During August, our davening will be led by our new/returning Cantorial/Rabbinic Interns and High Holiday Cantor Stephen Abramowitz. This Friday night and Shabbat morning services will be led by Reb Lisa Feld.
Kabbalat Shabbat
Our Friday night service begins at 6:00 p.m. and concludes around 6:50 p.m. Our service is designed to create a buffer between the work week and Shabbat rest. We aim to make the atmosphere like a family shabbat table complete with Candle Lighting, Blessing one another, Kiddush, Motzei and Angel Cards. Before and after the service we take time to check in with one another and share greetings (feel free to log on early). Our service has been abridged for ZOOM but includes familiar and new melodies, readings from the margins of the siddur, and some learning.
Reb Lisa Feld will lead the davening and offer the teaching.
This shabbat we announce the new month of Elul that begins in a week on Shabbat, August 27th. During the month of Elul we imagine that God is travelling amongst us, visiting us and checking in before God ascends the throne of judgement in Tishrei. The image is one of a lover visiting their beloved and the month of Elul is seen as an acronym for ANI(E) LIDODI(L) V’DODI(U) LI (L), the phrase from SONG OF SONGS that means, “I am to my beloved and my beloved is to me.” What is it like to imagine God as close to us? How does this explain the custom of blowing the shofar each day of Elul? How can we be prepared for this encounter?
Reb Lisa Feld will lead the service, Linda Dietrich will read torah, from Parshat Ekev (Etz Hayyim p. 1037), and Marci Shaw will read the second haftorah of consolation.
NOTE TO THOSE ON LIVESTREAM: We are working to make the home experience of following services more flowing and reliable. Starting this week, when we do discussion we will use the handheld microphone so those at home can hear the participants. We will also tighten up the camera angle to focus more on the reading table. And we will be using lapel mikes (with charged batteries!) to make sure everything we say can be heard. While we will continue to stream Shabbat mornings weekly via LiveControl and YouTube, we can not offer ZOOM on a regular basis because of the need for tech staffing in the building but we will continue to think about ways to make the service more engaging for those who follow remotely. Thank you for your patience. Luncheon follows services.
FYI: This Sunday at 9:00 pm CNN will host a documentary on rising antisemitism in America.
Shabbat shalom, Rabbi Leonard Gordon
A PDF of the Shabbat morning siddur is available by clicking the pic to your right, so you can follow from home if you do not have a siddur.
If you need a bible, please be in touch with our office or consider purchasing a copy of Siddur Lev Shalem and Humash Etz Hayyim for your home library.
Services are streamed and in person, as follows
Friday, 6:00 PM, Kabbalat Shabbat Services on Zoom
Saturday, 10:00AM, Shabbat Morning Services
Join us in person if fully vaccinated; masking is optional but recommended;
