Kol Nidre Appeal 2003 One Rosh Hashanah morning, the Rabbi ...

Yom Kippur 2003
Our lives, it’s been said, are a series of making choices. Most, when we analyze
them, are easy; some are not.
As Jews, we know that we are to choose Life over Death; Hope over Despair;
and, despite those who may foolishly or naively disagree, and especially in view of the
tragic events in Israel this past Saturday, we always choose Peace over War.
But, even these “prescribed choices” are not always so simple as they may seem.
For instance, doesn’t life consist more of simply drawing breath? Do we not have to
consider the quality of life? Do we not also want to thrive, to prosper? To reach our full
potential?
Now, today, we will choose, if we haven’t done so already, to make a
commitment to Agudath Israel –Etz Ahayem. That much is simple? Do any of us really
need help or guidance in either making that decision or the extent of that commitment?
I, for one, certainly hope so. It is my job to stand up here, as it has been the job of
my predecessors, to help you, to convince you, to thoroughly re-examine what is
certainly a most serious obligation to your schul.
It is common on Yom Kippur for the President to relate to you, why it is that your
synagogue needs you. Today, however, I’d like to spend a little time discussing just one
reason that you need Agudath Israel – Etz Ahayem.
Sure, you need the schul for life-cycle events. That much is obvious and requires
no elaboration. But, perhaps, just perhaps, there’s another reason, which we don’t often
consider.