I sincerely hope that 5783 has got off to a good start and that you had a meaningful Rosh HaShanah. I want to express my deep thanks and appreciaition for all the many, many people who have been working so hard to make our services happen. I also wanted an opportunity to share the text of the beautiful prayer honoring the work of all the committees at Bonai Shalom written by Rabbi Rosalie Osian, as well as offer links to the discussion on "What Makes a Value a Jewish Value" with Rabbi Sarah Bracha Gershuny and me, and to the sermon on TIME. All that will be below, but first I wanted to say something about Shabbat Shuva, the Shabbat between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur.
We are in the middle of the Asseret Yamei Teshuva, the 10 Days of Return, or repentence. This is intense and beautiful time on the Jewish calendar where we reflect on the remaining interpersonal and spiritual work we might need to do before entering the holiest day of the year, Yom Kippur. Our tradition is clear that we cannot just show up and spend a day in shul beating our chest, and magically all of the ways we have hurt and offended others disappear. We need to ask for forgiveness from those whom we have wronged and, when possible, grant forgiveness to those asking it from us. This is far from easy and inevitably many of us will go into Yom Kippur not feeling fully resolved or at peace in some of our personal relationships, but we do what we can! It is messy being human.
The concept of teshuva is central to Jewish life and is about returning to a purer essence of ourself, to that singular point deeply within each of us that is utterly untainted and whole and bright. Having the courage to confront our broken relationships is part of the way we get back to that point of purity and innocence. The powerful ritual and prayer of Yom Kippur is another part of the journey to wholeness and return. Shabbat Shuva helps us focus on what we might still need to do. In the Torah reading for Shabbat Shuva (Vayalech), Moses says to all the people as they prepare to cross the Jordan, chizku v'imtzu, be strong and resolute, and a little later he repeats it in the singular to Joshua, who is going to succeed him as leader, chazak ve'ematz. In Psalm 27 that is read twice a day from a month before Rosh HaShanah until the end of Sukkot, the last line is hazak v'yametz libecha v'kave el Adonai - be strong and courageous in your heart and hope in Adonai! The three instances of this phrase point to the depth of courage that we need to do the work of teshuva and reminds us that it is never complete and we do what we can.
I am excited for Yom Kippur. Rabbi Sarah Bracha, Hannah Kapnik Ashar and I met yesterday to plan some of it and it is going to be beautiful and rich. We hope to see you there. Rabbi Sarah Bracha and Hannah are both leading programs for teens at different times, Hannah is leading our family service and Rabbi Sarah Bracha is leading an alternative mussaf, in addition to all of the services that we are co-leading with a blend of our voices! We hope to see you there!
Chizku v'imtzu - may we all be courageous in how we show up this year!
The lovely prayer for the work of Bonai Shalom's committees read on Rosh HaShanah, is pasted below. Here are some links from Rosh HaShanah.
About Time! 1st Day Rosh HaShanah SermonJewish Values? A Dialogue with Rabbi Sarah Bracha Gershuny and Rabbi Marc
Shabbat Shalom. Gmar chatimah tovah,
Rabbi Marc
A Prayer for the Committees at Cong. Bonai Shalom
For Cong. Bonai Shalom, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur 2022
Written by Rabbi Rosalie Osian
The call of the Shofar is like the voice of Adonai. When you hear it for the first time, after a year, the sounds stir us to awaken. It stirs us to listen. In the Bonai Shalom community, when we hear the question, ‘Whom shall I send?’ the community responds ‘Hineni’, ‘Send me’. I will go with outstretched arms wherever there is a void.
In Ecclesiastes it is written, ‘LaKol zman, v’eit l’kol cheyfetz tachat hashamayim’
To everything there is a season and there is...
A TIME for Community
‘Al tifrsoh min ha tzibur’ ‘Do not separate yourself from the community’.
We are grateful to be in a vibrant and talented community of diverse and multi generational individuals that are dedicated to supporting one another and the community as a whole. At our core, we are a warm, accepting and participating membership. Our Committees reflect our passion in many areas recognizing that when many serve, there IS a TIME FOR EVERYTHING. Along with each opportunity, advocacy, education, and awareness within and outside the walls of our sanctuary, have a major role. We would not be able to create this terrific community and the events we do, without the help and support of volunteers. You, our volunteers, ensure Bonai Shalom remains a vibrant community.
A TIME for Hebrew School and Adult Learning and Music
‘If you have labored in Torah, God will favor you with great reward.’(Pirkei Avoth)
Bonai Shalom celebrates learning on all levels. Under the phenomenal leadership of our Director of Education, teachers and the committee serving the Hebrew School, our children and their parents are infused with the joys and celebrations of living and connecting to Jewish Life. Creative and relevant learning continues in our adult programs filled with discussions, curiosity, diversity, nature, and acceptance. Our Musical Shabbat and holiday programs add a joyful spirit of celebration to our community.
A TIME for Ritual
‘Eitz chayim hi lamachazikim bah’
‘It is a tree of life for those who hold fast to it.’
