Rabbi Shapiro's April Bulletin Message

For Your Consideration
Rabbi Mark Dov Shapiro

I’m writing in order to “communicate” with you this month. First, I want to “communicate” a reminder about one of my favorite services. It’s the Passover Morning Service that takes place on the first morning of Pesach. We always get a good turnout, but I’m also always concerned to be sure the current year is as successful as the previous year. Can you mark your calendar, then? The Seder is Saturday night, April 19 and the community service is Sunday, April 20 at 10:30 a.m.

If you’re celebrating a five year anniversary, let me also “communicate” with you. Our Caring Community is planning to honor you on Friday, April 11 at the 6 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat service. This is for real! If you are celebrating a 15th or 20th anniversary or any anniversary that is a multiple of five, we would like to share that happiness with you. We would like to do so because we envision Sinai at its best as a community, and your anniversary is certainly something for us to honor and highlight. Don’t be shy. You should have received an invitation in the mail and we truly do want to see you on April 11.

There is one other “communication” I’d like to share with you; it relates very significantly to marriage and weddings. Back in December of 2006, I announced that I was adopting a new position on mixed marriages. Although I had previously not officiated at wedding ceremonies between a Jew and a non-Jew, I announced that I was going to begin officiating at some mixed ceremonies. I wrote a fairly long description of my proposal and received some very positive feedback. Since then I have officiated at one such ceremony and two others are on my calendar.

Here’s the reason I’m writing again: I think not everyone at Sinai has picked up on this change in my policy. Conversations with some congregants have led me to believe that one “communication” on this matter wasn’t sufficient. So, here is a second “communication.” As we build our Jewish future and prepare for Passover, please read (or reread) my comments on mixed marriage. You’ll find them on our website. Follow the link under rabbi.

My very best wishes for this season of freedom. Chag Sameach!

Prior Bulletin Messages from the Rabbi are available on this site.