Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism

Member Login
  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • Get To Know Us
    • HCRJ Photo Gallery
    • Our Rabbi
    • Our Staff
    • Our Board Of Trustees
  • Worship with us
    • High Holy Days
    • Shabbat Services
    • Family Shabbat
    • Special Shabbats
    • Havdalah
  • Connect with Us
    • Contact HCRJ
    • Find Us
    • Media
    • Connect with Our Friends
    • All Rabbi’s Messages
      • Monthly Messages
      • Weekly Reflections
  • Learning
    • Religious School
      • Philosophy
      • Registration
      • Calendar
      • Special Programs
      • Pictures
    • Youth Learning
      • HOUSTY
      • URJ Greene Family Camp
      • Prayer Library
    • Adult Learning
      • Jews around the World
      • Film Screenings
      • Tacos and Torah
      • Lunch with the Rabbi
      • Book Discussions
      • Jewish/Muslim Christmas
      • Basic Judaism
      • Marriage and Merlot
  • Social
    • Groups
      • Social Action
      • Senior Chai
      • Boomers and Friends
    • Events
      • Bingo
      • Mah Jongg Game Day
      • New and Prospective Member Shabbat
      • HCRJ Open Golf Tournament
      • Cars, Coffee & Conversation
      • Bark Mitzvah
      • Interest Group
      • HCRJ at the Astros
  • Calendar/Events
  • Membership

August 28, 2019

August 28, 2019 by Justin Deutsch

Dear Friends,

Labor Day is a national holiday held every year on the first Monday in September. For most of us, this holiday is observed as a day for shopping or simple leisure. For others, it is the last day of summer and a final opportunity to wear seersucker suits and white shoes. In general, Labor Day is one of those holidays we all enjoy but know nothing about. So – what exactly are we celebrating?

Labor Day was founded in the late 1800s for two basic reasons. It was a way to unify workers, and it was part of a movement to improve conditions for the workforce. At the height of the Industrial Revolution in the United States, the average American worked 12-hour days, seven-days a week. With time, unions began to organize to combat these terrible work environments and negotiate better hours and better wages.

Against this backdrop, Labor Day was introduced to pay tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. In 1894, Labor Day became a federal holiday, and all workers enjoyed an additional day of rest and leisure.

As Jews, we have had a Labor Day of our own (Shabbat) that dates back to the Days of Creation. Our day of rest is a weekly occurrence. It affords us time to share the joys that come from our labor with family and community. So, with the coming of Labor Day this weekend, please rejoice in your extra day of rest! You deserve it!

L’Shalom,
Steve

Filed Under: All Rabbi's Messages, Weekly Reflections

Rabbi’s Message Categories

  • All Rabbi’s Messages
  • Weekly Reflections
  • Monthly Messages
  • Sermons
  • Religious School
  • Events
  • Monthly Bulletins
  • Find Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Membership
  • Member Login

801 Bering Drive | Houston, Texas 77057 | Phone: 713-782-4162| Fax: 713-782-4167| hcrj@hcrj.org

Copyright © 2022 Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism All Rights Reserved

Website Development by Levy Marketing Group