Tikkun Leil Purim
1. Thursday 2/25 - TLS Help Make Hamantashen in Silver Spring
2. Saturday 2/27 - Tikkun Leil Purim @ 2201 P St NW
3. Frequently Asked Questions about Tikkun Leil Shabbat
____ 1. Thursday 2/25 - Help Make Hamantashen for TLS! ____
+ THURSDAY, February 25 at 6:45 pm
+ Moishe House Silver Spring, 639 Mississippi Ave, off Sligo Ave.
Join fellow TLS participants in the hekhsher-only (kosher certified) kitchen of Moishe House Silver Spring to make homemade triangular Purim treats -- Hamantashen! -- for Tikkun Leil Shabbat's erev Purim gathering on Saturday night, February 27th.
+ Please bring either a jar of hekhshered (kosher certified) jam or filling, or $3 to help with purchasing ingredients.
+ For more on Hamantashen: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamantaschen
+ To help make Hamantashen: shelly.kremer@gmail.com
____ 2. Saturday 2/27 - Tikkun Leil Purim @ 2201 P St NW
+ TLS' Erev Purim Celebration on SATURDAY, February 27 at 7:30 pm
+ Church of the Pilgrims, 2201 P St NW
Please come in costume for a whimsical, instrumental maariv (evening) service, followed by a full Hebrew chanting of Megillat Esther.
(Plan now to spontaneously but inobtrusively liven up the reading with sound effects, visual gags, and other shtick!)
dvar tikkun: Kids on the Block, Inc. uses puppetry to teach children about disability, medical conditions, and social issues.
::::::::::::: Feel free to bring: :::::::::::::
+ two or more "mishloach manot" baskets (Purim GOODIE BAGS) to exchange with others
(Traditionally folks each give at least two such goody bags on Purim, each containing at least two different ready-to-eat food treats. Our mishloach manot swap, like our potluck dinners, will be a two-table affair, with one table for vegetarian goodie bags and another for vegetarian goodie bags whose contents also carry a hekhsher, or kosher certification.)
For more on Mishloach Manot, click here.
+ creative graggers/noisemakers (especially BOXES OF RICE to shake or food cans that can be banged upon with spoons) which will be donated afterwards to Capital Area Food Bank
+ SNACKS or DRINKS to share.
+ FIFTY CENTS or more in cash to donate as part of "mahatzit haShekel"
(Purim tradition of donating half of one unit of the local currency)
to benefit Food for All DC which operates out of the Universalist National Memorial church.
For more on Mahatzit HaShekel, click here.
+ CASH or CHECKBOOK to donate as part of "matanot la'evyonim" (Purim tradition of giving funds to fight poverty)
to organizations that have given divrei tikkun (presentations) at TLS
____ Frequently Asked Questions About Tikkun Leil Shabbat _____
> Who participates in Tikkun Leil Shabbat?
We are Jews from birth, Jews by choice, people committed to both traditional and non-traditional Jewish practice, non-Jews, and people
exploring Judaism; LGBT and straight; people of color, Sefardi, Mizrachi and Ashkenazi; Virginians, Marylanders, DC residents, and
people from other places; Conservative, Orthodox, Reconstructionist, Reform, Renewal, secular, and Jewish without labels; people with no
formal Jewish education, Jewish educators, and people with all other types of Jewish backgrounds. We tend to be heavily 30's and 20's, with
participation by folks of all ages.
> What does "Tikkun Leil Shabbat" mean?
First, some vocabulary:
l'taken (v) = to repair or heal
tikkun olam (n) = the holy work of repairing the world
tikkun leil Shavuot (n) = The name of this havurah is a play on this term, which refers to the annual all-night Torah study session which spiritually "heals" the world on the spring holiday of Shavuot.
Shabbat (n) = Jewish day of rest from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, when we stop running around trying to accomplish things and make some time to breathe and bless, eat and love.
Tikkun Leil Shabbat is a welcoming, restful, songful community where we glimpse redemption at dusk on a Friday evening (with occasional special holiday gatherings), eat things with tofu and noodles in them, learn from each others' thoughts and experiences, and educate ourselves about the good work people are already doing to make our city a gentler and fairer place for everyone who lives here.
> What style of services will these be?
All of our services are fully egalitarian, full liturgy with much singing. Micro variations to the words of the prayers are up to the person leading services. Sometimes we sit in a circle and the service is accompanied by acoustic guitar and percussion. Sometimes we sit in rows and the service is unaccompanied. The style of service is announced in advance.
> What siddur (prayerbook) do you use?
Tikkun Leil Shabbat participants bring a wide range of prayerbooks, including Conservative, Orthodox, Reconstructionist, Reform, and nondenominational siddurim, and some participants prefer to pray without a printed text. We provide copies of Siddur Chaveirim Kol Yisraeil ("the purple siddur"), which contain the text of the evening service in Hebrew, in English, and transliterated phonetically in English letters.
