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The Voice - October 2023 - Tishrei/Cheshvan 5784

Services This Month

Friday Evening Shabbat Services
Friday, October 6 at 7:00 pm
 
 
Join us for our joyful services at 7pm, when we will be able to dance with the Torah and hear it being read from its end and its beginning again, with an exciting, but brief tour of the Torah as we go from the end of Deuteronomy all the way back to the beginning of Genesis! For a full tour online, please
Click here check out this great 2 minute video.
Saturday Morning Shabbat Services
Saturday, October 14 at 10:00 am
 
 
Join us for joyful services led by Rabbi Reice and co-led by Edward Rose as he celebrates becomes Bar Mitzvah at Shir Ami! Along with all the rituals of Bar Mitzvah and the ceremony for reading the Torah and Haftarah, there will be an annular solar eclipse during services and a kiddush luncheon after services. Please bring eye protection if you plan to view the eclipse toward the end of services.
Torah Study
October 21, 10:30am-12:00pm
 
 
October 21, 2023, please join us for Torah Study, Parashat No’ach, in the Board Room from 10:30am-12pm, for a spirited and educational in person discussion. Meeting led by David Cohen and Carole Wood.
 
As G-d decides to destroy mankind with a flood. At God’s command, the righteous Noah builds an ark, where Noah, his family, and select animals survive the flood. Noah’s children bear children, and several generations develop. G-d confounds the speech of people building the Tower of Babel.
Save the Date! November 3 Shabbat Services
Friday, November 3 at 7:00 pm
 
 
Join us for joyful services led by Rabbi Reice!

Upcoming Events

Rabbi Reice Office Hours
 
October Office Hours (At Shir Ami, until otherwise noted)
3 Oct 2023 (18 Tishrei) 5:30 – 6:30pm 💻 & 👫
4 Oct 2023 (19 Tishrei) 8 – 10:30am (Zoom only) 💻
4 Oct 2023 (19 Tishrei) 2 – 4:30pm 💻 & 👫
10 Oct 2023 (25 Tishrei) 11am – 2pm (Zoom only) 💻
11 Oct 2023 (26 Tishrei) 1:30 – 4:30pm 💻 & 👫
18 Oct 2023 (3 Cheshvan) 10am – 2pm (Christ Episcopal or Zoom only) 💻 & 👫
19 Oct 2023 (4 Cheshvan) 10am – 12pm (Shalom Austin or Zoom only) 💻 & 👫
1 Nov 2023 (17 Cheshvan) 11am – 2pm (Zoom only) 💻
2 Nov 2023 (18 Cheshvan) 11am – 2pm (Zoom only) 💻
 
Days Off
2 Oct 2023 (17 Tishrei) – comp for 9/27/23
5 Oct 2023 (20 Tishrei)
13 Oct 2023 (28 Tishrei)
17 Oct 2023 (2 Cheshvan)
20 Oct 2023 (5 Cheshvan)
23 Oct 2023 (8 Cheshvan)
24 Oct 2023 (9 Cheshvan)
25 Oct 2023 (10 Cheshvan) – comp for 10/3/23
26 Oct 2023 (11 Cheshvan) – comp for 10/12/23
30 Oct 2023 (15 Cheshvan)
31 Oct 2023 (16 Cheshvan)
 
Office Closings
6 Oct 2023 (21 Tishrei) Office Closed – Hoshanah Rabbah
9 Oct 2023 (24 Tishrei) Office Closed – Columbus/Indigenous Peoples Day
 
Vacation Days
27 Oct 2023 (12 Cheshvan)
 
During Office hours, Rabbi Reice will be answering the phone, answering emails, and meeting with those who have scheduled an appointment (in person, over the phone or a video call). Please feel free to call or email Rabbi Reice during these times. (Of course, contact her, or our President, Alan Kook, immediately for more urgent matters.)
 
Please email our administrator, Rachel McEwen (administrator@shir-ami.com), to schedule an appointment in advance.

