Shabbat Shalom ~ Shelach 2022

Dear WJC Family,

Well, the temperatures are warm and school is out. It feels like summer is finally truly upon us. I want to wish a mazel tov to all of our graduates. We are so proud of all of you. Some of you got your start right here at the WJC ECC, while others we have had the privilege of educating and/or sharing lifecycle moments along the way. Whatever your connection has been to WJC, we hope you will always think of this building and community as a spiritual home—a safe harbor should the journey get a little rocky. And because I don’t think too many of our graduates read this weekly message, mazel tov to the parents. Please pass the message along to your kids. We hope you will find a Shabbat to come and be with us for services and Kiddish so we can wish you mazel tov in person and give you blessings on your next steps.

Speaking of which, this is our last Shabbat of the regular season—we will hopefully be moving to our newly refurbished chapel for Summer Shabbatot starting in July. So, come join us for a quiet Shabbat as we turn to our quieter season. Well not quiet for the J.O.Y. Club, which always has great summer programming (and this summer is no exception). We will have more information about protocols for summer davening next week, but in the meantime, if you are interested and available for Torah reading or leading services over the summer, please be in touch with Cindy Heller, our absolutely amazing summer Shabbat coordinator, or you can drop me a note and I will connect you with her. Your volunteering gives the clergy a chance to take a break after a busy year and for us to kvell about how the people we serve are so knowledgeable, wise, and learned. Thank you in advance for volunteering to and a huge dose of gratitude to Cindy for all of her efforts.

This week, I will be speaking at the Kabbalat Shabbat service (tonight at 7:15pm) and Rabbi Dalton will be delivering the sermon tomorrow morning. Then, tomorrow night at 8:15pm (I know it’s late; these weeks are the longest Shabbatot on the yearly calendar), I will be teaching on next week’s parsha, Korach, and exactly what it means that we should be “holy.” I look forward to seeing you this Shabbat or very soon.

In fact, the summer is quieter for my schedule too. I will be away for most of July, but if you’d like to get together for coffee or anything else, August will be an ideal time. Just reach out and let me know.

See you in shul,

P.S. After this letter was written, I heard about the historic decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. I’m sure a lot of people have heavy feelings about this and I simply want to share a prayer that Shabbat gives us the opportunity for reflection and time to find some peace.