New Jewish Neighborhood House

A New Year for the New Jewish Neighborhood House

2011-09-12T13:38:00.000-05:00

Shalom Haverim,
As we get ready to usher in a new year, I am planning some events for the New Jewish Neighborhood House this year.

Our monthly Torah Study sessions with Rabbi Aaron Rubinstein of Beth Sholom will be on Sunday from 1:30pm-3:00pm on the following dates:

Oct. 9
Nov. 6
Dec. 18
Jan. 29
Feb. 26
March 25
April 22
May 13

The location always changes so please email me for location notification.

Additional upcoming events for the fall will (likely!) include:

A high holidays talk
A Tashlich event in Overton Park
Something fun in our sukkah

I will do my best to keep you posted.
Shanah Tovah,
Sarah

2010-04-06T22:41:00.003-05:00

Shalom Haverim,

Please mark you calendars for these April events:

1. Our next Torah Study session with Rabbi Aaron will be Sunday April 18 at 12:30pm

Email me to find out where we are meeting.

Parasha Tazria-Metzorah is complicated and will likely brew an interesting conversation, so be sure to pre-read the details about childbirth, skin ailments, and uncleanliness. Parasha Tazria-Metzorah can be found here (sorry for the Chabad version, but my regular choice was unavailable!) or Leviticus 12:1-15:33. Commentary can be found here.

***PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN COPY IF YOU WOULD LIKE ONE***

2. And, on the very same day, you won't want to miss the Performance Art Network's dance debut on April 18th at 5:30 at the Buckman Theater at St. Mary's School at 60 Perkins Ext. Sharona Rubinstein (Rabbi Aaron's wife) created this company to provide a Sabbath observant, and religiously tolerant professional level dance company. It's going to be an exciting show, and she is trying to get the word out so people can buy tickets in advance if possible, or even become sponsors.

The general admission price is $10 for adults, and $5 for youth. The show will include modern, hip, hop, classical dance, and the finale will have live chamber music and dance together, played by MSO musicians.

If you want to learn more about the concert, and how to get involved, check out their new website at www.performanceartnetwork.org. This company of adult professional dancers is sharing the show with some very talented student dancers from two other partnering studios.

Email Sharona to reserve your tickets.

Check out the flyer for details.

3. Sherry Weinblatt, Hillel of Memphis Director, has generously invited New Jewish Neighborhood House to Hillel's final Jewish Faculty Forum LunchNLearn on April 9 at 12:30pm at 3582 Midland Ave. Barrie Weiser, the Executive Director of the Memphis JCC, will bringing a rescued Torah and telling its journey to Memphis.

Please RSVP to Sherry or 452-2453 by Thursday, April 8.

2010-03-16T21:39:00.004-05:00

Shalom Haverim,

We have 2 events back-to-back in the coming week, plus lots of Passover celebration opportunities as well - so read to the bottom!

1. Our next Torah Study with Rabbi Aaron is Sunday March 21 at 12:30pm.

(I don't post the addresses of our host homes, so please email me to be put on our emailing list.)

Parasha Vayikra can be found here or Leviticus 1:1-5:26. Commentary can be found here.

**Torah Study HOST HOMES ARE STILL NEEDED for April 18, May 16! Please don't make me beg!**

2. On Wednesday March 24 at 7pm, please join me in welcoming Rabbi Adam Grossman to the New Jewish Neighborhood House. Rabbi Adam will be sharing some new ways to think about Passover in our newest series A Fresh Look at the Jewish Holidays - Why We Do What We Do.

(email me for location information.)

Other upcoming Passover events:

You are invited to a second night seder with Rabbi Adam and Rabbi Katie:

Tuesday, 3/30 gathering at 5:00 service at 6:15 - Second Night Seder catered by Bach's Lunch. Come downtown to the Robinson Gallery (44 Huling Avenue) to enjoy a Passover experience like no other. Whether a single, couple or young family, this Seder will surely impress. The cost will be $15 per person and $5 per child over 2. Reserve your space by Friday, March 26 at our website: http://www.timemphis.org/about/jam.htm.

Rabbi Katie will be leading a charoset and egg making party for the seder on Sunday, March 28 at 6:00pm at the Temple Israel kitchen. It should be a great opportunity to socialize, cook and learn.

