How are you? In these challenging times, if there is any way the Stanton Street Shul can support you and your loved ones, please email us.
We are increasing ouronline learningand gathering opportunities. Read on to check out some of the online events coming up and join us! We also want to hear from you! What resources and guidance can the Stanton Street Shul provide at this time?
It's time for our Annual Membership Drive. You should have received an email to either join us for the fist time or to renew your membership. We need the financial support of our congregants so that we can rise strong from this crisis and continue serving our community. We are committed to being a welcoming institution with open doors and an open heart. Please join us.
And please save the date for our annual membership meeting (via Zoom) on Sunday, June 28th from 10 am-12 pm.
"Virtual Rabbi": Rabbi Joe Wolfson Joins us for the Summer
We are pleased to announce that this summer, during the months of July and August, Rabbi Joe Wolfson, Rabbi of The Bronfman Center at NYU, will serve as the Stanton Street Shul's “Virtual” Rabbi.
Rabbi Joe will offer a weekly Zoom shiur beginning the first week in July, will write a weekly dvar Torah for our newsletter, will be available to answer congregants’ questions, and will attend Shabbat morning services in the Shul once we reopen with great caution in August. Details will be included in next week’s newsletter.
SAVE THE DATE: ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Join us on Sunday, June 28, 10AM-12PM for our annual membership meeting (on Zoom). If you haven't yet renewed your membership or joined, please do so today!
VIRTUAL CLASSES
Jewish Art with Richard McBee In advance of the fast of Tisha b'Av, Richard McBee, a Stanton member and co-founder of the Jewish Art Salon, will present a 3-part course on Jewish Art that will visually set the tone for the upcoming full-day fast that begins on the evening of July 29th.
July 8: “Maus” by Art Spiegelman and “Lamentations” by Mark Podwal July 15: David Wander “Holocaust Haggadah“ and Art & Auschwitz July 22: Mourning, Memory and Art: Images of the Destruction of Jerusalem
Each lecture is 45 minutes with an additional 15 minutes for discussion & questions.
Rachel Frazer Teaches Sefer Shoftim (Book of Judges) Rachel Frazer will be presenting a course on the biblical Book of Judges (Sefer Shoftim). Shoftim is both exciting and relevant. It is also of literary interest. After the death of Joshua, as the new nation of Israel is struggling with external and internal threats, a series of unlikely,charismatic leaders emerge. Meet each of these "judges" (including Deborah and Samson) as we explore their stories.
Tuesdays beginning June 23, 7:30 PM
Bring a copy of Judges / Shoftim found in any Tanach or online at sefaria.org or alhatorah.org. If you don't have the text, just come without it.
Rosh Chodesh Women-led Tefillah June 22nd, 9:30am This is JOFA's fourth virtual women-led Rosh Chodesh davening. Welcome the new month of Tamuz with Shacharit led by Helene Raush, Torah reading lead by Livia Noorollah, and Mussaf and Tehillim for our ailing loved ones led by Jennifer Horowitz. To RSVP, click here.
JOFA webinar: "My Year of Kaddish: Mourning, Memory, and Meaning" led by Dr. Naomi Baum June 25 at 11am.To RSVP, click here.
In this webinar Dr. Naomi Baum will discuss her experiences saying Kaddish for her mother, a journey that she details in her recently published book, "My Year of Kaddish: Mourning, Memory and Meaning." Dr. Baum is a psychologist, who has worked extensively in the field of trauma, bereavement and resilience building and brings her professional knowledge to bear on this most personal of odysseys.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
All in person services and programs at the Stanton Street Shul are canceled until further notice.
Mazal tov to David Wander and Richard McBee, Stanton artists, featured In the recently published book “Jewish Identity in American Art: A Golden Age Since the 1970s" (Judaic Traditions in Literature, Music, and Art) by Matthew Baigell. Syracuse Press, 2020
We wish Joel Moses a refuah Shlema and a full recovery. He is at home recuperating after a successful operation.
Volunteer Opportunity: Help Distribute Meals to LES Community Members (M-F 12:30-2:00 pm): Looking for human interaction and to do good for the world? We are looking for volunteers for weekday lunch shifts! We distribute 700 meals a day Monday-Friday at 504 Grand Street (in front of Eastside Kosher), 12:30-2:00. Meals are available for anyone who needs them. If you can help, please contact Penina at penina.seidman@gmail.com
Marc Schwartzberg’s daughter Lauren Levy and her husband AY Levy are the proud new parents of daughter Lily Eva Levy born on June 6th at 6:47am. Lily’s Hebrew name is Sarah named after Marc’s late mother.
Cute photos are making us smile during these difficult days. Submit a photo of your own cute kid, pet, or plant to be included in a future newsletter!
When to Open our Shul: Despite an official lifting of restrictions on religious institutions in New York State, our shul will remain closed for the time being. We believe it is too soon to re-open in terms of safety. We are not comfortable with the notion of holding services limited to 10 Jewish men under 65. We are in touch with other downtown shuls and hope to determine a path forward together.
Thank you for your patience. We know that everyone misses shul and all the community and support it affords, but we know as well that it behooves us to remain cautious.
May God give strength and courage to health care workers, mental health professionals, and all who work selflessly to keep the rest of us healthy and safe during this time.
We pray that all who are sick may have a full recovery. To add a name to our communal misheberach prayer list, email us.
No one should go hungry at this time. Please share these resources with those in need: NYC Meal Hubs are located at 400 locations throughout the city and distribute 3 prepared meals (including kosher meals) per person, Monday through Friday--packaged to go. No ID or registration required. Just show up!
Seniors can receive meal delivery by connecting with their local senior center or calling DFTA’s Aging Connect at 212-AGING-NYC (212-244-6469) or call 311.
Most supermarkets (including Trader Joe's, Stop & Shop and Whole Foods) provide Senior early hours for the more vulnerable to shop safely during Covid-19.
Staying Connected While Apart
Even when we're apart, we are still a community. We encourage people to check in with one another by phone and email, so that social distancing does not become a time of isolation. Pick one or two "Stanton buddies" and check in weekly with your buddies!
While logged in to your account on the Stanton Street Shul website, you have access to the membership directory, including contact information for members and friends of the shul. You also have the ability to edit your own listing and, if you prefer, to hide your information so that it does not appear in the public directory. If you have any difficulty, please emailJessica Spector, membership committee chair.
Here's another way to stay connected: Head over to our newStanton Street Shul Group on Facebookto chat with other congregants, share LES news, quarantine parenting tips, recipes, a class you may have heard about, how you are doing, and what help you might need.
We Appreciate Your Support!
Although our doors are closed, our spirits, minds and hearts remain open during these difficult times. We are davening together on Zoom, supporting congregants with chesed needs, and hosting classes and events online.
Please consider sponsoring a virtual program. Now more than ever, we rely on your generosity to keep us going. We know this is a tough time and appreciate whatever you are able to give.
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