Shalom Point

🔍 Discovering Tradition: Bdikat Chametz at Shalom Point 🕵️‍♂️

Join us at Shalom Point as we embark on the timeless ritual of Bdikat Chametz, the pre-Passover search for leavened bread. It's more than just cleaning house; it's about preparing our hearts for the upcoming holiday season.

🕯️ Here's how we do it:
1. Gather your tools: flashlight or candle.
2. Explore every nook and cranny for any hidden chametz.
3. Use a feather to delicately sweep away any crumbs.
4. Dispose of chametz respectfully before Passover commences.

Let's connect through tradition and celebration at Shalom Point. Together, let's make this Passover meaningful and memorable. 🌾🔥

🎉📖✨ Experience Purim in its Full Glory with us!

ONLINE - FREE

Join Shalom Point Singapore for an enchanting Biblical Purim celebration! Dive into the vibrant traditions and joyous festivities of Purim on March 7, 2024 (Thursday), from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm.

Discover:
📜 Engaging Readings: Delight in the captivating retelling of the scroll of Esther in both English and Hebrew.
🎵 Musical Revelry: Join us to sing along to beloved Purim melodies that resonate with the holiday spirit.
📚 Get a booklet featuring the Hebrew Scroll of Esther, including translation and transliteration, along with a brief explanation of the Purim holiday.

Gain Perspectives:
🗣 Listen to Mordy Miller, a Jerusalemite Jew and Ph.D. candidate (BGU) in Jewish Studies, as he shares personal experiences and unique insights into the significance of Purim.
💡 Additionally, gain a distinct perspective from Jasmine Kolano, a Ph.D. candidate (NTU) in Interreligious Studies and an American-Singaporean Evangelist, as she unveils her narrative and interpretation of this cherished celebration.

Event Details:
📅 Date: March 7, 2024 (Thursday)
🕢 Time: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
📍 Location: Zoom link will be sent upon registration
💰 Event Fee: FREE!
🎟 Register Now: Secure your spot by registering here.

Prepare to immerse yourself in the jubilant atmosphere of Purim and gain valuable insights into this cherished biblical celebration. We eagerly await your presence! 🌟

🌟 Exciting News from Shalom Point's Biblical Hebrew Class! 📚🕊️

Last week, 15 enthusiastic students from diverse backgrounds embarked on an incredible journey at Shalom Point, united by a common goal – to explore the richness of the Hebrew Bible in its original language. Under the expert guidance of Professor Mordy, the first class of this 8-meeting adventure unfolded with a captivating exploration of Biblical Hebrew.

In their inaugural session, students immersed themselves in the fundamentals, mastering the first 6 letters of the Hebrew alphabet (out of the 22) and delving into the intricacies of Nikkud. These diacritical signs enhance understanding of pronunciation and meaning in the Hebrew script.

Together, the class embarked on a fascinating journey through the Garden of Eden story, unraveling the layers of meaning embedded in the Hebrew words. For instance, the revelation that "Adam" is derived from "Adama," meaning soil, ground, or land, brought forth a profound realization of the interconnectedness of language and its biblical narrative.

A particularly intriguing discovery involved the etymology of "Adam" and "Adama," highlighting the symbolic relationship between Adam, the first man, and the very earth from which he was created. The exploration continued with the revelation that "Dam," meaning blood in Hebrew, is the source of Adam's power, forming a linguistic link that enriches the biblical narrative – DAM-ADAM-ADAMA.

Equally eye-opening was the revelation about the creation of Woman (Isha), yet to be named Eve. Contrary to popular belief, she wasn't fashioned from Adam's rib but rather was a part of Adam from the beginning. The Hebrew text suggests that woman was separated from man, forming a deep and symbolic connection that echoes through time. This insight sheds light on the age-old notion of partners being each other's 'other half,' aligning with the Biblical truth uncovered in the class.

As the students continue their journey through the intricacies of Biblical Hebrew, each class promises to unveil new layers of meaning and linguistic wonders. Stay tuned for more updates as this group of dedicated learners progresses on their quest to unlock the secrets of the Hebrew Bible! 📖🔍✨

If you would like to join our Biblical Hebrew course, stay tuned. We will announce the opening of the next course in the coming days!

🎉🌟 Experience Purim like never before in Singapore! Join us for an unforgettable celebration of tradition, music, and stories at Shalom Point Singapore! 📜🎶

📅 Date: March 7, 2024 (Thursday)
🕢 Time: 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
📍 Location: Kopar@Newton function room, Singapore 228606
💵 Event Fee: 18 SGD

Dive into the timeless tale of Esther, groove to Purim melodies, and indulge in delicious traditional pastries. Plus, gain unique insights from a Jerusalemite Jew and an American-Singaporean Evangelist as they share their personal Purim narratives!

