Shabbat

JSDD is starting off the New Year with a new segment on the website. Each month will feature a look inside what is happening with the residents living in JSDD homes. Shabbat is celebrated weekly led by Hagit, JSDD’s Judaic Coordinator. Each home takes time to set the table beautifully and to make a special dinner. Residents enjoy participating in the preparation of the dinner and all love to see friends from other homes over the computer. Each Shabbat celebration begins with the appropriate prayers over the candles, the challah and to welcome the Sabbath. Each Shabbat Hagit discusses the weekly torah portion and brings up lessons that can be learned. The group enjoys discussions about how they can apply […]

Virtual Shabbat celebrations continue at many of the JSDD Group Homes. Residents, DSPs (Direct Support Professionals) and Managers look forward to gathering with their housemates and friends each week. Frequently, they are also joined by several members of the WAE Center. The weekly celebrations, led by JSDD Judaic Coordinator, Hagit are always fun and educational. Listening to Shabbat songs to start the celebration really does set the mood. Everyone has come to know the songs in both Hebrew and English and sings along. The prayers, though recited in Hebrew have become second nature to some and begin the formal portion of Shabbat. After the prayers have been said, Hagit discusses the weekly torah portion. The group then discusses the lessons […]

Sukkot, the seven-day holiday commanded in the Torah to celebrate the harvest and commemorate the 40 years in the desert after the Jews escaped slavery in Egypt began on Sunday October 9th. On Sukkot, many Jewish people build a Sukkah in their yards which is a hut with a roof that is thatched or made of branches. It is important that while the roof provide shelter from the sun, it also allows you to see through to the stars at night. Many people eat their meals in the Sukkah during the holiday and some even sleep out in their Sukkah!   Several residents of JSDD joined together in the Sukkah at the WAE Center last week to celebrate the holiday. […]

  Shabbat celebrations began this week with warm virtual welcomes to one another then a chorus of songs in both Hebrew and English.  After the Shabbat prayers, the group discussed the torah portion for the week,” Ki Tavo.” The portion for the week, Ki Tavo which translates to, “when you enter,” discusses Moses instructing the Israelites for the first fruit offering. Moses tells the people the lists of blessings they are to receive should they uphold the commandments as well as how they will suffer should the not keep the commandments. After discussing the torah portion, the participants learned about the upcoming holiday of Rosh Hashanah and all agreed that they are excited to make a traditional holiday favorite next […]

The Shabbat celebration was back online this week. The gathering began with lots of singing of songs in both English and Hebrew. Todd and Daniel performed the blessings of both the challah and the grape juice.   Hagit, JSDD’s Judaic Coordinator, taught the participants about Tu Be’Av which is the holiday of love in Israel. The holiday started this year on August 11th at sundown and ends on the 12th at sundown. It is very similar to Valentine’s Day. Those who observe Tu Be’Av celebrate their deep connection to G-d, their connection with others and use the holiday as a time to reflect and soul search in preparation for the upcoming High Holidays.  It is also a time for forgiveness […]