​Rabbi Returning To Furlong Temple For Scholar-In-Residence Weekend

FURLONG, PA — Temple Judea of Bucks County will present a Scholar-in-Residence Weekend with Rabbi Richard Simon from Jan. 31 through Feb. 1. The weekend represents a return to the synagogue by Rabbi Simon who served as a visiting rabbi at the temple four years ago.

The weekend will be filled with opportunities for worship, learning, music, spirituality, and noshing. It kicks off on Jan. 31 with a 7 p.m. Jewish Renewal-style Shabbat service led by Rabbi Simon and featuring the Temple Judea Choir with songs, movement, meditation and stories that will be followed by desserts. Participants are encouraged to bring drums and other percussion instruments.

On Feb. 1 at 9 a.m., Rabbi Simon will lead a Torah study session discussing Exodus Chapter 10 13:16, the last three of the 10 plagues inflicted before the Israelites departed Egypt, Passover, and the modern implications of these.

At 11 a.m. there will be an introduction to Kabbalah Class. Kabbalah is the study of the wisdom of the Jewish mystics throughout the ages. Rabbi Simon discusses the basics of the practice and its modern applications. Mystics, skeptics, practitioners, and novices are welcome.

A link to these events can be found at www.templejudea.org/calendar. Temple Judea is located at 38 Rogers Road in Furlong.

All events are free for Temple Judea members. For non-members, there is a charge of $25 per person for the Feb. 1 Kabbalah class and brunch.

Rabbi Simon is a Jewish Renewal rabbi, having been ordained by the founder of Jewish Renewal, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi z”l. He served as the primary rabbi at Temple Har Zion in Mount Holly, N.J., for over 30 years and is a rabbi emeritus. He has been teaching Kabbalah and other forms of mysticism for over 40 years. Rabbi Simon is a monk in the Jizo-an Soto Zen Community and works as a hospice chaplain.

For additional information, contact the Temple Judea of Bucks County office at 215-348-5022 or email judea@templejudea.org.