Hurry, seats are limited! RSVP now to secure your spot and join us for an evening of celebration and learning. Don't miss out on this extraordinary Purim experience! 🎟️✨

RSVP Here: https://www.shalompoint.com/event-details/singapurim-singapore-purim-harmony

🎉📜

🍞✨ ? Let's talk about Challot Shabbat! 🕯️

🕎 Every Friday night and Saturday morning, Jewish families gather for a special meal, embracing tradition with two beautifully braided Challot. (Check out the amazing photo sent by our friends from Israel!)

🕎 Why two Challot? In Jewish tradition, having two Challot during the Shabbat meal holds deep symbolism. Some explanations suggest it represents the double portion of manna that fell from the heavens during the Israelites' time in the desert, which occurred on Fridays, providing sustenance for both Friday and Saturday.

🕎 But what's a Challah, you ask? It's a delicious, sweet, eggy bread that holds a lot of significance. Before digging in, there's a meaningful ritual. First, we wash our hands (Netilat Yadayim - find details in the comment post!) to purify ourselves, expressing our readiness to welcome the sanctity of Shabbat. Then comes the moment of silence. No chatting allowed! It's a sacred time when the family stands together, eagerly anticipating the blessing over the Challah.

🕎 We pause to thank God for providing us with sustenance and blessings, and the head of the family, whether it's the father or mother, blesses the Challah, expressing gratitude to the Divine for the abundance in our lives. We then split it, dip it in salt (symbolic of the sacrifices in the Temple), and pass it around the table to share in its deliciousness and the blessings it symbolizes.

🕎 There's truly nothing quite as heavenly as the taste of freshly baked Challah! 🤤

🕎 Mark your calendars for March 2024! Shalom Point is excited to invite you all to a Shabbat meal here in Singapore 🇸🇬 featuring authentic Challah! Stay tuned for details and get ready to savor the magic of this cherished tradition. 🌟🍽️

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🕍✨ How do you Jew? 🤔 Let's explore Netilat Yadaim (ritual hand washing)! 🌟

Did you know that in many Jewish homes, a special place and Natla (vessel) is dedicated to Netilat Yadaim? It's a beautiful custom practiced after using the restroom, before eating bread, and when waking up in the morning. 🌅✨

At Shalom Point, we value sharing the beauty and depth of Jewish traditions. 💧🙏 Hand washing isn't just about hygiene; it holds spiritual significance, too. It's believed to cleanse an impure spirit that sticks to the body during sleep.

Different occasions call for various practices, with customs varying on the number of hand washes. 🤲🔢 This photo from a Jewish Home in Israel (thank you for sending it!) reflects these cherished customs.

Let's celebrate these rituals that connect us to our heritage! 🌍

💫 Share with us: Do you have a similar tradition?

Let's expand our understanding together!

🕊️✡️

🌟 Explore Biblical Hebrew in central Singapore! Our course begins on Jan 11, 2024, led by Mordy, a native Hebrew speaker and Ph.D. candidate in Jewish Studies.

Expect:
📚 Learning the Hebrew Alef-Bet and Nikkud for Bible reading
📝 Essential Biblical vocabulary
📖 Exploring foundational texts
🧐 Studying the original Biblical language used by Jesus
🥙 Enjoy complimentary Pita and Falafel during workshop sessions.

Limited slots!

Uncover ancient wisdom.

Click for details & registration! 📚✨🕍🎓🔍

Biblical Hebrew Course with Mordy | Shalom-Point Unlock the ancient mysteries of Biblical Hebrew with Mordy as he guides you through the timeless language that brought scriptures to life. Join us on a journey back in time to explore the rich tapestry of the Hebrew Bible, word by word, in an immersive and enlightening course.

🕯️✨ Last Sabbath was truly special as Shalom Point had the honor of partnering with the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Jewish Agency for Israel, and Mosaic United for the inspiring Unity Shabbat project 🌍

In this initiative, communities, organizations, companies, and businesses from across the globe came together to celebrate a Sabbath of unity. We embraced the traditional Sabbath welcome, sang beautiful Israeli songs, shared the Kiddush, and offered insights about the Sabbath and the weekly Torah portion.

We are thrilled to be a part of uniting Jewish communities worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with friends of other faiths. In these challenging times, a guiding light is needed more than ever to dispel the darkness.

🙏 We share this heartfelt prayer to uplift our spirits:

"Our brothers, the entire House of Israel,
who are in distress and captivity,
who wander over sea and overland –

May God have mercy on them,
and bring them
from distress to comfort,
from darkness to light,
from slavery to redemption,
now, swiftly, and soon.

