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Embracing Positive Jewish Moments

12/05/2022 11:44:15 AM

Dec5

Rabbi Brad Levenberg

I recently had the opportunity to lead our regular Friday morning Temple Sinai Preschool Shabbat experience. And while this is an element of leadership shared in rotation between the clergy team, I very much liked the session last week. As the weather had dipped just cool enough to prevent us from going outside, the Shabbat experience was held in the sanctuary. And as Chanukah is quickly approaching, I chose to do The Dreidel Song with the kids.

And I played that song on repeat for almost a half hour.

The kids loved it – they were singing and swaying, dancing and “dancing.” The space was filled with joy and laughter. And every time the song came to an end, there were shouts of one word: “Again!” So, I would play the song again. And again. And again.

While it may have been a curricular-light moment, it was exactly what I think we should all be doing: we should work to the best of our abilities to create and embrace positive Jewish moments, turning them into wonderful Jewish memories. When Judaism becomes a burden, it is an invitation to reclaim those elements of the Jewish experience which inspire our smiles. When Judaism becomes rote, it is an invitation to intentionally inquire about aspects of the Jewish experience which are outside of our comfort zone, either rituals we thought were “not for me” or innovations about which we are unsure. It’s okay to experiment with your Jewish identity.

And when you find something about Judaism that gives you joy, that makes you happy, that brings a smile to your face, just know: it’s okay to do it again.

Shabbat Shalom.

Fri, March 29 2024 19 Adar II 5784