NEWSLETTERTOP

December 2014 - 5774

Volume LXIII #3

Member of the Union For Reform Judaism

978-251-8091

www.congregationshalom.org

Congregation Shalom is a Reform Jewish community committed to education, spiritual growth, and Tikkun
Olam (healing the world).  We are proud to be an extended family of equals - welcoming, caring, and inclusive.
 Together, we engage in religious observance, enjoy social activities, and pursue life-long learning.
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Rabbi From our Rabbirabbi


Dear Friends:


 

One recent night, while teaching the Post-Confirmation class, I asked the kids to anonymously write on pieces of paper some private thoughts. On one side they were to write down what they were concerned or fearful about; basically what worries they wanted to share with the group. On the other side of the paper they were to write about something that brought them joy. I confess that I had a preconceived notion of what they would write about. In particular I thought they would write about school stress, college pressure and social concerns. In fact what they wrote about indicated a far broader empathy for those beyond their everyday life. One teen wrote about the terrorist shooting in Jerusalem, another wrote about their concerns of racism and police brutality and another wrote about their sense of complete helplessness in the face of the worldwide Ebola outbreak.  What was clear from the discussion is that our kids are caring, sensitive and tuned in to the issues that keep all of us up at night. Their concerns were not self-focused but they did feel disheartened by the enormity of the world's problems and reflective of what they could do to make an impact.

 

One issue in particular gave us an opportunity to realize that as individuals they could make a concrete, albeit incremental, impact of a significant world tragedy - the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Although it is true that the problems are overwhelming and that the nations plagued by this terrible disease are facing challenges that seem insurmountable, there are amazing small efforts that can be made that do make a substantial difference. Something even as simple as teaching a community to use bleach to wash one's hands and feet has helped to stem the spread of the disease. Imagine knowing that one donation of the cost of a bottle of bleach might impact the life of an individual? 

 

In Jewish tradition, the mitzvah of Pikuach Nefesh, the saving of a life, is the most important and essential requirement of what it means to be a Jew, and yet how many of us have actually been called upon to help to save a life? The opportunity, however, is right before us. Each of us can perform this profound mitzvah in the way we respond to the Ebola outbreak. More often than not, I advocate for the hands-on approach to Tikkun Olam, but in this case, it really does come down to money. There are few of us who have the skills and ability to help in a physical way, but our money can be used to provide infrastructure, education, medical staffing, and yes, even bottles of bleach. These contributions have and will continue to make a difference.

 

One organization that has made enormous in-roads in providing such services is the American Jewish World Service.As an organization they are supporting 10 Liberian organizations that are helping to replace panic with trust, contain the outbreak and save lives. These grassroots organizations know what their communities need most and are responding to the most urgent needs on the ground:

  • Distributing essential sanitation materials.
  • Training and equipping volunteers and staff with safety equipment.
  • Preventing the spread of infection by conducting door-to-door outreach and producing radio broadcasts to inform communities with high rates of illiteracy about how to stay healthy.
  • Working with local religious and spiritual leaders to educate their congregations about Ebola prevention and where to seek treatment in suspected cases of the disease.

You can read more about their efforts in these two articles: "AJWS spreads Ebola prevention information in Liberia" and "AJWS's Response to the Ebola Virus Disease Epidemic in West Africa".


 

Contributions can be made at their Crisis-Specific Donation Web Address.

I hope that in this season of family, gifts and celebration of life, you will be able to share some of your plenty with others to help stem the incursion of this terrible disease and to bring the gift of life to others.

