Services This Month
Friday Evening Shabbat Services
Friday, August 2, at 7:00 pm
Join us for joyful Shabbat services led by Rabbi Reice.
Torah Study
Saturday, August 10 at 10:30 am
Please join us Saturday, August 10th, from 10:30am-12pm, for a spirited and educational Torah Study in person only in the Shir Ami Library. Study will be led by Carole Wood and David Cohen to discuss, Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22, Devarim (“Words”), the first Torah portion of Deuteronomy, the final book of the Torah.
In it, Moses recounts events from the Israelites’ travels in the desert, like the appointment of judges, the sin of the spies, and the wars with the Emorite kings Sihon and Og. The looming question is who succeeds to deal with as many dramas as Moses dealt with under his leadership of Israel? How can the next leader deal with similar issues and the conquest of the Promised Land?
Today we're looking for leaders who can carry our weight as a diverse nation that needs a wide, stable bridge. Our Judaism is on fire. Our Jewish state is in flames with fires set by extremists. Bridges we once had to the past are losing their ability to support the weight of Jewish life here and now - bridges between tradition and progress, between communities and worldviews, and between answers and questions.
Today we're looking for leaders who can carry our weight as a diverse nation that needs a wide, stable bridge. Our Judaism is on fire. Our Jewish state is in flames with fires set by extremists. Bridges we once had to the past are losing their ability to support the weight of Jewish life here and now - bridges between tradition and progress, between communities and worldviews, and between answers and questions.
Save the Date! September 6th Shabbat Services
Friday, September 6th at 7:00 pm
Join us for Shabbat services led by Rabbi Reice.
Upcoming Events
Rabbi Reice Office Hours
August Office Hours
14 Aug 2024 (10 Av) 11am – 12pm (Zoom only) 💻
14 Aug 2024 (10 Av) 3 – 5:30pm (Zoom only) 💻
15 Aug 2024 (11 Av) 11am – 1:30pm (Zoom only) 💻
14 Aug 2024 (10 Av) 3 – 5:30pm (Zoom only) 💻
15 Aug 2024 (11 Av) 11am – 1:30pm (Zoom only) 💻
21 Aug 2024 (17 Av) 12 – 3:30pm (Zoom only) 💻
22 Aug 2024 (18 Av) 4 – 5:30pm (Zoom only) 💻
23 Aug 2024 (19 Av) 10 – 11am (Shalom Austin only)
26 Aug 2024 (22 Av) 10am – 1pm
28 Aug 2024 (24 Av) 1 – 4pm
During Office hours, Rabbi Reice will be answering the phone, answering emails, and meeting with those folks 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 August
Happy Anniversary:
8/20 Pearl & Ron Kopita
8/21 Maxine & Allen Kaplan
8/22 Heather & Gideon Levinsky
8/27 Esther & Ken Friedman
8/28 Alysa & Addie Gisser
8/21 Maxine & Allen Kaplan
8/22 Heather & Gideon Levinsky
8/27 Esther & Ken Friedman
8/28 Alysa & Addie Gisser
Happy Birthday:
8/08 Lily-Frances VanScoyoc
8/10 Jonathan Levinsky
8/10 Anabel Levinsky
8/10 Linda Weiss
8/11 Mark Levbarg
8/12 Mark Stefanowicz
8/15 Dennis Grosse
8/16 Carole Wood
8/16 Bonnie Cohen
8/18 Leila Cohn
8/21 Alice Friedman
8/22 Poushali Bhattacha
8/25 Thelma Mickelson
8/27 Sandra Dietz
8/10 Jonathan Levinsky
8/10 Anabel Levinsky
8/10 Linda Weiss
8/11 Mark Levbarg
8/12 Mark Stefanowicz
8/15 Dennis Grosse
8/16 Carole Wood
8/16 Bonnie Cohen
8/18 Leila Cohn
8/21 Alice Friedman
8/22 Poushali Bhattacha
8/25 Thelma Mickelson
8/27 Sandra Dietz
Board of Trustees Monthly Meeting Sunday, August 14 at 6:15 pm
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 alankook.atx@gmail.com.
Women's Mah Jongg
If you are interested in learning or playing, contact Maxine or Leslie
Happy Bookers Book Club
Date/Time: Saturday, August 24 @ 10:30 a.m.
