Shul News & Notes
Shavuot event, Thursday Mat 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Plan To Join Us For Shavout
— The Third Festival Of “The Big Three”
Dear members and friends,
Shavuot begins Thursday evening, May 21.
This festival is one of the so-called Big Three: Sukkot is the Harvest; Pesach is the festival of freedom, and Shavuot is the time of the giving of the Ten Commandments, or to say it another way, the time when we receive Divine Law.
It is customary for people to gather together on that evening to study and to eat dairy. Cheesecake is usually on the table.
To fully appreciate and fulfill the meaning of the holiday, we are seeking volunteers to help us plan the refreshments, and also members — or someone you might know who would be willing to teach a brief lesson on something of Jewish content. The lesson could be about food, art, music, literature, Bible or your particular interest, talent or skill.
Please mark your calendars now for this special observance…and please contact me with your willingness to help with refreshments and volunteer to offer a lesson.
Thank you.
The Ritual Committee
Chuck Simon, chair
Book Circle Explores Story of Jewish Refugees Who Fled To Shanghai
In the gripping historical novel, The Song of the Jade Lily, Kirsty Manning weaves together little-known threads of WWII history, family secrets, the past and the present.
In 1939, two young girls meet in Shanghai and form a friendship. But the realities of war prove to be too much , and they are torn apart. In 1916, the granddaughter of Romy, one of the young girls, learns about family secrets kept hidden for half a century. Alexandra struggles with what she learns, and is forced to question what she believes about her family and herself.
The Book Circle will meet again on Thursday, April 23, at 3:30 p.m. on CTI’s Zoom. The group meets monthly to explore books on Jewish themes and by Jewish writers. For more information, email Susan Rosenstreich at ctigreenport@gmail.com
Yizkor on Wednesday, April 8, at 6 p.m., on Zoom
The shul will observe Yizkor on
Wednesday, April 8, at 6 p.m., on Zoom.
Please join our service to honor those who have gone before us.
The Yellow Candle Project A Holocaust Remembrance
In a few days, you will receive your candle
in the mail or delivered to your front door.
Please join our shul on Zoom,
Monday, April 13, at 6 p.m.
when we will light our candles together
in memory of the six million.
The Yom HaShoah Yellow Candle Project encourages us to pause and reflect on the Holocaust — the six million who were lost amid the horrific acts of aggression that vanquished Jewish populations in major cities and peaceful villages all across Europe. Last year, more than two hundred thousand candles were distributed in North America and in the United Kingdom.
The candle is a gift from the Congregation to you. However, should you wish to acknowledge the receipt of your candle with a charitable contribution, we suggest you consider a multiple of $18, the number that represents life — chai. Perhaps double-chai at $36, four times chai at $72, or more. All funds received will be used to underwrite bus transportation for the 10th-grade world history class at Greenport High School to visit a Holocaust museum. This visit is the culmination of the students’ unit of study on the Holocaust. Thanks to our support this year, more than 60 young people will participate in this effort.
Following the museum experience, several students will attend the Friday Shabbat service online at our shul on April 24, to share their responses to what they have learned. In previous years, the give-and-take between congregants and students has been revealing. We hope you will attend in person or online.
Let us join together on this night of remembrance — Monday, April 13, at 6 p.m. on Zoom for Yom HaShoah, and again on April 24, at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom or in person to learn from the GHS students. We must keep alive the memory of the events that occurred nearly a century ago. Our lighted candles are powerful symbols that can open the door to discussion, education and interaction — the paths that fight the antisemitism that continues to build in the world.
For more information, please call the shul at 631-477-0232. You can contribute online at our website, www.tiferethisraelgreenport.org, or by mail to our P.O. box.
Sara Bloom, President
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/230626645?pwd=NmI4dXpic2NiSjNsY1dFUEVNT3J2Zz09
Meeting ID: 230 626 645
Passcode: 955110
Book Circle Learns How Ancient Remnants Affect Jewish Community
More than 2,000 years ago, remnants of one of the lost tribes of Israel appeared on the shores of India. They became known in India as the Bene Israel.
A handful of the tribe’s descendants band together to live in a communal housing complex, known as the Shalom India Housing Society. Nestled amidst their Hindu and Muslim neighbors, the residents find ways to laugh and love while keeping faith with their Jewish roots. Esther David has penned a delightful read, named for the community.
The Book Circle will meet again on Thursday, March 19, 3:30 p.m. on CTI’s Zoom. The group meets monthly to explore books on Jewish themes and by Jewish writers. For more information, email Susan Rosenstreich at ctigreeenport@gmail.com/.
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