Torah Study, 1st and 3rd Saturday’s 8:30 am via Zoom
TORAH STUDY SATURDAY July 19 AT 8:30AM
Contact Suzanne (suz_darby@hotmail.com) for information and study guide
Topic: Torah Study Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
Meeting ID: 845 9030 4211
The next Friday night Service will be July 25th at 8pm. Next Saturday Morning Service will be August 9 at 10 am
Men’s Group Dinner at Momi’s Kitchen
The next Men’s Group Dinner will be at Momi’s Kitchen on Thursday, July 31, at 7 p.m. Check out their authentic Middle Eastern menu at https://momiskitchen.com. Contact Men’s Group Chairman Mark Holt if you’d like to attend (mark.edward.holt@gmail.com or 202-695-9942). Momi’ Kitchen is at 11075 Mall Circle Waldorf, MD 20603.
Hike and Tour of Thomas Stone Historic Site
All ages are invited for a congregation visit to the Thomas Stone Historic Site on Sunday, August 3, at 10 a.m., organized by the Men’s and Women’s Groups. We will hike the two miles of trails at the site, tour the buildings and visitor center, and have a light lunch at the picnic pavilion. Should be a fun and interesting summer activity! Thomas Stone was one of Maryland’s signers of the Declaration of Independence, and other members of the Stone family included a colonial governor, a state governor, a representative in the first Congress of the United States, and a signer of the United States Constitution. See the web site at https://www.nps.gov/
Upcoming Adult Education Class with Rabbi Gail
SAVE THE DATE!
A LIFE OF MEANING: Embracing Reform Judaism’s Sacred Path (ed Rabbi Dana Evan Kaplan, PhD) – 5-part course begins Sunday, September 7 at 7 PM (90-min sessions on Zoom)
Are you curious about the history and core ideas of the Reform movement? Whether you are new to Reform Judaism or wish to learn more about it, this course may be of interest for you. Note that it does not dictate how to believe or act but is presented from a pluralistic perspective. Brief summary of the five sessions:
1) The history of the Reform Movement in North America, including the question that arose in Europe of whether Judaism was a religion or a nation. Bringing that into North America has shaped how we understand our national and religious loyalties.
2) What do mitzvot, traditionally understood as God’s commandments to us, mean to us today? How have our ritual practices evolved in light of our changing viewpoints on the mitzvot?
3) Justice (more broadly, tikkun olam) and how that has become a central feature of Reform Judaism today.
4) Spirituality: How do we “feel” our Judaism? Texts, songs, and body movements will be considered.
5) Ongoing revelation: Where is the Reform Movement headed? What can we learn from today in designing our future?
You will not have to purchase the text, although of course you may do so if you wish. All materials (readings and occasional video links) will be sent to participants in advance of each session.
Classes will be held on Sunday evenings at 7 PM: 9/7, 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5 (which nest neatly around the Jewish holidays!). There will be no charge to participate.
If you are interested, please email Rabbi Gail at rabbigailfisher@gmail.com
INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM – Course begins Sunday, September 7 at 11 AM (on Zoom)
Are you thinking about exploring Judaism more systematically? Considering conversion? Join our Introduction to Judaism course, co-taught by Rabbis Jasha and Gail, which gives a deep dive into Judaism and offers a pathway to conversion for those who are interested. Six people have already expressed interest; please contact Rabbi Gail right away if you wish to be included on the roster.
The program will meet (roughly) every other Sunday morning at 11 AM via Zoom, beginning on September 7. We will be using the text On One Foot, but you do not need to purchase it. We will provide a pdf of the relevant chapter in advance of each session.
Rabbi Gail: rabbigailfisher@gmail.
REPAIRING OUR BELOVED TORAH SCROLL
We will be cleaning and repairing our Torah scroll at the synagogue starting at 10 AM on Sunday, August 3rd. Supplies will be provided.
Lead a Friday evening Shabbat service — we’ll help you!
Our prayer book makes it easy — just choose your favorite reading from each two-page spread, either in English or Hebrew, spoken or sung. We even have some pre-chosen plans to use. The pressure is very low — the audience is usually small and supportive. If you’d rather not write a brief d’var Torah (a mini-sermon on how something from the week’s Torah portion might apply to our lives today), Suzanne Darby has volunteered to write it; and if you’re hesitant about leading songs, I can help out with that.
We’d just like more of our members to come up and play a part in services, and so we’re eager to help any way we can.
You don’t have to know Hebrew, and you just have to be past bar/bat mitzvah age. You can even enlist your spouse and/or kids to be your co-leaders. We’re looking for volunteers for Friday evenings. Please contact me at myerspat@gmail.com to sign up or for more information.
See you at our next service
HELP WANTED
Dates Available for Oneg Sponsors
Shar’are Shalom each Saturday morning (every 2nd Saturday) and Friday night (every 4th Friday) service at the temple ends with the pleasure of fellowship. A little nosh usually makes this fellowship last longer and adds to its delightfulness. Each post service nosh or oneg requires an Oneg Sponsor. Whether it is wine, juice, a challah, and some cookies, or even more – it is always appreciated by those in attendance.
Contact Marshall Jones (Mjones.shaare@gmail.com) if you would like to sponsor an oneg or lead a Friday Night Service or have any questions about doing either.