A fond memory of childhood was wearing a new, special outfit to High Holiday services. Being “dressed up” helped to make me realize that I was going to a special place for an important ritual in my life. My parents taught me that being on my best behavior was important. That meant that I had to pay attention to what was happening on the Bema. I had to wait until after services to eat anything, including chewing gum.
Although our society today is much less relaxed in terms of dress…in schools and in the workplace, it is still important to teach our children that our Sanctuary is a special place in which we show respect to God and to each other. The best way for us to carry this out is by leading by example.
During the year we create a wide variety of moods for worship services, from the seriousness and solemnity of Yom Kippur to the joy of Simchat Torah and the frivolity of Purim. However, in all cases, we wish to maintain a sense of worship rather than presentation. We see ourselves as a congregation praying and celebrating together rather than an audience watching a show. To this end we want to remind the congregation to refrain from applauding during services. While we appreciate the efforts of those who lead us in worship, we wish to see them as worship leaders rather than as performers. A thank you or yasher koach (A good job!) after the service would be a more appropriate expression of appreciation than applause during the worship moment.
HAG SAMEACH.
COME JOIN OUR COMMITTEE
Contact Chaya Schneider for more information
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How are we doing? The Worship Committee has been tweaking things to continue our efforts in offering a varied and meaningful Worship experience. Some of the changes have been initiated as a response to congregant requests and others by Worship committee members. We'd love to get your feedback so please tell us whether or not you like the newly introduced items.
Have you been to the Torah and Healing service the fourth Friday of each month? The Torah reading is now done from the floor, not the Bima, so those interested can readily gather around and get a good glimpse. In this service, you too can chant the aliyah blessing. For the Purim service, we added a Powerpoint slide presentation, experimenting with a multimedia service. Let us know if you'd like to see more of that included in the services. The choir continues to enhance services the third Friday of each month, so come and enjoy the wonderful music. Don't forget the Shul Shuttle, the second Friday of every month. If you need a ride or can offer a ride that evening, please let the Temple Office know (732-566-2621). Finally, continue to join us for Kabbalat Shabbat, the first Friday of each month, followed by dinner.
We value your feedback so please let us know what you think, or better yet, join us in our endeavors. We meet at the Temple, the 4th Wednesday of every month at 8 pm.
From the entire Schneider family to you and yours,
L’ Shanah Tovah Tikatevu Omtokah!
Chaya Schneider, Chairperson
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Join the Shul Shuttle
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Need a ride to Shul or can you provide a ride for someone else? Join us for services on Shul Shuttle Friday, the second Friday of each month.
If you’re looking for a ride, or if you can offer a ride to someone else, please contact Temple Shalom office, 732 566 2621.
Upcoming Shul Shuttle Fridays:
Friday December 11th, Friday January 8th |
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Mishkan T’Filah
(Our new prayer book)
The publication of Mishkan T’Filah continues the Reform Movement’s tradition of liturgical innovation. A single prayer book provides an important vehicle for group identification as well as personal prayer. The Union Prayer Book and its successor Gates of Prayer and now Mishkan T’Filah each express the ethos and values of its own era, at the same time being fully rooted in the structure and substance of the historical liturgical tradition of the Jewish people.
The title Mishkan T’Filah is drawn from Exodus 25:8 where God commands us to build a portable sanctuary that can accompany us on our wanderings. “And let them build me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.” Mishkan T’Filah is a dwelling place for prayer, one that moves with us wherever we might be physically or spiritually. It offers the opportunity for God, the individual and community to meet.
The desert mishkan was a portable sanctuary. Its care was guarded by the Levites and the priests yet it invited all to bring their offerings. Today, we are all caretakers of Mishkan T’Filah; may our offerings be acceptable before God.
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