Sign In Forgot Password

Services This Month

Friday Evening Shabbat Services
Friday, September 6, at 7:00 pm
 
 
Join us for joyful Shabbat services led by Rabbi Reice.
Morning Shabbat Services |  Bat Mitzvah
Saturday, September 14 at 10:00 am
 
 
We come together as the Cohn family and Congregation Shir Ami celebrate the simcha of Hannah Cohn being called to the Torah as Bat Mitzvah. Please join us on this special occasion as this Religious School student passes from childhood to adulthood in our Jewish tradition, and as our Shir Ami family honors this momentous event!
 
Rabbi Reice will lead this special ceremony, along with our regular Saturday morning Shabbat Torah Service.
Please click here to register!
Register for High Holy Days!
Rosh HaShanah, October 2-3, Yom Kippur October 11-12
 
 
Save the Date! October 4th Shabbat Services
Friday, October 4th at 7:00 pm
 
 
Join us for Shabbat services led by Rabbi Reice including an opportunity to "Ask the Rabbi" during the sermon time.

Upcoming Events

Rabbi Reice Office Hours
 
September Office Hours
 
03 Sep 12-1:30pm (Zoom only) đź’»
04 Sep 11-2pm (Zoom only) đź’»
05 Sep 4-5:30pm (Zoom only) đź’»
09 Sep 11am-1pm (Zoom only) đź’»
10 Sep 9am-1pm (Zoom only) đź’»
16 Sep 11am-1pm (Zoom only) đź’»
17 Sep 12-3pm (Zoom only) đź’»
24 Sep 11am-5pm (Zoom only) đź’»
01 Oct 11am-5pm (Zoom only) đź’»
07 Oct 11am-1pm (Shalom Austin only)đź‘«
08 Oct 9am-1pm (Zoom only) đź’»
 
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 September

Happy Anniversary:
9/4        Melanie Williams & Mike Bogart
9/6        Alyssa Gladstone & Michael Smith
9/11        Ed Bailen & Irene Beattie
9/19        Sarah & Sakief Ahmed
9/20        Dorie Mickelson & Mark Wilson
 
Happy Birthday:
9/5        Steven Schwartz
9/5        Cindy Tarsi
9/6        Michael Methena
9/8        Alysa Gisser
9/12        Pearl Kopita
9/15        Craig Kurtz
9/17        Edward Rose
9/18        Rick Grabish
9/21        Ash VanScoyoc
9/25        Sarah Cohn
9/25        Chase Cohn
9/27        Elizabeth Freaney
9/29        Laurie Weberman-Roussel
9/30        Sakief Ahmed
Board of Trustees Monthly Meeting
Sunday, September 22 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 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: Saturday, September 28, 2024
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Book: The Thread Collectors by Shaunna J. Edwards & Alyson Richman
 
 
 
About the Book
 
“An unforgettable story of female strength, hope and friendship. This collaborative work is magnificent—a true revelation!” —Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Woman with the Blue Star
 
1863: In a small Creole cottage in New Orleans, a young Black woman named Stella embroiders intricate maps on repurposed cloth to help enslaved men flee and join the Union Army. Bound to a man who would kill her if he knew of her clandestine activities, Stella has to hide not only her efforts but her love for William, a Black soldier and brilliant musician.
 
Meanwhile, in New York City, a Jewish woman stitches a quilt for her husband, stationed in Louisiana with the Union Army. Between abolitionist meetings, Lily rolls bandages and crafts quilts with her sewing circle for other soldiers, too, hoping for their safe return home. Months go by without word from her husband, and Lily resolves to make the perilous journey South to search for him.
 
As these two women risk everything for love and freedom during the Civil War, their paths converge in New Orleans, where an unexpected encounter leads them to discover that even the most delicate threads have the capacity to save us. Loosely inspired by the authors' family histories.
 
About the Authors
 
Shaunna J. Edwards is the debut novelist of The Thread Collectors, co-authored with bestselling novelist, Alyson Richman. A native Louisianian, Shaunna Edwards majored in Literature at Harvard College before attending NYU School of Law. A former corporate lawyer, she now works in diversity, equity and inclusion. She lives in Harlem with her husband.
 
Alyson Richman is the USA Today bestselling and #1 international bestselling author of several historical novels including The Velvet Hours, The Garden of Letters, and The Lost Wife, which is in development for a major motion picture. She holds a degree in art history and Japanese studies from Wellesley College. Alyson Richman is an accomplished painter, and her novels combine her deep love of art, historical research, and travel. Her novels have been published in twenty-seven languages and have been on the bestseller lists in the United States and abroad. She lives on Long Island with her husband and two children.
 
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, 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
 
 
We are working on assigning readings for High Holy Day services! If you would like to volunteer to read in English please email administrator@shir-ami.com. Let Alan or Rachel know if you can join in sounding a shofar during the holidays!
 
We are also preparing for the Rosh Hashanah Luncheon! Please click here to sign up to contribute to the potlock!
Advance Care Planning Made Easy
September 8  |  11:30 - 12:30
 
 
Congregation Shir Ami, along with LOUU, invites you to you to â€śSave 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.
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.
Shir Ami's Social Action Committee Reminds You to Vote!
 
 
 
 

Community News

Volunteer at Three Oaks Hospice in Austin

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

JFS Suicide Prevention Month Programs

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This month, Shalom Austin Jewish Family Service is offering several events to spread awareness of suicide prevention, instill hope, and help build a suicide safer community.
  • On September 10 and the surrounding days, there will be Caring Contacts stations at various points across the Dell Jewish Community Campus. Community members are encouraged to reach out to loved ones. Connecting with others and spreading messages of hope and care can help save lives.
  • On September 22, community members are invited to participate in an AS+K suicide prevention training, to learn more about signs of psychological distress and what to do to help. Snacks and childcare will be provided. Register here
  • On September 26, JFS will hold an Evening of Support for those Grieving Suicide Loss. Any community member is welcome to join. Register here.
Focus on Hadassah: Celebrating Advances in Eye Research in Israel
September 15 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
 
 
Email: austin@hadassah.org for more information.
Free Educational-Only Navigating Medicare 101
September 18, 7:00 pm
 
 
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.
A Matter of Balance Class
Mondays and Thursdays from 5-7PM from August 15 to September 12
 
 
Going on now! 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 learn to view falls as controllable, make changes to reduce fall risks, exercise to increase strength and balance.

 
Austin Jews and Partners for Refugees (AJPR) -Inaugural Volunteer Workshop
Wednesday, September 4, 7:00 pm
 
 
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.
Peace Family Housing Project
 
 
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
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
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