November 2025

It was heartwarming to see your smiling faces as I looked out at the congregation during the High Holy Days. It was also lovely celebrating with you through Sukkot and Simchat Torah. Now, we are coming into the Jewish month of Cheshvan, a month with no holidays. Some say it is a month of reflection after coming through the High Holy Days. We are not leaving the work of self-reflection that we did leading up to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur behind us, but rather continuing the work and putting into practice our values and the morals that guide us to be better people. Reminding ourselves that we are to love the stranger in our midst, to not do unto others what we wouldn’t want done to us, and to walk humbly with G*d. In other words, we should always strive to be kind, and to retain our moral compass in our everyday lives. It can be challenging to let go of ego or emotion before we speak or act, in order to choose a kind response. I suppose it’s like exercise, the more we do it, the easier it gets to make good decisions, and the better we feel. It’s a good journey to be on, and one that I want to keep in the forefront of my mind.

Now for the fun stuff going on in November.  Please join us as our sanctuary is filled with the uplifting energy of our Artists in Residence, Julie Silver and Susan Horowitz! I’m looking forward to immersing myself in this mikvah of music and enjoying not just Shabbat Services, but also their concert on Saturday evening.  Make sure you check the bulletin or website for times and more information. You can also go to  YouTube for links to both Julie and Susan’s music. It’s going to be wonderful.  Make sure that you have Friday, November 14, and Saturday, November 15, on your calendar. Hope to see you there!

November is also the return of my morning classes.  Please call the office or send me an email: shirie3860@aol.com, if you are interested in joining any of them.

Tuesdays, 12:00-1:00

Beginning Hebrew – learn letters, vowels, with a goal of beginning to read prayers.

Wednesdays, 10:00 – 11:00

Trope Class – learning Torah, Haftarah, and High Holy Day trope systems – need to be able to read Hebrew.

Wednesdays, 11:00 – 12:00

Intermediate Hebrew – Using our Mishkan Tefilah Siddur to practice reading prayers used on Shabbat Services

Thursdays, 11:00 – 12:00

Translating Torah – We are beginning the 2nd book of the Torah, Shemot. Must be able to read Hebrew

I want to again thank the choir for all their time and hard work to make the music of the High Holy Days amazing! I couldn’t do it without you!   Thank you to Michael McCarthy, our accompanist for not only his beautiful playing, but for adding his voice when needed. To Jose Cordero for continuing to amaze me with his shofar blowing.  Also, to our cellist Ben Larsen, for his emotional playing of Kol Nidre. I’m happy to tell you that he has agreed to return next year.

Thank you to our TE Band, and to Roz Etra, for lifting our spirits on Simchat Torah as we danced with the Torot, and celebrated those who were finally returned home.

As we celebrate the cease fire, and the return of those who had been held captive, let peace and healing begin in the Middle East and in every place where there is suffering and strife. Ken Y’hi L’ratzon….May it be so.

Hazzan Sherry