Rabbi Todd Thalblum
June 2010
Shalom All, For many of us, summer means different schedules with the kids out of school, and vacation time with the family, and lots of activities outside. For a congregation, summer usually means a quiet few months following a busy school year before life gets hectic again in preparation for the High Holy Days.
This summer, however, looks to be relatively busy here at Temple Judah. Each month, there are special events for us to join in together: a picnic with Havdallah in June, a baseball game in July, and the kickoff of our 4th Musical Shabbat Season in August. In addition to these, there will be four Bar Mitzvah celebrations over a 7-week span, starting at the end of July and ending one week before Rosh Hashanah. Once the B’nei Mitzvah begin, I know, it’s going to feel like summer comes to a close very quickly.
Prior to these simchas, however, we are going to try something new for our regular Shabbat Evening worship. It used to be that the Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat service was a relatively short, early evening service that occurred before dinner, and before Shabbat actually began. This was done so that families and communities could then enjoy a leisurely meal and Sabbath rest, without feeling rushed to head out somewhere else. The gift of Shabbat is meant to be something we look forward to, not something we feel obligated to endure.
To this end, for a short period this summer, we are going to try an earlier Shabbat Service. For six weeks, starting June 11 and continuing through July 16, Friday evening services will begin at 6:00 PM. Whenever the weather permits it, they will be held at the Silber Outdoor Sanctuary. Following services, instead of an oneg, I hope that those in attendance will make dinner plans together. This will be optional, of course, but anyone who wants to, will have the opportunity to continue to enjoy Shabbat as a community. I don’t expect us to go out, en masse, each week, but for the first early evening service on June 11, anyone who’s interested can join us at the Vernon Inn following services. If you think you’ll be able to come, please call the Temple Office, so that we can have a estimate of how many will be going.
I’m looking forward to a wonderful summer in the City of Five Seasons. I hope that you all are as well.
Shalom
Rabbi Todd
Shalom All, For many of us, summer means different schedules with the kids out of school, and vacation time with the family, and lots of activities outside. For a congregation, summer usually means a quiet few months following a busy school year before life gets hectic again in preparation for the High Holy Days.
This summer, however, looks to be relatively busy here at Temple Judah. Each month, there are special events for us to join in together: a picnic with Havdallah in June, a baseball game in July, and the kickoff of our 4th Musical Shabbat Season in August. In addition to these, there will be four Bar Mitzvah celebrations over a 7-week span, starting at the end of July and ending one week before Rosh Hashanah. Once the B’nei Mitzvah begin, I know, it’s going to feel like summer comes to a close very quickly.
Prior to these simchas, however, we are going to try something new for our regular Shabbat Evening worship. It used to be that the Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat service was a relatively short, early evening service that occurred before dinner, and before Shabbat actually began. This was done so that families and communities could then enjoy a leisurely meal and Sabbath rest, without feeling rushed to head out somewhere else. The gift of Shabbat is meant to be something we look forward to, not something we feel obligated to endure.
To this end, for a short period this summer, we are going to try an earlier Shabbat Service. For six weeks, starting June 11 and continuing through July 16, Friday evening services will begin at 6:00 PM. Whenever the weather permits it, they will be held at the Silber Outdoor Sanctuary. Following services, instead of an oneg, I hope that those in attendance will make dinner plans together. This will be optional, of course, but anyone who wants to, will have the opportunity to continue to enjoy Shabbat as a community. I don’t expect us to go out, en masse, each week, but for the first early evening service on June 11, anyone who’s interested can join us at the Vernon Inn following services. If you think you’ll be able to come, please call the Temple Office, so that we can have a estimate of how many will be going.
I’m looking forward to a wonderful summer in the City of Five Seasons. I hope that you all are as well.
Shalom
Rabbi Todd