Chèvre,
Like some of you, I know what it's like to do sh'mira and now I know what it's like to have it done for my own loved ones. I encourage you to go to this and have the opportunity to do a great mitzvah. Having just gone through the deaths and burials of both my parents, I can attest to how deeply, deeply comforting it is to know that sh'mira is happening for your loved one. In the case of my mother, there weren't very many people available, but those who were available showed up with generosity and kindness. It gave me a profound sense of being held by my community. It inspired me to go to the meeting at Etiel's and be on the volunteer list. If you've never done it, I can also attest to how special it is. It feels very sacred to me, and when I have done it for people I cared about, it gave me an opportunity to love them and their families. Yet it is also very ordinary in that it doesn't take specialized skills and it is an act of being a kind "neighbor" to the family of the person who has passed. I hope I'll see some of you at Etiel's. In peace and blessings, Shira
3rd Annual Song of Songs Poetry Fest Last Day of Passover, Shabbat (Saturday), April 30th, 4:00 - 5:45 pm at the home of Robert Sward and Gloria Alford 435 Meder Street in Santa Cruz The afternoon will include a beautiful recitation of portions of Shir HaShirim, the “Song of Songs,” and the poetry of renowned and beloved local poets on the theme of “Sacred Love in the Garden.” There are also a number of spaces for community members to share their own original poetry. [Contact Rabbi Eli at rebeli@sbcglobal.net by April 23rd to RSVP, or to let us know if you would like to share your poetry, or to read from the Song of Songs]
How, in the 21st century, do we leave the corners of our fields for the widow, the orphan and the stranger?
We volunteer for the Interfaith Shelter Supper
at Peace United Church, of course!
Every third Sunday of the month, Chadeish Yameinu Jewish Renewal volunteers will bring dinner and breakfast for a community 15 to 20 wonderful folks who are trying to get back on their feet after some pretty bad luck. We eat dinner with them, but these folks do most of the work of setting out the meal and clearing up.
This coming Sunday, April 17, we need volunteers to bring dinner and breakfast to about 20 homeless individuals who are trying to get back on their feet after many misfortunes. If you can help by bringing a salad, vegetable, bread, drinks, dessert or breakfast (we have the main dish), please contact Lynn LeRose at lerosedelmar@hotmail.com, or Rose Ashford at rose@ashfields.net. We gather at 5:30 pm and eat dinner with our homeless guests at 6 pm. Call Rose at (831) 661-5014 if you need help with deciding what to bring.
Our upcoming dates are:
April 17
May 15
June 19
July 17
Can you help?
Contact Rose Ashford: rose@ashfields.net
Or Lynn LaRose: lerosedelmar@hotmail.com