> What should I wear to Tikkun Leil Shabbat?
Anything you want. You'll see people wearing suits, jeans, and flowing funky garments, with sandals and with dress shoes, with covered and uncovered heads. For our Erev Purim celebration, you're encouraged to come in costume!
> What kind of food should I bring?
The Erev Purim gathering will not include a full potluck meal. If you'd like, you're welcome to bring any of the following:
(1) "Mishloach manot" baskets (Purim GOODIE BAGS) to exchange with others
(Traditionally folks each give at least two such goody bags on Purim, each containing at least two different ready-to-eat food treats. Our mishloach manot swap, like our potluck dinners, will be a two-table affair, with one table for vegetarian goodie bags and another for vegetarian goodie bags whose contents also carry a hekhsher, or kosher certification.)
For more on Mishloach Manot: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mishloach_manot
(2) Creative graggers/noisemakers (especially BOXES OF RICE to shake or food cans that can be banged upon with spoons) which will be donated afterwards to Capital Area Food Bank
(3) Other snacks or drinks to share
> I keep kosher in a particular way. Will I be able to get mishloach manot and snacks at TLS?
There will be one table of vegetarian snacks and mishloach manot, and another table of vegetarian snacks and mishloach manot that are also hekhshered or prepared in hekhsher-only kitchens. We hope this will make it possible for everyone to eat and for everyone to contribute food.
Learn more about the "two-table" potluck phenomenon here:
http://mahrabu.blogspot.com/2006/02/hilchot-pluralism-part-i-two-table.html
> I'm not Jewish. Can I come?
Yes!
> I am Jewish, but I'm probably not "Jewish enough" to come to something like this. Can I come?
Yes, you are, and yes, please come!
> I'm not in my twenties or thirties. Can I come?
Yes!
> I'm not a member of the inner circle of Jewish cool people in DC. They all know each other already. Can I come?
Yes! These gatherings gain strength from each person who joins us. (If an inner circle of Jewish coolness exists, we're not in it, either.)
> Who organizes Tikkun Leil Shabbat?
Tikkun Leil Shabbat is a lay-led havurah entirely organized by volunteers.
* Participants in the TLS community bring potluck dishes to share, lead services, suggest and give divrei tikkun, wash dishes, and find
all sorts of lovely and creative ways to enrich our community.
* The "Tachlist" is an email list of particularly reliable TLS volunteers who are periodically called upon to help set up, clean up, and otherwise keep Tikkun Leil Shabbat running smoothly. (tachlis = "nitty gritty" in Yiddish.) To join the list, email tikkunleilshabbat@yahoo.com.
* The Tomchei Tikkun are the coordinating team of Tikkun Leil Shabbat (tomchim = "supporters" in Hebrew.). The Tomchei Tikkun take an ongoing and active role in both the logistics of each TLS gathering and the opportunities for decision-making and community-maintenance that arise between TLS gatherings. Every six months or so, the team's members choose to rotate off or remain on the Tomchei Tikkun, and any openings are filled through an application process. Currently, the Tomchei Tikkun are Ari Appel, Laura Bellows, Amy Egan, Stefan Gottschalk, Rachel Hutt, Hilary Krieger, Lori Leibowitz, Ethan Merlin, Sarah Meyers, Lisa Morenoff, Joelle Novey, Becca Rosen, Adina Rosenbaum, and Leah Staub.
> Can I help? I'd like to get involved.
Yes! If you're interested in helping set up, clean up, lead services, give a d'var tikkun, or help in some other way, email: tikkunleilshabbat@yahoo.com.
You're also welcome to make a financial contribution, which will enable Tikkun Leil Shabbat to secure a space to meet going forward.
Tikkun Leil Shabbat is a project of Jews United for Justice (JUFJ), an organization which engages the Washington-area Jewish community in local campaigns for social justice, and donations to Tikkun Leil Shabbat are acknowledged as tax-deductible through JUFJ. Donate online or send a check payable to "Jews United for Justice" (memo line: "restricted gift for Tikkun Leil Shabbat") and mail to 1413 K St. NW, 5th Fl., WDC 20005.
> What is Jews United for Justice?
Tikkun Leil Shabbat is a program of Jews United for Justice (www.jufj.org). JUFJ is a warm, grassroots organization that engages the Jewish community in local activism for social and economic justice. To learn more about JUFJ's current activities and campaigns, join the JUFJ email list: info@jufj.org.
