In an old, but still funny joke, a Jewish man is found on a desert island where he has lived alone for the past twenty years. In showing his rescuers around the island, he points out that he has built two synagogues. The reason--one is the synagogue he regularly attends, and the other? That's the one he wouldn't step foot inside.

In real life, my shul attendance, at least on Shabbat, is limited to B'nai Moshe. This is a reality of my job and Shabbat observance.

Recently, however, I had the rare experience of going to other synagogues on Shabbat, when the opportunity arose on two different occasions. I must admit that this change of pace was fun. But when it was all over I was glad to be "back home" at B'nai Moshe.

Our synagogue building is often filled with a lot of activity. There are L.I.F.E. classes on Shabbat mornings, and Monday and Wednesday afternoons. There are adult classes on Sunday mornings, and Monday afternoons and evenings. Many an evening features meetings of committees and affiliates. During the daytime, many congregants come by, and the office and maintenance staffs are working hard. There are frequently pleasant aromas emitting from our kitchens. There is even an exercise class several mornings a week.

There are short services held each morning and evening, and I urge you to attend at least one of these daily minyanim each week.

But the central activity of Congregation B'nai Moshe, and the event that draws the largest audience, is certainly the Shabbat morning service. I am proud to say that the Shabbat morning service is the best identifying feature of our congregation. It is the place to be, to truly discover our culture, and feel a part of our extended family. If you already attend regularly, then you know what I mean. If you don't, then now is the time to start.

The main feature of the service, of course, is prayer. We have the opportunity to be led in prayer by the Cantor's moving voice, and to experience the power and mystery of our own silent prayer. The service provides education in Torah, including Barry Levine's study group, and a chance to privately read one of the Chumashim or another book of your choice. The service brings together congregants celebrating a Simcha-- Bar/Bat Mitzvah, new birth, upcoming wedding, special birthday or anniversary--as well as members enduring the mourning period, or those offering a prayer of good health for a loved one.