 

Warm regards,

Stephen Rodman's photoFrom our PresidentBarryTop    

 

Dear Friends:


Over the next several months we intend to make progress on several projects that we hope will enhance the experience for all members of our community. The projects include:

  • Purchasing new Member Management Software (MMS). Our current MMS is outdated, no longer supported, and inefficient. Our office staff spends far too many hours wrestling with the software to complete the most mundane of tasks. New MMS programs will allow our staff to work more efficiently and will provide many benefits to our members, such as online review and payment of accounts, online updating of family information, and online school and event registration.
  • Repairing the wall dividing the function hall from classroom six so that it opens and closes properly. The wall as currently situated does not hang properly, causing it to rub against the floor, damaging the carpet. We are exploring several options to rectify this issue. And once that is complete...
  • Installing new carpeting in the sanctuary, function hall and classroom 6. As you all know by now, our carpeting has begun to deteriorate after almost twenty years of use. Once the wall is fixed (and therefore won't damage the carpeting), the time has come to replace the carpeting and "freshen up" our sanctuary.
  • Installing of video camera in the sanctuary. Over the past several years, we have been exploring options to install a video camera in the sanctuary, permitting services and events to be recorded.  Eventually, we would like to be able to share our services with those members unable to attend in person and create a record of events which take place at the temple.

 In order for us to succeed in completing these projects, we will need your help. If you have experience in, or an interest in, technology, construction, design, electronics or the like and could lend a hand in any of these projects, please contact me at president@congregationshalom.org. With your help we can enhance the temple experience for all members of the community.


 

L'Shalom,

Stephen Rodman's signature 

Stephen   

 

Please click here to read previous columns on our website.

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From Our Education Directoreddir  


 

I recently received a lesson plan from a teacher exploring the idea of miracles. This idea of a miracle comes up a lot during Hanukkah. We are taught that the Hasmonean family, the Maccabees, led by Judah the Maccabee, fought and defeated the Syrian army of Antiochus. When they defeated the Syrians, they cleaned and sanctified the Temple in Jerusalem. In the book "Jewish Every Day", the authors speak about the fact that there is little written from the Rabbis about the actual war, but rather the Rabbis focused on the sanctification and rededication of the Temple. The focus was on the positives and not the tragedies of war. When Judah and his army entered the defiled Temple, they wanted to light the Ner Tamid, the Eternal Light. As we all know, they could only find enough oil to burn for 1 day, and we celebrate the miracle that the oil lasted for 8 days.

 

I often feel like the symbolism of Hanukkah and what a miracle is gets lost in the flurry of gifts and parties that surrounds our Hanukkah celebrations. I could not help but think about what a miracle means for all of us today. How do we explain the concept of miracles to our kids? The dictionary describes a miracle as: "an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause."

 

I think that the idea of a miracle as an extraordinary event may not allow us to teach our children about the everyday miracles that surround us. Arguably, the fact that we get up every morning and the sun is shining are both examples of miracles. They may not rise to the dramatic miracles of parting red seas, burning bushes, or oil that lasts for 8 days, but we are able to be grateful for the miracles that make us who we are and what we are today.

 

As we enter into the hectic and often all consuming Hanukkah celebrations, I hope that you will take the time to spend family time reading a book, playing dreidel, and being with friends and family, as these are perhaps the most important times that celebrate the miracle of family and friends that we so often take for granted.

 

Following the theme of family and friends, I hope you will all join us for our annual Hanukkah party on Sunday, December 21 at 12 noon following Religious School. (Session 1 will be at the regular time and Session 2 will end at 12 p.m.) The Hanukkah party offers great food, wonderful entertainment, and a fun experience for the whole family.


 Yael Signature
Yael

 

Please click here to read previous columns on our website. 

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Social Action Committeesocialaction

Halloween Candy Drive

Our members showed incredible generosity with a record breaking donation of 95 pounds of candy donated this year! Half of this was sent overseas to soldiers through the Operation Gratitude, which sends candy to US troops overseas. The other half was donated locally to the Chelmsford Food Pantry and the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, both organizations that help people who need food assistance.

