Shabbat Shalom Thursday, March 3, 2022/30 Adar 5782
Our hearts are with our Jewish communal family in Ukraine and all those in harm's way in the region.
The Joint Distribution Committee is working non-stop to provide food, medicine, and diapers. To support the JDC in the Ukraine donate here . We can also support Masorti Olami, our Conservative Movement international partner, in their emergency campaign for the Masorti communities in Ukraine and the Schechter Institute , also a Movement Partner, in Israel. Here at home, we can support UJA Federation .
Services
**Please note that most services and events require registration for Zoom information.** **Also, please remember that Zoom meeting links can only be scheduled on the half or full hour. The true start times of all Zoom services, programs, and meetings are indicated in the weekly email and on the Habonim website.**
Shabbat Morning Service 9:30 am In person Shabbat services have resumed for fully vaccinated (including booster shots) attendees. Masks are required. Zoom services are also available.
Please click on the picture to see this week's Yahrzeit observances. May all the mourners be comforted.
Mazal Tov to Howard Stoffer
Mazal Tov to Habonim member Howard Stoffer, who is quoted in this story about Putin's nuclear weapons threat in the Boston Herald .
Passover Candy Sale and Fundraiser
We are delighted to offer the Habonim community the opportunity to order Passover candy online again this year, and 40% of the proceeds will be donated back to the Religious School! The online ordering is open and ends on March 11 (to ensure that your delivery will arrive in time for the holiday).
Please click here to place your order through the website. Our Habonim seller ID number is 73537. Orders will be shipped directly to your home for a fee or to the Synagogue for free pickup. Shipping is free for orders over $99.
Music for Peace and Solidarity
Sunday, March 6, 8 pm Ruach Ukraine will feature musical performances by Ukrainian members of the Cantors Assembly and appearances by other cantors and musicians. There will also be opportunities to donate to organizations providing humanitarian aid to refugees from Ukraine. Streaming live on Facebook and YouTube .
Virtual Information Session for USY Summer Travel Program
Wednesday, March 9, 8 pm Learn about USY's "Wheels East" four-week summer travel program for current 7th and 8th graders. Register here for Zoom link.
"The Jewish Community in Ukraine and the Current Crisis"
Thursday, March 10, 7:30 pm Dr. David Fishman will speak about Ukraine and the Jewish Community at Ansche Chesed, 251 West 100th Street. He is a Professor of History at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America and directs the Jewish Archival Survey in Ukraine. He has spent extensive time teaching and conducting research in Kyiv and L'viv. No advance registration required. Proof of vaccination required at the door and bags will be checked. Or click here to join by Zoom .
"Let's Talk About Antisemitism"
Friday, March 11, 12-1 pm Sponsored by T'ruah - the Rabbinic Call for Human Rights. Conversation between Rabbi Jill Jacobs, CEO of T'ruah, and Professor James Loeffler, Professor of Jewish History and Director of the Jewish Studies Program at University of Virginia. Register for Zoom link here.
Mishloach Manot
Purim, the most joyous day in the Jewish calendar, starts on March 16. 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.
Each Habonim member unit will receive Mishloach Manot, unless you select "I do not wish to receive a box" under the "Mishloach Manot Delivery" section on the donation form . 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. Please contact sisterhood@habonim.net with any questions.
Celebrate Purim with Congregation Habonim
Purim begins on Wednesday, March 16
Want to stretch your comedic, dramatic or singing chops? Do you or your child have a fun talent to showcase in our Purim Shpiel? We want YOU to be a part of our Habonim Purim Players. Please reach out to Rina as soon as possible. Our Purim Shpiel will take place on Erev Purim, Wednesday, March 16 at 5:45 pm. We will have a rehearsal for the shpiel on Zoom on Monday evening, March 14.
Wednesday, March 16, 9 am - 4 pm Fast of Esther Day of Learning Join Hadar faculty for a full day of learning about Ta'anit Esther, to reflect on the nature of fasting from historical, personal, and emotional perspectives. Learn more and sign up here . Co-sponsored by Congregation Habonim.
Bring dry pasta, beans, lentils and other shelf-stable foods that make a good shaking sound to the screen for our Megillah readings, to blot out the sound of Haman's name. These food items can then be donated to the West Side Campaign Against Hunger (Basement level, 263 West 86th Street) or click here to make a monetary donation) to fulfill the Purim Mitzvah/responsibility of matanotl'evyonim/giving food to the poor.
Wednesday, March 16, 5:45 pm Habonim Players Present: Megillah & More - Merrymaking for all ages! Come hear highlights of the Megillah dramatically chanted and witness a telling of the Purim story by our creative Habonim Players!
ALL are welcome to attend, but geared toward families and those who want an abbreviated Megillah reading experience with selected verses chanted throughout a shpiel (a fun play telling the story of Purim). Merrymaking is encouraged through costumes, fun accessories, Zoom filters/backgrounds, creative groggers and more. Prizes will be awarded for most enthusiastic participants, randomly drawn attendees, and whomever else the silly king deems a winner. Register here for Zoom Megillah and More .
Wednesday, March 16, 7 pm Megillah Reading Bring your funny hat to our virtual sanctuary for a full reading of Megillat Esther. We'll begin with a psalm and the invitation for those who wish to recite Mourner's Kaddish followed by a dramatic reading of the Megillah. Register here for Zoom Megillah Reading .
Thursday, March 17, 4:30-5:30 pm Join us in person at the synagogue to fulfill an important mitzvah of Purim through a community service project. ALL AGES ARE WELCOME. We'll be working with Repair the World to create at least 100 Mishloach Manot/snack packages for food insecure seniors. Register here by Monday, March 14.
We need to collect products for the packages in advance, including: healthy snacks, granola bars, teas, coffees, and soup packets (all should be individually packaged and marked kosher). These can be handed to our security guard when the Habonim building is open. If you would prefer to help cover the cost of purchasing these items, please email Rina .
Win Tickets for "The (Jewish) Gangs of New York" Course
Habonim is raffling off two tickets to GothamEd's 4-part course, " The (Jewish) Gangs of New York ," exploring the role organized crime has played in American Jewish history. For just $18, you can get a chance to win this $350 value! The course runs Tuesdays, 5:30-7 pm, April 5-26. Buy raffle tickets here - raffle ends on March 27
Book Group
Wednesday, April 6, 7-8:30 pm For our next meeting, in April, we're readingLast Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elyssa FriedlandIt's the fictional story of the trials faced by a family trying to holding onto Catskills resort in decline.
Becoming 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 25, 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. Chair, Abigail Schlaff Past Chair, Nita Gottesman Beth Bornstein, Gary Sokolow, and Deena Ecker
Congregation Habonim supports core Jewish values, including racial justice and dignity for all.
Congregation Habonim - Building Jewish Community Together RABBI LISA B. GELBER JESSICA FUTRAN, Cantorial Soloist and Music Educator MALKIE GROZALSKY, Director of Administration RINA COHEN SCHWARZ, Education Director TINA LOBEL, Nursery School Director CANTOR EMERITUS BRUCE HALEV RICHARD VERNER, President www.habonim.net
