Today we sing “Shalom Aleichem” at the beginning of the Kabbalat service, but the tradition originally began with families singing it on their way home from shul before dinner. The poem emerging from our lips greets the Shabbat angels who we are told accompany us on our way home from shul. It then blesses the angels and wishes them a safe journey.
It occured to me recently while I was walking home from shul how much we need these angels now, more than ever. It is not a given that we are safe going about a regular routines. Walking home from shul was always a peaceful experience for me, beginning in the days where my father and I had our own rituals strolling to our house in Plainview from Manetto Hill Jewish Center. My heart aches for a time when we felt comfortable leaving our doors unlocked, letting children playing outside without strict adult supervision. I am disturbed by uncertainty of today and the growing list of places, like Walmart and El Paso and a bar in Dayton, Ohio, that must now serve as memorials for the victims of senseless violence.
We are a people who is accustomed to tragedy and how to deal with it. We don’t ignore it and we don’t let it rule our lives, but we do sit with the sadness that goes with this loss of life. Most importantly, we never give up hope for peace and we pray and raise our voices to the angels and those in high places to “love peace and pursue peace.” We are those who wish others, “shalom aleichem.” May we continue to remind the world that peace must be actively pursued and wish all those on earth, “peace be upon you.”
Please remember to complete the Membership Package which includes the synagogue membership information and hebrew school registration forms are due now with a $100 deposit.
If you have not already done so, it is imperative that you return the entire COMPLETED package to the synagogue as soon as possible.
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SERVICES Friday, August 9 - Thursday, August 15
Friday 6:00 PM Shabbat Under the Stars
Saturday 9:00 AM Nosh and Drash 9:45 AM Shabbat Services
Partnership Tisha B'av Services at Merrick Jewish Center 7:00 PM 3rd Meal (Seudah Shelishit) 8:44 PM Havdallah and Eicha Reading
Sunday 9:00 AM Minyan and Eicha Reading
Monday 6:30 AM Minyan
Thursday 8:00 AM Minyan
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