Temple News

First, on this stormy and wet Wednesday afternoon, I hope that everyone is staying safe and dry. It’s scary out there – please be careful! We have cancelled all in-person meetings and events at Temple today, including Hebrew School and Gesher (11-12th grades). Our Wednesday Night Live discussion will still take place on-line over Zoom at 7:00PM. Our topic is “Jews, News & Views,” and we will be talking about Israel and whatever else is on participants’ minds.

The rain may temporarily dampen our spirits, but we have much to look forward to at this time of year. After all, it’s “festing” season in New Orleans. Here at Temple Sinai we are looking forward to our two upcoming Spring Festivals: InstallationFest and the Festival of Unleavened Bread.

I hope everyone has the weekend of April 19-21 saved on their calendars for two very special events. On Friday evening during our Shabbat Service, we will officially install Cantor Rebecca Garfein as Cantor of Temple Sinai. We have all enjoyed welcoming Cantor Garfein and her family to our Sinai Family. Installation is our formal ceremony with which we enter into this covenantal relationship between clergy and congregation. Joining Cantor Garfein and myself, will be our beloved emeriti – Rabbi Cohn and Cantor Colman – along with two of Cantor Garfein’s favorite colleagues from New York: Cantor Claire Franco and Cantor Daniel Singer. It will be a wonderful and memorable service beginning at 6:00pm, followed by a celebratory Shabbat Dinner for the entire congregation (please make your reservation).

InstallationFest will continue on Sunday, April 21, with a special Cantorial Concert: “From Bimah to Broadway” at 2:00PM at Temple. Cantor Garfein’s local colleagues, Cantor Kevin Margolius (Touro Synagogue) and Cantorial Soloist Jordan Lawrence (Congregation Gates of Prayer) will also be participating. Tickets are available online and through the Temple office – the entire community is invited to attend. We will also be raising money to support our family and friends in Israel through the ACC’s (American Conference of Cantors) upcoming Mission to Israel.

Passover – also known as our Springtime Festival and Festival of Unleavened Bread – begins on Monday evening, April 22. Our Congregational Seder will be held on the second night of Passover: Tuesday, April 23 at 6:00PM. Please make your reservations this week. We are also proud to host our Annual LGBTQ+ Pride Seder with JPNOLA on Wednesday, April 24. For more information on Passover this year, please see our April Bulletin and Temple website.

Things change quickly here in Louisiana.  This week alone we have had a 30-40 degree shift in the weather, going from beautiful sunny skies to cloudy dreary days.  But something that doesn’t change: no matter what time of year or what the weather is like outside, there is always something good happening at Temple Sinai.

            To the New Orleans Pelicans, we say: “You’re welcome!”  Temple Sinai shows up at last night’s home game, and not only did the Pelicans win – they set a franchise record for points scored.  I say: you should invite us more often!  Go Pels!  Thank you to Jenn Daley for making our night at The Blender happen, and thank you to everyone who attended the game – we had a great time.

            There’s lots happening at Temple this week.  This evening Sisterhood is hosting a “Salad and King Cake Tasting” at 6:00pm here at Temple.  Come for the vegetables and stay for the treats.  Tomorrow evening our Brotherhood is hosting a meeting and making plans for the rest of the year and future.  I hope that everyone will consider joining and supporting these two important arms of the congregation.

            Speaking of supporting Temple Sinai, I hope that everyone has this year’s Annual Gala on your calendars for Sunday, March 3.  It will be a wonderful event at the Pavilion of the Two Sisters in City Park and will feature Cantor Garfein’s one-woman show: “Cantorful!”  Tomorrow is the deadline for sponsorships and to be included in the printed invitation.

            This Friday evening, please join us for Shabbat B’Shir – our Sabbath in Song.  This special musical service will feature additional musicians and instruments and lots of wonderful music: including beloved melodies and some new tunes, as well.  Our Shabbat Shalom Nosh will begin at 6:00pm in the auditorium, following by Shabbat B’Shir in the sanctuary.

