This Friday night, we begin the intermediate Shabbat of the holiday of Sukkot. Since we are already in a holiday mood as we enter Shabbat, the Kabbalat Shabbat service is abridged. Our focus will be on the USHPIZIN, the tradition of welcoming guests into the Sukkah each night of the holiday. Who do we want to welcome tonight?
Our service is on ZOOM and begins at 6:00 p.m. Join us for candle lighting, blessing one another, kiddush, motzei and invoking an angel to bless us during the week ahead. Zoom Link Meeting Id: 978 470 037 Passcode: 183618
Shabbat Morning: Shabbat of Sukkot Reading Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) Welcoming Jay Foley to our community
Our services for the next five Shabbatot will be hybrid, in person and on Zoom and services begin at 10:00 a.m.
On this Shabbat, we welcome Jay Foley and Sherry Alpert as they celebrate Jay’s recent conversion and his first Aliyah to the Torah. At the center of our service is the study of the Book of Kohelet (Ecclesiastes). Famous for the line that “vanity of vanities, all is vanity” that is not the book’s only response to life. The author (traditionally thought to be King Solomon near the end of his career) also suggests that we enjoy our life and its joys and that we adopt an attitude of awe before God. Rabbinic Intern Lisa Feld will introduce the reading of excerpts from this complex and surprising book of the Bible.
Our service also includes Hallel and the Hoshanah ritual that offers prayers for economic prosperity during the year ahead. Jay will also share his reflections on the experience he had of completing a conversion process under the constraints of COVID. Let the office know if you plan on joining us in person.
If you want to follow the service in the siddur from home, please arrange with the office to borrow a prayer book and humash, purchase a set on line, or download the siddur PDFs, availabe by clicking here.
Zoom Link Meeting Id: 865 3190 1552 Passcode: 183618
Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah
Appended to Sukkot is the holiday of SHMINI ATZERET (the 8th day of celebration) and SIMCHAT TORAH (when we put down the lulav and ethrog and dance instead with the Torah).
Here is our schedule: Monday night at 6 p.m. Erev Shmini Atzeret on Zoom including a short Yizkor memorial service (for those who can not join us Tuesday morning)
Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. Shmini Atzeret service in person and on Zoom. Services include Hallel, Yizkor and the Prayer for Rain (economic health) during the year ahead.
Tuesday night at 6 p.m. Erev Simchat Torah. Family service at the Synagogue and all others are welcome to join us on Zoom. Watch as our children explore the torah and receive a special blessing along with sweet treats.
Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. Simchat Torah. Our service is in person and on Zoom. Everyone in person and on line will have the opportunity to take an Aliyah as we complete the book of Deuteronomy and begin the book of Genesis.
Zoom Link Meeting ID: 844 4705 9779 Passcode: 183618
Adult Ed Course with Reb Nikki Thursday, May 1st 8:00p to 9:00p What are we talking about when we talk about "Israel"?
The name "Israel" in Jewish texts can have many meanings: the person, the nation, the land, and the modern state. In this six-session class, we will be examining different uses of the name "Israel" by looking at sources ranging from the Torah to modern thinkers. Together, we will gain deeper understanding into its meaning by looking at the connections between and teasing apart the differences among the range of meanings of the word, and be able to discern what we are talking about when we talk about Israel.
Adult Ed Course with Reb Nikki Thursday, May 8th 8:00p to 9:00p What are we talking about when we talk about "Israel"?
The name "Israel" in Jewish texts can have many meanings: the person, the nation, the land, and the modern state. In this six-session class, we will be examining different uses of the name "Israel" by looking at sources ranging from the Torah to modern thinkers. Together, we will gain deeper understanding into its meaning by looking at the connections between and teasing apart the differences among the range of meanings of the word, and be able to discern what we are talking about when we talk about Israel.