And let us say: Amen."

📸 In the photo, you can see the Shalom Point logo alongside several other incredible organizations that joined hands for this memorable Shabbat. Let's continue to spread unity and strength.

🌟 Honored to Share a Remarkable Experience 🌟

Yesterday, Mordy Miller, Founder of Shalom Point, had the privilege of participating in a truly inspiring event within the warm embrace of Singapore's vibrant Jewish community. The gathering was a beautiful testament to unity, bringing together leaders from diverse religious backgrounds, distinguished politicians, and esteemed public figures, including the former Prime Minister of Singapore, H.E. Mr. Goh Chok Tong, and H.E. Ambassador Eli Vered Hazan.

Mordy was honored with the opportunity to address the distinguished audience, and the tireless efforts of Ben J Benjamin, a senior member of our Jewish community, were instrumental in making this event a reality.

In his speech to Member of Parliament Nadia Ahmad Samdin, Mordy shared four key points:

The Sukkah: Mordy emphasized the importance of sitting in the Sukkah, a reminder of the hardships faced by the Israelites during their wanderings in the desert. It's crucial to remember our humble beginnings and remain connected to the virtue of humility. We recall the protection that the Divine provided us.

Chag Ha'Asif (The Festival of Ingathering; חג האסיף): Mordy explained that this festival is about gathering the harvest and fruits into our homes, symbolizing our focus on rejoicing in what we have. It's an opportunity to express gratitude for the beautiful things we've achieved and experienced in the past year.

The Four Species: Mordy drew a parallel between the practice of waving the four species (Etrog, Lulav, Hadass, and Aravah) during Sukkot and the diverse types of people coming together in unity. Just as these species are different but come together harmoniously, individuals with various strengths and backgrounds can achieve great things when they work together.

Ushpizin (Guests; אושפיזין): Mordy introduced the concept of "Ushpizin," which means welcoming guests in Aramaic. He explained that inviting biblical figures into the Sukkah daily during Sukkot is customary. Aaron, known for his dedication to peace and humility, is one of these honored guests. It's also a mitzvah to invite less fortunate individuals into our Sukkah, symbolizing the importance of inclusivity.

Mordy was deeply inspired by Member of Parliament Nadia A. Samdin's generosity, attentive listening, deep interest in the event, and humble yet dynamic personality. Nadia exemplifies true leadership qualities, and her presence left an indelible mark on all those in attendance.

Mordy extended a warm and heartfelt thank you to Mr. David Ezra, a dedicated community member, an English Literature teacher, and a reading enthusiast, who invited him to meet and speak before Nadia. Mr. Ezra's kind invitation made this meaningful exchange possible.

Stay tuned for more updates on the exciting journey of collaboration and unity with Shalom Point. 🌍🤝

***

In the photo: Mordy with PM Nadia and Gerald Kong of the Catholic community.

I had the incredible honor today of being called by a wonderful Israeli family right here in Singapore to help them assemble a Mezuzza on their entrance door. 🚪✡️

For those of you who might not be familiar, a Mezuzza is a beautiful tradition in the Jewish faith. It's a small, parchment scroll inscribed with verses from the Torah (specifically, Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21) that's placed inside a decorative case. This case is then affixed to the doorpost of Jewish homes, symbolizing faith, protection, and the importance of our relationship with the divine. 🙏❤️

It was a truly special moment to witness and be a part of this ancient tradition. As I helped the family attach their Mezuzza, we recited the traditional blessing together, embracing our heritage and strengthening our connection to our roots. 🌿✡️

May this Mezuzza bring blessings, love, and protection to this wonderful family's home and to all of you, my friends, from all religions and faiths. 🏡❤️

Yours,

Mordy
Founder
Shalom Point

🌟 Exciting News! Join Us for "Let's Talk Sukkot" 🌟

Dear Shalom Point Friends,

Shalom!

We are thrilled to invite you to our upcoming online event, "Let's Talk Sukkot," featuring none other than our very own founder, Mordy Miller! 🍋🍂

🗓 Date: October 1st, 2023
🕖 Time: 8 pm - 9 pm (Singapore time)
📍 Where: Online

In this enchanting event, Mordy Miller, along with a special guest, will take you on a captivating journey into the heart of Sukkot, the Biblical holiday also known as Tabernacles. You'll explore the symbolism of the Sukka, gain insights into the Four Species, enjoy soulful Sukkot music, relish memorable photos, and be moved by heartwarming personal stories.

🌿 Join us as we celebrate Sukkot traditions, culture, and the spirit of togetherness. It's an enriching experience you won't want to miss!

You can stay tuned for more updates and mark your calendars. Let's come together to celebrate