Celebrating Birthdays and Anniversaries in October

Happy Anniversary:
Joanna and Bruce Bitner, October 6
Lisa and Josef Zeevi, October 6
Tiffany and Mordechai Weisbrod, October 10
Mary Whitlock and Craig Kurtz, October 13
 
Happy Birthday:
Barbara Baum, October 6
Glen Fine, October 16
Chuck Cohn, October 16
Laura Soos, October 21
Amy Schorr, October 25
Hannah Cohn, October 29
Carter Forstein, October 31 
Memorial Minyan for Jodie Billings
October 22, 7:00 - 9:00 pm, Shir Ami Sanctuary
 

We invite everyone who loved Jodie to gather for a memorial service to celebrate her life and mourn her passing.
 
Our beloved friend, Jodie Billings, was a Charter Member, respected leader, and well-known mensch at Shir
Ami. Jodie joined Shir Ami in 2002 with her husband George (of blessed memory), and was involved in every
aspect of the Congregation. Jodie served on the first Board of Trustees, helped write Shir Ami’s first 5-year
plan, and worked as an active Board member until 2018, serving as Shir Ami President, Sr. Vice President, VP
of Membership, VP of Communications, and Trustee. Jodie also devoted her time, energy, and creativity to
make Shir Ami’s beautiful High Holy Day Torah cover, Torah Ark curtain, and original Ner Tamid (eternal light),
all of which are still in use at Shir Ami today.

Jodie did everything from organizing Religious School supplies/bins to greeting newcomers at Services to
organizing every detail of Shir Ami’s first Adult B'nai Mitzvah Class of 5 women (of which she was one),
chairing the 10-year anniversary celebration and the installation ceremony for Shir Ami’s first rabbi, and
funding/creating the Or Halev Fund to augment the efforts of Shir Ami volunteers for congregational holiday
and celebration events.

No job was too big or too small for Jodie. Jodie helped organize Shir Ami’s Passover Seder for many years,
headed up "Shabbat Across America” events, and worked with other members to help develop Shir Ami’s
Sisterhood, which purchased the first set of Mishkan T’filah prayer books for Shir Ami.

Chairing and working on numerous committees, attending Shabbat Services and Jewish holiday celebrations,
and hosting or participating in as many Shir Ami activities as she could (including Book Club, Women’s Mah
Jongg, Women’s Spirituality, Blessing of the Animals, Havdalah potlucks, New Member Welcome Dinners, and
more), Jodie poured her heart and soul into making Shir Ami a fun, meaningful, and welcoming place for all.

Jodie was well known, loved, and respected in the broader Jewish community as well, consistently either
leading or participating in events as a Representative of Shir Ami in the greater Jewish and Secular
Community. A Hadassah Life member, Jodie was instrumental in starting a North Austin Group of the Austin
Chapter called Aviv. Jodie also negotiated a mutually beneficial relationship between Shir Ami and the JCC,
organized the Shir Ami women’s participation in Interfaith Events such as the Hill Country Community
Ministries fundraising lunch, participated in Jewish holiday celebrations at Lakeline Oaks, and more.

Whether entertaining young children in Hadassah’s Training Wheels program while dressed up as the clown
“Sadie Heart Sparkle”, supporting Shir Ami members working toward becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah (one of
Jodie’s passions), making beautiful flower arrangements and decorations for Rabbi Reice’s installation at Shir
Ami or other key events, representing Shir Ami at Cedar Park’s Chamber of Commerce meetings, leading a
membership team meeting, or giving someone a hug and the precious gift of her friendship, Jodie’s wide array
of talents and her kind and generous heart made an impression on everyone who knew her.

May Jodie’s love, light, and spirit live on in all of us and may our memories of Jodie inspire and comfort us.
 
.זְכְרוֹנָהּ לִבְרָכָה
Zichronah livracha.
 
