Upcoming Events

Roxy Wertheim’s B Mitzvah
Saturday, February 28th, 9:30am – 11:30am
First Reformed Church, 18 Farragut Ave, Hastings-On-Hudson, NY 10706

The congregation is invited to attend.

Purim Party and Spiel
Monday, March 2nd, 6:00pm – 7:30pm
First Reformed Church, 18 Farragut Ave, Hastings-On-Hudson, NY 10706

Bring your creativity, costumes, hamentaschen, groggers, and sense of humor to our annual Purim party and spiel/movie, to be held Monday, March 2nd from 6:00pm to 7:30pm at the church. She’arim will show its Oscar-worthy annual spiel. We’ll have yummies to eat, you’ll receive a Mishloah Manot bag of goodies, and we’ll drown out Haman’s name with our groggers. Rabbinic Leader Jesse Weil will lead.

We need your help in LEADING A CHAPTER FOR OUR CREATIVE MEGILLAH READING. This can be a song, a poem, an exercise, a game, or anything else that relates to the themes or ideas of the chapter (summarized below). If folks are excited about leyning a few psukim of megillah, that’s welcome too.

*As an example:  in Chapter 2, Esther wins a beauty contest to become King Ahashverush’s new queen, and her Uncle Mordecai overhears plotters who want to kill  the king. So someone might want to….

a) Sing a song like ‘All the Single Ladies’ By Beyonce

b) Lead us in an improv game having to do with secrets or overhearing

c) Hold an elimination dance party (like Musical chairs or Freeze Dance)

d) Host a Purim costume contest/pageant

e) leyn a few psukim to either traditional trope or a fun tune!

f) anything else!

Please email Jesse IF INTERESTED! Happy to help brainstorm ideas too.

Chapter breakdowns are below:

1. JUST SAY NO! Ahashverush, the King of Persia, throws a party that lasts for days and days.  After having a few too many drinks, Ahashverush orders his wife, Queen Vashtit to come and dance before his court. She bravely refuses the king. Furious, Ahashverush sends her away.

2. BEAUTY CONTEST!  Ahashverush holds a pageant to find a new wife. Esther wins the contest and becomes queen, even though she is secretly Jewish (gasp!).  Her cousin and caretaker Mordechai continues to  look after her. One day, as he watches at the walls of the palace, he overhears two servants plotting against the King. He warns Esther, saving the king’s life!

3. DON’T BOW DOWN TO THAT BAD MAN! Ahashervush promotes the wicked Haman (BOO)  to be his second in command. Mad with the power of his new position, Haman demands that all people bow before him. Mordechai refuses to bow down. Haman is so angry  about it that he devises a plot to take up arms against all of the Jews in the land.

4. HELP US, ESTHER! Having heard word of Haman’s decree, Mordechai and the Jewish people fear for their lives. Mordechai begs Esther to tell the King, her husband, that she is Jewish in order to try and save her people. She first refuses out of fear, but when Mordechai convinces her that none of them are safe, she decides she has no choice but to try. She asks that the Jewish people fast with her for three days to help her prepare.

5. HAMAN GETS READY! Esther plans a feast for the King. She tells him that she has to ask him something important and requests that Haman join them. Haman is flattered and  gloats about his success, but  Mordechai still refuses to bow down to him. Angered, Haman then decides he will have Mordechai killed the next day, even before his army is raised.

6. NICE GUYS  DON’T ALWAYS FINISH LAST! Unable to sleep, the King catches up on some busy work. As he looks at the royal records, he realizes that Mordechai was responsible for saving him and has not been properly thanked. He calls on Haman and asks his advice about how a King should reward a loyal servant. Haman, believing that the King is referring to him, suggests that the person be given wealth, dressed in  beautiful clothes, and paraded through the kingdom on a horse. He is furious when the King then does that for Mordechai!

7. JUST DESSERTS! At her banquet, Esther bravely reveals that she is Jewish and exposes evil Haman’s plot to the King. Haman pleads that Esther take pity on him. As Haman grovels at her feet, the King thinks he is being inappropriate with her. It’s the final straw! The King has Haman put to death.

8. NOT OUTTA THE WOODS YET! The King promotes Mordechai to Haman’s old position as his advisor. Esther reminds King Ahashverush that her people are still in danger. Even though Haman is gone, his forces have already been raised against Jews all over the land and are preparing to attack. The King suggests Mordechai use his new position to send warnings and  raise an army to defend the Jewish people.

9. FIGHT BACK! The Jewish people defend themselves and triumph in battle all over the land. It all seems a little gruesome and unnecessary!

10. HAPPILY EVER AFTER! Esther and Mordechai triumph besides the King. We are reminded that this is all TRUE…ish!

Steering Committee Meeting
Monday, March 9th, 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 844 9197 1375
Passcode: 692159

Lay-led Shabbat
Friday, March 13⋅6:00 – 8:00pm

She’arim Fun Night
Friday, March 13th, 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Yoga for Shabbat
Saturday, March 21st, 8:45am – 9:45am
First Reformed Church, 18 Farragut Ave, Hastings-On-Hudson, NY 10706

MH member Susan Adler will be teaching yoga classes enriched with Jewish themes. Susan will lead you through basic yoga poses, focusing on gentle movement, breathing and guided meditation. Come nurture your body, mind and spirit through yoga. Bring your yoga mat, yoga blanket or beach towel, and two yoga blocks if you have them. Free and open to all, from those new to yoga to experienced practitioners. (Then, stay for Shabbat services at 10am, also free!) Come a few minutes early to set up your mat and other equipment you’re bringing. Yoga will start ON THE DOT at 8:45am and end at 9:45am so that Shabbat setup can begin on time.

Shabbat Service
Saturday, March 21st, 10:00am – 12:00pm
First Reformed Church, 18 Farragut Ave, Hastings-On-Hudson, NY 10706

She’arim Green Fair
Saturday, March 21⋅12:00 – 1:00pm
First Reformed Church, 18 Farragut Ave, Hastings-On-Hudson, NY 10706

We are rapidly approaching the 10th annual She’arim Green Fair! Our She’arimers are working hard on some truly phenomenal projects aimed at educating our community and making the world a greener and better place!

We will begin with a lovely Shabbat service from 10-12. The Green Fair itself will take place from 12-1 and will include lunch.

While you eat, please explore the projects! You will be invited to learn, participate in interactive projects, sign up for future opportunities, and donate to nonprofit organizations as each group is also fundraising.

So please come and bring everyone you know! This is going to be a truly fantastic program and should not be missed! Of course, as we do each year, all slide shows and materials will be sent out to the community by email after the Green Fair so that you can click on links and read up on all the important issues.

Community Learning
Sunday, March 22nd, 11:00am – 1:00pm
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 814 9344 2319