            Finally, this evening marks the beginning of Tu B'Shevat – the 15^th day of Shevat, also known as the “birthday of the trees.”  It is a day on which we are reminded of our dependence on trees and nature, and how we have to do our part to protect and preserve our planet and environment.  So eat some fruit, plant a tree, reduce-reuse-recycle, and go green this Tu B'Shevat!

Ready or not – Chanukah is here!  Chanukah is our annual Winter Festival of Light.  It begins tomorrow evening, December 7, and lasts for eight nights and days.  We remember our people’s fight for religious freedom and their miraculous victory over their enemies.  As we light the candles of our Chanukiot we remember the miracle of our survival – despite all who have sought our destruction – and add hope to our lives.  In that spirit, I think we really need Chanukah this year.

So this evening we will prepare for Chanukah.  At 6pm, Sisterhood is hosting a “Vodka & Latkes” event at Temple.  At 7pm during Wednesday Night Live on Zoom we will discuss the holiday of Chanukah, including its story, history, traditions, and meaning for today.  Are all welcome to join with me.

I also want to invite everyone to join us for “Chanukah on the Avenue,” this Friday evening, December 8, beginning at 6:00pm.  We will start with the lighting of our outdoor menorah on St. Charles Avenue.  Then we will come inside for latkes, brisket, salad, and sufganiot (jelly doughnuts).  At 7:00pm we will gather in the Sanctuary for our special Shabbat of Chanukah Family Service, which this year will include our Children’s Choir, as well as members of the Panorama Band.  It will be a fun and exciting evening for all ages – we hope that you will plan on joining us.  Please help us by making a reservation for dinner on the Temple website.

The Chanukah celebrations will continue on Sunday morning with our Chavurah@Sinai students and Bim Bam Kids Club.  Classes begin at our regular 9:00am start time, and the festivities will kick off at 10:15am and end around 11:30am.  I am sure it will be a wonderful time.

There are many community Chanukah events throughout the eight days – please check out our website, weekly e-blast, as well as the Jewish Federation calendar for more information.

Many families have the tradition of exchanging gifts during Chanukah.  As you are searching for presents, I hope you will keep in mind our December Sinai Tzedek Project: this month we are collecting NEW cold-weather apparel (coats, hats, gloves, socks, and blankets) for the New Orleans Women & Children’s Shelter.  You can drop items off in the collection bin in the Temple lobby.  Thank you for your support!

I want to wish everyone a very happy Chanukah!

SHA’ALU SHLOM YERUSHALAYIM –

PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM & ALL OF ISRAEL

            We continue to watch carefully the news from Israel.  And I was excited to see the pictures and read the reports from yesterday’s March for Israel in Washington, DC on the National Mall.  It was described as “Americans march FOR Israel, march TO free hostages, and march AGAINST anti-Semitism.”  The crowd was estimated possibly to have been a many as 200,000-300,000 people from across the country.  There was a long list of speakers, including Israeli President Herzog who joined virtually from Israel.  I hope that the success of the march will provide strength and support for the Jewish community throughout the United States and especially for our Israeli family.

            There is lots going on here in our community.  Tomorrow evening, Thursday, November 16, is our 34^th Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Interfaith Service.  It will be held at St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church at 6:00pm.  Both Cantor Garfein and I will be participating.

            On Friday, we will have our first Bim Bam Kids Club Shabbat for our 2-5 year old kids and their families in the chapel at 5:30pm.  Then we will all join together for our Shabbat Shalom Nosh reception in the auditorium.  At 6:30pm is our first “Shabbat B’Shir” Service in the sanctuary.  This is a special Musical Shabbat with joyful singing and additional instrumentalists.  I hope that you will join us.

            I also want to remind you that this Sunday, November 19, is our Mitzvah Day.  Our Chavurah@ Sinai students and families along with the entire congregation are invited to join us from 9:00-11:00am at Temple to help with some great projects and social action drives for the greater community.

            This evening I will continue our Wednesday Night Live discussions on Zoom at 7:00pm as we focus on what’s going on in Israel and the latest headlines.