Book: The Story Teller by Jodi Picoult
Book: The Story Teller by Jodi Picoult
About the Book
Sage Singer is a baker. She works through the night, preparing the day’s breads and pastries, trying to escape a reality of loneliness, bad memories, and the shadow of her mother’s death. When Josef Weber, an elderly man in Sage’s grief support group, begins stopping by the bakery, they strike up an unlikely friendship. Despite their differences, they see in each other the hidden scars that others can’t.
Everything changes on the day Josef confesses a long-buried and shameful secret and asks Sage for an extraordinary favor. If she says yes, she faces not only moral repercussions, but potentially legal ones … Sage begins to question the assumptions and expectations she’s made about her life and her family. In this searingly honest novel, Jodi Picoult explores the lengths to which we will go to keep the past from dictating the future.
About the Author
Jodi Picoult, best-selling author and activist, was born on Long Island New York, and has described her family as "non-practicing Jewish." She has published 28 novels and many short stories. (Plus articles for Seventeen magazine,and a 4-month stint after college writing the Wonder Woman series for D.C. Comics.) About 40 million copies of her books are in print worldwide, translated into 34 languages. She frequently centers story lines on a moral dilemma, and has covered a wide range of controversial or moral issues. She has called out Moms for Liberty for demanding the removal of her books.
Jodi Picoult has been described as "... a paradox, a hugely popular, at times controversial writer, ignored by academia, who questions notions of what constitutes literature simply by doing what she does best." She holds a bachelor's degree in English Literature from Princeton University, a master's degree from Harvard University, and two Honorary Doctors of Letters degrees. Jodi Picoult lives in Hanover, New Hampshire. Her next novel, Mad Honey, co-written with Jennifer Finney Boylan, is due out on October 11th.
About Happy Bookers
The Happy Bookers book club is open to Shir Ami members. Interested prospective members should contact the Shir Ami Membership Committee.
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.
Ben Bailen, Ed Bailen, Bill Bitner, LeRoy Bitner, Jeffrey-George Bogart, Ralph Burdett, Darin Burdman, Pamela Caulder-Fine, Susan Chisum, Lisa Coopersmith, Harriet Eichenwald, Glen Fine, Leora Forstein, Elizabeth Freaney, Janet Friedman, Linda Friedman, Lynn Gelber, Carol Goldmark, Robin Gordon, Juliet Clare Grabish, Pearl Kopita, Kate Koons, Bill Kurtz, Gail Lary, Peter Lary, Rabbi Mark Levin, William Lenz, John Maes, Eric Maginness, Geri Meyers, Thelma Mickelson, Carol Moon, Kay Moore, Dominae Petrosini, Wendy Pravda, Sandy Sherwin, Emory Plum Schlanger, 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
High Holy Days Needs Volunteers
Dear Shir Ami Families,
as we enter summer, our thoughts go to wonderful outdoor activities and excitement for the upcoming fall season. This is also a time when we start to think about the High Holy Days. There are many ways to be involved, including joining the High Holy Days Committee. Please consider joining the team and let us know if you would be interested! You can contact me, Sarmi Stewart, by phone (956) 455-6707 or by email at sarmihstewart@gmail.com I look forward to hearing from you.
as we enter summer, our thoughts go to wonderful outdoor activities and excitement for the upcoming fall season. This is also a time when we start to think about the High Holy Days. There are many ways to be involved, including joining the High Holy Days Committee. Please consider joining the team and let us know if you would be interested! You can contact me, Sarmi Stewart, by phone (956) 455-6707 or by email at sarmihstewart@gmail.com I look forward to hearing from you.
Small Ark Makeover
Our small Ark has been given a makeover! Please contact Eloise Potter if you would like to see the small Ark and don't have access to the room.
Caring Circle
The Caring Circle committee appreciated the moving and upbeat presentation by Gail Tosto of Austin Shmirah at our Friday night services on June 7, and made a donation to Austin Shmirah in appreciation. We would like to remind everyone that you can always sign up to be a shomrim.
For more info and to get started visit https://lastresponder.net/austin/
If you have questions you can contact Gail at gailtosto@gmail.com
Save the Date
September 8 | 11:30 - 12:30
Congregation Shir Ami, along with LOUU, invites you to you to “Save the Date” for a program about Advance Care Planning.
