Rabbi Janine's Messages

Dear Community,

As another Shabbat approaches, we find ourselves invited into a sacred space—a time for reflection, connection, and renewal within our holy tradition. In our ever-busy lives, Shabbat serves as an essential pause, allowing us to nurture our relationships, both with one another and with the Divine. 

In other words, according to our tradition Gd worked a lot and then rested- Nu? So, who are you to say you don't need to rest as well? 

There are many traditional and modern ways you can prepare for Shabbat to make it a more meaningful time. Here are some ways that I prepare for Shabbat on Friday morning: 

Read the Torah portion:
This week's Torah portion is Parshat Vayetzei. Two of my favorite places to read commentary are My Jewish Learning  (a great resource for Torah and all things Jewish), The Virtual Shabbat Box from Reconstructing Judaism, and The Velveteen Rabbi. I particularly love this part from this week's teaching fromRabbi Barenblat's : 
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But it's also possible to experience God's presence in mundane moments. When you wake from a dream, eyes still gritty with sleep. When you're standing in line at the grocery checkout counter. When your child is throwing a tantrum because you didn't let them go outside in the cold without a coat on. Truly, God is in this place, and I... I tend to forget. I know that I tend to forget.
But we can always choose to remember. How would your day be different if you printed this reminder and stuck it to your computer, if you affixed it to your fridge with a magnet, if you found some way to keep reminding yourself: God is in this place. And this place. And this place. Even in our sorrows and anxiety, God is there, if we can only remind ourselves to take notice.

Candle Lighting:
Lighting candles at the onset of Shabbat is a cherished ritual that brings light and peace into our homes. Tonight's candle lighting is at 4:10 p.m., which I love because it reminds me that Shabbat in the winter is different from Shabbat in the summer. Whether you light the candles at traditional candle lighting time or when you are about to sit down to dinner- take a moment to reflect on your week. Consider the blessings you wish to carry forward and the challenges you hope to release. 

Challah and Wine:
The presence of challah and wine or grape juice at the Shabbat table represent the abundance in our lives. I love to bake challah, I also don't get around to it in time most weeks. A store-bought (McCaffrey's makes a great one!) or bakery challah is usually how we celebrate these days. We also make sure to have grape juice on hand since our little one also looks forward to Kiddush every week. Our dog Fitzgerald also loves challah and knows he hears the blessing that challah is coming for him soon. 

(By the way, we will have challah and wine/grape juice after services tonight- so there's no need to run out and buy any last minute- just join us at KHN tonight for some!)

Setting the Table:
Another way to create a special Shabbat experience is to set your Shabbat table. Put a new table cloth down. Bring out the fancy plates. Add some flowers. Even if you order a pizza for dinner, make it beautiful and special. 

Prayer:
Shabbat is a time for personal and communal prayer. Please join us tonight for Kabbalat services at 7 p.m. and Saturday morning beginning at 10 a.m.

As we prepare to welcome Shabbat, may we honor the richness of our ancestors' traditions while making space for our own contemporary practices. Let this Shabbat also be one where we try something new. May our Jewish practice bring a feeling of peace and connection, fostering relationships that inspire and uplift us.

Wishing you and your loved ones a meaningful Shabbat.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Janine Jankovitz