Last year the High Holy Days were “early”.  This year they are “late”.  Whether they are “early” or “late”, it is a very special time of year at Temple Emanuel, and we are looking forward to sharing it with all of you as we greet 5772 as a congregational family. 

Many families share common goals, ideals and core values. Our Temple Emanuel family is no different.  Temple Emanuel’s core values include connection, diversity, spirituality, Jewish education, social responsibility and community.  The High Holy Day season certainly possesses elements enabling us to address and achieve each and every one of them. 

• Connection – We hope that each and every member will find connectivity with one another, our clergy and God.
• Diversity – We strive to welcome all who seek to be part of our community.
• Spirituality – We endeavor to connect us to each other and to God
  and Torah and to understand the holy things that happen around
  us every day.
• Jewish Education - Our goal is to provide a myriad of learning opportunities for all ages, from our youngest pre-schoolers through our most learned seniors.
• Social Responsibility – We strive to work together to be God’s partner in mending the world.
• Community – Our goal is to build a network of support and caring to make each member feel part of our community. 

We cannot achieve these goals alone.  The success of our Temple depends on each and every member choosing to participate, choosing to make their voice heard, choosing to contribute, participate, play a part and be involved.  I cannot overstate the feeling of love and belonging so many have shared with me once they began to take advantage of all we have to offer.  This is a perfect time of year to recommit to having Temple Emanuel become a significant component in your life and in the life of your family.

As we approach the High Holy Days, I want to share a prayer from our Shabbat prayer book.  It speaks to me about life and the need to embrace and appreciate each and every day. 

Days pass and the years vanish, and we walk sightless among miracles. 
God, fill our eyes with seeing and our minds with knowing; 
let there be moments when Your Presence, like lightning, 
illumines the darkness in which we walk. 
Help us to see, wherever we gaze, that the bush burns unconsumed. 
And we, clay touched by God, will reach out for holiness and exclaim in wonder:  How filled with awe is this place, and we did not know it! -- Mishkan T’filah, p.171

I look forward to sharing the High Holy Days with you and seeing you often at Temple Emanuel.  In this way, we can work together to achieve our core values.  I am always available to help guide your questions and concerns and to connect you with one of our Temple leaders or our clergy to help get you more involved.

Mayda