What a wonderful Shabbat service we had this past week. Jessica Havens and Joel Laventure were called to Torah for the first time, which is always a moving and momentous occasion for them – and for us. Again, mazal tov.
At our most recent Religious Services meeting we discussed making a few changes to our Shabbat services to make services (hopefully) more inclusive for our members. Some of these changes will be on a trial basis (September through December) and we invite your ongoing comments and feedback.
Friday nights: Once a month we will have a Kabbalat Shabbat service with a modified Torah service – one Aliyah. One Friday a month we will hold a Kolot Mayim Friday night dinner, where we will be reciting the Blessings together, sharing a meal and some stories. We see these efforts as building community ties.
Torah: Want to read Torah but feel a whole Aliyah (minimum of three verses is too much? We are inviting you to learn one verse and then another reader will complete the remaining verses.
Haftarah: From Bereshit in October we will be including an abbreviated Haftarah (reading from the Prophets). We will be inviting congregation members to learn the Blessings Before and After by singing along with us. If you wish to learn to chant a Haftarah in Hebrew speak to Rabbi Lynn – and if you would like to read the Haftarah in English, we invite you to also speak with Rabbi Lynn.
Welcoming, Buddy system: We are looking for people to offer to be at the door to welcome people as they arrive, and also to act as a ‘buddy’, particularly for those new to services.
D’var: Have you an occasion where you would like to give the d’var? Want to choose a particular Torah reading, perhaps to honour a loved one, and give a d’var that day? Call Rabbi Lynn.
These are a few of our thoughts as we move forward into the coming year. Team Kolot Mayim – we are all learners, all have capacity to share what we are learning.
With love,
Rabbi Lynn
Va’etchanan
August 11, 2024 by Rabbi Lynn Greenhough • From the Rabbi's Desk
What a wonderful Shabbat service we had this past week. Jessica Havens and Joel Laventure were called to Torah for the first time, which is always a moving and momentous occasion for them – and for us. Again, mazal tov.
At our most recent Religious Services meeting we discussed making a few changes to our Shabbat services to make services (hopefully) more inclusive for our members. Some of these changes will be on a trial basis (September through December) and we invite your ongoing comments and feedback.
Friday nights: Once a month we will have a Kabbalat Shabbat service with a modified Torah service – one Aliyah. One Friday a month we will hold a Kolot Mayim Friday night dinner, where we will be reciting the Blessings together, sharing a meal and some stories. We see these efforts as building community ties.
Torah: Want to read Torah but feel a whole Aliyah (minimum of three verses is too much? We are inviting you to learn one verse and then another reader will complete the remaining verses.
Haftarah: From Bereshit in October we will be including an abbreviated Haftarah (reading from the Prophets). We will be inviting congregation members to learn the Blessings Before and After by singing along with us. If you wish to learn to chant a Haftarah in Hebrew speak to Rabbi Lynn – and if you would like to read the Haftarah in English, we invite you to also speak with Rabbi Lynn.
Welcoming, Buddy system: We are looking for people to offer to be at the door to welcome people as they arrive, and also to act as a ‘buddy’, particularly for those new to services.
D’var: Have you an occasion where you would like to give the d’var? Want to choose a particular Torah reading, perhaps to honour a loved one, and give a d’var that day? Call Rabbi Lynn.
These are a few of our thoughts as we move forward into the coming year. Team Kolot Mayim – we are all learners, all have capacity to share what we are learning.
With love,
Rabbi Lynn