Sabbath At Chabad House
A Celebration of Life
from 
JoeUser Forums
JoeUser Forums
Anyone who reads my blog with regularity knows that I teach Sunday school at the Jewish Cultural School, a Jewish secular humanist school and congregation. I teach the 7th Grade, the last year of education before the kids have their B'not Mitzvahs.
As an important part of this education, we study how religion in general, and Judaism in particular, are practiced in other congregations. I take the class on trips to other congregations for first-hand experience. We always begin by observing Sabbath (Shabbat) with the members of Chabad House of Ann Arbor.
Chabad House is a part of the world-wide Chabad Lubavitch movement of Hasidic Jewry. "Chabad" means Wisdom, Understanding and Knowledge and Lubavitch means "town of brotherly love" for the place in Russia where the movement was founded. As Hasidic Jews, their movement is perhaps at the opposite end of the theological spectrum from secular humanism. The Hasidic movement espouses a literal interpretation of the Bible and strict observance of ritual. It is important to be exposed not only to people who believe the same things as us, but to people that have very different beliefs.
Hasidic Jews follow the system of worship laid down by Rabbi Israel (Yisroel) ben Eliezer, the Baal Shem Tov or Master of the Good Name. He was born in Russia in 1698 and lived until 1760. He is also referred to as the Besht, an acronym based on the first letters of his title. He declared the whole universe, mind and matter, is a manifestation of God: all things are forms in which God reveals Himself. His beliefs are optimisic in the extreme; all things that happen, everything that is, is a part of the Divine. There is no reason for asceticism. All things on this Earth are there for a reason. "Whoever maintains that this life is worthless is in error: it is worth a great deal; only one must know how to use it properly."
From the Besht, a great line of Rabbis has descended, the most recent being Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who died in 1994.
From the moment that one enters Chabad House, you cannot help to impressed with the joy of the congregation. No one is asked why they have come, who they are or even if they are Jewish. All are greeted warmly and made welcome. Services are communal, with various members stepping up to lead the congregation in prayer. (In Hebrew, of course.) Hands are clapped, feet stomp the rythyms out. The men in the congregation will all rise to dance and clap as part of the service.
After services, the entire class and parents are guests of the Rabbi and Rebetzin at their lovely house. I cannot imagine a warmer host than Rabbi Aharon Goldstein. He opens not only his home, but his heart. There were more than two dozen people at the dinner. Questions are welcome and the evening is spent in discussion....in between bites of food.
It was a wonderful educational experience...and lots of fun!
As an important part of this education, we study how religion in general, and Judaism in particular, are practiced in other congregations. I take the class on trips to other congregations for first-hand experience. We always begin by observing Sabbath (Shabbat) with the members of Chabad House of Ann Arbor.
Chabad House is a part of the world-wide Chabad Lubavitch movement of Hasidic Jewry. "Chabad" means Wisdom, Understanding and Knowledge and Lubavitch means "town of brotherly love" for the place in Russia where the movement was founded. As Hasidic Jews, their movement is perhaps at the opposite end of the theological spectrum from secular humanism. The Hasidic movement espouses a literal interpretation of the Bible and strict observance of ritual. It is important to be exposed not only to people who believe the same things as us, but to people that have very different beliefs.
Hasidic Jews follow the system of worship laid down by Rabbi Israel (Yisroel) ben Eliezer, the Baal Shem Tov or Master of the Good Name. He was born in Russia in 1698 and lived until 1760. He is also referred to as the Besht, an acronym based on the first letters of his title. He declared the whole universe, mind and matter, is a manifestation of God: all things are forms in which God reveals Himself. His beliefs are optimisic in the extreme; all things that happen, everything that is, is a part of the Divine. There is no reason for asceticism. All things on this Earth are there for a reason. "Whoever maintains that this life is worthless is in error: it is worth a great deal; only one must know how to use it properly."
From the Besht, a great line of Rabbis has descended, the most recent being Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who died in 1994.
From the moment that one enters Chabad House, you cannot help to impressed with the joy of the congregation. No one is asked why they have come, who they are or even if they are Jewish. All are greeted warmly and made welcome. Services are communal, with various members stepping up to lead the congregation in prayer. (In Hebrew, of course.) Hands are clapped, feet stomp the rythyms out. The men in the congregation will all rise to dance and clap as part of the service.
After services, the entire class and parents are guests of the Rabbi and Rebetzin at their lovely house. I cannot imagine a warmer host than Rabbi Aharon Goldstein. He opens not only his home, but his heart. There were more than two dozen people at the dinner. Questions are welcome and the evening is spent in discussion....in between bites of food.
It was a wonderful educational experience...and lots of fun!
