Counting the Omer and Counting Our Days Today is the 20th day of the Omer.
As we continue to count the days at home (week 7), we also count up toward our next holiday of Shavuot. We wish you health and strength as we count our days. Please read the new May-June Shofar newsletter for more temple connections in your homes. We wish a happy 72nd birthday to Israel, as we continue to pray for peace for all people in the land. Please see opportunities for virtual Yom Ha'atzmaut celebrations TODAY below. Rabbi Karen and Rabbi Micah
Torah Portion: Acharei Mot - Kedoshim (Leviticus 16:1-20:27)
Shabbat Evening Service Livestream Friday, May 1 Shabbat at 6:30 pm
Please join us via livestream to celebrate Shabbat. All ages are welcome to participate. Learn a couple new melodies this week. We look forward to bringing Shabbat into your home. Although we cannot be together, we can still welcome in Shabbat together!
Saturday, May 2 at 9:00 am Early Shabbat Service Lay-Led Minyan, Bagels, and Torah Study via Zoom
If you are interested in being notified directly about the service, send your email address to Rich Lustig
Virtual Tot Shabbat THIS Saturday, May 2, 9:00 am
Wake up and celebrate Shabbat together! A fun, short service, story, and craft activity for young children, parents and caregivers with the rabbis. Join via Zoom this Saturday at 9:00. Enjoy your own Oneg snack after!
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, April 30, 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! SAM Luckey, our rabbinic intern, will teach this week.
Join temple member Dr. Renee Goldberg for this cooking class to learn how to make authentic Israel-style Rugelach! All ages are welcome. Register for the Zoom link below. (You don't need to make the dough the night before).
In keeping with our goal of connecting with Jewish values in meaningful ways, we are taking this opportunity to help address hunger in our greater Boston community. Debby and David Grossbaum have volunteered to make 75-100 bag lunches for Father Bill’s and Mainspring homeless shelter. *If you are able to donate, please use this link to sign-up and drop off the supplies by May 1 to the Grossbaums at 26 Edgewater Drive in Dover. Please leave them in the bin on the front porch.
Yom Ha'atzmaut/Israel Independence Day TODAY
Here are a few ways to celebrate:
Boston Celebrates Israel, featuring Koolulam TODAY, 12:00-1:00 pm Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP), the Israeli American Council (IAC), and the Consulate General of Israel to New England invite you to join our Boston community for a virtual commemoration of Israel’s Independence Day. We’ll toast to Israel’s 72nd birthday and be joined by a slate of special guests, including musical sensation Koolulam! This event is free to attend. A link will be provided to everyone who registers.
TODAY, 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, including video tributes and more.
TONIGHT, 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. Hebrew learning and Double Chai continues April 28/29.
Grades K-6: THIS Sunday, May 3, 9:30-11:30 am
Sisterhood & Brotherhood
Hearing Men's Voices
This Thursday, April 30 at 5:45 pm, the Temple Beth David Brotherhood invites you to Hearing Men's Voices. 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 via Zoom! Questions and suggestions are welcomed. RSVP to Mike Brier at 617-462-3501 or mjbrier1@gmail.com.
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. The Social Action Committee knows that you want to help during this time of need. Here are ways you can make a difference:
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 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.
