Dear Haverim,
Today is the 2nd of Sivan and, in a few days, we’ll be celebrating one of the most important holidays on the Jewish calendar. Traditionally, Shavuot is the equal of Sukkot and Pesach, but, because it doesn’t have a unique experience like a Sukkah or a Seder, it’s less well-known than the other two “Shalosh Regalim” pilgrimage festivals.
Try it, you’ll like it! We’ll be reading the Ten Commandments from the Torah in Hebrew and studying them in a very contemporary way in English. This foundational text of both Judaism and Christianity is subscribed to by many people, but understood by few. Using a modern midrash/commentary on the Ten Commandments, we’ll discuss which are still relevant, and in what way, and if we would like to add any new ones.
We’ll also discuss the Biblical Book of Ruth, describing the first “Jew-By-Choice” in our tradition.
Our teen Madrichim will lead the service with the Cantor and me, and we’ll honor them for studying with me and being aides in our Living Judaism/Religious School, helping younger children. In addition, we’ll honor our Adult Education teachers and students for upholding the Jewish tradition of being lifelong learners. We’ll conclude the Shavuot Shabbat service with our Yizkor memorial prayers.
By the way, the Oneg Shabbat/Oneg Chag that follows our service will feature, as is traditional, dairy foods like ice cream and cheesecake (with other treats for the lactose intolerant)!
Preceding the service will be our Annual Congregational Meeting at 5:30p.m. and, at 6:30 p.m., a Pre-Oneg. (Think of all of the tasty food and food-for-thought coming up this Friday evening!)
So, please join us for Chag Ha-Katzir (the harvest festival), Chag Ha-Bikkurim (the first fruits holiday) and Z’man Mattan Toratenu (the giving of the Torah season) – all names for Shavuot – and celebrate the holiday of ethical responsibility (that follows Pesach’s liberation theme 50 days later). Shavuot challenges us with the question: “Nu, now that we are free, what are we going to do with that freedom?”
I look forward to sharing the annual meeting, two Onegs, the Ten Commandments, the Book of Ruth, honoring adult and teen students and teachers, and so much more with you, so RSVP here for in-person services.
As for the rest of the month of Sivan, please put these upcoming dates on your calendar:
- On Friday, June 2, at 7:00 p.m., University Synagogue member and Pepperdine University Professor Martine Jago will speak about “My First Year As A Jew-By-Choice” and University Synagogue member Steven Hirsch will lead the service. RSVP here.
- On Friday, June 9, at 7:00 p.m., Martine and Steven will once again speak and sing at services when Martine’s topic will be “Safely In, Safely Out At Yad Vashem.” Martine will describe her experience as a scholar, invited to Jerusalem by Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum, and how she has applied what she learned to teach both University Synagogue teens and Pepperdine doctoral students. RSVP here. (If you haven’t watched “A Small Light” on Hulu about Miep Gies, the Righteous Rescuer who hid Anne Frank’s family, consider watching it. It’s excellent!)
- On Friday, June 16, Ruti and I will lead the first of three beach services (the other dates are July 21 and August 11), as we do each summer, at Crescent Bay Point Park in Laguna Beach. Join us at 6:15 p.m. for a “Bring Your Own Dairy Shabbat Dinner” and at 7:00 p.m. for services overlooking the ocean. Bring your friends (and dogs, if you wish) for what is always a fun-filled experience in nature, as the sun descends and we welcome Shabbat. (Fathers will also be honored on this Shabbat before Father’s Day.) RSVP here (Sorry, no Livestream at the beach).
Don’t miss any of these wonderful Shabbat experiences during the month of Sivan.
Chag Sameach/See you this Friday evening for Shavuot,
Rabbi Arnie Rachlis
