Today was a day devoted to study and worship. CCAR Rabbis joined with Israeli colleagues and lay people from across the Jewish spectrum in the first ever Pluralistic National Beit Midrash. As a Metrowest resident, I took great pride in the fact that our Jewish federation was one of the primary sponsors of this unique event.
After a session featuring teachers from a wide range of Israeli Jewish life, we broke up into small study groups of four (two Americans and two Israelis in each). Among my study partners was Rabbi Maya Leibovitch of Congregation Mevasseret Zion, the first Israeli- born woman to be ordained as a Rabbi. Together we explored the role that Israel and the Hebrew language play in our Jewish identities. Among our texts was a modern Israeli song whose refrain declares:
I have no other country
even if my land is aflame
Just a word in Hebrew
pierces my veins and soul
even if my land is aflame
Just a word in Hebrew
pierces my veins and soul
In all it was a powerful day of learning and connection.
After a brief stop at Mahane Yehuda (the Jewish outdoor market) to pick up rugellah at Marzipan Bakery as a gift for my hosts, I was on a bus making my way north to Zichron Yaacov to spend Erev Shabbat at Sulam Yaacov, Temple Shalom's sister congregation in Israel.
In a few more weeks they will be moving into their permanent home built on city donated land with a state supplied building, one of the first such non-Orthodox congregations to receive such support and recognition. This evening, I joined them in worship in their temporary quarters at the local WZO offices. It was a beautiful service which, while conducted entirely in Hebrew, would have felt comfortable to any Temple Shalom member. Filled with music by Debbie Friedman, Danny Freelander, Jeff Klepper, Beth Schafer and Craig Taubman, the service was primarily one of joyful communal singing and traditional prayers.
After services, Temple President Gideon Gerzon welcomed me into his home for a wonderful Shabbat Dinner with his family. It was perhaps one of the nicest Shabbat evenings I have ever enjoyed in Israel. Dinner lasted well into the evening, ended only by the need to make a 10 pm bus back to Jerusalem. As we wished each other L'hitraot and Shabbat Shalom, plans were made to return for another visit the next time we are in Israel and to renew the ties between our communities.
After a brief stop at Mahane Yehuda (the Jewish outdoor market) to pick up rugellah at Marzipan Bakery as a gift for my hosts, I was on a bus making my way north to Zichron Yaacov to spend Erev Shabbat at Sulam Yaacov, Temple Shalom's sister congregation in Israel.
In a few more weeks they will be moving into their permanent home built on city donated land with a state supplied building, one of the first such non-Orthodox congregations to receive such support and recognition. This evening, I joined them in worship in their temporary quarters at the local WZO offices. It was a beautiful service which, while conducted entirely in Hebrew, would have felt comfortable to any Temple Shalom member. Filled with music by Debbie Friedman, Danny Freelander, Jeff Klepper, Beth Schafer and Craig Taubman, the service was primarily one of joyful communal singing and traditional prayers.
After services, Temple President Gideon Gerzon welcomed me into his home for a wonderful Shabbat Dinner with his family. It was perhaps one of the nicest Shabbat evenings I have ever enjoyed in Israel. Dinner lasted well into the evening, ended only by the need to make a 10 pm bus back to Jerusalem. As we wished each other L'hitraot and Shabbat Shalom, plans were made to return for another visit the next time we are in Israel and to renew the ties between our communities.
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