Shabbat

JSDD was thrilled to attend a beautiful Shabbat Service and dinner hosted by the Friendship Circle’s and the Fabulous Friday program. Everyone was thrilled to see each other face to face. The service began with the women of the Passaic House lighting the Shabbat candles together. While most of the group enjoyed a service at the dinner table, Mark was able to participate in a service in the Sanctuary. When he rejoined the group, he shared how much he loved the service and that he was so happy to be a part of it all. The services were filled with joyous songs and the prayers which are so familiar to the residents.  The group learned about the ninth of Av’ […]

  The residents enjoyed a fabulous in-person Shabbat celebration at LifeTown. The women residents had an opportunity to light the candles and then pray in the Friendship Circle praying room. Mark told Hagit, the JSDD Judaic Coordinator, that he enjoyed praying.   After the prayers everyone gathered in the dining room that was set up beautifully for Shabbat and sat in their designated seats around decorated tables. There was beautiful singing that filled the room including a favorite, “Shalom Aleichem.” Each participant had their own grape juice and personal challah. The residents enjoyed welcoming Shabbat together with the Friendship Circle community.   The event was in loving memory of Barbara Zinbarg. Her husband, Ed, enjoyed meeting the JSDD residents. Clifford […]

Shabbat celebrations began this week with Stacy C. and Debbie chanting the blessing over the candles. Mark performed the blessings over the grape juice and the matzah.  Since this is the last full day of Passover, the group enjoyed matzah instead of challah. Next, there was a video about the preparation of matzah.  An interesting fact is that in order to be considered Kosher and allowed to be eaten on Passover, matzah must be made in 18 minutes from the time the water and flour touch until it comes out of the oven, otherwise there is time where the ingredients could ferment and not allowed to be consumed.  Daniel and Stacy C. both said they really enjoy matzah and had […]

  This week was not a typical virtual Shabbat. Friday evening was the beginning of Passover. Each time a new person or group joined the meeting they wished each other “Shabbat Shalom” and “Happy Yom Tov” (a peaceful Shabbat and a happy holiday). Everyone was so excited to see each other and celebrate virtually. Some participants remembered that this was the third virtual Seder.  Daniel C. was grateful for the delicious holiday meal provided by JSDD. Stacy C. said the blessings over the holiday and Shabbat candles and all the participants covered their eyes. This is a tradition that allows you focus on the words of the prayer and close yourself off from the other distractions.  Daniel Z. and Daniel […]

  As the weeks go by, everyone is feeling more comfortable using the new technology of Microsoft Teams for the virtual Shabbat gatherings. Alicia and Hannah said the blessing over the candles together. Daniel Z led the blessing over the grape juice and the challah.   Hagit, the Judaic coordinator taught the group about the weekly torah portion, “Metzora.” In this portion, we learn about diseases and our bodies. It also discusses harmful speech and reminds us of the power that words have on one another. This reminded Rachel of a favorite song by Tim McGraw, “Humble and Kind” and she asked that Hagit play the song for the group.  The song says that being humble can be tough but […]