| Four words  A contemporary rabbi has suggested that the entire range of Jewish prayer expression may be summed up with the following words:
"Gimme!" "Thanks!" "Wow!" "Sorry!"
"Gimme!" - petitionary prayers, those in which we ask for something (peace, health, etc.)
"Thanks!" - prayers of thanksgiving, expressing our gratitude for blessings received and perceived.
"Wow!" - prayers reflecting our sense of awe at living in a world filled with all that mystifies, inspires and uplifts.
"Sorry!" - prayers in which we seek forgiveness when we fall short of our goals and in our efforts.
It’s an interesting framework within which to view our prayer experience. Truth be told, I think that many of us don’t enter our synagogue thinking about the categories of prayer with which we’ll engage during the course of our worship. We are most often content to make our way, or be led, through the siddur, hearing and feeling the rhythm of the prayers, occasionally taking note of what they say and mean.
It is my impression that most of us are drawn to worship because of the unique sense of community that it can often create and sustain. This happens in many subtle ways, beginning with the greetings we extend and receive when we enter. It continues with the act of reconnecting with others we may not have seen for a week, or months, or longer. It is enhanced by the manner in which we encounter our liturgy and what fills the spaces between the prayers printed on the pages.....music, poetry, humor, teachings, silence.
There are many ways to worship and those of us charged with leading the congregation, professionals and lay-people, take seriously our desire to make our worship opportunities fulfilling ones.
To this end, the Religious Living Committee has extended a special invitation to a talented and inspiring worship leader, musician Arnie Davidson, to conduct our Shabbat service on Friday evening, March 26th at 7:30 P.M. Arnie is a composer, songwriter and keyboard player of growing renown. He has participated in our worship in the past (notably our "Boomer Shabbat" last summer) and, as a knowledgeable and committed Jewish layperson, regularly leads a community of worshipers in East Hatford, Connecticut.
(You can learn more about Arnie’s efforts and approach at http://shirhamakom.com)
Arnie graciously offered to share with us his approach to Shabbat worship and we were delighted to accept! I will have the wonderful opportunity that evening to simply be part of the worshiping congregation and I am eager to experience a fresh perspective on what it means to pray in community. Whether you come for the "Gimme!", "Thank you!", "Wow!" or "Sorry!" experience, or you come to experience an innovative approach to Shabbat worship, I hope that you will make plans to join us that evening.
Reb Elias Back to the Rabbi's Section | 
