It was a wonderful Shabbat with the induction of several new board members, special prayers in celebration of Shavuot, and the reading from "The Rabbi;s Torah", which was carried by Rabbi Richard Fader of the Czech Republic before the Holocaust. Lee has been the guardian of the memory of the 2 Czech communities that we honor. Tragically, almost none of either community survived the Nazi destruction. HUC-JIR Rabbinic Student Rabbi Aria participated in her first service at TBS, singing the Ahavat Olam.
Thanks so much to Lane for these photos! We now have not only Lane taking photos, but Denny and Bobbie as well.
Here is the blessing over the entire board:
May the one who blessed our ancestors bless these leaders of our congregation. Bless them tonight and bless them in the future as they work diligently and with great dedication for the betterment of our Temple.
These men and women have been entrusted with the leadership of our community. We pray to you God that they may be bestowed with wisdom and understanding, Sensitivity and concern for their fellow human beings in indeed all life on Earth.
May they help to build both spirituality and religiosity.
May they work for the betterment of our committees and the ability of those committees to function effectively.
May they work effectively to maintain our physical safety and financial viability.
Let us never lose sight all of our common purpose – The Covenant between God and the children of Israel. may we always respect each other even if we sincerely disagree with one another.
May they be successful in building and maintaining a thriving congregation devoted to Reform Judaism and a caring community in the entire West Valley.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּֽנוּ לַעֲסוֹק בְּצָרְכֵי צִבּוּר
Barukh atah adonai eloheinu melekh ha'olam asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu la'asok betzorkhei tzibur.
How full of blessing you are, ETERNAL ONE, our God, majesty of the Universe,
who has consecrated us with Your commands, and commanded us to occupy ourselves with the needs of the community.
And let us all say amen.
Comments