Elul Message for the Week: A hasidic parable: A man wandered in the forest, not knowing the way out. Finally, exhausted, frightened and alone, he summoned up his courage to cry out for help. Just around the bend, he saw a woman standing under the trees. As he approached her the man called, “I am lost in the depths of the forest, please help me find my way out.” The woman responded, “Friend, I do not know the way out either. For I, too, have been wandering. But what I do know is this - the way from which I came, leads nowhere. So let us join hands, and find our way out together." This story illustrates a profound awareness of how alone some of us feel right now, and how much we need support and community. This week we are sharing more details about our reimagined High Holy Day experiences. Even through remote services, we hope that we will continue to find ways to come together, and to help one another through these times. It is the season to find meaning in our own lives, and to connect more deeply with family, friends, and community. - Rabbi Karen and Rabbi Micah Citrin
Shabbat Evening Service Friday, September 11 Shabbat at 6:00 pm (Note Time) Outdoors At Temple Weather Permitting & Livestream "Shabbat in the Lot" LIVESTREAM CAN NOW BE FOUND ON THE TEMPLE WEBSITE! SEE THE NEW LINK BELOW.
Celebrate Shabbat outdoors at Temple with physical distancing or through live-stream at home. Seating according to household groups will be in the Temple parking lot by the Beit Simcha. Hear the Shofar blast!
Saturday, September 12 at 7:00 pm Havdalah via Zoom
The Holidays begin this Saturday evening. We will begin together for Havdalah (ending Shabbat) via Zoom, then you will be invited to view our movement-wide Selichot service. Bring your own Havdalah set if you have, and find the words to the blessings here: Havdalah Blessings
Saturday, September 12 at 7:30 pm Selichot Service via Livestream
This year, the Union for Reform Judaism is pleased to offer a one hour virtual Selichot experience. Led by our movement’s rabbis and cantors, it provides meaningful reflection, song, and prayers from Mishkan HaLev, a Siddur for Selichot. It also includes a visual ritual for changing of the Torah mantles to white, led by leaders in communities around North America INCLUDING our very own rabbis in the Temple Beth David Sanctuary!
Sign up now to be matched with other congegants for break fast via Zoom.
High Holiday Prayer Books
You can find the electronic version of the Machzor (special prayer book) here. Kindle editions of both volumes are available for $9.99 each here. For those who would like to borrow prayer books from the temple, please emailinfo@templebethdavid.netto pick up on one of the designated dates. Pick up will be outside; you will not need to go into the building.
Please plan to return the books on Sunday, October 4 between 11:45 am and 12:30 pm, OR on Wednesday, October 7 between 7:00 and 8:00 pm. Please put the card with your name on it in the books when you return them. A charge will be put on your account for unreturned books. Please contact info@templebethdavid.netwith questions.
Would you like to purchase your own set this year of Mishkan Ha'Nefesh, our special holiday prayer bookto have at home? You can do so here: HHD Machzor. Use Code MHN2020 for a 20% discount. You can also order through the Israel Book Shop in Brookline.
UPCOMING at TBD
Lunchtime Talmud THIS Thursday, September 10, 12:00-1:00 pm
Study talmudic texts relating to Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur via Zoom. Join the Rabbis and fellow congregants for meaningful and lively discussion. All are welcome, beginners, too! For a copy of the text,click here.
Elul Class with Rabbinic Intern Batya Ellinoy Part 3 of 3 on Sept. 22, 7:30-8:30 pm on Zoom
Please join us as we learn together and walk the cycle of the High Holidays as a "Journey of Transformation." Our guide will be Rabbi Alan Lew's remarkable and accessible book: This is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared. You are encouraged to read the book. Batya will shape your personal High Holy Day preparation with discussion, chanting and music, mindfulness, and personal reflections. Batya is a fourth-year rabbinic student at Hebrew College and our own rabbinic intern and cantorial soloist!
Mamaleh's
Mamaleh's is returning for the holidays! You can order online at mamalehs.com for delivery to the temple parking lot. Delivery will be between 3:00 and 5:00 pm on Thursday, September 17. Click the ORDER ONLINE green button and select CLICK HERE TO VIEW MENUS. You must select SUBURBAN PICKUPS in the menu list. Order by 12:00 pm on Thursday, September 17 for delivery on that day. Questions: call 617-958-DELI during business hours.
Shorashim News
Shorashim Religious School
We look forward to welcoming our K-12 students and families. See separate parent emails for more details. Begins this week September 13, 15, 16!
Log into your ShulCloud member account first to make registration easier. Contact Leah if you need assistance.
Join us for a Sisterhood meeting at TONIGHT at 7:00 pm. All are welcome to join us to hear about exciting plans for our new virtual programs. We welcome your input.
Hearing Men's Voices
On Wednesday, September 16 at 6:30 pm via Zoom, 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 is enjoyed and valued by participants.
Sisterhood Save The Dates
At 4:00 pm on Sunday October 18, Dr. Jacques Carter, an experienced attending Black physician at Beth Israel will speak on "Race, Medicine and Health Care During our Turbulent Times."
At 4:00 pm on Sunday, November 15, advice columnist for the Boston Globe, Meredith Goldstein, will speak on "How Does a Pandemic Change the Way We Love?"
Staying Connected
It is important that we stay connected as a community. The clergy and Temple Beth David Board are here for you. We invite you to take a moment to fill out this brief survey: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 willing to help a congregant in need.
Temple Beth David has been a wonderful support for our 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. 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). Ship 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!
Are you celebrating a special birthday, anniversary, or lifecycle occasion? Let the Rabbis know. Receive a special blessing during services 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.
L'Dor V'Dor (From Generation to Generation)
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.
Community Virtual Learning
Elul Together
Hebrew College warmly invites you to join for Elul Together: Preparing for the High Holidays in a Time of Upheaval. To bring us together in this unprecedented year of preparation, each Monday of Hebrew College will post a week’s worth of videos featuring our faculty, alumni and students blowing shofar, offering teachings, and singing melodies. Elul Together is short and sweet, and meant for everyone, whether you’re living alone or have a little one on your lap.
Join the Women's Rabbinic Network for a month of inspiring video teachings, sent via email as well as posted on our Instagram and Facebook, that will provide you with short kavanot, spiritual offerings to help you reflect, explore, and contemplate as you continue your journey into the Jewish new year. We welcome you to sign up:
Join us on a fascinating two-year journey through the narrative of the Jewish people from ancient to present times. Explore in-depth four key area of Jewish history: Hebrew Bible, Rabbinics, Medieval, and Modern. Begins October 2020!
The temple's administrative staff and clergy are currently working remotely.Leahcan be reached via email during regular temple office hours Tuesdays-Fridays. The rabbis are available by phone, Zoom, or in person.
For pastoral needs, 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
