June/July 2004

How to be Jewish on Summer Vacation

We've made it through the High Holidays, Chanukah, Purim, Passover and Shavuot. Is it time to pack our Judaism away until the fall? Summer vacation can be a great time to experience Jewish living and values. We will explore this topic at our last Mishpachah Shabbat of the season on June 4th. But until then, here are some ideas:

1) Do a mitzvah: Summer can be a great time to volunteer or make a donation to tzedakah (righteous giving, charity). Did you know that tipping is a form of tzedakah? Tip the cleaning person at your hotel when you're on vacation; it's a mitzvah.

2) Enjoy Shabbat. It's the holiest, most restful day of the year, but the beauty is that we get a chance to experience it each week from Friday at sundown until Saturday night. So consider a Shabbat dinner, saying blessings, coming to services on Friday night or Saturday morning. Take a break from chores and electronic communications to enjoy nature and your loved ones. Shabbat while you're out camping can be beautiful.

2) Go to Jewish Summer Camp-even if you're a grown up. Jewish Summer camp can be a fabulous, fun and formative experience for our children and teens. Several CBI kids have or will attend Camp Tawonga, near Yosemite. My own kids are going to Camp Young Judaea in Texas. Adults can enjoy "camp," too, by participating in Jewish retreats. Brochures for various programs are available in our lobby, or see page 6.

3) Read & Learn. It's traditional to undertake some extra Torah study in summer, such as Pirke Avot (Ethics of the Fathers). Join the CBI book club or just read up on a Jewish subject of interest.

4) Connect with history. July brings the solemn fast day of Tisha B'Av, the day that commemorates the destruction of the first and second Temples. This year it is on July 26 (eve) through the 27th. It is customary to refrain from having weddings or other festive celebrations for the nine days from the first of Av (July 19th this year) until Tisha B'Av, which is a fast and a day to read the book of Lamentations. Then we begin the cycle of comfort and hope with Shabbat Nachamu, July 31 (Michaela Katz's Bat Mitzvah).

5) Get ready for a new year. It is customary to begin our spiritual and emotional preparations for Rosh Hashanah
beginning with Rosh Hodesh Elul, which will be August 17-18th. Start to send New Year's cards and do extra
mitzvot.

6) Get connected. Check out <jewz.com> for a variety of great Jewish websites for all ages. Keep posted by visiting our congregational website: <www.cbichico.org> Be sure to join the CBI Member E-mail list by e-mailing me: JHDanan@aol.com There will be updates during June and July that you don't want to miss!

7) The Ultimate Jewish Summer Trip: Visit Israel! Between our congregational trip and individual visits, close to 30 CBI members will be in Israel this summer. That's phenomenal! If this isn't your year for a pilgrimage, start to plan for next year.

Have a great summer!
Rabbi Julie Hilton Danan