Rabbi's Blog

TI Community,

I am sure you, like me, have your heads full of all the traumaic events enfolding around us. Unfortunately, they keep coming. This weekend was marred by violence in Israel and the details of the killing of Tyre Nichols in Memphis. Our hearts are heavy and we continue to strive for how we can take some meaningful steps in response.

In addition, over the last few months there have been an alarming number of incidents of gun violence in Ward 4 of DC, where Tifereth Israel is located. Clergy of various houses of worship have come together to think of ways to minimize the number of these incidents in the future. The outcome of these discussions is that we need to start by bringing the community together in solidarity, in prayer, and in conversation. These are some meaningful steps we can take.

To fulfill these goals, there has been a 72 hour vigil planned for this week. It will begin tomorrow, Monday evening, at 7:00 and continue until 7:00 Thursday evening. Throughout this period, there will be at least one house of worship open for people to gather, converse and pray. You can find the schedule by clicking here.
Some of the times will have structured conversations to brainstorm ways that the community can work together to confront the issue. Some of the time will be for people to have informal conversations to get to know others and offer encouragement and support. Lastly, some of the time will be devoted to organized prayer or individual prayer. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. You don't have to live in Ward 4, or even DC, to show your support and concern.

TI will be participating in the vigil in two main ways.

1.       On Tuesday and Wednesday, TI will be open for the community to gather from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. As a part of this time we will hold a Mincha service each day at 1:00. We will include special readings and prayers as part of the service. Mincha is a good way to take a break in your day and reset. If you can arrange a lunch break at that time, come to TI to participate. If you have room in your schedule at all during that 11:00-3:00 time, come and meet others in our community.

2.       On Wednesday evening, the community gathering will be at Emory Fellowship (6100 Georgia Avenue NW) with whom TI has had a long relationship of collaboration. Attending the gathering there will be a good time for our communities to come back together after this long period of Covid has kept us apart.

For the times at TI, on Tuesday and Wednesday, it will be good to have an idea of who is available to come. Specifically, we will need people to be at the entrance to open the door for people and direct them to the sanctuary. We will also need to have a minyan at 1:00. To sign up for a time slot, visit this Google spreadsheet and put your name in the time slot you think you will be able to be at TI. On the sheet, there are slots for people attending and people helping at the door. The 1:00 time slot has more spaces to be sure we have enough for a minyan.

I hope you are able to join us in these gatherings,
Rabbi Werbow