Welcome to this week's blog. There is a wonderful worship opportunity to share with you this weekend. Our Kindergarten children will be participating in the service and we will share the joy with their families. You know, when most of us were growing up, the bima was such a scary place. We would never dare to lead a congregation for a Shabbat service or even participate in a service - at least not until after we were bar or bat mitzvah. At least, that is the experience of most of us.
There is something to be said for that. After all, if there is not sense of the sacred on the bima then it becomes regular and not very special. But we live in different times and the Jewish experience can not be presented as untouchable or scary. Still, we have to keep the sacredness of the bima. Having children on the bima does not detract from its sacredness. Disrespect does. Our responsibility is to teach our children respect for the bima but we can't do that unless we can get them up there. Our family service, then, even at such a young age as the Kindergartners, are opportunities to teach.
And then, after the service, I would like you to do something: say mazal tov to one of the children. Your words can have a lasting effect. Tell them you appreciated how they behaved on the bima and that their service was beautiful.
Having children on the bima is but one of the beautiful traditions we have at Beth Miriam. And what better way to teach the beauty of our tradition than to teach it to our children and invite them to be a part of it.
I look forward to seeing you on Friday at 7:30.
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