CAPE MAY – “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High.”
This is the opening line of Psalm 92, the only psalm written specifically for the Sabbath.
So it was that the second annual Shabbat on the Beach began Aug. 21. For 20 years Rabbi Ron Isaacs had dreamed of holding the sacred service at such an inspiring venue. Not until 2014 was it realized.
That was when Larry Hirsch and the Hirsch family, proprietors of the Montreal Beach Resort in Cape May, approached “Rabbi Ron,” as he is affectionately called, and suggested a beach service that the dream became reality.
The rabbi recently retired from serving the congregation of Temple Shalom in Bridgewater. He was accompanied by his wife Leora and other family members.
He brought his guitar and was accompanied by Barry Miles, the most celebrated pianist in Cape May.
Elaine Miles and Barry Hirsch had organized beach chairs, tents and food that would be needed both during and after the service. As bikini-clad bathers and toddlers with beach balls walked by the rabbi intoned the ancient songs that have been sung and passed down since before the time of Moses.
The 100 who attended were offered drums and tambourines and invited to join in the celebration. “People should feel very relaxed,” said Leora Isaacs, adding, “I call the Sabbath ‘the pause that refreshes.’”
The ceremony lasted about an hour and at the end, as sunset approached, (which is the official start of Shabbat), the rabbi lit candles and invited everyone to stand, face the Atlantic Ocean and welcome the Sabbath as it comes across the water. They did.
Rev. Jeff Elliott of Cape May Lutheran Church and Cape May Mayor Edward Mahaney joined those assembled.
Rabbi Isaacs had happy news for the local Jewish congregation as well.
Beth Judah Temple in Wildwood, which was established 100 years ago, recently found itself without a rabbi.
Rabbi Isaacs announced that he will be conducting High Holy Days services at Beth Judah as well as holding services throughout the year intermittently.
He said tickets would not be needed to attend, but notification of the synagogue was required.
So as his retirement begins Isaacs can quote the end of Psalm 92 “In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap. Showing that the Lord is upright.”
To contact Helen McCaffrey, email hmccaffrey @cmcherald.com.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
