Those of you who attended our congregational Shabbat dinner on February 17th know what a fine experience it was to sit and visit and eat together, to hear fellow members blessing their loved ones, and to participate in a community that is interested in supporting and getting to know one another.

We will be doing something similar during our May 4th Kabbalat Shabbat service which, weather permitting, will be held at Dorton Park, shelter #1.  (If it rains, we’ll set up at the church.) We’ll begin the service at the regular time, and Rabbi Barbara will use the time to help teach us about the kind of rituals that are part and parcel of a Friday night home Shabbat. We’ll learn the sequence of opening prayers, we’ll set the table, light the candles, and sing Shalom Aleychem.  We’ll bless our partners and children, recite Kiddush, and say the motzi.  And then, of course, we’ll eat!

Our dinner will be pot luck, and everyone will need to bring either an entree, side item (vegetable, pasta, etc.), or dessert.  There is no official sign-up sheet, so it’s truly going to be luck of the draw! (If you’d like to send a note with what you’re bringing however, it would be appreciated! Email anhodges@yahoo.com.) Challah, wine, and juice will be provided.

After dinner, we’ll sing Shabbat songs and do some fun stuff (like the icebreaker at our last dinner). In essence, we’ll be learning Shabbat home ritual by doing it first in community. . . and we’ll have an amazing time, too!

Kabbalat Shabbat @ Dorton Park shelter #1
May 4th @ 7pm
Bring a dish to share!