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 34th day of the Omer
In our weeks of counting, yesterday was the festive day of Lag B'Omer (the 33rd day of the Omer). Historically, we remember a Jew who had to hold himself in quarantine. According to the Talmud, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and his son hid in a cave for thirteen years subsisting only on carobs and water. What was the first thing he did when he emerged? He helped the townspeople who could not travel due to the problem of an unmarked grave.
In this spirit, when the moment comes to go back out into the world, what will you do first? Will we focus on what we have learned and use it to improve the lives of those around us?
Torah Portion: Behar - Bechukotai (Leviticus 25:1-27:34)
Shabbat Evening Service Livestream Friday, May 15 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!
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 14, 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!
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 Thursday, 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. Bring your own dairy dessert. Please register hereto participate.
This year's Annual Congregational Meeting will take place on Sunday, May 31st at 7:00 pm via Zoom. More details coming soon. We are working to make sure that everyone has a way to participate.
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
Final Sessions of Hebrew learning and Double Chai May 12/13. Look in your email for Zoom details.
Grades K-6: Final Session of Shorashim RS this Sunday, May 17, 9:30-11:30 am Class hang outs, closing songs, blessings, and end of year celebration!
REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR! We look forward to welcoming all our K-12 students and families in the fall. Find the link to online registration and more information about all of our education programs below. Please contact Rabbi Karen with any questions.
Join us for the Sisterhood meeting TONIGHT at7:00 pm. All are welcome. Join us using Zoom.
Sisterhood Coffee Hour
Time for coffee? Join us for the new Sisterhood Coffee Hour at 11:00 am on Tuesday, May 19. You can connect with others you haven't seen in a while and get to others. Join us with Zoom.
Sisterhood Havdalah
Mark your calendars for a Havdalah gathering and Rosh Chodesh Sivan celebration on Zoom with Rabbi Karenon Saturday, May 23 at 7:30 pm. All women are welcome!
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: Food Insecurity: Volunteer with the Greater Boston Food Bank Volunteer at the Dedham Food Pantryor the Westwood Food Pantry Volunteer to pack or deliver food in several locations around the Boston area through Boston Cares Family Friendly: Send cardsto Hebrew Senior Life residents to cheer them up. Donate Blood: American Red Cross Massachusetts General Hospital Brigham/Dana Farber
Family Table
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, and a diminishing number of pickups and deliveries from closed buildings. 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