            Please take care, stay dry, and I hope to see you soon.

It’s a week later, and our attention is still very much focused on Israel.  We continue to pray for peace and protection for Israel and all who defend Israel from its enemies.  We have been encouraged by the release of a few hostages – we pray that all will soon be freed and reunited with their family and loved ones.  I would like to share with you the prayer for captives that we have offered at services these past two weeks:

“Our God, the One who raised Joseph up from the pit, be a ‘refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble’ (Psalm 9:10). 

“Send complete rescue and full redemption to those held captive by the enemy.  Strengthen their spirit and bring them our prayers that they be protected from all harm.  Implant understanding in the heart of the enemy that they may return the captives in wholeness of body and spirit.  Grant wisdom to the Israel Defense Forces that they may secure freedom for the captives without loss of life.  Grant strength of spirit and courage of heart to all the children of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar to release bonds of captivity and allow us all to live in freedom.

“’They shall call upon Me, and I will answer them.  I will be with them in distress; I will rescue them and honor them’ (from Psalm 91:15).”  [Prayer taken from Birkon Artzi: Blessings and Meditations for Travelers to Israel, CCAR Press – 2012]

            This evening during our Wednesday Night Live discussion, we will continue to talk about what is happening in Israel and our own reactions and feelings.  We will try to answer questions and discuss what we can do to help and to show our support for Israel.  All are welcome to join us online at 7:00pm on Zoom.

            There are a number of interesting programs happening this evening, including at the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience and at Dillard University.

            We will continue offering special prayers for Israel and for peace at our Shabbat Services on Friday evening and Saturday morning.  May God grant strength to our people – and may God bless all of Israel with peace.

SHA’ALU SHLOM YERUSHALAYIM –PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM & ALL OF ISRAEL

I am staring at my blank computer screen, trying to figure out what to write and how to express what I am feeling. I am still in shock and in horror from the tragic attack on Israel. I am sad, I am angry, I am confused. I am stunned and I am heartbroken. Our hearts go out to all of the victims of this terror in Israel and to their families. They are part of our Jewish family – and we mourn their loss and attempt to share in their pain. We pray for them. We pray for the healing of the wounded and for the release of the captured. We also pray for the brave soldiers who have rushed in to protect and defend Israel and all her citizens.

So what can we do? We can stand with Israel and express our support for Israel. We can remind our leaders – locally and nationally – of the importance of supporting Israel, especially in times of emergency and terror. We can make sure our families, our neighbors, and the people we encounter understand what is happening: how Israel was ruthlessly attacked by terrorists and how Israel must defend itself and its people.

What can we do? We can be there for each other and for our Jewish community. We can be proud to be part of a Jewish community that comes together, rallies, and supports one another in times of crisis. Cantor Garfein and I were honored to represent Temple Sinai in our community’s Standing With Israel event on Monday evening – we were proud to be joined by so many members of Temple Sinai and add our voices to the call of our community for solidarity and support.

We will continue to show our support for Israel and to be there for each other this Shabbat. We invite you to join us for a “Standing With Israel Shabbat.” We begin on Friday Evening at 6:00pm in the sanctuary with a special service in solidarity with Israel. We will include special prayers, music, and readings as our thoughts and hearts are directed east towards Jerusalem. Afterwards, we will share a congregational Shabbat dinner and have the opportunity to discuss what is happening in Israel, as well as our reactions and feelings. I hope you will make plans to join us (and please make a reservation for dinner). We will continue on Saturday morning with Torah Study at 9:15am, followed by a special Shabbat Morning Service at 10:30am in the chapel. We will again include prayers and songs for Israel and take some time to discuss further what is happening there as well as our own reactions.

On Sunday morning, we will address the terror and situation in Israel with our Chavurah@Sinai students, as we start the morning in the chapel altogether for Tefilah at 9:00am.

