Woke up in time to go to synagogue on Saturday morning, though I didn't get there quite on time. Today was one of those Saturdays when I really only feel awake after an afternoon nap.
The minyan was held at the building of the non-denominational synagogue, with some members of that congregation. The rabbi, who was trained reform, is reaching out to the traditional-egalitarian minyanim, and they are holding joint services with us once a month.
The highlight of the service happened during Torah-reading, when the 2.5 year old daughter of some friends started to lug a chair toward the center of the room (people watched, and didn't stop her yet). She moved the chair over to the bima, where her father had received an aliya. Then she climbed up on the chair, and watched curiously as the adults gathered around the scroll and the reader read.
Her father was anxious and moved to take her down, but the minyan organizer and the rabbi, who were reading and gabbai-ing, respectively, motioned to let her stay.
Hanna is very clever and energetic and mischievous. She drives her parents bananas.
Glossary:
aliya -- being called to recite blessings for the Torah reading
bima -- altar. A table in the center of the room, where the torah scroll is placed when it is being read. Taller than the line of sight of a 2.5 year old.
gabbai -- the person who calls the stage-directions for the Torah-reading.
minyan -- prayer-community, with a quorum of at least 10 adult Jews
shul -- synagogue
Shalom.
First off I want to let you know that this isn’t Spam mail its something of the utmost importance! Please mail this out , make copies , send Sharon a letter or send this to friends and newspapers all over. So we can stop this destruction of our Holy Places. Torah.
My name is Robert "Yosef" please look at this site and show it to people and encourage them to send Sharon a letter of protest of the destruction of our heritage. On this eve of Purim, we look at the Book of Esther. And how one person saved the Jewish people and their heritage, lets all ban together and forward this to as many people as we can so we too can be like Esther and save the Jewish people and their heritage forever! Thanks for your time and help. And lets not forget how one person had the courage to stand up and do something for the people of Israel.
Shalom,
Robert "Yosef" triplef80@hotmail.com
http://www.shechem.org/kyos/engkyos.html
site of pics of Yosef's tomb being destroyed!!!!
Contact the Prime Minister's office (webmaster@pmo.gov.il) to express your anger at the destruction of Joseph's Tomb by the Arabs and say that you want an Israeli presence there, day and night.