News You Can Use Updates

News You Can Use

Clergy Prayer Service Will Be Coming to GCC Members Via Video

Instead of the live virtual event that had been scheduled for tonight at 7pm, our GCC member clergy are producing a prayer service video that will be able to be shared within GCC congregations at a time best suited for each congregation. 

Our clergy members have grappled with how to respond to recent events in a manner that honors our anger and grief, but at the same time recognizes that organizing to be a powerful voice for change is a complex political process that must sustain us through and after the current protests.

Thank you for your patience as GCC continues to work to create justice and opportunity for our community with campaigns like our just announced Color of Health Initiative that is providing COVID-19 testing at 18 congregations, along with our ongoing work in the criminal justice arena. 

So while there will be no event this evening, there will be a clergy-created video forthcoming, as we continue our work to make change in our community.

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Join the Reform Movement’s civic engagement campaign  

 … Indeed, this is the time for us to rise up.  To break the silence and step up to light the call for change.  You’re not properly climbing if you’re not lifting as you climb!   

Join the Reform Movement’s civic engagement campaign  

Our tradition teaches, “A ruler is not to be appointed unless the community is first consulted” (Talmud Brakhot 55). Yet underrepresented communities continue the fight for equal access to the ballot, as voter suppression plagues the U.S. election system and particularly impacts communities of color.  Every Voice, Every Vote is the Reform Jewish Movement’s 2020 civic engagement campaign, a nonpartisan effort to strengthen our democracy by encouraging everyone to participate in the U.S. election and ensuring that Reform Jewish values are represented in the public square. A key tenet of the campaign is working to combat voter suppression. Decisions that impact racial justice are made at the national, state, and local levels. Educate yourself about the candidates for office up and down the ballot, to ensure that they reflect your views and values. Visit rac.org/cec to learn more and get involved. 

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Zoom ‘n Lunch ‘n Learn with Rabbi Lader & Friends

Zoom ‘n Lunch ‘n Learn with Rabbi Lader & FriendsNEXT Tuesday, June 16th at Noon  Is Superman Jewish? Uncovering the Jewish lives of comic book heroes Join Zoom Meetinghttps://zoom.us/j/91932096903?pwd=MFplUThBcmFUR0MvaUJzTXJSdVgyZz09 Meeting ID: 919 3209 6903Password: 920366 Dial in:  646 876 9923 Meeting ID: 919 3209 6903Password: 920366

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BI-TWT Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting

Zoom in for…Beth Israel – The West Temple’sCongregational Meeting 
 DATE: SUNDAY, June 14, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. Join BI-TWT’s Congregational Zoom Meetinghttps://zoom.us/j/92336979240?pwd=cnVoYTBham1GZG4xZ1ZxOGNacElpUT09 Meeting ID: 923 3697 9240Password: 046270 Dial in — 646-876-9923 Meeting ID: 923 3697 9240Password: 046270 AGENDA D’Var Torah – Rabbi Lader Election of new Executive Committee Member:Judy Wright – Recording Secretary Election of President of the Board of Trustees:Peter A. Sackett COMMITTEE REPORT Robin Kaufman, Treasurer (Presented by Peter Sackett) SPECIAL REPORT Luis Fernandez – 21^st Century: Kitchen Upgrade REPORTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS/COMMITTEE CHAIRS Building & Grounds – Rick KellerRitual – Luis FernandezCongregational Educator – Debbie ChessinMembership – Sandy PankiwLifelong Learning – Julian RossSocial Action – Barbara Feldmar (newly appointed) President’s Report All other matters brought to the attention of the Board Motion to Adjourn

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From Peter Sackett, our Board President

An ad-hoc group met earlier this week to talk about ritual matters.  We discussed the High Holy Days, etc.Service leaders bemoaned the fact that ‘paging’ through the virtual service was time consuming; as a service attendee, I couldn’t agree more! THUS, we’re taking an old-fashioned approach to service materials – The Prayer Book!!!Yes, our somewhat dusty prayer books.It’s time to place them in the hands of those “attending” services. (Of course, if you are looking for a spiritual uplift, it’s always nice to turn to the prayer book for some helpful texts.) THUS, tomorrow, Friday, May 15th, between the hours of 10:00 am – 4:00 pm stop by BI-TWT.We will be at the back door in gloves and mask; we will hand you a Prayer Book. One book per family unit, please.   Starting tomorrow night, service leaders can simply call out, ‘turn to page 71’!!! Be well. Peter

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Honor Rabbi Enid Lader – Help Make a Difference

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May Jewish Learning

Zoom in for Jewish learning opportunities in May…

 YIVO’S SHINE ONLINE EDUCATIONAL SERIESA SEAT AT THE TABLE:A JOURNEY INTO JEWISH FOODBeginning May 1stFeaturing: Joan Nathan, Michael Twitty, Alice Feiring, Mitchell Davis (James Beard Foundation), Niki Russ Federman & Josh Russ Tupper (Russ & Daughters), Jake Dell (Katz’s Deli), Darra Goldstein, Liz Alpern & Jeffrey Yoskowitz (The Gefilteria), Lior Lev Sercarz (La Boite), Adeena Sussman, Ilan Stavans, Leah Koenig, Michael Wex and more!Yivo.org/food________________________________ BI-TWT’s Lifelong Learning Presents: “The Gospels Through Jewish Eyes”Beginning May 3rd 4 Sunday evenings, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Guest Speaker: Rabbi Dr. Jo DavidNew York rabbi, multi-faith facilitator, writer, and inspirational speaker

1. May 3rd – Introduction to the Gospels – how are they addressing the Jews of their time?

2. May 10th – Reviewing the Gospels in the order they were written, not the order they appear in the New Testament.  How can these writings be seen as a response to the destruction of the Second Temple?

3. May 17th – How the TaNakh (our Bible) is used in the writings of the Gospels?

4. May 24th – How have certain texts from the Gospels come to be used to lay the foundation for stereotypes and antisemitism? 

Topic: BI-TWT’s “The Gospels Through Jewish Eyes” – with Rabbi Dr. Jo DavidTime: May 17, 2020 07:30 PM       Join Zoom Meetinghttps://zoom.us/j/94851648545?pwd=SjhMMUN3TjJtSjd3QXRZWm1FSGFNZz09 Meeting ID: 948 5164 8545Password: 871657 Dial in: 646 876 9923        Meeting ID: 948 5164 8545Password: 871657

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Lunch ‘n Learn with Rabbi Lader & Friends

Zoom and Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Lader & FriendsThursday, May 21stNoon What IS a Mentsch?Join us and found out… Join Zoom Meetinghttps://zoom.us/j/98091492546?pwd=SmJrc1QzdDczeDltaHhySWxndndVQT09 Meeting ID: 980 9149 2546Password: 330313 Dial in:  646 876 9923Meeting ID: 980 9149 2546Password: 330313