| September 12, 2013 Dear Chevreh, The tears in so many people's eyes in shul during Rosh haShannah were evidence both that the world is in need of prayerful communities and that beautiful magic was in the air at Netivot Shalom. I am still personally reeling from the raw power we generated together, and am yearning for us to be together in that spirit this Yom Kippur. Much is happening in our world these days, and it makes this time of introspection all the more important. As I will share in my drasha to each adult Kol Nidrei minyan this Friday night, being a Jew in the world calls us to open our eyes to who we have been as a People and to the work we, as a People, have always been called to do. The work starts within our individual souls, and must spread beyond for the sake of our fragile, fragile world.
That sacred work is made more possible through the leadership of so many Netivot Shalom members: Todah Rabbah, once again, to Shari Rifas for organizing our Malachim, our greeters, for Yamim Nora'im, the High Holidays. (And to Helen Schneider, for coordinating greeters every Shabbat year-round!) Todah Rabbah to Claire Sherman for coordinating Daveners, to Glenn Massarano for coordinating Torah/Haftarah Readers, to David Stein for coordinating Drashot, to Robin Braverman for coordinating honors, to Eugene Berg and David Stein for coordinating a small army of members to set up our physical space, to David Gill and the Adult Education Committee for Selichot and YN Learning, Marcia Brooks for coordinating the Break-the-Fast, to Hannah Dresner and Debby Graudenz for facilitating Social Hall services, to CNS President Michael Tarle and the entire CNS Board for all their tireless work, to Lisa Gershony and Rachel Schorr for handling the galaxy of details that go into preparing for the chagim, and to you all for being the community we love so dearly! (If we've left anyone out, please let us know!)
As I shared before Rosh haShannah, Jewish tradition teaches that the heavenly gates close at the end of Yom Kippur. It's become ever-more urgent these last few days that we dare not settle for that. Let's storm those sacred gates until they're open for everyone everywhere. Really.  May the year 5774 be propelled to health and peace through our prayers!
Shannah Tovah, and Gmar Chatimah Tovah! Rabbi Creditor
------------------- Rabbi Menachem Creditor |