Sunday, September 8, 2024
11:30am-12:30pm
Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church
This informative experience will include a presentation about the importance of Advanced Care Planning,
Q&A from Hospice Austin representatives, document signing and other resource sharing.
To register email sprice@hospiceaustin.org
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!
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.
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.
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.
Community News
Call For Mazel Tovs
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The Jewish Outlook is preparing for the September 2024 issue and putting together the Mazel Tov section as well as the High Holy Day Section.
If you know of any happy occasions that please email them to Rachel, administrator@shir-ami.com by the close of business on August 8, 2024 in the following format:
Mazel Tov Submission Format:
Name Parents (if applicable) Congregation/Organization Occasion Date Photo Credit For reference, here is a link to the Mazel Tov section published in the September 2023 issue of The Jewish Outlook: https://online.fliphtml5.com/iylbt/omhh/#p=75
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Focus on Hadassah: Celebrating Advances in Eye Research in Israel
September 15 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
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Email: austin@hadassah.org for more information.
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Free Educational-Only Navigating Medicare 101
September 18, 7:00 pm
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Save the DATE! Shir Ami members are invited to join this free event offered from Temple Beth Shalom's ACT 2 volunteer Michelle Feibus
Please register by emailing Michelle Feibus (link will be provided to those that register)
As she has done in the past for Temple Beth Shalom and many other groups, she'll be offering her Free Educational-Only Navigating Medicare 101. Unfortunately, Medicare planning can be quite confusing. Please feel free to invite your Texas friends and family who might be interested.
Whether you are pre- or post-retirement, this is an opportunity to learn the latest in Medicare planning to assist you. It is geared for those who need Medicare Part A and/or Part B. This workshop will not be recorded. Michelle is ONLY licensed in TEXAS.
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A Matter of Balance Class
Mondays and Thursdays from 5-7PM from August 15 to September 12
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A Matter of Balance is a fun and dynamic course that emphasizes practical strategies to manage falls and maintain an active, healthy lifestyle. This course is given under the auspices of CaregiverU, a program of AGE of Central Texas.
You will learnto view falls as controllable, make changes to reduce fall risks, exercise to increase strength and balance. Who should attend? Anyone concerned about falls, improving balance, flexibilty, and stength. Class meets Mondays and Thursdays from 5-7PM from August 15 to September 12; no class on Labor Day, September 2. Contact Cindy Tarsi, senior-vp@shir-ami.com, to register. |
Austin Jews and Partners for Refugees (AJPR) -Inaugural Volunteer Workshop
Wednesday, September 4, 7:00 pm
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Join us on Wednesday, September 4th from 7-9 pm for our Inaugural Volunteer Workshop! We will get a chance to appreciate our volunteers and welcome new ones while learning about the work of resettling refugees in Austin. You will be hearing from speakers from some of our community partners, such as HIAS and Shalom Austin. Learn more and register HERE.
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Peace Family Housing Project
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Peace Lutheran Church, a small church on 620, is inviting the community to be part of creating four units of transitional housing on Peace's campus for families experiencing homelessness. Typically it takes about three months to find permanent housing for families, so this facility would serve about 12 families per year. Once the funds are raised, the construction will be done by Home Aid, an organization that works with non-profits to build needed housing, and finds discounted or donated materials and labor. Foundation for the Homeless has consulted on the design, and will be running the facility. All money donated will only be used for housing. No donations will be used for support of Peace Lutheran Church operations or ministry. Because of a generous legacy gift from Lord of Life Lutheran Church, and other donations and grants, about $550,000 of the needed $1.2 million has already been raised. As soon as the remaining funds are raised, construction will begin. The target is to have the facility built and serving families in 2025.
The even bigger dream is that Peace hopes to begin a movement where needed housing is built on other other non-profits' land, so more people could have safe housing. Please consider being part of this project, either through Amplify Austin - "I live here, I give here" campaign this month (under Housing) or via the Peace Housing Project website. More information is available on both of these links, including a floor plan. My husband, Ed Bailen, who is a member of Shir Ami, and I are excited to be so directly part of a local project to provide safe housing for families. We are happy to answer any questions you might have.
- Irene Beattie & Ed Bailen
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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 hosted by Shir Ami via Zoom
Free to attend
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? Loans can be made available within a week or even same day in emergencies! Contact info@hfla.org or visit https://hebrewfreeloanofaustin.org.
Thu, October 10 2024 8 Tishrei 5785
