A Love Song for Shabbat

A Love Song for Shabbat | www.clal.org:
Clal Resident Tzemah Yoreh, Ph.D. has just published the first book in his Humanist Prayer Series. In A Love Song for Shabbat he attempts to add some spice toKabbalat Shabbat. It is intended for anyone who wishes that there were more prayers reflecting contemporary values, while at the same time remaining true to traditional cadences. Tzemah Yoreh relates ‘ Here you’ll find my original poetic compositions in Hebrew, introduced and translated (creatively) into English with notes for people who want to delve more deeply into their meaning. If some of these poems strike a chord, great! If none of the poems speaks to you, I still hope and pray that upon reading them you become mobilized to compose prayers that are as meaningful to you as these are to me.’..."
'via Blog this'

In Watertown, Mass., prepping for Shabbat after a night of gunfire and explosions -

In Watertown, Mass., prepping for Shabbat after a night of gunfire and explosions - Jewish World News - Israel News | Haaretz Daily Newspaper:

As for Shabbat preparations, the family wasn’t going to let a lockdown get in the way of their Shabbat meal, which had become a sacred family tradition. They may not have the ingredients to bake their own challah, but Levy said she's making matzah ball soup, which “I think of as comfort food.”

Noting that they bless their children each Shabbat (an older daughter is away at college), Levy said, “blessing Noah this Shabbat will take on even more meaning given the events of last night and today in Watertown and the bombings on Monday at the Marathon. “When we kiss and hug Noah this evening, it will be a little tighter and longer,” she said.

'via Blog this'

Sabbath Queen

http://www.chabad.org/blogs/blog_cdo/aid/2197602/jewish/Shabbat-Queen.htm
Natalia Kadish is a Surrealist artist inspired by the joy received from learning Torah and contemplating the infinite. She received a BA in Illustration from School of Visual Arts. Her art has been displayed in several concerts including Irving Plaza in NYC. While incorporating the realism of her father, Laszlo Kubinyi's illustrations she explores mystical concepts and understandings inspired by her visit to the Artist Colony in Tzfat, Israel. Her goal is to reveal the love in hearts and share her inspiration with all.
'via Blog this'

Butter, Garlic, Goodness

Butter, Garlic, Goodness | The Jewish Week:
If you ever host a Shabbat meal or a dinner party, there are always special added touches that make things extra special. For me, one of those things is homemade bread. Rolls, challah, foccacia, are all nice, but garlic knots? Now those will disappear before your eyes in seconds.
'via Blog this'

Springtime Shabbat: Poached Salmon with Minted Fava Mash – Jew and the Carrot – Forward.com

Springtime Shabbat: Poached Salmon with Minted Fava Mash – Jew and the Carrot – Forward.com:
I wanted to make a Shabbat meal that would celebrate springtime, a promise of what’s to come for those still shivering and seeking comfort food. So I came up with a light, healthy, clean meal bursting with the flavors of the season that can be served warm, room temperature, or even made ahead and served cold. The entire menu is parve and gluten free, so it can accommodate a variety of diets.

Read more: http://blogs.forward.com/the-jew-and-the-carrot/174529/springtime-shabbat-poached-salmon-with-minted-fav/#ixzz2Q6rmbCLS
'via Blog this'

Ellen Frankel: Jewish 'Nones' and the Question of Choice

Ellen Frankel: Jewish 'Nones' and the Question of Choice:
In a world that demands options, religious institutions would do well to reexamine the experience presented inside its walls. When new choices are offered that speak to the rooted values of the tradition, nothing is lost while much is gained. And maybe some of those who have walked away because of too many closed doors will find options of pathways leading inside to the heart and spirit of their faith.
'via Blog this'

Shabbat of the Senses - Sermon by Beckye Levin Gross

Shabbat of the Senses
A Sermon by Beckye Levin Gross; delivered at HCRJ on Friday evening, March 8, 2013

Sometimes, just the thought of a smell can lead to a really specific memory. Have you ever walked by someone at the mall or had someone walk by you and the smell of their perfume or cologne instantly takes you back to a moment in time; and the memories and feelings you experience are so intense? 

I invite you to take a moment right now and close your eyes. Try to remember the smell of the perfume or cologne worn by your mother or father, or maybe one of your grandparents or past love; and think about what you associate with that smell?

And what about taste? Sometimes the taste of a certain dish can bring us right back to a particular time in our lives. The same can be said of photographs. A picture not only paints a thousand words, but it can remind us of a particular time in our lives, who we were with and what it felt like to be in that place, who we were in that moment of our lives.

Sights, sounds and smells each have the capacity to stimulate powerful associations of the past. Some may be positive, others may be negative, but whatever the case may be – our senses can be strong tools which can be used to generate memories. Knowing this, we could actually use our senses to not only recall memories, but to create new sacred associations.

Take Shabbat for instance. We learn that G-d created the world in six days and the seventh day was for rest. I don’t know about y’all, but I cannot remember the last time I “rested” on the Sabbath. Life is busy; and even moments of rest may not be very restful. But the thought of resting on Shabbat or making the Sabbath feel special in some way which separates it from the other days in the week is a beautiful, blessed concept. So why not give it a try.

In our weekly observance of the Sabbath, whether it is at home or here at HCRJ, we have boundless opportunities to create powerful connections through sight, sound, smell and taste.

Actually, there are probably things we do already that are reserved for Shabbat; we just don’t connect them with memories yet. For example, listening to Jane sing, as Donna plays Shelter Us each Friday or tearing into the Challah with our hands after Motzi. And those who attend family Shabbat dinner know well the moment when Rabbi Gross asks everyone to “Shhhhh” so that we can hear Shabbat coming, and then he strikes the match before lighting the candles. What a great memory of Shabbat dinner our children may have when, in the future, they hear the sound of a match being lit.

When Steve and I first came to HCRJ, we brought with us a recipe for pull-apart cake. It wasn’t so much the taste of the pull-apart cake that enticed us; though it is quite yummy. It was the smell; the smell of freshly baked cinnamon and sugar wafting from the kitchen and surrounding us at the oneg. For us, we associate that smell with Shabbt onegs.

There are other things we could do to create Shabbat centered memories which revolve around our senses. We could wear a special perfume or cologne that we reserve only for Shabbat. We could prepare a special meal or use special plates every Friday night. We could make it a ritual to listen to Jewish music or to make challah french toast on Saturday mornings. Remember to light the candles every Friday night no matter where we are or we could take a moment to smell the scents from a spice box each Saturday evening.

Whatever it may be, at some point during this Sabbath, I hope you find a moment to consider what memories YOU would like to make surrounding this holy day, and how your senses can play a part in creating those sacred connections.

Shabbat Shalom!