Roosevelt Island jewish congregation

WELCOME TO THE ROOSEVELT ISLAND JEWISH CONGREGATION

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

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We are a warm community, welcoming Jews (and loved ones) of all ages, ethnicities, genders, sexualities, and abilities.  We meet a few times each month to celebrate Shabbat and festivals through prayer and study, singing and meditating, eating and drinking. We have an incredible Hebrew School where each student learns at their own individual pace, and we craft each B’nei Mitzvah process to be personally meaningful.

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A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM CANTOR MYERSON

 

Our Holy Day season is over, and now our Torah reading cycle starts all over again: in the beginning, God created. . . and there was evening, and there was morning, one day. 

 

“One day” is curious. The Medieval commentator Rashi teaches that “one” here refers to God, the One, who existed before all else was created. For me, I think that if Torah said, “the first day,” this would suggest that there would be a second day, a third day, etc. There’s an expectation that “first” precedes others. With hindsight, we can look back and say, of course there was a second day! That, I believe, is why Torah uses that wording for the “second” through “seventh” days. But in the moment of that first ever evening and first ever morning, I like the idea that it wasn’t yet certain that there would be growth and development, a next stage. 

 

Sometimes we can feel daunted by the enormous amount of work ahead of us. Imagine creating an entire world from scratch! We know that the best way to start is by choosing a manageable task and working to complete just that part. One day. The satisfaction (dopamine?) of completing one part gives us the encouragement and momentum to start one more part. 

 

My prayer for each of us this week is that we’re able to learn from Torah’s wisdom; starting afresh with just one thing. I’d love to hear from you, what are your current projects? Where are you feeling stuck? What’s one piece you could try to move forward this week?

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UPCOMING SHABBAT SERVICES ON FRIDAY EVENINGS

October 24 (Shabbat)

November 14 (Shabbat)

November 21 (Sigd+TDOR Shabbat)

December 5 (Sephardi-Mizrahi Shabbat)

 

Please contact us for location details, as we use several spaces.

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OCTOBER 20th RIJC SONG CIRCLES

Please join Amber Levanon Seligson THIS Monday October 20th, from 7:30-8:30 PM, for our first Roosevelt Island Jewish Congregation Song Circle of the new year.  We will learn 3 melodies by Debora Sacks Mintz, Batya Levine, and Basya Schechter.

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All are welcome!  No singing experience is necessary.    

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Please contact Amber at   alseligson@gmail.com   for exact location and any questions. Next Song Circles November 17 & December 15.

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​​SUNDAY MINYAN

Our RIJC Sunday Minyan continues, now in a special 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

The RIJC Hebrew School is up & running on Thursday afternoon with sessions at 4:30 or 5:30 pm.  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