Mid-January 2021 Newsletter

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See below for the Mid-January announcements! Featured in today's newsletter: WJOA Board Openings Virtual Shabbats: 1/15, 2/12 Thank You Card Workshop: 1/17 Modern Israel Through Literature and Film: 1/19  Virtual Game Night: 2/4 Virtual Book Club: 2/28 Schmooze News WJOA Board Openings Interested in getting more involved with this group? The Wandering Jews of Astoria has openings for board positions. A small amount of time can help us plan events and strengthen the Jewish community in Western Queens. To learn more, contact us! Join Us for Virtual Shabbat! Friday, Jan. 15, 7 p.m. This week, a special guest will present the D’var Torah: author and journalist Susan Katz Miller! Susan Katz Miller is the author of Being Both: Embracing Two Religions in One Interfaith Family. Her new interactive book designed to help all families figure out their own best pathway, The Interfaith Family Journal, came out in 2019. She is considered the top expert on interfaith families celebrating more than one religion, and has spoken across the country and abroad.  Susan will join our “social hour” after the service, so feel free to prep some questions for Susan to answer then! Link to register here – Facebook event here   Friday, Feb. 12, 7 p.m. This week, a special guest will present the D’var Torah. Link to register here Thank You Card Workshop Sunday, Jan. 17, 2 – 4 p.m. Let's kick off 2021 with an attitude of gratitude! Join us for a virtual Thank You Card Workshop. We will lead you through writing thank you's to whoever is in your heart – whether that be a loved one that gave you a thoughtful gift over the holidays, a friend that's supported you through this challenging year, or a frontline worker who deserves a show of gratitude!  During the workshop, we will also swap stories of gratitude and share the moments that motivated us to say, "Thank you!" Register here! A link to connect via Zoom will be sent to you the day of the event. Here is the Facebook event. Please note that since this event is virtual, attendees who would like to send physical cards will need to supply their own stamps and card supplies. Modern Israel Through Literature and Film Tuesday, Jan. 19, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Join WJOA member Polina Kroik for this detailed presentation and discussion as we will explore lesser-known aspects of contemporary Israel through literature and film. Stepping away from clichés and divisive debates, we will focus on the complexity of Israeli society, paying particular attention to questions of identity and belonging. By looking at excerpts from works by authors such as Amos Oz, Sayed Kashua Yehuda Amichai and Mahmoud Darwish, as well as a number of films, we will learn about the many voices, identities, and struggles for acceptance and recognition that comprise modern Israel. Polina Kroik is a writer and an adjunct professor. She’s contributed to publications such as Lilith Magazine, Alma, and the New York Daily News, and published a book on women and work. Polina teaches a course on Israeli Literature and Film at Baruch College, CUNY. polinakroik.com You can contact Polina with questions about this event. To attend this virtual talk on zoom, please RSVP by registering in advance for this meeting here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Here is the Facebook event. Virtual Game Night – Fishbowl Thursday, Feb. 4, 7:30 – 9 p.m. Join Emily, Ali and Jonah for a virtual game night. We'll play Fishbowl, which is a combination of Taboo, Charades, and Password. Check it out here. RSVP to Jonah, and he will send the Zoom link. It's gonna be fun! Here is the Facebook event. Virtual Book Club Sunday, Feb. 28, noon Grab your favorite brunch food and join us as we eat, chat, and discuss the book "My Year of Rest and Relaxation" by Ottessa Moshfegh (304 pages). If you have any topics or discussion questions you would like covered, email Jonah. Also email him to get the Zoom link. Here is the link to buy the book at Astoria Bookshop. Here is the Facebook event. Schmooze News   MLK Weekend of Action Lots of great volunteer opportunities coming up for MLK weekend through Repair the World (in-person and virtual). More volunteer opportunities on MLK Day, Monday, Jan. 18, through UJA Foundation (in-person, hybrid, and virtual). Ohel Ayalah Offerings Torah Study with Rabbi Judith Tuesday, Jan. 19, 7 – 7:30 p.m. Is a seller permitted to "prettify" merchandise? May one misrepresent a product's age or conceal its flaws? Did the rabbis, some of whom were businessmen, engage in these practices? Link to register: Meeting Registration – Zoom Ohel Ayalah LIC Speaker Series: Batya Levine Thursday, Jan. 21, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Join OA LIC and Rabbi Aron for a conversation with and teaching by Batya Levine on Thursday, January 21st at 6:30 p.m.! Batya Levine uses song as a tool for cultivating healing and resilience in her work as a communal song leader, musician, shaliach tzibur (Jewish prayer leader) and cultural organizer. She has just released her first album, Karov. You can check out more about her work and music at www.batyalevine.com. Link to register: OA LIC Speaker Series: Batya Levine Central Synagogue's 20s and 30s First Fridays Join Central Synagogue's 20s and 30s group in welcoming Shabbat on the first Fridays of the month. To get the link, RSVP to Rabbi Dan. Save the dates for First Friday Shabbats for the rest of the year: Friday, February 5 Friday, March 5 Friday, April 9 (special Second Friday!) Friday, May 7 Friday, June 4 Combat Food Insecurity in Our City! Mayor Bill de Blasio estimates that over 2 million people — roughly a quarter of the city — could be food insecure, according to a recent article by Eater New York, linked here. This article also details a number of ways that you can get involved with local groups to help combat hunger! Check it out and get involved! One of our favorite local groups is Astoria Fridges, community fridges that provide free, accessible food to the Astoria community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you have an excess of food, donate some to an Astoria Fridge near you (click here for a map of locations). Have an event you'd like to organize or share? As always, please don't hesitate to send them our way! Stay safe and well during these trying times! —The WJOA Team

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