Hearing Our Children
“Hearing Our Children” is Tehillah’s COVID Time Capsule Program, a grant-funded project to help young students reflect on their experiences from the past year. Together we have discussed new challenges and fears that have arisen in our lives and how we would like to overcome them. We have considered the changes to each of our daily routines and schooling. Each student has presented on an object that has represented their year, worked on an individual pandemic documentation packet, and will soon put together a video reflection. We are proud to share this project with you.
Summer Schedule
There will be no Shabbat morning services during the month of July.
We will resume in August as we start to get ready for the High Holidays. Kabbalat Shabbat takes place as follows:
- No services July 2
- July 16 and August 6 we will be outdoors on the back porch of the Riverdale Y
- July 9, 23 and 30 will be ONLINE
Membership
Please CLICK HERE to renew or join for the first time. We appreciate your support now more than ever and look forward to celebrating the High Holy Days together, one way or another. Details to come soon. For more information please email us at rabbilindasc@congregationtehillah.org
Words from the Rabbi
July 23, 2021
14 Av 5781
Parashat Vaetchanan
Deuteronomy 3:23 - 7:11
A Poem From the Rabbi
This poem is in honor of this week's Torah portion,
which includes the Sh'ma and the V'ahafta
שְׁמַע
Listen
Wake up
Be present
Open your eyes
Feel the breeze
Be alert yet quiet
Settle in
What do you hear?
How do you hear?
Is your heart open?
Let us listen
With our whole selves
With every sense we have
With hearts open
To the wonder, to the majesty
That is creation
Knowing we have a role to play
By our very presence
Mitzvah of the Week
I encountered a woman yesterday wearing a t-shirt with the brief phrase “Be Kind." Neither us were wearing masks, so we were able to make eye contact and I was able to express my gratitude for seeing her shirt.
The shirt was a simple reminder -- an important reminder -- that acts of kindness make a difference. We are not through this massive disruption yet. It will take some time to get our bearings and feel in balance. I believe that small acts of kindness can make a difference, particularly at this moment. As we continue to emerge from our cocoons, we recognize that we have all been changed by the experience of the pandemic, each responding in our own unique way.
A few examples are: introducing oneself to a new neighbor now that masks are off, expressing joy at seeing those we haven’t seen in a while, picking up the signals when someone needs a little extra attention, and expressing gratitude not only for the big things but the little things as well. These small acts will help us get back to a place where our anxiety is not foremost in our thinking.
Social Media
"Coming Out of Our COVID Cocoon, Part I"
In this (previous) episode of Tehillah Talks, we discuss Part I of our reflections on last year. We discuss:
- Adapting the Biblical parallels to a new reality
- Changing social dynamics
- Our very personal experiences of the last year
Now available on APPLE PODCASTS
Check us out on INSTAGRAM
Follow us on FACEBOOK
Watch us on YOUTUBE
Hebrew School
מַה טּוֹבוּ אֹהָלֶיךָ יַעֲקֹב מִשְׁכְּנֹתֶיךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל
Hebrew School Registration
Worship
Join us ONLINE every Friday evening and for Kabbalat Shabbat to sing, pray and enjoy each other's company.
Check the calendar for innovative morning Shabbat services: Tot Shabbat for families with young children, meditative walk and learning service.
Tikkun Olam
TEHILLAH IN THE WORLD is our commitment to social action through:
Bend the Arc
Circle of Support
Interfaith Connections
Riverdale Jewish Unity
Working closely with refugees.
Resources for Giving Food
- Friendly Fridge is in front of The Last Stop at 5983 Broadway (242nd Street) Click HERE for more information
- Riverdale Y Senior Meals Program.Click HERE to donate directly to this program.
- Northwest Bronx Food Justice Coalition (Riverdale Senior Services). Click HERE to find out how you can help.
- Part of the Solution (POTS). Click HERE to donate.
Response to Vandalism
Dr. Mehnaz Afridi, director of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Interfaith Center at Manhattan College, started a GoGFundMe to pay for the damage caused by the vandal. The community response has been amazing; so far, she has raised over $4000. Let us participate as well.
"We live in a world where a few people's actions can hurt a whole community but we also know that a few people can transform the world. We need your help in mending the world and showing solidarity. Let us repair and heal the communities that have been hit with hate, let us give light to their windows and doors."
Mission Statement
At Congregation Tehillah, we search for meaningful and just expressions of our Judaism in today's world. We invite you to come as you are, bringing your unique story. We are a Jewish community where music, learning and spirituality come together. We are committed to an environment in which all are welcome wherever they or their families find themselves on their Jewish journey, inclusive of any age, race, orientation, gender identity, ability, and economic status.
We are pleased to let the community know that Tehillah has been asked to be part of a leadership development program with Keshet.
Keshet works for the full equality of all LGBTQ Jews and our families in Jewish life. We strengthen Jewish communities.
We equip Jewish organizations with the skills and knowledge to build LGBTQ-affirming communities,
create spaces in which all queer Jewish youth feel seen and valued, and advance LGBTQ rights nationwide.