August 2018
Av / Elul 5778
From the Rabbi’s Study... Dear Chaverim,
A story is told about an old synagogue in the deep south where everyone while walking down the center aisle seemed to bow toward the Holy Ark. A first-time visitor from New England asked the rabbi about this custom, wondering if it was a practice of southern Jewry that did not exist in synagogues elsewhere across America. The rabbi explained that when the synagogue was built 150 years earlier, the kerosene chandelier was hung from the ceiling too low. During the processional with the Torah scrolls, people had to duck out of the way, making it look like the people were bowing. When the kerosene chandelier was replaced with an electric one 85 years ago, it was hung much higher but people still bowed when they walked down the aisle - it had become a habit, or in religious terms, a minhag or custom! The world Jewish community is an eclectic community. While there is Halacha, traditional Jewish law which in general governs the Jewish way of life, in any particular community there also exists a variety of customs that may be unique to that community. Temple Israel has been a congregation with customs that are unique to our synagogue. We now welcome many members of Temple Israel in Dover, a Reform-affiliated congregation, who also have had customs, some of which are particular to their congregation and others that are found in many Reform congregations. In my message this month, I want to look at some customs that vary from community to community and describe how I hope to help our new members from Dover to feel more comfortable in our Conservative congregation. Continued on page 2
Adult Hebrew Classes resume August 7 Development Committee Meeting 4:30 p.m., Sunday, August 5, Library Ritual Committee Meeting 6:30 p.m. Monday, August 6 Temple Office Closed Thursday, August 9 and Friday, August 10 “Second Friday” with musical guest Cantor Shira Nafshi 6:15 p.m. Friday, August 10, Sanctuary Basic Judaism Class with Rabbi Ira 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 15, Board Room Executive Committee Meeting 7:30 p.m. Thursday, August 16, Virtual Meeting Board of Directors Meeting 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 21, Board Room Bar Mitzvah of Remi Young 9:30 a.m. Saturday, August 25, Sanctuary Rabbi Ira Korinow officiating
Basic Judaism Class with Rabbi Ira 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 29, Board Room
Tuesday afternoon 5:30 p.m. Friday night 6:15 p.m. Saturday morning 9:30 a.m. followed by kiddush and lunch