September 2021 The Bulletin Elul 5781 - Tishrei 5782 A monthly newsletter of Temple Bnai Israel 112 years strong! We are an open and welcoming community that blends Jewish traditions with modern life. ימים נוראים Yamim Noraim High Holidays The Days of Awe Schedule of Services 5782 2021 Over Zoom Monday, September 6th - Erev Rosh Hashanah : Evening Service begins at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 7th - First Day Rosh Hashanah : Morning Service begins at 10:00 a.m. and concludes ~12:00 p.m. Tashlich in person at Lauter Park begins at 2:00 p.m., weather permitting. Wednesday, September 8th - Second Day Rosh Hashanah : Morning Service begins at 10:00 a.m. and concludes ~12:00 p.m. Sunday, September 12th - Cemetery Service : Begins at 11:30 a.m. In this season when we face our own mortality and our relationship with the living God, we honor the lives of our community’s loved ones with this brief memorial service. Sunday, September 12th - Sounding the Call: Stop the Plant, Save the Planet As we celebrate Earth’s birth on Rosh Hashanah, we gather with friends of all faiths to defend Earth and its human and non-human inhabitants. We’re ready to cast away the sin of new fracked-gas power plants and to call with hope for a just, green future. See pages 9 and 20 for details. Wednesday, September 15th - Kol Nidrei : Begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, September 16th - Yom Kippur : Morning Service begins at 10:00 a.m. and concludes ~12:00 p.m. Yizkor Evening Service : Begins at 6:30 p.m. If you wish, please have a picture of the loved ones you are remembering to share through your webcam. Yom Kippur Conclusion : Ne’ilah begins ~7:00 p.m., with the Final Shofar at ~7:40 p.m. Our policy for in-person events, such as Tashlich and the Cemetery Service, is for all attendees to be masked and maintain social distancing. If you would like to attend our High Holiday services, please contact the Temple office by email at [email protected] or call 860-423-3743 to receive Zoom links and supplemental materials. In This Issue President’s Message 3 Rabbinic Reflections 4 September Torah Readings 5 THE BULLETIN Coming in October: Voice of the Youth Shabbat 5 is a monthly publication of September Shabbat Services and Celebrations 6 TEMPLE BNAI ISRAEL 383 Jackson Street The Holidays, Part 3: Culmination 7 P.O. Box 61 Etrog and Lulav 7 Willimantic, CT 06226 Phone: 860.423.3743 In-Person Event and Celebration Updates 7 Fax: 860.423.7594 Temple Family News 8 www.templebnaiisrael.org Caring Committee News 8 Submission deadline: The 15th of each month. Temple Talks (On Hiatus) in September 8 The Rabbi and the editor reserve Tikkun Olam Committee News 9 the right to reject submissions due to space limitations or content. Interfaith Working Committee Summary for 2020-2021 10-11 Decisions about Jewish Explorations 12 reopening the building Looking for a Good Read? 12 are in process at time of Expanding Our Social Media Presence 13 publication. We hope to see you at our virtual, Temple Raffle Planned to Welcome Hanukkah 13 and possibly in-person, 2021-2022 Fiscal Year (7-1-2021 to 6-30-22) Donations: 14-15 celebrations! Sustainers, Patrons, Bnaifactors, and others Jewish Gatherings and Learning Opportunities 16 ******** September Yahrzeits 17-18 Rabbi Jeremy Schwartz [email protected] September Calendar 19 Phone 860-423-3743 Ext. 1 Sounding the Call: Stop the Plant, Save the Planet Back Cover (You may leave a confidential voice mail at that extension.) Office Administrator Jackie Slorach 860-423-3743 Ext. 0 [email protected] Office Hours: Monday 10:00A - 5:00P Thursday 10:00A - 5:00P Friday 10:00A - 3:00P Temple Bnai Israel is an affiliate of Reconstructing Judaism ReconstructingJudaism.org 2 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Peter Malinow As we contemplate the beginning of the New Year, one can’t help but reflect on how unusual this past year has been, how it has affected us, and what impact it will have on all of us as we move forward. While it is impossible to forecast all of the long-range consequences of this era of pandemic, certain effects have already become apparent. How we work, how we relate to each other, how our children are taught and learn, have all been affected profoundly. At Bnai Israel we have carefully kept track of local rates of vaccination, Covid infections, and hospitalizations. We have begun to offer some in-person services, as appropriate, observing CDC recommendations. At the same time, we are moving forward to upgrade our technological capacities to make available the most accessible and sophisticated opportunities for remote participation in our community, without