|
From the Rabbi
August 10 marks the beginning of the Hebrew month of Elul. This is the
final month before Rosh Hashanah. The last days of August, therefore,
begin our run-up to the High Holidays.
The
whole month of Elul is a process of preparing ourselves for the Yamim
Noraim, Days of Trembling or Days of Awe. In some synagogues the shofar
is blown after every morning service. Many people also visit the graves
of their parents and of other loved ones, recalling those who have made
an important impact on us in the previous years, and whose memories we
cherish as a source of inspiration for the coming years as well.
As
part of the process of preparing ourselves for the coming High Holy
Days, we begin to wish each other in person and in writing shanah
tovah—a good New Year. The traditional greetings are Shanah Tovah ("A
good year"); or Leshanah tovah tikatevu ("May you be inscribed for a
good year (in the Book of Life)"; or Le-shanah tovah u-metukah tikateivu
("May you be inscribed for a good and sweet year").
This
year try creating a family plan. Lay out what activities and goals you
have with those you love. Parents as well as, children, (kids and
adults), can take part in this. Plan your vacations for the coming
year. Set economic goals, budgets and savings plans. Assess whether
you have met previous goals, and work towards a realistic expectation
for what you can From the Rabbi accomplish in the coming year and years.
The
High Holidays are the time for undertaking this kind of inventory. We
should do this type of work individually, but also with those around us,
the people who make up our support, our network, our team.
For
those of us involved with the preparation of programs and services for
Temple Beth Ami we reflect on the previous year, concentrate on our
current state of affairs as we also create a vision of tomorrow.
We
have participated in so many simchas in the previous year. Once again
we emerge from a summer filled with B'nai Mitzvahs, numerous baby
namings & weddings.
Our
congregation continues to grow at a rapid pace and our synagogue
programming continues to improve dramatically to meet these needs. This
year we are very excited to add a cantorial position to our staff with
the addition of Cantor Kenny Ellis. Wendy Hersh will continue leading
our First Friday Shabbat.
As a
congregation, we are committed to reaching out, as well as reaching in.
We realize there are literally thousands of Jews in the Santa Clarita
Valley who remain unaffiliated. We need your help in bringing people
in. You can help by making sure that people you meet are on our mailing
and e-mail list. We also want to make sure that everyone already part
of the Temple Beth Ami family is connected, especially through our very
successful Havurah program. If you are not yet a part of a havurah,
contact Rena Slabich at
havurah@templebethami.org.
At
the end of May we celebrated my 10 year anniversary with Temple Beth
Ami. I want to thank everyone who participated and lent their energy to
a wonderful evening. As I mentioned that evening, we are still at the
beginning of a journey. Temple Beth Ami's amazing transformation has
been made possible through the hard work of our congregants. The road
ahead is challenging and exciting. But with all of our continued
commitment, we will assuredly have much to be proud of this time next
year as well.
LE-SHANAH TOVAH TIKATEVU -- MAY YOU BE INSCRIBED FOR A GOOD YEAR!
Rabbi Mark Blazer
rabbi@templebethami.org
Revised:
July 13, 2010
|
