JCMI discusses prayer

Charles Flum, President

What is prayer? What kinds of prayer are there? Join us Feb. 21 at 5 p.m. when Rabbi Herman will speak about prayer as part of our Lifelong Learning program.

Jewish spiritual expression has evolved through history from priestly animal sacrifices to standardized poetic passages. This class provides an overview in the development of Jewish prayer, as well as its philosophical and meditative intentions to express gratitude, supplication and connection to God. We'll also examine the choreography, meaning and common customs of contemporary Jewish prayer.

The cost for dinner is $10. Please email sorenshamblott@gmail.com if you would like to stay for dinner, so we know how many are coming. After dinner, stay for services and be uplifted.

Tu B’Shevat is Feb. 13. Here is some information about the holiday as written in “The Jewish Book of Why.”

Hillel and his disciples declared Chamisha Asar B’Shevat a semi holiday. They called it “Rosh Hashonah L’ilanot (New Year for Trees), because by this day in Israel the annual rains have ended, and a new annual cycle of tree growth begins.

Also called Tu B’Shevat (tu is an acronym consisting of the Hebrew letters tet and vav, and has the combined numerical value of 15), Chamisha Asar B’Shevat is celebrated on the 15th day of Shevat by eating various fruits, especially those grown in Israel. In modern Israel, this day, also known as Arbor (Tree) Day, is celebrated by schoolchildren who go out into the fields and plant trees. Bosker-carob has long been a popular holiday treat.

The next holiday is Purim, which comes in March.