Although written for the Tween contingent, its message is a worthwhile one for all to hear. It challenges each of us to rededicate ourselves to Jewish values. Here’s how:
At Torah for Tots, we usually sing a Doug Cotler song called Thank You, God. I ask the kids to list things for which they can say thank you to God
Ask specific questions and enjoy the rich answers that you receive. Give your child the chance to respond fully and you may be pleasantly surprised at what you learn.
Once again, it is time to think about the Torah Center and Jewish High School (JHS)! It is hard to believe that as I write this, we are but a month away from the start of classes…where did the summer go???
Wherever two people sit together and exchange words of Torah, the Divine Presence dwells with them…
(Pirkei Avot 3:2)
Here is Rabbi Jessica Locketz' Rosh Hashana sermon for 2008. This is a Word document that may take a few moments to download. In her sermon, Rabbi Locketz explored what is it that God wants us to do. You can join in the conversation and explore God's to-do lists on the new Temple blog, BlogEmanuel, at http://templeemanuelpgh.blogspot.com/.
Members of the Confirmation class visits Washington, DC for a four day weekend of learning, togetherness and fun.
Looking for a way to spice up this year’s Passover Seder? Then try these “not-necessarily-new” but perhaps “new-to you” rituals. As you begin your Passover observance with the traditional reminder of the significance of the items on the Seder plate, discuss the origins of these newer rituals and ask everyone present to weigh-in on their appearance as Passover symbols. Between the controversial orange and the equality seeking cup, you are sure to have something to talk about as you join family and friends around the holiday table!
Last month, on the evening of February 12th, our Jewish High School pre-teens, teens and their parents took part in a program as part of a new initiative of the Union of Reform Judaism (URJ). For those who attended, it was a thought-provoking and inspiring evening. However, due to weather conditions (remember those snow days?!) not all of our families were able to participate. For that reason, I would like to outline here the initiative and how it may work here at Temple Emanuel.
It is February and we are in the midst of the book of Exodus, the book of Shemot. The word Shemot means names. The text begins: V’eylah shemot benei Yisrael... These are the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob... What follows is a complete list of Jacob’s sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah; Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin; Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher... and Joseph was already in Egypt.
It is seen as the consummate ‘coming of age ritual’ within Judaism. It is perhaps the most often stated goal of every child’s Hebrew Education classes…what is it? Nothing other than having the opportunity to stand before the congregation on the day of one’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah ceremony as an accomplished liturgical leader and Torah and Haftarah chanter, of course. But what happens if for whatever reason, a child isn’t given that opportunity at the typical age of thirteen? Does that mean that there is never another chance to ‘come of age,’ to become an adult Jew?
“Eternal God, open up my lips that my mouth may declare Your glory.” Thus begins the Avot, the first prayer in the tefillah section of our service that is included in every worship service we have. On the one hand, it is a rather simple statement. We ask God to give us our voice, to allow us to open our mouths and to produce words of praise. On the other hand, this opening phrase means so much more. When we say these words, we pray that what will come out of our mouths will indeed be praiseworthy. We hope that our lips, our tongues, and our mouths will be at their very best.
Ah…the FUN holiday is back. When most of us think of Simchat Torah, we think of marching around the sanctuary with the Torah scrolls and flags, dancing to Klezmer music, or watching our youngest religious school students receive miniture Torah scrolls as we welcome them into our community. The services on Simchat Torah are always lively (if not a bit chaotic!) and fun for all who attend. But is there more to this holiday than dancing, singing, and admiring our adorable students as they stand on the steps of the bima and recite the words of the shema?
Is it really September already?
According to our tradition, before we study, we recite the following blessing:
Torah Center classes have ended. The youth groups are taking a break. Adult education is on hiatus…There are few meetings and even fewer programs scheduled for this summer. What then exactly does an educator do during the hot days (I hope!) of summer?
