Friends,
In a little more than a week, we will come together to welcome the Jewish year 5787. You have already learned from previous announcements that we begin this year with a new Religious School Director and Youth Coordinator, Louis Lasko. Louis follows a line of capable and dedicated directors and co-directors who each left their unique imprint on our students, teachers, and families: Barbara Kallan, Marc Goldsmith, z”l, Rachel O’Brien, Armi Rowe, Jennifer Zettler, and Lisa Marcus. Louis brings with him many years of experience as a Jewish communal professional working with youth, and he will make his own imprint as well. Over the High Holy Days ahead, you will surely have a chance to meet Louis and his family — his wife Kristin, and their children, Emmie and Henry.
We have already entered the season of return. During the month of Elul, we turn inward for cheshbon hanefesh, an accounting of our soul. When you join us on Erev Shabbat during this month prior to Rosh Hashanah, we will use the siddur, Mishkan HaLev, edited for this unique period on the Jewish calendar. We must take careful account of the years behind us, because the year ahead will surely challenge us.
This will be a consequential year for Jews on both sides of the ocean, as American Jews and Israelis alike head to the polls in the months ahead. As always, in my High Holy Days sermons I will not discuss the politics or personalities involved in any election. This has been my consistent promise to you over ten years. What I will discuss are the values we should hold onto when facing difficult decisions and uncertain times — because it is a dangerous world, especially for Jews and other vulnerable minorities, when people become estranged from their values.
As you do your personal preparation for the High Holy Days, consider what values you hold dear. I look forward to seeing many of you over these High Holy Days.
L’shana Tovah,
Rabbi Marc