Shabbat Chanukah at the Zoo -- we've got it all

We've got hot latkes; we've got a great parsha.  We've got rowdy Chanukah stories, and a rousing p'sukei.  We've got a forecast for sunny weather, and a harmonious Hallel.  Come join us for a Shabbat Chanukah celebration!! (NOTE: Hot latkes and other holiday treats will be served *before* the Torah reading, so no worries for our blood-sugar-sensitive friends)

Thanks to our leyning volunteers (still one or two left, check out the spreadsheet).

Last-minute davenning leaders or davenning treats are encouraged.  And we need some storytellers (Story-readers)!  Over the centuries, our tradition has accumulated a dazzling array of stories about the origins of Chanukah, which are rarely told today.  We'll share a few together -- if you want to give one of them over, just write back for your own sneak preview, so you can read your story in advance, before reading for the group.

Torah schlepping and Zoo Minyan veggies would also be appreciated.  And if you think you're coming this shabbos, let us know, so we can be sure we've got a minyan -- and that we've got plenty of latkes!

The Details:

Zoo Minyan

This Saturday, Shabbat Chanukah, 12 December 

10am sharp, with a rousing Psukei d'Zimrah, and much more... 

Pot-luck dairy/veggie lunch -- main courses especially appreciated

At the home of Deborah Hittleman Flank and Shalom Flank in Woodley Park -- please email if you need directions, or check your latest Zoo Mail. 

Zoo Minyan - Sat. Dec. 12

In the midst of all the familiar and wonderful stories of Breishit, we also get to tell the story of Chanukah -- at the next Zoo Minyan, the first day of Chanuakh, December 12th.

Or rather, stories of Chanukah. There's the pig on the altar, the daughter dancing naked, the woman emerging from the tent with someone else's head -- oh, and that little vial of oil, which seems pretty tame in comparison.

Why so many stories, why so wild, and why don't we tell them very much anymore? We'll get a chance to tell a few, dissect them a little (better than dissecting a pig!), and hopefully add some of our own. Come join us for davenning, torah reading, lunch, and learning, shabbat-after-next.

---

Hey, have you checked out the recently posted drashes on this website? Enjoy!

-----

We'll be gathering for davenning, lunch, shmoozing, singing, etc., next Saturday in
<{TBD - still seeking host - want to volunteer???}>
(within walking distance of the Zoo, as is Zoo Minyan custom) at <{TBD - your name here? }> ;)

If you'd like to Leyn there are several short aliyot this time...use the self-service (sometimes quirky) leyning spreadsheet to sign up, or email leyning@ZooMinyan.org.

Volunteers sought for Zoo Minyan veggies, davenning treats (i.e. Kavanot or creative tidbits, not actual food ;) also Torah Transporter, and davening leaders – write back to info@ZooMinyan.org.


The Details:

Zoo Minyan
Next Saturday, Vayeshev, 12 Dec.
10am sharp, with a rockin' (Rock of Ages, get it?) Psukei d'Zimrah
Pot-luck dairy/veggie lunch -- main courses especially appreciated

At the home of <{check back}>. For directions, check next week's Zoo mail, or email info@ZooMinyan.org

Chanukah, hu chag tov!

Fri. night Zoo Minyan - Nov. 13

After a month of rest following the Chaggim, Zoo Minyan gladly resumes this Fri. night. Come transform the warmth of vibrant Autumn colors into a warm and vibrant Erev Shabbat.

We'll have spirited songful Davening and delicious dinner (catered entrees from Sienna's). This week we'll be in Woodley Park, at the home of Deborah & Shalom Flank. We're seeking davenning leaders, and there's always room for davenning treats, special niggunim, etc., just write back to Fridays@ZooMinyan.org to volunteer.

Please make a donation toward dinner and/or bring a potluck contribution (veggie/dairy) -- details below.


The Details:
This Friday night, Nov. 13
Shmoozing plus set-up: 6:00pm (check website Wed. to confirm times haven't changed)
Rockin' Kabbalat Shabbat -- 6:30pm sharp!
Followed by Ma'ariv, dinner, singing, drashing, more shmoozing....

At the home of Deborah & Shalom Flank

For directions, check your Zoo mail, or email info@ZooMinyan.org.

ABOUT DINNER (it's not just a pot-luck!)

We will have main courses from Siena's! Kosher, lots of dairy plus at least one non-dairy option, all veggie, and all yummy! Vegetable lasagna, eggplant parmesan -- send in your requests

For shabbat dinner, the community provides some hearty entrees. You can:

1. Contribute to the kitty to help pay for the entree AND / OR
   
2. Bring a side dish, salad, or desert as a dairy / veggie pot-luck contribution.
   

Don't worry about whether your kitchen is kosher (or “kosher enough”), everyone gets to contribute. But please be prepared to explain what's in your dish, to help people avoid allergy or kashrut issues.

