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Musical NotesJune 2003From the Desk of Marjorie HochbergOne day, when Joseph was a young man, his father asked him to find his brothers in Shechem where they were supposedly pasturing their flocks, and report back to him about how they and their flocks were faring. As Joseph walked in search of his brothers, he ran across a stranger in the fields. In one of the only recorded examples of a man asking for directions, Joseph asks the stranger if he has seen Joseph's brothers. The stranger answered that, yes, he had seen them and had overheard them say that they would be traveling towards Dothan. Heeding the stranger's words, Joseph walked toward Dothan and eventually found his brothers. From that moment on, his life and the destiny of the Jewish people was changed forever. Because of him, the Jewish people sojourned in Egypt, Pharaoh enslaved them, Moses liberated them, and eventually they received the Torah at Sinai. It is likely that that unnamed stranger had no idea that he sent Joseph on his mission to God. I think that I can speak for other Hebrew school teachers in saying that we often feel that our role in our students' lives is akin to the stranger in the field. For a limited period of time, we have the attention of our students, and a brief opportunity to teach them about Judaism. We hope that the relationships we build send them on their path in life--a path that includes and embraces a commitment to God, Torah, and Israel. It is especially gratifying for us to see young adults taking their place at Sinai, and accepting the Torah on Shavuot through the ceremony of Confirmation. This year, Confirmation is Friday, June 6th at 7:30 pm. This year's Confirmands will lead the Shabbat Shavuot Festival Service, read the Ten Commandments and portions of the Book of Ruth, and will share some of their considered insights into the Prayer service, the Torah, and Reform Judaism at this Service. Mazal Tov to all of our Confirmands: Leah Beckmann , Daniel Butler, Matt Hameroff, Maya Leal, Talya Lepow, Aaron Morgan, Karianne Nicholson, Miles Sadowsky, and Rachel Stewart, and to their families. Saturday, June 6th at 10:00 am, former Confirmands celebrate their connection to Temple Emanu-El and Judaism at Shabbat Shavuot Yizkor Services and the Confirmation Reunion. If you were Confirmed at Temple Emanu-El last year, or decades ago, you are invited to attend and participate in this spectacular event. And, whether you have been Temple member for five minutes or fifty years, you are invited to attend services, meet former Confirmands, and learn about Temple history from those who have lived it. If you would like more information about this service, please contact the magnificent Confirmation Reunion organizer, Diane Weintraub at Temple Emanu-El Youth Choir at the Multi-Faith Concert for Unity and Tolerance, Sunday, May 11th! |
