Roosevelt Island jewish congregation

ROOSEVELT ISLAND JEWISH CONGREGATION

Cantor Sarah Myerson, Spiritual Leader.  Nina Lublin, President.   

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Acts of Antisemitism have no place here or anywhere.  We continue to pray for Peace for Jews and for everyone everywhere. We continue to monitor the dangerous situation between Israel & Iran.  We are keeping our relatives & friends front of mind over these very tense days.

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DEAR FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS, NEWCOMERS & LONG-TIMERS

The RIJC has been a strong community presence here on Roosevelt Island for over 40 years.  We are fortunate to have among our friends & members, people who have been here since the late 1970’s & early 1980’s, along with some of their children & 

grandchildren, as well as more recent arrivals with their multi-generational presence.  And we continue to welcome new Island neighbors & friends of all ages & backgrounds.  It is always a good time to join us for services & all of the RIJC events.

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A MESSAGE FROM CANTOR MYERSON

Welcome to Roosevelt Island Jewish Congregation!

 

Shabbat shalom and Happy Juneteenth!

 

Check out www.juneteenth.com to learn more about “Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing,” written by James Weldon Johnson in 1900, set to music by his brother J. Rosamond Johnson in 1905, adopted by the NAACP in 1919 as its official song. We’ll use this melody tonight for Yigdal and other texts.

 

This week’s Torah portion, Shelakh Lekha, has one of my favorite haftarot, Rahav protecting two Israelite spies. How unusual, a biblical story where the woman is named while the men are not! The Midrash of Rabbi Tanchuma bar Abba (and Bamidbar Rabbah 16:1) suggests that the two men were Pinhas and Caleb.

 

Who was Rahav the “ishah zonah?” Our rabbinic ancestors say she was a prostitute, an innkeeper, a seller of baked goods, a perfumer or some combination of these. They teach that she made an important contribution towards the Israelite military conquest of Jericho. She put her life at risk to protect two spies for a foreign army, because she believed in their God. 

 

Here’s part of a song I wrote in Rahav’s voice:

Come one, come all to my home in the wall, because I care about you.

More, I can’t say but today’s the day, soon you’ll know it’s true.

We’re safe in here together, in the wall around our town.

The one true God will protect us, if these walls come tumblin’ down.

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Our next Shabbat Service is Friday night June 20 at 7pm.

We break for summer, resuming fall activities after Labor Day.

 

​​​SHABBAT SERVICES

​Our last Shabbat Service for the season will be Friday, June 20.  All services begin at 7:00 pm in our Sanctuary in the Cultural Center, unless otherwise noted via email.  Additional details and specifics coming via RIJC.org and by Email.

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​The RIJC encourages friends & neighbors to host Oneg Shabbats in their homes on those evenings after services.  If you would like to be graciously involved, please contact Nina to volunteer.​

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SONG CIRCLES

Thank You to Amber & friends for a wonderful year of thoughtful singing & learning, which will resume in September.

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​​SUNDAY MINYAN

Our RIJC Sunday Minyan continues, now in a new location.  Please contact Michal  at  michalmelamed@yahoo.com  for details & to make sure you are on the Reminder List.

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​​HEBREW SCHOOL

Hebrew School resumes in early September.  Dates, Times & Location to be announced.  For additional information & inquiries for your children, please contact Michal Melamed at  michalmelamed@yahoo.com. 

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Suggestions & Questions always welcome & appreciated.

Looking Forward...

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Nina

ninalublin1@gmail.com

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Cantor Myerson
cantor.sarah.myerson@gmail.com