Rosh HaShanah remarks (continued)

Rabbi Audrey also introduced to us Mayyim Hayyim, a new facility that offers a modern version of ritual cleansing. Another benefit we continued receiving from her is her lovely voice. Not only did we derive a lot of pleasure listening to her chant the prayers but also she continued teaching us the melodies so we can share in the joy of singing.

Our members led services twice a month, chanted Torah, gave commentaries on the weekly portion, and during Rabbi Audrey’s maternity leave, led High Holiday services in their entirety. Our members continue to play a tremendous role in making Shir Hadash a vital and active congregation. It can’t be emphasized enough, Shir Hadash literally could not function without the contributions of our dedicated members.

presentations from, among others, Dr. Michael Grodin on Jewish Medical Ethics, Nahum Kalinsky, a visiting professor from David Ben Gurion University in the Negev who addressed the very important question Can Israel Survive, and Rabbi Natan Maraglit who gave us an environmental interpretation to Tu b’Shevat.

Rabbi Audrey also contributed to Adult Education with her Shabbat pre-service study sessions on topics that included Song of Songs, Psalms, Miracles in Jewish Tradition, the prophet Ezekiel, and the theology of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. A member survey that we implemented this year told us this was the single most popular program.

A really special educational event was when we joined with members of the Lutheran Church of the Newtons for a joint study session with Rabbi Audrey and Rev John Stendhal, the pastor of the Lutheran church. They spoke on the use of water rituals in both Jewish and Christian traditions.

But it was not all serious. We attended as a group both the Boston Jewish Film Festival and the National Jewish Film Festival. Our Klezmer Band, Shir Madness regularly performed. Our chorus enhanced some services. And a new “tradition” (that means 2 years in a row) was added, a dance party with the well-known dance leader, Adrianne Greebaum, for an evening of Yiddish and Israeli singing and dancing.

And, of course, there were the holiday celebrations such as the Sukkot Hop on October 4, Simchat Torah where we danced with the Torah, a joyous Chanukah celebration with lots of latkes, and a Purim party featuring an Open Mike that was a runaway success.

We closed the year with our annual retreat to Craigville which included study sessions with Rabbi Audrey, a sign-a-long, bike rides, the beach and, most importantly, the opportunity to mingle with one another in a relaxed environment.

L’shana tova v’tikatevu
Rosalind