9/10 September 2022, 14 Elul 5782

I was not allowed to recite a public shehechianu by the bus stop as Rafael left for his first day of school this year beginning Year 10. But I certainly wanted to.

I love to offer this blessing whenever I, my family, or our community do something for the first time, or the first time of this year. And I know many of you do as well.

And so this Shabbat our learning community of Ivriah return for a new term. Our post year 13’s return for a Pizza Shabbat lunch Send Off to University or their Gap Year plans. Our teenagers will be re-gathering for Kabbalat Torah sessions; parents will be having wine and the children will be cooking marshmallows in my garden. In short we will have many opportunities for marking new moments. Let’s enjoy these moments.

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, shehecheyanu, v’kiy’manu, v’higiyanu laz’man hazeh.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who has kept us alive, upright, and able to be brought to this season.

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Rebecca