Yom Kippur Speech

Again, for those of us who were not able to attend the services at the temple, or for those who wish a review of Helaine's address to the congregation, here it is.

On behalf of the Trustees, thanks to all of you who are participating in our services this year, especially Rabbi Kanter who came all the way from Cincinnati to help us out when the alternatives were not good.  It is an honor it is to have him here with us.  Thanks also to soloist Melissa Gray and John Rasch for their musical contributions, to our Ritual Chair Liz Berman and her committee, and to Stephen Sickerman for preparing our Yizkor Memorial Books.  Without all of them our holiday experiences would not be what they are.  To keep my speech short I won’t identify all of our volunteers (although I really want to).  But know you are appreciated as you really are the ones who keep this Jewish community’s values andTRADITIONS alive and well.

Speaking of TRADITIONS, and because Rabbi Kanter is here and a new student rabbi has just begun, here’s a story.

During the first service conducted by a new rabbi at an old synagogue, when the Shema was said half the congregants stood up while the other half remained seated.

The half that sat started yelling at those standing to sit, and the ones standing yelled at the ones sitting to stand.

The new rabbi, learned as he was in the Law and the commentaries didn't know what to do. Some of the congregants suggested that he consult a 98 year old man who was a founding member of the temple, who now lived in a nursing home.

The rabbi hoped the elderly man would be able to tell him what the actual temple TRADITIONwas, so he went to him with a representative of each arguing group.

The one whose followers stood during the Shema said to the old man, "Is the TRADITIONto stand during this prayer?"

The old man answered, "No, that’s not the TRADITION."

The one from the group that sat spoke up, "Then the TRADITION is to sit during the Shema!"  (pause)

The old man answered, "No, no, no, no, that is not the TRADITION."

Confused, the rabbi said, "But the congregants fight all the time, yelling at each other about whether they should sit or stand."  The old man interrupted, "THAT is the TRADITION!"

That’s not unlike some loving families I know with THAT very same Jewish TRADITION!

Now, to the TRADITION of synagogue presidents giving a High Holydays’ message here is mine.

There was much TRADITION in the home in which I grew up but Judaism per se belonged to the men.  The girls had only a peripheral view.  Now my experience as a volunteer in this temple has shown me the limitless horizons of my faith.  In my adult growth as a Jew, being your president has been especially meaningful. I no longer sit apart from my fellow members.

7 years ago, I was new in town and wanted a connection to people.  I had not met any Jews yet.  Then, I came to a Shabbat service and met my first friend, Julie Unger, an active temple member who has since moved away. But she invited me and Jim to her home the next evening for her family’s Rosh Hashanah dinner.  If it had not been for that invitation I would have missed for the first time in my life a TRADITIONAL sit-down Rosh Hashanah meal. It meant a lot to get such a welcome to the Jewish community.  (I’ve often thought that we should start a program of families taking turns hosting newcomers to Shabbat or holiday dinners in this way.)  Anyway, later she nominated me as a board member.  I was a little nervous having never served on a temple board before.  I thought “Who am I,’ to take on this task?  Am I qualified?!”  At first, I was quiet at meetings.  I listened, watched, learned.  Mostly I enjoyed.  And you know what?  I have gotten more from this temple than I have given. My sense of fulfillment almost feels selfish. And I sincerely hope more of you will be so blessed.

I read an article recently by a psychologist who was doing research on what makes people and their lives happy and satisfying.  The conclusion of the study was that it isn’t money or having things.  It is the gratification one gets from giving.  That really isn’t a new idea.  That is what tecun olam is!  Repair of the world, doing good for others, and for social justice. By participating in and supporting our temple I can personally verify that you will be amazed at the power that has to make you not only a happier person, but a better person.

 

Many of us know people who collect things they think they cannot live without.  Some collect chatchkies of some type or another.  I have a friend who has a penchant for anything with a red hot pepper on it.  From the looks of her closet, I have a friend who apparently collects shoes. Another built an extra large room just to hold a collection of antique cars.  Another collects cups of Starbucks coffee in her stomach every day at the cost of about $6 a day.  Forever thinking about how we’re going to keep this temple going, especially in these difficult financial times, I wonder how much could be saved by giving upjust one of those a week and donating that much to our temple by those of you who have that particular proclivity. 

I cannot help but think, as we sit here praying to be inscribed in The Book of Life, God will not ask how many chatchkies, shoes, cars, what type of coffee taste we had or whatever we had.  God will likely want to know what we did to make the world a better place.  God will not ask what our highest salary was.  God will ask if we used it to make a difference, or if we compromised character to get it.

 

Last year I had a non-member who attended High Holiday services, because he had not heard a president of this temple make an appeal speech before, say to me, “It’s a shame you’ve been reduced to begging.”  In this year’s message, I wish I knew the right words to touch the hearts and souls of those who do not understand the “honor” it is to participate actively in this congregation whether it be with your time, your talent or your money.  As president it is one of my responsibilities, when we have the biggest crowd here, to make an appeal.  We have a small congregation.  And we have a building to maintain with so few members.  Your board has chosen not to raise dues.  And, some of our members need dues relief.

Let me conclude by saying there are envelopes in your seats.  You know what they are for. 

 

The Torah says, “Deeds of giving are the very foundations of the world.”

 

It also says, “I did not find the world desolate when I entered it.  And as my parents planted for me before I was born, so do I plant for those who will come after me.”

 

As we begin this New Year, there are many ways in which we as individuals can make choices that affirm our Jewish values.  As the gates of heaven begin to close, let us start anew, as if this were our last opportunity to live a truly meaningful life.  This congregation is not only about this building (although we do have to maintain it), it’s about our members, our children, the TRADITIONS we preserve and create, and members really getting something meaningful from participation. 

As I said before, there are envelopes in your seats.  You know what they are for.  Let us all give generously of our time and today of our resources.  To invest in the future of our temple and Judaism, is one of the few good investments available today.

 

I pray that the positive, nurturing ways of Judaism will be the cornerstone of each of our lives.  May the light of the Torah burn brightly forever in our hearts, our minds and the ones we love.  G’mar Chatimah Tovah!