 

Blood Drive planned for December 8

Congregation Shalom will once again host a blood drive on Monday December 8, from 2-7 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help set up, staff, and clean up after the drive. If you are interested in volunteering, please email socialaction@congregationshalom.org. If you would like to donate blood, please sign up at www.redcrossblood.org and enter Congregation Shalom's zipcode (01863) to be directed to our location to sign up.

 

Christmas Mitzvot

Stay tuned for more information coming soon about ways to sign up and help our community on December 25! In the past we have served meals at local senior centers, shelters, and other social service organizations. We are finalizing details on this year's projects and will reach out through email and Weekly Updates with more information soon. 

 

Monthly Food Donations for Middlesex Transitional Living Center

Congregation Shalom is collecting food for the Lowell Transitional Living Center. It is easy to help out with this mitzvah. Donations of meatloaf, and/or brownies and/or salad are accepted each month. There will be a cooler chest located by doors of Congregation Shalom. Simply place your donation in the cooler and know that you have done a good deed! The food will be collected and brought to the Lowell Transitional Living Center in Lowell, where our donations are greatly appreciated each month. You can leave your donations in the cooler beginning on Wednesday, December 19 through Friday, December 21 (until 5 p.m.) January dates will be January 21-23 - mark your calendar now!

 

Volunteer at Table of Plenty in Chelmsford

Congregation Shalom is part of a team of volunteers at the Table of Plenty in Chelmsford, an organization that serves a free meal to all, no questions asked, every Tuesday from 5-6 p.m. at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Chelmsford Center. Our team serves every other month on the third Tuesday, and will next serve on January 20, 2015. If you have time to volunteer during the afternoon on Tuesdays and would like to take part, please contact Linda Newhard at socialaction@congregationshalom.org.

 

Questions? Need more information? Please contact socialaction@congregationshalom.org.

 

Fundraising Committeefundraising

Ongoing Auction Fun

 

The second session of this year's Auction is in full swing with bargains galore! From hair care products to restaurants to delicious homemade dishes that are a gourmand's delight, we have it. From supermarkets to handcrafted jewelry, we have it. From theatre tickets to bridge lessons, we have it. From cooking lessons to landscape design to vacation homes, we have it.

 

Join the fun. You have no idea who you are bidding against. Whether you check your bids daily or morning and evening or, like me, every hour, the higher the bids, the better for our synagogue.

 

This is our biggest fundraiser of the year so bid high and bid often.

 

Reminder - winning bids can be paid for by check or PayPal.

 
Featured This Issue
Online Auction
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Save the Date

 

Dec 7  Chanukah Fair

Dec 8  Blood Drive

Dec 19  Creative Service

Dec 21 Chanukah Party

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GroupsBlockGroups
  
  
  


 

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QuickLinksQuick Links
 
   

Links to Our Website
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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Donations for New Prayer Books

 

You meant to do it. You put the letter in a pile but now don't remember which pile. Maybe the letter was thrown out with the junk mail. Check the wall opposite the office for more letters. Bookplates are NOT a requisite for donations. As always, the choice is yours.

 

You can click here for all the information.

 

ThankYous
ThankYou

Thank you to our Congregation Shalom family for your donations and good wishes on the birth of our grandson, Reid Arthur Pettitt. His parents, Jess and Angel, also send their sincere appreciation.

  Sharon Grier

 

Thanks to everyone who made a donation to the congregation in honor of Tyler's Bar Mitzvah. We are so lucky to have such a wonderful, caring community.

  Caren, Jon, Stephanie and Tyler Boroshok

 

On behalf of the Gilmore and Rose families, we would like to thank everyone for all the warmth and support we received during this difficult time surrounding the passing of Jerry Gilmore. We are so very appreciative of your caring and concern; it meant a great deal to all of us.

 

Dear wonderful Congregation Shalom members:

We want to say a heartfelt todah raba / thank you to all who have been so generous and thoughtful during this difficult time following the passing of Bernie Tack - our beloved husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather. You all make Congregation Shalom such a special place. Thanks for being part of our extended family.

