Shabbat Shalom GRJC

Weekly Emails to the Congregation

Shabbat chol ha'moed Sukkot 2008

Shabbat Shalom to the GRJC family,

We will light our Shabbat candles Friday evening at 5:54 pm.  Friday evening services will begin at 8 pm.  Our Bnei-Mitzvah Andrew Plotch and Michelle Adoni will lead our Friday evening service.  Andrew will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday.  Michelle will become a Bat Mitzvah on Sunday morning at 9 am on the fourth intermediate day, chol ha’moed, of Sukkot.  Both families welcome the entire congregation to participate in services this weekend.

SERVICES INTO NEXT WEEK:
MONDAY, 10/20, 7 AM

MONDAY, 10/20, 8 PM EREV SHEMINI ATZERET – YIZKOR

TUESDAY, 10/21, 7 AM SHEMINI ATZERET – YIZKOR

TUESDAY, 10/21, 7:15 PM EREV SIMCHAT TORAH – DANCING WITH THE TORAHS!

WEDNESDAY, 10/22, 7 AM, SIMCHAT TORAH – COMPLETION OF THE TORAH, Join us for the celebration and breakfast to follow.

We will be reading this Shabbat morning from the book of Exodus.  This Shabbat is known as “Shabbat chol ha’moed Sukkot”, the Intermediate Shabbat of Sukkot. This reading takes us back to the moment in which God allows Moses to see part of God’s presence.

Why, then, do we read this portion on Sukkot?

The portion ends with a short review of the three holidays:  Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot, although in this case Sukkot is called “Chag ha’Asif”, the holiday of the ingathering of the harvest.  There is a connection then with the Sukkot holiday, although the portion relates even more directly through the image of God’s caring presence sheltering Moses as God passes by.  When God says, “I will shield you with My hand until I have passed by” note that the Hebrew word for “shield you” is “ve’sa’kota” from a similar root as the word “sukkah”.

Here, the verse suggests that Sukkot has within it an element of God’s care and protection for the people of Israel.

During these difficult times for the economy in America and all over the world, we are searching for sources of comfort as we face difficult choices, employment issues, and the emotional impact of all that is happening on us.  At our recent meeting of the Glen Rock Religious Communities, lay people and clergy from all houses of worship in Glen Rock discussed how during this difficult time we hope to provide avenues of spiritual and emotional comfort in all our congregations.  As we think through what steps to take to address these issues, please do not hesitate to call me for counseling or exploring Jewish responses to crisis.

As we pray each Friday night, may God’s sukkah of peace shield and protect us always.

With wishes for a restful Shabbat and a meaningful Sukkot holiday,
Rabbi Tow

MAZEL TOV:
To Marc and Orli Wolfe, and now big brother Liad, on the birth and recent naming of their daughter, and sister, Avital.  Avital’s name was announced at our Sukkot services this past week.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

OPEN SUKKAH NIGHT with Rabbi Tow, Rabbi Schwartz, and Dara.  Saturday evening starting at 8 pm @ 739 Harristown Rd. Join us for an informal nosh and schmooze, with home-made pizza.

WOMEN’S ROSH CHODESH GROUP – Sunday, 5-7 pm in the Sukkah.  All are welcome to join in a viewing of the movie “Ushpizin”, a movie that takes place during the Sukkot holiday and raises some important questions about faith and friendship, in addition to being a very entertaining film.  BYO kosher snacks.

The coming week includes the remaining fall holiday services, as listed above.

Regular Sunday School/Hebrew School hours this Sunday, Oct. 19, with time in the congregational sukkah for all classes.

After Sukkot, unless you would like to keep your etrog after the holiday, please consider returning etrog to Rabbi Tow so that he can resend them to our supplier.  This year is shmittah in Israel and so our etrogs have an extra measure of holiness and will be sent by our supplier back to Israel to be gathered with other fruit in special collections.

The Hay Class will use the sukkah during its regular class time on Monday, Oct. 20.

The Nursery School hosts a Family Sukkah Party for its 4-yr-old and kindergarten enrichment classes at 6:30 pm on Monday, Oct. 20.

No Nursery/Hebrew School or Mommy & Me classes on Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct 21-22, in observance of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah.  The GRJC offices are closed on these days.

Senior Aerobics begins its fall session of Thursday exercise classes on Oct. 23 from 9:45-10:30 am, in the Social Hall.

The monthly lunch meeting of Movin’ On, our chavura for widows and widowers, is scheduled for Thursday, Oct 23 at 11:45 am in the Social Hall.

The deadline for submissions for the November GRJC Bulletin has been extended to Sunday, Oct. 19.

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