KT September 2010.pub - Shir Tikvah

KOL TIKVAH ‐ 2 ‐ SEPTEMBER 2010
From Our Rabbi
n but a few days 5770 draws
I to a close and the shofar
summons a new year: 5771
begins!
The High Holy Days are an
exquisite opportunity to gather in
holy community, to reflect upon
our highest purpose in life, to
discern our sacred values, to recommit ourselves to
our prophetic vision of dignity and justice for all
creation.
As we enter the space of the Yamim Noraim—our Days
of Awe—I invite you to reflect upon these essential
spiritual questions:
Who am I called to be, and what am I called to do
When I am weak, where do I find strength
When my vision is dim, where do I find insight
How do I maintain my integrity in a world where
power, success, and money seem valued above all
else
How do I cultivate a sense of gratitude in my life
How do I integrate the prophetic call for social
justice—the demand to redress human suffering—
into my life
How do I keep the relevant questions of life
perpetually before me
What are the essential values that need to animate
my existence so that I can be a Jew and act as a Jew
in the world
What is the Jewish people’s role in humanity
Judaism may not provide answers to every question
we ask. But soulful study, robust prayer, intelligent
discussion, and loving community provide each of us
a treasured opportunity to frame the questions that
rest upon our souls as we begin the year anew.
I look forward to gathering with you during the
Yamim Noraim—the Days of Awe—as we raise our
voices in prayer and lift up the questions of our souls.
Shanah Tovah U‐M’tukah,
From Our President
S hanah
Tovah! We
welcome 5771
together on
September 8.
On the bima
Rabbi Michael
Adam Latz will
lead us in his second High Holy
Days with us.
He will be joined by two
newcomers: Rabbi Melissa Simon,
our director of lifelong learning,
and Wendy Goldberg, our music
director. Rabbi Simon and Wendy
became part of our community in
July, and bring a lot of enthusiasm
and knowledge to their new roles.
Rabbi Simon is newly ordained
from Hebrew Union College in
New York and has a love for
education. She is already working
on the new Religious School and
Hebrew School year.
An adult education retreat is in the
works for October, and a two‐year
adult B’nai Mitzvah class is being
prepared. Rabbi Simon will also
play a role in worship and in other
pastoral duties under the direction
of Rabbi Latz.
She has already led two Shabbat
services and welcomed new
members at the recent new
member orientation. There will be
an official welcome for her on
Saturday, October 2, as she is
installed in her first pulpit.
Wendy Goldberg was a teacher at
the Talmud Torah of St. Paul for
17 years and has been an avid
participant for years in Hava
Nashira, an annual gathering of
music leaders and teachers
sponsored by the Union for
Reform Judaism (URJ).
Wendy also founded a Jewish
women’s ensemble, Shir
Harmony, several years ago,
which includes some of our own
congregants. She is busy
organizing the choir for the High
Holy Days, developing our B’nai
Mitzvah program with Rabbis
Latz and Simon, and gathering the
music leaders together to enhance
our lay led music program.
From Our President continued on
page 4