Shabbat Gathering: Intentionally hanging out with Hashem.

Gud Shabbos Khaveyrim, as is our custom, we will gather tonight at 5.45p ct to welcome Shabbat. These are the coordinates:

Zoom
Meeting ID: 883 8469 4181
Password: 822665
Phone: +1 312 626 6799

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Here we go.

It's been my intention, for a very long time, to live in an intentional community. When I was living in Westchester County, a suburb of NYC, a group got together to start a co-housing community. My ex-wife and I, after attending an initial meeting, quickly realized this was going to be a long-term, intensive project. We were about to embark on our own long-term, intensive project — our first child — and could see that we would not be able to invest the time and energy needed to help start a co-housing community. It was a pity.

Decades later, when I moved to Madison, I discovered there were several co-housing communities in the city. I thought to myself how nice it would be to live in one. Then, I became more particular and decided if I did live in one, I’d like to live in Arboretum Co-Housing (Arbco) because several CSS congregants live there and I would have instant community within an instant community. I moved in and it's been a dream come true.

Judaism is a team sport.

Community is something that distinguishes Judaism from other faiths. Fundamentally, Judaism can’t be practiced in solitude. We need a minyan. We need people to hold open the Sefer Torah when we chant from it. And we need someone to bring the Lokshen Kugel to the shiva.

During the High Holy Days, we repeat over and over again how Tefilla, Tzedakah, and Teshuvah helps soften G!d’s judgment of us and I think it’s worth noting that, of the three, only one is about our direct relationship with G!d. Tzedakah and Teshuvah are all about how we get along with each other.

I have mixed intentions when it’s time for me to prepare for our Shabbat Gathering. On the one hand, I look forward to welcoming the Shekinah and giving Her a nice, long hug. On the other hand, I’m looking forward to seeing you again and having the chance to catch up with my community. Then, I remember something I’ve thought about a lot since I first read it in 1979 : “Treat everyone you meet like G!d in drag.” When I look at my computer screen and see all your faces looking back, I think about that. I think about how we were all created in G!d’s image and we have the Divine inside each of us.

And may it be for all of us a blessing.

See you tonight!
Gud Shabbes!

All my love,
brian.

PS

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