May Jodie’s memory be a blessing.
Board of Trustees Monthly Meeting
Sunday, October 15 at 11:15 am
 

All members are invited to attend the Board of Trustees meetings.  If you would like to attend this meeting, or wish to speak at the meeting, please contact our President, Alan Kook, at president@shir-ami.com.
Happy Bookers Book Club
Saturday, October 28 at 10:30 am
 

Book: Milk & Honey by Faye Kellerman (384 pgs.)
 
 
Happy 10th Anniversary! Happy Bookers was formed in 2013.
 
About the Book
Faye Kellerman’s The Ritual Bath (1986) was our first book and Book One in Kellerman's Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus series that has stretched to 27 books. In July 2016 we read Book Two, Sacred and Profane (1987). And now, it’s Book Three, Milk and Honey (2000).
 
In the silent pre-dawn city hours -- alone with his thoughts about Rina Lazarus, the woman he loves, who is 3,000 miles away in New York -- LAPD detective Peter Decker finds a small child, abandoned and covered in blood that is not hers. It’s sobering discovery, and a perplexing one, for nobody in the development where she was found steps forward to claim the little girl. Obsessed more deeply by this case than he imagined possible, Decker is determined to follow the scant clues to an answer. But his trail is leading him to a killing ground where four bodies lie still and lifeless. And by the time Rina returns, Peter Decker is already held fast in a sticky mass of hatred, passion, and murder -- in a world where intense sweetness is accompanied by a deadly sting.
 
About the Author
Mystery novelist Faye Marder Kellerman is the author of the Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus mystery series and three nonseries books, The Quality of Mercy, Moon Music, and Straight into Darkness. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri, received a bachelor of arts in mathematics from UCLA in 1974, and a doctorate of dental surgery four years later. She has never practiced dentistry and was a housewife before publishing her first novel. She says she can’t pinpoint the metamorphosis to detective fiction writer, but attributes “… a desire for justice, a suspicious nature, an overactive imagination, and of course, a penchant for the bizarre.”
 
Faye Kellerman is a practicing Orthodox Jew, as are her husband and son, novelists Johathan Kellerman and Jesse Kellerman. Her writing frequently deals with Jewish themes and characters, incorporating them into the framework of the traditional mystery. The Kellermans are the only married couple to appear on the New York Times Bestseller List simultaneously (for two different books). They have four children, the eldest, Jesse, is a bestselling novelist and award-winning playwright; the youngest, Aliza, co-wrote a young adult novel with her mother, in 2009.

Shir Ami News

Mi Shebeirach

Our Prayers for the Physical, Spiritual and Emotional Healing for those named and any others in need.
 
Please email Rabbi Reice at rreice@shir-ami.com to enter a name on the list or remove a name from the list.
 
Bill Bitner, LeRoy Bitner, Ralph Burdett, Darin Burdman, Pamela Caulder-Fine, Marcelina Cisneros, Lisa Coopersmith, Anne Ditlefsen-Smallwood, Glen Fine, Janet Friedman, Linda Friedman, Lynn Gelber, Carol Goldmark, Robin Gordon, Juliet Clare Grabish, Pearl Kopita, Kate Koons, Bill Kurtz, Rabbi Mark Levin, William Lenz, John Maes, Kay Moore, Wendy Pravda, Skylar Stefanowicz, Trystan Stefanowicz, Anthony Tarsi, Cindy Tarsi (Chasye Chana bat Laya Raizel v’Avraham Yitzchak HaLevi), Jim Tarsi, Larry Whitlock, Carole Wood, Dominic Wood, Bonnie Zimmer
Give Asher a Title
Results are in!
 

