Rabbi Carl M. Perkins
Cantor Jamie Gloth
Melissa Rudman, Executive Director
Arlene Bryer, President
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25 Nisan 5781
April 7, 2021
Dear Friends,
Most people, whether they're Jewish or not, know that there are a lot of Jewish holidays.
Most of us know about the intense cluster of Jewish holidays in the fall: Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah.
We may not be aware that we are approaching a similar cluster of Jewish holidays spread over the next two months. They’re different from the fall holidays. With one or two exceptions, they’re all relatively modern. But like the fall holidays, they ground us by reminding us of pivotal moments in our history.
If you are wondering what these holidays are, when they fall, and how we will be observing them within our community, let me give you a brief preview:
(Please note: Each holiday begins at sunset on the date listed below, and continues through sunset on the following day.)
The Omer (March 28th through May 16th) These are the days between Passover (which celebrates our freedom) and Shavuot (which commemorates the Giving of the Torah). We count the days and the weeks each night during the evening (Ma'ariv) service, adding one day each night, up to a total of 49 days and 7 full weeks. For obscure reasons, this period became associated with mourning. It became customary to refrain from getting a haircut during this time and to refrain from engaging in public celebrations as well. There are many variations regarding when these expressions of semi-mourning are practiced. In our own community, they begin on the second day of Passover and conclude on Yom Ha-Atzmaut, Israel Independence Day (for more on Yom Ha-Atzmaut, see below).
Kayla Reisman, our Director of Community Education, has organized weekly blogposts during the period of the Omer. To read more about the customs associated with counting the Omer, including the reflection by me, "How loving are we, really?" and Kayla Reisman's, "Counting up the Omer, click here.
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Yom Ha-Shoah (April 7th)
This day memorializes the Holocaust, i.e., the systematic effort to annihilate the Jewish population of Europe during World War II (1939-1945). This year, Temple Beth Shalom will join us in observing Yom Ha-Shoah on Sunday morning, April 11th, at 11:30 am with a talk by Holocaust scholar Dr. Alan Rosen on Elie Wiesel’s Passion for Celebration.
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Dr. Rosen was a devoted disciple and close colleague of Elie Wiesel for almost forty years, and will share personal experiences that will help us better understand how Elie Wiesel reconciled this passion with his mission to serve as a witness and memorializer of the Holocaust. The program will be followed by the recitation of memorial prayers on behalf of the victims of the Holocaust.
I also urge you to read the recent blogpost by Morah Wilma Poyser with a link to the presentations from our sixth and seventh grade students at Mercaz Aliyah. The students researched Heroes and Righteous People from the Holocaust, focusing on those who were able to help and save so many lives. The stories they tell are worth reading and pondering.
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Yom HaZikaron (April 13th)
(Israel Memorial Day)
Yom HaZikaron is a very solemn day in Israel: at mid-day, a two-minute siren is heard, and everyone stands at attention, recognizing the enormous contribution that so many have made that Israel might come into being and survive. As of last year, the total number of casualties was 23,816. Every year, a communal commemoration (conducted in Hebrew) takes place at a synagogue in the Greater Boston area. It's quite moving and, whether or not one understands Hebrew, it's an important act of communal solidarity to attend. Watch ComingUp@Aliyah for details.
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Yom HaAtzmaut (April 14th) -- Israel Independence Day. Given the COVID restrictions, we will celebrate Israel's 73rd birthday rather modestly at Temple Aliyah this year. We will add several prayers to our evening minyan on Wednesday evening, April 14th.
On Thursday, April 15th (weather permitting), we will be able to enjoy services outside in the parking lot, followed by a little Israeli dancing and a Kosher food pickup in celebration of Israeli Independence Day. Watch ComingUp@Aliyah for details!
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Lag B'Omer (April 29h) This day, of obscure origin, is a festival in the middle of the Omer period (which, as described above, is otherwise considered a sad time). In Israel, it is marked by bonfires and barbecues.
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Some people who otherwise refrain from shaving or getting a haircut during the Omer period do so on this day. Because there are no other rituals associated with the day, it tends not to get noticed much here in the States.
Yom Yerushalayim (May 9th) This day commemorates on the Hebrew calendar the day in June 1967 when the City of Jerusalem became united under Israeli sovereignty.
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This day remains highly significant within the Religious Zionist community in Israel; less so, among secular Jews. Again, because there are no rituals associated with the day, it tends to be ignored on this side of the Atlantic -- though I always urge people to read about and contemplate the significance of Jerusalem on this day. Click here. |
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Shavuot (May 16th - 18th) This holiday celebrates the giving of the Torah. Where (and who) would we be without the Torah? It's hard to contemplate what it would mean to be Jewish without our sacred stories, guiding principles, and traditions.
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We'll usher in Shavuot jointly with Temple Bnai Tikvah of Canton at 7:30 pm on May 16th with Ma'ariv (evening service) and an evening study session. (Sadly, we will have to forego our customary festive communal dairy repast. However, we encourage everyone who will be tuning in to enjoy some cheese cake in their homes!) We’ll gather for shacharit (morning) services on the first and the second days of Shavuot beginning at 9:15 am. Yizkor will be recited on the second day of the holiday (May 18th).
Whew! I did say that this was an intense couple of months on the calendar. I hope that all of us will avail ourselves of the many opportunities to worship, celebrate, commemorate and, most of all, learn with one another on these special days.
Looking forward to seeing you!
Sincerely,
Rabbi Carl M. Perkins
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