This year-long dive into Shabbat has been such an enriching odyssey! A little more than half-way through, the feedback we have gotten has been overwhelmingly positive - the stories that people have shared with our whole congregation about how they connect with Shabbat have touched every one of us. 

How amazing - this day of rest, of holiness, of connecting and prayer - and we all come to it so differently! Our individual experiences show a vast array of celebration, from quiet contemplation, to a deep sense of family, to doubt and difficulty in finding a point of contact or connection. They have all been beautiful in their honesty and richness. Many of the essays connect back to childhoods long gone, and have told of the (sometimes) winding paths we have all taken to get to our current understandings of Shabbat.
 

What do you like to do on Shabbat? "REST!" "Spend time with family"

For this week's writing, we thought it would be enlightening to talk to the people who are standing right at the edge of that winding path - the children of Beth Emet. I had the honor of interviewing the G'dolim - the four year olds who attend Beth Emet's Early Childhood program. The experience was so incredible; we will be running a few essays that highlight the experiences and thoughts of our younger community over the next handful of weeks.

I hope that this sparks a vibrant inter-generational conversation - around our dinner tables, during family get-togethers, or casual run-ins here at Beth Emet. Our community stretches far and wide, in age, in distance, in learning. Shabbat cradles us all, connects us in a profound way, and we can learn and grow so much through this kind of dialogue! 

"We say special prayers on Shabbat. My family has a special book in Hebrew. It's called a bentcher (after meals prayer)"

We would love to post pictures and stories from families (and, of course, individual members!) that talk about their connection to, and celebration of this sacred day. Send your Shabbat stories to me at Stacey.z.robinson@gmail.com. B'todah.

Shabbat shalom!
 

Tell us about Shabbat: "I love Shabbat!" "We love grape juice!" "And challah!"