Shalom Congregants,
In my last two articles, I wrote about the many opportunities at CBI to connect with the community, and to learn and expand our Jewish knowledge. In this article, I want to extend that by sharing my thoughts on how CBI is place where we can explore spirituality and feel part of something larger than ourselves.
For me, Shabbat morning services have always been a time when I experience a sense of spirituality. I love music and I love Hebrew, and the combination of the two as I participate, and as the words and music wash over me, lifts me up, connects me to my Judaism, helps me feel closer to God, and gives me a sense of wellbeing that I truly cherish. At CBI, we are fortunate to have two talented clergy with outstanding musical skills who are exceptional shlichei Tzibbur (leaders of the congregation in prayer). For me, the davening experience makes it hard to imagine being anywhere other than CBI on Shabbat morning.
I know that immersing oneself in prayer is not for everyone, but there are other ways to find spirituality at services and feel part of something beyond ourselves. Our Lev Shalem prayer book is filled with explanations, interpretations and alternative readings that offer us opportunities to explore material meaningful to each of us. And our clergy encourage us to do that. Similarly, the Etz Hayim Chumash (Torah and Commentary) offers us opportunities to peruse interpretations of the weekly parsha while we listen to the chanting of our Torah readers. If music is key to enhancing your sense of spirituality, there are many opportunities at CBI, like a cappella singing and instrumental accompaniment that we’ve introduced at Friday night services.
There’s an old Jewish joke that goes something like this: The Rabbi notices two congregants Touger and Finkler who come to services every single Shabbat morning without fail. They never miss. One Shabbat during Kiddush the Rabbi tells them how impressed he is with their devotion and asks them what motivates them so strongly to come to services every single week. Touger says, “personally, I come to speak with God” and Finkler says, “as for me, I come to speak with Touger”. For some of us, the primary motivation to come to shul on Shabbat morning, on holidays, or on other occasions is to see friends and connect with community. It’s the same on the High Holidays. We look forward to the familiarity of words and melodies, of rituals and honors, and we also look forward to reconnecting with people we may not have seen for a long time.
The Rabbis teach us that there are many ways to direct one’s heart to heaven. In other words, there is no one right way to experience spirituality or connect with something larger than ourselves. The essential ingredient is our kavanah, our intention, the sincerity with which we approach these moments.
There are many opportunities at CBI to explore our spirituality and connect to something larger than ourselves. Rabbi Isenberg and Cantor Wallach are ready to meet us wherever we are on our spiritual journey and help us chart our own course forward.
Shabbat Shalom!
Henry Bloom
President
Congregation B’nai Israel