If you're worried about whether you'll be able to eat at Zoo Minyan, there is always a critical mass of pot-luck contributions with a heksher or cooked in someone's heksher-only kitchen. There are always hekshered challot and grape juice, plus the entree is hekshered. And you'll get to know people as you ask who brought which dish. Questions? Ideas? Want to help? Need the address or directions? Write back to Fridays@ZooMinyan.org. Shabbos is coming!

-------

For more FRIDAY NIGHT INFO, get all the details here. And for all the upcoming Friday night dates (through Feb.), check the Zoo Minyan Google calendar (yep, it's there, just to your left, top of the page).

Sweet Circles of Torah Together

Hakafot for Shemini Atzeret!

We'll have low-key dancing with the Torah, with wonderful niggunim (let us know your favorites). We'll have some neo-hassidic-style teachings about the cycles of Torah, while inviting the 14 shepherds, the Ushpizin and Ushpizan from all of Sukkot.

There will also be plenty of time for schmoozing and snacking (in the sukkah, if that's your custom). Kiddush and motzi will be provided, and please bring along some serious snacks if you can (heksher-only, please).

Please let us know if you're coming:

• Fill out the survey
• Or add your name to the RSVP list
• Or just email us
  

-------------
So come gather together your tzitzit, your favorite niggunim, your verses of Tanach, and your dancing shoes!

These are the sweet, heartfelt, warm-up, and relatively brief kind of hakafot that are the hassidic minhag for the night of Shemini Atzeret -- possibly for the first time ever in DC?

-------------
THE DETAILS:
Friday night, October 9th, Shemini Atzeret
Starting at 8pm (enough time to daven elsewhere if you prefer)
At Deborah and Shalom's house in Woodley Park
(write to hakafot@zoominyan.org for directions)

Chag same'ach!

Wed. - Sukkah building, Thurs. - decorating (9/30, 10/1)

Now is the time to build and beautify, as we transition from the time of introspection to the joy of harvesting and community.

WEDNESDAY (Sept 30)
4pm - 7pm

We'll raise the Sukkah (mostly big nuts & bolts, pretty much hammer-free)


THURSDAY (OCT 1)
4pm - 7pm

We'll put up the panda-leftovers (bamboo) for schach, and
decorate the Sukkah (hang stuff from the rafters, attach tapestries, string lights)
---

No experience necessary!
Hope to see you there.

----------
The Details:

At the home of Deborah Hittleman Flank and Shalom Flank. For directions, check your Zoo mail, or email info@ZooMinyan.org


Chag Sameach!

Sweet Shabbat Shuva - Sept. 26

Shana Tovah!

Every year there are seven days between the end of Rosh Hashana and the beginning of Yom Kippur. Not surprisingly, the seven days are spread out across all the days of the week. We thus have the opportunity to make Teshuva for each day -- where did we fall short on Tuesday's during this past year? How did we let Sunday's be some much less than they could have been? What insults against Wednesday's did we wreak, intentionally or otherwise?

We have the chance, instead, to return each day of the week to its full self -- or really, to our full selves. And most of all, on Shabbat Shuva, we have the chance to return to Shabbat. Whatever we may have missed on Shabbatot during the past year, we can create some of it this Shabbos. Want a little more singing on Shabbos this year? Want to be with friends more? Do a little more learning? Take on more of a role in leading or leyning or organizing? This Shabbat of Returning is the shabbos to do a little more, be a little more.

So come celebrate Shabbat together as we each move towards the "me" we want to be.

-----

We'll be gathering for davenning, lunch, shmoozing, singing, etc., this Saturday in Woodley Park (within walking distance of the Zoo, as is Zoo Minyan custom) at Deborah and Shalom's house.

Volunteers still sought for Zoo Minyan veggies, davenning treats (i.e. Kavanot or creative tidbits, not actual food ;) also Torah Transporter, and davening leaders – write back to info@ZooMinyan.org.

If you'd like to Leyn there are several short aliyot this time...use the self-service leyning spreadsheet to sign up, or email leyning@ZooMinyan.org.


The Details:

Zoo Minyan
This Saturday, Shabbat Shuva, 26 Sept.
10am sharp, with a sweet as honey Psukei d'Zimrah
Pot-luck dairy/veggie lunch -- main courses especially appreciated

At the home of Deborah Hittleman Flank and Shalom Flank. For directions, check your Zoo mail, or email info@ZooMinyan.org

Shana Tovah Tikatavnah v'Taychatamna
and Tikateivu v'Taychateimu!

