The Rabbi's Desk: Hugging Trees Rabbi Craig Scheff

From the President’s Pen: Reflect, Renew, Rejoice
Dear Chaverim,
The month of September was a month to Reflect, Renew, and Rejoice. As a teacher, I find the
month of September an opportunity to start fresh. With some anticipation I start a new school
year with new students, new classes, a new schedule and new challenges and opportunities. I
reflect upon the past year, change some strategies that didn’t work so well, improve on lessons
that were successful and look forward to what the coming year will bring. This beginning anew
is one of the true benefits of being a teacher. If all goes well, ten months from now I will rejoice at my students’
successes and achievements and my growth as well.
One strategy I find useful in class is to categorize large concepts into simpler phrases that are easy to remember and
capture the essence of the topic at hand. The words I would choose for this time of year are: REFLECT, RENEW,
and REJOICE. The High Holiday season gave us an opportunity to REFLECT personally and as a community. How
did we act in the past year both as individuals and collectively as a congregation? Were we the people we aspired to
be? Did we take on new challenges or complete those that we set for ourselves and our community the prior year?
Did we keep the promises we made last Rosh Hashanah when we heard the shofar blow, and were we able to commit
ourselves to make new ones this year when we heard the shofar again?
Over this past year, we have had so much to reflect upon and to be proud of at the OJC. We continued to grow
spiritually, educationally, and as a community of volunteers. Now we need to look back at what was successful and
to work on what warrants further attention.
Certainly I would be remiss in my reflections on the High Holiday season if I did not acknowledge and thank those
people who were vital to the preparation and coordination of our services. There are so many individuals to thank,
but for fear of forgetting someone I will not list them individually—you know who you are. On behalf of the entire
congregation, I want to thank Rabbi Scheff, Rabbi Drill, and Cantor Ohring, who continue to provide us with
spiritual and inspiring services. In addition, thank you to the Ritual Committee, to those who davened, accepted
aliyot, read Torah and participated in our services, to the Babysitting Coordinator, to the ―audio-visual crew‖ who set
up the new larger screens, to the gabbaim and the greeters who helped keep a smooth flow of people and
courteousness throughout the holidays. I appreciate the time you have spent during your own holiday for the benefit
of our congregation. Thank you as well to our office staff and custodial staff for all of their hard work during the
holidays and all year long.
I was recently asked what word most describes Rosh Hashanah for me. The answer is RENEWAL. Like the start of
the school year, the High Holidays for me are a time of starting over. We have asked for forgiveness of past sins and
now in a sense start with a new slate. I enjoy spending the time in shul, reconnecting with friends and acquaintances,
and I appreciate the time to be lost in my own thoughts and prayers, renewing my commitment to Judaism. As busy
as this time of year can be, the idea of starting new is refreshing. We all have the chance to renew our commitment to
our community. Last month we sent out volunteer cards, which I hope you have returned. Volunteering in the OJC
and in the larger Jewish community is a perfect way to renew your sense of belonging and to start the year off in a
positive and productive way.
Finally, this is a time to REJOICE. We are so fortunate to have a community that celebrates beyond the three days of
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Our rejoicing began with the Break Fast, lovingly prepared for us by Arlene
Nathan, Michael Scolnick and their committee. Sukkot provided us with another reason to celebrate together. Once
again the Men’s Club coordinated the construction of our Sukkah and I thank them for that mitzvah. In addition to
the Sukkot service the Sukkot dinner was a beautiful community celebration. Thank you to the Sisterhood, Fran
Friedman and Adele Garber for coordinating the dinner for all of us to enjoy.
As we leave the High Holiday season, I hope that each of us takes the time, to REFLECT on where we’ve been, to
RENEW our bonds and commitments, and most importantly to REJOICE in all that we are, and all that we continue
to be as the OJC community.
B’Shalom,
Kim Lori Sokol
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