Chai Lights from the Board
As you read this, you are all making your final preparations before sundown. Jews around the world are celebrating the sweetness of Rosh Hashanah with challah, honey, delicious meals and discussions of their Rabbi’s sermon at the holiday table. I read a beautiful adaptation from Mayyim Hayyim piece called “The Beginning of the Journey”. It says:
May I begin this year fresh and open to the possibility of transformation.
Though the future is uncertain, I release this past year with all its difficulties and joys.
I open my heart to receive the blessings of the New Year.
May I return to my true self and be strengthened as I continue my journey of
tikkun halev-repairing the heart,tikkun hanefesh-repairing the soul and tikkun olam-repairing the world.
Tikkun olam comes to mind because we begin our sacred holiday on the 25th Anniversary of 9/11. We all remember where we were that day, wondering if our children were safe and trying to understand what happened. I would like nothing better than not to be reminded of this, but how can we forget? We are at a crossroads as we process both 9/11 and the High Holidays being on the same day. The ten days after Rosh Hashanah are about reflection and reaffirmation. We will mourn the loss of life of those killed on that day and we will also mourn the lives of family and friends we have lost this year; however, this time is also about celebration as the new year begins. May we all hug each other tighter, spend more time with those we love and show generosity and kindness to those around us. May 5787 bring peace to our world, joy to our heart and nourishment to our soul.
Shabbat Shalom שבת שלום,
Shana tovah u’matukah שנה טובה ומתוקה
and Gamar Chatimah Tova גמר חתימה טובה.
Robin
Robin Beth Lash
CGLR President
