A time of prayer, peace, community and good food were all found at the Temple Beth Israel of Longboat Key.
On July 11, the temple celebrated a midsummer Shabbat. The celebration included a Shabbat service followed by catered food from Mission BBQ that included many of the barbecue classics: pulled chicken, sliced brisket, baked beans, mashed potatoes, cornbread and more.
Shabbat is seen as a day of rest and spiritual togetherness in the Jewish faith. Rabbi Jessica Spitalnic Mates, the temple's newest rabbi, has been sure to provide that experience for members.
“My goal always is whenever anyone walks out of the synagogue that they leave having learned something and they feel better than when they walked in," said Spitalnic Mates. "And I really think the temple and Jewish community can provide that.”
Cantorial sololist Kei Sulhi hands out challah to start the celebration of the Shabbat.
Photo by Carlin Gillen
Rabbi Jessica Spitalnic Mates wishes a happy birthday to board member Barabara Pressman.
Photo by Carlin Gillen
Debbie Nyman, Carole Cohen, Rabbi Jessica Spitalnic Mates and Mack Spitzer are all smiles for the Midsummer Shabbat Barbecue.
Photo by Carlin Gillen
Dr. Sandra Packard, Lewis Moyer, Kei Sulki, Maxine Tauber, Maxine Spitzer and Bob Spitzer
Photo by Carlin Gillen
Rabbi Jessica Spitalnic Mates gives a sermon before celebrating the Midsummer Barbecue.
Photo by Carlin Gillen
Barry Friedman, Susan Friedman, Rabbi Howard Simon, Michael Boorstein, Sue Boorstein, Estelle Silbert and Stuart Sinai
Photo by Carlin Gillen
Members of Temple Beth Israel all line up for the Mission BBQ.
Photo by Carlin Gillen
Rabbi Michael Eisenstat, Lee Diznaf, Barbara Diznoff, Ralph Liebstein, Arlene Levy and Nancy Eisenstat
Photo by Carlin Gillen
The members of the Temple Beth Israel begin their celebration of the Midsummer Shabbat Barbecue.
Photo by Carlin Gillen
Mission BBQ catering included pulled chicken, baked beans, mashed potatoes and cornbread.
Photo by Carlin Gillen
Dr. Kenny Newmark, Susan Newmark, Dianne Weiskopf, Daniel Weiskopf, Irwin Pastor, Sylvia Pastor, Deborah Winters, Howard Veit and Dr. Stephen Winters
Photo by Carlin Gillen
Mission BBQ brought all the fixings for the Midsummer Shabbat Barbecue.
Photo by Carlin Gillen
Susan Goldfarb, Barbara Pressman, Carol Edelma, Lisa Pollack, Suzanne Schuster and Alice Blueglass
Carlin Gillen is an intern reporter for the Observer. Originally from Lakewood Ranch, she studies journalism and English at the University of Mississippi. She loves photography, writing and finding a story to tell within everyone.