Fri. night Zoo Minyan Sept 11, + coming soon

UPDATE: We're at Maya's house!  Details below.

Welcome to Elul, a thoughtful time of reflection, anticipation, and accounting. Come bring your spirit, soul, thoughts, Kavannah/intention -and of course your Neshama Yetayra, that fabulous extra soul you gain each week to celebrate Shabbat.

We'll have spirited songful Davening and delicious dinner (catered entrees from Sienna's). This week we'll be in Cleveland Park (though the real estate agents call it Garfield Park), at the home of Maya Bernstein.   We're seeking davenning leaders, and there's always room for davenning treats, special niggunim, etc., just write back to Fridays@ZooMinyan.org to volunteer.

Please make a donation toward dinner and/or bring a potluck contribution (veggie/dairy) -- details below.

But first, COMING SOON:

!!! NEXT ZOO -------
Zoo Minyan will meet Shabbat Shuva --the Shabbat between Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur-- Saturday morning, September 26th.
Grab your leyning slot now, at www.TinyURL.com/Leyning. (Note: also HAFTORAH opportunity)

!!! SUKKAH BUILDING -------
SEPT 30: The Wednesday after Yom Kippur we'll raise the Sukkah (mostly big nuts & bolts, pretty much hammer-free -- plus panda-leftovers for schach) 4pm - 7pm
OCT 1: Then Thursday we'll decorate the Sukkah (hang stuff from the rafters, attach tapestries, string lights) 4pm-7-pm
----------

SHABBAT
The Details:
This Friday night, Sept 11
Shmoozing plus set-up: 6:30pm
Rockin' Kabbalat Shabbat -- 7:00pm sharp!
Followed by Ma'ariv, dinner, singing, drashing, more shmoozing....

At the home of Maya Bernstein

(not downstairs in the party room, as for so many other events that Maya has graciously hosted, but actually in her apartment -- we rate!)

For directions, check your Zoo mail, or email info@ZooMinyan.org.

ABOUT DINNER (it's not just a pot-luck!)

We will have main courses from Siena's! Kosher, lots of dairy plus at least one non-dairy option, all veggie, and all yummy! Vegetable lasagna, eggplant parmesan -- send in your requests

For shabbat dinner, the community provides some hearty entrees. You can:

1. Contribute to the kitty to help pay for the entree AND / OR
   
2. Bring a side dish, salad, drink, or desert as a dairy / veggie pot-luck contribution.
   

Don't worry about whether your kitchen is kosher (or “kosher enough”), everyone gets to contribute. But please be prepared to explain what's in your dish, to help people avoid allergy or kashrut issues.

If you're worried about whether you'll be able to eat at Zoo Minyan, there is always a critical mass of pot-luck contributions with a heksher or cooked in someone's heksher-only kitchen. There are always hekshered challot and grape juice, plus the entree is hekshered. And you'll get to know people as you ask who brought which dish. Questions? Ideas? Want to help? Need the address or directions? Write back to Fridays@ZooMinyan.org. Shabbos is coming!

-------

For more FRIDAY NIGHT INFO, get all the details here. And for all the upcoming Friday night dates (through Feb.), check the Zoo Minyan Google calendar (yep, it's there, just to your left, top of the page).

Sat. Aug. 22 - w/ special 'Labor on the Bimah' learning over lunch

Can't you just hear the Shofar blowing? It's a call to prayer!

We'll be gathering for davenning, lunch, shmoozing, and a special
"Labor on the Bimah" drash during lunch, all this Saturday in Woodley
Park at Deborah and Shalom's house. (details below)

Howard's "Labor on the Bimah" learning during lunch (even though we
don't have a bimah) is one of many events sparked by Jews United for
Justice (JUFJ), leading up to Labor Day. (JUFJ "Labor on the Bimah" events)

Volunteers still sought for Zoo Minyan veggies, davenning treats (i.e.
Kavanot or creative tidbit, perhaps from Summer Institute) also Torah
Transporter, and davening leaders – write back to info@ZooMinyan.org.

There are still short Aliyot available if you'd like to Leyn, (see 2, 3, & 4) - please use the self-service leyning spreadsheet.


Check for Drash-blogging and keep an eye on our Google calendar (Fall
dates will be posted soon) at our new-ish website: www.ZooMinyan.org

Community Announcement:
There's a light brunch this Sunday, August 23, for Kibbutz Hannaton, a
renewed community and educational center, in a beautiful setting in
the Galilee, where diverse, committed young Jews are working to claim
Israel's future by living and teaching the ideals of Pluralism,
Spirituality, Social Justice, Environmentalism, and Peace and
Reconciliation, all in the context of rigorous text study. For more
info, click here.

