The first Hebrew word of the Torah, also the name of the first parashah (portion) and sefer (book)
Bereishit
Jews are obligated to say this prayer every morning and evening; the Hebrew titles mean "hear/listen" and "and you shall love"
Shema and Ve-Ahavta
Literally, "The Head of the Year"
Rosh Ha-Shanah
Rabbi Poirier's Conservative synagogue in Framingham
Temple Beth Sholom
The capital of the State of Israel, where the ancient First and Second Temples stood
Jerusalem
The prophetess who led the Israelites in singing and dancing after crossing the Red Sea, her brothers were Moses and Aaron
Traditionally recited three times daily, the Reform and Conservative versions have minor differences which we'll learn about! It's literally "the standing prayer"
The Amidah or Tefillat Ha-Amidah
This holiday, the day of rest, occurs every week
The Conservative synagogue in Wayland that hosts and shares space with the JLCMW - we're in it right now, it's Rabbi Polisson's community
Congregation Or Atid
Common English name for the salt lake known in Hebrew as the Yam Ha-Melaḥ (the Sea of Salt) - because almost nothing can live in it
The Dead Sea
The name, in Hebrew or English, of the third book of the Torah, known for detailed instructions on ancient Israelite sacrifices
Leviticus (Va-Yikra)
The common name for the section of Shabbat morning services that opens with the words Ein Kamokha Va-Elohim, sung in this way, as we prepare to take a scroll out of the ark
The Torah Service
The early winter Festival of Lights when we remember the Maccabees and the miracle of the oil
Ḥanukkah
This Reform synagogue in Sudbury, led by Rabbi Eiduson, joined the JLCMW this year for kindergarten through 5th grade
Congregation B'nai Torah
The State of Israel was founded in this year
What is 1948
The four matriarchs whom we meet in Sefer Bereishit (the Book of Genesis) and list in the Avot and Imahot section of the Amidah
Sarah, Rebecca, Leah, and Rachel
Literally "Blessings of the Dawn," we are meant to express thankfulness for a new day and for our bodily abilities with these words every morning, at home or in the synagogue
Birkhot Ha-Shaḥar
The only 25-hour fast day other than Yom Kippur, mourning the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem, it usually falls in the mid-to-late summer
What is Tish'ah Be-Av or the 9th of Av
Another Reform synagogue in Subdury led by Rabbi Josh Breindel, you've joined the JLCMW for middle school
Congregation Beth El
The second largest city in Israel, its name means "Hill of Spring"
Tel Aviv
The final word of the Torah in the Book of Deuteronomy
Yisr'ael (Israel)
This prayer, recited by people in mourning, is also chanted to mark transitional moments in the service
Kaddish
The 33rd day of the period between Pesaḥ (Passover) and Shavu'ot, which we celebrate with bonfires and archery (like we did last spring outdoors at TBS!)
What is Lag Ba-Omer (the 33rd day of the Omer)
The last name of our JLCMW Director Orna, which comes from German and describes someone with a cheerful and warm - or, you might say, sunny - disposition
Sonnenschein!
Eilat, the southernmost city of Israel, sits at the northern tip of this sea, which the ancient Israelites crossed in the Book of Exodus as they escaped Egypt
The Red Sea (also known as the Sea of Reeds)