Betsy Frank

Betsy Frank is UHC para-rabbinic fellow and president.

A joyous group will celebrate Passover on Friday, April 19, at the Temple

By Betsy Frank
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What is the holiday celebrated by most Jews, no matter their observance level? You have three guesses and the first two don’t count.

And the answer is … Passover! The Passover story that we recount every year represents the seminal event in the history of our people. This story sets the stage for our ongoing spiritual development.

Passover is the one holiday that really needs a joyous group in order to have a meaningful celebration. And we will celebrate! Join us for for a Kabbalat Shabbat and seder at 6 p.m. Friday, April 19, at the Temple.

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Song is universal, and enriches our worship and spiritual lives

By Betsy Frank
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During a recent Shabbat, we read the Torah portion B’shalach, which included the famous Mi Chamochah, or Song of the Sea.

This song is so integral to our liturgy that I wonder if we sometimes just sing it out of habit, without thinking about the lyrics.

When we sing out of habit, we might pay little attention, but we sing. Our prayers, even without music, have a rhythmic, musical quality. If we daven in the traditional way, we may sway with the rhythm of the prayers.

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As cold weather sets in, Tu B’Shevat recalls the promise of spring

By Betsy Frank
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January is one of the dullest months of the year. Usually, the weather is cold and gray. Some members of our community flee to warmer climates for a few months and we miss their presence.

Yet, our Hebrew calendar provides a bit of a respite with one of four new year’s celebrations noted in the Talmud.

Beginning at sundown Sunday, January 20, and ending at sundown Monday, January 21, is Tu B’Shevat. This holiday celebrates the coming of spring in Israel and gives us hope that spring will also return to Indiana.

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