As always, we are taking security at Temple very seriously. And we are grateful to the NOPD, as well as the Loyola University Police Department, for keeping an extra eye on us, and for all of the hard work and support of the Jewish Federation, the Secure Community Network, and ADL in keeping our community safe. We also thank our Temple Sinai security coordinator, Joe Williamson, for all that he does for our congregation.

We pray for an end to the violence and bloodshed. We pray that God will send God’s shelter of peace over all of Israel. May God send strength to our people – and may we be blessed with Shalom.

L’SHANAH TOVAH TEICHATEIMU!

It was wonderful seeing so many people here at Temple for Rosh HaShanah. The warm feelings of holiness and community surrounded us. It was a pleasure to welcome in the New Year 5784 altogether.

Now these Ten Days of Repentance continue as we work our way towards Yom Kippur. Hopefully we are challenging ourselves to reflect, to repent, and to prepare for an even better New Year. Remember: the more we put into our High Holy Day preparations and observances, the more we will get out of them.

To help us with our process of Teshuvah, we welcome Shabbat Shuvah this week – the Sabbath of Return, or the Sabbath of Repentance. We will continue with the themes and music of the High Holy Days on this special Shabbat. Then we will return to Temple once again for Yom Kippur – our holiest day of the year, the Day of Atonement. We will gather for our Evening Service on Sunday at 7:30pm to hear Kol Nidrei and to join together in prayer and seeking forgiveness. Services continue all day on Monday, Sept. 25 with our Morning Service beginning at 10:00am. Afterwards, we will have a Study Session for those who wish to remain at Temple. Our Family Service will take place at 2:00pm in the Sanctuary. The Afternoon Service begins at 3:00pm and will include the reading of the Book of Jonah. From there we will continue with our Yizkor Memorial Service, beginning at approximately 4:30pm, followed immediately by our Neilah Concluding Service. Afterwards all are invited to join in our Congregational Break-the-Fast.

I hope you have made your reservations for Yom Kippur services, and we look forward to being all together once again at Temple Sinai. For those who cannot be here in person, we hope that you will join us on the livestream or on Zoom.

On Rosh HaShanah, we wished each other: “L’SHANAH TOVAH TIKATEIVU – May you be inscribed for a good New Year in the Book of Life.” On Yom Kippur, we say: “L’SHANAH TOVAH TEIKATEIMU – May you be sealed in the Book of Life for a good New Year.” Or more simply: “G’MAR CHATIMAH TOVAH – May you complete this day with a seal for good in the Book of Life.”

Wishing you a good and healthy New Year filled with peace and blessing!

Here at Temple we are getting ready for the High Holy Days.  We are excited to welcome everyone back home to Temple Sinai as we begin the New Year 5784.  Rosh HaShanah is just over a week away.  Rosh HaShanah begins on Friday evening, September 15 and continues on Saturday, September 16.  Yom Kippur is Sunday evening, September 24 and Monday, September 25.

I want to remind everyone that we are asking you to make reservations for High Holy Day services again this year.  You can do this through the weekly email blast, the Temple website, or by calling the Temple office.  This is for security purposes and will help us to welcome everyone into the Temple building for services.  We appreciate your doing this.

This evening I invite you to join me for Wednesday Night Live at 7:00pm on Zoom.  We will be discussing our Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur plans and answering questions about the High Holy Days: from music to liturgy to traditions and foods.

This Saturday, Sept. 9, we will host our Selichot Service.  “Selichot” are our “prayers for forgiveness” which we begin to recite at this time of year.  We will begin at 7:00pm in the auditorium for coffee, desserts, and Havdalah.  At 7:30pm we will host our Selichot Service in the sanctuary.  Selichot introduces us to the music, themes, and prayers of these ASERET YEMEI TESHUVAH – the “10 Days of Repentance” – that begin with Rosh HaShanah and conclude with Yom Kippur.  It is a great way to prepare for the beginning of the New Year.

We also want to wish Cantor Garfein and her family “Mazal Tov!” as her son, Jake Gellman, becomes a Bar Mitzvah this week at our Shabbat Morning Service, which begins at 10:30am.

