Eruv is PENDING for Shabbat February 26 - 27
This is Island Synagogue
A Modern Orthodox congregation that welcomes Jews of all backgrounds
and levels of observance
Updated Shabbat Zachor, Purim Information and Megillah Reading Schedule
Rabbi Yechezkel
Dear Island Synagogue Family,
Please see the final Purim and Megillah reading schedule below. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Kornfeld
Megillah Reading Schedule
Thursday, February 25, 2021 - Purim Night
First Reading - 6:10pm
Location: Island Park Elementary School - Covered Basketball Court (south of parking lot)
5437 Island Crest Way, Mercer Island, WA 98040
Bring your own chairs
Masks and social distance will be required
Second Reading - 7:10pm (Join on Zoom by clicking HERE)
- Location: Island Synagogue - Rabbi Kornfeld will perform the readings in the foyer so both people inside the sanctuary and people outside in the back can hear the readings.
- Masks and social distance will be required
Friday, February 26, 2021 Purim Day
First Reading - 7:45am (Join on Zoom by clicking HERE)
Second Reading - 11:15am
Third Reading - 4:45pm
Location: Island Synagogue - Rabbi Kornfeld will perform the readings in the foyer so both people inside the sanctuary and people outside in the back can hear the readings.
Masks and social distance will be required
Megillah Laws
- Generally healthy individuals should attend public Megillah readings as usual, where the community is exercising the proper precautions of social distancing and masking.
- Those who are not currently ill but are not attending a public reading because they are deemed high risk should reach out to their Rabbi and community to help arrange a private Megillah reading.
- Those who are ill or have had serious exposure and must remain in isolation must not come to shul. To fulfill the Mitzvah, they should have a kosher, hand-written Megillah in hand from which they read audibly, either on their own or assisted by a reading heard electronically.
- The clear majority of Halachic authorities do not consider Halachically adequate a Megillah reading heard over the phone or online. There is however a minority opinion that does allow for this, provided that the reading is live, and not pre-recorded. Following the Halachic principle that we may rely upon minority opinions under extenuating circumstances, when no better option exists this minority opinion can be relied upon.
Purim Schedule
Rabbi Kornfeld will deliver a special Purim Shiur, Wednesday Night, February 24th at 7:30pm on Zoom. Click HERE to join.
Thursday, February 25, 2021
Taanit Esther
Fast begins: 5:25am
Fast ends: 6:23pm
Shacharit: 7:00am
Mincha/Maariv: 5:20pm
Friday, February 26, 2021
Shacharit: 7:00am
Mitzvot to do on Friday:
Megillah: Hear the Megillah
Mishloach Manot: Everyone should give, to at least one other Jew, two ready-to-eat foods. e.g a fruit and drink.
"You do not fulfill the mitzvah with the synagogue's Mishloach Manot"
Matanot L'evyonim: Everyone should give at least two charitable gifts, to two poor Jews. (Rabbi can facilitate this.)
Seudat Purim: Everyone should eat a festive meal with hamotzi and special foods. This should be done preferably before midday, and end some time before Shabbat begins.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Kornfeld
Important Covid Policy Update for island Synagogue
Dear Friends and Congregants,
To promote the overall health of the community and protect those at high risk, Island Synagogue asks that any person who should be self-quarantining under public health guidelines not attend minyanim. Anyone who has traveled out-of-state or has socialized outside of their immediate family should refrain from coming to minyan for 14 days thereafter. Anyone who has been confirmed COVID-19 positive, or has been exposed to someone who has been confirmed positive, should inform Rabbi Kornfeld of the situation immediately. We understand that this policy poses hardship to our congregants. If you feel you are in an exceptional situation please consult with Rabbi Kornfeld.
COVID infection and hospitalization rates in King County have gotten markedly worse in the past month, including multiple cases within the Seattle Orthodox community. The precautions we are taking are consistent with guidance issued by King County and by the Orthodox Union.
With improved treatments and new vaccines on the horizon, we hope to "finish strong" and protect the lives and health of our community. We thank all of our congregants for practicing COVID-safe precautions, not just while at minyan, but in all our daily lives. The precautions we take as a community protect all our members, and with G-d's continued help, will enable us to keep our doors open through this challenging period. We will continue to monitor the evolving situation and plan to keep you updated.
