CELEBRATE THE JEWISH HOLIDAYS WITH US

Please continue to explore the site. We have so much happening that every one will be able to find their special niche. Our calendar lists all of the upcoming events. For more information, feel free to call the Congregation phone number:

(203) 504-2424

or email us with your questions:

ritualteam (at) congregationshirami.org

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CHANUKAH 2009

• The eight days of Chanukah begins this year with the first candle Friday night, December 11, 2009. Jews throughout the world will gather around the Chanukah menorah to ignite the flames of light, freedom and dedication with their friends and families.
  
  Each year we remember the miracle of light when the small vessel of oil burned for eight days, and we are called to be a Light to the Nations, a role model freedom and justice throughout the world.
  
  Each year we remember Judah Maccabee who called his small band of rebels to fight for religious freedom against the threatening Syrian army, and we are called to fight for freedom and justice throughout the world.
  
  Each year we remember the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean victory, and we are called to rededicate our lives to the values of freedom and justice throughout the world.
  
  Chanukah at Religious School
  Grades K to 6
  Venue: TBA
  All religious school students will have the opportunity to participate in many Chanukah activities designed to teach them about the stories, songs, practices, foods, and games surrounding the observance of Chanukah. Activities will include:
  
  Making Latkes
  Decorating Holiday Cookies
  Assembling Edible Dreidels
  Creating Felt Board Menorahs
  Designing Holiday Cards for American Jewish Soldiers and Israeli Soldiers
  Dancing with Dahni
  Singing with Rabbi Axe and Noah
  
  Chanukah Live! – Latke Dinner and Shabbat Service and Candle Lighting
  Venu: TBA
  6:00 PM Potluck Dinner with traditional and gourmet Latkes
  7:00 PM Shabbat Service and Chanukah Candle Lighting
  
  
  PowerPoint Service
  Rockin' Shir Ami Band Choirs
  Candle Lighting to honor every member
  Fun games and surprises for all
  
  Support-a-Family Holiday Sharing Drive at Chanukah Time
  In an ongoing effort to impact the greater community, Congregation Shir Ami, under the leadership of Social Action chair Lori Allee, engages members in community service projects that make a difference in the lives of others. We focus on one social issue and address this issue through different projects. This year, we are addressing the issue of hunger.
  
  As part of this commitment to impact hunger, Congregation Shir Ami is participating in the Holiday Sharing Drive, sponsored by the Junior League of Northern Westchester. This annual drive recruits volunteer families to “support” families in need, including single-parent families, senior citizens, homeless families, handicapped individuals and families struggling with terminal illness, to help them during the holiday season. Over 400 families benefit each year from this community effort. Working with local social service agencies, the Junior League identifies needy families, and matches them up with volunteer families, who spend time shopping for clothing, food and gifts. The joy of this project is that an entire family can be involved in performing a significant act of goodness for another family who would not otherwise be able to afford to celebrate the holidays.
  
  Last year over twenty Congregation Shir Ami families participated and we anticipate an equally significant number this year.

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PURIM

Purim is one of the most joyous and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar. It is a story of religious freedom and commemorates a time when the Jewish people living in Persia were saved from total annihilation.

The story of Purim is told in Megilat Esther, the biblical scroll of Esther. The heroes of the story are Esther, a beautiful young Jewish woman living in Persia, and her cousin Mordecai, who raised her as if she were his daughter. Esther was taken to the house of Ahasuerus, King of Persia, to become part of his harem. King Ahasuerus loved Esther more than his other women and made Esther queen, but the king did not know that Esther was a Jew, because Mordecai told her not to reveal her nationality.

The villain of the story is Haman, an arrogant, egotistical advisor to the king. Haman hated Mordecai because Mordecai, being true to the One God, refused to bow down to Haman, so Haman plotted to destroy all the Jewish people.

Mordecai persuaded Esther to speak to the king on behalf of the Jewish people. This was a dangerous thing to do, because anyone who came into the king's presence without being summoned could be put to death, and she had not been summoned. But Esther knew that only she could save the Jewish people so she fasted for three days to prepare herself, and then went into the king’s chambers. He welcomed her, and she told him of Haman's terrible plot against her people. The Jewish people were saved, and Haman was hanged on the gallows that had been prepared for Mordecai, who became advisor to the king. There was great rejoicing and the story has been retold every year since with costumes and carnivals, dancing and singing.

“Purim is not just for children,” says Rabbi Axe. “I loved Purim carnivals as a child, but some of my best memories come from more recent Purim Masquerade parties for the adult members of the community. The story of King Ahasuerus, Esther, Mordecai and Hamen offers universal teachings about pride and courage and religious freedom that we can all learn from.”

Congregation Shir Ami has great plans for PURIM and hopes that everyone will participate fully in all the Congregation Shir Ami celebrations...
Congregation Shir Ami Religious School
Celebrates PURIM - Tuesday, March 10, 2009 from 4:00-6:00pm

Fun for all as the students make masks, and bake Hamentaschen. Rabbi Axe will retell the story of PURIM through tales and songs. All are welcome to share in the fun.

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PASSOVER

Well over 100 people celebrated at the Shir Ami Congregational Seder.
Take a look at last years photos...!

Second Night Congregational Family Seder with Pot Luck Dinner
Thursday, April 9, 2009 at 6:30PM

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SHAVUOT

SAT Shabbat and Shauot Service at the Atria.
Friday, May 29, 2009 at 7:30pm

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SUKKOT

Sukkot was a week of fun spent building the sukkot at the Axe home, decorating it and then celebrating the holiday on a beautiful Fall day. The pictures show some highlights.
	Construction team at work
Everyone helped!	The finished product
The festive table

 

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  SIMCHAT TORAH

Our Simchat Torah celebration, held at Atria-Sterling Glen was a beautiful and joyous celebration attended by more than 70 worshippers. Here are a few photos of the occasion.
	Unrolling the Torah
The full Torah, unrolled	Noah Bardos holding the Torah
Our Presidents honor the Torah	Celebratory dance