Dear Beloved Temple Emanu-El,
Tomorrow night begins Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish New Year, and the start of our High Holidays. The year will be 5784, which means that we Jews have been here for a VERY long time.
Whether you believe it or not, we have been telling ourselves that God has tapped us to be God’s partner, in order to take the world from where it is, to where it ought to be from darkness to light, from brokenness to wholeness, from injustice to justice. This is known as tikkun olam, and it is part of the Jewish raison d’etra.
When we talk about the ‘meaning of life’, THIS is part of the Jewish conversation. Tikkun Olam is part of ‘why’ we are here. Towards this goal, every Jewish generation is supposed to do its part. And every individual Jew is supposed to do their part to move the proverbial needle.
This does not mean that other peoples cannot do this work… please (!) there is so much to do; but it does reflect our mission, the one that we believe (and have believed for millennia) that we are commanded to do.
Rosh HaShanah is our annual rededication (as individuals, and as a community) to do this sacred work.
For sure, part of our task over the High Holidays is to do the necessary self-reflection so that we can correct our behaviors, fix our relationships, and re-examine our personal priorities. Doing this tikkun HaNefesh (healing of soul) is intertwined with our mission to make the world a better place through our intentions and our actions.
I want to remind everyone that we are collecting “cans, coats, and children’s books” through Operation Isaiah throughout the holidays.
AND, that you will have a chance to speak to congregants who are part of our Social Justice Committee at tables outside of Rosh HaShannah and Yom Kippur daytime services (both venues) about getting involved with Tikkun Olam through Temple Emanu-El. Most of us would prioritize ‘giving back’ but are doing much less of it than we would like to. We can help you, and your family, ‘give back’ at times that are convenient for you.
Specifically, we are looking for lots of help expanding the good that we can do in our local community through our partnerships with Backpack Buddies, the Community Assistance Center (CAC), and Mary Hall Freedom Village (MHFV).
I look forward to seeing you all over the next few days, and wish you, your family, and our holy community a blessed new year of sweetness and health.
L’shanah tova!
Rabbi Spike Anderson
Click here to learn more about Backpack Buddies, Mary Hall Freedom Village & more.
Click here to learn more about the Community Assistance Center & more.
