The final Shabbat Service of 2013 was held at the home of Janet and Neil Hogan and it was a warm and friendly experience for all who attended. Sitting on chairs, couches, and even the stairs we went back in time a bit as we used the blue prayer books that were written back in the 1970’s when the world was different and the viewpoints of Judaism were less gender neutral than they are today.

Cantor took us through the service and made a point to provide insights into how different certain aspects of the service was back when the prayer books were published – adding to the enjoyment and understanding of the service. It also opened the service up to more interactive discussion about how different Jewish thought is today.

Janet provided the sermon which involved the concept of negotiating and whether it was a “Jewish thing.” As parents, how many times have we found ourselves negotiating with our children about what they can or can’t do? We all agreed that it really wasn’t a Jewish thing, it was just a natural part of life.

The entire evening was a wonderful example of the camaraderie and close bonds that we’ve achieved as friends and as a congregation. At the foundation was the fact that we were all involved in the “Jewish thing” and found it enlightening and fun. Please consider joining us at future Shabbat services where you can also do the “Jewish thing!”