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5781 September 18, 2020
Dear Holy Friends, I hope this brief letter finds you in good health and good cheer as we are all busily preparing for our New Year. We are eagerly looking forward to sharing our broadcast with you for this upcoming weekend, Rosh HaShana 5781! I feel obligated today to thank all those who have worked so diligently to get us to this point. Our leadership and volunteers have devoted countless hours to communicate with you, set up our services and assist with our technology. They have done so out of a sense of responsibility, commitment and caring for you, our beloved congregation. As many of you are aware, the term Shana Tova has two meanings. As a noun, the word Shana does indeed translate as year. Used as a verb however, the word Shana means to change. So, as we share wishes of Shana Tova or “L’Shana Tova,” we are toasting, as it were, to a good change. Acknowledging that this year has been difficult on so many levels, this expression of Shana Tova is not only a warm greeting, but a call to action and a call to transformation. No doubt, we will continue to be challenged over the next few months. In response, we will continue to change as the situation requires, both as a community and as an institution. Today, I share with you the challenge of change for the better, change for the present, and change towards a brighter future. We, as a chosen people, have never backed down historically from challenges or changes. We believe in tradition and change (the motto of the Conservative Movement). May the year 5781 offer us the opportunity to realize change for the better as spiritual creatures, compassionate human beings, students of Torah, and people in relationships with those we love. So, for both of the meanings, I extend to you wishes of Shana Tova; a sweet and beautiful New Year! With love and blessings,
Rabbi Eric L. Wasser, EdD
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