September 2007 Bulletin Message

For Your Consideration
Rabbi Mark Dov Shapiro

The boat ride across the Sea of Galilee may have been the highlight of Sinai Temple's recent trip to Israel. It was Thursday, July 5 for our group of 36 travelers. We had visited the Golan Heights that morning followed by touring the city of Sfat and then kayaking on the Jordan River. The group had even celebrated the beginning of the day with a Bat Mitzvah ceremo- ny in the ancient synagogue of Katzrin.

All this was on the printed itinerary. The big surprise came when the group made a last minute decision to go to Tiberias for dinner by traveling on a boat!

The sun was getting ready to set. The hills around the water were begin- ning to soften as evening approached.

The boat itself had a big open area around which the group members took seats. And then came the surprise:

The Israelis navigating the boat loved music. They especially enjoyed loud recorded music, which they began to play as the boat left the shore. One of the crew grabbed a Middle Eastern tof/drum, placed it between his legs, and began to beat out the rhythm for each infectious song. Without even realizing it, everyone on board began to clap. A few people got up to dance. Then more began dancing. Then the drummer brought out several drums so that group members could bang away to the music.

It was a magnificent moment. Joyful. Total. It was as if the boat was flying on its own magical path toward Tiberias. The boat ride captured all the emotion and excitement of a perfect day on what was a fabulous experience in Israel.

Of course, lots more took place on our trip to Israel, but the Tiberias evening captured so much of the trip's spirit. The glow still remains with me. I'll have more to say when we all meet for the New Year in a few days.

Meanwhile, my sincere wishes for a New Year that brings all of us sweet and enriching memories. Shana tova – A good year for us, our community, and, most certainly, for our brothers and sisters in Israel.

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