Shalom Chaveirim/Dear Friends:
Summer has just begun, and I certainly want you to enjoy it, so I wanted to include a little information about having a Jewish summer.
Though holidays are often thought of as festive, there are also sad holidays. The saddest one is Tisha B’Av. Literally the 9th of the month of Av, Tishah B'Av refers to a traditional day of mourning the destruction of both ancient Temples in Jerusalem Temple Temple
The month of Av is followed by the Hebrew month of Elul. This is a month of reflection. During this time, morning worship includes special penitential prayers and concludes with the blowing of the shofar as a reminder of the approaching season of atonement. In some communities, this is also a time to visit the graves of loved ones. This month leads up to the Yamim Nora’im /High Holidays. To learn more about the Yamim Nora’im, visit:
Don’t forget that while traveling this summer you can still incorporate Judaism into your travels. If you’re in a community that has a synagogue, find out when services are and attend them with your children, grandchildren or friends. Bring along a pair of travel candlesticks and a Kiddush cup and light candles and make Kiddush on Friday nights. And if you’re in a Jewish area, make a point of visiting a Jewish museum, Holocaust memorial, Kosher restaurant or JCC.
Have a wonderful summer and don’t forget that all Friday services are at 6:00 p.m.; the Temple is open, I’m around, so is the Rabbi, the Library is available for use and Torah Study group still meets on Saturday mornings at 9:00 a.m. and Prophet Group still meets on Wednesday mornings at 11:00 a.m.
Wherever your travels take you this summer, have a wonderful time.
L’Shalom,
Judy Alexander