leaving the comfort of home. Greater accessibility, less interpersonal interaction. Something gained, something lost. Will the new year bring a permanent shift in patterns of participation? Can we some day anticipate a virtual synagogue? While we need to contemplate new models for the future, some of our traditional values remain the same. The need to reach out to others may be even greater than ever, and opportunities to do so are many! Attend a service. Join a committee. Volunteer at a local agency. At this time for self-reflection, contemplate and then take action. Shanah Tova SEPTEMBER SAVE THE DATES: Sunday, September 12th at 2:00 PM - Sounding the Call: Stop the Plant, Save the Planet - see pages 9 & 20 for details Monday, September 20th at 6:30 PM - Bring Your Own Dinner in the Sukkah - see page 7 for details Friday, September 24th at 6:30 PM - Bring Your Own Dinner in the Sukkah - see page 7 for details Monday, September 27th at 7:00 PM - JFEC Simchat Torah - Details to be announced. Tuesday, September 28th at 10:00 AM - Shemini Atzeret/ Shimchat Torah Service - IF a minyan of members RSVPs to the event. 3 RABBINIC REFLECTIONS Rabbi Jeremy Schwartz I’ve been using “Elul: 29 Days of Reflection,” which I asked Jackie to send out at the beginning of the Jewish month of Elul. I know some of you have been using it, too. Each day, it gives a middah (a behavioral axis or character trait) to consider as a way of taking annual stock in preparation for the Yamim Nora’im, the Days of Awe. Some of the first middot included “arrogance,” “attentive listening,” and “awe of God.” A week in as I write, I’ve found that every one of the daily reflections reveals that I have room to grow. Thank God!! Seeing room to grow is seeing further potential in my soul. Each possibility of doing better is a potential I may not have been aware was even available to my soul. Each is a revelation of a bit more of my (and every human’s) incredible divine image. The revelation of imperfection can be a holy and joyous revelation, and the growth into that revealed ‘room to grow’ is spiritual life. The same is true, by the way, of our collective life. When we discover that we have room to grow as a community or as a society, that’s a beautiful gift. To learn more about the distance yet to be covered to eradicate racism, for example, is to learn more of our potential for a just and loving society. It opens up new vistas for our society’s soul. It’s not that we should be proud of our individual or communal imperfections, of course. We should be grateful when the imperfections are revealed to us, along with the space they create for our own growth. To think we’re done growing is to accept that we’re spiritually dead. This year, instead, may we all be written in the book of life. Shanah tovah! If you missed it, that daily reflection resource is at: https://www.centralsynagogue.org/assets/downloads/Elul_29_Days_of_Reflection.pdf 4 TORAH READINGS FOR SEPTEMBER 2021 Elul 5781 - Tishrei 5782 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 27 ELUL, 5781 5 TISHREI, 5782 Parashat Nitzavim Shabbat Shuva Deuteronomy 29:9 - 30:20 Parashat Vayelech This year: 29:9 - 30:20 Deuteronomy 31:1 – 31:30 Haftarah: Isaiah 61:10 - 63:9 This year: 31:1 – 31:30 Haftarah: Hosea 14:2-10, Micah 7:18-20 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 12 TISHREI, 5782 19 TISHREI, 5782 Parashat Ha’Azinu Sukkot Fifth Day Deuteronomy 32:1 – 32:52 Exodus 33:12 - 34:26 This year: 32:1 – 32:52 Numbers 29:26-28 Haftarah: Isaiah 64:2 - 65:10 Haftarah: Ezekiel 39:1-10 STARTING IN OCTOBER: VOICE OF THE YOUTH SHABBAT Rabbi Jeremy Schwartz For the Young and the Young-at-Heart Many of you will be familiar with the beautiful Siddur Kol Hanoar. We’ve sometimes used it when Jewish Explorations is in session, and a few times even with only adults in attendance. In fact, adults have often praised its beauty and spiritual clarity and said how much they like davvening with it. Starting in October, we’re going to use it every second Saturday of the month. This won’t be a “children’s service.” It will be the congregation’s service, using a Siddur that’s attractive to adults and also helps integrate children. I hope you’ll join us. 5 SEPTEMBER SHABBAT SERVICES AND CELEBRATIONS Please note Zoom and In-person availability for each week! Friday, September 3, 2021 7:30 PM Shabbat Service - In-person & by Zoom Jewry Duty Participant(s): NONE Please sign up and help us make minyan! Bagel & Bible - The Stranger Within You Camp, Saturday, September 4, 2021 9:30 AM From Woodchopper to Water Drawer - Zoom Only Jewry Duty Participant(s): Faye Ringel Two more Jewry Duty participants appreciated.