A new progressive Jewish congregation is forming in Jackson Heights.... see below. This is a separate initiative from the Jackson Heights Chavurah that started up earlier this year.
Shalom to All:
We of "J-Hope" are delighted to introduce ourselves officially as
Kehillat Tikvah: A Jewish Community of Hope! We look forward to bringing our cooperative energies and voices to Jewish life in Jackson Heights, Queens and beyond.
Attached (and below) is a partial schedule of our programs leading into the High Holy Days, along with our KT Mission Statement. (The formatting is likely to be more coherent in the attachment, if you can open it.)
We have also tentatively scheduled our first monthly
Kehillat Tikvah Shabbat for September 12-13 (Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat service, Saturday morning Tot Shabbat and late morning / early afternoon Torah service and study).
Our wheel is in spin! As I write,
Kehillat Tikvah is in the process of incorporating for tax-exempt status, as well as arranging rental space for our programs and services. We hope to share information on membership dues and benefits, High Holy Day tickets and schedules, and other vital information VERY SOON.
Meanwhile, please SAVE THE DATES on the schedule below (and attached), take a moment to read our Mission Statement for a better understanding of our emerging congregation, watch for updates on locations and times, and share this information with anyone else who may be interested.
We look forward to meeting you in Jackson Heights!
With many blessings for the seasons ahead,
Rabbi Regina L. Sandler-Phillips, MSW, MPH
** Please reply to
kehillat.tikvah@gmail.com **
THE JEWISH HOLIDAYS ARE "LATE" THIS YEAR...
BUT WILL YOU BE READY FOR THEM?
Join us for ANY or ALL of 5 evenings in Jackson Heights—
and discover what connects Jewish learning, prayer and community!
A SEASON FOR TURNING:
TOWARD THE HIGH HOLY DAYS — AND BEYOND
with Rabbi Regina Sandler-Phillips
of Kehillat Tikvah: A Jewish Community of Hope
As we approach the fall holiday season, many Jews struggle with questions about ritual, belief, personal change and the possibility of community. YOU’RE NOT ALONE! Join
Kehillat Tikvah for any or all of the following programs as we move through ELUL, the Jewish month of reflection and preparation, into the Jewish New Year 5769.
Thursday, September 4th: "RENEW OUR DAYS AS BEFORE"
Entering Jewish Time, Turning Toward the Possibilities
Thursday, September 11th: "WHO SHALL LIVE AND WHO SHALL DIE?"
Heshbon Nefesh ("Soul Accounting") and the 7th Anniversary of 9/11
Saturday, September 20th:
SELIHOT ("Forgivenesses") SERVICE
Following a Family-Friendly Potluck Dinner and
Havdallah (End of Shabbat) Ceremony
Thursday, September 25th: TURNING, REACHING OUT, AND GIVING
Three Time-Honored Resources for Finding Our Way Through the "Days of Awe"
Thursday, October 2nd:
TASHLIKH ("Casting Away") CEREMONY
Letting Go of What Holds Us Back from a More Fulfilling Life
We will also be offering High Holy Day Services on September 29-30 and October 8-9 *
LOCATIONS AND TIMES TO BE ANNOUNCED — SAVE THE DATES!
* For more information, write to
kehillat.tikvah@gmail.com
Kehillat Tikvah: A Jewish Community of Hope is a congregation of individuals and families who seek to learn, explore, and sustain the teachings and practices of egalitarian Judaism from a shared local neighborhood base in Queens.
We are engaged in an active and respectful dialogue with each other from our various personal backgrounds and perspectives, as well as with Jewish traditions across the denominational spectrum. We accept the challenges of Brit / Covenant in developing our individual and collective commitments to Jewish life, thought and action.
Our vision of Judaism is inclusive of diverse personal orientations, lifestyles and family structures. We are committed to the full and equal participation of women and men in Jewish life; and we affirm the Jewishness of children who are raised as Jews by at least one Jewish parent, whether father or mother. We welcome and honor the involvement of the non-Jewish parents and other relatives in raising Jewish children, even as we understand that these individuals may or may not be oriented toward a Jewish spiritual path themselves.
In keeping with the traditional Jewish view of the world as supported by three foundations, Kehillat Tikvah seeks to serve as:
- Beit Midrash / A House of Study for lifelong, intergenerational education; for learning and applying skills, values, and ethics; for participation in cultural programs and activities
- Beit Tefilah / A House of Prayer for celebration and commemoration of life cycle events; for observance of Shabbat and holy days; for spiritual seeking and connection
- Beit K'nesset / A House of Assembly for welcoming like-minded individuals and families of all ages; for caring community support throughout the life cycle; for involvement and cooperation with other Jewish and general community groups in tikkun olam (repair of the world)