The February 12 Kabbalat Shabbat service will be special in at least two ways. First, it will be co-led by Caron Dale (and Herb Cooper-Levy). Caron is the lead singer of the world reknowned Klezmer band, Lox & Vodka, www.loxvodka.com. (She has graced us with her service leadership in the past, and Lox & Vodka performed at Amanda's Bat Mitzvah.)  Caron's ruach and warmth, as well as her special ability to connect to Jews of all ages, will make this an extremely family-friendly service.

Second, while in the secular USA we live in, it will be almost Erev Valentine's Day, the service will introduce Kol Ami to the Jewish Valentine's Day, Tu B'Av. While Tu b'Av doesn't actually fall until the evening of July 25, 2010 this year, we will approach Love as a joyful spiritual experience.

 Kol Amites should dress in white for this Kabbalat Shabbat service.  We're inviting any Kol Amite to share 1-2 lines about what Love means to them. We'll include all submissions (by email in advance to Herb) in the service.

 Oh, and of course, there'll be chocolate!

A one-hour tisch discussion after services (about 1:00-2:00) led by Richard Ruth

Rabbi Mordechai Kaplan, the founder of Reconstructionist Judaism, taught that there are a lot of good ways to be a good Jew.  Prayer is one of these.  But how do you get started – particularly if traditional Jewish prayers feel alien or alienating?

In this facilitated discussion, we’ll look together at what prayers (traditional and modern) have meant to us; ideas from the Jewish tradition about what prayer can and cannot do; how to respond when a bat kol (an inner voice) seems to be calling you to prayer, and you’re not sure how to respond; and ways to begin making prayers a meaningful and manageable part of daily life.

Whether prayer feels familiar or unfamiliar to you, comfortable or uncomfortable, known or mysterious – come join us for a Shabbat afternoon nosh and discussion.  No prior knowledge of Hebrew, Jewish prayer practice, or particular belief about prayers and praying is required – just curiosity and openness to seeing what might happen.

Service to be led by TBD.

On Saturday, March 6, Rabbi Leila will lead a Community-Oriented Shabbat services which should be of interest to families with children from age 6 and older, and all our adults as well. It will  be a slightly shorter service than our more fully adult-oriented services and will contain lots of singing, a Shabbat service and an interactive “intergenerational” look at the week’s parsha (Torah portion),