 | Passover re-launches the Jewish cycle of identity, remembrance and presence. Passover's end brings Yizkor for our deceased loved ones. The following week brings Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), then days later comes Yom Ha'Atzmaut (Israel Independence Day). Shir Ami will commemorate each of them, along with Refugee Shabbat and Holiness Shabbat. Mark your calendars. As spring unfolds, it's time to go public in community and solidarity. |
By Rabbi David
Spring has sprung. Baseball season has begun. Finally, finally, the weather is catching up to the calendar.
Spring launches the Jewish cycle of identity and remembrance. What do we do with the freedom we celebrate at Passover? On the Jewish calendar, we next invoke our loved ones. We honor the Holocaust's six million and eleven million to rededicate us against genocide and hate. We then honor our beloved, inspiring, complex and troubled State of Israel.
All of these are connected. All need our love, commitment, clear vision, truth telling and presence. That's what our freedom is for. Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) leads directly to Yom Ha'Atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) because the State of Israel was born from the Holocaust's ashes. (The striking architecture of Israel's Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, inspiringly opens from narrow darkness into the expansive light and bustle of the State of Israel spreading beyond.)
Here at home, time moves similarly. We move from bondage to liberation, from memory to tribute to standing up. We shuck our heavy coats, go out into the world and stand together in community and solidarity. Mark your calendars.
April 8, 7:30pm – Online Yizkor. Each festival (Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot) was an ancient pilgrimage festival when we all gathered together. That's why we invoke our loved ones at the end of festivals. We'll have a brief service: have a Yizkor candle, photos of loved ones and some wine or juice. Click here to register.
April 10, 7:00pm – Shir Ami 'Refugee' Shabbat. Join our musical HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) Refugee Shabbat with Torah, themed also to Mamouna (end of Passover). Oneg sponsored by Ronnie & Larry Polansky. Click here to register.
April 13, 7:00pm – Yom HaShoah-Stamford (location shared after registration). Join the area Jewish community at a regional commemoration of Yom HaShoah. Hear from one of the last living survivors. Click here to register.
April 14, 7:00pm – Yom HaShoah-Greenwich @ Temple Sholom. Join the area Jewish community at a regional commemoration of Yom HaShoah. Hear from one of the last living survivors; Rabbi David will speak. Sponsored by UJA-JCC Federation of Greenwich. Event at 300 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich.
April 22, 4:30pm – Yom Ha'Atzmaut Flag Raising @ Greenwich Town Hall. Join the area Jewish community to raise the flag of the State of Israel at Greenwich Town Hall. Rabbi David will speak. Sponsored by UJA-JCC Federation of Greenwich. Event at 101 Field Point Road, Greenwich.
April 24, 7:00pm – Shir Ami 'Holiness' Contemplative Shabbat. This special Shabbat coincides with Torah's heart, the Holiness Code, that we will take on ourselves with depth and contemplation – in essence, to remember who we are. Oneg sponsored by Sherrill Cropper.
April 26, 6:00pm – United Jewish Federation Community Yom Ha'Atzmaut Celebration. Join UJF-Stamford to celebrate and experience Israel through taste, sound, and spirit! Shuk b'Stamford will bring Israeli food, music, games, and culture together for an event you won't want to miss. Click here to register.
And then it's May... and Nancy Heller's bat mitzvah... and Shir Ami's annual meeting!
At long last, happy spring!
Spring has sprung. Baseball season has begun. Finally, finally, the weather is catching up to the calendar.
Spring launches the Jewish cycle of identity and remembrance. What do we do with the freedom we celebrate at Passover? On the Jewish calendar, we next invoke our loved ones. We honor the Holocaust's six million and eleven million to rededicate us against genocide and hate. We then honor our beloved, inspiring, complex and troubled State of Israel.
All of these are connected. All need our love, commitment, clear vision, truth telling and presence. That's what our freedom is for. Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) leads directly to Yom Ha'Atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) because the State of Israel was born from the Holocaust's ashes. (The striking architecture of Israel's Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, inspiringly opens from narrow darkness into the expansive light and bustle of the State of Israel spreading beyond.)
Here at home, time moves similarly. We move from bondage to liberation, from memory to tribute to standing up. We shuck our heavy coats, go out into the world and stand together in community and solidarity. Mark your calendars.
April 8, 7:30pm – Online Yizkor. Each festival (Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot) was an ancient pilgrimage festival when we all gathered together. That's why we invoke our loved ones at the end of festivals. We'll have a brief service: have a Yizkor candle, photos of loved ones and some wine or juice. Click here to register.
April 10, 7:00pm – Shir Ami 'Refugee' Shabbat. Join our musical HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) Refugee Shabbat with Torah, themed also to Mamouna (end of Passover). Oneg sponsored by Ronnie & Larry Polansky. Click here to register.
April 13, 7:00pm – Yom HaShoah-Stamford (location shared after registration). Join the area Jewish community at a regional commemoration of Yom HaShoah. Hear from one of the last living survivors. Click here to register.
April 14, 7:00pm – Yom HaShoah-Greenwich @ Temple Sholom. Join the area Jewish community at a regional commemoration of Yom HaShoah. Hear from one of the last living survivors; Rabbi David will speak. Sponsored by UJA-JCC Federation of Greenwich. Event at 300 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich.
April 22, 4:30pm – Yom Ha'Atzmaut Flag Raising @ Greenwich Town Hall. Join the area Jewish community to raise the flag of the State of Israel at Greenwich Town Hall. Rabbi David will speak. Sponsored by UJA-JCC Federation of Greenwich. Event at 101 Field Point Road, Greenwich.
April 24, 7:00pm – Shir Ami 'Holiness' Contemplative Shabbat. This special Shabbat coincides with Torah's heart, the Holiness Code, that we will take on ourselves with depth and contemplation – in essence, to remember who we are. Oneg sponsored by Sherrill Cropper.
April 26, 6:00pm – United Jewish Federation Community Yom Ha'Atzmaut Celebration. Join UJF-Stamford to celebrate and experience Israel through taste, sound, and spirit! Shuk b'Stamford will bring Israeli food, music, games, and culture together for an event you won't want to miss. Click here to register.
And then it's May... and Nancy Heller's bat mitzvah... and Shir Ami's annual meeting!
At long last, happy spring!
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