With gratitude,

  The Loyer and Tack families


Good and Welfaregoodandwelfare


 

Emily Jill Dubner, daughter of temple members Janet and Dan Dubner, was recently married to Joy Seth Hurd IV. Mazel tov to them all.

 

It is with a heavy heart that I write of the recent passing of:

 

    Jerry Gilmore, husband of our member Davida Gilmore and father of Marsha Gilmore and Eric Rose.

 

    Bernerd Tack, husband of our member Helen Tack and father of Margi Loyer

 

    Pearl Shapiro, mother of our member Mike Shapiro.

 

We send our deepest condolences to the families.


Welcome New MembersNewMembers

 

We welcome our newest member family, Brendan Wahlberg and Marsha Gilmore, to our Congregation Shalom community.  Please reach out and help make them feel welcome.


Newsletter Ads and You!

 

We are always looking for advertisers for the Temple newsletter. Ads can be placed at any time with special pricing for members. Ads need not be for a year so if you want to try us, we take ads for 3 months as well as six months. If you decide to continue your ad for a full year, we do pro-rate the price. As the saying goes, "Try us, you'll like us!"

 

Youth ScholarshipsYthScholar

Throughout the year, there are many enriching Jewish experiences available to our youth through our synagogue or the community. These include, but aren't limited to, summer camps and trips to Washington, New York, and Israel. Fortunately, there is some scholarship money available through the temple to those families in need of financial assistance for these opportunities. Please contact Margie Berenson at scholarship@concgregationahalom.org with any questions and/or for an application form. 

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Changed Your Address?
Notify us at emailchange@congregationshalom.org and we'll make sure all the right organizations at the Temple are informed. Please include your full name in your request.

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Deadline for the

January Newsletter is

Thursday, December 18.

 

Please send articles to

newsletter@congregationshalom.org.  

 

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Join Our Mailing List
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Annual Online Auction is Happeningauction

 

The 2014 Congregation Shalom 10th Annual Online Auction is now in Session 2 of 4. We start the bidding at 25-30% of an item's value, guaranteeing great bargains. This year, Chanukah is December 16-24 so we'll complete the first 3 sessions prior to its onset.

 

We had about 200 gifts this year, including some unique offerings - Blintz-making Lessons from Janet Dubner, a Rainbow Latkes dinner at the Loyers, a huge discount on a professional custom family collage from a local graphic artist, mini-vacations, unbelievable deals on a gently used elliptical crosstrainer and a beautiful home entertainment unit, a Red Sox baseball autographed by Jewish player Craig Breslow, a Titleist golf club (driver), high-end hair and skin care products, gift certificates of $100 or more to Staples, Legal Seafoods, Evviva Cucina, Surf6, and restaurants.com, among other great prizes.

 

Our usual four two-week bidding sessions end this year on December 27. Please note that each session ends at 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the session. (Bids received after midnight will be disqualified.)

 

Our easy-to-use auction program with anonymous bidding is found at: www.shalom-auction.org.

 

Register if you are a new user. If you are a return user, the same email/password combo will work. Email auction@congregationshalom.org or call Ava for help, or if you forgot your password.

 

Here's how to do it:

To Bid, just click on "Submit Bid" on either page.. Click on right column (Details/Photo) for the full description of each item.

To see status of all your bids, click on "View Your Bid History". You can tell if you are currently the highest bidder or not.

Session dates are shown at top of home page, upper left.

That's all there is to it!

 

If you'd like, pay for your purchases at the end of each 2-week session by credit card online with our secure system (you don't need a PayPal account to use your credit card).

 

If you have any questions or problems please email Ava at auction@congregationshalom.org.

 

Thanks and have fun!

Laura, Ava, and the Fundraising Committee 

 

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Discounted Tickets are Available to Awake and Sing!adulted

Discounted tickets are available to us for a wowing performance of Clifford Odet's American classic Awake and Sing! at the Huntington Theater.

