09/04/2026
From The TBH Co-Presidents David Zimring and Anna Stein -
Shalom Everyone!
On September 7th, we will be celebrating the secular holiday of Labor Day. Although we often think of this holiday as a simple long weekend, it in fact celebrates and recognizes the critical contribution to the world of ordinary workers. Since at least the eighteenth century, laborers have made significant requests and demands related to their work and livelihoods, including higher pay, fewer hours, safer working conditions, sick leave, health insurance, job security, pensions, recognition of unions, etc. Workers often faced massive resistance from owners and managers, and plenty of internal division as well. However, one of the biggest and earliest successes of the Labor Movement was the establishment of the 8 hour work day, calling for a balance between work and rest. Appropriately, the 8 hour work day echoes the concept of Shabbat, when we set aside at least one day of the week aside for rest, prayer, meditation, etc. It allows us to recharge our metaphorical batteries and prepare for the upcoming week while also devoting critical time to our families and ourselves. This Labor Day, let us all be grateful for the benefits we enjoy and those that still need to be enacted.
Of note, this year Temple Beth Hillel will be celebrating its 80th anniversary and planning a celebration on October 24th! Members of the Board are planning the event and will be reaching out to the membership to learn about your stories and experiences of the temple from over the years.
Incredibly, our High Holidays will be upon us in just a few weeks. In the lead up to our busy High Holiday schedule, our Selichot Service & Study Session will take place on Saturday, September 5, at 8:00 PM. This will be followed by Erev Rosh Hashanah on September 11, Rosh Hashanah services on September 12, Erev Yom Kippur on September 20, and Yom Kippur services on September 21. Please see the Ritual Committee for the full schedule.
Finally, our next Shabbat Evening Service is this Friday, September 4th, at 7:00 PM. All are welcome to join our Torah Study group on Zoom every Saturday morning at 10:15 AM.
Thank you everyone!
