|
 As we gather in our historic congregation at this New Year, we read words that have been repeated for centuries. We ask God in the Avinu Malkeinu prayer to “Renew us for a good year.” But we know from the themes of our holy days that it is not God’s responsibility to renew us, but rather our own responsibility. How do we go about renewing ourselves and to Judaism? At this holy season we remember that, by our actions, we determine the goodness of the world; that we, as Jews, are responsible for the world and that the future is ripe with hope and possibilities. Sometimes, amidst the present conflicts and global turmoil, it is hard to bear that responsibility and to remember the human potential for good. But, this is the goal of our sacred days: to be reminded of who we are and how we can shape the world into a better place.
Now more then ever, to fulfill that responsibility and to reach that potential, we need each other and the strength we find in community. WHC is a community rich with history, involvement and purpose. We reach inward to educate ourselves and the next generation in the truths of our faith; we reach outward to bring comfort to those in need, to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and break the shackles of injustice. We define who we are by what we do . . . and we do much with great intensity and spirit. On the pages before you is a small fraction of who we are; these programs and activities await your participation to determine who we will be and how we will shape this world.
The story is told of a child, who wished to ask his father a question. His father, engrossed in the newspaper, wanted to gain a few extra uninterrupted minutes of reading time, so he quickly tore from the newspaper an ad that had a map of the world. He tore that into pieces and said to his son, “When you put the map together, I will answer all your questions.” Somewhat pleased with himself, the father settled back into his chair and began to read, only to be almost immediately interrupted by his son with the entire intricate map of the world pieced back together perfectly. The father, somewhat stunned, said to his son, “I will answer all your questions as promised, but answer me one-- how did you put this intricate map of the world together so quickly?” The son smiled and answered, “Dad, it was easy. On the back, there was a picture of a man’s face. So when I put the man together, the world came out just right!” We are much like this child — if we can put the man together, the world might just come out right.
Our Judaism will be a reflection of what we choose to do. If we want a world filled with learning, community, and compassion, we must be willing to fill our lives with such things. Each of these programs is an opportunity to make ourselves into the best we can be so please come, join us to learn, laugh and lead. You will be amazed at the community and world we can build: a world that is a reflection of the best in us. This year, let us join together to find light, warmth and truth. And then we will be renewed for a good year, a year filled with possibility, hope and meaning.
L’shana tova tikatayvu,
Rabbi M. Bruce Lustig
|
