Welcome to the Mishkan Ha'am Community The
Westchester-Riverdale
Reconstructionist Group
Our Rabbinic Leader David Basior is currently
featured on the cover of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College's
annual report and on page 7:
Message from David:
Dear Community,
The Talmud tells us that
Sinai, where we spiritually arrive on Shavuot, is where we all once
stood - together. Commenting on the verse "Not with you alone do I seal
this covenant, but with whoever is here, standing with us today before
our God, and with whoever is not here with us today." (Deuteronomy
29:13), in Shavuot 39a, we are told that all of us - Israelites now and the future, converts now and in the future - were all present.
Mishkan Ha'am is beautifully living this tradition as handed down. We strive to be a community that includes all Jews irregardless of our status, past, present or future. No matter how you found us, no matter where you stand now, let us remember that once, we all stood together. And let us remember that this tells us it is possible to do so again. May we stand together many times this May before our summer-slow down. May we come to events we do not normally come to. May we make the effort to invite someone new. May we stand together once again.
Blessings,
David
Link to last month's Rabbinical Message
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Upcoming Events
Friday, May 31st, Community Friday Night Pot Luck Dinner, 7pm-9pm. Welcome
Shabbat with us, all together around the dinner table. Rabbi David will
lead us as we say the blessings, share the weekly torah portion, and
sing Shabbat table songs. All ages welcome. For more information,
contact Susan at Suepa11@aol.com or Naomi at
If you are interested in chatting with Rabbi David, he is keeping the following virtual office hours:
Mondays 10:30-1:30pm, Wednesdays 1:30pm-3:30pm.
Looking Ahead:
Saturday, June 1st, She'arim Shabbat Closing Siyyum, 9:30-noon.
Sunday, June 2nd, Annual Meeting, 10 am-1:30 pm. Location:
David and Phyllis Saphras' wonderful backyard in Irvington. (If it
rains, please check your email for the location.) This is the most
important meeting of the year for our members. We'll be setting next
year's goals for programming, membership outreach, and other aspects of
our operations. We'll also be selecting officers and committee chairs
and members for the next year, and approving the upcoming budget. This
is your chance to weigh in on what's important to you, to decide what
has been working well, and to consider ways to improve. We urge everyone
to join us, so that we can have your input. The Annual Retreat is a
potluck brunch, so please e-mail Phyllis at psaphra@gmail.com to
let her know what you're bringing, and to get directions if you need
them. Bring a lawn chair. Babysitting will be provided.
Other Events of Jewish Interest:
Like to try to help restart dealing with "the situation," somehow, someway?
Israel Talks microgrants applications just went online recently:
http://www.theisraeltalks.org/#!microgrant/c80sPlease contact Dave Saphra if you are interested: dsaphra @ gmail.com
She'arim is Recruiting!
Know a family searching for the right Hebrew school experience for
their young ones?! She'arim/Gateways is Mishkan Ha'am's approach to
Hebrew school that acknowledges there are different entry ways for all
of us. In mixed age classrooms, our young people experience Hebrew,
community building and the Jewish calendar through interactive, hands-on
ways. If you or someone you know might be interested, please be in
touch with Amanda Ascher at amandafalick@hotmail.com.
We meet Thursday afternoons in the First Reformed Church in
Hastings-on-Hudson and we are currently looking to fill a class for
young people in grades K-1. We also have limited openings in grades 2-6.
Be in touch today!
We Need Your Help:
Looking for volunteers to host David Please check the sign-up sheet linked in our regular emailings to see which weekend you would be best for you to host.
Unless otherwise noted, all events take place at The First Reformed Church of Hastings:
GOT OLD CELLPHONES? USED PRINTER CARTRIDGES?
Save
your used cell phones and printer cartridges for the Mishkan recycling
program that will give us a few extra dollars for programming!
Collect from your friends and relatives too! There is a box set
up at the church, or you can contact Lois Heitner at loyoga49@gmail.com
HIWP Backdoor Thrift Shop
The
Hebrew Institute of White Plains seeks donations of gently used
clothing, bedding, coats, hats, shoes, handbags, housewares,
and
costume jewelry for its thrift shop, which serves lower income patrons
from White Plains and the surrounding areas.
Donations, which are
tax-deductible, may be dropped off during store hours, 10 a.m. to 2
p.m., Tuesdays through Thursdays.
Access to the shop is from the
back parking lot at 20 Greenridge Avenue in White Plains. The
shop phone number is (914) 358-5575.
Do You Have a Laptop That is No Longer Used? Hebrew School Needs It!
Mishkan
Ha'am's She'arim/Gateways Hebrew School is looking for donations of
laptops with working wifi capabilities.
Our classrooms now have
wireless access and we would like to develop 21st century lessons and
activities.
Mishkan Ha'am will provide a thank-you letter for
your donation for tax purposes.Please note the following requirements:
~ laptop (mac or pc)
~ wirelesscapability
~ power cord
~ all documents removed/erased from hard-drive
Please email mishkanhaam.shearim@gmail.com if you think you have a potential laptop to donate.
Leslie Lieman or Rabbi David Basior will contact you about the specifications and when/where to drop-off.
Thanks in advance for your generous contribution to Hebrew School.
Check out the following inspiring website:
http://www.kippotforhope.org