I never joined a synagogue [Jewish temple] before. However, lately with all of the Jew hatred that is spewing out all over the world from the Palestinian propaganda machine, I have come to feel a need to be closer to my Jewish people.
Shabbat service
Close to my apartment is Temple Emanu-El, a reform Jewish synagogue. This evening I attended the shabbat [sabbath] service. First time in all my adult years that I actually went to temple! Wow!
I arrived at Temple Emanu-El about an hour before the 6am Shabbat service was to begin. The temple is gorgeous. Inside the choir was practicing for their performance this evening.
Just to the side of the platform from which the rabbi speaks, there was a table setup to commemorate the 49 people slain in Orlando. The first thing that the rabbi did at the beginning of Shabbat service, was to hand out to the congregation 49 circular paper bands on which each of the slain person's names was printed.
I was one of the congregation to receive a band. My band read: "Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35." Then, each one of us with a paper band, went up to the table, read the name of the slain person on the band, lit a tiny candle on the table and placed the band to encircle the candle.
This was such a beautiful ceremony! The rabbi, a woman named Devorah Marcus, must be a remarkable person!
I decided then and there, that I wanted to be part of Temple Emanu-El.
Tribute to the 49 slain in Orlando
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Dave, Glad to see you made it back to your faith. I too have Jewish roots however I never had my Bar Mitzvah. Perhaps some day before I pass.
ReplyDeleteHi Rick !
DeleteYou probably know that you must be able to read Hebrew from the Torah in order to do Bar Mitzvah.
Not an easy language! I began to regain my Hebrew skills just this week.
George
George,I do know that I must speak Hebrew and that's what has kept me from getting a Bar Mitzvah . However in my mind I still consider myself Jewish. Rick
DeleteThat's just beautiful, George. You know, I was baptized and raised a Roman Catholic, but now I'm a "fallen-away" Catholic. Still a Christian, though, and definitely a believer. But like you, I'm finding that with all the anti-Christian stuff going on, and all the atheists I meet on the road who disparage Christ and Christians, I'm being drawn back to my faith in a kind of wonderful way. I think these people trying to destroy us are only making us stronger and prouder, and bringing back those of us who wandered away. I'm happy for you, George, and I hope you really enjoy your temple services and all the people you are going to meet. God bless you! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barbara!
DeleteYours is a wonderful comment for me to read. 😀
George
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Blessings, George, sure made me happy to read your post today.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations George. I sense contentment, even in these times . So glad to see how you adapt to what life brings you
ReplyDeleteBest regards
Good Story about the faith in religious and for mankind.BMG Heathrows
ReplyDelete