Dear Friends,
This Shabbat we have the additional blessing of celebrating two holidays in one: Rosh HaShanah and Shabbat. Writing this before we even begin the holidays, I still know that our celebrations will be wonderful. They’ll be filled with warmth, joy, and spirituality. We’ll celebrate with family, music, wisdom, and curiosity. Everyone will have what they need in terms of name badges, prayerbooks, comfortable seats, and easy to access digital options. I know even now that it will indeed be wonderful.
A lot has gone into making this weekend wonderful, many things that no one will notice because it will go so smoothly. Our staff has been working diligently on communication, logistics, and publications. Maintenance has pulled innumerable chairs from their storage. The choir and our musicians have been practicing and practicing.
Even the month of Elul, the month immediately preceding the High Holy Day season, has been successful and intentional. J-Quest had its first day kick off on Sunday for Kindergarten through 6th grade, where we had a sanctuary filled with enthusiastic learners. Our social justice advocacy champions have been sharing their torah in the weekly emails. Our committees and their chairpeople have been delving deep into mission and vision as they ramp up for programs and activities.
All of this has happened because we know we are serving and supporting our amazing temple community. Our community, made up of all of you, is filled with kind, generous, and supportive people. Our community doesn’t shy away from complexity, steps up for those in need, and knows that we can all work toward becoming our best selves. Our community had adults committed to supporting the growth of future generations, and children curious about the people and traditions on whose shoulders they stand. Our community is made up of people who are ready and able to volunteer their time, talents, passions, and resources for the benefit of the whole. At its core, our community exists and thrives because people like you make it so.
Long story short, the High Holy Day season is already, and will continue to be, filled with meaningful moments, treasured people, and self-reflection. Our liturgy will help us focus on all the ways we missed the mark last year, and what we can do to improve next year. But, truly, we cannot greet Rosh HaShanah without doing the most important task first: saying thank you. Thank you, each of you, for being a part of Temple Jeremiah. Thank you for showing up, standing up, and speaking up in the moments that matter. Thank you for partnering with us as we educate students of all ages, enrich our souls, and continue to evolve our tradition to enhance our modern world. Thank you for caring with us, crying with us, and chatting with us. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
May this new year of 5784 be a year of growth, compassion, and kindness. And may 5784 be a year that reminds us of the true Joy of Belonging.
Shabbat Shalom and Shanah Tovah!