The celebration of Shabbat is essential to Jewish tradition. Residents of JSDD’s homes and friends certainly miss greeting each other in person, but the silver lining of this past year is that participation in the weekly ritual of greeting of the Sabbath on Zoom, organized by Hagit Oren, Judaic Coordinator, is more robust than ever.
Lighting Shabbat candles is one of the oldest Jewish traditions and one of the most beautiful. This week Rachel and Stacy joined together to light the candles and recite the prayer. The Kiddush (blessing over the wine/grape juice) was recited by Kevin. All the participants recited the HaMotzi (blessing over the bread).
Hagit’s lesson this Shabbat was Parshat Beshalach – Moses leads the Israelites into the wilderness after their escape from Egypt. G-d sends manna, an edible substance that fell from the heaven, providing ancestors each a portion of food to sustain them. Hagit explained everyone was connected and share the same roots.
Stacy revealed to the group that this week was International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.
To enhance this week’s experience “Shalom Aleichem” was chanted, and to close out the gathering friends told each other how much they were appreciated.
Shabbat Shalom!
