be in great demand. Please consider making a tzedakah contribution to the following organizations: Westwood Food Pantry The Greater Boston Food Bank
Family Table
In addition to our regular collection of pasta and salmon, Family Table needs immediate donations of the following high priority items: kosher vegetarian soups (preferably low-sodium), kosher canned beans, canned salmon
Financial contributions to Family Table are always gratefully accepted. Donations can be made by check to JF&CS (1430 Main Street, Waltham, MA 02451) with Family Table in the memo line. For online gifts, please visit www.jfcsboston.org/Give/Donate-Online and write Family Table in the "Please apply my gift to" section. If the donation is on behalf of your synagogue, write that in the notes section.
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.
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.