 

"In a cramped bronx apartment, a working-class Jewish family dreams of a brighter future. Matriarch Bessie Berger's fierce determination keeps her family afloat, whatever the cost. Gritty, passionate, funny, and heartbreaking, Odets' 1935 masterpiece beautifully captures both the hopes and the struggles of an unforgettable American family."

 

Tickets will be sold to congregants at the discounted rate of $55.

 

You may order discounted tickets for any performance night using the code "SING".

 

More information can be found at: http://www.huntingtontheatre.org/awakeandsing .

 

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Sisterhood Newssisterhood

 

 

The Brotherhood and Sisterhood held a joint event with Rabbi Bazer as the guest speaker. He spoke of finding "God & Spirituality While Wearing Combat Boots". Rabbi Bazer was a senior chaplain in Afghanistan. We were all pleasantly surprised to find out that they could get challah, gefilte fish and lox there. They celebrated Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, Chanukah, and Passover. Rabbi Bazer was one of the few personnel to not carry a weapon. Upon his return home, Rabbi Bazer lit the menorah at the White House. We had a good turnout, and it was a delightful evening. Thank you to all the men and women who are serving and to our veterans.

 

In October, Sisterhood had a "Football Sunday". It was a fun event; the food and the camaraderie were wonderful. Three touchdowns in 57 seconds - very impressive! Go Patriots - Great Win! Thank you Donna Upson for offering us your home.

 

In November, Sisterhood had a "Walk on the Bike Path". What a way to start a morning. We had 10 women and the weather was perfect. We ended with coffee and dessert at the Java Room.

 

Also in November, during Religious School hours from 8:30 - 11:00 a.m., Sisterhood held our first

"Cafe Shalom". There were hot chocolate, coffee, bagels, and cookies. We had newspapers to read, and there was plenty of conversation with members, new and old. Keep and eye out for the next Cafe Shalom in January.

 

Later that same evening was the Sisterhood Dinner and a Movie Night. We had dinner at the Outback and saw the movie "Rosewater," at the AMC Theatre in Burlington.

 

Mark your Calendars:

Sisterhood Chanukah Fair  -       Wednesday - December 3rd  4:00-6:00 and

                                                Sunday  - December 7th 8:30 - 12:30

 

Also, coming in December: Chanukah Party at Patti Green's House---Wednesday December 10,

at 6:30 p.m.

 

January 24 - Brotherhood /Sisterhood Night Out - Location TBD.

 

Pat Schneider

Sisterhood Board

sisterhood@congregationshalom.org 

 

Click here to view the Sisterhood calendar at our Congregation Shalom website.

 

Return to Groups.

 

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Brotherhood Buzzbrotherhood

 

On Saturday night, November 8th, the Brotherhood sponsored our annual "Dinner With Mel". This year's theme was Russian Cuisine. Thirty five people attended. The food was delicious and the conversation lively. A special thanks goes to the 'chefs-in-charge': Mel Starr, Cris Shuldiner, Jerry Bass and Michael Bresnick. And thanks goes to all who participated in the set-up and clean-up. It was definitely a team effort!

 

Upcoming events include our next "Guys Night Out" on December 11th and our annual Sunday morning latke breakfast for the children on December 21st.

 

If you haven't participated in our past events, please come to one in the future. You will be welcomed by friendly and supportive members!

 

Mark Burton, Brotherhood Vice President

brotherhood@congregationshalom.org  

 

Click here to view the Brotherhood calendar at our Congregation Shalom website.

 

Return to Groups.

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Shalomitesshalomites

 

Salutations from The Shalomites!

