Up to Us: Parashat Behar

Posted on by

0

Parashat B’har
Leviticus 25:1-26:2

Our Torah portion sets forth much of the instruction regarding observance of the Sabbatical Year and the Jubilee Year, which follows after seven Sabbatical Year cycles have been counted. This year is a Sabbatical Year and its advent was duly recognized in Israel. But we have long ago lost the practice of keeping track of the Jubilee Year. The Rabbis explained that the Jubilee Year disappeared with the disappearance of the Ten Lost Tribes, almost a thousand years before their time.
Continue reading →

MESH Report May 17, 2022

Posted on by

0

Our most faithful volunteer, Susan Rosenblatt, braved Tuesday’s winds  on her walk to Shomrei and our head cook, Stuart Greene, spent his day off preparing a hearty meal of turkey chlli with beans, rice and sautéed kale.

Aileen Grossberg provided the starter of hummus with pita crackers and carrots as well as a dessert pastry.

Stuart rounded out the meal with rolls and clementines.

Continue reading →

Available in the Shomrei Library: “The Netanyahus” Winner of the Pulitzer Prize

Posted on by

0

On Monday, the prestigious Pulitzer Prize winners were announced. The satiric, laugh -out-loud, The Netanyahus: An Account of a Minor and Ultimately Even Negligible Episode in the History of a Very Famous Family  has been awarded the 2022 prize for fiction.

Set in a liberal arts college, the story looks at academia, campus politics, and Zionism with a harsh but humorous eye. Continue reading →

the phone rang: Parashat Emor

Posted on by

2

Parashat Emor
Leviticus 21:1-24:23

Our Torah portion, Emor – Speak, is the third in a series of portions whose names, strung together, form a classic Jewish joke – “Aharei mot (- After the death), Q’doshim (- Holy Ones) , Emor (- Speak)- After death, ‘Holy’, is what we should say about them.” In other words, no matter what kind of life a person lived, after they die, we strive to make them into saints. This observation is usually spoken with a sardonic tone and a kind of wink of the eye. Continue reading →

In Honor of Sidney and Vivien Lechter

Posted on by

2

Some forty plus years ago, Vivian (of blessed memory) and Sidney joined Congregation Shomrei Emunah. At the time, we had no idea how special and vital they would become to the life of our Synagogue.

Sid was the driving force in bringing the Jewish War Veterans’ Post 47 to our Shul. He was Commander of the Post and ultimately moved up the ranks to the level of State Commander. When Sid told me he was moving, I asked him if there was a Post in Michigan. Yes, he said, two of them, and I am sure either one will be blessed to count him among one of theirs. Vivian always saw to the breakfast after the monthly meetings. They always invited the Sunday morning minyan to join them; lucky for me, because I was often there. Vivian was a great hostess, somehow knowing just the correct amount of food needed, and always how to make that food look and taste delicious. Beyond all that, her friendly personality was infectious, insuring that everyone felt welcome. Continue reading →

Announcing a New Siddur

Posted on by

0

At Shabbat morning services on June 18, we are excited to announce that Shomrei will open a new ritual chapter. Thanks to the generosity of one of our member families, we will introduce the newest Siddur of the Conservative movement. Siddur Lev Shalem for Shabbat and Festivals joins Mahzor Lev Shalem as our primary source. Like the mahzor, it features a four-column format, new translations in contemporary language, a commentary providing historical context as well as kavanot (passages of intentionality), poetry and prose that expand and enrich our relationship to the text. For those who have used our Mahzor, you will find it very familiar.

To help everyone navigate this wonderful new tool for prayer, Rabbi Greenstein will offer a short learning session immediately following Kiddush that day.

If you are interested in dedicating one of these beautiful new volumes, you may do so either online, or by contacting the office. Continue reading →

Pseudo-Righteousness: Parashat Q’doshim

Posted on by

2

Parashat Q’doshim 
Leviticus 19:1-20:27 

This year we read this Torah portion right after we have heard that the Supreme Court of the United States is seriously considering overturning the established right of women to decide for themselves whether they should have an abortion. Should that happen, the results for the health of many women, as well as the health of our society, will be catastrophic. A gigantic step forward will have been reversed.
Continue reading →

MESH Report May 3, 2022

Posted on by

0

Chef Lynne was at the helm with the able assistance of Master Helper and Packer, Aileen. The main course was Roasted Cod with Panko Lemon Breadcrumbs. All of the accompaniments were from the generous contribution of the Goldman-Weinshenker Family who celebrated Teddy’s becoming a bar mitzvah this past Shabbat. The meal included Italian Salad, Kale Salad, fresh Fruit Salad, mixed Vegetable Bourekas, Challah Roll, assorted cookies, a water bottle and a bagel and cream cheese for the morning. Continue reading →