December 2019
Kabbalat Shabbat with Rabbi David & Special Guest, Maggid Charna Rosenholtz (P. Vayishlach)
Join Rabbi David and the Band for a celebratory welcome to Shabbat. In this week's Torah portion (Vayishlach), patriarch Jacob fears the worst – but his already dramatic story takes an even more dramatic and surprising turn. Why do we write scripts? Come and learn, and release into Shabbat. Celebratory oneg to follow.
Find out more »Cuba on City Island: Two “Chosen Islands”
Join Rabbi David and TBE's Cuba delegation for a heart-warming journey into Jewish Cuba. With photos, discussion and "show and tell," we'll explore what Cuba teaches us about the deep meaning of being Jewish and doing Jewish in community – and how we can continue to give back from one "Chosen Island" to another. Cuba event will open into Chanukkah's First Light gathering and reception that begins 5:00 p.m. mid-Island at Hawkins Park & Kaleidoscope Gallery
Find out more »Chanukkah First Light
Join Rabbi David and the City Island community to light our public chanukkiyah and bring in the light of Chanukkah. Gather mid-island at Hawkins Park on City Island Avenue; reception to follow at Kaleidoscope Gallery (280 City Island Avenue).
Find out more »Chanukkah & Kabbalat Shabbat with Rabbi David (P. Mikeitz)
Join Rabbi David and the Band for a celebratory musical welcome to Shabbat. This week's Torah portion (Mikeitz) brings Joseph's springboard from the bottom to the top, with many lessons for how we live into our turmoils and triumphs. Bring your chanukkiyot to light at shul, and a wrapped gift (suggested value: $20) for our "Chanukkah Harry" gift exchange. Celebratory Chanukkah-themed oneg to follow sponsored by Barbara and Aaron Gold in memory of Carl Gold z"l.
Find out more »January 2020
Kabbalat Shabbat with Rabbi David & The Band (P. Vayechi)
Join R. David and the Band for a spiritually uplifting Shabbat and our first clergy Shabbat of 2020. This week's Torah portion (Vayechi) closes the Book of Genesis with the conclusion of the Joseph story and a cliffhanger that will last 400 years. What will the future be? What will the year ahead be? What vision will we need to see ahead in this special "20/20" year of vision? Celebratory oneg to follow.
Find out more »Kabbalat Shabbat with R. David & The Band (P. Vaera)
Join R. David and the Band for a musical welcome to Shabbat. This week's Torah portion (Vaera) is in the thick of Moses' encounter with God, Pharaoh and Destiny. How often we learn most about the Holy in our encounter with challenge. Celebratory oneg to follow.
Find out more »Hate and Healing: Rwandan Genocide, Antisemitism & Spiritual Response – A Public Event for International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Join Rabbi David and guest scholar Edward Ballen for a deep and inspiring journey into redemption and healing after atrocity. Ballen founded the Rwanda Education Assistance Project as a response to the Rwandan genocide. An expert in second-generation trauma and societal evolution after atrocity, Ballen has taught at the Auschwitz Institute for Peace and Reconciliation. He continues to serve the people of Rwanda. Freewill offering ($20) to benefit Rwanda Education Assistance Project. Sponsored by Temple Beth El's Task Force on Antisemitism…
Find out more »February 2020
Tu B’Shevat Seder: Mystical Mid-Winter Journey of Spring
Join R. David and the mystics for this year's Tu B'shevat seder to summon the earth's renewal we call spring. As sap lifts trees to new life, we will lift through Four Worlds, shedding layers to reveal new growth. Selections of quality wine and organic cheeses to be served. Freewill donation: $10.
Find out more »Kabbalat Love-Shabbat with R. David and The Band (P. Yitro)
It's a Valentine's Day – Shabbat – Ten Commandments mash-up! Join R. David and The Band for a special Shabbat for Love (for Valentine's Day) and the many ways we Do Love (for the Ten Commandments given in this week's Torah portion, Yitro). Celebratory oneg to follow.
Find out more »Kabbalat Shabbat with R. David & The Band (P. Terumah) – Shabbat of Giving
Join R. David and The Band for a musical welcome to this Shabbat of Giving. Amidst Torah's instructions to build the Holy of Holies (v'asu li mikdash v'shochanti b'tocham – make Me a sanctuary and I will dwell among them), this week's portion (Terumah) begins with receiving gifts from everyone with a willing heart. Bring your willing heart and gifts: there's lots to give, and we become God's sanctuary. Celebratory oneg to follow.
Find out more »March 2020
Purimpalooza
Join R. David (who won't be R. David) and a veritable cast of characters for a super-fun Purim of hijinks, lowbrow, highbrow, hiddenness and revelation. Come in costume, shed inhibition (we have ways of helping!) and prepare for the unexpected.
Find out more »Kabbalat Shabbat with R. David and The Band (P. Ki Tisa – Shabbat of Shabbats)
Join R. David and The Band for a musical welcome to this Shabbat of Shabbats. This week's Torah portion (Ki Tisa) includes our V'shamru, making this Shabbat the Shabbat about Shabbat. How do we make Shabbat into a Work of Art in our lives that renews our lives with beauty? Celebratory oneg to follow.
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