Shalom.  In my recent greetings I spoke about yarmulkes and tallesim - my spiritual attire. Today, I would like to write about tradition that moves my soul!

   

At the beginning of every ball game I love the song that begins with “Oh, say can you see” and ends with the two words “Play Ball”! I get choked up when I sing “The Hope”— otherwise known as “The Hatikva”. I love all the melodies of our service and love singing along with Rabbi- although one of us is always slightly off key!! And I don’t mind sharing that I love all the songs from “Fiddler on the Roof” (Sunrise, Sunset – If I were a Rich Man – To Life – and Matchmaker).

  

But my absolute favorite song is – drumroll – “Tradition”!!  What is not to love — the story of family with a great tune and thoughtful words — opening with the memorable word repeated SIX times — “Tradition, tradition! Tradition!  Tradition, tradition! Tradition!”

   

And the song goes on to deal with the realities of all our lives — Scramble for a living, feed the children, say the daily prayers! Make a proper home, a quiet home, a kosher home, read the holy books! Start Hebrew school, learn a trade, learn to mend, tend and fix. It even talks about the children finding

the right person to marry and continue —

  

                                                        “OUR TRADITIONS”

 

In 1973, when Linda and I moved our family from the city to Westport we had to start our own traditions while continuing the traditions we had grown up with.

  

Settling into a new community is always difficult. But work and home issues seemed to just take care of themselves. We found the right house (even if we could only barely afford it).  The kids were in a good school system. We had the support of our parents.

  

Linda and I spent alot of time discussing which shul to join (there were three – reform, conservative and orthodox) and where would the kids continue their hebrew education. We were both from modern orthodox backgrounds so we were both comfortable with traditional services and hymns. Linda and I wanted an egalitarian setting for our family – praying and sitting together – as equals.

 

And most important of all, we wanted “the best Hebrew school” to give our children the best Jewish background possible. We wanted them to learn our history as a people, to be a part of a Jewish community, to pray and sing as a family. We had grown up in the city that way and we wanted the same for our children — even if they were going to grow up in “the country”.

 

In 1973 Congregation Beth El was our obvious choice! Conservative, traditional songs and services, family oriented, and the absolutely best hebrew school in the area. Over the years all five of our children had their bnai mitzvot and confirmations at Beth El — all beautifully prepared in our school. Four generations

of extended family including Steins, Basses, Shaefitzs, Krantzs and Richards have gathered at Beth El for all the High (and not so high) Holidays. Our religious home. 

  

AND — We have always had beautiful voices and music in our home, at our seders and at shul in our sanctuary. Cantor Debbie Katchko and now Rabbi Ron have filled us with music that draws us in, lifts us up and moves our souls.

 

Let us fast forward to 2012!

 

A new Jewish family moves to our area and is looking for a shul. They are looking to establish and continue their traditions. They are looking for a religious community that is warm and welcoming, filled with traditional prayers, beautiful hymns and music that can move them.

  

They seem to have more options available than we had in 1973 — or do they?

  

Traditional services with full participation of the congregation: Beth El.  Jewish community with an incredible sense of family: Beth El.  

  

Active Chai Society, Rosh Hodesh Group, L’Chaim Group, Minyannaires: Beth El.  

  

Loving Nitzan Nursery School to embrace our littlest: Beth El. 

 

Navasky Hebrew School with a long tradition of educating our children: Beth El. 

 

Incredibly well-prepared bnai mitzvot who stay involved: Beth El.

 

Rabbi who can only be described as – Our Rabbi!!! –teacher, role model, spiritual leader, friend!!: Beth El.

  

Opportunities for involvement, to be a part of “the mishpacha”: Beth El.  

AND of course music — singing, chanting, humming, chair thumping and book banging — all to the most beautiful melodies: Beth El.

 

So whether it’s 1973 or 2012 the answer is still Beth El. 

 

Services. Community. Mishpacha. Education. Rabbi.Tradition. Melodies and Music. The same qualities that attracted our family 39 years ago are still the deciding factors in 2012. Oh, yes — when we say we are warm and welcoming — we mean warm and welcoming. Come. Join. Participate. Volunteer. Make a Minyan. Be a part of the Beth El tradition. Add your voice to our song.