Write for Yourselves This Song: This Shabbat!

There are hundreds of laws in our Torah.  The final and last law, in Deuteronomy 31:19 is understood as a commandment that every Jew to write a Torah scroll: “And now, write for yourselves this song, and teach it to the Children of Israel. Place it into their mouths, in order that this song will be for Me as a witness for the children of Israel.”

In the spirit of this law, Scout Rosen and Robbin Smith invite you to a crafty lay-led service. Our leaders will incorporate everything that we learned during our “How to Lead a Service” workshop that was held in January: creation, revelation, redemption and remembering. Together, everyone will create a mini-Torah using the Shema, decorating and sharing our portions and making changes as a community. No artistic talent required! To be followed by an 0neg, please bring food to share.

Time: 10 am
Date: May 7
Location: McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, McCoy Classroom

To Be Holy: Halakha and Parshat Kedoshim

Torah Service May 13 

It is one of our best known texts, even though it comes from Leviticus.  Why?  Because it asks us to be holy.  We are told to judge others fairly, not to bear grudges, to take care of the land, love your neighbor as yourself. Our service will include a reading from these beautiful passages and Rabbi Barbara will speak to us about the very nature of halakha.  You’ll be surprised by how beautiful it will be.

Time: 7 p.m.
Date: May 13
Location: McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Polar Tent Road

Yom Hashoah: Lessons for Our Time – A Note from Rabbi Barbara

Tonight is Holocaust Remembrance Day.  Please take a few moments to consider the importance and value of memory.  Our survivors have asked us, continually, not to forget their experience or those whose lives were cut off so brutally by the Final Solution.  Soon, they will not be with us and we must remember their heartfelt request.

We live in a time when political leaders in our own country are spewing the worst kind of hatred and divisiveness.  We, among all peoples, should be on guard against such rhetoric for we know all too well that rhetoric becomes reality.

Lives are at stake.  Please take some time tonight to sit with friends and family and consider why we must not forget.  Think about the lessons the Shoah still has for humanity, and consider your part in demonstrating what you learn from those lessons.

L’shalom,

Rabbi Barbara