Now, back to Shabbat...
------------------------------
The Details:

Zoo Minyan
This Saturday, Shoftim, 22 Aug.
10am sharp, with a melodious Psukei d'Zimrah
Pot-luck dairy/veggie lunch -- main courses especially appreciated

At the home of Deborah Hittleman Flank and Shalom Flank. For directions, check your Zoo mail, or email info@ZooMinyan.org

Welcome to Elul, and
Shabbat Shalom!

Back home

Good shabbos!  Zoo Minyan was well represented at the Havurah Summer Institute last week.  Lots of ruach, new melodies, and new friends should animate the davenning back here in DC -- at TLS tonight and at Zoo Minyan next shabbos.

We'll be meeting for shabbat morning davenning next week, August 22nd.  Details to follow in next week's Zoo Mail -- but you can sign up now to bring some davenning treats home from the Institute (or from anywhere else), or for leyning, davenning, hosting, torah schlepping (such holy schelpping!), Zoo Minyan Veggies etc.  Just write back to info@ZooMinyan.org

Don't forget to check www.ZooMinyan.org for the latest updates.  There's a new drash for tomorrow's Shabbos Mevarchin, you can add Zoo Minyan to your Google Calendar, sign up for an automatic (RSS) feed, find out the name of Becca & Michael's beautiful daugther, sign up for leyning, and lots more.  We're also thinking about adding niggunim to the website -- anyone want to help?

Last but not least, the returning Zoo Minyanaires brought home brand new copies of Siddur Birkat Shalom!  If you would like to purchase your very own (at cost -- with updated grammar, a better binding, and infused with all the latest kavanah), write back to siddur@ZooMinyan.org

Good ol' fashioned Sat. at Zoo Minyan - July 11th

We'll be gathering for davenning, lunch, shmoozing, singing, etc., this Saturday in Woodley Park at Deborah and Shalom's house.

Volunteers still sought for Zoo Minyan veggies, davenning treats (i.e. Kavanot or creative tidbits, not actual food ;) also Torah Transporter, and davening leaders – write back to info@ZooMinyan.org.

If you'd like to Leyn there's one aliyah left (Revii)...use the self-service leyning spreadsheet to sign up, or email leyning@ZooMinyan.org.


The Details:

Zoo Minyan
This Saturday, Pinchas, 11 July
10am sharp, with a joyous Psukei d'Zimrah
Pot-luck dairy/veggie lunch -- main courses especially appreciated

At the home of Deborah Hittleman Flank and Shalom Flank. For directions, check your Zoo mail, or email info@ZooMinyan.org

Shabbat Shalom, hey!

July 11th - coming soon

Shabbos is coming!

Reb Deb here with a brief reminder that Zoo Minyan will be meeting next week, Parshat Pinchas, July 11th.

(I kinda' wish it was this week so i could drash on Parshat Balak, and use my famous utterance from a Tish preceding a wedding ceremony, where i had the opportunity to shout as the groom spoke about Balak & Balaam, "Tell us about your as&!" (referring to the talking donkey, not groom's backside of course!) Oy!

So, re: Pinchas, come bring your thoughts on Brit Shalom, or on continuity or succession (Joshua & Moses). Or just come for the Ruach and the singing ;)

Leyners, davenners, davenning treats, Zoo Minyan veggies, torah schlepping-- it's all yours for the asking. Just write back to info@ZooMinyan.org. Or for leyning, head to tinyurl.com/leyning to claim your slot.

(location Details in your next Zoo Mail)

Shabbat Shalom!
zoominyan.org

**Afternoon** Sat. June 27 - Seudah Shlisheet / Minchah

Zoo Minyan Sat. **afternoon**
for
summertime Seudah Shlisheet!

Something for everyone -- eating, singing,
brief davenning / leyning, a little learning
---
(We've taken two items as a sign - not a lot of Leyners signed up this week, and there's a farewell Community Lunch for Cherrie Daniels & Jeff Fistel (moving to Oslo - she's a diplomat!) in a nearby party room (see Adas Trad Egal Minyan for details if you're interested.)
Now back to Zoo Minyan...
-----------------------------

The Details:

Zoo Minyan
Saturday, SEUDAH SHLISHEET, 27 June
**5pm**, niggunim, noshing, & Minchah
Pot-luck dairy/veggie supper

Last minute volunteers for davenning and davenning treats are all welcome, just write back to info@ZooMinyan.org

At the home of Deborah Hittleman Flank and Shalom Flank in Woodley Park.
For directions, check your Zoo Mail, or write to info@ZooMinyan.org.

