Island Park's South Shore Jewish Center to hold third annual Shabbat on the Beach

Long Islanders are invited to take it easy and get in touch with their spirits for Judaism’s day of rest on the beach, all as the sun sets over the horizon.

The South Shore Jewish Center is holding their third annual Shabbat on the Beach at Masone Beach in Island Park on Friday, Aug. 3 at 8 p.m. Services will be led by Rabbi Paul Hoffman while music will be played by Cantor Hillel Bar Zion. There will be seating available under the gazebo and light refreshments are to be served.

This will be the third event of its kind, according to co-president of the Jewish Center Lisa Arian. It was instituted by Hoffman and is intended to “honor the beginning of the Shabbat,” she said adding that, “everybody is welcome.”

Inspiration for the occasion came from the way the Jewish community was believed to have celebrated Shabbat during the 15th century, according to Hoffman, where members would go out before sundown and prepare themselves mentally for the Sabbath by watching the sunset; “mind, spirit, body, nature and God,” he said, all tied into one evening.

Also central to the event, Hoffman said, is its musical aspect, intended to ease attendees into a calm state of prayer. “It’s all about the beauty of music moving people more so than the words,” he said. “… Nobody has a problem listening to beautiful music.”

When it comes down to it, the music is meant to “get you in the mood” for the prayers that follow.

— Compiled by Peter Belfiore