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Congregation Shaarey Tphiloh – Your Small Local Shul in Portland, Maine
SHAAREY TPHILOH
Shabbat Shalom & Chodesh Tov!
Rosh Chodesh Nisan
March 16-17
1 Nisan
Torah Readings
Parashat Vayikra
Shabbat HaHodesh
Annual: Leviticus 1:1-5:26
Maftir: Numbers 19:1-22
Haftarah: Isaiah 66:1 & 24
and Ezekiel 45:16-46:18
Candle Lighting
Friday, March 16 – 6:31 pm
Havdalah
Saturday, March 17- 7:32 pm
This Weekend
Shabbaton
Saturday, March 17
Visiting Rabbi Aaron Shub of Yeshiva Chovevei Torah will be leading services and a discussion of the week’s Parsha at our usual time of 9:45 am.
A Kiddush will take place in the space outside of our Sanctuary as Temple Beth El will be holding a Bar Mitzvah.
Board Meeting, Sunday March 18 at 10:00 am
Room TBD
Pesach 5778
Schedule
Friday, Mar. 30 – Erev Pesach
First Seder night
6:48 pm Candle lighting time
Saturday, Mar. 31 – Pesach I
Second Seder night
9:30 am Shabbat & Holiday services
7:49 pm Candle lighting time
Sunday, Apr. 1 – Pesach II
9:30 am Holiday services
8:18 pm End of Yom Tov
Thursday, Apr. 5 – Pesach VI (Intermediate Day)
6:55 pm Candle lighting time
Friday, Apr. 6 – Pesach VII
9:30 am Holiday Services
6:56 pm Candle lighting time
Saturday, Apr. 7 – Pesach VIII
9:30 am Shabbat & Holiday Services
11:15 am Yizkor
7:57 pm Havdalah time
Sell Your Chametz
When we prepare for Pesach, it is customary for Jews to sell their Chametz to non-Jewish members of the community. To make this process easier for you, we will take care of your Chametz for you.
This does not mean that you have to bring to the Temple all of your wheat, barley, oats, spelt, rye and kitniyot (rice, millet, corn and legumes – in Ashkenazi custom). It means you can fill out this form and Rabbi Braun will sell your Chametz for you.
Please submit your form by March 29, 2018
It is customary to make a donation for Maot Chittim – literally ‘wheat money’ – so that those without means will be able to prepare for the holiday. We donate these contributions to MAZON – A Jewish Response to Hunger (www.mazon.org).
Kobi Kahn’s Bar Mitzvah
Todah Rabah to everyone who celebrated with us and made this so special for the entire community!
Mazel Tov, Kobi!
Donations and Tributes
Todah Rabah to the following generous donors:
Harriet Weisman
Teri Berenson in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of Kobi Kahn.
Bertha Bucknell in memory of her mother.
Donald Lewin
Larry and Donna Geller in memory of their father, Robert Geller.
Larry and Donna Geller in memory of their aunt, Jennie Peretz.
Lou and Shula Bornstein in blessed and devoted memory of their aunt, Blanche (Blumeh) Glovsky.
Sponsor a Kiddush!
Temple Beth El and Congregation Shaarey Tphiloh are partnering to offer Kiddush refreshments on Shabbat and holidays. Sharing a Friday night or Shabbat service and Kiddush is a wonderful opportunity to support our congregations, build community, share in the simcha of a birthday, anniversary or graduation, and offer comfort to those observing a yahrzeit.
Please note, due to the increased cost of lox, premium level Kiddush sponsorships now cost $200.
TBE Pop-up Challah Shop!
Order yours today, pick it up on Friday!
$3.00 Small – $5.00 Large
$5.00 Six (6) Rolls
Order Now!
Sunday Simcha!
Sunday Mornings – 6:30 to 8:30 am
We welcome new hosts: Hillel, Marshall Tinkle, Barbara Merson, Natan Kahn.