-----------------

And don't forget to mark your calendars for the fast approaching July 11th Zoo Minyan (Sat.). Grab your leyning slot early, at www.TinyURL.com/Leyning

For more FRIDAY NIGHT INFO, get all the details here. Next Fri night Zoo Minyan - July 24th. And for all the upcoming Friday night dates (through September -- can you believe it?), check the Zoo Minyan Google calendar.

Fri night June 19th - Cleveland Park

Zoo Minyan davenning in the Miller -&- Potluck at Stefan's (Under the Stars)!

'Tis a shabbos for diversity within community. Those who participated
in sunrise services on Shavuot experienced first-hand the ruach of
many Minyanim davenning together.

This week Zoo Minyan will be davenning together with Ruach Minyan
(which started as Van Ness Minyan, and is now housed and blossoming at
Adas Israel). Afterwords we will have a joint potluck in the building
next door, at the home of Stefan. Rumor has it, he'll be hosting us
outside under the stars.

Speaking of Under the Stars -- Zoo Minyan cordially invites people to
mix-and-match davenning and dinner with the broader Adas Israel
community's "Shabbat Under the Stars" (http://adasisrael.org/
newsletter/KesherIshi_ThisWeek.htm#stars), the one-year anniversary of
Rabbi Gil Steinlauf's arrival in our community.
If the early 6:15 dinner doesn't match your schedule, join Rabbi
Steinlauf for davenning on Adas's front porch at 7:30, then come down
to Zoo / Ruach at Stefan's for a pot-luck dinner 8:30ish *after*
davenning. If dinner with the Adas community is appealing, but you
prefer a shomer shabbos space for davenning (no instruments), and/or
nusach shivyoni, then come join us in Adas' Miller Chapel at 7pm.

So come enjoy the cool evening, and see old friends and new friends.

We'll have spirited songful Davenning (in Zoo Minyan Nusach Shivyoni -
adapted language) and delicious dinner. We're still seeking davenning
leaders, and there's always room for davenning treats, special
niggunim, etc., just write back to
Fridays@ZooMinyan.org to volunteer.

NOTE: there will not be catering from Sienna's this week. Please bring
a potluck contribution (veggie/dairy) -- details below.

The Details:
This Friday night, June 19th
Rockin' Kabbalat Shabbat -- 7pm sharp!
----> Miller Chapel, Adas Israel

Followed by pot-luck dairy/veggie dinner, singing, drashing,
shmoozing....(main courses especially appreciated)
----> At the home of Stefan, in Cleveland Park.

For directions, check your Zoo Mail, or write to info@ZooMinyan.org.


+++ ABOUT DINNER - it's a pot-luck!

Don't worry about whether your kitchen is kosher (or “kosher enough”),
everyone gets to contribute. But please be prepared to explain what's
in your dish, to help people avoid allergy or kashrut issues.

If you're worried about whether you'll be able to eat at Zoo Minyan,
there is always a critical mass of pot-luck contributions with a
heksher or cooked in someone's heksher-only kitchen. The challot and
grape juice are always hekshered. And you'll get to know people as you
ask who brought which dish. Questions? Ideas? Want to help? Write back
to Fridays@ZooMinyan.org. Shabbos is coming!

And don't forget to mark your calendars for the fast approaching June
27th Zoo Minyan (parshat Korach!). And feel free to grab your leyning
slot early, at www.TinyURL.com/Leyning

For more FRIDAY NIGHT INFO, get all the details here. And for all the upcoming Friday night dates (through September -- can you believe it?), check the Zoo Minyan Google calendar.

Shavuot at the Zoo

It's the only one-day yontiff of the year, but we've got a lot going on for Shavuot at Zoo Minyan. Check the calendar for details on the Tikkun, starting Thursday night -- until we all reach Sinai and receive the Torah at dawn.

Then sleep to your hearts content on the 1st day of Shavuot, wake up and join us for:

Blintz Fest at Deborah and Shalom's
- 1st Day of Shavuot
- 4pm, May 29

No RSVP necessary.

-----------------------------

Come join Shalom & Deborah for their Annual Shavuot Blintz Fest!
(Fri. 5/29) Come by starting at 4pm.
Blintzes come fresh from Grandma's heirloom blintz pan - you are invited to bring toppings. If you are in the mood, other hekshered potluck items are welcome but certainly not required. Eat bubbelah eat!

Fri. night Davening will follow the Blintz Fest.  It will be both yontiff and shabbos, so there will be an abbreviated Kabbalat Shabbat.  Though since we'll be following the nusach Shivyoni / nusach Sefard minhag, not quite as abbreviated as nusach Ashkenaz -- Ps. 29, 1st two and last two verses of l'cha dodi (no limit on the ya-dai-dai's), and then mizmor shir l'yom ha-Shabbat.

