Shul News & Notes
From Matzah to Mitzvah
Hashem has parted the Sea of Covid, and Passover 2021 is about to roar in. With it comes a way forward — from the matzah of Passover to the mitzvahs of oneg celebrations as we anticipate the reopening of our beloved shul.
Join members and friends this Passover with your donation to the Matzah to Mitzvah Oneg Fund .
Embrace Passover’s themes of freedom and rebirth — the opportunity to celebrate freedom together this Passover at our Zoom seders on March 27 and 28, and to anticipate the reopening and rebirth of our beloved shul in the coming months. With your help, we can set the ceremonial table and prepare for the festivities to come.
Contributions to the Matzah to Mitzvah Oneg Fund are tax deductible. To donate by credit card CLICK HERE , or mail a check to P.O. Box 659, Greenport, NY, 11944.
Why is this Passover different from all other Passovers? Because, like our forebears thousands of years ago, we have withstood the enemy, we have survived, and we see freedom from isolation ahead, when all of us together will experience jubilation — a mitzvah. Thank you for participating.
Lunch and Learn
Monday, March 8
What is an art photograph, and what makes it art? Loni Efron, the owner, creative director and curator of Ilon Art Gallery in Harlem, has collaborated for decades with iconic as well as emerging artists, recently adding painters, graffiti and street artists to her gallery’s portfolio. Join Loni Efron this Monday for a closeup view of her gallery and how it came to be, her work with top professionals in the field and those to watch. Loni, daughter of shul president Judith Weiner, brings her love of photography and art to a special Lunch and Learn. Be sure to Zoom at noon to see photography in a whole new way.
Thursday, March 11
Rabbi Gadi continues with his Jewish history series today, moving from the painful episodes of war and destruction to the hopefulness embodied in the diaspora and the rebuilding of Jewish communities. Be sure to Zoom at noon for this uplifting chapter in the Jewish continuum.
Make A Minyan. You’ll Feel The Glorious Effect All Week Long
The synagogue is still closed. We’re sure you’ve noticed. And yet, thanks to the miracle of technology and the wonder of Zoom (currently $417.26 per share, up from $385.29 one month ago), lots of us attend services every week. While relaxing at home, snacks at the ready, we sing the songs, recite the prayers, and thoroughly enjoy the informal and communal nature of prayer every Friday at 7:30 p.m. And we return on Saturday mornings at 9:30, when with a minyan each week these days, we participate in the Torah service — streamed from our beloved sanctuary — leaving the more stressful weekdays behind as we explore the lessons taught by the ancients.
The operative phrase, of course, is “with a minyan each week.” And that’s where you come in. Make a minyan to recite the kaddish. Make a minyan to read the par’sha of the week. Make a minyan to feel your Jewishness. Make a minyan to feel the glorious effect all week long.
Zoom at 7:30 p.m. each Friday, and at 9:30 a.m. each Saturday. You’ll feel great.
Tikkun Olam Initiative Details New Projects On ‘Lunch And Learn’
The four women behind the shul’s Tikkun Olam Initiative — Veronica Kaliski, Suzi Rosenstreich, Madelyn Rothman, and Cookie Slade — appeared on Lunch and Learn recently to update shul members on the “Chicken in the Pot” project and also to introduce two new initiatives to debut this spring.
The highly successful program to distribute whole chickens ready for roasting to needy families brought relief to dozens of CAST recipients struggling with job loss and isolation during the pandemic. During the second phase of the project, continuing this month, chickens will be distributed to another 60 CAST families, the group said.
New initiatives
With spring about to spring forth, the Tikkun Olam initiative is looking to the planters and gardeners in our shul for participation in two new projects: “Grow A Row” asks vegetable gardeners to do just that — grow an extra row of vegetables that can be donated to the CAST food bank.
In a related project, Tikkun Olam will provide large containers, potting soil, and seedlings to CAST families who want to “Grow Their Own” vegetables and herbs.
How to help
To help with “Chicken in the Pot,” write a check to Congregation Tifereth Israel, with Tikkun Olam written on the memo line. Send your check to CTI, P.O. Box 659, Greenport, NY, 11944. Or, to pay by credit card, visit the shul’s website (www.tiferethisraelgreenport.org), click on the “Donate” tab on the home page, scroll down to Tikkun Olam, fill out the form, and submit.
Each donation of $18 will purchase four chickens and, for your generosity, your name will be entered into a monthly raffle for a dozen locally-farmed organic eggs. The group congratulates Ellen Jaffe, the first month’s raffle winner.
To help with the “Grow A Row” or “Grow Their Own” projects, call the shul at 631-477-0232 and request a volunteer to pick up your contributions of veggies and/or containers and soil.
The foursome behind the Tikkun Olam Initiative told Lunch and Learners that the positive responses they have received from the community reflect positively on the shul, and have inspired the new initiatives.
Come Schmooze With Us
After nine months, we can say, modestly, that we have birthed a success. Folks tell us all the time how much they enjoy The Schmooze that arrives weekly in each reader’s inbox. The videos — from the ridiculous to the sublime — and the contributions by members and friends make our schmooze your schmooze, our success your success.
We invite all members and friends to keep up the good work. Let us hear from you — your thoughts, your poems, your photos and videos, whatever you would like to share with other Schmoozers. Send contributions to info@tifereth-israel.com with Schmooze in the subject line.
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