It’s hard to believe that it’s the end of June, already. As the summer becomes hotter in Houston, you and I begin our search for some relief indoors at home, in the pool, in the shopping mall, and in Temple. Please remember that throughout the month of July, Shabbat evening services will be held in the Chapel at 6:30 p.m. Rabbi Scott and Rabbi Miller will join you in worship. The summer service is family-friendly and, if I may add, a time of year when you can come as you are. Come from work or from home, but come. Bring friends and visitors. All are welcome!

            For those who want to continue their Shabbat experience on Saturday, please come to the Early Morning Minyan that meets in the Chapel from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Torah study is held every Saturday in the Board Room from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Rabbi Scott or Rabbi Miller will join you for discussion on the weekly Torah portion. If you’d like to read ahead or prepare a bit before you come, you’ll find the list of weekly Torah portions in the Bulletin or on Beth Israel’s beautiful website at www.beth-israel.org. And, if you’re really an early riser on Sunday morning, you can tune it to KODA 99.1, to hear my weekly radio message at 6:45 a.m.

            Summer doesn’t mean everything has to change, but it’s my hope that you will use this time to break up your routine and take advantage of summer time’s slower pace. It’s not just the heat that makes us move slower; it’s also the expectation that the body and soul need to rejuvenate, too. Consider:

• A new book from the Schachtel library. Call Judy, our librarian, for suggestions for summer reading or browsing the catalogue on-line
• Going to www.beth-israel.org, to learn Shabbat prayers
• Registering your children for religious school on-line at www.beth-israel.org
• Worshiping on Friday night with friends and family in the beautiful Chapel
• Studying Torah on Shabbat morning. There are bagels and coffee, too
• Spending time in the Wolff-Toomim Family Meditation Garden (it’s actually cooler in the garden)

             Every week, I enjoy writing my messages to you. I’m grateful for your replies and comments, too. Drawing from the weekly Torah portion and from life experiences, it’s remarkable how our Scriptures continue to speak to us with meaningful and relevant insights. But, if you don’t mind, I’m going to take some vacation in a couple of days and treat it like an extended Shabbat. It’s going to be time to turn off my computer (power down), unhook my Blackberry (I’ll try), take off my tie (gladly), read for pleasure (can’t wait), spend time with my family (they’re fun), and rest (aahh). I’ll return to writing my weekly message to you in August. Until then, my thoughts and prayers are with you for good health and peace. God bless you and Shabbat Shalom.

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