Notes from the Cantor

Cantor Nathaniel Schudrich

One of the greatest gifts that G-d has given to the Jewish people and to the whole world is the Sabbath Day. Most people think of Shabbat as a day of rest and rightly so. But it is more than a day of rest. The word “shabbat” means not only to rest but to cease from work as well. In the opening of the Torah, G-d works and creates for six days. On the seventh day, G-d “ceased from all work and rested”. This is a lesson for us in how to live our lives. 

So what does it mean to cease from work? Is there more to Shabbat than just resting? Let’s examine together the word “Shabbat”. The three letters of this word are Shin, Bet, and Tav. If we look at each of these letters individually we can find a deeper meaning to the Sabbath Day. 

The first letter in the word Shabbat is the Shin. It is also the first letter in the Hebrew word Shalom, peace. Our first focus on Shabbat is to find the peace that has escaped us during the work week. For six days, we run around at work, shuttling our children from place to place, attending meetings, paying bills. The list of things to do is endless. It is hard to find peace of heart and mind while being so busy. On Shabbat, we stop all weekly activity and focus on what is in front of us. It is only by taking a break from the responsibilities and business of the outside world that we can find ourselves. It is this peace that I look forward to every week. When Melynda lights the Shabbat candles, I find a feeling of peace entering my body. My heart slows down and I find myself entering the world of Shabbat. It is a place where the cares and worries of the outside world escape me. 

The second letter in the word Shabbat is the Bet. It is the first letter in the Hebrew word “bayit” house. Shabbat is meant to be a time to focus on our home life. During the week, the family is separated by the need to attend to different responsibilities and activities. On Shabbat, the center of activity and attention is the home. Shabbat is a time to reconnect with family. There is a simple beauty to be found in the prohibitions to shop and run errands. I love knowing that on Shabbat, I will spend the afternoon playing games with my children, taking a walk with Melynda, and if I am lucky, get a Shabbos nap. I am not allowed to return those items to the store or grocery shop, even if I want to. What a mechaya! 

The third letter in Shabbat is the letter Tav. It is the first letter in the word Torah. Shabbat is not only set aside as a time for finding peace and time with family, it is also a time to learn Torah. Study of Torah may mean sitting and learning the portion of the week, or studying other Jewish texts. In a broader sense, it can also be a time to reconnect with Jewish values. 

Shabbat is referred to as Shabbat Kodesh, the Holy Sabbath. One definition for the word holy is “separate”. The Sabbath day is separate from the rest of the week. I like to think of it as the Island of Shabbat. It is a place in time that is separate from the work week. It is a place where the cares and worries of the world take a hiatus and are replaced by the gifts of peace of mind, time at home and Jewish learning. May we all learn to take full benefit of this great gift from G-d.

 Cantor Nathaniel Schudrich

Executive Director's Corner

Kate Rose, Executive Director

Dear Tifereth Israel Community,

As we prepare to celebrate Hanukkah later this month, this season reminds me of the opportunity we all have to bring more light into the world as a community. A visitor during the High Holidays recently wrote to thank us for making her feel so welcome. She shared, “As Jews, we talk a lot about welcoming the stranger. But rarely does a synagogue pay attention to that. Really… But you welcomed me as a stranger into your community. You actively refused to allow me to feel anonymous. I was so touched by your warmth and inclusiveness, that I wanted to let you know how much it meant to me.”



This letter reminded me of how meaningful even a single act of kindness can be. In a recent D’var Torah, Cantor Schudrich pointed out that in Pirkei Avot, “Ethics of the Fathers,” Shammai said to greet every person with a cheerful face. Each smile, greeting, or small effort to make someone feel seen creates ripples of warmth that inspire others. So, I want to thank the Cantor, our amazing staff, and our congregants for the ways you make TI a beacon of light, not only during the holidays but all year long.

I hope you’ll join us this evening (December 6^th) for our Season of Lights musical Shabbat service at 6:30 PM. It promises to be a beautiful evening of music, community, and celebration.

As always, my door is open. If you’d like to connect, share ideas, or find ways to get involved, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me at kate.rose@tinewbedford.org or by phone at (508) 997-3171. Together, we can continue to bring light and warmth to all who walk through our doors.

