How does Judaism come to life for you ?

Shabbat walks in the mountains, seeing God in the beauty around me, taking time to breathe deeply, slow down the stream of thoughts, and simply appreciate all that God has created.

Sharing in the timeless Temple services with fellow congregants led by rabbis Sirkman and Frankel and Cantor Scher. The thrill of seeing the Torah carried around the sanctuary after the Torah reading. Participating and learning about Judaism in classes taught by our wonderful and knowlegable clergy. Joining my voice singing the songs in the sanctuary. Being part of a people that knows no borders , that welcomes you no matter where you are in the world. The traditions that have lasted and passed on from generation to generation. Sharing the holidays.

When our voices are lifted in song and prayer, and we are connected to one another, to our ancestors, and to the Holy One, through Jewish rituals of love and comfort, courage and hope, knowing that we are bound to one another in sacred covenant. In those moments, we are eternal.

Being a part of the LT community makes Judaism comes to life for me. Whether enjoying wine and challah with my monthly LT Shabbat dinner group, working alongside my kids and the kids at Coachman at an LT Social Action event, learning from our wonderful clergy at an adult ed program or at the LT Women's retreat, or sitting with my family and friends every fall at the High Holy Day services --- I love being Jewish in this wonderful community!

In the face of a death, Jews prioritize the needs of the living. We validate pain, help celebrate the life of the deceased and join in saying kaddish. We create community to let the bereaved know that, though feeling broken, they are not alone.

When we gather as a community, saying the same prayers and experiencing the same rituals that Jews have honored for thousands of years.

Judaism comes to life when I light Shabbat Candles with Remy (7) and Sylvie (4), when I cook my mother’s recipe for chicken soup, stuffed cabbage or stuffed breast of veal and observe that my young granddaughters hold the small knife the same way my beloved mother did, when I sit around the Chevra table and turn the words of Torah with my beloved congregation, when sitting in the sanctuary and I can hear the small silent voice from within, when I can reach out to help without being asked, when Ritual Committee can assist in extending the celebrations of our weekly rhythm of worship, the holidays, festivals and lifecycle events to our community, keeping the legacy alive, every time I hear the music I am transported, summer services, Shabbat morning minyon, the feeling of sacred community whenever we are together and looking into Torah seeing the words rise up to meet me. Judaism comes to life for me in times of joy and sorrow and is always wrapped in sweet memories.

Through inspiring teaching and learning opportunities with Rabbis Sirkman and Rabbi Frankel, engaging worship with Cantor Scher and our rabbis, and caring community outreach initiatives.

Celebrating Passover Seder with my family, sharing food and stories. And, my love of the landscape on my Kibbutz. The view of the Mediterranean sea in the distance, the Carmel mountain in the South to the Rosh Hanikra mountain in the North.

Jewish values handed down from our ancestors in a continual chain expressed in family traditions, ritual, holidays and music!