Last semester, the 9th grade class and I tried to figure out God. Through watching movie and TV clips, listening to music, and engaging in discussions, we learned about some of Judaism’s formal beliefs about God and how they may or may not fit into our own relationship with the Divine. While we disagreed on many ideas and concepts about God’s role in our lives, we did, I think, in the end, manage to come a bit closer to each other and to God as well.
As a child, I loved dressing up for Purim. I was always Queen Esther. Carefully, I would cut out my crown from a piece of cardboard and cover it with tin foil so that it looked shiny. I would get to wear some of my mother’s makeup and also her costume jewelry. It was great fun to be the Queen.
When I became a bat mitzvah, among the many gifts I received was one that I thought to be unique: a number of trees planted in my honor in a Jewish National Fund Forest in Israel. I remember writing in the thank note sent to the thoughtful relative that “I hoped to visit my trees someday.” I had just seen a movie in religious school of a boy who did just that – traveled to Israel and found the tree he had planted. I had dreams of doing the same.
There is a story told of a man who once came to the Kotsker Rebbe and complained that his son did not want to learn Torah. He asked the Rebbe: “What should I do?” The Kotsker Rebbe told him: “If you force your child to study Torah, he will study Torah for as long as you make him do so. And in fact, he will grow up and make his child study Torah in his time. However, if you devote yourself to Torah study, soon you will find your child by your side, asking to study with you.”
Right to left. Left to right. Which way do those darn Chanukah candles go in the menorah anyway? Every year I struggle to remember exactly what I learned in my many years of candle placement study.
There are many beautiful customs and meaningful rituals surrounding our weekly Shabbat observance. Lighting the candles, saying Kiddush, thanking God for the challah that sustains us…these are a few of the things we do here at Temple when we gather to worship together. But there are other things we can do – not only when we join in Shabbat La Mishpacha dinners, but in our own homes as well. One such ritual is ‘the blessing over the children.’
Our tradition teaches us to become involved in the process of heshbon hanefesh, the checking of our souls. It is when we do teshuvah , repentance; when we review our actions and take responsibility for the pain they may have caused those around us.
Is it really September already?
As I write this, I am preparing to go to camp. Yes I do mean the type of summer camp many of us have experienced – the kind filled with dirt, mosquitoes, typical camp food, and lots of sunburn. But I also am referring to the wonderful experience that is Jewish summer camp – the kind that fosters Jewish identity and connection, the kind from which not enough of us have benefited.
Torah Center classes have ended. The adult Hebrew class is on hiatus. There are no Brotherhood Brunches or Lunch and Lectures scheduled for this summer. What is a dedicated Jewish learner to do?
I love Passover. It is without a doubt, my favorite holiday.
Passover is nearly upon us. Once again, we are busy preparing for the week of changed diets, historical remembrances and family gatherings. Already, the dry taste of matzah is in our mouths as we anticipate using the same old hagadah at the too predictable Seder event once again.
Vashti and Esther, Esther and Vashti. These are the women of the Purim story. One is beautiful, the other is not. At least, that is what we are told.
Ever have an experience that suddenly made the words of one of our prayers
make sense? I have.
I am astounded that the New Year is nearly upon us. Is it really almost 2005?! It is hard to believe that once again another year has come and gone. There was so much that I planned to do…projects I hoped to finish, weight I wanted to lose, books that I was determined to read. Sigh. Once again my grandiose plans outweighed the time and energy I had to put forth in reaching their completion.
Chanukah is rapidly approaching. As is typically the case, our thoughts turn to gifts. Giving them…Receiving them… we rack our brains (and pockets!) for the perfect gift – and for the money to pay for it.
Happy Thanksgiving, hooray, hooray, hooray! Aren’t you glad you’re not a turkey on this Thanksgiving Day…
There is a parable of a father who went on a journey with his little son. This was their manner of going: Whenever they came to a place that was narrow, or difficult to traverse, such as a river, or a mountain, or a hill, the father lifted his son to his shoulder and strode through that difficult place with him.
