DAY 594: Friday Night Alive

February 14, 2014
By bethmordecai
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DAY 594: Friday Night Alive

(2/14/14) 

One year after college while I was working at Park Avenue Synagogue as a Torah reader, the leadership of the synagogue decided to celebrate the dedication of their new Torah by bringing in Jewish singer/songwriter Craig Taubman, who created a highly successful “rock concert-like” Friday night service in Los Angeles known as Friday Night Live. I remember attending the event and feeling a powerful energy emanating from the music, the crowd, and the spirit of the evening. I could see why this event, which happens on a regular basis in LA, is called “Friday Night Live” – because it makes Friday night comealive. 
 
Perhaps one day we will be able to bring Craig Taubman or a similar performer to utilize our magnificent sanctuary in a similar fashion. But in the meantime, we are doing a lot to make Friday night come alive in our Jewish Home for the Soul. Whether it’s through singing, storytelling, dancing, or impromptu conversations during the service, we try to make sure that people leave every Friday night service with a thought in their head, a song on their lips, and a warm fuzzy feeling in their heart. That won’t change TONIGHT as we escape from being cooped up in our houses because of the snow to join together for services at 8 pm. 
 
Yet, if Friday Night Live taught me anything it’s that you can’t always do the same thing every week to make Friday night come alive. That is why next Friday night at 6:45 pm we will be hosting a White Out Friday Night in which we dress in white to symbolize the purity of Shabbat, and join together for a meaningful evening of meditation, conversation, singing, and dancing that enhances the Shabbat spirit. Then we will make the night come even more alive through building a stronger sense of community by breaking bread together and having dinner as a community following services (approximately 8 pm; $18 per person; rsvp at officebethmordecai@gmail.com).
 
Let’s make Friday night come alive together.
 
Shabbat Shalom, 
 
Rabbi Ari Saks
 
P.S. Got any suggestions on how to make Friday night come more alive? Let me know via email! 
 

Category : Rabbi Rabbi's Journal Shabbat White Out Friday Night
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