This article by President Kathy Chaikin Bernstein first appeared in the March-April Bulletin:
It’s hard to believe it is almost Spring and we have just celebrated Tu B’Shevat with a wonderful congregational Seder. With Spring always comes the hope of the new, a chance to fulfill the dreams and plans for the future.
One of my hopes for the future is for all of you to share the joy of Shabbat together with our BIJ family. A number of weeks ago we gathered in the Fireside Room for Social Action Shabbat. After that evening, one of the Social Action Committee leaders remarked about how meaningful it had been to be there with our rabbi and our community at Shabbat services. She later shared her thoughts as follows: “I found it hard in my life to come to Friday night services because my weeks are long and it was one more duty and it was burdensome. Last night when you [Rabbi Glazer] welcomed us into the Sabbath, and acknowledged our busy week, I came immediately into that moment.”
I can certainly understand those sentiments. I am sure you can, too. Our weeks are so packed with work and family responsibilities. Sometimes it’s all we can do to get from one weekend to the next. My weeks are pretty packed as well but when I enter the synagogue on Friday night or Saturday morning and see Rabbi, Cantor and my BIJ family, the cares of the week often just melt away. I can feel refreshed and at peace. I can know the meaning of Shabbat. I can come “immediately into that moment.” How special it is that we are commanded to rest and renew ourselves every week. I, too, thank Rabbi Glazer for welcoming us into the spirit of Shabbat every week.
It is not always easy for everyone to join us at services. Some of our members with young children are looking for the right way to get together and share Shabbat at BIJ. A group of Board members is working with the Religious School Committee to find ways to make services more welcoming to your families in terms of both service times and content. Please let us know if you have thoughts or want to help in this effort.
Another important group is our older, long-time members. Some of these members have made it a habit to attend services. Now, these same members find it difficult to get to synagogue. On March 23rd we will have our first Intergenerational Shabbat Dinner with service and storytelling. Our Board of Trustees will be inviting senior members to services that night and offering rides. We encourage seniors who need rides to let us know by calling the office. We will put together a list of members who need rides with a list of members who can provide rides so everyone can enjoy the spirit of Shabbat together.
Shabbat. It’s a special time each week to give thanks for the beauty of the world, for friends, family and community. It’s a time to renew and refresh. What would our weekdays be like if we didn’t have this special Shabbat time? TGIS. Thank God It’s Shabbat. Thank God For Shabbat. I look forward to seeing you all at shu