After davenning, we'll have a pot-luck shabbos dinner.  Even if you're stuffed from blintzes, stay, shmooze some more, have a ka-zayit of challah....Unlike the usual Zoo custom, please bring heksher-only pot-luck contributions (if you're not sure whether your kitchen counts as heksher-only, just write back to info@zoominyan.org and ask).

And if we still have any energy after dinner, there could even be a little of learning (a "micro-tikkun"?).  Maybe just some highlights of people's favorite learning from various tikkunim the night before; or if you've got something you want to share, bring it along!

Tossing Desserts in the Desert this Shabbos

With the glorious spring weather we've been having here in DC - the breezes, the greenery, and the rain showers that make all that growth possible, it's a bit of a contrast thinking about this week's parsha - Bamidbar. The desert! Which is similar but slightly different in spelling than 'dessert'. Which reminds me, there will be time during the torah reading for throwing candy, but we're getting ahead of ourselves...

This Shabbat:

We'll be gathering for davenning, lunch, shmoozing, singing, etc. this Saturday at the home of Laura, Darya, Sarah, & Scott. Once again we will be on the Mount Pleasant side of the Zoo. We'll also have the joy of an Aufruf this Shabbos i.e. the traditional pelting with candy of 2 beloveds about to be ritually joined for life under the Chuppah. The whole community is invited, so don't skip this week just because you may not know the Bride or Groom - Nechama and Toby.

Volunteers for leyning are not needed (there is one left if you want it), but volunteers for leading, davenning treats, torah schlepping, and the famous Zoo Minyan veggies are very much appreciated – write back to info@ZooMinyan.org.

The self-service leyning spreadsheet is:
tinyurl.com/leyning
(maybe sign up for June?? 'tis the season of Torah after all, what with Shavuot coming soon!)

Please check out our Google calendar and all sorts of other goodies at
our (still excitingly new) website: www.ZooMinyan.org. Two new drashot are up this week, the link for contributing to the Friday night kitty, plus lots of other goodies. You can even add the Zoo Google calendar to your Google Calendar view --
AND... we now have dates through
THE CHAGGIM (Oct.)

A huge line-up of events for next week, from co-sponsoring the Tikkun Leil Shavuot with TLS and Adas, to Blintzfest and Kabbalat Shabbat.  More details on the Zoo calendar, as always.

For help adding Zoo Minyan to your calendar, email EzratSysAdmin@ZooMinyan.org ;)

The Details:

Zoo Minyan
This Saturday, 23 May 2009
Parshat Bamidbar,
10am sharp, with a joyous Psukei d'Zimrah
Pot-luck dairy/veggie lunch -- main courses especially appreciated

At the home of Laura, Darya, Sarah, & Scott, in Mt. Pleasant.

For directions, check your Zoo Mail, or write to info@ZooMinyan.org.

May Day at the Zoo

Come celebrate May Day at Zoo Minyan this Friday night!

May Day's earlier origins include a focus on May Flowers, indeed the Roman goddess of flowers (Flora). Even with the wild gyrations of April weather, what have you noticed blossoming this season? Either literally or figuratively?

At the Zoo Minyan version of May Day, we'll have spirited songful Davening and delicious dinner (catered entrees from Sienna's). We're meeting this week at Deborah & Shalom's house, on the Woodley Park side of the zoo. We're still seeking davenning leaders, and there's always room for davenning treats, a special niggunim, etc., just write back to
Fridays@ZooMinyan.org to volunteer.

Please make a donation toward dinner and/or bring a potluck contribution (veggie/dairy) -- details below.

The Details:
This Friday night, May 1st
Shmoozing plus set-up: 6pm
Rockin' Kabbalat Shabbat -- 6:30pm sharp!
Followed by Ma'ariv, dinner, singing, drashing, more shmoozing....

+++ ABOUT DINNER (it's not just a pot-luck!)

We will have main courses from Siena's! Kosher, lots of dairy plus at
least one non-dairy option, all veggie, and all yummy! Vegetable
lasagna, eggplant parmesan -- send in your requests

For shabbat dinner, the community provides some hearty entrees. You
can:
1) Contribute to the kitty to help pay for the entree
AND / OR
2) Bring a side dish, salad, drink, or desert as a dairy / veggie pot-luck contribution.

Don't worry about whether your kitchen is kosher (or “kosher enough”), everyone gets to contribute. But please be prepared to explain what's in your dish, to help people avoid allergy or kashrut issues.

If you're worried about whether you'll be able to eat at Zoo Minyan, there is always a critical mass of pot-luck contributions with a heksher or cooked in someone's heksher-only kitchen. There are always hekshered challot and grape juice, plus the entree is hekshered. And you'll get to know people as you ask who brought which dish. Questions? Ideas? Want to help? Need the address or directions? Write back to Fridays@ZooMinyan.org. Shabbos is coming!