Sunday Simcha is the only Jewish music program in Maine and northern New England and one of only a handful of Jewish music radio shows in the United States. Shows are wildly eclectic- one of the few Jewish shows to feature modern, diverse, and cutting-edge recordings in addition to traditional music.
Sunday Simcha features:
An eclectic blend of Jewish music from across the diaspora, including klezmer, Sephardic, Ladino, traditional, sacred, folk, rock, classical, kids’ music, and jazz – Live interviews – News and announcements for the Southern Maine Jewish community – Occasional Jewish humor
Jacob Cousins Memorial
Unveiled in September 1935, the Jacob Cousins Memorial was part of an ongoing nationwide effort to highlight both the patriotism of Jewish Americans and their contribution during times of conflict. The memorial is a key artifact in the history of the Jewish community in southern Maine linking past to present and inspiring visitors to remember, respect and contemplate the cost of war.
In its current state the memorial is difficult to view and appreciate as it faces directly onto Eastern promenade Drive. Friends of the Eastern promenade is raising funds to redesign this historic landmark.
To donate to this important cause click here.
Dear Shaarey Tphiloh Community,
We need your help!
Every Saturday morning we say a prayer for Refuah Shleimah for members of our congregation and their loved ones who are in need of healing. We would like to include the names of all those in our community who would benefit from our thoughts and prayers so we encourage you to communicate with us. Please, let us know if there is anyone whose name you would like included in our service and announcements and keep us updated through their recovery.
Shabbat Shalom,
Daniel Heinrich
Administrative Assistant
Kadima Beth El
This weekend:
Teen Beit Midrash with Jeff Halpern
7th Grade Class
Next week:
Wednesday, March 21
Open Classroom
Sunday, March 25
Hebrew High in Room 1a
Chaverim
Matzah Making with Rabbi Moshe Wilansky
B’Yachad Model Seder – Approx 11:15 am
7th Grade
The Model Seder
Coming up on Sunday, March 25th is KBE’s annual B’Yachad Model Seder.
This is a wonderful opportunity for all of our students, teachers, madrichim and parents to come together and learn about Pesach, make memories, create traditions and have a snack.
Volunteers are needed to help shop and prep so please contact Merril Abramson as soon as possible.
Thank you!
While Abby is on leave, if you have questions or concerns, or would like to report your child’s absence, please email Daniel Heinrich at office@nulltbemaine.org and copy Lisa Berman at lisab@nullmaine.rr.com. Every effort has been made to keep the school calendar up to date, which you can access at this link (or from the synagogue website).
For financial questions, please email Sherri Quint at controller@nulltbemaine.org. For general inquiries, please call the office at 774-2679 or email office@nulltbemaine.org.
400 Deering Calendar
Yom HaShoah Observance at the Slivka-Blechman Memorial
Wed., April 11 – 5:30 pm
Commissioned by Jerry and Rochelle Slivka and crafted by the sculptor Robert Katz in 2003, the Slivka-Blechman Memorial is Maine’s first and only Holocaust Memorial and a powerful symbol of our dedication to remember those who perished in the Shoah. All are invited to join together as we gather around this monument for reflection, remembrance, prayer and mourning.
Sephardic Shabbat
Monday, April 16 – 5:30 pm – RSVP Required
For this class, Daniel reaches into his own heritage going back 600 years to Sepharad (Spain) to instruct a meal of traditional Judeo-Spanish dishes. Learn to cook Saffron Rice with Almonds and Pomegranate Seeds, Chraimeh (Fish with Spicy Tomato Sauce) and Fennel Salad with Olive and Lemon. The course will be followed by dinner and participants are encouraged to invite up to 3 friends or family members to join them for the meal at an additional $8 per person. BYOB Wine.
$18 for members / $22 for non-members
RSVP by April 9
Bruchim HaBa’im Speaker Series
Friday, April 6 – 5:30 pm
Breaking Down Barriers: New Mainer Women Leading in Business, The Arts, and Civil Society
In Hebrew, Bruchim HaBa’im is the way to say Welcome! Literally, it means blessed are those who come. The Bruchim HaBa’im Speaker Series offers our community an opportunity to hear directly from Portland’s newcomers from around the world and those working to support and advocate for them. Join us to learn about ways to express — through action and support — our belief that they are blessed. This event is free and open to all.
