Monday Morning Message – November 15, 2010

Last week in the life of Torat El

 

• A group of nearly thirty people gathered in a class to consider their “Jewish Journeys,” reflecting on where they have come from and where they are going in their Jewish lives.

• Members gathered in prayer twice each day for a few moments of spiritual reflection, and to support those in mourning or commemorating a Yartzeit.

• Kabbalat Shabbat services honored our community’s veterans, as well as all those who have served and continue to serve our country.

• We welcomed a young woman into Jewish adulthood, marked by her beautifully chanted Torah and Haftorah, and her teaching the congregation some words of Torah.

• Nine of our USY leaders went to a regional convention in Marlboro to spend Shabbat together, socialize, learn how Harry Potter and Torah are connected, and develop their leadership skills.

• Junior congregation and “mini-minyan” services brought Shabbat joy to the youth of our congregation.

• An ongoing study group gathered to explore the wisdom and life lessons of the Book of Exodus.

• Fifty people dined at a fun and delicious pancake breakfast, surrounded by children joyfully playing together

• A special gathering was held celebrating the “Interfaith Quilt Project,” a project that promoted charity in the world and peace between religions.  I was privileged to represent Torat El alongside a local Imam, Reverend and Congressman, as we all paid tribute to the children in our community whose inspirational art work reminded us that it is possible to live in a world where tolerance and peace conquer bigotry and fear.  (This event was sponsored by the CRC of the Jewish Federation of Monmouth County.)

We had a wonderful, inspirational, and holy week, and we have another one ahead!  Don’t forget to check out the website, look through the bulletin, and find your point of entry for this week and all the weeks to come.  Join us and bring your friends!