My family met a friend and her 4-year-old daughter for a picnic in downtown Lexington and heard a free children’s music concert. Maybe Shabbat can be about more than ritual. It was a night about simply being together.
Tag Archives: Shabbat
Night Without Ritual Has Shabbat Feel
>No candles were lit. No kiddush was chanted. No challah was on a table. And yet last Friday night still felt a lot like Shabbat.
Judaism, by baby steps
My 4-month-old baby boy nestled in my arms, I walked into the sanctuary hoping to discreetly slip back into a seat by my husband.
“Simon,” Rabbi Howard Jaffe called out in his booming voice. “Come join us.”
It was time for the Aleinu prayer, and our temple’s tradition was to invite children to participate and open the [...]
Posted in Jewish muse, Parenting, Writings Also tagged Howard Jaffe, Judaism, Parenting Leave a comment
Learning to Pray is Lifelong Challenge
Some people seem so comfortable at praying. They shut their eyes and recite words praising God and fold into their own private space. I am still learning how to pray.
I celebrated my adult bat mitzvah four years ago and led others in the traditional prayers of a Shabbat morning service. I did not stumble over [...]
Food Stains, Tots Aplenty Make Memorable Shabbat
Strawberry, chocolate, and milk stains dotted the dining room tablecloth. Toys were strewn across the living room. And the squeals of three toddlers filled our home. It was Friday night, and this Shabbat dinner was “much, much better” than others. Friends sat at our table with us.
Trust, Welcome Parents Who Bring Tots to Temple
Most of us are considerate enough to take a baby or toddler out of the sanctuary if wailing or whining starts. As Jews, we should roll out the welcome mat for young families, whether they show up for a regular service or Tot Shabbat.
Havdalah Neophyte: Being Jewish Keeps Me on Learning Curve
I’m a havdalah neophyte. Until well into my 30s, I had no clue what havdalah was. Judaism, unbeknownst to me, had an ancient ritual to mark Sabbath’s end.
Why write about this ancient ritual now? For the first time on Saturday night, I experienced the beauty and simplicity of havdalah in my own home. It was [...]
Author Shulevitz Chats about Jewish Journey, Sabbath Obsession
Making Shabbat a part of modern life is a juggling act for many Jewish families – including my own. Author Judith Shulevitz, who I interviewed yesterday by phone, confesses to being a tad obsessed with the Sabbath. She, too, is conflicted over how far to go in observing Shabbat.
Her passion, fascination, and obsession with Shabbat [...]
Rabbi’s small tokens make big connection for toddler
All it took was some pocket change. In a brief moment, our rabbi connected to our 2-year-old this past Shabbat. Our toddler had no idea that tzedekah meant charity. But he loved it when our rabbi pulled out a handful of change from his pocket, and let Simon pick out coins and stick them [...]
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