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By Sheila Orysiek
 SAN DIEGO—Temple Emanu-El celebrated Shabbat on October 23rd, with emphasis on the word "celebrate."
Though Rabbi Martin Lawson always elevates the weekly service with his fine voice along with the beautiful voice of Cantorial Soloist Myrna Cohen, periodically the level of celebration is heightened further with the addition of the band of Adam Blotner and Jeremy Gimbel.
The underlying message is Shabbat is an important day – listed in the Commandments - with solemn meaning, but that doesn't necessarily translate into the necessity of a "longeh punim" – long face. It is possible to worship G-D, contemplate His creation – while enjoying both. And looking over the large group of congregants who attend these spirited evenings, they seem to agree.
As a child, I remember Sabbath Services as hushed, solemn, hours of reciting in a foreign language – Hebrew – and being reminded that I was to sit still, don't wiggle too much, don't get in anyone's way, and worst of all – shah – quiet! Difficult stuff for anyone under ten years old. I spent most of my time thinking about the wonderful supper my Bubba had prepared waiting for us at home.
As I grew older, I became aware of how other religious groups observed holidays and Sabbaths. The hushed awe in a cathedral – music and/or song coming mostly from a choir loft
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– somewhere in the upper reaches of Gothic arches. But when I saw the participation of members of many African-American
churches – well, they certainly seemed very much involved and having a whole different experience; they weren't afraid to make a joyous noise. There have been Jewish groups who have celebrated with song and dance. And why not? Being Jewish is not a sad thing and G-D's creation isn't either.
We can learn a lot from children – and try to reclaim that uninhibited inner joy we as adults probably all had at one time. Thus, it was fun watching several little children dancing in the aisles of Temple Emanu-El's beautiful new sanctuary – their memories will be quite different than mine. It was also fun to see congregants clapping, spontaneously rising to their feet to allow the music to become a part of a physical expression of a spiritual experience.
None of this, however, happened at the expense of the prayers and rituals, commemorations and memorials, blessings and recitations, usually associated with welcoming Shabbat.. It is possible to do it all.
After this invigorating experience, we assembled in the lit courtyard, surrounded with Jerusalem stone, for the wine and bread blessing, a generous – and tasty – oneg and lots of good schmoozing with happy people. A good start to any Shabbat.
As for me, it gave me a chance to put on my slippers and experience again the joy that dance gave to me for so many years. I was also happy that the decibel level was kept at a comfortable level for aging ears.
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