Dear Temple Sinai Members and Friends,
When I was 11 years old, my family lived in Los Angeles for 6 months. My father, Ira, who was in the music industry, was being wooed by a California company. It was a great summer. We lived in the Hollywood Hills. The house we rented even came with a dog. I even went to a Dude ranch and went horseback riding every day. I don’t remember how this happened, but at some point, I auditioned to act and sing in a show and got the part. My mother’s reaction was immediate and swift, “No. My son will never be an actor on a stage!” I share this with you because there are times, like this past Shabbat, when someone will come up to me and tell me that I put on a really good show on the Bimah Friday nights. Sorry mom (whose name was Doris), I guess I am performing on a live stage every Friday night! Or am I?
My intention every time I am on a Bimah is to offer a Jewish experience through the prayers and teachings of our tradition that will engage the congregation spiritually, intellectually, emotionally. I hope that my congregants are inspired and leave the service feeling good and yes, sometimes, even disturbed and moved to action. In some ways, it is a performance, but I honestly believe it is a holy performance. I am not acting to have you believe I, Cantor Shir and the choir, are the vehicles of the Divine Presence and the Teachings of the Torah, but rather it is my hope to allow you to feel and believe that we are the vehicles of this Presence as, in truth, every human being is. When I pray, I truly pray and I believe that the teachings of the Torah live through me as they do through every Jew.
So, I invite you to Temple Sinai Shabbat Live every Shabbat of the year. There must be a reason we have a greater attendance at services than most congregations of our size, and it is because there is something incredibly special going on. I pray that in some measure; I am a part of that specialness that attracts so many to Temple Sinai.
I want to encourage each and every one of you to either attend in person or stream The Delray Beach Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service this Tuesday night, November 18th at 7 pm, here in our beautiful sanctuary. This service will prove to be truly inspiring as members of our choir and the choir of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Delray Beach join with Cantor Shir expressing thanks through prayer and song. In attendance will be community members from the Episcopal, Haitian, Baptist, and Islamic communities. We are also recognizing our new Chief of Police, Darrel Hunter, as he will offer the keynote on the theme of Community Engagement. It should be a night to remember, so please be sure to attend.
Later this week, on Thursday night, November 20th at 7 pm all are welcome to attend the South Palm Beach County Israel Bonds event. It will also prove to be an inspiring evening as fourteen synagogues and their honorees are recognized. Temple Sinai honorees are Doreen Solkoff and her son Scott. Please attend and support these two incredibly wonderful people, Temple Sinai, and the event. The purchase of Israel Bonds is not a requirement but $25 for admission is and you must call 561-939-1369 to RSVP.
Jewish life these days is most challenging. All of us read and hear reports of anti-Semitic words spoken and actions taken. It is our obligation to stand proud and strong in the face of these assaults on our community throughout the world, regardless of here in America, Israel, Europe, or anyone else in the world. I, we, must do everything we can to support and ensure Jewish existence, and why, because no one else will! History has proved this repeatedly. Am Yisrael Chai. May the People of Israel, the Jewish People. Live forever. Amen.
Shabbat Shalom,
Your Rabbi Steve