"When [the month of Purim] enters, we increase in joy!" -- Talmud Taanit 29
1. Thursday 2/25 - TLS Help Make Hamantashen in Silver Spring
2. Saturday 2/27 - Tikkun Leil Purim @ 2201 P St NW
3. Frequently Asked Questions about Tikkun Leil Shabbat
____ 1. Thursday 2/25 - Help Make Hamantashen for TLS! ____
+ THURSDAY, February 25 at 6:45 pm
+ Moishe House Silver Spring, 639 Mississippi Ave, off Sligo Ave.
Join fellow TLS participants in the hekhsher-only (kosher certified) kitchen of Moishe House Silver Spring to make homemade triangular Purim treats -- Hamantashen! -- for Tikkun Leil Shabbat's erev Purim gathering on Saturday night, February 27th.
+ Please bring either a jar of hekhshered (kosher certified) jam or filling, or $3 to help with purchasing ingredients.
+ For more on Hamantashen: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamantaschen
+ To help make Hamantashen: shelly.kremer@gmail.com
____ 2. Saturday 2/27 - Tikkun Leil Purim @ 2201 P St NW
+ TLS' Erev Purim Celebration on SATURDAY, February 27 at 7:30 pm
+ Church of the Pilgrims, 2201 P St NW
Gothic building w/ rainbow banner on west side of 22nd St between P & Q Sts, NW.
Enter around to the left side of the main entrance through the stairs down marked "Fellowship Hall." Directions here.
Enter around to the left side of the main entrance through the stairs down marked "Fellowship Hall." Directions here.
Please come in costume for a whimsical, instrumental maariv (evening) service, followed by a full Hebrew chanting of Megillat Esther.
(Plan now to spontaneously but inobtrusively liven up the reading with sound effects, visual gags, and other shtick!)
dvar tikkun: Kids on the Block, Inc. uses puppetry to teach children about disability, medical conditions, and social issues.
::::::::::::: Feel free to bring: :::::::::::::
+ two or more "mishloach manot" baskets (Purim GOODIE BAGS) to exchange with others
(Traditionally folks each give at least two such goody bags on Purim, each containing at least two different ready-to-eat food treats. Our mishloach manot swap, like our potluck dinners, will be a two-table affair, with one table for vegetarian goodie bags and another for vegetarian goodie bags whose contents also carry a hekhsher, or kosher certification.)
For more on Mishloach Manot, click here.
+ creative graggers/noisemakers (especially BOXES OF RICE to shake or food cans that can be banged upon with spoons) which will be donated afterwards to Capital Area Food Bank
+ SNACKS or DRINKS to share.
+ FIFTY CENTS or more in cash to donate as part of "mahatzit haShekel"
(Purim tradition of donating half of one unit of the local currency)
to benefit Food for All DC which operates out of the Universalist National Memorial church.
For more on Mahatzit HaShekel, click here.
+ CASH or CHECKBOOK to donate as part of "matanot la'evyonim" (Purim tradition of giving funds to fight poverty)
to organizations that have given divrei tikkun (presentations) at TLS
____ Frequently Asked Questions About Tikkun Leil Shabbat _____
> Who participates in Tikkun Leil Shabbat?
We are Jews from birth, Jews by choice, people committed to both traditional and non-traditional Jewish practice, non-Jews, and people
exploring Judaism; LGBT and straight; people of color, Sefardi, Mizrachi and Ashkenazi; Virginians, Marylanders, DC residents, and
people from other places; Conservative, Orthodox, Reconstructionist, Reform, Renewal, secular, and Jewish without labels; people with no
formal Jewish education, Jewish educators, and people with all other types of Jewish backgrounds. We tend to be heavily 30's and 20's, with
participation by folks of all ages.
> What does "Tikkun Leil Shabbat" mean?
First, some vocabulary:
l'taken (v) = to repair or heal
tikkun olam (n) = the holy work of repairing the world
tikkun leil Shavuot (n) = The name of this havurah is a play on this term, which refers to the annual all-night Torah study session which spiritually "heals" the world on the spring holiday of Shavuot.
Shabbat (n) = Jewish day of rest from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, when we stop running around trying to accomplish things and make some time to breathe and bless, eat and love.
Tikkun Leil Shabbat is a welcoming, restful, songful community where we glimpse redemption at dusk on a Friday evening (with occasional special holiday gatherings), eat things with tofu and noodles in them, learn from each others' thoughts and experiences, and educate ourselves about the good work people are already doing to make our city a gentler and fairer place for everyone who lives here.
> What style of services will these be?
All of our services are fully egalitarian, full liturgy with much singing. Micro variations to the words of the prayers are up to the person leading services. Sometimes we sit in a circle and the service is accompanied by acoustic guitar and percussion. Sometimes we sit in rows and the service is unaccompanied. The style of service is announced in advance.
> What siddur (prayerbook) do you use?
