Betsy Frank

I don’t always plan which readings to include before I lead Shabbat services.

Normally, I just pick a reading at the last moment during the service. But I’m frequently amazed that the reading I pick seems so pertinent to the day.

During a recent service, right after we lit the Shabbat candles, I selected the reading at the top of Page 124 in Mishkan Tefilah.

As I read this unplanned reading, I got a lump in my throat. A beloved member of the numberless generations had just passed away — Walter Sommers.

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Both Rosh Hashanah and secular New Year tradition call on us to make changes in our personal and collective behavior.

Our congregation has taken a step toward improvement by getting involved with Creation Care Partners, an Indiana interfaith organization dedicated to helping individuals and congregations ameliorate climate change.

United Hebrew Congregation will co-sponsor a virtual event at 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23, as Rabbi Arthur Waskow, founder and director of The Shalom Center and a pioneer in eco-Judaism, will speak on “Confronting the Climate Crisis: Despair or Sacred Action?”

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Although I am not shomer Shabbat by any means, attending Friday night services has become a part of my routine.

Dick and I either eat out or order takeout before services. We do the same for Saturday morning breakfast, following up with a visit to the Terre Haute Farmer’s Market.

When scheduled, Shabbat also includes Torah study for me. All these activities are a part of Shabbat in the Frank household.

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I recently listened to a presentation about reducing stress in our lives. One tip suggested cleaning up clutter. Oops! If that’s the case, I am in trouble!

But just today I inadvertently came upon an opportunity to clean up some clutter.

I had begun searching my computer for an old column to recycle. Unfortunately, I carelessly clicked the wrong button, and all my old columns were gone.

Then I got to thinking, do I really need to keep all my old files? Probably not.

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