February 06, 2012   13 Sh'vat 5772
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WORSHIP COMMITTEE  

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
CHAIRPERSON'S MESSAGE  

        Worship Committee News, May/June

Ivdu et Adonai B'simcha – worship Adonai with gladness, Bo-u l'fanav Birnana - enter God's presence with singing (Psalm 100.)  Joy and song are an important form of expression because they elevate the human spirit, connect us to the godliness within, and inspire us to transcend ourselves as we reach to encompass a deeper level of spirituality.

When we come together as a community to pray on Shabbat, we welcome Shabbat by sharing songs, prayers and words of Torah.   We honor Shabbat and our community when we sing and pray with joy which can lead to inspiration and can help lift our prayers to the heavens.

 

We, the Worship committee, work to facilitate services which promote inspiration and enable us to pray together with great joy, with the hope that this joy will spread to all facets of our lives.

 We are happy to have participated in the joy of Adar through uplifting and joyous Shabbat services and a magical Purim service at “Chagwarts”.  Do you have a suggestion for something meaningful at services or a response to your experience in services?  Contact Chaya Schneider.

What can we expect at Worship services this coming month of May?  On the 1st Friday of the month, May 06th, come enjoy the enthusiasm of our Youth choir along the Union Beachfront.   Join us for Faculty Appreciation Shabbat on May 13th as we honor our teachers and educators.    The 3rd Friday evening (May 20th) is Choir Appreciation Shabbat and the Adult choir will enhance the service and serenade our Birthday and Anniversary honorees as they receive a blessing   And on the 4th Friday of the month (May 27th), Gary Enoch and Debbie Worthington will chant a few verses of Torah.   You too can chant Torah on the fourth Friday of each month.  Anyone interested in marking a special occasion in this manner, is welcome to join the Yad Squad; chanting assistance will be provided.

We are now busy planning the Fall service schedule, so let us know what inspiring moments you’d like to see.  Better yet, tell us in person.  Join us for our next meeting, on Tuesday May 24th, 8 pm at the Temple.   Looking forward to seeing you.

From the entire Schneider family to you and yours,

L’ Shanah  Tovah  Tikatevu  Omtokah!

Chaya Schneider, Chairperson
SHUL SHUTTLE  

A car carrying congregants

 

Join the Shul Shuttle

 

 Another car carrying congregants

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
PRAYER BOOK  

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. 
WORSHIP WINDOW  


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