 

Thanks to all our volunteers at the Tapas, Beer, and Jazz Night- as well as those who attended our Leadership Training Institute last month. We had a great time getting to know new aspects of ourselves and one another. We also prepared some of the leadership skills necessary for The Shalomites' upcoming hosting and organizing of NFTY Northeast's 2014 Spring Conclavette, which will be held March 20-22 off-site. Unlike other NFTY events, 8th graders will be invited and encouraged to take a leadership role in this unique weekend experience. Any Shalomites interested in signing up for committees can email shalomites@congregationshalom.org regarding the Housing, Photography, Programming, Services, Food, Registration, and/or Communications Committees.

 

Our Creative Service is just around the corner! The rehearsal for any and all Shalomites planning to participate will be on December 16 from 7 to 9 p.m., and the Creative Service will be December 19 from 6 to 10 p.m. We will be featuring a "pre-neg" (that's an Oneg before the service) with various snacks, a service, a potluck dinner, and a community program on the theme of Nostalgia. Members of all ages are welcome. Following the service will be a fun Chanukah shul-in (sleepover at the temple) for just the Shalomite members. We will be doing a Yankee swap, so be sure to bring in a small wrapped gift (under $10) for swapping. RSVPs for the Creative Service, rehearsals, and shul-in should be emailed to shalomites@congregationshalom.org by December 9.

 

Lastly, registration is up for NFTY Northeast's December Institute. This is a great opportunity to see what our regional youth group is all about and a chance for our 9-12 graders to get to know NFTY before we host in March. It will be held from December 26-30 in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Transportation to and from Camp Eisner will be provided. Registration is located at http://www.nfty.org/ne/events/december/ .

 

Can't wait to see you all at these amazing events.

 

Best, 

Hannah Muhlfelder

Shalomites President 

 

Click here to view the Shalomites calendar at our Congregation Shalom website.

 

Return to Groups.

 

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Junior Youth GroupJrYthGrp

 

Calling all parents of 5th, 6th and 7th grade students - WE NEED YOU!!

 

HELP WANTED

Desperately seeking parents to help with the Junior Youth Group.

            Commitment is VERY SMALL

            NO MEETINGS TO ATTEND

            You are in charge of the event you choose to coordinate

            Pick a date that you like

            Tell me the event

I help with the details - email blasts, permission slips, etc.

I hope to have 4 events this year.

Events usually start Sundays at 12:30 p.m. at the temple (right after Religious School), and the kids eat lunch (which they bring) before leaving the temple.

 

Currently we have no events planned for the upcoming year. The following dates are available to plan an event:

            Jan. 11, 25

            Feb. 1, 8

            March 1, 15

 

Events that have been successful in the past include:

            Hay Maze at Davis Farmland

            Laser Tag

            Movies

            Snow Tubing

            Skyzone (Indoor Trampoline Park)

            Mini Golf-Indoors

However, feel free to suggest something else!

 

Please email Beth Shapiro at JuniorYouthGroup@congregationshalom.org.

 

Click here to view the Junior Youth Group calendar at our Congregation Shalom website.

 

Return to Groups.

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Attention M O C A s

(Members Of a Certain Age)

   

To All MOCAs, new and older, Greetings!  Here is our schedule for 2013-2014...please mark your calendars.

 

MOCA's purpose is to help Members Of a Certain Age (YOU decide the age!) maintain an active association with the congregation and with other MOCAs.

 

We attend a Shabbat Service at Congregation Shalom and, before or after the service, meet for dinner at a nearby restaurant.  Do plan to join us.

 

This year, 2014-15, our meetings will be at the Feng Shui restaurant on the following Shabbat (Friday evening) dates and times:

 

December 19, 6:00 p.m.                     Shabbat Service at 8:00 p.m.

 

February 13th, 7:45 p.m.                    Sunset Shabbat Service at 6:00 p.m.

 

April 17, 7:45 p.m.                             Sunset Shabbat Service at 6:00 p.m.

 

June 19, 6:00 p.m.                             Shabbat Service at 8:00 p.m.


 

Do mark your calendars and plan to join us for some or all!

