 | R. David re-issues his High Holy Day sermons and covers Shir Ami's October highlights, including Sukkot Shabbat (Oct. 10), Rabbi David's Sukkot Party (Oct. 12), online Yizkor for Shemini Atzeret (Oct. 13), the launch of a feminist year of SoulSpa (Oct. 18), and the return of our regular musical Shabbat services (Oct. 24). |
By Rabbi David
Happy October, Shir Ami!
What a beautiful, exhilarating, meaningful, deep and high High Holy Days we shared together. Thank you for sharing your hearts with our holy community.
Our #StrongerTogether theme will continue throughout the year. In that spirit, I echo what presidents Jackie Marschall, Fran Pribish and Abby Ross shared on Yom Kippur. We are #StrongerTogether, and it takes a village to make Shir Ami happen. Shir Ami's vitality and ability to serve you depend on your hands-on support. Thank you in advance for helping Shir Ami thrive.
Speaking of thriving, please join me in extending special thanks to Anonymous (donation for High Holy Day music), Anonymous (new candlesticks), Sherrill Cropper (Shofar), Fran Pribish (honey cake), David Green ("God," Torah), Joan Green ("Yunus"), Nancy Heller & Mark Lob (Rosh Hashanah set-up); Russ Hollander (silver care, Yom Kippur bagels), Ronny & Ira Kaplan (Rosh Hashanah set-up); Jenny Lake (core tech), Rick Lake (Torah, Shofar), Rick Mason (core tech), Dahni Nisinzweig (core crew), Fran Pribish (food), Abby Ross (coordinating parts, food, honey cake), Howard Ross ("Jonah" and Shofar), Ed Schechter (Shofar), and Peggy & Jerry Sturman (flowers). Todah!
In case you wish to revisit my High Holy Day sermons, here they are:
October shifts us into joy and the autumn season!
I'm writing these words in between phases of building my sukkah. (For more on Sukkot and its mitzvah of joy, read this week's Dvar Torah.) During Sukkot, come enjoy our community holiday gatherings:
A few other October highlights:
And then our next course (Jewish Spirituality of Illness and Healing) will launch in November, and suddenly we'll be on the runway for Thanksgiving and Hanukkah, but all that can wait. First we get to enjoy these vibrant days together.
From my heart to yours, I send blessings to you and your loved ones for a Happy Sukkot and a bountiful season of joy.
Happy October, Shir Ami!
What a beautiful, exhilarating, meaningful, deep and high High Holy Days we shared together. Thank you for sharing your hearts with our holy community.
Our #StrongerTogether theme will continue throughout the year. In that spirit, I echo what presidents Jackie Marschall, Fran Pribish and Abby Ross shared on Yom Kippur. We are #StrongerTogether, and it takes a village to make Shir Ami happen. Shir Ami's vitality and ability to serve you depend on your hands-on support. Thank you in advance for helping Shir Ami thrive.
Speaking of thriving, please join me in extending special thanks to Anonymous (donation for High Holy Day music), Anonymous (new candlesticks), Sherrill Cropper (Shofar), Fran Pribish (honey cake), David Green ("God," Torah), Joan Green ("Yunus"), Nancy Heller & Mark Lob (Rosh Hashanah set-up); Russ Hollander (silver care, Yom Kippur bagels), Ronny & Ira Kaplan (Rosh Hashanah set-up); Jenny Lake (core tech), Rick Lake (Torah, Shofar), Rick Mason (core tech), Dahni Nisinzweig (core crew), Fran Pribish (food), Abby Ross (coordinating parts, food, honey cake), Howard Ross ("Jonah" and Shofar), Ed Schechter (Shofar), and Peggy & Jerry Sturman (flowers). Todah!
In case you wish to revisit my High Holy Day sermons, here they are:
- Our Sovereign Power (Erev Rosh Hashanah) – What we make sovereign in our life, our power to choose and change, with special appearances by Adam, Rosie the Riveter and Israeli chef-rabbi Nissimi Na'im Naor.
- Our Moral Power (Rosh Hashanah) – How can we hold our integrity and identity amidst the Israel-Gaza crisis, whatever our beliefs or politics.
- Our Circle Dance (Kol Nidre) – The power, command and vulnerability of community in the 21st century, with special appearances by Sen. Cory Booker, columnist David Brooks, Nahman of Breslov, and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- Our Hidden Courage (Yom Kippur) – Vulnerability as the key to courage, love, strength and joy, with special appearances by Dr. Erica Brown, David Gregory, Dr. Brené Brown, Menahem Twersky of Chernobyl and the Cowardly Lion.
- On Paradise Street (Yizkor) – On making meaning of our lives precisely because we are mortal, after-death communications, becoming vessels for our departed loved ones.
October shifts us into joy and the autumn season!
I'm writing these words in between phases of building my sukkah. (For more on Sukkot and its mitzvah of joy, read this week's Dvar Torah.) During Sukkot, come enjoy our community holiday gatherings:
- Friday, October 10, 7:00 pm – Sukkot Shabbat & Early Simhat Torah (FPC) – We'll celebrate Sukkot together and honor Jordana Ponticelli, Nancy Heller and Sherrill Cropper, our three b'not mitzvah of the year ahead, with an early Simhat Torah. Click here to register.
- Sunday, October 12, 1:00pm – Sukkot Potluck at Rabbi David's (Westchester) – Bring lunches (and some chairs if you can) to enjoy peak autumn at my Sukkah in Westchester. I'll supply beverages, desserts and sides. Rain date is Monday, October 13. (Columbus Day / Indigenous Persons Day). Click here to register.
A few other October highlights:
- Monday, October 13, 7:00 p.m. – Yizkor & Shemini Atzeret (online). Because Judaism's pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot) also bring Yizkor, I will hold an online Yizkor on Monday, October 13, at 7:00 p.m. coinciding with Shemini Atzeret, our ritual pivot into the autumn-winter half of the year.
- Saturday, October 18, 10:00 a.m. – SoulSpa Resumes (online). I'm excited to start the 5786 Torah Cycle. SoulSpa: The Book of Miriam will uplift women's voices every Saturday through early July, co-taught by R. Rachel Barenblat of Congregation Beth Israel of the Berkshires. Our learning community is warm, deep and tremendously caring. Join us! (Note: I will be officiating Jordana Ponticelli's bat mitzvah that morning, so R. Rachel will launch solo on October 18.)
- Friday, October 24, 7:00pm – Kabbalat Shabbat (FPC). Our regular Shabbat schedule resumes October 24 with a musical Shabbat and oneg.
And then our next course (Jewish Spirituality of Illness and Healing) will launch in November, and suddenly we'll be on the runway for Thanksgiving and Hanukkah, but all that can wait. First we get to enjoy these vibrant days together.
From my heart to yours, I send blessings to you and your loved ones for a Happy Sukkot and a bountiful season of joy.
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