Those who sow with tears will reap with song.

(Tehillim 1256:5)

This is without a doubt one of my favorite verses from the book of Psalms. As Jewish people we know about encouraging each other and spreading hope!

Our prayers sprout like spring shoots, green and tender, and that gives us great strength. We see life born again and again even in the heat of the most desolate desert. The flowers turn red, like the Kalaniot we planted in our temple. Life is renewed again and again.

A few days ago I found myself reading a book by Rabbi Matthew D. Gewirtz, who worked very closely with the families of survivors of the 9/11 attack. He told how after working all those weeks until exhaustion, he realized that his Rosh Hashanah sermon that was soon approaching was no longer useful. He had to start from scratch, so he decided to speak about resilience. About the strength we give each other when we are together, and about knowing how to distinguish between living with fear and living in fear.

And we really need to have that conversation again, especially on Simchat Torah after one year since the Hamas attack. We need to talk about fear of others, about healing, resilience and the power of life. Resilience is learned, it is an acquired skill. And when we are together, it is enhanced! It is impossible not to feel fear, but we can choose not to live within it. 

This High Holy Days has undoubtedly been challenging, but also inspiring. I hope that you who attended the services virtually or in person took away a message of hope, a caress, a Tefilah to release some of the stress you have been carrying.

We still need each and every one of you close to us. Please join us tonight, we are hosting a huge celebration of jewish life with our Klezmer band playing for us!

But the most important thing is that we will honor our consecrants tonight! These little people have just begun their first steps in Jewish education a few weeks ago. They have already learned so much in such a short time! It is exciting to see them enjoying themselves with enthusiasm and joy! We are proud to have them at Shaaray!

To all of you and your families we send a warm Mazal Tov. It is a pride for me as a clergy to continue witnessing that Jewish families are interested in making our history continue.  Today, supporting Jewish education is an act of determination and courage.

You are our hope, it is for your children that we do everything we do!

Please join us tonight to welcome these wonderful families!

Let’s reap with song and dancing within the sacred circle of life with the Torah!

Shabbat Shalom!