A tambourine-lover with creative tactics meant to take congregants outside of their comfort zone, Rabbi RuthE Levy of Mountain Synagogue in Franklin doesn’t mess around when it comes to musical shabbat. 

Known in Hebrew as Shabbat Shirah, this service takes place at the beginning of the harvest season, long before the Jewish holiday of Passover — the latter holiday at the start of April 2026, the former portion in late February — but it tells a well-known Passover story.

Lenten worship services will be held each Wednesday during Lent at Lake Junaluska’s historic Memorial Chapel and include a Maundy Thursday and Good Friday service.

The services, which will include communion, will be at noon and again at 6:30 p.m. starting on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18, and continue weekly until March 25. Services on Maundy Thursday, April 2, and on Good Friday, April 3, will be at 6:30 p.m. only. 

On Sept. 23, Mountain Synagogue welcomed a new year — and a new rabbi.  

The Franklin-based congregation gathered for morning Rosh Hashanah services at the old St. Cyprian’s chapel. One of the most important Jewish holidays, Rosh Hashanah literally translates to “head of the year” and, in 2025, marked the start of 5,786 on the Hebrew calendar.

To the Editor:

It is not about policy. It is not about politics. It is not about being a Democrat, Republican or independent. It is not about being progressive, conservative or moderate. It is about faith.

To the Editor:

What I dislike about the American Christian Right is what I dislike about Jeff Minick’s book review in last week’s edition of The Smoky Mountain News, which is less a book review as it is a chance for Mr. Minick to display his own religious views using the passages he quotes from the book as support.

To the Editor:  

I am still trying to figure out Dave Webster’s motive for telling your readers about his personal journey and I would like to know what his comments have to do with the First Amendment.

To the Editor:

One of the things I find baffling about those on the other side of the political divide is that their fight for certain policies is inconsistent with a core value they espouse. 

It is time to have a fact-based discussion about the biology and history of our knowledge about human reproduction. Much of the current discussion does not reflect the reality of human reproduction. Declaring a fertilized egg to be a person is ridiculous from biological, historical and religious perspectives. 

To the Editor:

“In the beginning God created ….” Do you recognize those famous words? Many people do. They are the first five words of the King James Bible. Sacred to many.

To the Editor:

To all Donald Trump supporters who identify as Christians:  I’m writing to summarize Trump’s unholy actions during Holy Week and challenge you to defend them.