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Welcome to FridayLight's "New Moon" |
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By the Gregorian calendar (as opposed to the Jewish one), this is the beginning of the new year, traditionally a time of reflection and resolution: Less soda, more gym… Less TV, more reading… Less stress, more calm… Less superficiality, more depth. Whether we manage to keep them all year or not, resolutions are good for us. The act of declaring our intentions, gives us something to aspire to. One way to help keep your resolutions is to maintain a journal of them either on your computer or in a small notebook. Began with a list of resolutions (don’t stress over too many) and periodically check in and write about being able to keep them or not. Maybe there’s a reason, maybe there’s distraction, maybe your priorities have changed. Remember that it’s never to late to start over. One of our members has written to tell us that her New Year’s resolution is to light Friday night candles every week this year. Up until last May, this middle-aged woman had never in her adult life kindled a Shabbat candle. That ended for her the day her grandmother passed away in 1982. But now it is her primary 2008 resolution to delve into her Jewish heritage and explore its rich spiritual legacy. We have recommended that she use the arrival of this newsletter to remind her to check in on the resolution. Why not celebrate Rosh Chodesh and the new moon each month by checking in with your resolutions – whether they pertain to dieting, exercising, behaving in a certain way towards loved ones, or lighting Shabbat candles. |
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It is not unusual for people who stray from their religion to find their way back, and this poignant story was sent many years ago to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menechim Mendel Schneerson: Without going into great detail about our religious backgrounds, I will simply tell you that I was born a Protestant and later joined Catholicism, and that my partner in life was raised agnostic but was born Jewish. Each of us had undergone great trials in our personal lives and each sought G-d in our own way… (more…) |
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Speaking of sharing the light, our FridayLight starter kits have also spread across the globe.Now also available in Hebrew, Russian, French, and Spanish, we have distributed nearly100,000 to women who share Shabbat with you. |
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As some of you know, FridayLight is going into print with a very special book of original stories, poems, prayers, memories and meditations that relate to lighting Friday night candles. We are almost done with the first collection, but if you have a thought or experience you'd like to share, please send it to Marina@FridayLight.org. Your piece might be as brief as 50 words on why you light, or what lighting means to you, or it may be as long as 1500 words about the Shabbat you'll always remember. Feel free to let your creativity take over and your inspiration flow onto the page. We can't wait to read your submission! |
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We hope that you have enjoyed this edition. Let us know your thoughts at www.fridaylight.org. If you no longer wish to receive FridayLight's New Moon newsletter, please reply to this email and enter "UNSUBSCRIBE" in the subject . |
Invite your friends in other countries to share our light! The candle lit FridayLight.org map of the United States has expanded to encompass Shabbat candle lighters on every continent. 
The days are still short and gloomy in the Northern Hemisphere, so getting together with a few girlfriends to light candles on Friday night is a way to keep it bright. From dorms and sororities in different parts of America, we’ve been hearing about FridayLight get-togethers. But, why should college kids have all the fun? 
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Did you know that our starter kits are now available in French, Spanish, Hebrew and Russian? These attractive tins containing tea candles, matches, a keepsake necklace and a how-to brochure make a delightful gift for family and friends. The compact size and welcoming palette are perfect for women discovering a deeper level of spirituality in their lives. |
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