Synagogue Updates

Good morning,

This is another early Sunday check-in so I can remind you of the second session of our scholar-in-residence Rabbi David Golinkin at 9:45am. Zoom link here.  Rave reviews from last week, so don't miss out. 

We have a few events coming up over the next month or so designed to bring our community together in different ways. This past Friday's Shabbat recognizing those families and kids that have been part of our community for 10 years was also a part of our plan to foster connections. Coming up, we have Shabbat 100 on December 4th/5th where we intend to find ways for over 100 families to connect with one another over Shabbat. We will be brining back our Bake a Challah for a fellow congregant initiative for that week. We will have outdoor candle lighting for Hanukkah each night. On December 16th, we once again have a Talent Show. Start thinking of your acts (and encourage our youth to do so - Our Youth Got Talent programs have been among our most enjoyable over the years). We will be doing a mixture of live and pre-recorded material. 

Our goal this month is to look at how we can help others in our community.  I hope you saw Hallie Chandler's Shabbat-O-Gram email on Friday where she outlined some of our projects for Thanksgiving. 

We know that this year Thanksgiving will be very different than normal, and we want to add connection and meaning to it.

• We have a team of volunteers that has already offered to make desserts - pies, cookies, etc. We want to deliver them to you! Not doing your normal hosting or traveling? Please let me know if you would be interested in getting a home made baked treat for Thanksgiving. 
• We are going to have a special Thanksgiving morning zoom at 9:30am filled with friends and good conversation. 
• Our ECC students are creating cards that we will be mailing out (as supplies last). 
• Congregants have volunteered to call other congregants to wish others a happy Thanksgiving. 

We would love to connect with you. Interested in helping out with making calls, baking, or receiving a dessert? Please email me (and for all of those that have offered to make calls, I will be sending names this week).

COVID-19 numbers in our community have been rising rapidly. If you need any support with shopping or anything else, please let us know and we will reach out to our volunteers. Our volunteers can also help you think through online shopping options and to prepare for the winter. 

Below is the  small list of opportunities to make a difference that I shared last week. Have other easy opportunities you want us to share? Please send them onto me and we will share next week.

Wishing you a great Sunday!

Ken 
513 503 9559
 

1. Donate to the Ardmore Food Pantry or Narberth Food Bank. They provide for many members of our greater community during the holidays and the entire year. 
2. Volunteer to make a pie, cookies or other dessert that we will deliver to members of our congregation on Thanksgiving weekend. Please let me know if you are interested (a separate email will be going out for recipients and sharing about all of our initiatives to bring people together virtually and in person during the holidays)
3. Drop off new or gently used backpacks or rolling suitcases to the synagogue that will be delivered to a church working with the homeless on Thanksgiving. Drop off deadline is Friday, November 20th.
4. Volunteer to make Thanksgiving and holiday calls to our community (if you have already volunteered to make calls, we will be in touch with names shortly for you)
5. Volunteer to help elderly residents in Northeast Philly with yard cleanups on Sunday, November 15th: https://jfcsphilly.volunteerhub.com/lp/NEClean/
6. JFCS is doing grocery deliveries throughout November:  https://jfcsphilly.volunteerhub.com/lp/groceries/