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What is the purpose of the weekly Shabbat to Shabbat column? Some weeks it’s a chance to share Torah. Other times, it’s an opportunity to explore Jewish commentary on our world. At times, we focus on sacred texts, and at others, we highlight the incredible opportunities provided to us by Sinai and the larger Atlanta Jewish community.

This Shabbat, I want to take a moment to do the latter.

As many of you know, I had the privilege of spending time in Israel last month. If you didn’t have the chance to hear my reflections upon my return, you can watch the sermon here.

But what I haven’t shared in depth is who exactly brought me to Israel. I was honored to participate in the second cohort of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue’s Amplify Israel Rabbinic Fellowship. Alongside 23 of my Reform rabbinic colleagues, I’ve committed to spending this year deepening my understanding of Zionism and Jewish peoplehood within the Reform movement. As part of this program, I traveled to Israel to study, offer support to Israelis, and engage with this critical work. The visionary behind this initiative is Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, Rabbi at Stephen Wise Free Synagogue in New York City. Coincidentally, I interned at that very synagogue during my rabbinical school years.

I’m thrilled to share that Rabbi Hirsch will be visiting Atlanta next week, and I look forward to being in conversation with him—to delve deeper into his vision, share what we learned in Israel, and hopefully inspire you about the future of Zionism within the Reform movement.

Together with Rabbi Dan Dorsch of Etz Chaim and Rabbi Ben Attwood of Congregation Ohr HaTorah, we will discuss how we can be guided by a vision that honors our historic and unique Jewish experience. We would love for you to join us at B’nai Torah on Tuesday, February 11th at 6:30 pm. You can register here.

And, even as we look ahead to this special learning opportunity on Tuesday, this Shabbat, February 7th,  we are privileged to learn from another leader in the Reform movement—Dan Nichols.

Of the many things Beth and I share, one of our favorites is that we had the same Bat Mitzvah portion—Beshalach, home to the famous Song of the Sea. My Bat Mitzvah was just a few years before hers, but we both chanted the same powerful story:

The Israelites, having finally escaped Egypt, find themselves trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the sea. Then, in one of the most dramatic moments in the Torah, the waters split, allowing them to cross to freedom. Overwhelmed with gratitude, they break into song—Mi Chamocha—words we still sing today as a celebration of redemption and faith.

As a result, the Shabbat when we read Beshelach,  is truly a celebration of music. How fitting, then, that we are welcoming Dan Nichols, an extraordinary singer and songwriter whose music has become a beloved part of our community. In fact, it’s his version of Mi Chamocha that we sing so often at Temple Sinai. 

From Friday night services to Noar, Dan’s vast repertoire has shaped the way we connect to prayer and song. What a gift to have the very person behind this music join us at Sinai.

As the world continues to feel uncertain and, at times, frightening, I often turn to Dan’s music for comfort. One piece in particular, Hashkiveinu, offers a sense of peace:

Hashkiveinu Adonai Eloheinu l’shalom...
Spread the shelter of Your peace over us
Guide us in wisdom, compassion, and trust
Hashkiveinu…
Save us for the sake of Your name
Shield us from hatred, sorrow, and pain

After another week filled with ups and downs, we look forward to singing these words with you, in community, as we seek calm amidst the chaos.

For a complete list of programming with Dan Nichols this weekend, click here.

Shabbat Shalom