This has been a time filled with activity at Oak Park Temple. So, you ask, what’s different about that? Probably not much, but I have a sense that something wonderful is afoot. The new Board of Directors convened some weeks back for a five hour retreat. Rabbi Weiss, using a verse from Pirke Avot, led us in discussion of the value of joining the study of Torah with work. We shared our personal goals for service on the Board and our visions for Oak Park Temple going forward. If there was any one common theme, it was that of our shared hope to expand, support and cultivate a strong sense of community at Oak Park Temple and, indeed, there are many indicators of that work in progress.
Our new worship initiative, 4th Friday, got off to an incredible start on February 25th with a sanctuary filled to the brim with a multi-generational congregation sharing connections of prayer, song, food and fellowship. It was thrilling to see the beginning of a new tradition at Oak Park Temple. Every month, on the "Fourth Friday", there will be an early gathering for wine, cheese, crackers, juice and cookies beginning at 6:00 p.m. A time to connect at the end of the week; a time to welcome Shabbat. A brief, but beautiful Kabbalat Shabbat service filled with music and prayer will begin at 6:30 p.m. and we will conclude at 7:15 p.m. For those with small children, the early time will prevent disrupting bed times and for those with greater flexibility, there will be time to go home, or out, for a Shabbat dinner with family and friends. Community.
Our annual Oak Park Temple Retreat at Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, was a huge success, enjoyed by all and another example of community in action. This year’s theme was “Reveal, Rejoice, Redeem: Party Hearty in the Torah!!!” One hundred and seventy-three members of our congregation fought through Friday afternoon traffic and less than ideal weather to spend two delightful days kicking back enjoying one another, participating in educational and entertaining workshops run by talented members of our congregation, and joining together in song, food, laughter, ruach (spirit) and Sabbath prayer. There are few things on our calendar that I enjoy more than the Retreat. This was my fourteenth Retreat and I’m looking forward to my fifteenth next year. I would like to extend my very sincere thanks to all who made the Retreat such a success. A great deal of work made it happen, and many relationships were created and strengthened. Community.
We are now preparing for Purim celebrations for adults and kids. We are honoring Cantor Green’s bat mitzvah year at Oak Park Temple with a 70’s style Purim Disco extravaganza, and we’ve prepared a wonderful Purim carnival, Megillah reading, and entertainment. Insider tip: Purim is one of Rabbi Weiss’s very favorite holidays; the potential for rabbinic mischief is high! Orange alert! These are all further opportunities for us to play and connect. Community.
Right around the corner, on April 18th, Passover begins. Passover is the holiday that is most observed by Jews the world over. It marks our deliverance from slavery and the beginning of our journey together as a people. Community.
So, in the days, weeks and months ahead, be a part of the Oak Park Temple kehilla kedusha. Our holy community.
