Shabbat Blast

 
Dear Beloved Jewish Community,
 
I read a commentary recently that the goal of Yom Kippur was to prepare ourselves and our sacred spaces for the joyous celebration of Sukkot. All of this introspection and self-flagellation, all of the moments where we confront our mortality and our shortcomings are to make us more sensitive to the joys of life. 
 
Over the year we build up a callous. We must do this in order to deal with the harsh realities of the world. The issue with callouses is that it makes touch less sensual. The soul develops a callous throughout the year. From hardships with our families to elections and global warming, we can become hardened to life. Our religious tradition knows this and provides us avenues to shed the layers of build-up, to exfoliate our inner lives. 
 
We work to reveal our raw and vulnerable existence to make us ready to experience the holy pursuit of joy in our lives, represented by Sukkot. One might think that Yom Kippur is the antithesis of Sukkot, the opposite, but our tradition tells us that one cannot be ready for joy without shedding the "bs" that has accumulated throughout the year. You may be numb from loss, job stress, concerns for family members, but our tradition is here for us, as a doctor to a patient, because it knows we need careful guidance to live life to its fullest. May each of us do the hard work of discovering that inner life so that we once again experience all that life has for us in abundance through Sukkot and the rest of the year.
 
Shabbat shalom and Gemar Chatimah tova,
Rabbi Bernstein

SERVICES
Friday, October 4 - Thursday, October 10

Click the links below to view some of
our upcoming events!

South Shore USY "Come Celebrate the New Decade" at Merrick Jewish Center

Kol Nidre Program

Sukkot Dinner and Service
(Limited Space - Reservations Required)

Columbus Day Cookie Decorating in the Sukkah
(more details to follow)

Challah Bake

Isaac Bashavis Singer - Three Stories Presentation  
Hazak

Sisterhood Annual Dinner  

Bellmore Merrick Teen Programming (BAYIT)

Project Isaiah 
Please bring in your “ Project Isaiah “ bags filled with non-perishable kosher food. Help us continue serving families in need to the office.  We NEED your Support. Donations are greatly appreciated.

Please remember that this is OUR Pantry.
 
Thank you.

As a member of CBO, you have a Shul Cloud Account within our Website.
Your login is your email (the email you use to receive this email).  If you don't know your login password, you can reset it HERE
Why do I need to login? 
By clicking on "My Account." You can view and update your information on your account. 

• Click on "Edit my profile" 
• Make sure that the information is your profile is correct, e.g. your Hebrew name and birthday, work and contact information.
• Add your family members and/or make sure that their information is correct.
• Add yahrzeits so you can be notified of future occurrences.
• Register for many of our exciting events and programs.  

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