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Raising Jewish ArizonaNovember 2004From the Desk of Rabbi CohonNovember 12th, 6:15 PM: Family Shabbat, at a new time and with a new service Sidur, is for everyone who cares about our Jewish future After the bris for his baby brother in shul, little Jonah cried all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times what was wrong. Finally, the boy sobbed, "That rabbi said he wanted us brought up in a Jewish home, and I want to stay with you guys!" It's easy to joke about just how secular-that is, not very Jewish-our own homes can be. Most of us are likely to have a bedtime ritual for our children that includes reading chapter books or Dr. Seuss and doesn't include saying the Shema, and in most of our houses Friday night is better known for high school football games-and band or dance performances-than as Shabbat. But if we want our kids to be Jewish, and to care about the things we value, we need to change that a little. Raising Jewish children has always been a central concern of Jewish parents-and should be a central concern for temples and Jewish communities everywhere. The best way to have children who embrace Judaism for its life-affirming essence and rituals, and who will live ethical lives dedicated to the morality that lies at the heart of our religion, is to have a strong Jewish home. That means having a home in which Judaism is actually practiced, and in which regular observance of Jewish rituals and ethical teachings clearly matters. The best way to be sure that your kids-that all of our kids-understand and experience Judaism in all of its beauty, holiness, and community is twofold: to make Shabbat special on a weekly basis, and to come to family-oriented services once a month or so. It's not much to ask, really: our one-hour Friday night Family Shabbat, which is definitely suited to every age of child or adult, is now designed to be both parent--friendly and child-friendly, with our new The Shabbat Experience prayerbook, our vastly improved sound system for the Avanim band, and our high level of participation. We have responded to parent suggestions extensively, and created a wonderful, warm, and fun experience of Shabbat that still leaves time to get smaller children to bed early, and gives older kids the opportunity to participate in our Jr. TERY youth group activities afterwards-or to allow those who don't come to the Family Dinner at 5:30 to enjoy a later meal at home or out. Our next Family Shabbat and Shabbat Rocks! Services with Avanim are November 12th: Shabbat semi-pot-luck dinner is at 5:30 PM (we provide the chicken) and a one-hour service is at 6:15 PM. Our Temple Emanu-El Youth Choir will sing. Show that you value your kids' Judaism by being there. Make your home a little more Jewish this month-and every month. L'shalom v'rei'ut, in peace and friendship, Rabbi Samuel M. Cohon
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