September 3 - Back to Shul Shabbat at Horseshoe Lake - service begins at 6:45 PM
All are welcome to bring a picnic dinner at 6 pm
September 4 - Shabbat morning worship begins at 10 am in the Sanctuary

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As a result, I'm now staying offline for Shabbat. I'm still on my phone some, but I'm keeping my computer off. I'm trying to be fully present at least one day a week... So far so good.”
 (http:/leahj.blog_city.com/we_live_in_public.htm)
I read her reflection having just been part of a family program in our religious school dedicated to exploring the idea of making Shabbat real in our family lives.  Much of what I heard during that morning was reflected in Ms. Jones’ words as well. 
We find ourselves living lives as individuals and families in which it is increasingly difficult to become “completely unplugged and totally present”.  If it is not Facebook, the Internet, Twitter or e-mails, then it is our smart phones, our constantly updating news and business channels, our work, our school life or the many
activities threatening to occupy 26 hours in a 24 hour day.  These things tear us away from quiet time with family and friends and they leave a scarce few moments for reflection, spiritual renewal and Jewish growth.
Even the Shabbat Family Dinner, a staple of many of our childhoods, has taken a hit.  During the recent family program, one parent commented on the rarity of a Shabbat family dinner by pointing out that having any one dinner as a family during the week was a struggle in light of their schedules.  The simple act of joining together as a family in blessing the candles, wine and challah and sharing a Shabbat meal has always been a foundational element of the strong connection to family and tradition for which the Jewish people has long been known.  As we distance ourselves from this and other elements of Shabbat that make that day special and set apart, we distance ourselves from our Judaism and its future as well.
The Rabbi’s have taught us that “More than Judaism has kept Shabbat, has Shabbat kept Judaism.”  If we are to truly embrace and preserve our Judaism, individually and as families, we must begin by recapturing Shabbat.  And we must do so knowing that this is not an all or nothing proposition, but a matter of taking small steps, perhaps even baby steps, that will help us reach our goal of a Shabbat filled with meaning and renewal.
Perhaps your first step will be to pause and join together in the candle blessing each Friday evening, or to join together in a regular Sabbath meal, be it dinner on Friday or a leisurely Shabbat afternoon lunch.  Perhaps you will set aside time for more regular worship attendance or time for Jewish study.  Or perhaps, like Ms. Jones, you will make a commitment to simply “unplug” and spend 24 hours being totally present to those you love and those who love you.
How would you like to recapture and renew Shabbat in your life?  One way to make a commitment real in your life is to tell someone else what you plan on doing.  Drop me an e-mail and tell me how you hope to get Shabbat back as a regular part of your life.  With enough replies, perhaps a future bulletin article can share (without attribution) the variety of our commitments so that we can inspire one another to greater heights of Shabbat observance.
May all your Shabatot be filled with rest and renewal for you and your family.

L’Shalom,
Rabbi David C. Levy