Sukkot is immediately followed by Simchat Torah, “the joy of the Torah,” the day on which we complete the reading of the Torah and immediately start it again. Although Simchat Torah this year falls on October 2-3, we will observe it at our regular Shabbat morning service on October 10. We will be parading our Torah scrolls around the sanctuary with singing and great joy!
If you are joining us on zoom please use the link below
http://us02web.zoom.us/j/89306038164?pwd=w3JBH8vqrnGNebrlbv8aXxySQOrbrH.1 Meeting ID: 893 0603 8164Meeting ID: 893 0603 8164

Passcode: 871775

The celebration will also include everybody who is present getting an aliyah. The final group will be our children, who will be blessed after the Torah reading in their honor has been completed. We hope that a lot of children will be in attendance for this and to lead the Shema and V’Ahavta earlier in the service.

Respectfully,
M. Jones
President, Board of Directors

Alternate Sunday evenings at 7 PM ET on Zoom

Oct 11 – Oct 25 – Nov 8 – Nov 22 – Dec 6

A five-week investigation into the biggest cold case in ancient history

I always assumed the Bronze Age just faded into the Iron Age the way the Copper Age faded into the Bronze — a better material came along, and people just adapted their existing technology to accommodate it. I was stunned to learn that’s not what happened at all.

Around 1200 BCE, the ancient world’s superpowers collapsed. Egypt, the Hittites, the Mycenaeans: gone or decimated, in the span of a few decades, for a multitude of possible reasons.

And in the middle of that wreckage, small groups of formerly powerless people were able to start to build new kingdoms of their own. One of these was Israel.

Was it an invasion? A refugee crisis? A slow blending of cultures nobody planned? The evidence is stranger, sparser, and more compelling than you’d think — Egyptian names buried in the priesthood, a stone inscription with the first written mention of “Israel,” and a text that may be older than the rest of the Torah.

Five sessions. A pile of extraordinary books. One really old mystery.

No prior knowledge required — just curiosity, and a willingness to read, think, and discuss. The format this time involves a lot more reading material than in my past classes. I will provide all of the material to you as always; we will touch on the high points in our sessions together, and you are welcome to read as much of it as piques your interest.

Bring your questions. Bring your skepticism. We’re going to need both.

To register, please email me directly at rabbigailfisher@gmail.com by October 8^th at 5 PM.

Men’s and Women’s Groups Joint Dinner Oct. 14

By popular demand, the Sha’are Shalom Men’s and Women’s Groups are organizing another joint dinner–this time at Szechuan Garden restaurant in Waldorf on Wednesday, October 14, at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome to join us, and you don’t need to come as a couple! See the restaurant’s varied menu at https://www.szechuangardenmd.com. If you would like to attend, contact Mark Holt at mark.edward.holt@gmail.com or Suzanne Darby at suz_darby@hotmail.com so we can make a reservation.

FYI FROM MARSHALL

I wanted to share an article from the Baltimore Jewish Times regarding Maryland’s new safe worship laws that went into effect on October 1, 2026:
http://www.jewishtimes.com/why-marylands-new-safe-worship-law-matters/

I think this would be valuable information for Congregation Sha’are Shalom to be aware of and suggest including it as a reference in our upcoming newsletter.
Also, Rich GilpIn will be contacting the Charles County Sheriff’s office requesting increase patrol presence this week. October 7 in particular.