Shul News & Notes
Rabbi’s Classes Began Thursday, Jan. 25, At The Parsonage And On Zoom
Hebrew at 4:30 p.m.; Trope Trainer at 5:30 p.m. Newcomers Welcome
Adding to the education program at our shul, Rabbi Gadi has announced the restart of his Hebrew class, and the continuation of Trope Trainer, both to begin on Thursday, Jan. 25. Because the exercise class also meets on Thursday, the two education classes will be held at the parsonage.
The Hebrew class and the Trope Trainer curriculum are related in that both prepare participants to read the Hebrew characters, from the Siddur and also from the Torah for those interested in that more advanced learning. As Hebrew readers know, the difficulty in reading from the Torah is that the text contains no vowels and no punctuation. Various symbols indicate directions to readers. Learning the symbols and their meanings is challenging and also satisfying, enhancing one’s understanding and connection to the ancient script.
To join our shul’s community of Hebrew readers and Torah chanters, email the shul at ctigreenport@gmail.com with a message for Rabbi Gadi.
The Book Circle Group Considers What Happened On Chicken Hill
Coming up at the Thursday, Feb. 22 meeting of the Book Circle, at 3 p.m. on Zoom, is a discussion about what happened on Chicken Hill, as related by James McBride in his bestselling National Book Award-winning novel The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store.
In 1972, when workers in Pottstown, PA, were digging the foundations for a new development, they found a skeleton at the bottom of a well. Who the skeleton was and how it got there are two of the long-held secrets kept by the residents of Chicken Hill, the dilapidated neighborhood where immigrant Jews and African Americans live side by side and share ambitions and sorrows.
When the truth is finally revealed, we see that love and community — heaven and earth — sustain us.
Tikkun Olam Continues Charitable Work On Behalf Of John’s Place
Shul members spearheading Tikkun Olam at our shul have designated February as the time they will initiate a drive to provide gently-used warm winter outerwear plus T-shirts, socks and underwear to the 30-40 homeless men who seek out John’s Place every Tuesday night.
John’s Place, located in the Parish Hall of St. Agnes Church in Greenport, provides the men with a warm place to sleep, hot showers, and clothing from November through April. John’s Place also provides dinner at night, morning breakfast, and a brown-bag lunch to-go.
Tikkun Olam will place a large container at the kitchen door on Thursday, Feb. 1, to be stationed there through February and emptied throughout the month when filled. Tikkun Olam is hopeful that shul members will respond as generously to the drive for clothing (M-L-XL) for John’s Place as they have for various CAST drives, most recently Toys For Tots, which was so successful in December that CAST personnel had to empty the overflowing big red barrel several times during the drive.
Veronica Kaliski told The Shofar that if people have items to donate but can’t get to the synagogue to deposit them in the barrel, she will provide pick-up service. To arrange for pickup, email ctigreenport@gmail.com with a message for Veronica Kaliski
Give A Little Time And Take Away Great Satisfaction
The shul’s Pastoral Committee is inviting those interested in providing companionship to people who are confined to their homes to become a part of this mitzvah. The need is particularly great during the winter months, when inclement weather prevents even the briefest outings for those living alone.
Those interested can email ctigreenport@gmail.com with a message for Elaine Goldman, chair of the committee.
New Drama Club Forming For Actors, Playwrights And Playreaders
Shul member Rosa Lee Emerson is calling for all actors, playwrights and playreaders to join a new group she is forming at the shul called DramaWorks.
In the planning stages are readings, theater games, mime and improv that focus on Jewish identity, and perhaps a performance later in the spring for shul members, family and friends.
Sources may include a book of one-act plays titled “Are You Jewish?,” written by Bruce Bloom, and also a one-act play by Chuck Simon.
To sign up, contact Rosa Lee at dremerson@rlemerson.com, and provide your contact information. For questions, email or call Rosa Lee at 347-573-0072.
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