January-Februry Bulletin Message
by Rabbi Mark Dov Shapiro

For Your Consideration
Rabbi Mark Dov Shapiro

Maybe it was because dinner was virtually free. Or maybe it was because people like to break bread to- gether.

Whatever made it work - our last congregational Shabbat dinner was a success. 275 reservations! We used every table the Temple owns to fill the auditorium and Oneg Shabbat Room.

Now we return with two dinners in January followed by two extraordinary speakers.

On Friday, January 21, we welcome Lou Cove, founder and director of Reboot. Formerly, Cove was Vice Presi- dent of the National Yiddish Book Center. He now heads up Reboot, a national think tank focusing on new ways to bring Judaism into synch with our new century.

Reboot recently pioneered in exploring the connec- tions between African-American and Jewish musicians with the production of a CD called Black Sabbath. Cove will talk about Reboot as well as Reboot’s musical discoveries. (He’ll bring with musical samples that you will love.)

Then comes January 28. Because Fiddler on the Roof will be appearing at Symphony Hall two nights later, I’ve invited Justin Cammy,Assistant Professor of Jewish Studies at Smith College to be our guest after dinner. Cammy is a specialist in Eastern European Jewish culture. He will talk about the “original” Fiddler by taking us into the Yiddish stories on which the Broadway musical was based.

And, of course, dinner will be served on both January 21 and 28. For free!

Only one requirement. You must RSVP. We can’t feed a crowd without knowing your coming. Hope to see you for both evenings. (For details, see page 3.)

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