Remember: now is the time to get ready for the start of the New Year.  Make your plans, set some goals, and take advantage of this prep time.  The more we put into our holy day observances, the more we will get out of this holiest time of the year.

August is already here, and that means many things for us.  It means it is hot outside – and is still going to be hot for awhile.  It means that the school year is beginning: most of our students have already started school or will begin next week.  We hope all of our students and teachers have a wonderful year of learning and growth.  I also want to remind everyone that our school supply drive continues throughout this month – we are collecting supplies for students and schools in need.  Please pick up a few extra school supplies and drop them off in the Temple office when you have a chance.

This year August means we will gather down the avenue at Touro Synagogue for our Summer Union Shabbat Services this month.  I look forward to our community’s coming together during these last few weeks of summer.

August also means a very important Temple Sinai bulletin is now available.  It includes lots of important information about the upcoming High Holy Days, as well as welcome back events and the beginning of the Religious School year.  I hope that everyone will read carefully about all of the wonderful things happening at Temple Sinai and make plans to join with us.

Finally, a reminder: next week I invite you to join with me for Wednesday Night Live and our online discussion on “Jews, News & Views” at 7:00pm.

Stay cool, stay hydrated and see you soon!

I hope that everyone is enjoying the summer so far – and finding ways to stay cool and dry.  Here at Temple, we are so excited to welcome Cantor Rebecca Garfein and her family to Temple Sinai and to New Orleans.

We enjoyed a wonderful first Shabbat of July last week.  It was so nice to welcome everyone back home to Temple Sinai for our first Summer Union Shabbat Services.  It was also Cantor Garfein’s first Shabbat with us.  We had an energetic and welcoming atmosphere, and I think everyone enjoyed being together.  A reminder: we are hosting Shabbat Services throughout July.  Friday Evenings begin at 6:00pm with our Shabbat Shalom Nosh reception in the auditorium, followed by services in the sanctuary at 6:30pm.  On Saturday mornings, we begin with Torah Study in the library at 9:15am, followed by our Shabbat Morning Service at 10:30am in the chapel.

I really hope that you will plan on joining us for Shabbat Services throughout July.  It is a great opportunity to come together, visit, and welcome Cantor Garfein to our community.  Summer Union Services will continue in August at Touro Synagogue.

I also want to remind everyone that we have begun preparing for the upcoming school year by collecting school supplies for students and schools in need.  Please drop items off in the collection bin in the lobby – let’s all try to support this fantastic and important Sinai Tzedek Project.

            The countdown is on: only 2 more days until our special weekend honoring Cantor Joel Colman.  The weekend kicks off with a special Friday evening on May 19.  Our Shabbat Service will begin in the Sanctuary at 6:00pm.  Rabbi Cohn and I will both share some thoughts and memories about our beloved clergy partner.  There will be special music and presentations as we express our love and appreciation for Cantor Colman and all he has meant to Temple Sinai over the past 24 years.  A Congregational Shabbat Dinner will follow featuring some of Cantor’s favorites.  Please make your reservations for dinner as soon as possible.

            The fun will continue on Sunday, May 21 with CantorColmanFest 2023 at Temple from 11:00am until 1:00pm.  There will live music, games, a bounce house, a Second Line and more.  We will have a cookout lunch in the auditorium and outside – please make a reservation so that we can make sure we have enough food for everyone (there is no charge).  And since we are honoring Cantor Colman, there will also be a “candy bar” plus sno-balls and cotton candy.  Please plan on dropping by and expressing our gratitude to Cantor Colman.

            Cantor Colman will officially retire over the summer, and we look forward to welcoming Cantor Rebecca Garfein and her family to Temple Sinai and New Orleans in July.

            This evening is our final Wednesday Night Live discussion of the season.  We’ll talk about the state of Temple Sinai today, reviewing this past year and making plans for the future.  We will also discuss ideas and suggestions for future Adult Education classes and topics.  I hope you can join me this evening on Zoom at 7:00pm.