Hillel of Memphis invites you to join them for an Interfaith Seder led by Rabbi Aaron on Tuesday March 23 at 6:30pm at Hillel (3581 Midland) The seder is free (donations are always welcome), but reservation are required by March 16. Please bring a non-perishable item to be donated to a local food bank. Contact Sherry Weinblatt for more details.

I look forward to seeing you there!

B'shalom,

Sarah

Rabbi Adam to share a new perspective on Pesach - March 10 7pm

2010-03-03T20:16:00.002-06:00

We are moving on to Pesach in our newest series, A Fresh Look at the Jewish Holidays - Why We Do What We Do. (A special thanks to Rabbi Katie Bauman for such a wonderful Purim talk. We hope to see her again soon.)

As for Passover, on Wednesday March 10 at 7pm, please join me in welcoming Rabbi Adam Grossman to the New Jewish Neighborhood House. Rabbi Adam will be sharing some new ways to think about Pesach.

Please email me for details on the location.

Be sure to mark you calendar for other upcoming events:

Our next Torah Study with Rabbi Aaron is Sunday March 21. (Again, email me to be put on our mailing list and I will send you the location information.)

Torah Study HOST HOMES ARE NEEDED for April 18, May 16! Please don't make me beg!

I look forward to seeing you there!

B'shalom,

Sarah

Terumah Torah Study, Music Without Borders & More!

2010-02-16T22:11:00.004-06:00

Get ready for a Sunday filled with Rabbi Aaron!

Please join us for Torah Study with Rabbi Aaron on Sunday, Feb 21 from 12:30-2pm.

Take a minute to read Parasha Terumah here. Details, details, details . . .

Here is some commentary on the significance of details here. Enjoy.

*remember, I don't post addresses online, so email me for the location*

Hurray! The concert that Rabbi Aaron spoke about a few weeks ago, Music Without Borders, featuring music ranging from Liturgical to Folk to Leonard Cohen to Reggae to Ladino to Yiddish to Gospel has been rescheduled to this Sunday, February 21 at 7pm at Beth Sholom.

THANK YOU, RABBI KATIE for a great Purim talk. If you enjoyed her talk as much as I did, you can see her in the Purimspiel and find her on Temple Israel's calendar.

Be sure to mark your calendar for other upcoming events:

Mark your calendar for Rabbi Adam Grossman's pre-Pesach talk on Wednesday March 10 at 7pm.

Torah Study HOST HOMES ARE STILL NEEDED for March 21, April 18, May 16! Email me for more information on hosting - its easy!

Other events in the community:

Check out the new exhibit at the Pink Palace - Bagels and Barbeque: The Jewish Experience in Tennessee showing from Feb 6-April 11.

A New Look at Purim with Rabbi Katie - Tues Feb 16 7:30pm

2010-02-04T21:27:00.002-06:00

Our newest series, A Fresh Look at the Jewish Holidays - Why We Do What We Do, is off to a great start! Remember how Rabbi Danziger kicked it off with a Hannukah talk last year? Well, we have more great things on our horizon:

Rabbi Katie Bauman has graciously offered to give a pre-Purim talk and I am so excited to hear her perspective! Rabbi Katie's Purim talk will be Tuesday February 16th at 7:30pm. Email me for location information and directions.

(**Remember, I don't post addresses online, so be sure to email me to be added to our notification list!**)

Rabbi Adam Grossman has graciously offered to give a pre-Pesach talk and I am just as thrilled! Rabbi Adam's Pesach talk will be Wednesday March 10 at 7pm. HOST HOME NEEDED so please let me know if you are able to host this special event that evening.

Please join me in welcoming Rabbi Katie and Rabbi Adam to the New Jewish Neighborhood House. They are both relatively recent additions to the Temple Israel staff, so if you have not had a chance to meet them yet, here you go!

Thank you, Rabbi Katie and Rabbi Adam. We look forward to learning with you!

Be sure to mark you calendar for our upcoming events:

Our next Torah Study with Rabbi Aaron is Sunday Feb 21 - (host home found)

Torah Study HOST HOMES ARE NEEDED for March 21, April 18, May 16!

Torah Study this Sunday Jan 24 - Join us!

2010-01-20T07:17:00.002-06:00

Please join us for Torah Study with Rabbi Aaron.

