Shabbat Blast

Shabbat Blast!!!

Erev Shabbat – November 18, 2016

Candle Lighting: 4:15 pm

Maariv: 8:00

Shabbat, November 19, 2016

Parshat Vayera

Nosh and Drash 9:00 am

Services 9:30 am

Junior Congregation 10:00 am

Dear [first_name],

We are about to head into a Shabbat that describes the paradigm of welcoming guests into our homes. Avraham welcomes 3 individuals into his tent, even though he is still recovering from his circumcision.  This Shabbat comes right in time for Thanksgiving where friends and family gather around a table to acknowledge the bounty in our lives. Many people believe that prayer must come in the form of words or melody, but prayer can also be the simple act of sitting in the presence of others and recognize internally, “This is good.”

Thanksgiving is a prayer. The act of sitting down to dinner is a prayer. Helping each other cook is a prayer. Bringing traditional foods to the table is a prayer. And sometimes the meal can actually even begin with words of prayer.

The Psalmist wrote the following Biblical poem to express joy and thankfulness:

“A psalm for praise. Raise a shout for the LORD, all the earth;

worship the LORD in gladness; come into His presence with shouts of joy.

Acknowledge that the LORD is God; He made us and we are His, His people, the flock He tends.

Enter His gates with praise, His courts with acclamation. Praise Him! Bless His name!

For the LORD is good; His steadfast love is eternal; His faithfulness is for all generations.”

A friend told me that during dessert, she and her family take out all the old albums and pictures, spread them over the table and reminisce. This is also a prayer, an acknowledgement that generations have led to more generations. Some are no longer here and with that grief, we can also have gratitude for their legacy, the gift of life and generations to come.

As you sit around your family tables, and acknowledge those around you, new and familiar faces, may your joy and gratitude increase.

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Bernstein

The New And Improved Junior Congregation! Join us for our next great Junior Congregation, tomorrow, November 19, 10AM in the Muraskin Room. There will be learning, there will be noshing.  Our talented Educators will be explaining the Saturday Morning Service, discuss the prayers in depth and how they pertain to each of us, and of course, bagels.  Parents are welcome (Encouraged) to come to the Sanctuary during this time.  Stay for a lovely kiddush with the entire congregation.  Click here for a printable flyer with the dates.  

December 2, Grandparent and Special Friends Shabbat – Calling all grandparents and special friends! Join us for a lovely Kabbalat Shabbat at 6:30 followed by dinner and discussion at 7. All parents, grandparents, special friends, and family are welcome. More info to follow…

December 12, Night of Jewish Learning - Join us for an evening of music, featuring songs about women: love songs, lullabies, songs about life and songs of protest. This presentation will be both educational and fun. Open to all, no previous knowledge is required. Doors open: 7:00 PM.  Program Begins 7:30 PM SHARP.  East Meadow Jewish Center  1400 Prospect Avenue East Meadow New York 11554.

December 13, Latkes, Chatchkes, and Vodkas – Please join us at 7PM or this exciting Sisterhood event! We’ll have vendors to assist with your holiday shopping and an assortment of latkes and vodkas to help you decide. $10 Email Lori Blitzer at lblitzer@kurthahanschool.org or contact the office.

Rabbi's Bar/Bat Mitzvah Class! Every MONDAY at 6pm, join the Rabbi for an informative class to learn all about the Torah/Haftorah Service, the prayers and tunes associated with it, and the history of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah service.  This is geared toward those who do not have any background in the Torah Service.  Flyer is available here.