#46 From Greek to Hebrew! (and a First Communion!)

WHERE I WENT AND WHY
Finally I had a free Friday to join a Jewish Temple for Shabbat!  I decided to go to the Temple Beth El, the Reform Temple in Shalom Park.  I had been to Shalom Park and visited Temple Israel for a lecture on Islam.  I also knew that this Sunday I would have a "repeat" as I attended Living Savior Lutheran again for my granddaughters' First Communion.

WHAT TO KNOW IF YOU WANT TO TO
Temple Beth El is located in Shalom Park at 5101 Providence Road.  It is just South of Fairview right past Christ Lutheran.  As you enter the park, it is the temple to the right (Temple Israel, the orthodox temple, is to the left).  Parking was plentiful and dress was church casual, though the website said that women usually had their shoulders covered.  The wearing of a kippah (head covering) was optional and less than half of those present chose to wear them, though some were exquisite.  The Sabbath service begins with an informal Preneg which was a table of snacks, veggies, crackers, etc. and wine, lemonade and water.  The Preneg is sort of like the Christian coffee hour but before the service and with wine! The Shabbat or service began at 6 pm.  

REFLECTIONS ON WORSHIP

MOOD

The mood was welcoming, though no one noticed me as a visitor except the young man who sat beside me.  He was very generous with helping me keep up with where in the prayer book we were in the service. The prayer book is arranged right to left.  (He reminded very much of my nephew, Michael!) I arrived as the Preneg was in progress and wandered around the building admiring the art. No one spoke to me. The stained glass is modern and beautiful and there was an exquisite sculpture in the hall dedicated to Rabbi Judith Schindler, along with beautiful needlepoint "windows" at the entrance to the worship space.   I wish I had taken pictures of the sculpture and stained glass.  I expected to find some on their website.

Tallits (prayer shawls) and kippah (head coverings) as you enter the worship space.
Needle point "windows" in background.

MUSIC

Music was provided by a Cantor who played an electronic keyboard.  The cantor had a beautiful voice and played the keyboard expertly, though the instrument did not fill up the large space well.  It was loud enough, but not very "rich".   The prayers and songs were all sung in Hebrew, with the Hebrew written, followed by the phonetic translation, followed by the English translation.  This was very helpful for following the service, though I did not even try to attempt even the phonetic translation and without music notes, I could not follow what was obviously to the congregation, familiar tunes.  That did not keep me from enjoying it however.  What struck me most were the variations in both meter and how softly the congregation would sing in the quiet solemn parts.  Most the the prayers and songs seemed to be based on the Psalms.  During one of the prayers we were asked to focus on our breath, and what is really important.  (I thought of Rev. Dick Little and how he would often emphasize breathing and liken our breath to God and the Holy Spirit!)  A few of the English translations of the Psalms, songs and prayers spoke to me:

• "How great are your works.  How subtle your designs."  
• "Lead me into the mystery."
• "There is no way to get from here to there except by joining hand and joining together."
• "Keep us holy, keep us who we are.  Lead us to Peace."

MESSAGE

A group from the congregation was leaving over the weekend for a trip to Israel.  The message tonight was given by Rabbi Miri Gold from Kehilat Bikat Shalom.  The group will be visiting her reform congregation and will celebrate Shabbat in Israel with them next Friday.  She focused mainly on the accomplishments and plight of the Reform Movement in Israel.  Obviously, they have had a struggle to be recognized and funded by the government.   The reform movement was only funded by the government after a lengthy Supreme Court battle in 2005.  At first they wanted her to go through the Ministry of Culture and Sports, but she and others stubbornly persisted in being recognized not as a culture, but as a religion.  Today there are only 15 reform rabbis in Israel.  She emphasized that though the reform movement in the United States did not have a vote in Israel, they had a significant voice, both by visiting in Israel and meeting with government officials and of course with financial support.  She asked for help creating tolerance in Israel.  Many there only see folks as either Orthodox or Secular.  She is struggling to add  Reform Judaism  to their consciousness.  After she spoke, some clapped, but most celebrated her message by snapping their fingers.

The service continued by recognizing a long list of those who had died (I think many had not just died, but this was the anniversary of their death.)  As their names were read, family members would stand.

The service ended with a blessing of the folks leaving for Israel.  The blessing ended with "let our prayers, lead us to peace."

OUTREACH AND OBSERVATIONS

• Again, no outreach was highlighted in the bulletin or announcements, though in describing Israel their commitment to LGBTQ  and women's rights were highlighted.  On their website they highlight domestic violence and affordable housing as emphases for advocacy and list Sterling Elementary, the Freedom School, Crop Walk and Environmental initiatives among their projects.  One unique project was Project Snowflake which recruits volunteers to work during Thanksgiving and Christmas in shelters, hospitals, and social service centers.
• I appreciated their comfortable theater seating.
• At the beginning of the service, Rabbi Knight recognized that some parishioners were participating by a live-stream broadcast.  He had everyone turn and wave to the cameras.  Though I've encountered several congregations who use this tool, this was the first time I saw it recognized during the service.
• Once again, I felt like a child, with only a surface understanding of what was going on during the Hebrew service.  The multiple translations and frequent announcement of page numbers kept me engaged.  
• In their literature they describe the Shabbat Service as a "moment of transformation from the workweek to that time of stopping or resting".  Their beautiful songs and prayers all point to this and seemed to have a theme of seeking God's (Adonai's) protection and preservation.

THIS WEEK'S EXTRA:  Abbie and Ella's First Communion at Living Savior Lutheran Church (see #37)
After several week's instruction by Pastor Angela, Abbie and Ella, my granddaughters, were welcomed to their First Communion.  It was a wonderful service celebrating Creation (a terrific poem juxtaposed with a great artistic slide show), The Holy Trinity, and several life transitions:  Abbie and Ella's First Communion, High School Graduations (the parents of the 3 graduates wrapped them in towels to remember their baptism and launch them into the world), new acolytes, and going to Confirmation Camp!  Thank you Pastor Angela, and Emily, Greg, Abbie and Ella and Great Aunts and Uncles for joining us in this faith milestone!

A Slide during announcements

Abbie and Ella with Pastor Angela

Me, husband David, Emily, my daughter with Abbie, Pastor Angela, Ella with Son-in-Law Greg,
Great Aunt Jennifer, Great Aunt Sharon (my sister) and Uncle Richard (relatives from South Carolina!)

BULLETIN: