Habonim Weekly Email

​​​​​​​Celebrate Shabbat with Ice Cream for Breakfast
Saturday, February 6, 10:50-11:20 am 
In the 1960s, Florence Rappaport created Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. Join us this Shabbat at 10:50 am and bring your favorite ice cream to the screen. We'll have breakout rooms for some favorite flavors and space for all to sweeten your Shabbat. OPEN TO ALL.
Register here for Zoom link.

Torah on Tuesday - February 9, 11 am
Join our thoughtful and inquisitive group to discuss the weekly parasha. In 5781, we will make use of The Heart of Torah, Rabbi Shai Held's Essays on the Weekly Torah portion. For those who like to have a book in hand, you may wish to purchase either one or both volumes. 
This week we will look at Mishpatim #1: Turning Memory into Empathy: 179,
180-181,   182-183 ​​​​​​​

Congregation Habonim's Membership Committee and Sisterhood invite you to a Hamentashen Hangout: Wednesday, February 10, 7:15 pm
We will make the dough, roll out, shape and fill our hamentashen together while enjoying breakout rooms to catch up with longtime friends and meet new ones.  
If you can't join us live, enjoy making your hamentashen with the Sisterhood recipe found  here 

Bonus mitzvah opportunity: Fulfill two of the Mitzvot of Purim: matanot l’evyonim (gifts for the poor) & mishloach manot (gifts for family and friends).  
Bring portions of your treats pre-bagged and labeled to a local food pantry or "friendly fridge" (like the one at West End Collegiate Church at 245 West 77th Street).

RSVP to  membership@habonim.net 
Zoom link and recipe will be sent prior to the event.

Thursday, February 11, 7 pm
New Year, New Month: Voice and Choice, personal agency as a means of self-care.   

Join Rabbi Lisa Gelber to welcome the new month of Adar in which we celebrate Purim, to explore voice and autonomy as a means of self-care. We will reflect on Vashti and Esther as well as our own journeys as we engage with the intersection of personal agency and reproductive justice.This gathering takes place in conjunction with the National Council of Women (NCJW) Reproductive Justice initiative.
​​​​​​​Register here to receive Zoom link.

The Adult Education Committee proudly presents in co-sponsorship wth UCFI (United Congregations for Israel)
2021 - THE NEW MIDDLE EAST
with
HOWARD STOFFER
Sunday, February 21, 5 - 6 pm
Habonim’s resident expert in Middle East affairs, Howard Stoffer, will offer his insights into the new look in this area as 2021 welcomes the Biden administration. Howard teaches national security and political science at the University of New Haven.  He has worked for the United Nations Security Council and was previously an American diplomat in the U.S. State Department.
Zoom information will be available closer to the event.

Next Book Club:
Wednesday, March 10, 7:30 pm 
We're reading Exile Music by Jennifer Steil, a beautifully written story about a family of professional musicians who leave Vienna in the 30's with their young daughter and resettle in La Paz, Bolivia. It's a coming of age story with gorgeous details about La Paz and life in Bolivia, where the author lived for four years. 
Jill Mehl is a friend of the author and has helped us connect with her. The author, Jennifer Steil, is joining us! 
Click on the book illustration for more information.

Mishloach Manot Purim Fundraiser
Celebrate Purim! 
Purim, the most joyous day in the Jewish calendar, starts on February 25.
 
You may be familiar with the mitzvah of delivering mishloach manot, gifts of food or drink to ensure that everyone has enough food for the Purim feast and to increase love and friendship in the Jewish community.

This year, in addition to funds raised to support Congregation Habonim, the Sisterhood of Congregation Habonim is pleased to sponsor another Purim mitzvah, matanot l'evyonim -- giving gifts to the poor through  support of charitable organizations.

Please celebrate with us through a holiday contribution that will enable Habonim to continue its important work building Jewish community. 

Gifts in any amount are accepted with gratitude; in honor of Purim please consider Esther - $540, Queen Vashti - $360, Mordechai - $180, Shushan - $72, Megillah - $36. 

Please   click here  ​​​​​​​ to donate.

Rabbi Gelber is honored to have her words included in the rapid-response book Remember and Do Not Forget,  Rabbinic Testimonies of January 6, 2021: A Horrific Day in American History, edited by Rabbi Menachem Creditor and Rabbi Jessie Olitzky, with Foreword by Ruth Messinger.