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The concert at the Melon Patch Theater was incredible. The house was almost sold out as the audience enjoyed an enchanting afternoon of melodious melodies. This special concert featured Rabbi Karen Allen on keyboard and vocals and Zoriy Zinger on violin. Mr. Zinger was a soloist in the Russian Symphony Orchestra and has performed throughout the United States including Lincoln Center. Rabbi Allen began her career as a pianist and singer before she became a cantor and Rabbi.
Proceeds from the concert benefit the Leesburg Food Bank and Congregation Beth Sholom.
The Melon Patch Theater is located at 311 North 13th Street, Leesburg FL 34748.
This photo of the performers was taken at our Kabbalat Shabbat Service in January.
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Our annual High-Holiday Food Drive was originally scheduled from Rosh Hashanah through Sukkot. When Rabbi Allen and President Linda Bork became aware of a county-wide food drive, scheduled to coincide with the National 'Make a Difference Day,' they decided to extend the food drive to the end of October. Our participation was recognized in a recent article in the Leesburg Daily Commercial. Click here to read the article. Thank you to everyone who brought in the food. The Leesburg Food Bank said their supply is the lowest it has been in years. Our donation of over 385 pounds really made a difference! |
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On September 24 we prepared ourselves and the Bimah for the High Holidays. The evening included Dessert, Havdalah, Slichot discussion, Slichot Service, and changing our Bimah and ark covers from Maroon to White.
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Wonderful Sukkot Celebration |
On October 16 we combined Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah into one service. We walked around the sanctuary with the lulav and etrog as part of Sukkot, prayed for rain as part of Shemini Atzeret, and beat the ground with palm leaves to symbolize the elimination of sins as part of the last day of Sukkot known as Hoshanah Rabbah.
Our Simchat Torah celebration began with adults dancing around the sanctuary seven times with the Torahs and the children carrying Israeli flags with apples. Then we had a special Torah service to end the yearly reading cycle and begin a new one. This once a year event includes everyone’s participation including children.
After the service we all went out to the Sukkah for the blessing over the challah and wine. Everyone had an opportunity to say the blessings over the lulav and etrog and then shake them in six directions.
We ended the day by having a very delicious pot luck dinner. It was a wonderful celebration and a most meaningful way to conclude the holidays.
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Saturday morning, March 26 was a wonderful occasion for our congregation. We had the pleasure of welcoming Delaney Abigail Readling, grand daughter of Phylis Berger, to our congregation.
She was surrounded by many members of her immediate family, and an even larger group of members of her Beth Sholom family, as she received her Hebrew Name. |
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