“You are standing here, all of you, this day, before your Eternal God.” This phrase begins the Torah reading for this coming weekend, which we also read on Yom Kippur morning. This passage from Deuteronomy Chapter 29 portrays the Israelites gathered together – men, women, children – people of all ages and from all walks of life, ready to affirm their communal bonds.
These words could, just as well, describe any synagogue on the High Holy Days. It is always gratifying and heartwarming to see, at our main worship and family services, representatives of several generations sitting together to welcome the New Year. Such a scene is one of the greatest illustrations of Jewish continuity, sustaining a firm foundation in our heritage that can be taken into the future.
What are the special gifts that members of all ages can bring to a congregation? Such a list might include:
Enthusiasm
Curiosity
Spirit
Commitment
Optimism
Ingenuity
Creativity
Devotion
Appreciation
Insight
Understanding
Strength
Perspective
Wisdom
Knowledge
Generosity
Openness
Patience
Perseverance
Hope
As Temple Israel moves forward into another year, a combination of all of these gifts will guide us through moments of trial and triumph, times of challenge and celebration. We don’t know what the coming months will bring, but we do know that our participation in community life will enable us to make real the phrase that we recite as we end each book of the Torah: “Chazak, chazak, v’nitchazeik”– Be strong, be strong, and let us strengthen one another.” May we do this as partners looking with hope towards the beginning of the New Year of 5771.
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