A look back at June, and looking forward to July 2024 for our compassionate community!
We had about 25 attendees, one of our most successful events. Normally, Saturday mornings aren’t that well attended unless it is something very special; We began in the sanctuary with a Healing service in the round and sound bath accompanying as people were coming in and throughout, between readings and special songs which included Gesher Tzar m’od, B’yado, Mi Shebeirach, and Psalms. There was a different shaped stone on each seat with the word “Healing” on it. People briefly shared what they are struggling with or what their hope for healing was. We did a mikvah-type of ritual, having everyone write out something a slips of paper that they wanted to let go of or heal and there was a large pot of water on the patio they later dropped their papers into. I included poetry by Rabbi Hanna Yerushalmi praying for the hostages still held in Gaza. At the KIDDUSH, the ‘power of Cholent’ and some of the history and vegan option handouts were on the tables and we discussed the healing effects of good nourishment and how our participation in the Synagogue Vegan Challenge heightened many of our congregant’s awareness, encouraged them to try new ways of eating and pleased those who already are vegan or semi-vegetarian. The photos also display the fruit and Mediterranean veggie platter we offered.
There were about 35 people attending an outdoor service at a beautiful local park. We turned it into a vegan picnic and potluck after kabbalat shabbat. The food was very well-received and everyone seemed excited to try it. We had roasted veggies, peanut noodles with tofu, pesto pasta, falafel, pita, and lots of salads. We had handouts on starting a vegan diet and we brainstormed on what type of foods we could provide to make a complete shabbat dinner. We introduced everyone to a delicious brand of vegan challah that is sold locally.
We are so happy that members of our Shamayim community could join the Shavuot celebration in Baltimore! Thank you to Pearlstone and Adamah for hosting us!
Watch our brand new webinar with Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz! (Watch here or listen here).
There are still openings left for our Vegan Vs Meat debate program! Don’t miss out on the chance to win $5000 and bring an educational event to your community!
The goal of this one hour long program is to have a conversation focused on learning, inspiring, and exploring the vegan vs meat debate in a respectful and informative way. Even though this is a debate, it is a friendly debate in which we stay light-hearted, and curiosity is encouraged. At least 50 members of your congregation will need to attend and vote for a winner. The winner will receive a $5,000 reward which is kindly provided by a donor, not Shamayim. (Either the congregation or Shamayim will receive the reward).
Thank you to Shamayim community member, Jaiden Gividen for your thoughtful submission for our Six Word Memoir collection!
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