Making tradition exciting, fun and accessible at Bonai is easy because the ritual leadership team loves the customs and traditions of the shul. Moreover, they assure a meaningful and participatory experience in prayer. They identify and encourage prayer leaders, Torah readers, assist the rabbi, and create a warm and welcoming experience in the sanctuary.
A TIME for Hesed
‘God of mercy and comfort’
Hesed is one of God’s divine attributes and Bonai Shalom is blessed with a committee able to maintain the sacred work of coordinating meal trains, rides to doctors and supermarkets, shiva minyanim, and caring for our community in so many ways. They are pillars of strength, who faithfully serve with true acts of loving kindness.
A TIME for Hachnasat Ohr’chim, welcoming guests
Everyone who comes through our sanctuary doors is warmly welcomed. The warmth is accompanied by delicious and healthy kiddish meals. Shul can be a journey of nourishment through the year from Challah to hamentashen or whatever traditional nosh is craved. This committee never forgets those in need, cooking Hesed meals, or participating in the Synagogue Vegan Challenge.
A TIME for Membership
‘And if not now, then when?’
‘You don’t know what you don’t know about a shul,’ until you make a connection with someone on the membership team. And it’s their purpose to share Bonai Shalom with you so that before long, families, individuals, and couples all find themselves belonging to something significant and special. Thank you, membership team for building our shul community. To those who are new members, Mazel Tov. If you are not yet a member, sweeten the New Year by saying ‘Yes.’
a TIME for Sustainability
In Genesis, it is written, after each day’s creation, ‘Ki Tov’ ‘ It Was Good’
Our shul is committed to green initiatives, zero waste, urban farming, wind power and Community Supported Agriculture. Our future new home will be built with the highest standards of sustainability. This committee is mindful to bring us back to what is natural, sustaining and good for the earth, its offerings, and how we can protect the ‘Ki Tov’, the goodness, for future generations.
A TIME for Inclusion
‘And when I am for myself alone, what am I?’
Our inclusion committee assures that all members of Bonai Shalom participate in the life of the shul with a sense of dignity, empathy, and togetherness, including partnerships with Jewish Family Services Disabilities Advocacy groups, and a focus on educational endeavors for our community. Each person who enters the shul should feel welcome and be provided with whatever tools are necessary to be an active participant.
A TIME for Tikkun Olam, repairing the world
‘Kol yisroel araivim zeh ba zeh’ ‘We are responsible for one another’
Repairing the brokenness through social action, response to racism, gun violence protection, interfaith AIDS coalition. Participating in community food drive initiatives, collection of toiletries, supporting Afghan refugees and fundraising. It is important to remember that we too were strangers; vulnerable and afraid. With every act, the world can be repaired.
A TIME for our Building and Rebuilding –
‘Ma tovu ohalecha yaakov’ ‘How goodly are your tents, O Jacob’
We love our sanctuary and the land it sits upon. It is only as good as the people who care about the felled trees and flooding waters. Lots of prayers go into and come out of the shul’s building such as ‘I lift up my eyes to the mountains’. A passionate and thoughtful vision for a new home is constantly evolving and it will come to fruition on the JCC campus. Gratitude to those who oversee our current facility needs and to the team working on the new site. A building becomes a ‘goodly’ sanctuary when people make it their home.
A TIME for Security
‘Be strong and resolute; proceed with courage and confidence.’
To gather, pray, sing, dance, celebrate, nourish, work, and create sanctuary requires layers of discernment about safety and risk. We are grateful to our security team’s ability to balance the protections needed, while we continue seamlessly to experience all of our shul’s offerings.
A TIME for Leadership, Board Members, Donors and Funding
Ner Tamid – The Eternal Light
There are people who through the years take a seat at the table, and use their expertise to add layers to the foundation of a shul. They lead from their hearts with discernment and, at times, struggle. Some lead by giving tzedakah generously, others give of their time, and some who bravely tap people on the shoulder and ask…’Can you help?’ The Ner Tamid is not just above the ark. It is carried within those who serve and it lives on by the work they accomplish. Work that sustains throughout the generations.
‘Like a tree planted by running water,
whose foliage never withers and which produces its fruit in season.’
A TIME for Prayer
May all the work of the hands and hearts of all who give their time to this community, from the smallest to the loftiest ideals and acts, be precious, meaningful and beautiful to God and to us all.
Avinu She-ba-shamayim, bless Cong Bonai Shalom, the builders of peace, and all who open their consciousness, create time, and direct their efforts and intentions in all seasons to assure that we have a Makom Kadosh, a holy place for us to find fellowship. May we be an exemplar of your 13 divine attributes of compassion expressed during these High Holy Days. Grant us the ability to do the sacred work of Torah, Avodah and hesed, learning, Jewish Life and acts of lovingkindness for our community and for the world. May we continue to build a precious legacy together. A sanctuary and a community for all times. And let us say ‘AMEN’.
