Posts Tagged ‘rabbi’s journal’

rabbi’s journal

July 5, 2013
By bethmordecai
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DAY 370: The Unity of Fireworks

Dear Hevreh, Yesterday, I went up to Hoboken to view the fireworks. The city has become a popular place for July 4th over the last few years because of it's proximity to the colorful display of joy over the Hudson River; popular to the tune of 40,000 spectators according to a local event staffer. As I waited for the show to begin, it struck me how many people from different races, religions, creeds, and ethnicities were gathered together peacefully for one (viewing) purpose... An Indian family lying out on a blanket to my right trying to remain comfortable during the long wait A Hispanic man standing next to me asking me to hold his spot while seeking out a better view [...]

Category : Rabbi Rabbi's Journal
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rabbi’s journal

June 14, 2013
By bethmordecai
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DAY 349: Oneg Shabbat

Dear Hevreh, Rhoda would have loved this Shabbat -- being outside, singing, having dinner together. She would have loved the atmosphere, the camaraderie, and the positive feelings that Shabbat by the Sea always generates. But most of all, I just think that Rhoda would have just had fun because she was such a fun person. There's something really special about coming together like we will this Shabbat, something k'oneg, something delightful. Let's make this Shabbat as delightful as we can as we honor Rhoda Friedman z"l's memory. May it always be for a blessing. Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Ari Saks

Category : Ari-archive
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rabbi’s journal

June 6, 2013
By bethmordecai
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DAY 341: The Purpose of a Jewish Community

Dear Hevreh, There are certain moments when you realize the purpose of being a part of a Jewish community. It could be inspiring services like our past Cantorial Showcase or our upcoming Friday Night Shabbat By the Sea. It could be fun social oriented events with friends like Sunday's Trip to Brighton Beach or June 20th's Movie Night. It could be moments of great insight into the meaning of our tradition, like we try to do every Friday during our Online Parashah Class. Yet, despite the worthiness of all of these Jewish communal opportunities, I think the one that hits the closest to home is when we are grieving and we need our community to support us.[...]

Category : Ari-archive Cantorial Showcase What's Been Happening at Beth Mordecai
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rabbi’s journal

March 14, 2013
By bethmordecai
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DAY 257: The Special and the Regular (Check out the video of Cantor Jayne singing in our sanctuary!)

Dear Hevreh, "Our community shows up for special events..." This is an insight that I gained after our first Shabbat by the Sea program in which we had 40+ attendees; and it was confirmed by our strong attendance to the welcoming celebration, the holiday parties, and the special Shabbat services. Our community comes together when there's something new and interesting to experience. Part of the challenge of building a committed and active community is to create more opportunities that provide new and interesting experiences while embedding them in the lifeblood of our community. The goal is not to create special stand-alone events but rather to make special events withstand the test of time within our community; it is for the special to also[...]

Category : Ari-archive Cantorial Showcase What's Been Happening at Beth Mordecai
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rabbi’s journal

March 7, 2013
By bethmordecai
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DAY 250: Being An Active Jewish Home for the Soul

Dear Hevreh, Last night, over a dozen members and friends of Beth Mordecai gathered for our third holiday cooking class with the wonderful folks of tABLEhealth. We made a delicious alternative to the usual gefilte fish appetizer, yummy vegetables that stole the show, and a quinoa salad that displayed the creativity of Passover cooking. Check out updates from last night's cooking class on my twitter feed of @Ari_Saks Yet just as significant as the activity of the program was the activism of our community after the program. People started talking, conversed, and exchanged phone numbers to discuss future programs -- trips to New York, fun day activities, long term projects for the synagogue. That activism comes on the heels of a[...]

Category : Holidays Passover Rabbi Rabbi's Journal
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rabbi’s journal

January 29, 2013
By bethmordecai
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DAY 213: The Memories That Bind

Dear Hevreh,   Wow, what an event on Sunday! Safran Hall was packed with members of Perth Amboy's Jewish community from both near and far to celebrate the completion of Perth Amboy's Jewish Community: History, Memories, Tribute. In addition to enjoying delicious cookies and coffee prepared by our own Ann Blog, we learned about the twelve year process that went into making this special book. As author Mona Shangold said, one of the primary purposes of the book is to have a written record of the vibrant, exciting, and full Jewish life enjoyed by so many people so that their descendants could have an insight into where they came from.   Here are some great pictures from the event!   Yet more than just a trip down memory lane, this[...]

Category : Blast from the Past Rabbi Rabbi's Journal
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rabbi’s journal

December 9, 2012
By bethmordecai
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DAY 162: Hanukkah @ Barnes and Noble

Dear Hevreh, Well, it's official.  Beth Mordecai has successfully invaded Barnes and Noble!  In partnership with PJ Library of Middlesex Federation and Barnes and Noble of Menlo Park, we had a wonderful event with crafts, songs, and Hanukkah stories.  There were 7-8 families who had their kids take part in the event (for a total of around 10 kids), many of whom are currently unaffiliated.  One family is already planning on coming to the Hanukkah party and another expressed great interest in our Hebrew School program called Project Jewish Living.  We will be following up with the families in the next couple of days, but most importantly we provided them with a positive Jewish experience that[...]

Category : Events Hanukkah Kidz Korner Rabbi Rabbi's Journal
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rabbi’s journal

November 15, 2012
By bethmordecai
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DAY 138: In memory of Cantor David Lavine z”l

Dear Hevreh, Psalm 31:13 נשכחתי כמת מלב הייתי ככלי אבד I am put out of mind like the dead; I am like an object given up for lost The sad news of the sudden passing of Cantor David Lavine z"l is a reminder to me of the gift and tenuousness of life.  Over the past couple of months, I spent a good time with Cantor Lavine preparing for the holidays, and though our relationship was a professional one, he was a big part of my life for my first few months at Beth Mordecai.  I would call him often, to plan our meetings in New York, discuss innovative ideas for services (we used some of his brainstorms in our service), and to practice the[...]

Category : Rabbi Rabbi's Journal
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rabbi’s journal

August 13, 2012
By bethmordecai
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DAY 44: Long Days

Dear Hevreh, It's been a long weekend and a long Monday, but the days (and nights) have been full of blessing and productivity.  It began on Friday with uplifting and well-attended services at Shabbat by the Sea which was followed by a delicious dinner and even better conversation.  Saturday services were also very nice, though we did not get a minyan after the strong attendance on Friday night.  Hopefully we can have a strong minyan next Saturday morning as Rachel and I will sponsor a kiddush lunch for the community to honor our 6th wedding anniversary!   Sunday was an incredible whirlwind which started by converting a woman to Judaism after I've been working with her every week for ten months.  She[...]

Category : Ari-archive
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rabbi’s journal

July 16, 2012
By bethmordecai
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DAY 16: Reflection on a Special Night

Dear Hevreh, Friday was a special night for me.  Not only did it mark the first program I organized as your rabbi (with immeasurable help from many members of our community), but it also marked the moment I realized just how lucky I am to be your rabbi.  There I was, standing in front of a hevreh of 40+ people, as Rabbi Zalma put her arms on my shoulders to bless me and bless our congregation with a bright future.  Thinking back on that moment, I can't help but think... How lucky am I to have a colleague and friend who would give me such a blessing as she says goodbye to a congregation she's called home for the past six years. How lucky[...]

Category : Ari-archive
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