LGBTQ+ Trainings for the Community
Allyship Training - Thursday, June 17 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
This is an advanced level training focused on equipping participants to be active allies / accomplices to the LGBTQ community in the work for greater equality and dignity.
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Words from the Rabbi
June 4, 2021
24 Sivan 5781
Parashat Sh'lach
Numbers 13:1 - 15:41
What is it you see when you look around you – is it what is or is it what can be? How do you know which perspective to trust? On what do we base our action? Are we motivated by scarcity or abundance?
These questions sum up the dilemma that faces the twelve spies, one from each of the tribes. sent forth to scout the land by Moses in this week’s Torah portion Shl’ach, Numbers 13:1-15:41. Although ten see the potential of the land -- “a land flowing in milk and honey” -- their point of view is formed by the trauma that was Egypt. Just last week, we read of their longing for the produce and meat that was available in Egypt; they know that they cannot go back, but they cannot seem to go forward either. They are stuck, frozen, unable to trust the lessons learned or hold onto the miraculous moments that have occurred since leaving Egypt.
Study Session with Rabbi Linda
Rabbi Linda Shriner-Cahn's class on the final chapters of the Book of Judges, will take place on 3 consecutive Wednesdays at 6:30pm, May 26, June 2 and June 9.
Join Rabbi Linda for this course exploring why and how the status of women indicates the well-being of a society. The course will run on 3 consecutive Wednesdays beginning this week, May 26th. Email RabbiLindaSC@
Sunday, May 30 at 11:30 AM
Stories and Art to Stay and Stories to Go!
Congregation Tehillah and PJ Library proudly present an hour of storytelling and making art at the Riverdale Y Sunday Market Come hear a story, help create a beautiful banner for the food donation box at the Sunday Market, and get a PJ Library book to take home.
Food insecurity is an ongoing issue; our banner we will be one way of making it more visible to the Riverdale community. We are glad to support the Sunday Market's community driven initiative to collect fresh food every week and deliver it to the Friendly Fridge at 242nd Street.
Come join us! For more information, email us at congregationtehillah@gmail.com
The Riverdale Y Sunday Market is located at 4545 Independence Avenue, in the Riverdale Temple parking lot.
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Mitzvah of the Week
LOOK TO THE RAINBOW
After Noah gets off the ark, a vow is made and the rainbow is the sign. Never will the Divine be the one to decimate the earth again. The rainbow is a covenant with the Divine. This month, the rainbow takes on new meaning as we enter Pride Month.
I invite you to take a moment and look at a rainbow, whether real or not, and see all of its many colors. We are enjoined to recite a blessing when we see a rainbow:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֶלוֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם זוֹכֵר הַבְּרִית וְנֶאֱמָן בִּבְרִיתוֹ וְקַיָם בְּמַאֲמָרוֹ
Baruch ata Ado-nai Elo-heinu melech ha'olam zocher ha'brit v'ne'eman bivrito v'kayam b'ma'amaro.
Blessed are You, Adonai our G‑d, Sovereign of the universe, who remembers the covenant, and is faithful to the covenant and keeper of the promise. May we recite this blessing when we see not only the rainbow above, but the rainbow that is each of us as we strive to keep our part of the bargain and not bring harm to one another.
Social Media
Now available on APPLE PODCASTS
Check us out on INSTAGRAM
Follow us on FACEBOOK
Watch us on YOUTUBE
Destigmatizing Mental Illness (Rebroadcast)
As we exit our Covid cocoons, the need for mental health support remains key. We hope that you listen to this powerful episode, which so clearly reminds us to seek help when it is needed for ourselves and the ones we love.
In this (previous) episode of Tehillah Talks, we discuss mental illness and how it is viewed in society. We discuss:
- Stigma surrounding mental illness
- Lack of adequate mental healthcare
- The importance of therapy
- Biblical representations of mental health
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.