For Your Consideration - Rabbi Mark Dov Shapiro

     It’s sabbatical time as I write these remarks in late January, however I do have some thoughts I’d like to share with you.  

     I’m looking into the future and, among other sabbatical activities, I’m planning for a trip to Germany! I’ll be there at the end of February volunteering a week of my time to the small Reform Jewish community in Germany. I’ll be teaching a workshop in Berlin at the new liberal rabbinic seminary; I’ll then take a train across Germany to spend several days with the Jewish community of Cologne.  

     When I return to Sinai, one of my first goals will be to tell you about the trip and about the Jews I will have met. Like me, I think you’ll want to know what sustains Jews now in a country that was a nightmare only sixty years ago. I’ll report to you
at services on Friday, March 18.     

     But there’s more in the future for us. In the month of March,we will have three very different visitors at Sinai. Each one of them has a unique perspective on Jewish life. Donna Berman speaks about social justice as a feminist. Liz Lerman brings the energy of a world class dancer to bear on Judaism. Tammy Kohlberg is an Isreali with all the passion of that country we call our homeland.

    And in case you’re bored, confused, tired, or cranky, there is always PURIM. This year none other than Sponge Bob will be visiting us that night. You will not regret spending two hours at Sinai on Thursday, March 24. As they say in our tradition, "When the month of Adar containing Purim arrives, joy increases." I look forward to seeing you soon.