Kabbalat Shabbat, Tel Aviv Style

I experienced a breath of fresh Mediterranean air during Israel's present burning hot, religion and state climate.  It happened this past Friday night at the Tel Aviv Port --  a Kabbalat Shabbat open to all Tel Avivians regardless of religious stripe.  

Run by Beit Tefilah Israeli -- an independent group dedicated to Jewish pluralism and making Judaism accessible and appealing to the general Israeli public -- it was the full package of Siddurim, kipot, music and prayers.

A seamless integration of classic liturgy and traditions with contemporary customs made this event special.  It wasn't a one-time affair. Over the past six years it's been building up a following of mostly secular Israelis looking for a way to embrace Judaism into their lifestyle.

I was introduced to new customs that I want to share with you. An original  Tel Aviv Prayer and a poem welcoming the Sabbath Queen written by Chayim Nachman Biyalik -- Israel's first poet laureate  -- enhanced the regular service.

Those who wished, told about an event during the week that turned out well regardless of the hazardous potential -- to which all replied by singing out thanks to God. For me, the highlight was a new Simhat Torah style prayer under a tallit, blessing all the children finishing school and starting the summer vacation.  

And children galore there were, welcoming the Shabbat together with their young parents.

It was a Kabbalat Shabbat for all ages -- proof that our rich Jewish tradition can be embraced by all.

And for that, let us say Amen and Shavua Tov to all.

Origins & Customs of Yom Hashoah

It's always fascinating to find out why specific dates are chosen for memorial holidays. Yom Ha'shoah is a good example. Is there an obvious date for remembering this horrific carnage which lasted so many years? While some voted for Tisha B'Av when many other catastrophes occurred in Jewish history, the original plan was to hold Yom Ha'shoah on the 14th of Nisan -- the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising (April 19, 1943), which this memorial in Warsaw symbolizes.

Sounds perfectly logical, but it didn't work. Who could stop, mourn and remember when the country was in full swing with Passover preparations? Let's not forget that the 15th of Nisan is the first day of Passover. To paraphrase a famous American quote: "Jerusalem, we have a problem." And boy, was it a problem! First Passover, then a mere 12 days after the last day of Passover, Israel Memorial Day. What to do? Obviously sandwich it in during this season of remembering. And so, in 1953 Israel's Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion and its President Yitzhak ben-Zvi passed a law stating that Yom Ha'shoah is to be celebrated on the 27th of Nisan.

Today, the official ceremony marking the day is held at sundown, at Yad Vashem's Warsaw Ghetto Plaza. The national flag is lowered to half mast and Holocaust survivors light six torches symbolizing the six million who perished.  Promptly at 10 a.m. the next morning a siren is sounded, and the entire country comes to a standstill (more on sirens next week).  All public entertainment places are closed. Ceremonies are held in schools, military bases and public institutions. Entertainment shows on TV and radio are put on "hold"as well, substituted by documentaries on the Holocaust and low-key songs.

"B-O-R-I-N-G?" Not at all. "M-E-A-N-I-N-G-F-U-L!" Especially in this day and age of existential threats to Israel's existence. Yom Ha'shoah is more than a time to remember. It's a day to reflect.


Warsaw Ghetto Memorial Photo Credit