Congregation Tikkun v’Or (Ithaca Reform Temple) is a vibrant congregation that strives for a warm personal bond among its members, creative experiential education for the children, and a dynamic program for adults. We welcome those from diverse backgrounds, interfaith families, LGBTQ+ folks, people who are newly discovering Jewish connections, as well as those with a wide range of Jewish experiences.

Our core values are best expressed by three words:

Spirit / Community / Justice

TVOviewView of Cayuga Lake from Congregation Tikkun v’Or

SHABBAT SERVICES

At Tikkun v’Or, we usually use the Mishkan Tefillah siddur (prayerbook), which has Hebrew, English translations, interpretations, and transliteration.  If you are joining us on Zoom, and do not have that, most of the prayers and songs we sing on Friday nights can be found here. Most of the prayers and songs we sing on Saturday mornings can be found here.
 

TVO MEMBERS

Have you joined the TVO listserve yet? Listserv membership is available to Tikkun v’Or members; their spouses/partners; and teenage children with parental permission. You will receive confirmation e-mail(s) when the moderator gives you listserv membership. To join send an e-mail to: listserv-moderator@tikkunvor.org 

TIKKUN V'OR SERVICES, MEETINGS, PROGRAMS, and CLASSES

Most of the Tikkun v’Or programs are currently hybrid (in-person and online), unless otherwise listed. Join us on Zoom for Tuesday morning contemplative services and conversations. Shabbat evening or morning services and other programs are usually both in person and online. Contact info@tikkunvor.org to be added to the email list to get links.

Rabbi Shifrah Tobacman leads services about twice a month, including the following upcoming dates:
Friday, January 12

Saturday January 20

Friday, February 16

Saturday, February 24 
Friday, March 8
Saturday, March 16

Services are led by lay leaders on most other weeks.

Jewish Learning Experiences

Registration for JLE grades K-7 for the 2023-2024 school year is closed, but if you would like information,  please contact info@tikkunvor.org JLE students in Bet-Zayin (2nd-7th grade ) meet on Sunday mornings, with vav/zayin (6th and 7th grade) also meeting on Wednesday afternoons. Students in gan (kindergarten) and kitah alef (first grade), and their caregivers, meet monthly for Family JLE. Younger children and their families are invited to join in Family Jam programs throughout the year. The full guide to JLE for 2023-2024 is here. Tuition Assistance is available, with thanks to a grant from IAUJC.

Upcoming Events

This Month: March 2024

March 2024: Here’s a quick look at some of the special programs this month. Some of these programs require registration or Zoom links. Check the calendar above, your TVO email, or contact info@tikkunvor.org for more information. 
Tuesdays 8:30-9:30 am Contemplative Service on Zoom  
Jewish Learning Experiences (JLE) meets on Sundays  and Wednesdays,

Saturday March 2, 6:30-7:30 pm  Healing Havdalah with Michael Margolin

Sunday March 3, 3-5 pm  Bereavement Support Program: Jewish tradition blesses us with many meaningful rituals and practices related to death and dying. At Tikkun v’Or, bereavement support can include pastoral care, taharah, shmira, funeral, burial, shiva, Kaddish, observing yahrzeit, and more.   

Saturday March 9, 10 am – 12 pm Shabbat with Michael Margolin and Kenny Berkowitz and the amazing students of kitah vav/zayin (6th7th grade) for a Shabbat morning service.

Sunday March 10,  5:30-6:30 pm Rosh Chodesh with Rabbi Lenore Bohm. Please contact info@tikkunvor.org for location.

Saturday March 16, 10 am – 12 pm       Shabbat morning led by Rabbi Shifrah, Lauren Korfine, Richard Rosenfield, Lise Rosenfield 

Sunday March 17, 3-5 pm Climate Justice Program: We usually think of Tikkun Olam as being about fixing the broken parts of the world. But it’s not much of a stretch to include protecting what we have and limiting damage in the face of existing threats.  One of the real threats we’re facing is more extreme rain events and subsequent flooding throughout our region. This class will help our community get ready for the risks ahead by thinking about how to prepare, who to contact for help and how to get through a flood. Regi Teasley will share up-to-date information about what to expect.There will be time during and after the presentation to share your concerns, needs and suggestions so they can be passed on to the county and first responders. The information and interaction can help us be clear about how we can be prepared individually and how we can support each other during times of extreme rain and flooding. The class is co-sponsored by the Enrichment Programs Group and the Climate Justice Council.

UN-LUNCH: A MID-DAY CONTEMPLATION HONORING THOSE WHO’VE DIED FROM WAR AND VIOLENCE, Thursday, March 21, 12-12:45 pm, on zoom
Inspired by the Fast of Esther, the season of Lent, and Ramadan
Rabbi Shifrah and interfaith colleagues will facilitate a contemplative space to mourn the thousands of lives lost to war in Israel and Palestine in recent months, and elsewhere around the world. As we approach the holiday of Purim, we come to the little known observance of Ta-anit Esther (the Fast of Esther). Fasting can be a powerful spiritual tool to help us build compassion for those in need, and for those suffering from hunger, war, violence, and injustice. The Christian season of Lent and the Muslim observance of Ramadan can likewise open practitioners’ hearts and minds in these ways. In addition to attending this online gathering, participants are invited to consider fasting this day, and donating what you would have spent on food to an organization that provides for those in need in our community, or to a humanitarian aid organization of your choice.

Thursday, March 21,  6-8 pm  Interfaith Dinner Hosted by Al-Huda Islamic Center (10  Cayuga Vista Dr in Lansing) We welcome all of our neighbors from all faith traditions: Christian, Muslim, Jewish, etc., Neighbors with faith in their community, and those unaffiliated with a specific faith group; ALL are truly welcome. Please bring a labeled vegetarian dish-to-pass and an open heart to meet new friends. No time to cook? Please be our guest!

Friday March 22, 6:15 dinner / 7 service  Kabbalat Shabbat (Welcoming Shabbat) with  Miranda Phillips and the students kitah dalet/hey (4th/5th grade) for Shabbat.

Saturday March 23 ,  7-9 pm Purim Celebration: A creative interactive celebration honoring the challenges of our world today. With improv maven Sarah Plotkin, Michael Margolin, Rabbi Shifrah, and you.

TVO Enrichment Programs Group

The mission of the Enrichment Programs Group (EPG) is to develop and effectively oversee the implementation of engaging educational, cultural, social and community-building programming at TvO. We coordinate with other committees, as appropriate, to ensure a range of programs that support the interests of current members and that target prospective members 
Upcoming programs include:
*Why Study Torah? with Rabbi Lenore on Saturday January 27, 3 to 5 pm at TvO and streaming on Zoom
*Preparing Ourselves for the Risks of Floods in Tompkins County with Regi Teasley on Sunday, March 17 from 2-4
*The Story of Joseph with Lauren Monroe, in mid-April
*Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know About Judaism … and Can Now Ask with a panel answering questions generated by members; in May. 

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