On and Off the Bimah
On and Off the Bimah
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The CDT newsletter includes an occasional column about Jewish ritual and practice in the Dorshei Tzedek community and beyond, by the CDT Ritual Committee. Those articles are collected here.
The Hebrew on our Ark and Torah Table
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When the ark is open, you can see the words etched into the frame above the place where the Torah scrolls rest. It says:
עץ חיים היא למחזיקים
Etz chayim hi l’machazikim ba.
It (the Torah) is a tree of life for those who hold fast to it.
This is what we chant when we return the Torah to the ark...Read more...
Hagbah: Lifting the Torah
Marion Ross, for the Ritual Committee
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On the bimah a member of the congregation holds the Eitz Chayim, (the wooden handles of the Torah scroll), one in each hand, pushes down on the handles raising the Torah off the table, and with knees bent s/he brings the scroll to an upright position and lifts it high.
Off the Bimah, I breathe in, expectantly.
The person lifting the...Read more...
When is the Best Time to Arrive at Services?
Laurie Goldman
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Shabbat services at Dorshei Tzedek begin at 9:45 on Saturday mornings. The liturgy flows according to our tradition’s attunement to the rhythms of our awakening souls and the narrative of personal and collective gratitude, praise, and redemption. But since the service is not a performance, it’s perfectly appropriate to arrive at any time. You’ll be greeted with a smile whenever you arrive and service leaders will announce page numbers...Read more...
Demsytifying Leyning: How Do Our Members Know How to Chant From the Torah?
Cindy Shulak-Rome
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As a twelve year old I loved my thrice weekly Hebrew School experience that was associated with the conservative synagogue my family belonged to. However, when given a choice as to whether or not I wanted to have a Bat Mitzvah (yes, an unusually progressive conservative shul to offer Bat Mitzvah in the 1960’s) I emphatically said “no!” The reason for that response was clear in my mind. I was terrified to stand up and “sing” in front...Read more...
Our Torah Service: Re-living the Experience of Sinai and the Desert
Elaine Pollack
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The words sung just before lifting the Torah out of the ark,” Va’yihi binsoa ha-aron, va-yomer Moshe”…come directly from the Book of Numbers, (Chapter 10, verse 35). “And it came to pass, that when the ark set out, that Moses would say: ‘Rise up oh Lord and let your enemies by scattered…” These words are proclaimed by our service leader in advance of marching with the Torah, and are intended to echo our ancestors’...Read more...
Embodying Prayer
Elaine Pollack
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Think about it: from the beginning to the end of our Shabbat morning service we are engaged in a fair amount of standing and sitting, bending and bowing, touching and kissing (and not just because our friend is sitting next to us!). At a certain point, we even go up on our toes three times in succession.
These are moments when the physical meets the spiritual, and we are given a special “choreographed” enhancement which we...Read more...
Sun, October 20 2019
21 Tishrei 5780
Upcoming Events
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Sunday
Oct 20Religious School Gr. 1-7
Sunday, Oct 20th 9:30a to 12:00p
Meets at Jewish Community Day School, 57 Stanley Avenue, Watertown, MA -
Sunday
Oct 20Simchat Torah for young kids
Sunday, Oct 20th 4:00p to 5:00p
We close the week-long festival with a celebration of ending one year’s cycle of reading Torah and beginning anew! Come see the Torah and dance with it! For kids aged 0-5 and their parents. -
Sunday
Oct 20Simchat Torah Celebration
Sunday, Oct 20th 7:00p to 9:00p
We close the week of Sukkot festivities with this celebration of the Torah! All ages are welcome as we mark the end of the year cycle of reading Torah and begin anew with Torah Quiz, dancing with the Torah scrolls, and unrolling the scroll to read the very end and the very beginning! Join Rabbi Toba and CDT musicians for this musical, fun evening. Young Children’s Program 4:00-5:00pm Service and Main celebrations 7:00-9:00pm -
Tuesday
Oct 22Religious School Gr. 3-6
Tuesday, Oct 22nd 3:45p to 5:45p
Meets at First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton, 1326 Washington St. West Newton, MA -
Wednesday
Oct 23CDT STORIES: WORKING FOR JUSTICE AND NURTURING OUR SOULS
Wednesday, Oct 23rd 7:00p to 9:00p
Come hear CDT Tikkun Olam activists share their stories of their social justice activities. On October 23 CDT’s Tikkun Olam committee is hosting a congregation-wide event for members new and old to hear how CDT members are leading efforts around Immigration, health care reform, sustainability and much more. There will be time for reflections on our activist work and how members both serve from the heart and receive so much in return from their efforts. There will be time for the community to connect with leaders of each Tikkun Olam work area. -
Thursday
Oct 24Mindful Mornings
Thursday, Oct 24th 8:30a to 9:15a
This weekly gathering combines guided and silent meditation to develop our capacity for mindful awareness and to cultivate qualities of patience, gratitude, and compassion. All are welcome, whether experienced in meditation or not. The group is facilitated by CDT members with occasional participation by Rabbi Toba. No need to make a weekly commitment; join us when you’re able! (Please arrive no later than 8:30am, in order not to disrupt the session once we’ve started.) For more information, please email mindful-mornings@dorsheitzedek.org -
Thursday
Oct 24"Jerusalem" Poetry Reading & Gallery Talk
Thursday, Oct 24th 7:30p
Josette Akresh-Gonzales will be showing 15 poetry broadsides from her "Jerusalem" collection in the CDT gallery this fall, and she will do a reading of the poems on October 24. Josette writes, "These poems are not merely about the city of Jerusalem and my family's experiences there — they examine the idea of Jerusalem, the way we all can't let go of it." After the reading, Viv and Norm Shein and Thea Breite will give a talk about their photos in the gallery. Desserts and drinks provided. -
Sunday
Oct 27Religious School Nitzanim/Gan - Gr. 7
Sunday, Oct 27th 9:30a to 12:00p
Meets at Jewish Community Day School, 57 Stanley Avenue, Watertown, MA -
Sunday
Oct 27CDT Prayer Vigil for ICE Detainees CANCELLED
Sunday, Oct 27th 2:00p to 3:00p
CANCELLED -
Tuesday
Oct 29Religious School Gr. 3-6
Tuesday, Oct 29th 3:45p to 5:45p
Meets at First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton, 1326 Washington St. West Newton, MA