From the Rabbi's Desk
| October 2024
Friends, L’Shana Tova! Hopefully, this message will reach you just before Rosh Hashanah. I look forward to seeing most of you in person during these Days of Awe. This year, it feels as if the world’s weight is on our shoulders. Adding to my anxiety is the overwhelming feeling that what I write today might be made obsolete and irrelevant by events that are sure to occur between my writing and the arrival of this bulletin in your snail mailbox. One thing that cannot be made obsolete or irrelevant, God willing, is our sense of community. Sense of community is the strength of the Jewish people. This sense grows from traditions that insist on the importance of our coming together regularly and focus our attention on big ideas rather than little details. Little details change quickly; big ideas govern our response to them. Our strength is holding these big ideas, teaching them in each generation, and acting on them as we see fit and necessary as individuals and communities. Our coming together at the High Holy Days, festivals, and Shabbat, in celebration and in mourning, all attest to our active and ongoing acknowledgment that Kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh, we are all responsible for one another (Babylonian Talmud, Shavuot 39a). About this time last year, our world was turned upside down by the Hamas’ heinous attack on our homeland. Even before this attack, antisemitism had been on the rise in the United States. The attack became a catalyst for an explosion of anti-Israelism and antisemitism. At the same time, there was an overwhelming silence concerning the atrocities committed by Hamas, especially the violation of women. Yet we must remember that some leaders and friends immediately came to our side and have stalwartly stood with us and Israel. We are still living in the shadow of October 7th and will continue to live in this shadow for the foreseeable future. Yet, we must not let it consume us. We need to lean into thinking about Judaism’s big ideas. The High Holy Day season is a time for deep introspection. It is a time for us to think about the people we aspire to be and our roles and responsibilities in the relationships we hold dear – to family, friends, congregations, community, nation, Israel, and the Jewish people. The shadow of October 7th has caused many of us to reevaluate these relationships. I find rays of hope seeing that many Jews who previously disengaged from the Jewish community are seeking new Jewish connections. Further, people curious about Judaism have not been scared away; instead, they continue actively seeking meaning through Judaism and connecting to our community. These Jewish adjacent people see our community as a place to build meaning in their lives. Of course, we should too. This is where we benefit from focusing on the big ideas. Now is the time to lean into our core values and leverage them to help us move forward. We really have no other choice, so let’s do it together. I am eager to greet and spend time with you over the High Holy Days. May these High Holy Days be the beginning of a year of increasing hope and renewal. L’shana tova, |
Cantorial Notes
| October 2024
This month is filled with Holy Days that ask us to look inward at ourselves, outward towards those we are in relationship with, and also bring us into new beginnings. It is important to check in with ourselves to make sure that we are doing those things that help us to be good people. How do we treat ourselves and those that are in our circle of family and acquaintances? We strive to be understanding, empathetic, kind, and helpful to those around us. Did we hit the mark or did we often lose patience with people when we were tired or stressed? Did we forgive ourselves for things we have done as we also strive to ask for forgiveness or forgive those who may have hurt us? During the weeks leading up to the High Holy Days we should be asking ourselves these questions and doing the work necessary to forgive, be forgiven, and start anew. By the time the holidays are over, we have hopefully completed those tasks that allow us to move forward and begin again with new intention and awareness. Let this year, 5785, be the year that we are all truly successful. Speaking of new beginnings, I was asked by Sisterhood to begin a Rosh Chodesh group. Rosh Chodesh means “Head of the Month,” and begins every month with the new moon. Jewish tradition considers the new moon as the first sliver of moon that you see. I have always loved the moon and have taken hundreds of photos of it over the years in its different phases. Rosh Chodesh is more than just enjoying the beauty of the moon, it is a way to nourish our mind, body, and soul through prayer, meditation, intention, sharing, music, and ritual. Women have held a special relationship with the reemergence of the moon and have been celebrating it for thousands of years. This ancient ritual is a very special time for women to come together and connect on a deeper level. A chance to get to know ourselves better, renewing ourselves as we learn Kiddush Levana, Blessing of the Moon, so we can bless each new moon. The Talmud teaches us that saying the blessing of the new moon is a time to celebrate the reappearance of the Shechinah, the feminine divine presence, personally. I’m excited to lead this group and hope that this meaningful legacy will leave us feeling renewed, energized, and prepared to welcome each new month ahead of us with intention. Please check the Sisterhood article for the date and time of the Rosh Chodesh Group. Looking forward to seeing you there. A big thank you to all of my Torah and Haftarah readers, our TE Choir, Michael McCarthy our accompanist, Jose Cordero our shofar blower, Victor Johnson our cellist, and all those who took part in High Holy Day services, whether you were on or off the bimah. L’shanah Tovah U’mitukah!
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Presidential Message
| October 2024
As the leaves on the trees begin to turn into beautiful harvest colors we can enjoy each other’s presence and participate in Temple activities which are now back in full swing. What’s new with you? That is the question I look forward to asking each of you as we soon gather together for the High Holidays. I invite you to do the same and introduce yourself to others who you either haven’t seen in a while or who you are meeting for the first time. To help facilitate not only better security measures but also improve the chance of positive interactions between all of us, members of our welcoming committee will help you check in as you arrive at High Holiday services. Visit one of four people at tables outside the social hall entrance to pick up your name badge, which will be organized by last name. All visitors will also receive a guest name badge. No one will be permitted into the building without one. We continue to want to be a welcoming community, but at the same time we want to lower security risks. Greeting everyone graciously as they enter helps with this effort. This will be the procedure for each of the High Holiday services. We ask for everyone’s patience and cooperation. Thank you to Rich McCaffrey, our security committee chairperson who has worked tirelessly to oversee more infrastructure improvements and review our security protocols with our religious school staff, leadership, and volunteer greeters. Together, we will all stay vigilant and help keep our community safe. Considering joining us for the Shabbat dinner? Think about extending an invitation to fellow Temple members you may not have seen in a while or consider inviting newer members to join you. The buddy system is an effective way to build and enrich relationships. Will your family be celebrating a milestone soon? Consider sponsoring an oneg in their honor. Thank you to Patricia Hendel who has sponsored a special oneg on October 4 in memory of Seymour Hendel. Thank you to everyone for their patience as the social hall bathroom renovation took place all summer. Now we will have a dedicated private restroom that is handicapped accessible and available for all genders. It can be accessed through a separate door next to the women’s restroom. Special thanks to Bruce Goldstein for all of his effort in securing the zoning plans and supervising the renovation process. And a huge thank you to Erica McCaffrey, Hillary Goldstein, Tammy Kaye, Janine Sitko, and Karen Bloustine for joining me with the Baking Club in launching our first Round Challah Fundraiser for a festive way to celebrate the new year! I look forward to seeing you all at the High Holiday festivities and many Fall committee activities. L’Shana Tova,
Board Meeting Highlights
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