 

At the Feng Shui restaurant, the MOCA group will have a private room, food will be ordered from the regular menu, and the management will give us separate checks per individual or couple.  Please note that two of our MOCA Shabbat Services are Sunset Shabbats.  This affords us the opportunity to enjoy a leisurely meal, with time to socialize, after the Shabbat Service.

 

Please contact Ethel Kamien if you would like to be added to the MOCA list or if you desire more information. Her email address is moca@congregationshalom.org.

 

Your MOCA Chair, Ethel Kamien  


 

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Caring Yarns Yearlong ProjectCaringYarns   


Calling all knitters! We have a project for you that can be finished in one evening while watching TV. We have a pattern for making slippers for women that we will take to the Lowell Women's Shelter. The pattern comes in 3 sizes, requires size 9 needles, 2 stitch markers, a yarn needle and one skein of worsted weight (#4) yarn. You can make a few sets with this one skein.  Please click here for the pattern.


We will be working on this project through next summer. Thanks for joining us in this project.

 

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Grocery Cards  

 

Getting Ready For Thanksgiving? Help The Temple At The Same Time

Do you want to help the temple without spending time or money? Yes, you can! Help while you shop. Get a grocery card for $100 (Hannaford, Stop&Shop or Donelan's) each month, and the temple makes $7 cashback. This leads to thousands of dollars for our program, with no out-of-pocket monies from you. Just email Judy Beningson at giftcards@congregationshalom.org and I will get you started. Thank you.

 

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iGiveiGive for Congregation Shalom
Have you ever thought how great it would be to be able to shop online at 783 different well-known stores and still donate money to Congregation Shalom?  Well, you can do that!  It's free and easy so join those of us who have been sending donations to the synagogue for years simply by shopping by first going to the iGive website once you have established the link.  Click here to register for Congregation Shalom to automatically be the recipient cause.
  
If you make a purchase through iGive within 45 days of signing up, an extra $5.00 will go to Congregation Shalom.  If you have any questions, please contact Laura at fundraising@congregationshalom.org.
  

 

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Donation AcknowledgementsDonationAcks

The following donations were received from July-October 2014:

 

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT FUND

MUSIC FUND

4 general donations

In honor of

In appreciation of

   Mary Bresnick's new grandson, Eli

   High Holiday Services, 30 donations

In memory of

In honor of

   Naomi Perry

   The Bernstein's 60th wedding

 

       anniversary

RABBI PERRY'S DISCRETIONARY

   Rose Snyder's 100th birthday

FUND

   Rose and Borys

In memory of

In memory of

   Naomi Perry, 7 donations

   Ben Sperry

 

   Arthur and Mildred Rainen

BEAUTIFICATION/FINE ARTS FUND

   Harry and Rose Reid

In memory of

   Saul and Betty Palais, 2 donations

   Donald Pearlman

   Abe and Ida Snyder, 2 donations

 

 

EDUCATION FUND

HESSIE GOLDSTEIN MEMORIAL

In appreciation

LIBRARY FUND

   The Lego Project from Merrimack Valley

In honor of

      Jewish Federation

   Judy Starr's birthday, 2 donations

   Rosh Hashanah Family Services

In memory of

   High Holiday Services, 3 donations

   Marie Wikander

 

   Donald Pearlman, 12 donations

ENHANCED JEWISH EXPERIENCE

 

FOR YOUTHS FUND

MARTIN AMES SOCIAL ACTION

One general donation

LECTURE FUND

In honor of

In honor of

   Bernstein's 60th wedding anniversary

   High Holidays

 

In memory of

LEAVES ON TREE OF LIFE

   Naomi Perry

In honor of

   Donald Pearlman

   Tyler Boroshok's bar mitzvah

   Mrs. Scott Shurdut's father

   Joan and William Bernstein's

   Linda Gold's husband

      60th anniversary

 

In memory of

 

   Naomi Perry


 

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December Yahrzeitsyahrzeits

12/5/14

Barbara Baron, Pauline Chertok, Julius Hyatt, Marvin Kerzner, Edward Penn, Selma Raichek, Erwin Susman

