From the Desk of Beth Kramer
Director of Lifelong Learning and Rabbinic Intern
Shabbat. Rooted in the Torah, it’s been our sacred and weekly day of rest for several millennia. No matter our time or place in world history over the many, many centuries of Jewish life, Shabbat has remained an anchor, our true respite, a focal point of the week. Shabbat is for Jewish communities and Shabbat is for the individual. Shabbat comes seamlessly every single week and is always there for our taking, if we so choose. Still today, for many Jews, including many Reform Jews, Shabbat is a precious time for family, learning, sharing and worship.
Sadly, despite its importance, Shabbat is easy to forget and neglect in today’s hectic and fast-paced world. Perhaps parents work late hours on Friday night, often children have sports and other hobbies to attend on Saturdays. Perhaps it seems a lot of bother to learn or remember to say a few blessings around the dinner table, or to attend services at Temple. Who has time to gather the entire family unit together for an activity in the spirit of Shabbat? Indeed, in today’s overly-programmed culture, families must make a concerted effort to bring Jewish observance and celebration into the landscape of our homes, or else it is very easily overlooked.
Yet it has been my observation that when families make this concerted effort to bring kedushah – holiness – to Shabbat, in a manner that is meaningful to them, our ancient weekly observance of the Sabbath becomes a rejuvenating and spiritual experience for all. As Reform Jews, we believe in a large degree of autonomy through education when it comes to Jewish expression and observance. This means that we must first educate ourselves about the many components of Jewish life, decide what makes sense for us as individuals and as families, and then integrate Jewish customs and values accordingly. Shabbat experiences can be integrated under this rubric of autonomy and personal choice.
There are many ways for families to “try out” Shabbat – to bring a sense of kedushah to this weekly event. Perhaps it would be meaningful to commit to a weekly Friday night dinner in the spirit of Shabbat, complete with family conversation about the week that is ending, blessings over our children, the candles, wine and challah. (And yes, take-out chickens are just fine!!) As a family, perhaps you could commit to attending Shabbat evening or morning services a couple of times a month here at Temple Beth El and share the peace and rejuvenation of our Sabbath with fellow congregants. Families could engage in Jewish study of some kind on a family level by exploring the weekly Torah portion – the parashat hashavuah – or another topic relevant to Judaism. (You can even go to www.urj.org/torah/ten and subscribe to a daily email from the Reform Movement’s education department which offers ten minutes of Jewish learning a day, on many thought provoking and relevant topics.)
Consider making at least a part of each Saturday a time for a special family activity such as a lovely walk, games or crafts together or even a trip to a beautiful park, museum or another place that brings your family a sense of shalom – peace – and holiness. You may wish to gather with friends and family to experience Shabbat some of the time while keeping some Shabbat times just for your immediate family to share. Discuss with and reinforce to your children that Shabbat is a unique and different part of the week and it has its own rhythm and wonderful family practices. You will undoubtedly find that your new-found devotion to creating a Shabbat experience of some kind in your home will bring beauty and meaning to your families. Please contact us here at Temple if we can help you in any way. And be sure to share with others what you have done!
May the beauty of our age-old Shabbat touch you each week! Shabbat shalom!
Beth Kramer
ReligiousSchoolHappenings ~ Mark Your Calendar!
DECEMBER
Friday, 12/2 4th/6th Grade Shabbat Services 8:00 PM
Sunday, 12/4 3rd Grade County Wide Chanukah Program
Friday, 12/9 Kgtn - 3rd Grade Early Shabbat Program (“E.S.P.”) 7:00 PM
Sunday, 12/18 K-3 Chanukah Celebrations
Torah Tots Chanukah Celebration 9:30 – 11:20 AM
Tuesday, 12/20 Erev Chanukah – First Candle Lighting
Monday, 12/19 Confirmation Euro-Café Program
Thursday, 12/22 4th – 7th Chanukah Celebrations
Friday, 12/23 Chanukah Dinner 6:00 PM
Ruach Shabbat 8:00 PM
Thurs., 12/25 – Monday, 1/2 Winter Recess
JANUARY
Monday, 1/5 Classes Resume
Monday, 1/9 Confirmation/Senior Youth Group “Challah Fairy” Program
Sun, 1/15-Mon, 1/16 Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend – No Classes
Thursday, 1/19 Special Programs with Guest, Daniel Sonnenschein - Grades 4-7
Friday, 1/20 Ruach Shabbat 8:00 PM – Grades 2-7 Participate
Thursday, 1/26 Israel Programs with Guest Educator, Amit Shuker - Grades 4-7
Friday, 1/27 Family Services and
5th Grade Siddur Presentation Shabbat 8:00 PM
