Shabbat Shalom Thursday, February 11, 2021/29 Shevat 5781
Please click on the pictures for more information
TONIGHT Thursday, February 11, 7 pm Rosh Hodesh Group 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.
Torah on Tuesday will not meet on February 16 but will resume on February 23.
Zoom Reminders
To help maintain safety of all community members and participants, please PUT YOUR FULL NAME ON THE ZOOM SCREEN when joining Habonim programs and prayer services.
Zoom offers a window into our personal space. While many coronatime jokes have emerged about only wearing public-facing clothing from the waist (or neck) up, remember that when you come to the screen, you are helping to create sacred space. Particularly in our prayer services when we both sit and stand, take care to wear appropriate clothing and to adjust your screen accordingly.
For a FULL listing of events and services at Habonim this week and beyond, please follow the links in the buttons below.
Please click on the picture to see this week's Yahrzeit observances. May all the mourners be comforted.
Celebrate Purim with Congregation Habonim
Purim begins on Thursday, February 25
Mishloach Manot Purim Fundraiser
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.
Virtual Walk Around Israel
You only have one body, take good care of it! Register for Every Move Counts, a Hadassah-sponsored virtual walk around Israel for humans of every age and ability. More information and registration at this link: https://hadassah.org/everymovecounts .
2021 - The New Middle East
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.
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.
Live Performance by Yonina
Live Acoustic (Zoom) Performance Sunday, March 14, 11:00 am Join Yonina, the Israeli-American musical duo known for their incredible harmonies, as they blend Jewish, Israeli, and international songs with a musical tour of Jerusalem. There is no charge for this event. Register at: https://www.ujafedny.org/event/view/yonina Congregation Habonim is a UJA CommUnity Partner Click on the photo for more information
Become a Habonim Leader
Help govern our synagogue and further our mission to build Jewish community together by joining the Board of Trustees of Congregation Habonim. Please contact any of the following members of the Nominating Committee by Friday, March 26, if you would like to be considered, or to recommend a candidate, for the slate of Board of Trustees and Officers. Voting will take place at our Annual Meeting in June. Nita Gottesman, Chair Russell Rivera Abigail Schlaff Deborah Winokur, Immediate Past Chair Lori-Ann Wynter
Published Work by Rabbi Gelber
Congratulations to Rabbi Gelber. Her High Holy Day Sermon, Love, was accepted for publication to the High Holy Days Anthology, Who by Plague: High Holy Days Sermons from COVID19Times.
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.
When We Turned Within, Volume 2 features writing by 107 contributors from around the world - Rabbi Gelber and Malkie Grozalsky among them. Proceeds support UJA-Federation of New York’s COVID-19 relief work.
Congregation Habonim supports core Jewish values, including racial justice and dignity for all.
Congregation Habonim - Building Jewish Community Together RABBI LISA B. GELBER CANTOR BRUCE HALEV MALKIE GROZALSKY, Director of Administration RINA COHEN SCHWARZ, Education Director TINA LOBEL, Nursery School Director RICHARD VERNER, President www.habonim.net