And don't forget to mark your calendars for the fast approaching May 23rd Zoo Minyan, where the usual joys of Shabbos and Zoo Minyan will be even further enhanced by the opportunity to celebrate the Auf Ruf of Nechama & Toby! Whether you already know them or want to make new friends, all are welcome and encouraged to attend! Grab your leyning slot early, at www.TinyURL.com/Leyning

For more FRIDAY NIGHT INFO, get all the details here. And for all the upcoming Friday night dates (through September -- can you believe it?), check the Zoo Minyan Google calendar.

Not a good shabbos -- a "great" shabbos

Friday night begins "Shabbat ha-Gadol", the last shabbos before Pesach. We'll be celebrating with a great shabbos at the Zoo Minyan -- and a picnic lunch at the Zoo!

The Details:

Zoo Minyan
This Saturday, Shabbat ha-Gadol, 4 April
10am sharp, with a great Psukei d'Zimrah
Pot-luck dairy/veggie picnic lunch -- bring all your chametz, main courses especially appreciated (note: crumbs left behind at the Zoo are definitely Hefker, ie ownerless)

Last minute volunteers for davenning, davenning treats, Zoo Minyan veggies, and leyning (tinyurl.com/leyning) are all welcome, just write back to info@ZooMinyan.org

Davenning at the home of Deborah Hittleman Flank and Shalom Flank in Woodley Park. Write to info@ZooMinyan.org for directions.

Picnic lunch at the National Zoo, starting at approximately 1:15.
During lunch, we'll have some learning for Shabbat ha-Gadol, including text from the special Yotzer for the day, and/or the haggadah review traditional for the afternoon of Shabbat ha-Gadol. Opportunities for extra brachot abound -- maybe birkat ha-ilanot (the annual blessing on blossoming fruit trees), and certainly mishane ha'briot (the wondrous variety of creation / creatures).

Directions:
From the Conn Ave entrance, walk down the main path (Olmstead Walk) about 250 yards to the picnic tables at the Panda Cafe -- on the right, opposite the Rhea (who lives just past the Zebra -- and how often do you get davenning directions like *that*?)

Multiplying Simcha

Our sages taught, Mi she-nichnas Adar, marbim l'simcha – whoever enters the month of Adar, their joy increases. “Marbim” connotes multiplying. That is, the joy in Adar doesn't come out of nothing. It multiplies, based on what was there before. “Marbim” also connotes multitudes. That is, by being amongst many, joy increases.

So come bring whatever joy you have, and come be in the midst of community for this Shabbat Zachor, the shabbos before Purim.

Leyners, davenners, davenning treats, Zoo Minyan veggies, torah schlepping-- it's all yours for the asking.  Just write back to info@ZooMinyan.org.  Or for leyning, head to tinyurl.com/leyning to claim your slot.

The Details:

Zoo Minyan
This Saturday, Shabbat Zachor, 7 March
10am sharp, with a joyful Psukei d'Zimrah
Pot-luck dairy/veggie lunch to follow -- main courses especially appreciated

At the home of Deborah Hittleman Flank and Shalom Flank in Woodley Park (for directions, write to info@ZooMinyan.org)

Purim is coming! We get to partake of the four mitzvot of purim (a warm-up for the four cups of pesach, but that's another story):

• Reading the Megillah
  
• The Purim Seudah (a feast during the day)
  
• Mishloach Manot (e.g., giving out hamentaschen)
  
• Tzedakah (Matanot l'Evyonim or Gifts to the poor)
  

This year, there are some new opportunities to help fulfill those mitzvot:

Tikkun Leil Shabbat is having its first-ever Megillah reading on Monday night, starting 6:45pm at the Josephine Butler Parks Center (2437 15th St NW). More details at www.tikkunleilshabbat.org.

Deborah is reprising her delicious JSC course from last year, hosting a hamentaschen baking on Sunday at 1pm, at her and Shalom's house. RSVP to yummm@zoominyan.org.

Finally, among the many, many deserving places for tzedakah: Purim is the only holiday that commemorates something that happened to us in a foreign land (without an exodus from that land). If you're looking for opportunities to help the poor help themselves in foreign lands,check out www.GlobalGiving.org

*****

Make sure you have Shalom & Deborah's annual Erev Shira on your calendar! Next Shabbos, March 14th, In honor of their joint birthday-week

5:30pm to ???

• Seudah shlishit, with plenty of niggunim and chassidic stories
• Into Havdalah, then we break out the guitars
  
• And the copies of Rise Up Singing (bring your own if you have them)

Zoo Minyan next shabbos (March 7th)

There will not be a Fri. night Zoo Minyan tonight after all.

