Friday, March 6, 10 Adar 6:30 PM Shabbat@Home There are no services at CMT: All are welcome to join the KI Community Kabbalat Shabbat (KICKS) & Ma’ariv at 5:15 PM in the Chapel
Saturday, March 7, 11 Adar 9:30 AM Shabbat Morning Services with Rabbi Plumb and Cantor Ellen Band
Join CMT in observing the special mitzvah of Matanot L’evyonim this Purim
The special mitzvah of matanot l’evyonim asks Jewish people of all ages to give over and above customary tzedakah to at least two people in need on Purim. It also instructs Jews to give to anyone who asks, without evaluating that person’s level of need.
Yad Chessed, which means “hand of loving kindness,” was founded in 1989 to help Jewish families and individuals in need. They support clients across Massachusetts by alleviating economic distress and providing ongoing support to help them reach financial stability.
Please consider joining CMT and offering a hand of loving kindness to more families on Purim. To donate please click on the link below: http://www.yadchessed.org/purim/
AJC New England 21st Annual Diplomats Seder #JourneyToFreedom
Sunday, March 22nd, 2020 5:30 PM Registration and Cocktail Reception 6:15 PM Dinner Program John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum Columbia Point, Boston MA 02125
Each year, hundreds of people from all walks of life gather at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library with diplomats from around the globe to celebrate and rededicate ourselves to the preservation of our freedom. In a time of urgent local and global challenges, the AJC New England Diplomats Seder connects the modern quest for religious freedom, free speech, co-existence, and other core democratic values with the ancient Jewish ritual of the Passover Seder. The result is an inspiring, thought provoking, and thoroughly engaging evening that will stay with you long after the singing has stopped.
The 2020 AJC New England Diplomats Seder will be led by Senior Rabbi Marcia Plumb of Congregation Mishkan Tefila in Brookline, with musical accompaniment.
We Remember: This week's upcoming Yahrzeit and Shloshim Observances
Shloshim Bruce Shoicket
Saturday Victor Mitchell Manuel Kurland Sadie Hass Schneider Ben Richard Bronstein Norman Sudikoff
Sunday Frances Aronson
Monday Hiram Dwoskin H. Stuart Seglin, M.D. Eva Stone Kaplan Beatrice Kaplan Shlomo Posner Norman Robbins Frank Lapp Irving Fisher
Tuesday Dora Herbert Berks
Wednesday Aaron Korbman Lewis Wilson Morris Benjamin
Thursday Arnold David Mindick Wolfred Hyman
Friday Hilal Kaplan Max Hoffman Irving Bernstein Pauline Krensky Leon Jacobs Morris Levosky Bessie Fleischer Mildred Greenspon
World Zionist Congress elections are here!
World Zionist Congress elections are here! This election is your opportunity to make progressive American Jewish voices heard in Israel, and to give support to progressive Israelis who are fighting for democracy, equality, and renewed peacemaking in their beloved country. DEADLINE TO VOTE IS MARCH 11. HAVE YOU REGISTERED YET? Every 5 years, American Jews have the opportunity to vote in the World Zionist Congress and have influence on critical decisions, influential positions, reputational influence, and funding in Israel. Given the high stakes of this election, we encourage you to register and vote for Mercaz -- the slate of Conservative Judaism. Need more reasons to vote Mercaz? Check out this video! Register to vote today and cast your ballot by March 11!
On Purim, we are told to drink until we cannot tell the difference between blessing Mordechai and cursing Haman. I admit, I love a good whiskey or, even better, tequila. However, in these days of increased awareness of the dangers and stresses of alcoholism, I am often uncomfortable with the commandment to become drunk.
The rabbis of the Talmud were also conflicted about the extreme use of alcohol. There is a story in which Rabbah and R. Zeira get together for a Purim Seudah (party) and become very drunk. Rabbah gets up and cuts R. Zeira’s throat. The next day, Rabbah prayed on R. Zeira’s behalf and he was brought back to life. A year later, Rabbah asks, “Would you like to have Purim Seudah with me again this year?” R. Zeira replies, “One cannot count on a miracle every time.” (Megillah 7b)
Rabbi Zeira did not want to repeat the experience of losing his mind (or his head!) because of drink.
Rabbi Rava believed “wine and incense help people achieve deeper insight” (Yoma 76b). This is a far cry from saying that the purpose of drinking on Purim is to achieve mind-numbing inebriation. Rava sought to sharpen the mind, not to incapacitate it. He suggests that the senses can enhance our spirituality and intellect. The Talmud also suggests that we are to inbibe sweet things, like dates and candy, instead of wine.
This Purim, let us use our five senses to bring sweetness into the world. With our hands we give matanot l’evyonim, gifts to the poor, through contributing to Yad Chessed. Yad Chessed collects money on Purim and donates it to Jews in need throughout Boston. Here is the link to make a contribution before Purim. Please list Mishkan Tefila as your synagogue.
With our mouths we will taste ice cream created from liquid nitrogen at our JSTEAM Family Purim Oneg on Monday, March 9, 6.00 pm. Kids of all ages are welcome. With our eyes and ears we will see and hear the Megillah read on March 9 at 7:20 pm with the whole campus, and see our CMT staff dressed as Frozen! Can you guess who is dressed as Elsa?
The Megillah will also be read on Tuesday morning, in the KI sanctuary. Ta’anit Esther, the Fast of Esther, is Monday March 9 during the day.
I look forward to celebrating joy and gladness, generosity and fun, with you on Purim.
Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Marcia Plumb
Congregation Mishkan Tefila 384 Harvard St. Brookline, MA 02446
