Summer is a great time of year. The weather brings us outside to enjoy backyard barbecues, trips to the beach, reading on the deck, gardening and all sorts of sports. Even a summer rain is a welcome respite from the heat, refreshing and renewing us to begin it all again.

Attending Shabbat Services in the summer is much like a summer rain. Our everyday lives are busy with activities. We sometimes need a break from all the fun we are having. Seriously … we need to de-stress, express and compress. De-stress from our busy week, express our faith with friends and family and compress our lives with the brotherhood and sisterhood of our spiritual community.

It’s as refreshing and renewing as a summer rain. Coming to Services may seem like the last thing on the list at the end of each week, however, once you are there, you immediately feel peaceful. And you will most likely learn something too.

Cantor Sussman is expert at teaching us lessons from the Torah. It is always a conversation with Cantor incorporating everyone’s input into her Sermon. And this week, we are eager to learn of the experiences of our own Sam Zionts-Bernstein who spent a high school semester in Israel. You will want to come and bring your own children to hear what Sam has to say.

So if you are in town, put this week’s Shabbat Services on your calendar. We look forward to seeing you there.

The temperature was warm outside and the atmosphere was as warm and friendly inside. Once again, Don and Judy Belmont graciously opened their home and hosted our Shabbat Services last Friday evening.

Shabbat Services in a home setting provide an intimate environment in which to share our worship Service. Bringing God into our hearts is a personal and meaningful experience, made all the more endearing when you are seated on a comfortable couch, listening to the birds outside an open window while watching the sunset through the neighbor’s trees.

Listening to Cantor chant Haftorah, we are transported back to the time of the Ancients as they gathered around a fire in a setting as intimate as our own. The Home-based Shabbat Service allows us the opportunity to discuss the Torah portion, rather than just listen. This change in venue, every once in awhile, is refreshing.

Our Judaism is such that we can take it anywhere and everywhere. We can be just as engaged in our worship whether it takes place in a synagogue, a park or a friendly home.

A very big thank you to Don and Judy Belmont for opening their home and allowing us this very special experience.

This past weekend kicked off the long-awaited summer season. There are vacations, field trips, weekend getaways, etc. All of which takes us away from our weekly Shabbat Service. We here at Temple Shirat Shalom understand that the comings and goings of our everyday lives sometimes gets in the way of our worship.

But we don’t have to sacrifice our observance because of activities that take us away from our synagogue. Judaism is such that wherever you are you can observe Shabbat by lighting the candles and saying the Blessings. As Cantor Sussman always guides us, breathe in the peacefulness of Shabbat and breathe out the stress of your week. Even if you are unable to light the candles … you can still sit with your eyes closed and be mindful and grateful of all you are blessed with on this earth.

Of course, if you were home, we would love to have you come and worship with us. There is nothing better than to worship with a warm and friendly community and, also, share a bit of wine and a Wegman’s dessert.

But if life gets in the way and you find yourself “on the road” for a summer getaway, remember your Blessings, remember to be at peace with yourself and remember.. Shabbat Happens.

On Sunday, May 19, Temple Shirat Shalom will hold its 2nd Annual Congregational Meeting. There will be a new slate of officers, a passing of the gavel and a celebration commemorating 2 successful years of operation.

It’s a good time to look back at just how far we have come in such a short period of time. The seeds of faith planted just a few years ago have flourished into a vibrant spiritual community.

Our path, ever winding, with our fair share of bumps in the road, has brought us closer together as we worship our faith. And everyday we find new ways to share joy within our community.

Our Board of Trustees needs your support and input to continue their exemplary leadership of our congregation. By attending the Congregational Meeting, you help to shape our future. Be a part of this celebration. Join us as the journey continues.

Temple Shirat Shalom
2nd Annual Congregational Meeting
The Swain School
4 p.m. – Potluck Dinner (contact Debi Nelson at dnelson@ptd.net)