PLEASE NOTE: ALL SERVICES ARE VIRTUAL THIS WEEKEND
Friday, January 6, 13 Tevet 6:00 PM Please join Rabbi Marcia Plumb and Ellen Allard for VIRTUAL"From Our Home to Yours" Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Saturday, January 7, 14 Tevet, 9:30 AM Please join Rabbi Marcia Plumb and Cantor Ellen Band for aVIRTUAL Shabbat morning Service.
If you have a simcha, please share it with us and receive a special blessing from Rabbi Plumb during an upcoming Shabbat service. Sponsor a Kiddush by virtually inviting us to your home as you lead the community in Kiddush and HaMotzi prayers. (we will provide challah and grape juice!) Please contect Rosalie Reszelbach, Janet Stein Calm or Toni Spitzer to arrange.
Please click here for the link to the new Conservative prayerbook, Siddur Lev Shalem: Shabbat Shaharit Siddur Lev Shalem The prayers will be the same as in our usual blue siddur, so feel free to use that instead if you wish.
Please click here for the link to the page numbers for Shabbat morning prayers in Sim Shalom (Blue) and in Lev Shalem Page Numbers for Shabbat Morning
Nosh and Drash: Torah Study with Rabbi Plumb January 14, 10:00AM Click here to RSVP
The Embrace Procession Friday, January 13, 12:30PM
Please join Rabbi Marcia Plumb, Rabbi Dr. Michael Shire and many other interfaith communities for this special occassion. We will meet at 15 Newbury Street and walk to the Common.
LimmudFest Boston Sunday, January 22 from 12:30-3:00 via Zoom NEW YEAR, NEW RABBIS, NEW IDEAS
Attendance is FREE! To receive the Zoom links, REGISTRATION is required After clicking on "REGISTER NOW," click on the red box labeled reserve a spot Please share this LimmudFest Boston event with your family, friends.
We Remember: This week's upcoming Yahrzeit Observances
Saturday
Sunday Fannie Florence Thomas Alpert
Monday Benjamin Kern Sondra Sarter Lee Miller Herbert Hoffman
Tuesday Bertha L. Seglin
Wednesday David Greenglass Miriam L. Sagan
Thursday Esta F. Cutter
Friday
A Teaching from our Rabbi
Happy 2023 to all of you.
This first week of 2023 brings us a powerful parasha, which speaks of looking back at the past, and looking forward to the future. In Parashat Vayechi, we read of Jacob reflecting on his life and experiences; the frustrations and the promises. The parasha hints that Jacob is nearing the end of his life, and he is doing what is called a ‘life review’, recalling the significant moments in his life. He is referred to by both his names–Jacob and Israel, so we know he is remembering the wrestling match with the angel, who blessed him with the new name of Israel. He speaks of God’s promises to him throughout his lifetime. He offers final words to his sons, some of which are harsh, and some are blessings.
At this time of year, we too look back at 2022, remembering the bitter and the sweet. We acknowledge and mourn the losses and the heartaches. Today, we also mark the second anniversary of the January 6th attack on Congress. Then, we look ahead, as Jacob does. Toward the end of his life, as he lets go of the past, he turns his focus towards the future. He blesses his grandchildren, Joseph’s sons. He promises them a hopeful, bright life ahead.
I am feeling optimistic about 2023. The year started off with good omens (if you believe in that sort of thing) for my family. On January 2, we were walking in the Needham forest, which we had never been to. We were looking for the miniature railway in the middle of the woods. We got lost. A young man was on a trail, and we asked him for directions. He offered to walk with us and show us the way. He found the right trail for us, and we had a great chat on the way. When we got to the railway, the second good omen happened. We ran into the man who built the railway, and he told us all about it.
Two unexpected kindnesses, two people stretching themselves for strangers, two lovely conversations, they offer consolation and hope after a year of divisiveness and conflict. They stand in contrast, as metaphoric witnesses to a better, kinder year ahead.
This Shabbat, may your home be filled with hope, optimism, and kindnesses. May 2023 be the Year of Kindness for us all.
Shabbat Shalom Rabbi Marcia Plumb
Congregation Mishkan Tefila 384 Harvard St. Brookline, MA 02446
