As we say goodbye to 5782 and begin preparations for the New Year, we reflect on the highlights of the year we shared together.
High Holiday services with friends and neighbors ushered in 5782. The songs and prayers of Cantor Kaplan from Montreal brought in these special days. Youth services offered our future an opportunity to join in prayer as they welcomed in the new year. As always, services for both Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur were followed by a scrumptious kiddush. It was wonderful to see the return of many who were unable to attend the previous year.
Purim, bigger than ever
Purim was bigger than ever last year. Esther and Mordecai would have been proud! Our Purim celebration saw 160 men, women and children decked out in creative costumes celebrating Haman’s downfall and applauding the successful survival of Jews throughout the Kingdom of Ahasuerus. The reading of the Megillah and the much-loved tradition of drowning out Haman’s name while chowing down on Hamantaschen delighted all who attended.
Besides chicken soup and matzo balls, what’s the next favorite Jewish food? Chinese food, for sure. So a giant kosher Chinese buffet was enjoyed by all, complete with eggrolls. Purim: a fun and memorable holiday for adults and children alike.
Pesach
Pesach provided another opportunity for a successful community event. One hundred twenty people shared a unique Seder meal commemorating the night Jews left Egypt. Chicken soup with matzo balls was followed by a brisket meal with all the trimmings and wine — definitely more than four cups — and a great time was had by all!
Many of us had the opportunity to celebrate Passover as a child with the gathering of multiple families coming together to share the Seder meal. We close our eyes, and the memories take us back to a simpler time when beloved family and friends were still with us. We sang songs, drank wine, were grossed out by the frogs and boils and locusts, and searched for the afikomen. We learned and taught the next generation about the exodus from Egypt and the importance of remembering our ancient beginnings.
Learning, in person again
Many of the year’s offerings continued to be provided in person and by Zoom, with many more friends choosing to attend in person. Regardless of how you joined, resuming Jewish learning offered a sense of belonging much needed during the isolating times of Covid.
How fortunate we are to have access to continued Jewish education classes. JLI makes Jewish learning accessible and personally meaningful to every Jew regardless of background or affiliation. The classes were led by Rabbi Schmerling and were quickly filled, offering everyone an opportunity to enrich and further their commitment to Jewish learning.
Chanukah in the park
Chanukah in the park was back in full force after a two-year abridged event. The giant menorah was lit, songs were sung, people gathered, and we were able to breathe a sigh of relief that the restraints of Covid certainly looked like they were behind us. It was obvious to all in attendance that this event provided a sense of community that was missing throughout the previous year. The highlight of the event is always the performances of the Hebrew School students, who entertained the audience in costumes and with song.
We danced to the music of the Froelich Klezmer Band, who help us celebrate many Chanukahs in the park. We watched the children of Hebrew School of the Arts present a variety of short plays, creatively directed by Chaya Rivka. And what would a Jewish festival be without food? There were latkes, jelly donuts, chicken soup and matzo balls and more.
The yearly Chanukah car parade — with car flags and magnetic menorahs mounted to cars — was impossible to miss as we paraded through Venice and North Port. How proud it felt to share our culture and heritage with the greater community.
Shavuot, and a weekly schmooze
Shavuot marked another festive day of celebration. The holiday is one of the most important days in the Jewish calendar, the day the Torah was given to the Jewish people. So what do Jews do when we celebrate? We eat! And did we ever. After the reading of the Ten Commandments, the dairy feast began: blintzes, cheesecakes, all the trimmings for ice cream sundaes, cookies, pies, salads and wine completed the feast.
“Bagels, Lox & Schmooze,” a weekly community social gathering to break bagels, schmooze, and enjoy time together, was back in full force this year. They came for the bagels; they stayed to schmooze. It was an opportunity to socialize, nosh and be part of the community. The one rule was bringing your appetite and your joy, to laugh and share in the exceptional gift of living in paradise and the “Yiddishkeit” that binds us all. It was a unique gathering that helped us remember that no matter what part of the country or world you are from, our Jewish culture and food bring a shared familiarity.
Camp, and 500 mezuzahs
Summer camp, Gan Israel of Venice, resumed in June with a full schedule of Jewish learning through songs, games, contests, and fun activities. Camp is much more than a physical break from the school routine. It helps create a bridge back to Hebrew School of the Arts that builds on the core values of Chabad: a deep sense of pride in Jewish heritage and a love for the land of Israel.
As our community continues to grow and flourish, we welcomed many new families to Chabad this year. And with new homes comes the need for mezuzahs. Last year saw the busiest year to date, with over 500 mezuzahs placed in homes of new and long-time residents. If you haven’t had the opportunity for a home welcome visit, a home blessing, or the placement of mezuzahs, please contact us to schedule a visit.
We also welcomed a new rabbi and family — Rabbi Yosef and Hadassah — and Freddi, our full-time office manager, who thankfully provided much-needed help for our growing Chabad.
And it’s impossible to think of the previous year without including Sasha and Maria, with much appreciation and a hearty thank you for the hard work, creativity, and eternal joy their presence provides.
Here’s to sharing a healthy and happy year together.