The fundraising committee is proud to announce that our 'Give Asher An Official Title' game has concluded.  
Through your generosity (and fun) we have raised $360. Thank you to everyone who participated. And without further ado, we announce that the winning title is:
“Mr. Reice.”
Thank you to Hettie S. for making the sash and name tag. Thank you Oliver and Hannah Weisbrod for participating in the ceremony. And a big thank you to Asher for being such a good sport and taking part in this.
Caring Circle Presents: Self Care Series
Coffee, Smoothies and Self Care, October 29 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Self Care Ice Cream Party, November 7, 7 p.m. - 8:30 pm
 
 
Both events center around self-care, which becomes difficult as an adult. Sit and chat with friends about ways to stay in control and live in the moment, while connecting with your Jewish roots and your community.
The goal of these events is to address the following four questions in a relaxed, open environment:
1. What is self care?
2. Why is it Jewish?
3. What are we doing right now to care for ourselves?
4. What could we be doing for self care that is more Jewish, more effective, and better for us?
 
Members of Shir Ami can register for one or both events by logging into the website, opening the Calendar, and clicking on each event.
Havdallah With Friends
October 21, 6:30pm
 
Thank you everyone who came out for our Selichot and Havdallah in September! We look forward to seeing everyone on October 21st as we gather for another Havdallah. This will also be a great opportunity to meet Oren Shay, visiting through the Shinshinim Program, who will be in attendance.
 
Thank you from the JFS Food Pantry
 
 
Thank you everyone who donated during our Yom Kippur food drive! As a congregation we donated 362 containers of food to the JFS Food Pantry. Here is a thank you note from the Volunteer & Community Experience Director, Joan Maniere:

"Thank you so much, Shir Ami, for coordinating your annual High Holiday food drive for the Jewish Family Service Food Pantry. As we prepare for colder months ahead, we are working on stocking up on winter staples, such as soup. The bags and bags of shelf stable soup will be able to support the needs of our food pantry recipients during the winter months. In addition, we received additional shelf stable foods as well as household items. We cannot do what we do without the support of your community. Thank you so much for your contributions and for being a supporter of the Jewish Family Service Food Pantry!"
Shir Ami T-shirts
Coming soon!
 
 
Congregation Shir Ami t-shirts are coming! Look for more details, coming your way soon, on how you can order your Shir Ami t-shirt. Wide range of sizes will be available.
Save the Date: Rabbi Discussion
November 12, 2-3:15pm, Room 110
 
 
What is God's name and what are God's pronouns? An Educational Discussion led by Rabbi Reice November 12 at 2pm-3:15pm in Room 110, open registration, charge non-member $18. Click here to register!

Shir Ami and Drive a Senior Northwest – Partners in Supporting our Older Adults

Volunteer Drivers Needed
Please consider becoming a volunteer driver for the Drive a Senior Northwest program. By offering to drive someone just one or two short trips a month, you will be an unbelievable help to our many older adults still living at home in the northwest Austin/Cedar Park/Leander area. Driving an older adult is incredibly rewarding and very much appreciated. Please go online to driveaseniornorthwest.org to read about the program, then print a volunteer form, fill it out, and mail it in. Or ask Sara Goodman (sgoodman123@gmail.com) for more information about the program.
Services to Adults 60+
If you or a loved one is 60+ and needs help to stay in your/their home, Drive A Senior Northwest is here for you. Services include rides to doctor’s appointments, the grocery store, community activities, etc. as well as minor home repair, telephone reassurance, and a twice monthly senior day out. Contact Drive a Senior Northwest at driveaseniornorthwest.org or (512) 250-5021.
The Caring Circle - Care to Get Involved?
 
 

Lending a helping hand to members in times of stress is a vital part of any congregation. Kind and caring Shir Ami members volunteer in this group to help provide support to other Shir Ami congregants in times of life's challenges such as illness, death, divorce, and birth. Specific activities include helping to secure a minyan for a memorial or shiva service, sending notes to members on the loss of a loved one, arranging transportation for a member to attend services or other Shir Ami events, and providing meals, sending cards, visiting, or calling congregants during times of illness or post-hospitalization.
 