Date: Sunday Jan 24

Time: 12:30-2pm

Email me for the location and directions.

Please take a minute to read the dark Parasha Bo here. Complete with plagues, hardened hearts and grim slaughter. And here is a little commentary.

Be sure to mark you calendars for upcoming Torah Study dates. Torah Study is always on Sunday afternoons from 12:30-2pm.

Please volunteer to host a session in your home! (Hosting is easy. You only need to put on a pot of coffee and print copies of the Torah portion that we are studying - I will email it to you directly)

February 21 - host found

March 21 - host needed

April 18 - host needed

May 16 - host needed

See you then,

Sarah

Rabbi Aaron's vinegars and Neve Michael

2009-11-05T20:24:00.005-06:00

If you have not already tried Rabbi Aaron's vinegars - you should. They are delicious and all proceeds go to support Neve Michael Children's Village, a safe haven for Israeli children. And they make great gifts!

Rabbi Aaron has a new brochure about his vinegars and Neve Michael. Contact him for details.

Next Torah Study with Rabbi Aaron Nov 22

2009-11-05T19:52:00.004-06:00

Last Torah study we read about creation - one month later, we are already up to the troublesome relationship between Jacob and Esau. Parasha Tol'dot kicks off with Esau swapping his birthright for a bowl of stew! It ends with Jacob and his mother, Rebekah, tricking Esau out of that very birthright and the fall-out that follows. There is plenty of drama to spark a very interesting conversation.

So please join us to study Parasha Tol'dot.

When: Sunday Nov 22, 12:30-2pm

With: Rabbi Aaron Rubinstein of Beth Sholom

Where: Bob for his address. (I don't post locations on the web.)

Parasha Tol'dot: Genesis Chapter 25, Verse 19 - Verse 34 can be read here. Additional commentary found here.

Sadly, I won't be in town Nov 22, but you will be in good hands!

Please RSVP to Bob to let him know how many people to expect.

Take a minute to look at some of these creative ways to reflect on this portion - courtesy of Rabbi Aaron. Let him know if you are interested in receiving these regularly. Otherwise, I will post them when they correspond with our Torah Study. Thanks Rabbi Aaron!

See you next time,

Sarah

Next Torah Study Sunday October 18 12:30-2pm

2009-10-04T21:31:00.004-05:00

Shana Tova! I hope that you have a sweet year!

If you have yet to come to a Torah Study session, October 18 is the perfect place to start! Next weekend, on Simchat Torah, we finish the final parasha and unwind the Torah to begin again with Genesis. If you have never been to a Simchat Torah celebration, you can find one at Beth Sholom or Temple Israel - its fun!

So the following Shabbat's Parasha Bereshit begins the story of Genesis all over again.

When: Sunday Oct 18, 12:30-2pm

With: Rabbi Aaron Rubinstein of Beth Sholom

Where: Email me for the address of your hosts. (I don't post locations on the web.)

Parasha Bereshit: Genesis Chapter 1, Verse 1 - Chapter 6, Verse 8 can be read here. Additional commentary found here.

Please RSVP me so that I can let your hosts know how many people to expect.

See you there!

Sarah

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

WITH UPCOMING TORAH STUDY DATES:

November 22, 2009

December 13, 2009

January 24, 2010

February 21, 2010

REMINDER! Torah Study 101 this Sunday Aug 30

2009-08-25T22:25:00.000-05:00

Please join us for Torah Study with Rabbi Aaron Rubinstein of Beth Sholom this Sunday August 30 at 12:30.

The parasha for this week is Ki Teitzeh and can be found in Deuteronomy, chapter 21, verse 10 through chapter 25, verse 19. The parasha covers lots of interesting rules regarding how to treat each other. It includes directions for dealing with lost property, newlyweds going into the service, forbiddance of taking the mechanism for someone's livelihood in pawn, how to treat a refugee slave, fair treatment of the stranger. The commentary in my Etz Hayim tanakh reads:

Throughout this parashah, with its diverse assemblage of laws, one theme is prominent: the irreducible dignity and worth of a human being. Even the most marginal members of society, such as the criminal or the female war captive, are fashioned in the image of God and are to be treated accordingly.

It promises to be a great conversation! Read more commentary on Ki Teitzeh here or here.

