| November 2024
Welcome to the month of Cheshvan! A month with no holidays except for Shabbat. A quiet month. Even though life is still shouting at us, we are given a month where the only thing asked of us Jewishly this month is to come rest on Shabbat. I think it is G*d’s gift to us after a month of non-stop Holy Days. A chance to stop and reflect on what we have just come through. We have confessed our sins, asked for forgiveness and set ourselves right again on the path of our lives. In the quietness of Cheshvan, we look out onto this path with new eyes, new perspective. We have been given the opportunity to refocus and walk our path better than we did last year. Remembering to treat people with kindness, enjoying every moment of life, and trying to be our best selves. This month is also called MarCheshvan, Mar meaning bitter, bitter because there are no holidays. Though some may be bitter, I truly want to see Cheshvan as a 30 day opportunity to be mindful of putting my best self forward. I’ve heard it takes 30 days to change bad habits, so here’s to Cheshvan and new beginnings! Just an aside…it was so nice to see your faces during the High Holy Days. Thank you for “coming home for the Holy Days.” Thank you again to the Temple Emanu-El Choir, and Michael McCarthy. Thank you to Jose Cordero for his amazing Shofar Blowing! Thank you to all who asked to be a part of readings, and for my long time Torah and Haftarah readers. Big hugs! If you are interested in chanting Torah for the High Holy Days next year, I have an open spot. If you’d like to chant Torah during the year, contact me and we can choose a date. To all of my Adult Students, classes will begin again the week of November 12! Beginning Hebrew will be starting on Tuesday, November 12, from 12:00-1:00. This class will run until the end of May 2025. Hopefully you will get this in time to join Sean Bendick , here at TE, for A Night of Stargazing! We are hoping to see all the planets rise! There will be havdalah, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and maybe even donuts! Come join us. Any questions? Call me at Temple Emanu-El 860-443-3005 or email me at: shirie3860@aol.com. Hazzan Sherry
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