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Yom Kippur Discussion - Wednesday, September 19, 3:00 p.m.
As we reflect on our personal and communal wrongdoings on Yom Kippur, pledging to do teshuvah and seeking forgiveness from those we have harmed, community activist Roderick "Rudy" Bankston will address the school-to-prison pipeline, the process through which students of color are disproportionately pushed out of schools and into prisons. He will also discuss how the practices of restorative justice can contribute to ending mass incarceration. Learn more about Rudy and his upcoming discussion here!
Multiple Narrative Tour in Israel-Palestine
February 26 - March 5, 2019
Deadline to register September 30, 2018
Shaarei Shamayim is sponsoring a 7-night trip to Israel and Palestine through MEJDI Tours. This tour will offer a combination of rich historical, cultural, and spiritual experiences, introducing participants to Israeli and Palestinian narratives with the goal of building understanding and respect for the people living in the region. It will focus on the impact of the Israeli occupation and explore obstacles to a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. For more information or to book your tour, visit our tour web page or contact Shannon Okuonghae at shannon@mejditours.
Community Bnei Mitzvah Celebration
Never celebrated a bar or bat mitzvah? Looking to get more comfortable leading parts of a Shabbat service? Learn to lead the service, chant some Torah, give a dvar Torah, and anything else – either as a group or as individuals. Don’t be overwhelmed! You might only prepare one line of Torah and some short remarks on the portion.
If you’ve chanted Torah before but you’ve never really taken responsibility for leading a whole service, consider joining the group as well. Contact office@shamayim.org if interested!
Fundraisers: Voces de la Frontera and the Gaza Water Project
Shaarei Shamayim is continuing our work with Voces de la Frontera, Wisconsin's leading immigrant rights organization. Last year we raised $62,000 so that the Madison office could hire its first full-time organizer. Our members and friends will host several small house parties this fall and winter to continue to support the organization and fight for immigrant rights. If you would like to get involved, please contact the office.
Shaarei Shamayim has joined a coalition to help provide clean drinking water to children in Gaza, who are suffering from polluted water. Find more information about this project here.