September 25, 2009

 

Gmar Chatima Tova and Tsom Kal

 

 Dear Friends,

 

Shana Tova and gmar chatima tova. With the welcoming of the New Year, also comes Yom Kippur, a time of personal reflection of the year that passed. Each year we cast away our sins, and start with a clean slate, all the while wondering what we could do to better ourselves, so that we do not repeat the same mistakes of our past in the coming year. Yom Kippur is a time to be hopeful for the future. It is not only a time to examine, but it is a time to look forward. Who knows what this year will bring. Maybe this will be the year that we find a lasting peace in Israel and in the world. 

 

Maybe this will be the year that you discover something new and wonderful in your life, or the year that a great simcha will happen in your family or community. It is important to take time to look inside ourselves at least once a year, to rid ourselves of negative thoughts and to replace them with positive ones. It is vital to rest with our family and friends and to clear our minds of the clutter. At Or Hadash we always try to help as many people as possible through our Tikkun olam and social action projects, and to reach out to as many friends as possible to through our interfaith events, and connections with overseas sister congregations. 

 

However, it is important to step back from the big picture every once in awhile to examine what it all comes down to. What lies behind all of the hard work that we do is the concept of G’milut Chasadim-Loving kindness. It is said that the world rests on three things: On the Torah, on work, and on acts of loving kindness. Sometimes it is really the simple things that make the biggest difference. If we all just reached out a hand to one person in need, the world would be a beautiful place. May you have a wonderful year full of love and kindness for those around you.

 

Yesterday, September 24^th, Or Hadash received an honorable mention from Yona Yohav, the mayor of Haifa. The accolade was to both Congregation Or Hadash, for the hard work we do in feeding the hungry of Haifa for major and minor holidays, and for the Israeli Reform Movement, for our dedication to continually serve the city. I believe that our excellent relationship with the city of Haifa, and it’s people and political leaders is part of the reason why we are able to do so much for the citizens living here. We are blessed to live in a place that encourages us to succeed as a community and as a movement, and I am very thankful for that.

 

This year Rosh HaShana services were filled with a both a pleasant and celebratory atmosphere, where may hundreds of adults and children prayed together. It was very  special that after teaching children all over Haifa about the symbols of the holiday and especially the shofar, the children helped me to sound the instrument, and thus officially welcome the start of the High Holidays. This year at Yom Kippur services we are expecting up to 1200 participants, including 100s of children.

 

Today, Friday September 25^th, the children of the Einstein Special Education school came to Or Hadash to learn about the High Holidays . The children enjoyed singing holiday songs and learning how to blow the shofar. It was very nice to see smiles on the faces of the children as they enjoyed learning about Judaism in a celebratory and calm atmosphere.

For those of you who keep in touch with me on a regular basis, please know that my assistant Jessica who helps me type my email responses, will be out of the country from September 27^th-October 15^th. However, I would still love to hear from you, especially if it is regarding an important or timely issue. Therefore I ask that you please do not hesitate to write or contact me by phone anytime you would like: 052-361-3983 (From Israel) or 011-972-52-361-3983 (From the States).

We wish Jessica mazal tov on her upcoming weddings, set to take place in Yafo, Israel, and then in Atkinson, NH, and officiated by myself, and Rabbi Ira Korinow of Temple Emanu-El Haverhill, MA (Her home congregation) respectively.