bwahahahah, the power!

[EDIT: "This entry dedicated to everyone who wanted to know why I was not at the Tremont Street Shul 20s&30s dinner:" ]

Tonight Eitz Chayim held a second Small Group Shabbat Dinner/Shabbat Across Cambridge nights. We had a short service (moved up to start half an hour earlier, too), then divided to people's homes who live nearby and had volunteered to host. Last time, I didn't realize that the service was moved up and had arrived at what would have been an unusually timely 7, just barely catching the last ones out (who luckily could give me directions to dinner). This time I knew services started early, because I had agreed to lead them. ;-)

I volunteered about two weeks ago and have been looking forward to this. I'll probably do it again in a couple months. The rabbi takes a Shabbat off every four weeks or so. (As the daughter of a member of the Jewish clergy, I think that's great. How it should be.)

I'm happy. I'm a bit proud of myself for finally stepping up; I've been thinking for quite a while that I should. And I'm pleased because I think it was a very nice Friday night service. There were a lot of people because N. is becoming bat mitzvah this week. I got to give her the congregation's blessing. :-) ... She's the older sister of one of my 2nd graders (actually he's in 3rd grade), and I enjoy speaking often with her mom -- who was grinning ear to ear all evening. Very sweet. Also I was a bit touched that they didn't choose to wait until next week so they could get the "real rabbi" to honor N. (DOn't worry, she will be there for the actual bat mitzvah Saturday.) And last but not least, I replaced the Hashkiveinu with a English translation just so I wouldn't have to sing the tune that bores me so much every week --- bwahahahah, the power! :-D

I'll be doing it again first week in May.