Shabbat Services Livestream Special Message TBD This Week Congregational Needs Survey Shorashim News
Sisterhood & Brotherhood Congregational Israel Trip Tzedakah & Acts of Loving Kindness Sharing Our Lives Office Hours
Counting the Omer and Counting Our Days Today is the 6th day of the Omer.
As the Passover holiday draws to a close, may its message of hope and resilience remain with us in the days ahead. In the Jewish calendar, we are now in the period known as Sefirat Ha'Omer, the counting of the omer. We count 7 weeks (49 days) between the holidays of Passover and Shavuot. While the ritual contains agricultural ties to the land of Israel, there is also spiritual sigificance to "counting up" toward the next holiday. In mystical tradition, there are certain virtues associated with each day. During this challenging time of quarantine, perhaps this practice of counting our days can offer focus and help us keep track of time. If you are interested in giving it a try at home, we are including a few resources below.
"Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom." -Psalms Let us count our days and make each day count. With Blessings, Rabbi Karen and Rabbi Micah
Shabbat Evening Service Livestream Friday, April 17 Shabbat at 6:30 pm
Please join us via livestream to celebrate Shabbat. All ages are welcome to participate. We look forward to welcoming in Shabbat together. Shabbat Shalom! End Shabbat together with a special Havdalah ceremony this Saturday evening; see details below.
If anyone is interested in being notified directly about the service, you can 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 on Thursday, April 16, 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!
Congregational Havdalah Saturday, April 18 at 7:30 pm
Come together to bid Shabbat farewell. Enjoy the peace and joy of this brief Havdalah ceremony. If you have a Havdalah candle, bring it to light up our Zoom screen. Bring your own wine/grape juice and spices. Great for all ages (kids can join in pj's).
NEW Adult Education Counting the Omer Class Monday, April 20 & 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 HaShoah Commemoration Tuesday, April 21 at 5:00 pm
We will join together for a few moments to commemorate the Holocaust. Through prayer, poem, song, and memorial candles we will recall those who perished.
Bedtime Story, Song, and Shema with the Rabbis Wednesday, April 22 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.
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. Hebrew learning and Double Chai meets this week April 14/15.
Sisterhood & Brotherhood
Sisterhood Wine & Cheese Night
Wine and Cheese is rescheduled to 7:00 pm Thursday, April 30. Take some time for yourself and connect with other members in this challenging time. You can join ususing Zoom.
Sisterhood Meeting
The next Sisterhood meeting is at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, April 22. Connect with us using 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. While it may be difficult to bring canned salmon and pasta to temple right now, there are still ways we can give. 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.
