An inclusive congregation affiliated with the Conservative Movement.
Your Jewish Home for the Soul!
March 14, 2013 By bethmordecai no comments.
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 Tag : community David Bennett Insight Larry Deutchman rabbi rabbi's journal shabbat shabbat by the sea Special Events
July 16, 2012 By bethmordecai no comments.
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 Tag : blessing gratitude Melinda Zalma rabbi rabbi's journal shabbat shabbat by the sea
July 13, 2012 By bethmordecai no comments.
Dear Hevreh, In these few hours before Shabbat begins, I just want to leave us with a few blessings wherever we find ourselves this Shabbat... May this Shabbat be one of peace... May this Shabbat be one of understanding and forgiving... May this Shabbat be one of rediscovering our passions and loves... May this Shabbat be one of trying something new... May this Shabbat fill us with joy, love and appreciation for the beauty of life... Have a wonderful Shabbat. Kol Tuv, Rabbi Ari Saks P.S. can't wait to see those of us who come to Shabbat by the Sea!
Category : Ari-archive Tag : peace rabbi rabbi's journal shabbat shabbat by the sea
July 7, 2012 By bethmordecai no comments.
Dear Hevreh, (Note: this email is a little longer) First, I wanted to thank everyone for a beautiful, warm, and exciting Shabbat. It was a pleasure meeting new people, hearing and telling stories, teaching Torah, and worshipping together. I look forward to many more Shabbatot together. Still, shul is not the only place to celebrate the restfulness of Shabbat. If you were not in shul, I would love to hear how you spent Shabbat, and if you are OK with it I'd love to pass it on to the rest of the community as part of creating a virtual space for communal conversations. Along those lines, you might have noticed that at the end of my last email on Friday, I wrote below my[...]
Category : Ari-archive Tag : online rabbi rabbi's journal shabbat shabbat by the sea social media Twitter