Special occasions deserve special attention. At last Friday’s Shabbat Service, Temple Shirat Shalom did just that. Cantor Sussman performed the blessing given to Don and Judy Belmont’s son, Adam, and his fiancé Neta-Lee Laizerovich celebrating their upcoming wedding in April.

The proud families of both Adam and Neta-Lee were present for the Service and Oneg, and it was a wonderful opportunity to meet and chat with the happy couple and their families.

These occasions of joy and sometimes sorrow bring us closer together as a community. When we take part in the celebration of a congregant’s life cycle event, our bonds become stronger and the ties to our religion deeper. It is unique to Jewish life and is cherished by all of us.

Sometimes we find it hard to find God in our everyday lives. However, if we open our hearts to one another in joy and in sorrow, we find God in the love we share.

In mid-January we observe Tu B’shvat – the Jewish holiday that celebrates The New Year of Trees. Yes, that’s right. All those years ago our ancestors understood the importance of trees and their significance to sustaining life here on earth. Fruit bearing trees were revered and symbolized God’s gifts to humanity.

Today the holiday encompasses other environmental and ecological issues as well, calling our attention back to the Garden of Eden and the message God gave to his children, “See my works, how beautiful and praiseworthy they are. And everything that I created, I created it for you. Be careful not to spoil or destroy my world – for if you do, there will be nobody after you to repair it.”

How appropriate this message is. How relevant it remains. If we do nothing else, remember these words and utilize the message in our everyday lives. Recycle, reuse, repair, regenerate, repurpose. Share this message with your children and your grandchildren. For if we do destroy this world … as God so aptly said, “there will be nobody after us to repair it.”

Tu B’shvat encourages us to refocus our lives and think responsibly incorporating renewable and sustainable practices in everything we do.

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!”

It’s just a week away. Hanukah and Thanksgiving will descend upon us bringing families together to celebrate the Festival of Lights and the historic harvest of our pilgrim ancestors.

For Jews it is especially unusual, in a good way, in that the two holidays will fall on the same day. When something this unusual happens, some of us wonder if there is a deeper meaning.

Even though the secular world likes to compare Hanukah to Christmas, those two holidays have little in common. Hanukah has more in common with Thanksgiving than any other holiday. When you think about it, both have to do with people fighting for religious freedom.

So on this Thanksgivamukah, we as Jewish/Americans can feel blessed knowing that we are free. Our ancestors fought off their oppressors and made long, arduous journeys to parts unknown so that we could enjoy lighting the candles and sharing a festive Turkey dinner with our friends and family. It seems appropriate that we will celebrate them together this year.

On the special occurrence of these two holidays coming together, we all can say freely … thank God.