Special Message Shabbat Services Livestream Passover Section & Resources TBD This Week Shorashim News
Sisterhood & Brotherhood Congregational Israel Trip Tzedakah & Acts of Loving Kindness Sharing Our Lives Office Hours
Passover Begins Sundown on Wednesday, April 8 Find info on Seders, Haggadot, Learning, Kids' Activities, and other Resources below
How is this year different from other years? Passover is a favorite holiday for so many of us. It's time often spent with family and friends, engaging in deep discussions, singing songs, telling stories, and eating delicious food...all in the celebration of freedom. Now, many of us are feeling constricted within our walls, wondering what it will be like to instead "seder in place," sitting around screens, without the presence of loved ones and some of our favorite foods and customs.
While Passover is arriving at a challenging time, the story of the Exodus reminds us that the Jewish people have overcome slavery and will continue to prevail. This year it will take some determination and creativity! Temple Beth David is offering opportunities to prepare together, "share a virtual seder," a festival service, and a variety of resources to help you create your own innovative Passover experience. Please read below. We are here to help.
Wishing you a Chag Pesach Sameach, Rabbi Karen and Rabbi Micah Citrin
Torah Portion: Tzav (Leviticus 1:1−5:26)
Shabbat Evening Service Livestream Friday, April 3 Shabbat Service at 6:30 pm
Please join us via livestream to celebrate Shabbat and pray together. All ages are welcome to participate. We look forward to virtually welcoming in Shabbat together. It will be good to join together. Shabbat Shalom!
Shayla Forman, daughter of Daron and Leslie Forman, will become Bat Mitzvah on June 6 instead of April 4 - an early Mazel Tov to her family.
While we all "seder in place," the Temple is offering to connect members with one another to share a virtual 1st Night Seder and celebrate together. This is similar to our previous seder matches, but through Zoom or other electronic means. Please sign up to host (invite others to join your seder) or you can sign up to participate (join another's seder - you are responsible for your own meal). The host will set the time, technology, and haggadah. The Religious Practices Commitee will help match you. Please let Rabbi Karen know any questions. Sign up to participate or host BY April 3 here:
The congregation is invited to join Rabbi Karen and Rabbi Micah and family via Zoom for their Passover Seder starting at 5:45 pm on Wednesday, April 8. We will be using the CCAR Baskin Haggadah along with other additions. All ages are welcome. Join BY April 5 here:
Continue the celebration of Passover with the rabbis and community through prayer, song, and Torah reading via Zoom on Thursday, April 9 at 10:00 am. The service will include some of the special Passover prayers of Hallel and Yizkor. Register to join the service here:
If you are interested, please emailLeahwith your name and how many haggadot you’d like. It will be the CCAR Baskin Haggadah. Pickup THISSunday, April 5 between 9:30-10:30 am. Haggadot will be outside for drive-by pickup.
Within this link from the Union for Reform Judaism, find info for How to Lead a Virtual Seder, Haggadah options, recipes, crafts, songs, kids' activities, videos, and check lists for seder items. Please contact the rabbis with ANY questions.
Other Seder Songs: Four Questions Practice (scroll to bottom for video):4 Questions Dayenu Practice Video:Dayenu Fun Afikoman Song (from rabbis' friend): Afikoman
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.
The rabbis are also hosting some Zoom "Coffee Talks." This is an informal opportunity to check-in, connect, recognize the good in our lives, and consider a piece of wisdom from Jewish tradition. Brew your own coffee! When you click on a meeting, you will register with your name and email: Wednesday, April 1 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - Coffee with Rabbi Tuesday, April 7 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - Coffee with Rabbi
Lunchtime Talmud on Thursday, April 2 at 12:00 pm
Lunchtime Talmud continues this Thursday with the rabbis. Texts will be sent to you. All are welcome. NOTE: NO class on April 9 (Passover).
The homeless shelter is especially in need of lunch supplies and donations at this time. In lieu of making lunches this Sunday, please drop off SSH supplies (bread, peanut butter, jelly, pretzels, cookies and fruit) to the temple outsidethisSunday, April 5 between 9:00-10:00 am. You may also donate directly to Father Bill's & Mainspring here: helpfbms.org/donate
Passover Class Monday, April 6, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Crossing the Sea Together: Passover Preparation for Our Times Part 3 of 3 Taught by Rabbinic Intern SAM Luckey The Exodus story is rich with spiritual and social lessons. We will study texts and stories together and consider how we can build community through the seder rituals even while we are physically separated from many of our loved ones. Click here to register After registering for the Zoom class you will receive more information about how to join the meeting. All are welcome.
Virtual Tot Shabbat on Saturday, April 11, 9:00-9:45 am
Wake up and celebrate Shabbat together! A fun, short service, story, Oneg snacks, and craft activity for young children, parents and caregivers with the rabbis. We'll also sing fun seder songs! Join us via Zoom on Saturday, April 11 at 9:00. Enjoy your own snack after!
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. You can expect a phone call from Temple Beth David lay leaders to check in, say hello, and find out if you need anything. We invite you to take a few minutes to fill out this brief survey here:COVID-19 Needs Surveyto find out if you are someone who needs help with groceries 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.
Grades K-6: Sunday, April 5, 9:30-11:30 am Preparing for Passover! Go to the temple live stream at 9:30 to get started. NO classes April 7/8 (Passover) Grades K-6 Special Passover Family Session on Sunday, April 12 Hebrew learning and Double Chai resume April 14/15
Sisterhood & Brotherhood
Sisterhood Book Club
The Sisterhood Book Club is hosting a virtual meeting Wednesday, April 1 at 7:00 pm. We will be discussing Educated by Tara Westover. Please join us for a lively discussion via Zoom:click here
Virtual Coffee
We are hosting a virtual coffee on Monday, April 6 at 11:00 am. Feel free to check in and let us know how you are doing. You can join us via Zoom: click here
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 Family Table 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.
