Shevat Shalom, y’all! 

Honoring the Trees and Nature

Yup, you heard that right – as of yesterday, we began the Hebrew month of Shevat, and are preparing to celebrate Tu B’Shevat, the birthday or new year of the trees! While we’re still in the depths of winter here in the Northeastern US, in the Middle East, the first blossoms of the fruit trees have already begun to bloom, and in many equatorial nations and in the global south, summer has arrived, and the trees are at their peak of beauty and fullness. 

In addition to preparing for Tu B’Shevat, I’ve had nature, and trees specifically, on my mind over the last few weeks because I just returned from a trip to Costa Rica. There, the rainy season is just giving way and the tropical trees - papaya, guava, pineapple and more! - are in their finest form. Not only did I deeply appreciate all the delicious produce, profoundly beautiful scenery and incredible wildlife while there, but I also learned about how Costa Rica has implemented some of the most progressive and proactive sustainability initiatives in the world. Over the last 30 years, Costa Rica has become the only tropical country to not only halt but completely reverse deforestation, and restore its rainforests that cover over 60% of the country! It’s no wonder Costa Rica has garnered international acclaim for its efforts, and it was such a privilege to see it firsthand.

Inspired by my time there even though we live in a vastly different physical and political landscape, my intention for this month of Shevat is to consider more ways to reduce my carbon footprint and be kind to the environment, and I hope you’ll join me. In honor of Tu B’Shevat, we have compiled this list of small actions that we can each take on to live a little more sustainably. Additionally, I hope you’ll join us for our Tu B’Shevat celebration at Shabbat B’Yachad, on Friday, January 26th, to celebrate the trees and give gratitude to the natural world which sustains us. 

And if you’re looking for travel recommendations, happy to share! :) 

Pura vida, and Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Queen

Friday, January 12

6:00pm

Erev Shabbat Services (In-Person and Virtual)

Location: Chapel (also Zoom and Livestream)

followed by Schmooze, Sip, Snack and Share. Linger with the community and if you're able, please bring a drink or snack to share.

TOS Shabbat Club - drop off childcare (children ages 15 months to grade 3) for adults attending Shabbat Services. 

Free of charge, RSVP required by 12:00pm on Friday to dcohen@ohabei.org

Saturday, January 13

10:30am 

Shabbat Morning Torah Study (Virtual Only) 

Location: Zoom 

Thursday, January 18

9:00am

Torah for the Heart and Mind with Rabbi Berkman (Virtual Only)

Location: Zoom

7:00pm

Movie Screening: The Busing Battleground (In-Person Only)

Location: Chapel

Friday, January 19

6:00pm

Erev Shabbat Services (In-Person and Virtual)

Location: Chapel (also Zoom and Livestream)

followed by Schmooze, Sip, Snack and Share. Linger with the community and if you're able, please bring a drink or snack to share.

TOS Shabbat Club - drop off childcare (children ages 15 months to grade 3) for adults attending Shabbat Services. 

Free of charge, RSVP required by 12:00pm on Friday to dcohen@ohabei.org

Saturday, January 20

10:30am 

Shabbat Morning Torah Study (Virtual Only) 

Location: Zoom 

Shabbat B'yachad

Friday, 1/26 starting at 5:30pm

Celebrate Tu B’shevat, the birthday of the trees, at Shabbat B’yachad on January 26^th! During dinner, families and individuals can explore our interactive, go-at-your-own-pace Tu B’shevat “seder” stations, nosh on symbolic fruits, and learn about how this little mystical ritual became Jewish Earth Day.

5:30pm: Tot Shabbat (Chapel)

6:00pm: Dinner (Penn Spero)

7:00: Services (Chapel)

Oneg following services (Chapel Foyer)

Israel 101b

Mondays 1/22, 1/29, 2/5, 2/12 from 7:30-9:00pm

After October 7^th and the ensuing Israel-Hamas war, it is more important than ever to understand Israel's history. Led by Dr. Jonathan Golden and Rabbi Jethro Berkman on Zoom, the primary objective of Israel 101b is to connect participants to foundational knowledge about Israel and show how these facts affect key stances. Originally developed as part of the My Israel program for Gann students, and later adapted for adult learning in conjunction with CJP’s Community Israel Dialogue initiative, Israel 101b is a lively interactive class based on recitation of source material, dual-instructor explanation, and probing group discussions. Each session also includes exploring seminal arguments between figures of historical importance, and between supporters of conflicting viewpoints for the future of Israel, and its people and neighbors.

Participants in Israel 101b should expect to emerge with not only increased knowledge and perspective, but also with a strengthened personal connection to Israel as it relates to their Jewish identity.

Class One: “Hatikva” (“The Hope”) – The first part of the class explores the origins and meaning of Zionism through leading Zionist thinkers like Theodore Herzl and Ahad Ha’am. The second part of the class explores the trajectory of Israeli politics through the visions of David Ben Gurion and Ze’ev Jabotinsky. Our essential question will focus on whether Jews need a state (or homeland) of their own and if so, what should it look like.

Class Two: “Hamatzav” (“The Situation”) – This class focuses on the impacts of the wars of 1947-49 and 1967 on the Israeli-Arab state conflict and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Some of the key explorations of the class will be on refugees and on settlements. Our essential question will focus on the relationship of Israel and her neighbors.

Class Three: “Hayom v’He’atid” (“Today and the Future”) This class takes the story of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from the early 1970s through today. We will particularly focus on the Second Intifada and its impact on Israeli society and Israeli politics. Our essential question will focus on the questions Israelis today are grappling with as they think the meaning of the Jewish state and her relationship with her neighbors.

Class Four: HaSicha (“The Discussion) This class is an opportunity to bring the historical material to the present moment. What are ways in which October 7th might impact Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? What are frames and lenses to understand and talk about Israel in 2024?

Zoom link will be sent upon registration. More information here.

Other ways to Learn and Engage

Visit our Israel page for a full and evolving list of news sources, podcasts, ways to give, and more.

Circle Of Giving

Photo: Mike, TOS Safety Team Leader, chats with the TCEE kids

The Circle of Giving (COG) is Temple Ohabei Shalom’s (TOS) annual fundraising campaign and an important source of our operating income. Due to the war in Israel and the rise of antisemitism around the world, we have increased our security presence at TOS so all can continue to feel safe at our education programs, events and services. We are anticipating that this increased security presence will cost an additional $50,000 this fiscal year (after applying the generous grant funding which we have received from the Commonwealth of MA). 

Thank you to those who have already contributed! We need your help so that TOS can continue to pay its devoted clergy, teachers, administrators, facility and security personnel. Donate to the Circle of Giving today.  

This past Shabbat, Rabbi Berkman had surgery to remove her appendix. Fortunately, the surgery went well and she is home recovering. She hopes to be back at TOS soon. Please share well wishes for her here. (Click on the plus sign in the bottom right corner to start a message. Don't forget to sign your name. Contact Daria if you have any questions)

TOS OFFICE HOURS

Phone lines are open between 9 - 5, Monday to Friday: 617-277-6610.

TOS offices will be closed on Monday, January 15th, in observance of

Martin Luther King Jr Day.