Announcements

This Week at BSBI
January 10th-16th

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Announcements

A Note From Rabbi Konigsburg

In our Adult Institute classes this week we learned a Mishna from Pirke Avot 5:17 “Every dispute that is for the sake of heaven is destined to endure. But if it is not for the sake of heaven, it is not destined to endure. What is (and example of) a dispute for the sake of heaven? The dispute of Hillel and Shammai. What is (an example of) a dispute not for sake of heaven? The dispute of Korah and all his congregation. [See Numbers Chapter 16]”

If we are arguing about finding the truth in life, that dispute is for the sake of heaven. If we are only arguing to strengthen our position or power, then the dispute is not for the sake of heaven and will eventually self-destruct. As we consider the gross grab for power this past week, this attempt to disregard a certified election so that a favored candidate could win, we are remined that these kinds of disputes are always destined to fail, because ultimately, they are selfish attempts to grab or remain in power. But if we argue earnestly not for fame, fortune, or power, but to help discover deeper truths in life; What should the role of government be in life? What should we rely on a central government for and what should we rely on local government? What is the best way to live your life? These will only help us live better and to exercise our minds to think beyond self-interest. Ultimately this will bring us a greater understanding of ourselves and others. Keep this in mind when you have your next political argument with a friend or neighbor. We have a lot to teach each other when our goal is not to be “right” at any cost. May all our disputes be for heaven’s sake. 

Rabbi Konigsburg

As always, if you have any questions, concerns or pastoral needs such as, need help shopping, paying bills, been recently laid off or furloughed, contact Rabbi Konigsburg at rabbenu@myshul.org
Your Jewish Community can help you. All contacts are confidential.

The BSBI office staff is working remotely but we are still available to meet all your needs.  The best way to contact us is to email
Judy at admin@myshul.org
or Tova at programming@myshul.org
and we will call or email you back as soon as possible, or you can leave us a voicemail that we will check periodically. 

Upcoming

Wisdom in Winter
Mondays, January 11th, January 25th, February 1st
7:30 PM

Guest Speaker: Dr. Joel Lohr
President, Hartford Seminary
Topic:
Chosenness, Christian Supersessionism,
and Replacement Theology:
What I Have Learned from the Bible
and Jewish-Christian Dialogue
Mondays at 7:30 PM
January 11th, 25th, & February 1st
$20/Household
This series will be held virtually via Zoom this year.

Wisdom in Winter

Embracing Judaism
with Rabbi Plavin & Rabbi Konigsburg

Always been curious about Judaism?
Never paid attention in Hebrew school?
Thinking about (or is someone you love thinking about) officially joining the Tribe?

The Embracing Judaism program is geared towards both Jews and non-Jews who want to learn more. Bring your questions and explore the wisdom, depth and joy of Jewish living. Please visit the website:  http://www.ibjewish.org/

The Embracing Judaism program will begin this year on January 7, 2021 and will meet via Zoom. For more information about why this may be an excellent program for you, or to learn about the pandemic reduced registration fee call Rabbi Richard Plavin 860-573-4503 or email riplavin@gmail.com

Sisterhood Minyan and Program
Monday, January 18th
7:00 PM


Join us for Minyan followed by a special presentation. 

In recognition of Martin Luther King Day, on January 18, former Sisterhood President Susan Stoppelman will talk about her volunteer work with the Greater Manchester Peace and Justice Committee (GMPJ) and other opportunities we all have locally to act in support of tikkun olam, repairing the world. GMPJ has set homelessness, immigrant rights, the opioid crisis, and  human trafficking as its priorities. In recent years, Susan has volunteered in support of justice for immigrants, protections for homeless people, and productive lives for those with visual impairments or loss. As many of our congregants know, there is no shortage of opportunities to be of service.

Invite your friends and family to attend this hilarious virtual event:

Comedy Night

Thursday, February 11, 2021
7:30 PM

YIVO is the Institute for Jewish Research. It is dedicated to the study of the history, language, religion, folkways and material culture of the Jews in Eastern Europe and Russia. Benefiting scholars and students, Holocaust educators and the general public, members and supporters of YIVO come from throughout the U.S. and countries around the world.
 
This virtual tour shares YIVO’s history, the brave individuals who collected and rescued the essence of Ashkenazi Jewish life, and highlight some of the physical artifacts in their collection. 
 
Its archive is a repository of Eastern European and Ashkenazic culture. We will enjoy a virtual, pre-taped video tour of the archives and materials. These archives contain everything from Yiddish theater posters to physician’s records in pre-war Vilna. There are also autobiographies of teens that were submitted in
pre-war Vilna as part of a YIVO contest. The stacks also contain artifacts ranging from dolls made in DP camps to one of Auschwitz’s registers. 

There is a $10 per household cost for this event.
YIVO Virtual Tour 

This Week's Schedule & Service Links

We would like you to know...

Jewish Federation Loan Program


Are you in a financial bind? Do you need help to pay medical or legal bills, send your children to day school, or keep your small business afloat? Greater Hartford Jewish community members now have a new place to turn: the Jewish Free Loan Fund of Greater Hartford. It provides interest ­free personal and business loans to help you overcome financial hurdles and seize new opportunities with dignity and confidentiality.
Jewish Free Loan Fund

USCJ Calendar Photos

The USCJ is happy to announce that they have begun working on next year’s calendar and have chosen to once again highlight member synagogues. They are requesting photos from those member synagogues. This year their theme is values. There are a number of values they strive to follow at USCJ.

For example, a photograph of congregants visiting the hospital before Shabbat could exemplify Mitzvot or Community. A photo showcasing the new ways congregants are gathering remotely could exemplify Innovation or Support.

If you have a photo that you believe exemplifies any of these values at BSBI, send them to Tova at prorgraming@myshul.org and she will submit photos to the USCJ. 
*Photo credits will be provided in the calendar for all photos.  The USCJ calendars reach over 50,000 families each year. 

The Giftshop Is Open

Important Gift Shop Update: Change of venue

Thanks to the uptick in COVID related cases, our BSBi Sisterhood Gift Shop has been obliged to pull up stakes and relocate temporarily.
It has literally been transferred to my home until further notice.

For immediate needs such as Havdalah candles, yahrzeit candles and neronim you can make an appointment to pick them up at my home--yes we have the equivalent of Curbside service--it's called, my porch.

Best of all, you can pick up a Havdalah candle and join us every Saturday
evening as Rabbi Konigsburg and Michelle lead us in a short and meaningful service as we bid Shabbat farewell. Your gift shop also has havdalah sets and spice boxes of all sizes and shapes.

We are taking orders by phone or email.

Shoot me an email or give me a call!

Wishing you and your families a Very Happy, Healthy, SAFE, 2021!

Rima
860 649 8507
rimarainbow@cox.net

Ongoing

Ever Cool Campaign

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