June at CBS
This is a season of change at CBS in many ways both physically and spiritually. We have several classes dedicated to Torah learning. Adults are making a commitment to prayerbook Hebrew, Basic Judaism and weekly Torah study.
Not long ago at a regional conference, the URJ rhetorically asked attendees if Hebrew in our synagogues was essential. The obvious answer was, “of course”, and for those of you who have begun Hebrew studies you know why. Hebrew in Jewish prayer reveals some of the subtlety and richness of our tradition. As I wrote nearly a year ago in the Shofar, “ki hem chayeinu”, they, the mitzvot, are our lives, “v’orech yameinu”, and the length of our days.
What I didn’t write last year was “uvahem n'hegeh yomam va lailah”-- and on them we meditate day and night. Hebrew allows us to meditate if not on fulfilling mitzvot, then to meditate on the beauty on the vehicle ---Hebrew---itself.
Join us on June 8 at 10:30 a.m. for Shavuot at Diamond Creek. We’ll study both the magic of our tradition in Hebrew and in translation. Revelation of Torah is the reason for Shavuot. At CBS, as we refine our vision for the future of our site and seek an architecture that facilitates our learning, may we commit ourselves to learning now?
A community of learners has the ability to expand its vision while it deepens Jewish values. We are growing toward the vision for our new home; may Jewish and Hebrew learning travel with us.
Please support the Jewish Vintners Celebration this June 20th through 22nd. As beneficiaries of this event, L’Chaim helps us to realize our future and our present.
Rabbi Oren J. Postrel
