A Message from Our Rabbi
January 20, 2021

As we move through this day of national significance, watching the inauguration of the next President of the United States of America, we are reminded of our own responsibilities as citizens and the power of our voices and our votes in holding our elected officials accountable to the values upon which our nation was founded and those we continue to hold sacred. We are reminded of the blessings of freedom and democracy, and we also take time to acknowledge the rights we cherish that so many have fought and died for throughout our history. May the years to come bring hope and peace, and may we never forget that we, ourselves, are partners with God in the work of healing and repairing our world each and every day.

And we join with synagogues throughout America in offering a prayer for our country and those in positions of leadership.

Our God and God of our ancestors, bless this country and all who dwell within it.
Help us to experience the blessings of our lives and circumstances
To be vigilant, compassionate, and brave
Strengthen us when we are afraid
Help us to channel our anger
So that it motivates us to action
Help us to feel our fear
So that we do not become numb
Help us to be generous with others
So that we raise each other up
Help us to be humble in our fear, knowing that as vulnerable as we feel there are those at greater risk,
And that it is our holy work to stand with them
Help us to taste the sweetness of liberty
To not take for granted the freedoms won in generations past or in recent days
To heal and nourish our democracy, that it may be like a tree planted by the water whose roots reach down to the stream…
[Let us] be bold in our action and deep in our compassion
To discern when we must listen and when we must act
To uproot bigotry, intolerance, misogyny, racism, discrimination and violence in all its forms
To celebrate the many faces of God reflected in the wondrous diversity of humanity
To welcome the stranger and the immigrant and to honor the gifts of those who seek refuge and possibility here,
As they have since before this nation was born
Let justice well up like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream
[Rabbi Ayelet Cohen]

Friday evening, our Kabbalat Shabbat service is our monthly Shabbat Mishpacha (Family Shabbat) Service, and begins at 6:30pm. (Zoom; click HERE for our Shabbat siddur)

The service is suitable for people of all ages (kids and adults) and it features explanations of the prayers we say and the meaning behind the rituals we share in on Shabbat. There is also a short Torah reading, a story for all ages in place of a sermon, and lots of singing as I will be joined by Cantor Harrison and Jill Moghadam. 

Shabbat morning, I will be leading Torah Study beginning at 9:00 am. There is no Spice Up Your Judaism session this week. (Zoom)

Shabbat morning services begin at 10:30 am on Zoom, during which we will celebrate the Bat Mitzvah of Madison O’Mara. (Zoom)

L’shalom,

Rabbi Jennifer L. Frenkel