Dear Friends,
"There are two ways of spreading light - to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it." - Edith Wharton
The end of 2016 brings us a world seemingly full of instability. The constant drumbeat of negative news leaves many of us feeling as if we're headed into darker times. What will be in the year ahead? Will 2017 be any different than 2016 or will those of us privileged to arrive at the end of 2017 look back and think 2016 was good in comparison?
Thankfully, there's no way to know. None of us are prophets. We can't see the future.
One of our community members asked me recently if we were having a synagogue New Year's Eve party. Since January 1st comes on the 8th day following Jesus's birth on December 25th, one could say that New Years is thus celebrating Jesus's circumcision and entering into the covenant of the Jewish people he was born into and raised in. Given our people's complicated (to say the least) relationship with Jesus and Christianity, Jewish institutions have tended to avoid overt celebrations of New Years. Simply put, it's not our holiday.
And yet, I can't help but feel as if New Year's offers us another opportunity to ask ourselves the questions of the High Holidays. How did we do this past year? Are our lives better or worse than they were? Where have we lived by our values and where have we purposefully or accidentally gone away from them? Who do we want to be in the year ahead? What changes might we make to step into the next paths of our journey?
Of course, there are no often no easy answers to these questions.
What if we make a mistake and end up down a road we didn't intend?
Thankfully, the world provides us feedback - we usually manage to figure out when we're lost....and sometimes we have to get a little lost in order to find the road ahead.
As the great George Michael, may he rest in peace, said: You gotta have faith!
I have faith that 2017 can be a good year for all of us, full of love and joy.
I have faith that each of us can find hope and meaning to see us through the difficult times of our lives. I have faith that the world is not as dark as it often seems, and that each of us was put here to be a part of lighting the way for others in need. We all do that differently, and Edith Wharton is right - sometimes we are the candle, and sometimes it's enough for us to be a mirror that reflects the light of others. I have faith that with your help, Beth Sholom Synagogue will continue to be a nourishing, friendly, dynamic, spiritual home for all who enter it.
May we all continue to find light amidst the darkness, and joy amidst the sorrows. May the lights of Hanukkah inspire us to keep shining, and give us strength for the road ahead.
Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Ilan
PS We'd love to see you tonight at 5 pm for our first Shabbat potluck, or at 6 pm for an abbreviated Hanukkah and light-inspired Shir Chadash musical service. Come at 4:30 with your menorahs if you'd like to light them together.
We'll be rotating who needs to bring which dishes each time.
For the first potluck, if your last name begins with:
A-F, please bring soft drinks, or kosher wine (though not concord).
G-L please bring salads and/or side dishes
M-R please bring main entrees
S-Z please bring dessert.
All food must be vegetarian, and please bring whatever serving dishes or utensils you need with you, along with a list of ingredients to accompany your dish.
Tomorrow morning services will begin at 9:15, and Sunday morning minyan will take place at 8 am as well. Please mark your calendars for a wonderful concert of some of the best klezmer and yiddish music you'll ever hear, with my friend Cantor Daniel Kempin at Beth Sholom on Sunday January 8th at 2 pm. Thanks to all who help make our services and programs happen. We couldn't do it without you!
