Bylined opinion and news columns published by United Hebrew Congregation Terre Haute.
In just a week or so, we will be reading about Joseph and his coat of many colors. We all know the story: Joseph receives a coat with many colors and his brothers are most jealous and throw Joseph in a pit.
Whenever I read or hear this story, I think of Donny Osmond, who played Joseph in the musical, Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Such a beautiful coat caused so much trouble!
Here we are in November and before you know it, Hanukkah will be here. I’m hoping to get some new holiday items in the gift shop within a couple of weeks.
Sometimes we just wonder where the time goes. It seems like just yesterday I was raising my three children and now my granddaughter Patricia is expecting my first great-grandson — yes, we know it is a boy.
Turning to Sisterhood business, I would like to hear from all the members to see what you would like to accomplish this year.
You might be asking why, with our membership aging and few new members — one or two each year — are we conducting a capital campaign? To put it bluntly, if we want the building to stand and remain safe for its occupants, we must act to repair the facade and the interior.
But why should we put out the effort to maintain the building? Here is the answer:
The Jewish community has been an integral part of the Wabash Valley for almost 170 years.
People look to our community to share our faith with them.
Our prayer book says that on Shabbat we should pray, rest and attend to the House of Study.
Yes, you can do all these things in the privacy of your home. And, yes, the practice of Judaism includes personal practices.
But…. Judaism also stresses the need to practice our rituals in community. The minyan is evidence of that. Our weekly Shabbat services allow us to gather as a community and pray together.