Our host for this session is Bertha Landau. If you have not received directions from me yet, please email me to be put on our emailing list. And please RSVP to let me know that you are coming. Feel free to invite others.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Tear Down the Walls - Thursday Sept 3

2009-08-25T22:01:00.005-05:00

Don't miss Tear Down the Walls

Date: Thursday Sept 3

Time: 7 pm

Place: Levitt Shell

From Temple Israel's calendar:

Don't miss this historic event featuring Rabbi Greenstein, the Temple Israel Teen Team, Cantor Kaplan, and the Jewish community singers in this extraordinary interfaith, community-wide gathering of youth, community choirs, musicians, soloists, civic and human rights activists including: Rabbi Micah Greenstein, Dr. Craig Strickland, Dr. Stacy Spencer, Dr. Frank Thomas, Rev. Rick Kirchoff, Pastor Roz Nichols, Pastor Keith Norman, Rev. Dr. Andy MacBeth, Dr. Kenneth Robinson, Dr. Steve Montgomery, Dr. Johnny Jeffords, Dr. Scott Morris, Hope Presbyterian Church 'Hope Choir', New Direction Christian Church 'Live and Direct' Adult Choir and 'New Generation' Youth Choir, and the First Baptist Church Mass Choir. Download amazing free music--recorded live in Memphis--from the Tear Down the Walls CD for FREE! The Tear Down the Walls Concert "Let it Be Me," is Thursday, September 3, 7PM at the Levitt Shell at Overton Park. Community Picnic at 6PM: Bring your family, food, and drink! Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Concert. A Tear Down The Walls Production.)

Ricki's challah at Easy-Way on Cooper!

2009-08-25T20:40:00.004-05:00

Big news for Midtowners! I have heard through the grapevine that Easy-Way on Cooper is now selling Ricki's challah. No need to head East to get your fix. Fresh challah - right here in our neighborhood. Thank you Easy-Way.

A little bit about me - Sarah Newstok

2009-08-12T14:22:00.008-05:00

It is not about me, but in case you were wondering: I live in Midtown with my husband and daughter. We love our neighborhood!

We arrived in Memphis just over two years ago, having lived all over the New England and the Midwest. I grew up in a conservative Jewish community, had a bat mitzvah, attended Jewish summer camp, and travelled to Israel. But with all of that, Judaism didn't always do it for me.

While living in Minnesota, my husband and I joined Mayim Rabim, a reconstructionist congregation that was a great fit - intimate, traditional songs, egalitarian, often lay-lead, graced with an amazing Rabbi. What was most significant, though, was that I found a style of Judaism that I could embrace: I knew that it would grow with me and be a dynamic guide throughout my life choices.

Then we moved to Connecticut and got involved in a renewal style havurah that met in each others houses as a small congregation of friends. We loved the family feel of such an intimate group and found new appreciation for the framework of a Shabbat service and Jewish rituals. (Thank you, Rayzl!)

So, upon arrival in Memphis, seeking to fill the Jewish community gap, I met Carol and the Jew Do connection was made. Sometimes, I attend services at Temple Israel and Beth Sholom, and enjoy them both.

But the center of my world is in Midtown. (And apparently there are other Memphis Jews who feel the same way!) I do my best to live where I live and that includes building the community that I need in my own neighborhood.

Upcoming Hillel of Memphis Events

2009-08-12T14:12:00.004-05:00

Just in from Sherry Weinblatt (contact her for more info) - here are a few upcoming Hillel events:

JGrads+ - is a new social and professional networking for recent grads, grad students and young professionals, specifically for ages 22-33. The first event is Sat. Aug. 22 starting at 7 pm at Mollie Fountaine.

Hillel of Memphis/JRO - Opening event for returning and new undergraduate students is Sunday, Aug. 30 at The JCC Water Park from 4-6 pm

Jewish Faculty Forum-Monthly Lunch'N Learns for all area Jewish faculty. (Students are also welcome.) First forum is set for Friday, Sept. 11 at Hillel of Memphis - 12:15pm-1:30. Format - A light buffet (kosher) lunch will be served followed by a brief faculty presentation and then a great opportunity to socialize and network.

What do we do?

2009-08-08T14:17:00.013-05:00

So far we have a couple of regular and irregular events:

TORAH STUDY 101.

