Re: Announcements: Shoftim
Maya Greenbaum
THE ORTHODOX MINYAN AT HARVARD HILLEL
Shabbat Shoftim
Shabbat: August 29th-30th, 2025 | 6 Elul, 5785
ALL DAVENING IS BACK AT HILLEL THIS SHABBAT in Beren Hall!! Additionally, we will be maintaining the 9:15am davening start time this week.
For those who are new to the community, welcome! Hillel's address is 52 Mt Auburn St. Beren Hall can be found by taking the stairs (in front of you as you walk in) up to the second floor, and following the hallway as it goes right. The women's entrance is the set of glass doors at the end of the hall. Access the men's entrance by following the hallway past the women's entrance, and then using the door on your left, just before the emergency exit.
Shabbat Shalom! This week is Parshat Shoftim. Please enjoy this bird themed, AI generated poem related to the parsha.
🕊️ Tzedek, Tzedek — A Poem of Shoftim and Birds
“Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” the words arise,
Like wings unfolding in the skies.
Not once, but twice, the call is made—
That justice never be betrayed.A falcon hovers, sharp and still,
Above the court, above the hill.
She sees the truth from heights above—
Not swayed by gold, but moved by love.Appoint the judges, guard the gate,
Let justice not arrive too late.
No bribe shall blind, no bias bend,
For every wrong must find its end.The dove does not divide the air—
She glides in peace, in silent prayer.
So too must rulers rule with grace,
And never shame the human face.For every feather, every flight,
Reminds us what is just and right:
To chase down truth, though hard the climb,
Though justice hides, like wings in time.“Tzedek, tzedek”—not in vain,
We echo through the wind and rain.
Pursue it swift, pursue it strong—
Like birds that know where they belong.
Shabbat Times
Mincha: 7:00pm
Candle Lighting: 7:04pm
K”S and Maariv: Following mincha
Shacharit: 9:15am
Tot Shabbat: 10:30am – if a volunteer is able to lead it – please contact Maya or Julia
Latest Sh’ma: 9:26am
Mincha: 6:50pm
Maariv/Havdalah: 8:06pmSponsorships
Kiddush this week is sponsored anonymously in honor of Rabbi Ethan and Bella’s first Shabbat in the community! Welcome!
Seudah Shlishit this week is sponsored by the minyan.
If you're interested in sponsoring in the future, please contact Adena (kiddush) or Maya or Julia (seudah shlishit).
We are looking for a new Seudah Shlishit chair! If you are interested in filling this role, please reach out to Maya or Julia!
Upcoming Learning Opportunities
Write for the CanTab! Sign up here, or contact Ezra or Mike for more information.
Elul Weekly Chaburah on Rambam’s Hilchot Teshuva: Join for a weekly chaburah on Wednesday evenings at 7pm, just for the month of Elul, to delve into Rambam’s Hilchot Teshuva! Cold Press orders will also be arranged! For more details, please contact Sarah Wertheimer.
Community-led mishmar! Thursdays, after Maariv
Join us for community-led shiurim on a wide range of topics. We often order pizza, and there is always interesting discussion. For more details, please contact Ezra.
Discussion of Chaim Saiman’s Halacha: The Rabbinic Idea of Law, Monday evenings at 8:15pm. For more information or to request the Zoom link, please contact Mike or Ezra.
We are looking for more shiurim! If you are interested in teaching (whether once or regularly), please reach out to Ezra and Mike.
Announcements
Welcome Back BBQ: Look out for announcements about our upcoming annual Welcome Back BBQ happening on Sunday September 14!
New to the community? If you’re new to the community, please share your information here to connect with fellow newcomers and receive invitations from community members eager to host.
https://tinyurl.com/new-community-member
Sign up to help with kiddush! Having a robust kiddush committee is key to having the wonderful kiddush each week we've become accustomed to. Please fill out this form to volunteer to help with kiddush in the future!
Camberville Eruv: The Camberville Eruv is in need of new checkers! The eruv is divided into 3 sections, with checkers specializing in one of the sections. Currently, one section is understaffed. It is covered by only two teams of checkers, which means these volunteers have to check every other week! Are you able to help out and volunteer to check the eruv? Typically, the commitment is to check once every 3-4 weeks, but there is some flexibility with this. Please let the eruv leadership team know if you are interested or have any questions by emailing Amy Robert at info...@nceruv.org
Please familiarize yourself with Harvard Hillel's exits in case of emergency. In addition to the main staircase, there are exits through the door behind the men's section and through the door to the left of the elevator. This section is now back in business! Welcome back to Hillel! In continuation of last week’s other news, Barry! Breakfast is ready! Coming! Hang on a second. Hello? - Barry? - Adam? - Can you believe this is happening? - I can't. I'll pick you up. Looking sharp. Use the stairs. Your father paid good money for those. Sorry. I'm excited. Here's the graduate. We're very proud of you, son. A perfect report card, all B's. Very proud. Ma! I got a thing going here. - You got lint on your fuzz. - Ow! That's me! - Wave to us! We'll be in row 118,000. - Bye!
The ZA'AKAH Peer-Support Hotline is available as a resource to our community for those who feel they need to talk to someone on Shabbat. It is not a substitute for professional crisis intervention. Call, text, or WhatsApp 1-888-4-ZAAKAH (1-888-492-2524).
Minyan Times
(Services are held only if the status is listed as "ON" on the signup sheet)
Shacharit (M-F at Hillel)
Monday/Thursday: 7:15am
Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday: 7:25am
Mincha/Maariv (Location TBA)
Sunday-Wednesday: pending signups
Thursday: Preceding/Following Mishmar
Please check the signup sheet/whatsapp group for daily information.
In other special news, we want to call attention to our shout-out today in the NYT Connections game:
