TGIS: Thank God It's Shabbat

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TGIS: Thank God It's Shabbat

11/04/2022 02:47:40 PM

Nov4

Friends, Shabbat Shalom.

I have to admit that my head is pulling me in many different directions with this email this week. By now, many of you have heard about the security threat to synagogues in New Jersey yesterday - please know that authorities have announced it has been resolved. Please still join us for our security drill tomorrow at noon (and for Shabbat services before hand and kiddush afterwards). We are living in a world of heightened stress - between anti-Semitism, the political election season, social media concerns, the Phillies world series games, many are naturally on edge. In times like these, I like to focus on two of the themes that I have written about a lot in my messages: community and gratitude.

Community: Some good news from our community. Amy Feldman has a new book that was just released this past week and Shanna Hocking has a new book that is being released this coming week.

New committees forming: If you would like to be a part of our new Environmental Committee that Rabbi Witkovsky spoke about to create an action plan for the synagogue or our new Religious Services Task Force that will look at our prayer services, please email me. We want your involvement and your input.

We are going to do a round shortly of cooking soup that we give to those in our community that aren't feeling well. Would you like to be on our cooking team? Please let me know.

Gratitude and Giving Back: First, thank you to everyone that has supported our Seeds Campaign, our Matanah Campaign, our Patron campaign. Your support of the synagogue is essential for enabling us to serve our community.

Our Cub Scout troop has been going all out for Veteran's Day. Thank you to everyone that has donated to their Amazon wish list with supplies for pack to make care packages. On November 13, after Installation, our cubs will be putting together the bags.

Our teens are also doing a service project in advance of Thanksgiving and you can participate.

With Thanksgiving coming up, this is a great time to give back. If you are looking for a place to volunteer for Thanksgiving, there are great options in the Philadelphia community - but I recommend signing up early. Spaces fill up. Here are a few opportunities for you:

Emmanuel Church Thanksgiving Volunteering - This is where my family will be. Join us.
Philabundance
Manna Pies
Kaiserman JCC has a morning of Giving on Thanksgiving

In today's world, it is important for each of us to think about how to take care of one another. Not only will it be good for others, at least for me, I have found that it is really good for my soul.

And now for our links:

Rabbi's Weekly Message - Take 3 minutes and get into the Shabbat frame of mind
Rabbi's Sermon from last week - I am sharing again because I think it is a critically important message at this time
Installation Weekend - Last Chance to RSVP
Rabbi Cooper's Newest Blog Piece - Is it Anti-Semitism? Does it Really Matter?
Saul Wach's Class "A Palace in Time: The Jewish Table" - Starts this week in person
Rabbi Alan Iser's Class "Judaism and Abortion" - Starts this week online

We look forward to seeing you soon, have a great weekend.

Ken
513 503 9559

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TGIS: Thank God It's Shabbat

11/04/2022 02:47:40 PM