Rabbi's Weekly Message
April 30, 2021
18 Iyyar 5781
Parashat Emor
33rd day of the Omer
Leviticus 21:1 - 24:23
Dear Friends,
It is at difficult times when we find ourselves in narrow places that we discover who we are, what motivates us, and what allows us to remain upright and continue to move forward with lovingkindness, integrity, and justice.
What are Tehillah Community members doing and/or have done? It's quite a list:
- Finding ways to join others in playing music together;
- Having regular conversations with those who have found this past year to be a particular source of anxiety;
- Filling the Friendly Fridge;
- Working for prison reform;
- Doing errands for those who cannot get out;
- Helping people get vaccine appointments;
- Advocating for New Yorkers in need;
- Reaching out to those who feel isolated;
- Voting;
- Teaching about racial and social justice in active, life changing ways;
- Listening more deeply when others speak;
- Making clothing donations;
- Being part of letter writing campaigns;
- Acknowledging those who teach and work in front-line professions
- Volunteering time and energy to various organizations and causes, in particular securing support for those confronting housing insecurity;
- Working with people around unconscious bias;
- Collecting food scraps at the market.
As a community made up of amazing individuals, you have all been finding new ways of living in the world and giving it meaning. Take a moment and see the blessing that this community has been, is, and will be.
To be an agent of change means that standing idly by is not an option and that fear and anger are destructive not just to those around us but to ourselves. In the letter to the community below about the recent vandalism, we share with you the many ways that the larger Riverdale community does not bow to fear and anger, and how it has found ways of supporting one another.
Click HERE to read the letter.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi LInda Shriner-Cahn
Mitzvah of the Week
This week’s mitzvah is a request to share next steps toward justice. "Justice, Justice Shall you pursue" is a stark reminder that justice doesn’t just happen -- it takes work and commitment. It happens one step at a time, and steps often need to be repeated over and over again.
Please share with us what you are doing to be an agent of change. Rabbi Linda will be collating a list of change initiatives that will include all the actions. The list will not include your name as the submitter or those involved in the actions. The intent is to share the breadth of actions in which our community is involved. Please send the actions in which you are involved to RabbiLindaSC@
The more we share our stories with one another the stronger we are. Even the smallest steps can create a ripple effect. This week’s Torah portion reminds us to “love our neighbor as ourselves." Whether our actions are large or small, they make a difference. I hope to share some of the steps that you are taking with the community. Thank you all for all that you do in the pursuit of justice in this challenging world of ours.
Social Media
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Seeing Ourselves in the Israelite Journey
In this episode of Tehillah Talks, we reflect on how our lives and perspectives have changed in the past year. We discuss:
- Our need for material objects
- What our display of material objects at the Passover seder means to us
- The meaning of “Let all who are hungry come and eat”
- How our memories of this year may lead to a reframing for us in the future
- Ways we want to think bigger this Passover
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.
Events in Our Area - April 25
Join JCAN-MA for the 3rd Jewish Climate Action Conference: Everything is Connected on April 25, 2021. Free & online. Sessions focus on carbon reduction, advocacy, spiritual resilience, soil and agriculture, raise up the voices of youth, and address environmental justice. The day-long event is geared toward action solutions and strengthening the national Jewish Climate Action Network (JCAN). Opportunities are available for connecting with other climate activists in your geographic region or with similar interests. This online event will engage Jewish climate activists from across the country with specific objectives, important information, and community connections. Click HERE for more information and to register.
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.