Rabbi's Message

Rabbi Elyse Wechterman
Read about the Rabbi
February 2004

A lot to look forward to....

This winter is so cold; getting out of bed - let alone the house - is so unappealing, it is hard to imagine that our synagogue community could be as vibrant, as busy and as alive as it currently is.

But it is happening - the warm fires of community and connection are burning at Agudas Achim, as evidenced by the return of Teen Torah Talk - at the teenagers request; the buzz of excitement around Tot Shabbat and Ruach and Roll as parents and young children discover together the joy of Jewish life; at our Adult B'nai Mitzvah class where four students brave the coldest temperatures to review the sounds of Hebrew letters and learn together twice a month; at Shabbat morning services where a growing core of regular attendees greet each other with a heart-felt "Shabbat shalom!" every week.

Our members' engagement in and ownership over our collective Jewish life continues to soar - especially as we near the conclusion of two long, community-wide processes that have sought to transform the way we engage all of us in making decisions in our community. The Kashrut Task Force will present its recommendations to the board this month and the results of the Dues Committee's efforts will be sent out to the broader community for consideration and feedback shortly (see articles elsewhere in this newsletter). Both committees, with their respective emphasis on Jewish source material as the basis for their discussions, represent a greater demand to know the hows and whys of Jewish life. Similar curiosity and commitment to learning was in evidence at the Learner's Service on January 10, attended by many non-service goers.

Our constant efforts to improve the school, our increased social action programming, our Shabbat School programming, adult learning opportunities, and outreach activities through JOIN all speak of a healthy, active community about to take off.
And yet - month after month, the leaders of this community (volunteers and staff) express frustration and exhaustion. Again and again, I hear complaints that we see the same people at our programs; that the valiant few do all the work; that "our members don't really care."

I, for one, do not believe that the people who make up this community don't care or want to participate. But I do believe that many often do not know how, or feel too intimidated to even try. And many, busy with work, school, sports teams, and the rest of American culture, don't even really know what we mean when we talk about building meaningful spiritual community.

I want to bring to your attention to opportunities for you - all of you - to find out.
The first is "Shabbat Across America," Friday, March 12. For the ninth year in a row, Agudas Achim will host a Shabbat Dinner and Introductory Service for any one interested in attending. Dinner will start at 5:45 with candle lighting and all the blessings explained. Services will be at their regular 7:30 pm time - but will include explanations and guides to the prayers, an opportunity to ask questions on any topic, and childcare will be provided. After services, we will have dessert and Shabbat singing.

This is a wonderful opportunity to experience a Shabbat dinner and to connect with members of the community. For those who have come before, please join us again to share your experience. For those who have never come, please put this on your calendar. Everyone, invite someone else. Let's create a real Shabbos in Attleboro.

The second opportunity is the first-ever New England Reconstructionist Shabbaton, April 23-25 right here at Agudas Achim! As you hopefully have already heard, we will be hosting this gathering of Reconstructionists from 10 congregations in the region. Programming for the weekend includes services showcasing the worship styles of different communities and rabbis; workshops on diverse topics such as death and mourning practices, to music and singing; teen and children's programming with the staff of Camp JRF; cabaret performances on Saturday night; shared meals and much more.

Your participation in the weekend is crucial to its success - and also to your greater understanding of Reconstrucutionist life. Offer to host someone if you can, bring food for the Friday night potluck, register for the whole weekend or just come for part of it - but this is an opportunity you won't want to miss. Look elsewhere in this newsletter for details. But, please, put this weekend (and Shabbat Across America) on your calendar now and commit to being a part of our exciting (and warm!) Spring.

B'Shalom
Rabbi Elyse

Rabbi's Message Archive