Shofar Elul 5771/Tishri 5772
Jewish Family Congregation www.jewishfamilycongregation.org
September 2011
From the Rabbi’s Desk I have always thought it very appropriate that we begin the Jewish new year in the fall, at the same time that the school year begins anew, and so do many other program years, like the symphony, opera, ballet and certain sports calendars. This year, as we prepare to welcome 5772, at JFC we are shaking things up a bit. In an effort to offer activities and events that may be of interest to targeted subsets of the congregation, we are introducing several new things to our Shabbat calendar. Gone are the days when all Shabbat services started at 7:30 pm! You will not find any of the new Friday evening plans on the September or October calendars, because those two months are very busy in other ways. But thereafter...pay close attention, please. On an irregular basis, we will be holding some services at 6:30 pm, some at 7:30 pm, and some at 8:00 pm. You can decide which ones work for you. The services that will be from 6:30 to 7:15 pm are targeted at young families. There will be no meal involved, but a kid-friendly Oneg Shabbat will follow the service. We plan a service of singing, prayers and story-telling. There will not be a later service that evening. Sometimes the service will be at 8:00 pm, to appeal to those who get home late from work, perhaps. In order to build community, we will start those evenings with a potluck dinner at 6:30 pm…if you can make that (no sign-up required), just bring a dairy/veggie/fish dish to share with 6 people…and please...no pizza (we’ve had enough pizza dinners here!). We have scheduled a couple of “rock Shabbat” services featuring our youth members…and we are hoping that some of our adult members who play electric guitar, drums, etc., will provide an adult rock Shabbat once in the coming year.
In addition, we have designated two Shabbatot as musical occasions, and we look forward to the chance to learn some new or different music. We are also scheduling a couple of opportunities for congregants to deliver a drash (a mini-sermon on something from Torah or on a relevant Jewish subject), so please think about the ideas you’d like to share. And a few times over the year, there will be a new event on Shabbat afternoons: Lunch ‘n Learn. Over a byo bag lunch (again, dairy/veggie/fish only), we’ll discuss a topic of current interest, which will be announced in advance that week in the email broadcast. We’ll meet from 11 am till 1 pm…another way to build community and encourage thinking about matters of concern/interest to us as Jews. There will be one service this year featuring the music and style of Shabbat services at our URJ summer camps. And for fun, we are scheduling an Ashkenazi service…for those who cannot forget yisgadal v’yiskadash…and for the rest of us in a nostalgic frame of mind! The calendar also will feature a Shabbat called Worship 101, during which we will answer questions about the what/why/where/when/how of a Shabbat evening service; come prepared with questions!! All these changes are in addition to many services that will be at 7:30 pm; these include the grade services and the festival observances (Sukkot, Yom HaShoah, Yom HaAtzma-ut,). And services that occur the evening before a Bar/Bat Mitzvah will be at 7:30 pm as well. So, as you can see, we are going to have a busy and interesting year in 5772. But these new additions to our calendar will only be meaningful if you take advantage of them. When you check out our congregational calendar on the JFC website (www.jewishfamilycongregation.org), you can search through the months and pick out the dates that will be of special interest to you…and plan to join us for them. (Continued on page 19)
From the Rabbi’s Desk Service Schedule High Holy Day Appeal September Oneg Hosts Kids Ask the Rabbi Support-A-Walk JiFTY Religious School Notices The Religious School
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Yahrzeit/Annivs/Birthdays JFC Classified Early Childhood Center Eisner Camp pix Social Action Committee Ask the Rabbi Donations Form JFC Calendar
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