Rabbi's Weekly Email

                                                         
                                     
     August 7, 2020/17Av 5780                       

Dear Friends,

We hope you remain safe and find times of joy in these summer months. At Habonim, we continue to learn, celebrate, offer comfort, commemorate and make connections together. This is what shul community is about. We are here for one another. 

With the High Holy Days six weeks away, we remind everyone that we will gather as community on-line in our virtual sanctuary to welcome the New Year. Holding the value of Pikuah Nefesh/Preservation of Life in mind, we remain dedicated to doing what is necessary to keep

our community safe and healthy as we welcome another year. 

With the guidance of a Task Force dedicated to providing input and support for clergy to create meaningful High Holy Day experiences, we are planning resonant High Holy Day services and more to begin the New Year 5781. More information about our High Holy Day offerings - both on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and in the days leading up to the holidays will follow. Thanks go to the thoughtful and intentional work of Laura Meislin, Task Force Chair, and Task Force Members Norbert Freuhauf, Danielle Kaufman, Tony Robins, and Shelley Simpson. 

One important recommendation of the Task Force is that shul members have access to Machzorim/High Holy Day Prayer Books for use in celebration of the New Year. Our Machzor Lev Shalem provides the liturgical text for our prayer services, inspirational readings and guidance for home observance. For shul members who wish, High Holy Day Machzors will be available for loan from Congregation Habonim. Contactless pick up will take place on Wednesday, August 26 and Thursday, August 27.  Register here  for pick up and to review mandatory procedures.

Those who wish to purchase their own Machzor for use this year and into the future may do so here (for a reduced price until August 20). For those who prefer a digital version of the machzor, click here.

Congregation Habonim will also provide tallitot/prayer shawls for loan to shul members for the High Holy Days.  Register here ​​​​​ for pick up and to review mandatory procedures. Traditionally tallit are worn by post Bar/Bat Mitzvah during morning services and for the evening service on Erev Yom Kippur, also known as Kol Nidre. Tallit are also available for purchase on-line from a variety of purveyors. Contact Rabbi Gelber for questions about wearing tallit.

Thanks to those who have committed to another year of community at Habonim. If you have not yet renewed your membership, sign up today  for a year of prayer, learning, and being together.

This week's parasha, Ekev, offers the basis for Birkat HaMazon/Blessing after the meal. V'achalta v'savata u'vayrachta et Adonai.../You shall eat, you shall be satisfied and you shall bless God for the good land the Divine gave to you. While we have come to associate these words with our meal, they also remind us how to be. You shall eat: take care of your body and spirit; engage in activities that nourish the entirety of your being. You shall be filled up: take time to notice that you are satisfied. What do you really need? Notice when you are full. You shall bless Gd. Give thanks for the gifts of gathering and connection, history and possibility. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Bring holiness into your midst and bless the One who works in partnership with us to make the world a blessing.

Shabbat Shalom,
rg