Tikkun Olam Carepacks Assembly
April 8th at 10:30 am
Have you ever seen someone standing at a busy intersection in Portland asking for help and wished that you could do something more to help? Join TBE members and families to assemble care packs containing essential items such as socks, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, etc.
Donations of care pack items and help assembling the packs are welcome!
Yoga Minyan
Sundays at 9:30
Extended indefinitely
$54 non-member rate * $36 member rate * $10/session drop-in rate
TBE’s new yoga minyan will offer a moment of peace meant to nurture your heart, soul, and body through a centering, grounding yoga practice. The class will open with some words of Jewish philosophy, followed by stretching, gentle movement, and breathing. Please bring comfortable clothes and a yoga mat. Open to all, no prior experience necessary.
Spirits and Spirits
Thursdays: Apr. 19, May 10, June 14, Jul 14, Aug. 9
We start as dust and end as dust, in between let’s have a drink.
-Yiddish Proverb.
Once a month Rabbi Braun will be at Maine Craft Distilling (123 Washington Ave, Portland) for a casual evening of libation and conversations about life. People of all faiths and curiosities are welcome to join. No RSVP required. Ages 21+
Encountering God: A Conversation – Sundays in March at 10:30 am
4 Session Course taught by David Freidenreich
What does it mean to speak about God? What have Jews past and present said about God? What do we feel comfortable saying about God? We’ll explore these questions and more in this four-session class. Participants are strongly encouraged to read chapters from Neil Gillman’s The Way into Encountering God in Judaism before each session, but all are welcome regardless of advance preparation. (For the March 4 session, read the introduction and chapter 1 of this short and accessible book.)
A limited number of copies of the book are available at the TBE library for loan.
Email Daniel to reserve a spot. $36 for 4 sessions
Rosh Chodesh Women’s Group
Wednesdays: Apr. 11, May 16, Jun. 13 – 6:30-8:00 pm
$10/session drop-in rate
As we seek to make old traditions new, TBE is creating a Rosh Chodesh group for women. Together, as a collaborative effort, we will explore our tradition and our identities as women. No experience is necessary, all are welcome.
Maine Jewish Film Festival
March 10 – 18, 2018 – In it’s 21st year, the Festival will feature thirty films from around the world and present a dynamic week of parties, guests and special events. MJFF is committed to the belief that diversity is at the heart of what fuels a great festival and a great community. This year’s extensive selection comprises an engaging collection of feature length and short films – dramas, comedies and documentaries. Click here to view the entire schedule
The Maine Conference of Jewish Life
June 8-10
Thomas College, Waterville, ME
Be sure to register soon for the the unbelievably reasonable price of $36 per day. This price is only good until the end of the month, at which point prices go up.
Register by clicking here.
View the schedule here.
Yahrzeits
1 Nisan
Frances Chawes
Mitchell Cope
Ralph Druker
Robert Geller
Ethel Meltzer
Minna Shear
Israel Tabachnick
Rachel Teitz
2 Nisan
Charlotte Berenson
Esther Fineberg
Abraham Weisman
3 Nisan
Annie Goffin
Rose Lewis
Carl Miller
Alan Seavey
4 Nisan
Freida Finn
Anna Fireman
Rose Goffin
Lillian Goldberg
Fannie Klaman
Ruth Slotsky
Mae Tabachnick
Jeanette Urdang
5 Nisan
Abraham Diner
Edmund Feldman
Sarah Mersky
Max Pinansky
6 Nisan
Eva Blumenthal
Morris Glovsky
William Goodman
Sumner Gordon
Joseph Kaufman
David Siegel
7 Nisan
Morris Cox
Frank Lerman
Etta Livingston