January 23, 2009

Don’t forget that weather related cancelations will be reported on WGAL TV and on http://www.wgal.com.  We are listed under “c” for Congregation Shaarai Shomayim.  The answering machine message on the office phone, 397-5575,  will also reflect the status of school classes or other meetings being held at the Temple.

Our monthly Bulletin is now available online at http://www.shaarai.org/forms/bulletin.pdf., under the Contact Us/Participate With Us tab, or the Calendar tab in News/Events above.  We will continue to send the paper Bulletin every month, but for those who wish to see more details about items below, or who find online access more convenient, just click!

Shabbat, Variety show, Shabbat at Home & Shabbaton, AJG, TOPS, monthly meetings, FNL, retreat, Geneaology, Mitzvot.

Friday, Shabbat eve service 6 p.m.,  followed by an Italian dinner.  Saturday, Torah study and brief Shabbat service at 9 a.m.

10th grade presents a Variety Show on Sunday, 4:30 p.m., to raise money for students’ trips to Israel this summer.  No admission, but donations gladly accepted.  There will also be a bake sale

Shabbat at Home, and Shabbaton will be celebrated on January 30 and 31.  See your midmonth for details on these events.

Adult Jewish Growth will be held on January 26, continuing the discussion series, “Forget about Miriam, Maimonides and Heschel, I Want to Talk about My Feelings about God.“  Rabbi Paskoff’s home, 102 White Oak Dr., 7:30-9 p.m.

Talmud study at noon in the small social hall every Tuesday.  Rabbi Paskoff will lead a minyan at 7:45 a.m. every Wednesday.

TOPS every Wednesday, 6:15 in the small social.  Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a national support organization.  Local groups help individuals deal with food issues and how they may impact our daily lives.  At a membership of about 15, our Shaarai Shomayim group swaps recipes and websites, shares success stories, and generally supports each member’s attempts at finding his or her most livable lifestyle.  New members welcome.  Come visit a session next week!

Don’t forget our other weekly/monthly meetings for study and support: addiction support at the JCC on the fourth Tuesday, 7 p.m.; Women’s Torah Study, first and third Thursday of the month, 7 p.m.  The cancer support group meets the third Thursday of the month at the Temple, beginning at 7 p.m. 

A new Friday Night Live! musical Shabbat service coming February 6.

It’s just over two months to the congregational retreat.  Being held the end of March, this weekend of Shabbat activities at a beautiful and comfortable resort in Waynesboro, PA will be a treat!  See your monthly publications for sign up details.

The Jewish Genealogy Center is open!  The Center will be open by appointment by contacting Alan Levine at 392-3509 or .  All research will be done and materials will remain in the library.  Regular hours may be established in the future.

Contributing to our Mitzvah closet/crib and filling your family Tzedakah can are two ways of fulfilling the commandment to perform Mitzvot. Our crib collects new or gently used infant and toddler toys, clothes, furniture, and baby toiletries for Milagro House. PLEASE DO NOT BRING LARGE ITEMS SUCH AS FURNITURE TO THE TEMPLE; CONTACT MILAGRO HOUSE DIRECTLY TO ARRANGE FOR DELIVERY TO THEM. The closet collects items for Ross Elementary School uniforms, and school items, grown-up toiletries, and non-perishable food for the county food bank.

Don’t forget our collections of food labels from Campbells, Swanson, Pepperidge Farm and other General Foods items and Box Tops for Education; and aluminum pop-top rings for Ronald McDonald House in Hershey. We are also collecting lids from all Turkey Hill milk products.

The ARZA website http://arza.org keeps you up-to-date on all the latest news in the Reform movement.

For news about The Pluralist Weekly Highlights of Religion State in Israel, click here: Visit IRAC on the RAC website!