April 2025

Chag Pesach Sameach!

This month we will celebrate the holiday of Passover, as we gather on April 12, with family and friends to retell the story of the exodus from Egypt, from slavery to freedom.  I have been attending our Temple Emanu-El seder for about 28 years.  Since our family was in Florida, this congregation soon became our second family. Lots of great memories come with this holiday.

My family would sit with Terri, Marc, and Zac Goldsmith.  The kids would see who could hang a spoon on their nose the longest. I think even the adults tried.  Lots of laughs at that table. I also loved listening to them sing the 4 questions and Go Down Moses.

Passover, along with Shavuot and Sukkot, are part of the Shalosh Regalim, the three Pilgrimage holidays.  Three times during the year, on these major holy days, Jews are commanded to make a Pilgrimage to Jerusalem with an agricultural offering. On the second night of Pesach, we will begin the counting of the omer, sheaves of grain, for 49 days, which will bring us to the holiday of Shavuot, the giving of the 10 Commandments.

Since Pesach is one of the major holy days, we will have a Festival Morning Service that includes Yizkor, our memorial service, remembering those who have passed. During Passover, my family and I will mark the one-year anniversary of my father’s passing on April 15. I will be leaving this heart heavy year and moving toward celebrating the beginning of spring and the many beautiful memories of spending time with my dad, which open like the blooming of the spring flowers, each one beautiful and unique.  Many thanks to all of you who helped me and my family through a tough time. Your love, caring, and generosity are still very much appreciated. Todah Rabah.

Wishing everyone a zissen Pesach, a sweet Passover. May you find meaning in this celebration of freedom, justice, and love. Hope to see many of you at our Temple Emanu-El Seder on Saturday evening, April 12.

B’shir,
Hazzan Sherry

 

Thank you to our wonderful choir and Michael McCarthy, for singing at Shabbat Services the day after our Purim celebration.  You sounded beautiful.

Thank you to Michelle Pievsky for chanting Torah in March.