If you are experiencing any of these challenges and wish to be contacted by the Caring Circle, please contact Rabbi Reice. If you wish to be a more active Caring Circle volunteer, please contact Sara Goodman at CaringCircle@Shir-Ami.com. All are welcome!
Member Recognition
 

 
Thank you to our High Holiday Patron Donors and to everyone who donated to the Kol Nidre Fund. Your generosity enables Shir Ami to operate and grow.

Community News

Adult Jewish Learning Series
October 16-November 6, 7:00pm
 
 
Rabbi Reice will be leading a class entitled, "Bircat HaMinim – The Blessing of the Heretics Across Time." Click here for more information
 
This is a Shalom Austin community event with an $18 charge. We would like to ensure that this cost is not a barrier to anyone who is interested in attending. Scholarships are available to cover this charge. Please contact Rabbi Reice (rabbi@shir-ami.com) for more information.
Mosaic from Shalom Austin
October 26, 10:30 am-1:00 pm
 
 
On Thursday, October 26, 2023, at the JW Marriott in downtown Austin, Shalom Austin Women's Philanthropy will host its signature event, Mosaic. At this year’s Mosaic, receiving the first-ever Marilyn Stahl Woman of Valor Award is Stahl’s niece, Suzanne Newberg. Additionally, the featured speaker is bestselling Jewish cookbook author, Adeena Sussman. Adeena is the author of Sababa: Fresh, Sunny Flavors From My Israeli Kitchen and she just released her brand-new cookbook, “Shabbat: Recipes and Rituals From My Table to Yours.”
Learning Opportunity for Preschool-age Children 
 

Austin Hadassah is about to launch L’dor V’dor Learners – a program for families with pre-school aged kids to learn about the Jewish holidays every month. Check out the flier for details.  Hadassah members are free, but a nominal charge for supplies is requested at registration for those who are not Hadassah member yet.
Call for Vendors
 
 
The local Hadassah chapter is gearing up for the annual holiday gift bazaar in December. If you would like ot be a vendor please click on the image above to register for the event.
Free JCC Membership
 
 
Get a FREE JCC Membership With Renew Active

The JCC is the fitness center at Shalom Austin.
 
Renew Active and Medicare One Pass will pay for your JCC membership! The JCC has partnered with UnitedHealthcare to offer Medicare insurance-covered memberships for seniors (65+) through a program called Renew Active.

To get started, email membership@shalomaustin.org or call 512-735-8001 with your Renew Active ID and phone number.
Jewish Family Services Caregiver Support Groups
Family Caregiver Support Group: This is an ongoing group and meets the first and third Thursday of each month. It is a safe place for family members caring for adult loved ones to discuss the stresses, challenges, and rewards of caregiving. To register, click here
Digital Mood & Mindfulness with Jewish Family Service
 
Do you feel distracted? Hurried? Preoccupied? This personal development workshop will teach mindfulness techniques that can help participants to be more present and aware in daily life. Mindfulness has the power to improve relationships, increase self-control, boost productivity and can lessen depression and anxiety.
Join Shalom Austin Jewish Family Service’s professionally-facilitated workshop to develop mindfulness skills and discuss common experiences together.
Second Tuesday of each month at 11AM
Via Zoom
Free to attend
For more information and to register to receive the link, please contact Emma Howitt, LPC-S, LCDC at emma.howitt@shalomaustin.org.

Volunteer for Shalom Austin JFS Food Pantry

The Client Choice Shalom Austin JFS Food Pantry is always looking to engage volunteers in food drives, packing food bags, and making deliveries. Anyone interested in getting involved in any capacity, can email Joan Eisenberg Maniere at joan.maniere@shalomaustin.org.
Also, if you know of any community members who are facing food insecurity, please have them contact Joan, and she can get them enrolled into the program.

Interest Free Loans

Hebrew Free Loan of Austin provides short-term financial support for members of the Austin Jewish community through interest-free loans that springboard you to your next step in life. Could you or someone you know use a hand-up with an interest free loan? Contact info@hfla.org or visit https://hebrewfreeloanofaustin.org.
Wed, July 16 2025 20 Tammuz 5785