I am still smiling as I reflect on the fun-filled, joyous, uplifting “Purim Goes Pink” celebratory weekend this past Saturday evening and Sunday. When times are difficult, there is something incredibly uplifting, energizing, and rejuvenating when we join together as a community to have fun, laugh, sing, and celebrate with joyful abandon. We are so very grateful to all of our wonderful volunteers and staff who gave of your time, talent, dedication, and energy, to help us celebrate Purim like never before. By the end of next week, we’ll have photos and a video to share with you, to keep the “Pink Spirit” going strong.
We will continue to celebrate with joy, light, music, and deeds of lovingkindness next weekend, April 5-7th, when Jacob “Spike” Kraus joins TBS as our Musician-in-Residence for the entire weekend, culminating with Mitzvah Day on Sunday, April 7th. You still have time to sign up now (see flyers below) for all of the fantastic events. You will not want to miss any of it!
Both Spike and Mitzvah Day will bring sparks of light into our community: sparks of the divine, sparks of joy, sparks of goodness. We learn of this light in this week’s Torah portion Tzav. In the very beginning of the portion, in Leviticus, chapter 6, God commands Moses and Aaron to keep a perpetual flame burning on the alter, never to go out (Lev. 6:2, 6:5, 6:6). This flame, representing the perpetual presence of the Divine among us, serves as a beacon of light, guiding us through the darkness and illuminating our path towards righteousness.
Just as the ner tamid, eternal light, burns brightly in our sanctuary, so too does the flame of joy burn brightly within each of us. In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to lose sight of this inner radiance. Yet, Parshat Tzav reminds us of the importance of nurturing and safeguarding this flame of joy, for it is through joy that we draw closer to the Divine and to each other.
Spike's music has the remarkable ability to uplift our spirits and ignite the flame of joy within our hearts. Through his melodies and harmonies, we are transported to a place of transcendence, where we can connect deeply with our faith and with one another. We’ll first meet Spike at dinner on Friday, April 5th, at 5 pm, followed by a musical, intergenerational Erev Shabbat service. He’ll continue sharing his spark of light by teaching Torah on Shabbat morning, followed by brunch. On Saturday early evening, we have a special program of appreciation and music (by invitation only) for our Rabbi’s Circle Members and major donors.
On Sunday, Spike will help us “kick-off” our first Mitzvah Day since before the pandemic. (He is also leading one of our Mitzvah Day activities). We’ll continue to spark the flames of lovingkindness, compassion, joy, and community when we join together with our communal acts of justice, support and outreach to others. We will be that symbolic ner tamid , the eternal light, spreading warmth, light, and goodness wherever we go.
We invite you to help us keep the joy, light, and community spirit strong by signing up below for all of the activities with both Jacob “Spike” Kraus and for Mitzvah Day.
Click below to hear some of Spike’s compositions: (click on each piece to listen in advance):
• Shir Chadash
• Anymore/Lo Yisa Goy or ( Click Here for Teaching Version )
• It’s On Us/Alaynu (sung by Bill Shafton)
We’re sure you’ll find your spirits lifted, your feet tapping, your fingers snapping, and your heart filled with joy.
More about Spike:
Jacob “Spike” Kraus is based in Boston and is a singer-songwriter, educator, and innovator. Spike’s music has been included in the cantorial curriculum of Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, and is featured by Jewish Rock Radio & PJ Library. Spike has been performing for two decades at synagogues, Jewish day schools, and summer camps. Having just finished a three-year stint as the Artist-In-Residence at Temple Israel of West Bloomfield (the largest synagogue in North America), Spike now tours Jewish communities across the country as a performer, teacher, composer, consultant, and energetically joyful individual.
Click HERE for more about Spike.
More of Spike’s Music
