As I write this, we mark the day of Tu B’av, the full moon festival of love, on the Jewish calendar. In many ways, this holiday (which should be better known!) is a movement towards joy that follows the grief we mark during Tisha b’av, several days earlier. A vision of a fairer, more loving world.

Tu B’av paves the way for Shabbat Nachamu, the special Sabbath of Consolation, which we mark tomorrow: It is the first of seven Sabbaths of consolation as we move towards (and into) the New Year.

So join us, if you can, tomorrow morning starting at 10:00 AM on Zoom, to davven, meditate, chant, study Torah, and share in intimate space. Special note on the Torah/Haftarah: It is a veritable smorgasbord of greatest hits. In the Torah, we encounter the Shema, the Ten Commandments, the enjoinder to create Cities of Refuge, and the memorable verse about devekut/loving connection or cleaving to the divine!

The Haftarah portion comes from second Isaiah (chapter 40), beautifully dramatizing the power of reconciliation, of love restored. This stirring passage has moved folks from Handel to Isaac Babel, and le-havdil (pardon the propinquity), me too!

We will dip into some of these riches (not all, of course!!). and you are so invited to join in the Joy.

Please register in advance for services, Saturday, August 13, 2022, 10 AM-12:30 PM
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYudeGqrTkiHN1kMvu7fQOangUhUKbxYn66

Shabbat shalom and healing consolation to all,
Reb Elliot