Shalom Beloved Congregants,

 

This will be my second year serving the congregation and the second year without a synagogue ritual committee.  This group conceptualizes services and rituals for the congregation. It also has the pleasure of learning about them first. If we have a celebration, such as a mikveh and conversion, a bat mitzvah, sukkot or simchat torah, a bris or a wedding, this is the chavurah---a group---that considers how they will unfold.  

 

So many new and stimulating Jewish things could be offered w/in the spiritual life of CBS if we did have one.  things that make a synagogue interesting to lots of people w/different interests and ages: Rosh Chodesh, Its a Girl Thing; Hazon, The Sustainable Jewish Food and Environmental Education Movement ;ARZA theAssociation of Reform Zionists; The Healing Circle, a reinvigorated shabbat, CBS could be better with thoughtful involvement.

 

The High Holy Days are upon us and we're beginning to get things organized: honors, Torah readers, a choir, ushers, refreshments, breakfast &c. But let's look beyond the High Holy days and think of what we'd like to see happen at CBS. A nighttime or weekend Torah study or meditation group? A monthly Jewish winemakers chavurah? Parents' study group? Adult Hebrew? A ritual group is more than putting prayerbooks on the seats before services.

 

Some of us study together, some of us pray together, some teach, some of us garden and cultivate the ground.  We need to form a group that continues its commitment to these sacred things and other things undiscovered, for us and the entire community.

 
Let me know if you're interested in a group---call it what you'd like---for religious life at CBS. It's time.

Shalom uVracha, Peace & Blessings

Rabbi Oren J Postrel
Congregation Beth Sholom
1455 Elm Street
Napa, CA 94558

707.253.7305 office
707.637.6223 moblie