In 2009, we sat down with Rabbi Micah Greenstein of Temple Israel and Rabbi Aaron Rubinstein of Beth Sholom to ask them if they would be willing to collaborate on a new class that would be offered in Midtown or Downtown. They generously agreed! Rabbi Zev Roth of the Margolin Hebrew Academy came on to teach a class too. Todah rabah (thank you) Rabbis! These sessions have been a huge success, turning out 25-30 people each time.

Great News - Rabbi Rubinstein has offered to teach us once a month! Hurray! So we are booked with him through the winter. Todah rabah, Rabbi.

Torah Study 101 meets from 12:30-2pm on the following Sundays. Locations will be announced as we go. Please, please let me know if you want to volunteer to open your home and host. Mark your calendar:

Aug 30, 2009 - with Rabbi Aaron

Oct 18, 2009 - with Rabbi Aaron

Nov 22, 2009 - with Rabbi Aaron

Dec 20, 2009 - with Rabbi Aaron

Jan 24, 2010 - with Rabbi Aaron

Feb 21, 2010 - with Rabbi Aaron

This all we have scheduled so far, but I will be sure to let you know when we have others lined up. (Perhaps with some of the other Rabbis.)

JEW DO.

Carol Buchman has been bringing Midtown/Downtown Jews together for over a decade in a group known as "Jew Do". Over the years, she organized lectures, speakers, local Rabbis, ritual celebrations, and even Jewish chefs. Temple Israel and so many in this community have offered their time, homes and support. When I arrived in Memphis in 2007, I promptly met Carol at one of her Overton Park Tashlich ceremonies. Right away, I knew that she was on to something great, and offered to help out. Although the Jewdo has made the transformation to the New Jewish Neighborhood House, Carol is still a vital piece of the puzzle!

SHABBAT HAVURAH.

(Haver means friend; havurah is a term for an informal meeting of friends.) Over the last two years, we met very irregularly to celebrate Shabbat on Saturday mornings in one of our homes. While we sang and prayed a bit, it seemed like the core of this group really wanted to talk about Torah. So the Havurah kind of fizzled out. Although I really enjoy Torah study, I am no scholar, so Carol and I decided to seek out some help from the professionals. Enter Torah Study 101.

(Frankly, I miss that singing and would really love to find a few people who want to celebrate jewish music, song and prayer. If that is you, please be in touch!)

MISHPACHAT SHABBAT.

(Mishpacha mean family.) This is a fun Friday night gathering for families with children. We are trying to get together about once a month at someone's home for candle-lighting, a few quick blessings and a yummy potluck dinner. This is a great way to get to know some of the other families in the neighborhood. Our kids are growing up together!

Do you have other ideas or passions? Book club, film series, community challah baking? Let's give it a try.

Where is the "house"?

2009-08-04T21:36:00.000-05:00

Our homes are the New Jewish Neighborhood House! Instead of a traditional community center or synagogue, we meet in our neighbors houses. Please let me know if you are interested in hosting an event!

Take a minute to think about the words to this opening prayer in a traditional service:

"Ma tovu ohalecha Yakov! - How beautiful are your tents, Jacob!"

We celebrate coming together as a community in our own homes - we can create a sacred place in our tents.

What is the New Jewish Neighborhood House?

2009-08-04T21:35:00.004-05:00

In 1901, members of Memphis Jewish community founded the Jewish Neighborhood House, a sort of community center for new Jewish immigrants. Located in the Pinch District, the JNH offered educational classes on everything from hygiene to language. It provided child care and job skills for new members of the community as they made the transition to their new country.

I think that the original JNH closed sometime in the 1950s. If you know, please let me know. It was during that time, and in the next decade, that the vast majority of Memphis Jews moved toward the eastern suburbs. A few surviving members of the original JNH continue to live in Memphis today. I found lots of interesting information about the original JNH through the Institute of Southern Jewish Life and in Selma Lewis' book, A Biblical People in the Bible Belt.

So what does this have to do with Jewish life in Memphis today? Over the last decade, an eclectic (we wouldn't expect anything else!) group of Midtown-Downtown Jews has emerged. Formerly known as the Midtown Jewdo, we have become the New Jewish Neighborhood House of Memphis.

In the spirit of the original community, we are striving to meet the needs of neighbors - we have created a sense of Jewish community for the diverse Jews living in the Memphis Diaspora.

B'ruchim haba'im - Welcome!