            I look forward to seeing you this weekend as we honor Cantor Colman at Temple!

I am still struggling to accept that May is here.  But, as I look at the calendar, I am very excited about all that will be happening this month at Temple.

            A few things to point out here at the beginning of the month.  This evening there is a Jewish Community Town Hall Meeting with U.S. Representative Troy Carter.  The event will take place from 6:30-7:30pm at Touro Synagogue.  The entire Jewish community is invited to participate.  Please register at the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans website: jewishnola.com.  I will look forward to seeing you there.

            This Friday, May 5, band members will be joining us for a Festive Musical Shabbat Service in the Feibelman Chapel at 6:30pm.  We will also be celebrating our May anniversaries and birthdays.

            It is hard to believe that today is our last official day of Hebrew School, and Sunday will be our last morning of Chavurah@Sinai for this school year.  It has been a great year of learning here at Temple.  I especially want to thank Mollie Sloter, who has stepped in as our interim Religious School Administrator, and all of our teachers for all that they do for our students, families, and congregation.  I am looking forward to our Confirmation Service, which this year will be held on Friday Evening, May 12, at 6:30pm in the sanctuary.

            Please mark your calendars for our special weekend as we honor and thank Cantor Joel Colman for his 24 years of service to Temple Sinai.  On Friday, May 19 we will hold a special service of appreciation at 6:00pm, followed by a Congregational Shabbat Dinner (please make your reservations).  Sunday, May 21 is CantorColmanFest here at Temple from 11:00am – 1:00pm.  It will be lots of fun with something for everyone.  Please plan on joining us for these fabulous events in honor of our beloved Cantor.

            Happy May!  See you at Temple!

Well, my joy from this weekend’s Gala unfortunately did not last as long as I had hoped.  I want to thank everyone who planned and worked so hard to make the annual event happen.  I want to thank everyone who attended and who supported Temple Sinai again this year.  I know that everyone had a wonderful time and enjoyed being altogether at Temple for our Casino Night on the Avenue fundraiser.

I am also excited because finally we are able to announce our plans for the position of Cantor at Temple Sinai moving forward.  We are so pleased to tell everyone that Cantor Rebecca Garfein will be joining Temple Sinai this summer.  She and her family cannot wait to get here and to get started.  Cantor Garfein will be an incredible addition to Temple Sinai – we are fortunate that she has chosen to become part of the Sinai family and community.

That’s the good news.  Now the bad news.

I am saddened to read the news of the storms and tornadoes that caused such devastating damage in our neighboring Mississippi.  I feel for all the families that lost lives and homes.  I hope that we can find ways to be good neighbors and to lend a helping hand.

I was heart-broken once again by the news of the school shooting in Nashville.  I just do not understand how we can allow these mass shootings, especially in our schools, to happen again and again and again – and not seem to do anything about them.  We need new gun laws, and we must find ways to keep our children safe.  Even sadder to me: how unsurprised our kids are when they here such news, and how surprised they are that I continue to be surprised when another school shooting takes place in our country.  We must demand change from all of our leaders.

I am saddened and worried about the news from Israel.  The last few months, since the election, have been filled with conflicts and rising fears.  The reactions within Israel have been fascinating to watch.  Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have protested in order to make sure the Israeli government hears their voices and keeps Israel a strong democracy.  I am grateful that Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu has temporarily stalled his government’s plans for judicial reform.  I hope that this will lead to rethinking and compromise, but I have my doubts.  I hope that you are following the news from Israel.  I want to encourage you to read the statement put out yesterday by our Reform Movement’s leadership: the link is https://urj.org/press-room/reform-jewish-leaders-respond-netanyahus-conciliation-delay-judicial-overhaul?_gl=1*1hixfvr*_ga*MTgxOTQ0MzYwNi4xNjM4MzEwMjk5*_ga_6WX143SJW5*MTY4MDExNzUzMC4yOC4wLjE2ODAxMTc1MzAuMC4wLjA.

