With a storm on the horizon just about every other day, it is hard to maintain a normal schedule. Showing up for work, school, Services and other regularly scheduled events is a challenge. However, “showing up” for your life, no matter what the weather, should never be rescheduled.

Showing up can be the most important thing you do in your life. It is making a commitment to your spouse, children, parents, friends and neighbors to be present in each and every moment you spend with them. Being attentive to their needs and listening to them with an open heart, lending a hand whenever necessary.

Here at Temple Shirat Shalom we are blessed with a congregation that continues to “show up.” A Brotherhood who offers help whenever necessary is now joined by a Sisterhood working to help with any and all congregational needs. These two organizations are the foundation of our Temple.

If you are not yet a part of either Brotherhood or Sisterhood, please consider joining. There are many ways you can become involved, lending your expertise or support for the numerous activities that are planned. These activities benefit our community, our neighbors, our families and our congregation.

For more information on how you can “show up” for Temple Shirat Shalom, please contact Don Bastian for Brotherhood and Liz Kamp or Donna Iorio for Sisterhood.
Be present in your congregation, your community and your life.

Where do we find God’s Blessings? As Jews, we find God’s Blessings in everything we do. Looking out your window today, wherever you are, you will see God’s handiwork which is a blessing all its own.

If you are looking out your window and gazing upon your backyard in the Lehigh Valley, all you see is SNOW! And as much as this latest winter storm has disrupted your life, it is also a blessing in disguise.

Frustrated as you may be due to school closings and delays, icy conditions on the roads, cancelled events and work deadlines that cannot be achieved, it is up to each of us to look for the silver lining…to find God’s Blessing.

Perusing through FaceBook and Instagram, you will find pages showing one beautiful snowy picture after another. Pictures of children and dogs playing in the snow and tree branches bending beautifully under the weight of icicles are forever captured and saved for future generations to behold. This is one of God’s latest Blessings. These are snapshots in time that we may have otherwise forgotten.

Catching up on the latest book, household chore, craft project or cooking something warm and comforting for our family is now doable…and should be enjoyed! So take this gift of time and use it to your advantage. It’s a special gift from God…one of God’s Blessings.