Today is Rosh Chodesh Sivan – only five more days until Jewish communities around the world celebrate the gift of Torah. And, I have an exciting announcement: Please mark your calendars for the next Kirva Teshuva Workshop coming up on September 11 and September 19 at Mishkan Tefilla in Brookline! Webinar dates will be included in next month’s email.
Transmission of culture is an important spiritual element of this month, given that it features the revelation at Sinai and the gift of Torah. This is the reason Reform communities traditionally celebrate their students’ confirmations around Shavuot. A tradition dating back several hundred years in some communities is to recite a prayer at this time (ideally on the day before Rosh Chodesh Sivan, but anytime is good) written by Rabbi Isaiah Horowitz in the early 17th century for our children and future generations to learn and love Torah, good middot and Jewish tradition. This is a time to think about how Jewish tradition was passed on to us and what it is we want to pass on in our own particular ways to our own children, with our friends and communities.
May the best of our tradition be alive and find a place in our hearts and the hearts of future generations.
Chodesh Tov,