As we begin 5782, the soaring spirit evoked in our hybrid High Holiday services carries us forward with renewed energy and bright plans for the future of our shul. We are building upon our many Covid-year successes: our award-winning Shofar and Lunch and Learn programs, our entertaining Shul Schmooze, the Book Circle, our Silent Auction and Virtual Journal, and the community outreach Tikkun Olam Initiative. Don’t forget our informative emails that hit your inbox [...]
One Jewish year is ending, and another is about to begin. This will be my 10th year celebrating the High Holidays with CTI. If we were a TV show, we would renew for a 10th season (Even Seinfeld was only nine seasons.) Every year is different, each with its own blessings and challenges. In 5782, another year to deal with Covid. Another year where we understand the importance of a community. Yet, the resilience [...]
As the Covid pandemic lessens and we reflect on the past year, let’s give thanks for having survived. The Shehechyanu blessing (who has sustained us) is the traditional Hebrew prayer for this sentiment. The Shehechyanu Curtain is a Judaism and the Arts group project to encourage each of us to reflect on the Covid experience and, perhaps, our reordered priorities. We can then express those feelings in paintings, drawings, poems, thoughts, photographs, etc. Each [...]
Lechayim! To life! Our shul is 120 years old. For Jews, 120 is a special number that symbolizes completion, a complete life. Scripture tells us that Moses, our greatest rabbi, lived 120 years. “Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died; his eyes were undimmed and his vigor unabated.” (Duet. 34:7) According to Rashi, “his vigor unabated” means the life-sap that was in him did not depart, and the appearance of his [...]
Do your recall when last we were together in the sanctuary? March 2020! Indeed, it was that long ago. In our zeal to maintain community and camaraderie, we outdid ourselves by developing new approaches to virtual services, holiday celebrations, parties, and programs. Zoom became Congregation Tifereth Israel’s brave new world. We figured out how to share our screens, show pictures and videos. We became interesting and prolific talking heads. Dressed from the shoulders up, we [...]
The Book Circle will meet Wednesday, July 21, at 1 p.m., to talk about a collection of imaginary letters from Edmund de Waal to Moïses de Comondo, a Jewish financier and philanthropist from a prominent European family of art collectors. The House of Camondo in Paris, now the Musée Nissim de Camondo is filled with the country’s greatest private collection of French 18th-century art. The series of 50 letters, titled Letters to Camondo, addresses [...]
The 2021 Virtual Journal will launch this month. Is your ad included? Please keep in mind that the Virtual Journal is a major fundraising undertaking for our shul, representing more than a third of our operating budget. The Virtual Journal invites members, friends and local vendors to celebrate our synagogue’s now 120th year, recognize one among us who has contributed to the betterment of the shul, and produce an all-in-one directory of the businesses [...]
Yoo Hoo…this is the last call for your 2021 Virtual Journal ad to celebrate our extraordinary honoree — the inimitable, indomitable Sara Bloom. Past President, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, current Vice President and Lunch and Learn Queen. And lest you forget our shul gem, just monitor your inbox at the end of each month for Sara’s award-winning monthly newsletter, The Shofar. This year marks the confluence of two unique opportunities to celebrate in one electronic [...]
On May 25, many Black communities and their supporters commemorated the one-year anniversary of the death of George Floyd. I participated in the local candlelight vigil at the Clinton Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in Greenport. It was a well-organized and respectful gathering, presided over by Pastor Natalie R. Wimberly. It included several local clergy, a mufti, and Christian and Muslim lay leaders. The charge by Pastor Natalie was “The time is now for uncommon courage.” She [...]
Bigger and better than ever, the Virtual Journal is underway, and you’ll be happy to know that our own Sara Bloom is this year’s honoree. The 2021 installment of the Virtual Journal, a major fundraising undertaking for our shul, represents more than a third of our operating budget, and is expected to top last year’s mega-successful debut. The Virtual Journal invites members, friends and local vendors to celebrate our synagogue’s now 120th year, recognize [...]
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