EVENT: Kabbalat Shabbat with “Strings Attached,” Friday, December 7 and 14, at 6:15 PM

Unplug from a busy week with an acoustic Shabbat service led by Hazzan Howard Glantz with familiar tunes that will put a smile on your face and a song in your heart. For all ages, from babies to bubbies. Bring your friends for this relaxed, casual, and enjoyable service! Then stay for Oneg Shabbat (lite dinner bites and gathering with friends). 6:15 PM

EVENT: AJWA Sisterhood Hosts the WLCJ Mid-Atlantic Regional Bingo Competition, Wednesday, December 12 at 6:45 PM

Invite your friends and join other Sisterhood members for Team Bingo! Four to eight women will play on a team. The evening will include dinner, raffles, and prizes. Send RSVP and payment by December 7 to Ariana Burrows, 406 Shoemaker Road, Elkins Park, 19027. Please make checks payable to "Mid-Atlantic Region". Contact Karen Cuker with any questions at 215.793.0423 or cukers@verizon.net. $25 admission includes dinner and one bingo card per game. $36 sponsorship includes additional bingo card and 5 raffle tickets. 6:45 PM at AJ.

EVENT: AJWA Sisterhood Cooking at Ronald McDonald House, Sunday, December 12, 4:30 PM

Join us to prepare dinner for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House. We’ll be going to the House at Front and Erie Streets. Meet us at the House at 4:30 PM or contact Judy Stutman Izes at 267.254.6633 or jpsizes@aol.com for carpool information. Lovingly sponsored by AJWA Sisterhood.

EVENT: 21st Annual Middle Atlantic Region FJMC Man of the Year Dinner, Sunday, December 16, 4:30 PM

Sam Rosenberg has been chosen as the AJ's Man of the Year! He will be honored at the Man of the Year Dinner at Temple Beth Hillel Beth El in Wynnewood, PA. Event begins at 4:30 PM. Cost is $75/person. RSVPs are due by November 16. Please also consider placing an ad in the program book! Registration forms are available at the synagogue, in the weekly email and on the AJ web site (www.adathjeshurun.info).

Rabbi Kenter's High Holy Day Sermons

Rabbi Kenter's High Holy Day sermons are now posted on the AJ website:

Erev Rosh Hashanah 5779

Rosh Hashanah 5779, Day I

Rosh Hashanah 5779, Day II

Expressing Solidarity with Tree of Life Congregation

We grieve with our fellow Jews in Pittsburgh and pray for the speedy return to full health to those injured in the horrific acts perpetrated at the Tree of Life congregation. As we prepare for tonight's vigil (see below), we want to share the following from Rabbi Naomi Levy:

A Prayer for the Dead 

of Tree of Life Congregation

by Rabbi Naomi Levy

 

We are devastated, God,

Our hearts are breaking

In this time of shock and mourning.

The loss is overwhelming.

Send comfort and strength, God,

To grieving family members.

Send healing to the injured,

Send strength and wisdom 

to their doctors and nurses.

Bless the courageous police officers who risked their lives

To protect innocent lives.

 

Shield us from despair, God,

Ease our pain.

Let our fears give way to hope.

Lead us to join together as a nation

To put an end to anti-Semitism,

An end to hatred,

An end to gun violence.

 

Teach us, God, to honor the souls we have lost

By raising our hands 

and voices together

In the cause of peace.

Because Torah is a Tree of Life

And all its paths are peaceful.

Work through us, God.

Turn our helplessness into action.

Teach us to believe that we can 

rise up from this tragedy

And banish the hate 

that is tearing our world apart.

We must never be indifferent 

to the plight of any who suffer.

We must learn to care,

To open our hearts 

and open our hands.

Innocent blood is calling out to us.

God of the brokenhearted,

God of the living, God of the dead,

Gather the souls of the victims

Into Your eternal shelter.

Let them find peace 

in Your presence, God.

Their lives have ended

But their lights 

can never be extinguished.

May they shine on us always

And illuminate our way.

Amen.

Our hearts are with the families who are suffering in Pittsburgh. As we continue with our normal activities and services on Sunday and throughout the week, we will be mourning those who lost their lives. 

 

During Minhah-Ma'ariv-Havdalah, we acknowledged this tragedy with heartfelt thoughts expressed in readings, prayers and comments. 

 

In the next couple of days we will have a security/police presence. In the longer term we will implement a security presence that is increased and meets our needs. 

 

We will be strong and our AJ family and Old York Road community will continue to send love and prayers those in need. 

Rabbi Barry Kenter, Hazzan Howard Glantz, David Reibstein,
and Judy Izes

PLEASE NOTE: Beth Sholom will not hold Sunday evening services tonight. After the vigil at KI, there will be a Ma'ariv service there.