June 24, 2010 | 6:13 pm

Transitions and Blessings

Posted by Rav Yosef Kanefsky

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It’s that time of year again, when we pass through the tunnel of transition.The kids have completed another grade in school, and proudly pronounce themselves members of the grade that they’ll be starting in September. Their unrelenting march toward adulthood takes a seemingly sudden lurch forward, and the house moves even closer to not having any little kids living in it anymore. As parents, even if we do not ourselves work by the academic calendar, we nonetheless seem to age by it.

Though we rise each morning and ritually thank God for the new day, we don’t, I don’t think, have a prayer in which we thank God for the days that have already been. The annual season of transition always turns my heart toward seeking one. To find a prayer through which I can thank God for the for all of the sweet times that now exist only in the past, the ones that comprise my collection of heart-warming memories.

It occurred to me during this year’s season of transition that there is a phrase in the bentching (the blessing after eating) that can certainly do the trick, that can reasonably be understood as a thanksgiving for all the precious moments that have been. “We thank You God…. for the life [and grace and kindness] that You have bestowed upon us.” As I recite these words these days, they sound like they refer to the life that has been bestowed prior to today. An expression of gratitude for all of the sweet moments that have been so far.

The season of transition brings excitement with it as well of course. The promise of wonderful times ahead. But even the bittersweet recognition that another chapter of life has closed, is cause for gratitude and blessing.
   

June 22, 2010 | 1:50 pm

Rabbi Shafner’s Series of On-Location Video Divrey Torah from Israel

Posted by Rabbi Hyim Shafner

Just click here to watch them: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=rabbishafner&aq=f

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June 22, 2010 | 1:50 pm

Morethodoxy will be Regularly Back Online in About Two Weeks

Posted by Rabbi Hyim Shafner

Thanks for bearing with us as we regroup, add some bloggers and get back to regular posting in just 2 weeks or so…..

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June 22, 2010 | 1:39 pm

Greeting Newcomers in Shul

Posted by Rabbi Barry Gelman

I recently sent an email to my congregation (United Orthodox Synagogues - UOS) on the importance of shuls being welcoming to newcomers. My email was motivated by having spent time in various orthodox shuls without being welcomed or greeted. I received the following email in response to my message. I share it with you in order to highlight the fact that while there are many important aspects of what attracts people to a specific shul (rabbi, classes, philosophy) the simple act of welcoming a newcomer is a major feature as to why people attend, do not attend, leave shuls in favor of another or stop attending shul altogether.

Dear Rabbi
It is very interesting reading your opinion of the way visitors are greeted in shuls.
All of my children have emigrated and all of them had experiences where they went to shul for months and were never greeted so they never went back.
My daughter in New York eventually went to conservative where she was made very welcome.
In fact my daughter in Sydney Australia has been going to orthodox shul almost every shabbat for two years since my husband passed away and recently told me she will not be going back because no-one ever talks to her.
UOS is wonderful the ladies in particular are very friendly and do make strangers feel very welcome.
When my son who is a member at————- came with me to say kaddish the men all spoke to him and made him feel welcome so you can be very proud of your congregation
thank you for that

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