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...
Thu, December 12 2019
14 Kislev 5780
Upcoming Events
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Friday
Dec 13All-Ages Erev Shabbat Service / Potluck
Friday, Dec 13th 6:00p to 8:00p
Once a month, we gather for a potluck vegetarian dinner followed by a musical, all-ages erev Shabbat service. Join us for this fun, musical erev Shabbat experience appropriate for adults and kids of all ages (especially kids in pre-school through 4th grade). We’ll end at 7:30 pm with Oneg Shabbat (dessert). Please bring a vegetarian/dairy main dish to share - enough for 15-20 people. -
Saturday
Dec 14Shabbat Morning Torah Study with Rabbi Toba Spitzer
Shabbat, Dec 14th 8:45a to 9:40a
Each month we explore the parshat hashavua, the weekly Torah portion, through the lens of commentaries both traditional and contemporary, before the Shabbat morning service. No prior experience in Torah study is necessary. Bring your own caffeinated beverage! -
Sunday
Dec 15Religious School Nitzanim/Gan - Gr. 7
Sunday, Dec 15th 9:30a to 12:00p
Meets at Jewish Community Day School, 57 Stanley Avenue, Watertown, MA -
Sunday
Dec 15Parent Brunch for Kindergarten & under
Sunday, Dec 15th 10:00a to 12:00p
We will have a few parent brunches hosted on Nitzanim/Gan Sunday mornings at JCDS for families with younger children (ages 0-3) to come and meet the Nitzanim families, hang out together (with their younger kiddos), and get to know the program and the space. -
Sunday
Dec 15Chanukah for Grown-Ups
Sunday, Dec 15th 11:00a to 12:00p
What meaning does Chanukah hold beyond lighting the menorah and eating latkes? We will examine themes of assimilation and identity. -
Sunday
Dec 15CDT Board Meeting
Sunday, Dec 15th 7:00p to 9:00p
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Monday
Dec 16GBIO Congregation Meeting
Monday, Dec 16th 7:00p to 8:30p
The CDT Co-Liaisons and Health Care Co-Captains would like to build on our recent success of the November 4 GBIO ACtion by bringing the congregation up-to-date on the recent accomplishments and the plans for the next phases of the Health Care Reform campaign. They are also asking for ideas on how to expand the “team effort” that went into making our quota for the GBIO Assembly. If you attended the recent Member’s Meeting, you also know about the focus on better communications on all congregation activities. GBIO wants to help lead that effort. -
Tuesday
Dec 17Religious School Gr. 3-6
Tuesday, Dec 17th 3:45p to 5:45p
Meets at First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton, 1326 Washington St. West Newton, MA -
Tuesday
Dec 17Technology Committee Meeting
Tuesday, Dec 17th 7:30p to 9:00p
December Tech Committee focus: brainstorming and categorization of how and in what parts of our lives we use tech. We will be exploring how tech functions in our personal and professional lives, as well as how this congregation might use it in the future. Come in person, dial in, or zoom in, for all or part of the meeting. All tech backgrounds and abilities welcome and encouraged to participate. -
Thursday
Dec 19Mindful Mornings
Thursday, Dec 19th 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