On Friday, February 23, 2018, my family attended the most creative and different Friday night reform Shabbat service ever! Rabbi Jay Sherwood entertained the Colorado Springs Temple Shalom congregation. It was the happiest and most fun Shabbat I've ever experienced. Everyone couldn't stop smiling and yes, there were lots of laughing too.
Not all of the traditional Shabbat prayers were done to Beatles tunes, so some of the traditional melodies and prayers were done in the traditional way, but we sang "Hey Jew..." to the tune of "Hey Jude." Adom Olam ended the service to the tune of "Yellow Submarine." The Shema was sung to the first Beatles' British number one song. Other prayers were sung to "Let It Be" and "Help." Miz Mor Shir was sung to the tune of "Golden Slumbers."
Rabbi Sherwood led the service on his guitar, but did sing for us when he played the piano the song "The Man On the Hill" and dedicated that song to the people who lead our country in Washington DC.
The Oneg included Beatles themed deserts. There were cakes and fruits in the shapes of yellow submarines, an Octopus's Garden desert, a Martha My Dear desert, a Here Comes the Sun desert, and several strawberry fields!
There were so many people at the service that I'd never seen before. I think everyone that attended wondered what Beatles Shabbat was about. Rabbi Sherwood explained that in honor of Purim and being crazy and happy around the holiday, that he does Beatles Shabbat once a year.
Some people were getting ahead and ready for Purim and wore costumes. It was an all-around fun evening! I am so looking forward to the Purim dinner that Rabbi Sherwood announced he will be cooking himself and how we will celebrate!
I have done some searching at the idea of Beatles Shabbat and discovered that it has been done at many congregations. Out of respect, I didn't video any of the service we went to, but below is a video from another congregation's live stream recording of Beatles Shabbat. The music in this video is beautiful!
No comments:
Post a Comment