Please direct any questions to covid@islandsynagogue.org.
Wishing you all continued health,
Jon Newman
Rabbi Yechezkel Kornfeld
Daily Indoor Services
Services:
Shacharit will tentatively be Sundays @ 8am, Mondays through Thursdays 7am. Please call or Text Rabbi Kornfeld @ 206-679-9117 to confirm your participation and to confirm it will be happening.
- Please let us know you are coming to in-person services (daily or Shabbat) by clicking HERE. Please review and confirm our important health policies.
ISLAND SYNAGOGUE'S ZOOM RAFFLE
We need your help! Island Synagogue counts on its spring fund-raiser to balance our budget, and this year we’re uniquely challenged to put on the event we’d hoped would bring us together supporting our shul. Here’s your chance to donate and WIN delicious wines and scotch, and useful gift certificates! Please give generously, even beyond the tickets you purchase, in batches of 5/$25! Then you can watch on Zoom March 14th to see tickets drawn, and learn if YOU are one of our big winners! Winners need not attend the Zoom raffle drawing, and will be contacted to arrange pickup.
Buy tickets NOW to win great prizes, and provide important support for our shul!
Click here to Purchase tickets: https://www.islandsynagogue.org/form/Raffle2021
You must purchase tickets before March 12th, 2PM!
ZOOM LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81897659583
Click HERE for Wednesday Zoom class
Click HERE for Thursday Talmud class
Click HERE for Island Synagogue Facebook Class
Code To Joy: The World’s Happiest Kept Secret
IT'S A QUESTION that has launched a thousand self-help seminars, a riddle that has perplexed multitudes, a mystery that enthralled the ancients: What is the secret of happiness? Jewish thought has long emphasized the importance of living with joy. But how? And can you really choose to be happy?
This extraordinary course goes beneath the surface to find answers. Synthesizing timeless Jewish wisdom and the latest findings from the field of positive psychology, we look at how wealth, meaning, trust, optimism, regret, faith, introspection, mindfulness, relationships, and ritual all interrelate with our outlook on life. Packed with spiritual insights you can apply to real life, you’ll love every minute of discover-ing the Code to Joy.
We invite you to crack the code and find the key to J-O-Y in every lesson.
Please email me at devorahkornfeld@hotmail.com to register and for the zoom link.
Best,
Devorah Kornfeld
2021 Live Interactive Jerusalem tour series
You are invited to reconnect to Jerusalem with live, interactive Zoom tours presented by StandWithUs.
Meet your tour guide Yoni and see a video preview here.
Tickets are free for Island Synagogue members; $10 per family for non-members.
March 14, 9:00am (Morning) - Mishkenot Shaananim. This is the revolutionary first neighborhood built outside the walls of the Old City. While visiting the neighborhood's vintage windmill and original houses, we will examine the events that led to its creation, its founding by Sir Moses Montefiore, and its critical role in history-from the War of Independence through the Six-Day War.
April 11, 8:30pm (Evening) - Gilo Strategic Tour. At Jerusalem's southern edge, we will examine Jerusalem's post-1967 expansion, peer into Bethlehem, and understand historical and current security challenges and potential solutions while standing next to a section of Israel's security barrier.
April 18, 9:00am (Morning) - Nachlaot. Walk through the colorful alleyways of the sixth neighborhood built outside the walls of the Old City. Comprised of 32 different and smaller neighborhoods, Nachlaot was founded by Jewish immigrants from around the world who endowed each neighborhood with their own identity. We will discover the incredible characters and the diverse cultures that have made Nachlaot into a haven for haredim and hipsters alike.
We are grateful to Barry and Erica Kaplan for sponsoring this tour in memory of their parents, Lillian and Stanley Kaplan and Esther and Michael Green.
Click HERE to Register NOW!
VISIT US
Our hospitality committee is dedicated to creating a welcoming atmosphere for observant Jews visiting Island Synagogue.
If you are visiting Western Washington, or would like simply to visit Island Synagogue for Shabbat or a holiday, please contact us at Hospitality@islandsynagogue.org and we will do our best to accommodate your needs and introduce you to our warm community.
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