Shabbat B'Yachad

Shabbat B’yachad – Shabbat Together

We are striving to create new and engaging, authentic expressions of Judaism on Shabbat morning.  We are seeking to integrate community, learning, culture, as well as prayer. We are trying to provide a multitude of ways to participate in Judaism and Jewish life; bringing our congregation together in Jewish "prime time”, that is, in the synagogue on Shabbat.

We believe that this is a way to reach new people and to engage congregants and families in ways that sitting in services might not do.  For people who are new to religious ritual, it’s an entrance into the community that doesn’t demand knowledge of Hebrew and basic prayer tunes.   Our new Shabbat B’yachad will “have something for everyone!”  We encourage you to come as you are (even if that means a soccer uniform) and to come and go as suits your schedule. 

If you don’t see something on the schedule that is for you or if you have an idea to expand our Shabbat offerings, please feel free to call or email me.

No ARS on Tuesday, November 2!

As the Brookline public schools are not is session on Tuesday, November 2, the ARS will also be closed. Our students should use this opportunity to catch up on their ARS homework and reading raffle work so that next month, they can have a chance to join our reading raffle winners circle. Mazel tov to our grade 2 for winning the pizza party, to all of our individual winners and to our Yarok, Green, group for having the highest percentage of reading raffle cards in the box this month.

Thanks to the many families and students who participated in Mitzvah day on Sunday. It was a very inspirational day of giving back to our community. And speaking of inspiration, please mark your calendar for our first Shabbat Mishpacha, family Shabbat, led by JOSTY (grades 7 & 8) on Friday, November 19, 2010.

~Shari

Mitzvah Day

Did you know that there is a special blessing for Tikkun Olam?

Baruch Atai Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olam shenatan lanu hiz'dam'nut l'taken et
ha-olam.

ברוך אתה יי אלוהנו מלך העולם שנתן לנו הזדמנות לתקן את העולם.

Blessed are you, Eternal God, Ruler of the universe, for giving us the opportunity to mend the world.

Join us on Mitzvah Day, THIS Sunday, October 24, anexciting day of volunteerism, activism, and unity that benefits the entire community. Mitzvah Day offers a great opportunity for our community to come together for the purposes of social justice and tzedakah. Together we can turn our individual actions into a powerful collective response, proving that we are indeed much greater than the sum of our parts.

The world depends on three things: Study, prayer, and acts of loving kindness. Mitzvah Day is your opportunity to put these values to work and experience the immense satisfaction that comes from repairing just a little part of our world. Please join me and my family for Mitzvah day, THIS Sunday, October 24, 9:00 am.

Back to School Night and Judaism in Motion Shabbat for ARS families

Dear ARS families,

During our snack break on Tuesday, the children and I were talking about the Hebrew month of Cheshvan. We discussed how it is one of the few months in the Jewish calendar that has no holidays other than Shabbat. I think that we are all looking forward to some quiet time to really focus on our classroom studies before Chanukkah comes next month.

At Back to School Night this past Tuesday, parents, students and teachers had a great opportunity to meet each other. We discussed our ARS core text, AlShlosha Divarim, ARS homework policies and Shabbat participation. You can find links to the handouts in the “Quick Links” section of our newsletter. This week we have added a new “Quick Link” to a Google calendar with all of the ARS events included.

I look forward to seeing many of you at Shabbat services this week as this is the first of our Judaism in Motion services specifically for ARS families. The service, featuring our Mahkela children’s choir and our Judaism in Motion band, is appropriate for children of all ages. I hope that you plan to join me for what will prove to be a wonderful start to Shabbat and the weekend.

~Shari