 

12/12/14

Harold Berit, Joseph Goldman, Pearl Park, Gert Wiener

 

12/19/14

Eli Baron, Max Epstein, Maurice Friedman, Theodore Lieberman, Bernard Miller, Irene Notinger, Steven Perry

 

12/26/14

Sadye Goss, Simon Malikan, Sadie Marx

 

1/2/15

Nathan Dubner, Sally Dubner, Dora Hyatt, Nathan Kupor, Sidney Kurland, Blanche Powell, Arthur Sawyer, Pearl Pearlman Spiegel, Micheline Szabo, Arline Weintraub


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ExtendedCommunityExtended Community

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Table of Plenty in Chelmsford

Free Dinner Served

Every Tuesday from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

at First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Chelmsford Center

 

All are welcome. No questions asked.

Also, if you know of someone who cannot get out,

but would benefit from a dinner being delivered to them, please contact us.

 

For more information contact:

tableofplentyinchelmsford@gmail.com

www.tableofplentyinchelmsford.org

978-710-8328


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On December 14, Central Reform Temple, a progressive Reform synagogue, will offer a unique opportunity to experience the inspiration and broader significance of this cherished celebration for all people in our community. Central Reform Temple will present the Cantata, "A Light Through the Ages",recounting the meaning of Chanukah throughout Jewish history in story and song.

 

The original text by Rabbi Howard A. Berman, weaves a chronicle of the celebration of the holiday in many timesand places over the centuries. Choral selections from each historic period will be performed by the Zamir Chorale of Boston, Joshua Jacobson, Artistic Director. The Program, which is free and open to the community, will conclude with a dramatic Candlelight Ceremony.

 

This event is free and open to the public.  RSVP or ticket is not required.  For more information, please see their website

 

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From the Merrimack Valley Jewish Federation ...


 

Smile into Chanukah at First Light with Shlock Rock.

 

Clap to their parodies of Lady Gaga, Elvis, La Bamba, Black Eyed Peas and Michael Jackson!

 

Come to Temple Emanuel, Andover on

Sunday, December 14 from 2:30 - 5:00 p.m.

 

Play driedel, eat latkes, and sing along with familiar tunes. Fun for all ages.

 

Order tickets at www.mvjf.org. For more information, call MVJF office at 978-688-0466.

 

 

 

Join us for a fun afternoon of awe as Mr. Magic performs

 

This event is for children ages 6 months - 10 years and their families.

 

Heritage Place, 439 So. Union Street, Atrium Level, South Lawrence

 

RSVP to Michelle Soll or call MVJF office at 978-688-0466.


 
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From the Visiting Nurse Association of Boston & Affiliates...

 

VNA Hospice Care needs volunteers! Hospice volunteers play a key role in helping to provide caring and compassion to patients and families facing life-limiting illness and loss. A volunteer may provide patients with company and emotional support, give the spouse, partner or other caregiver a needed break from care giving, and/or help caregivers run errands or get to and from appointments. A strong need exists for volunteers who can visit on weekdays. We also seek: musicians who would like to sing or play music quietly at the bedside of nursing home residents; Reiki practitioners who would like to offer Reiki to patients and/or caregivers; and people interested in visiting with their therapy dog. Volunteers who speak both English and a second language are also helpful. We provide volunteer training and ongoing support. Call 781-569-2888 and ask to speak to a Volunteer Coordinator for more information. Or email LPalais@vnab.org.

  


Spiritual Poetry Journal

 

"Soul-Lit" is a new on-line spiritual poetry journal. A number of entries have been from Jews and have Jewish content. Writers are encouraged to submit their own poems which have a level of spiritual content to them. Two volumes have already been published.

 

To check out the website, please click here.

 

Please spread the word to members of the community who are writers / poets, and who may wish to submit their own writings.

 

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