Heartfelt apologies to those who had planned to celebrate Shabbat at Zoo Minyan this evening. Zoo Minyan management only just returned from safari in South Africa, where planning was stymied due to lack of internet access (i.e. none at all). The next Fri night davenning extravaganza will be *March* 27th instead. The calendar on the here on the website is now fully up to date.

We will daven as planned *next* shabbos morning, March 7th (Shabbat Zachor, the shabbat preceding Purim). Volunteers for leyning, leading, davenning treats, torah schlepping, and the famous Zoo Minyan veggies are very much appreciated – write back to info@ZooMinyan.org.

Or use the self-service leyning spreadsheet:
tinyurl.com/leyning

We bring regards from Jeff Dorfman, former Zoo Minyan Leyner with red hair & ponytail who left a few years ago to research malaria in Kenya. We wish him Mazal Tov on his wedding to Karen in Cape Town. They are part of a new Minyan you might enjoy. Let us know if you'll be in Cape Town and you are interested, and we'll connect you.

Shabbat Shalom,
the Zoo Minyan Maskirah

This Friday night, Zoo Minyan will be meeting again to welcome Shabbat with prayer, food, & song. What a fine way to finish this festive and joyous week in the political hothouse that is our home here in DC.

If you came last time (for the "inaugural" Fri night davening) welcome back! if you're already a Saturday Zoo Minyanite, come enjoy the "change" as we add Friday nights to our regular schedule. If you are new to Zoo Minyan, we "hope" you will join us.

The Details:

• This Friday night, January 23rd
  
• Shmoozing plus set-up: 5:30pm
  
• Rockin' Kabbalat Shabbat -- 6pm sharp!
  
• Followed by Ma'ariv, dinner, singing, drashing, more shmoozing....
  

ABOUT DINNER (it's not just a pot-luck!)

We will have main courses from Siena's! Kosher, lots of dairy plus at least one non-dairy option, all veggie, and all yummy! Vegetable lasagna, eggplant parmesan -- send in your requests (and vote for your favorite -- the poll on the left side of this site). 

For shabbat dinner, the community provides some hearty entrees. You
can:

1. Contribute to the kitty to help pay for the entree  AND / OR
   
2. Bring a side dish, salad, drink, or desert as a dairy / veggie pot-
   luck contribution.
   

To contribute to the kitty, please go to: http://tinyurl.com/ZooDinner

Don't worry about whether your kitchen is kosher (or “kosher enough”), everyone gets to contribute. But please be prepared to explain what's in your dish, to help people avoid allergy or kashrut issues.

If you're worried about whether you'll be able to eat at Zoo Minyan, there is always a critical mass of pot-luck contributions with a heksher or cooked in someone's heksher-only kitchen. There are always hekshered challot and grape juice, plus the entree is hekshered. And you'll get to know people as you ask who brought which dish.

• Questions? Ideas? Want to help? Write back to
  Fridays@ZooMinyan.org. Shabbos is coming!
  
  

At the home of Deborah Hittleman Flank and Shalom Flank in Woodley Park. For address and directions, please write to Fridays@ZooMinyan.org


+++ A few things to expect (besides the unexpected)

** Creative rituals and Kavanot
For example: To add sweetness from the week to shabbat, we will pass around the kiddush cup during kabbalat shabbat. For each of the mizmorim (psalms, corresponding to each of the days of the week), a few people at a time will share something from their week to add to our overflowing cup of joy.

** Nigunim
Both soulful and spirited tunes, with lots of repetition and space to sink into the melodies. (Sometimes, you don't really start singing a good melody under you've been singing it for 20 minutes!)

** Nusach shivyoni
Davenning leaders will be using our photocopied siddurim with egalitarian language (see the Guide for the Perplexed).  Other siddurim will also be available, and everyone is welcome to
daven from their own siddur. Certain kinds of cacophony / pluralism create their own harmony.

** Raza d'Shabbat ("the mystery of shabbos")
Between Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma'ariv, where Nusach Sefard has a passage from the Zohar and Nusach Ashkenaz has a passage from the Mishnah, we will have a (three minute) drash. Drawing on the text of the tefillot (or parshat shavua or other relevant texts), we aim to provide kavannah for davenning and for our entry into shabbos.

+++ LOGISTICS -- Helping out:

• Procure dinner entrees from Rockville
  
• Helping to organize clean-up
  
• Leading Kabbalat Shabbat
  
• Raza d'Shabbat: Kavanah / Torah between Kabbalat Shabbat and
  
• Ma'ariv
  
• Leading Ma'ariv
  
  Write back to Fridays@ZooMinyan.org to help out!
  
  Shabbat Shalom.