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Celebrating Sukkot and Simchat Torah
 We'll celebrate Sukkot on Sunday, October 20, from 2PM to 4PM, and Simchat Torah on Monday, October 21, from 6PM to 8PM. For Sukkot, we will gather in the lovely garden behind Sue Frank's home in
the Fitler Square neighborhood. Rabbi Dayle will lead our Sukkot services.
Please bring a snack to share. Contact Sue Frank by email suefrank4@gmail.com or by phone 215-732-9280 for her address and
to let her know that you plan to attend.  |
Rally In Rittenhouse Square Tonight...
Rabbi Julie wants to spread the word that there will be a rally tonight (10/27/18) at 8pm in Rittenhouse Square in response to the horrific events at the Tree of Life Synagogue this morning in Pittsburgh. |
High Holy Day Online Registration is Closed
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Rosh Hashanah Services
Schedule
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Registration is now closed for Rosh Hashanah Services. While we are expecting a very large number of people you are still welcome to attend. For security purposes, you will be asked to show photo identification when arriving at the Ethical Society Building. We do recommend that you arrive early for services.The September 6th Council Meeting is Cancelled...
Due to circumstances beyond our control the September 6th Council meeting (tomorrow night) is being cancelled. The next meeting of the Council will be on October 8th. Information will be available as we get closer to that date. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience. |
Rabbi Julie's Selichot Message
Welcome to this gateway into the New Year. What better way to start the journey than with emunah, faith. Rashi teaches that the foundation of all mitzvot, all good deeds, is emunah, faith. We’re supposed to act out that faith by expressing gratitude every day for the fact that God created the world. But the Hassidic sages asked a real question, doesn’t it get boring to keep saying thank you for the Big Bang? (They said it in their own words!) It’s kind of over and done with and yet we’re still praying the same words of appreciation. They bring a Psalm in to help answer this question, one of Reb Zalman Schachter Shalomi’s favorite psalms that we also hear in our High Holy Day liturgy in the prayer Shema Koleynu, Al tashlichi l’et zikna, Do not cast me away in my older years. The Baal Shem Tov’sgrandson Rabbi Moshe Chayim Efrayim of Sudlikov taught that Al tashlichi le’et zikna, Do not cast me away in my older years, applies also to old words and old wisdom. It’s a message to remind US to find treasure in generations of Jewish teaching. But then these sages turn their very own teaching on its head and say actually none of this IS old. Because God renews creation every single moment. Each moment is entirely new with entirely new choices and moral demands. So we are in constant on-going gratitude for this renewal. Our faith is constantly renewed but even more important, God has faith in US and that’s why we are given the continual gift of getting to respond. So when we hear the words V’ahavtah re-eycha camocha, Love your neighbor as yourself or we hear Remember, you were strangers in Egypt, Never Again, these words have new meaning in this day. We are called anew to respond now. We have faith in the value of our tradition and God’s faith is invested in us to respond. We are part of a covenant of emunah. As we step into this New Year, may we be worthy of this covenant of faith. ~~ Rabbi Julie |
SELICHOT
Dear Chevra, This Saturday night, Sept. 1, is Selichot, a big gateway into our New Year. I hope many Leyv Ha-Ir-niks will be joining our sister center city synagogues for a joint service at BZBI at 8:30. I will be co-leading along with Rabbis Abe, Yosef, Ari Lev and Avi and our own Cantor Jessi Roemer will be immersing us in music. However, I want to put in a special invitation to reach out to our home bound members who will likely not be able to be at this service -- in honor of Selichot, in honor of the New Year, what a good time to wrap all of us into the journey. If you have questions about who could use a phone call or card or visit or meal, or assistance to or from a service, please give me a call. Thanks to all who build this caring community. With love, Your Rabbi Julie |
Book of Remembrance - Yizkor Form 5779
 DEADLINE: Friday, August 31st
This booklet will be used on Yom Kippur as well as the three other Yizkor services during the year. It is a Book of Remembrance in which we commemorate the names of departed relatives, friends and other loved ones. We hope you will join in making these memorials a vital part of our tradition by printing, completing and returning this form (and payment) before Friday, August 31, 2018. |
Calling All Helping Hands - 5779
 It's really very simple (not work intensive at all!). Of course it will provide you an opportunity to connect a few names and faces. There are several opportunities:
If interested, please email Aud Holzman (audholtzman@yahoo.com) or leave a phone message on Leyv Ha-Ir's voicemail (215-629-1995). Someone will happily contact you! |
Shabbat Morning Service, August 4th
Our Shabbat Morning Service will be held on Saturday August 4th at 10:00 AM. We meet at the Philadelphia Ethical Society, 1906 South Rittenhouse Square, in the Collier Room found on the second floor. Torah Portion: EIKEV. (Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25) Bring your thoughts and ideas for the discussion, as well as a little something to share during our pot-luck veggie/dairy lunch that follows. Shalom! |
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