Congregation Sha'are Shalom

03/03/2025

Ramadan Mubarak to our Muslim friends worldwide. We wish you strength and patience as you observe this holy month.

We look forward to our festive Iftar dinner with the American Turkish Friendship Association this Sunday at CSS. Please RSVP now at:
https://tinyurl.com/ATFACSSIftar

03/02/2025

Happy Women's History Month! This March, we celebrate and honor the accomplishments of the women who have gone before us to lead the way.

Learn more about how women have shaped the course of American history at https://www.womenshistorymonth.gov/

02/28/2025

Shabbat Shalom! Join us for services Friday at 6:30pm and Saturday at 9:30am, both in-person and on Zoom.
RSVP now for the Iftar Dinner with the American Turkish Friendship Association on Sunday, March 9.
Please note the security guidelines in place for services: https://www.shaareshalomleesburg.org/worship
For more details on all of our upcoming services and programs, please check the weekly newsletter and our website.

02/26/2025

CSS welcomes our guests from the American Turkish Friendship Association for an Iftar Diner. Iftar is the evening meal of Muslims that breaks their daily fast during Ramadan. We will share a vegetarian meal and come together in friendship. Kindly RSVP by March 6.

02/25/2025

Music & Meditation 2/25/25: Today's M&M is peaceful music and beautiful views primarily of Israel's natural wonders. May God bless us all with peace.

Israel 4K Drone Nature Film - Peaceful Piano Music - Natural LandscapeIsrael, situated in the Middle East, is a land of rich history and diverse culture. Thi...

02/21/2025

Shabbat Shalom! Join us Friday evening for Shabbat services at 6:30pm. Saturday services are in celebration of Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month. JDAIM Shabbat with Bimah Club will meet at 9:30am in the Sanctuary with Sensory Shabbat at 10:30am in the Admin Pod. Sensory Shabbat will feature low lighting, comfortable seating, acoustic music and movement.
Please note the security guidelines in place for services: https://www.shaareshalomleesburg.org/worship
Please see the weekly newsletter and our website for details on all of our upcoming services and programs.

02/21/2025

In these uncertain days, as we celebrate the return of some of our hostages while we wait with bated breath for others–the entire Masorti/Conservative world is coming together to read one psalm a day through the completion of this hostage deal, in order to pray for their safe return.
Sign up to receive a weekly email with the psalm for each day and with a kavana (intention) from our rabbis that connects the text to our current situation–in English and Hebrew.
https://masortiolami.org/psalms-for-the-hostages

02/20/2025

Today is an extremely difficult day for the Jewish people. We stand in solidarity with the families of:
Shiri Bibas
Ariel Bibas
Kifir Bibas
Oded Lifsh*tz

May their memory be a blessing.
(זכרונו לברכה)

02/18/2025

Music & Meditation: We hope for all to return but know not all will come home alive. We pray those who suffer will know we're supporting them from a distance with all our hearts. We hear this feeling in the song by Meshina "Come back, come back".

Come back, come back, back me up,
when, when will I love
maybe, maybe I'm infatuated
dream, dream, leave off now.

It's written in the books
in the songs and astrological charts
what is everybody looking for?
hoping for happiness
and fate is colored in fog deep inside
don't cry little sister
it's not easy, you understand...

Tomorrow tomorrow's a new day
air air I'm excited
come back, come back give me your back
maybe maybe I will love
come back, come back give me your back
when when will I love
maybe maybe I'm captured
dream dream go now...

Mashina - Tahzor Tahzor עם יוסי בנאי ז"למילים:תחזור, תחזור תן לי גבמתי, מתי אני אוהבאולי, אולי אני נגנבחלום, חלום לך עכשיוזה כתוב בספרים בשירים במפות הכוכבים...

02/18/2025

Rabbi Tow and Rabbi Ferratier (CBE) led a Chevra Kadisha training at the new NOVA Jewish funerals site in Vienna on Sunday. Rabbi Amy Sapowith and a group of 30 trainees - from 5 congregations across the DMV - participated. This site is the first dedicated Jewish funeral service in Virginia. Zane, standing in the middle, is one of the owners. We thank Gary, Jonanthan & Ellen, the other staff, for supporting our Chevra work and welcoming us warmly to the site.

02/17/2025

If you can, lend a hand for this week's shelter meal! We are very short on donations and need side dishes, veggies, fruit and desserts. Please consider helping with this important mitzvah in our community. Drop-offs are Tuesday from 4:30-5:00pm.

02/17/2025

Happy Presidents' Day! The CSS office is closed today in observance of the holiday.

02/14/2025

Shabbat Shalom! Join us for services Friday at 6:30pm and Saturday at 9:30am, both in-person and on Zoom.
See you next Saturday, February 22, for JDAIM Shabbat at 9:30am. We invite you to join us for an inclusive and affirming Shabbat service for all ages and abilities.
Please note the security guidelines in place for services: https://www.shaareshalomleesburg.org/worship
Please see the weekly newsletter and our website for details on all of our upcoming services and programs.

02/14/2025

Join us next Saturday morning for a Shabbat service celebrating Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month.

At 10:30am, we invite all ages to join us as we begin a "Sensory Shabbat" service with Shabbat songs, low lighting, and movement based experiences. We will gather together for a communal kiddush after Shabbat services end.

02/13/2025

A wonderful message from Masorti Israel for T"u Bishevat - the power of our roots

02/13/2025

Happy T”u Bishevat - today is the ‘New Year of Trees’ - Please join us tonight at 7:30 pm (on Zoom) for a study session on trees, the environment and more.

02/12/2025

Join us on Zoom this Thursday evening at 7:30pm for a session of online learning for Tu Bishvat with Rabbi Tow and Rabbi Aft.

02/12/2025