For the past several years, I have been privileged to lead several shiva minyans for members of the congregation and their extended families during their time of greatest need.

I received my training to do this important job from several people, including Rabbi Kroloff, Cantor Novick and the late Gerry Cantor, (a blessed memory).

Whether ten people attend or a hundred, leading a shiva is one of the highest honors of all my years of volunteering at the Temple. Whether I knew the deceased, or just learned about their life, everyone is entitled to the respect and dignity that goes along with the shiva service.  During this “celebration of life,” there is singing and chanting, and one of my favorite parts of the service is when I call upon family members and friends to speak about their relationship with the individual who has left our midst.

We start and end the service with a song that allows an upbeat theme to the person’s memory.

I am humbled to be entrusted with this important aspect of Temple life, and I encourage others to come forward to become part of our small group, to make sure we have sufficient numbers when a member of the clergy is not available, or a family requests several nights of observance.

We can’t believe that it has been almost 3 weeks since Maya & Brady’s B’nai Mitzvah.  Friday night services are always the start of your family’s mitzvah weekend.  Since our older son Asher’s bar-mitzvah 5 years ago, I have always felt a strong special connection to the Friday night service. For me, being able to share shabbat services with your family, out of town guests, close friends and community is one of the highlights of your family’s momentous weekend.

This time around we were lucky enough to have a unique and engaging Friday night service led by Country Music Singer Joe Buchanan. The service was filled with joy, love, and a country music spin on Jewish prayers.  We found Joe Buchanan’s story very interesting and engaging.  Bringing diversity to Temple Emanu-El allows our congregation to have new and enriching experiences. The Wiesen family are hoping these Friday night special services continue. We can’t wait to take part in the next one!

To someone who’s never attended a Bar Mitzvah service, I would describe it as a very personal and warm ceremony, full of community and family support for the bar mitzvah. The bar mitzvah has a chance to share what he has learned, values and hopes to contribute. The community gets to see a young man fully, appreciate his journey and offer their support as life and its challenges continue for us all. 

In the case of our son who became a bar mitzvah last month, the service also was a chance for even mom and dad to stand back and see our son at a new stage of life and through his own eyes—with the help of amazing clergy Rabbi Appell and Cantorial Soloist Shimon Smith. The clergy who clearly spent a great deal of time and care getting to know our son Sammy so well over several months shared a little bit about who Sammy has become and cares to be. The service was a chance for our son to share his authentic self, and be appreciated for who he is.

As a parent, it was heartwarming to see our community shower our son with acceptance and love. Sam got to see in one room all the amazing people who are part of his journey, surrounding him. We all shared the celebration of how far he has come. 

It is my hope not only our son, Sammy, but all in attendance, had a chance to feel the depth of community and support we as a temple have created. Thank you for a wonderful experience as our son became a bar mitzvah, Temple Emanu-El!