On June 1st the Beth El Ritual Committee held an open meeting to gather congregants’ opinions and views regarding our communal prayers for Israel, our country and peace. The committee has continued to collect additional opinions via email and other correspondence. As a reminder, the Ritual Committee is considering the language of these prayers and criteria for when and how often the prayers are recited at Beth El. Elimination of these prayers from our communal liturgy is not being considered.
No consensus has emerged about the actual wording that should be used, but we appreciate all the constructive opinions we have received regarding the prayers and will continue to investigate possibilities for the future, especially in light of the publication of Siddur Lev Shalem, a new siddur of the Conservative movement.
As the high holidays are approaching, we must turn our attention to preparation for those services and will return to our work on the communal prayers after October.
Thank you again for your participation and continuing love for Beth El and our ritual community.
B’virkat Shalom,
Daniel Greyber, Rabbi
Randi Smith, Ritual Committee Co-Chair
I think the use of the spice box adds to our service experience by adding use of another sense and by the contact with our neighbors.