I also want to encourage you to join Jews throughout the United States in a campaign to fight anti-Semitism in our country.  Go to www.standuptojewishhate.org for more information.  It is a clear and straight-forward approach – now we all need to help spread the word.

Finally, what I thought the theme of this week’s message was going to be – Passover is around the corner.  Passover begins next Wednesday evening, April 5.  Our Congregational Seder will be held on the second night of Passover, Thursday, April 6 at 6:00pm.  I hope you will consider participating as we celebrate our springtime Festival of Freedom together.  Please make your reservations by Monday, April 3.  There are more details and information about Passover 5783 in our April Bulletin and on the Temple website.

I want to wish everyone a very happy and meaningful Passover!  Chag Sameach!

            Yesterday was Valentine’s Day.  To be honest, it’s a day I have been known to forget.  Some years it barely crosses my mind (my apologies to Morgan).  I have issues with “Greeting Card Holidays” – especially as the price of those cards keeps going up.

            However, I love the idea of a day dedicated to love and to the ones whom we love.  We should never miss an opportunity to express our feelings for the most important people in our lives. 

            And as we read the news headlines, I think we could all agree that the world could use a little more “love, sweet love.”      Of course, yesterday was also the fifth anniversary of the horrific shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL.  A day I remember well, as we lived at the time in Broward County less than 30 minutes from Parkland.  How was the anniversary observed?  By mourning the victims of the shooting at Michigan State University.  Gun violence is still a plague upon our country – and it seems only to be getting worse.  We must work harder and take steps to stop gun violence and to make our schools, universities, grocery stores, movie theaters, neighborhoods, and homes safer.  How many more anniversaries will we spend mourning the loss of innocent lives?

            May we be moved by our love of life to stop the taking of lives by those with guns.  And in that spirit, we may also continue to protect lives by promoting reproductive justice and health care rights for all.  This Shabbat, the National Council of Jewish Women is promoting its annual “Repro Shabbat,” encouraging Jews across the country to stand up for abortion access and rights.  We must join the fight and make sure our voices are heard.

            Today is also Jewish Disability Advocacy Day, a day dedicated to standing up for those who need our help and support to stand and have access to everyday life.  Let us show our love for those who face challenges by being advocates for change.

            To find out more about all of these issues, I encourage you to check out and support the wonderful work of the URJ’s Religious Action Center (www.rac.org) in Washington, DC.

            Enjoy Mardi Gras, be safe, and help spread love as we work to make our world a better and safer place.

How is it already the CHAI (18^th) of January?  I hope everyone is doing well and staying healthy here at the beginning of this New Year. There is lots going on at Temple these days.  Here are just a few quick reminders:

• WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE: Cantor Colman will continue his discussion on the new play Leopoldstadt this evening at 7:00pm on Zoom.  All are welcome to join in.
• FRIDAY EVENING: Join us this week for a special musical Shabbat Evening Service featuring our Vocal Ensemble (members of our choir) and organ in the sanctuary.  Our Shabbat Shalom Nosh Reception begins at 6:00pm, followed by services at 6:30pm.
• SATURDAY MORNING: Torah Study continues every week at 9:15am.  Afterwards, join us this week for our Shabbat Morning Service in the chapel at 10:30am.
• SUNDAY MORNING: Chavurah@Sinai resumed this past week.  Every Sunday is a wonderful experience for our students from pre-K through Confirmation (10^th grade).

And mark your calendars and make plans for:

• Wednesday, January 25 (next week): Join Brotherhood for a visit to The Sazerac House.  Everyone is invited.  Come join us for a wonderful social evening.
• Sunday, Feb. 5: Join us for a very special cantorial concert with Cantor Colman and Friends at 3:00pm.  Come for the amazing music as we honor Cantor Colman and thank him for his many years of service to our congregation and community.  You won’t want to miss out.  Make your reservations and get your tickets now.

Remember: all this information and more can be found in our weekly email blasts on Thursdays, in the monthly bulletin, and on the Temple website. I look forward to seeing you at Temple!