I have always like the Family Service at Beth Miriam. To watch the kids lead the service is a joy, not only for me, but for the whole congregations. Sure, sometimes their reading is a little choppy and sometimes their voices are not quite loud enough. Those are small things when juxtaposed to what they are learning.
Like many of you, I grew up in a temple where the bima was not for children. It was a place of adult dignity only. There is something to be said for that, but I ask my self, 'at what price?' When we effectively 'close off' the bima to the children, we are doing them a disservice. We are not letting them grow in their Jewish experiences.
What do you remember from your early Jewish experiences? Undoubtedly, there are wonderful memories from when you were given a special opportunity. The feeling of joy and accomplishment are as real for a child whether on the bima or the soccer field. I and the teachers and the board encourage that growth, those feelings, and building those Jewish memories.
And so, tonight, I will kvell with the congregation as our 6 year-olds help us discover what Shabbat joy is.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment