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July 2007

I’m still aglow from the marvelous birthday Shabbat last month. So many thanks to all of you who helped make that happen, and particularly to Louise and to Sharon Dunn.

Now with summer officially here, I’m hoping that all of us will get at least a bit of off-time to be able to sink into the magic of Vermont. Louise and I will be spending some of it here, and some in Ethiopia.

I hope also that with the beginning of the Hebrew month of Elul – beginning this year on August 15, we’ll begin preparing inwardly for the High Holidays. That means beginning our reflections on the year that’s ending, and our hopes and resolutions for the year ahead. It also means making up with those with whom we’ve been at odds – and even instigating such peacemaking among loved ones (one of the mitzvot). Imagine what would happen if every family among us resolved to do that!

Jim Levinson, Sh'liach Tzibur
 

And it means, in our congregation, being intentional about “random acts of kindness,” and then sending them along to me so we can send them, anonymously but collectively, heavenward on Rosh Hashanah.

Paul has made reference in his remarks to some of the innovations we’ll be introducing into our High Holiday services this year – all fully explained in the September newsletter. Our hope is that these will be a plus for all of us, and will facilitate the spiritual explorations and discoveries that take place during this holy time. Once again our talented Bimah team will be in action, with major support from our Ritual Committee. Our choir also will be singing; rehearsal on Tuesday Sept 11 at 7 PM at Greenleaf. Please e-mail me if you’re planning to sing this year. (Am putting the finishing touches on a new choral version of Yaaleh for our Kol Nidre service.)

Let me close with a personal thanks to all of us who made this year such a rich one for our congregation. Paul is right. We’re in good health – and this thanks to so many people who have devoted themselves to the wellbeing of our community and, in turn, our ability to contribute to our people’s mission of Tikun Olam.

B’Shalom,
Jim