I remember
when we used to have a print copy of the Shofar sent to each family at Temple
Sinai each month. It's been a while since this was done, but I remember turning
to the President's column to see what they had to say each month, and wondering
how they could find something new to write about each month. During my time as
President of Temple Sinai, I have never lacked for topics to write about - I've
only lacked the TIME to do the writing!
But I think
that this is an important way to communicate to our Temple Sinai community and
I have resolved to find the time to write something - regardless of how short
(or long!) - each and every month this year. If you read something you like or
would like to know more about, please let me know. If you read something that
awakens a concern or motivates you to become more involved or to respond to
something I've written, please let me know those thoughts as well!
Each month I
plan on highlighting some of the things that have been going on at Temple that
you may or may not be aware of. The good news is that there is a LOT to report
on and it is not too late to put things on your calendar to attend and/or be a
part of. This month, let me start with: Shabbat
Services.
Yes, you
know, they are on Friday evenings and, when there are B'nai Mitzvot, Saturday
mornings, too. Maybe you did not know that the first Friday of every month is a
Folk Service that starts at 5:30 pm,
rather than the usual 7:30 pm? Maybe you did not also know that, starting in
January of this year, these Folk Services have been a joint effort with
students in our religious school (each month, a different grade level)? I can
tell you from personal experience these past three months, that seeing our
Religious School students leading parts of our Friday night worship has been
nothing short of a delight. To see these youngest members of our Congregation
reading prayers (in Hebrew and in English), describing the parts of our worship
service, and teaching us new things about Jewish faith and traditions, makes me
kvell. In addition, after the
service, the families of the students, along with the members of two of our
Temple Sinai committees, provide dinner for the Congregation. These have been
inspiring and meaning-filled evenings and, if you have not yet had the
opportunity to attend and participate, please mark your calendars for Friday,
April 1st - no foolin', this is not to be missed.
I mentioned
that services are regularly at 7:30 pm on the remaining Fridays of each month.
For some, whether those with young families or - in my case - those who have a
hard time staying awake past 9 pm, this can be too late for regular attendance
on the remaining Friday's of the month. Beginning in January, the Spiritual
Committee (led by Marc Kamhi) authorized an earlier service to be offered at 6
pm on the last Friday of each month, and led by lay members of the
Congregation. In January, Marc Kamhi and Jeff Solomon led the service, while in
February, Marc teamed up with Bruce Hicken to lead this early service. I
attended both services and, I will confess, that it was nice to be at Temple at
a time that better fit with the timing of my conscious state and, it was
inspirational to see fellow congregants taking on the responsibility of leading
those of us in attendance in worship, prayer and song! The next one will be on
March 25th (this Friday!) and I know that Marc welcomes all who wish to attend
as well as those who may be interested in helping lead these early services.
These will continue on the last Friday of each month through May (Why? During
the summer months - June, July and August - Folk and regular services are held
every Friday at 6 pm).
What about
"regular" Friday night services? I don't mean to downplay our weekly
Friday evening worship that - I hope - everyone is aware of. Many attend every
Friday (you could say, "religiously") and there is a wonderful
community of those who are there each week (or each week that they are able).
Periodically, Rabbi invites guest speakers who enrich our worship with their
presentations about issues and organization's that both inform as well as
prompt discussion, debate, and action. We share in lifecycle events, from baby
namings to remembering and celebrating the memories of those family members who
are no longer here with us. For many of us, we look forward to learning
something new about our faith, our culture, Torah, as Rabbi teaches us in his
D'var each week.
You should
also know that all of this does not just "happen" each Friday. Our
Temple Administrator - Michael Levine - prepares a weekly handout that lists
the week's Yahrzeits, birthdays, and anniversaries as well as upcoming events
at Temple Sinai. A member of the Temple Sinai Board sits on the Bimah and
starts our Friday evening worship with some announcements of events and classes
and Temple programming that might be of interest to the Congregation.
And there is
food - an Oneg - that is sponsored by members of the Congregation each week.
Sometimes these are special oneg/events sponsored by Temple Sinai committees or
groups, but usually they are the provided by members who want to take the
opportunity to sponsor the gathering of our congregants and guests in the
social hall after our Friday evening worship. Are you wondering how YOU can offer
an Oneg? It's easy and it is fun and there is a signup available online on the
Temple Sinai website (click on “Oneg Schedule” under the “Community” heading).
Are you interested but unsure of what or how to do an Oneg? We'd love to pair
you with an experienced Oneg offerer for your first time! Just let me know that
you are interested and we will pair you with someone more experienced so that
you can also share the naches that
comes with sponsoring an Oneg!
That’s all
for this month – hope to see you at Shabbat services soon!