Tikkun Leil Shabbat participants bring a wide range of prayerbooks, including Conservative, Orthodox, Reconstructionist, Reform, and nondenominational siddurim, and some participants prefer to pray without a printed text. We provide copies of Siddur Chaveirim Kol Yisraeil ("the purple siddur"), which contain the text of the evening service in Hebrew, in English, and transliterated phonetically in English letters.
> What should I wear to Tikkun Leil Shabbat?
Anything you want. You'll see people wearing suits, jeans, and flowing funky garments, with sandals and with dress shoes, with covered and uncovered heads. For our Erev Purim celebration, you're encouraged to come in costume!
> What kind of food should I bring?
The Erev Purim gathering will not include a full potluck meal. If you'd like, you're welcome to bring any of the following:
(1) "Mishloach manot" baskets (Purim GOODIE BAGS) to exchange with others
(Traditionally folks each give at least two such goody bags on Purim, each containing at least two different ready-to-eat food treats. Our mishloach manot swap, like our potluck dinners, will be a two-table affair, with one table for vegetarian goodie bags and another for vegetarian goodie bags whose contents also carry a hekhsher, or kosher certification.)
For more on Mishloach Manot: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mishloach_manot
(2) Creative graggers/noisemakers (especially BOXES OF RICE to shake or food cans that can be banged upon with spoons) which will be donated afterwards to Capital Area Food Bank
(3) Other snacks or drinks to share
> I keep kosher in a particular way. Will I be able to get mishloach manot and snacks at TLS?
There will be one table of vegetarian snacks and mishloach manot, and another table of vegetarian snacks and mishloach manot that are also hekhshered or prepared in hekhsher-only kitchens. We hope this will make it possible for everyone to eat and for everyone to contribute food.
Learn more about the "two-table" potluck phenomenon here:
http://mahrabu.blogspot.com/2006/02/hilchot-pluralism-part-i-two-table.html
> I'm not Jewish. Can I come?
Yes!
> I am Jewish, but I'm probably not "Jewish enough" to come to something like this. Can I come?
Yes, you are, and yes, please come!
> I'm not in my twenties or thirties. Can I come?
Yes!
> I'm not a member of the inner circle of Jewish cool people in DC. They all know each other already. Can I come?
Yes! These gatherings gain strength from each person who joins us. (If an inner circle of Jewish coolness exists, we're not in it, either.)
> Who organizes Tikkun Leil Shabbat?
Tikkun Leil Shabbat is a lay-led havurah entirely organized by volunteers.
* Participants in the TLS community bring potluck dishes to share, lead services, suggest and give divrei tikkun, wash dishes, and find
all sorts of lovely and creative ways to enrich our community.
* The "Tachlist" is an email list of particularly reliable TLS volunteers who are periodically called upon to help set up, clean up, and otherwise keep Tikkun Leil Shabbat running smoothly. (tachlis = "nitty gritty" in Yiddish.) To join the list, email tikkunleilshabbat@yahoo.com.
* The Tomchei Tikkun are the coordinating team of Tikkun Leil Shabbat (tomchim = "supporters" in Hebrew.). The Tomchei Tikkun take an ongoing and active role in both the logistics of each TLS gathering and the opportunities for decision-making and community-maintenance that arise between TLS gatherings. Every six months or so, the team's members choose to rotate off or remain on the Tomchei Tikkun, and any openings are filled through an application process. Currently, the Tomchei Tikkun are Ari Appel, Laura Bellows, Amy Egan, Stefan Gottschalk, Rachel Hutt, Hilary Krieger, Lori Leibowitz, Ethan Merlin, Sarah Meyers, Lisa Morenoff, Joelle Novey, Becca Rosen, Adina Rosenbaum, and Leah Staub.
> Can I help? I'd like to get involved.
Yes! If you're interested in helping set up, clean up, lead services, give a d'var tikkun, or help in some other way, email: tikkunleilshabbat@yahoo.com.
You're also welcome to make a financial contribution, which will enable Tikkun Leil Shabbat to secure a space to meet going forward.
Tikkun Leil Shabbat is a project of Jews United for Justice (JUFJ), an organization which engages the Washington-area Jewish community in local campaigns for social justice, and donations to Tikkun Leil Shabbat are acknowledged as tax-deductible through JUFJ. Donate online or send a check payable to "Jews United for Justice" (memo line: "restricted gift for Tikkun Leil Shabbat") and mail to 1413 K St. NW, 5th Fl., WDC 20005.
> What is Jews United for Justice?
Tikkun Leil Shabbat is a program of Jews United for Justice (www.jufj.org). JUFJ is a warm, grassroots organization that engages the Jewish community in local activism for social and economic justice. To learn more about JUFJ's current activities and campaigns, join the JUFJ email list: info@jufj.org.