Wishing you a season filled with light and joy,

Kate Rose

Executive Director

Educationally Speaking

Melynda Schudrich, Education Director

Here we are, already in our fourth month of Hebrew School! The time has flown by, and we’re about to celebrate our annual Chanukahfest, a fun and festive tradition for our school community. This year is especially exciting as we are also welcoming our new shaliach to the community.

The term shaliach means "messenger" or "emissary" in Hebrew. The shaliach program plays a key role in creating a living bridge between Israel and Jewish communities here in the southcoast, fostering understanding and connection. The program brings individuals from Israel to serve as community educators and advocates, helping to deepen the community's knowledge of Israeli culture, history, and current events.The shaliach is a community resource who works closely with children, youth, students, and adults in synagogues, religious schools, youth groups, and other community organizations. By facilitating Israel education and advocacy programs, the shaliach helps strengthen our connection to Israel and our shared Jewish heritage. Our local shaliach works through the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, which serves as the central hub for all of her activities here.

This fall, we were thrilled to welcome Gaya Dahan as our new shaliach. Gaya brings a wealth of experience and energy to the community, and she has already begun collaborating with the Alliance staff to enrich the programs and expand outreach opportunities. Gaya's role is to bring fresh perspectives and ideas to our community, and we are excited to see how she will help grow the programs offered through the Alliance. I encourage everyone to take part in the upcoming events and programs that will be offered — they are a great way to learn more about Israel and connect with other members of the community.

One of the highlights of the year for our Hebrew School is the annual Chanukahfest, which will take place on Sunday, December 15, 10:00 to 11:30. This festive celebration is a wonderful way for our students, families, and community members to come together to celebrate the joy of Hanukkah. There will be plenty of fun activities for everyone, including games, crafts, and, of course, delicious food. It’s an event that people of all ages can enjoy, and it’s a great opportunity to make new memories and share in the holiday spirit.

Our United Synagogue Youth (USY) group will be assisting with the event, ensuring that everything runs smoothly, and helping to create a fun and engaging atmosphere for all attendees. They will be running many of the activities, from arts and crafts to games, and they are always enthusiastic about helping out and connecting with younger children in the community.

Chanukah is a time to celebrate the miracle of the oil, the victory of the Maccabees, and the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. But it’s also a time to come together as a community, to celebrate our shared traditions and values, and to make new connections with one another. Whether you are lighting the menorah at home or coming together with us for Chanukahfest, the holiday is a reminder of the importance of family, community, and faith.

As we approach the holiday season, we are reminded of the strength and unity of the Jewish people, both in our local community and across the world. The shaliach program, with its focus on education, advocacy, and connection, is an important part of that unity. We are fortunate to have Gaya Dahan as part of our community, and we look forward to all the exciting programs and events that she will help bring to life in the coming months.

I hope you are able to join us for Chanukahfest on December 15, and take advantage of the many exciting opportunities to learn and grow together as a community. Happy Chanukah to all!

Melynda Schudrich

Education Director

A Presidential Greeting

Martin Weinstein, President

Thank you all for your involvement and attendance at our High Holiday services. We hope you enjoyed Cantor Schudrich and Cantor Rubenstein working together to provide a wonderful service and High Holiday atmosphere. 

We are adding some fun Friday night Shabbat Services. For those who attended the Beatles service, the experience was fun and the turnout was fantastic. Additional musical Shabbats are upcoming, the next one being on Dec 6.

Cantor Schudrich has been handling our sole clergy role and has been available to our congregation as needed. We thank him for taking on these extended duties. Please call Nathaniel if you need clergy advice or support; he is always there for us. 

Looking forward, we have formed a Vision Committee to define what TI's future will look like. I have or will be calling some of you to ask for your participation in the committee. We are trying to get a cross section of congregants to ensure that all the views of TI are represented as we move forward. Change is constant, so we must accept the change and use it to make our congregation better and stronger.

For those who have routinely attended Shabbat service, you can see the diversity of our Shabbat attendees. We have our in-person attendees, our Zoom attendees, and our young students participating in the services as well. If you have not been to Saturday Shabbat services, I think you will really enjoy the positive energy.

I thank all of you for helping me during the first few months of being president, TI is a supportive and loving community. It is truly my honor to represent you.

Martin Weinstein

President