by Suzanne Darby
Rosh Hashanah — why do we observe this day? Be-cause the Torah tells us we are commanded by God.
In Leviticus, Chapter 23, Verse 23, the Lord com-mands through Moses that on the first day of the seventh month, the Israelite people must “observe a complete day of rest, a sacred occasion commemorated with loud blasts. You shall not work at your occupations; and you shall bring an offering by fire to the Lord.”
Another year has completed and we gather to reflect. We observe this commandment as generations of Jews have done.
From this passage, we can find several messages re-lated to this holy day. God is King, our only King, the absolute monarch with rule of law and final decisions. Rosh Hashanah actually translates to ‘head of the year,’ although it is described as the “first day of the seventh month.”
Second, we are to set this date aside as a sacred oc-casion. We are not to work. Instead, we spend our time remembering our achievements, great and small. We may primarily be focused on our own behavior. We are also a community and we should think about how we have achieved or failed as a group.
And with the blast of the Shofar, we announce a new year. We face forward to a new beginning. We pray, “Our Father, Our King, hear our voice.”
In Saturday morning Torah study, we are currently studying the book of Samuel. (Yes, this is blatant prop-aganda to encourage more participation.) We read that the Israelites came to Samuel and said, “Give us a king to govern us.” And although both Samuel and God were displeased, God told Samuel, “Heed the demand of the people … For it is not you that they have rejected; it is Me they are have rejected as king.” We have seen this theme throughout our studies and we must ask ourselves why as Jews, we so often forget and turn away from God and God’s commandments.
This congregation represents those of us who strug-gle to follow our faith and keep God in our hearts and thoughts and actions, even in a society where this is a challenge, where we may feel isolated. It represents our desire to pass on this faith to the next generation as well.
I am not proposing that we do away with govern-ment, presidents or leaders. The Torah and Haftorah are full of examples of Israel’s leaders. The tribal leaders of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Government official leader-ship of Jacob. Moses, the law-giver. Joshua, the mili-tary leader who conquers Israel. And eventually the Kings of Israel. All these leaders demonstrate great leadership and also human weaknesses.
Ultimately we may not blame our leaders for our failures: We are responsible for our actions and deci-sions. This does not mean imposing our beliefs on oth-ers, but rather keeping our own moral code. This is why we study the Torah again and again each week, each month and each year. Like an athlete, we need regular reminders to play our best and not slip into bad habits. We are human and at times we are weak. The study of Torah coaches us and instructs our lives as we strive to remember. And so we pray, Our Father, Our King, hear our voice.
During this time of year, we reflect on our past, our achievements, great and small. We may have achieved some significant milestones, like graduations, retire-ments, or completion of work or home projects. We may have achieved goals that are not recognized with rewards but just as important, when we support our friends, neighbors and community. Small kindnesses can change the world.
We examine our deeds for those behaviors that need the most improvement. We ask and pray for for-giveness. We think about those things we said that hurt and those things we did not say to support another. We think about our petty resentments.
We pray to be included in the book of life for anoth-er year. We should also pray that Congregation Sha’are Shalom be written in that same book of life. For we are all responsible for its survival. We should never take anything for granted.
This past year, Congregation Sha’are Shalom has re-flected on its 25 years of existence and accomplish-ments. Our founders gathered together to begin a Jewish community. They began holiday celebrations, Sabbath services, religious school and a Jewish presence in Southern Maryland. The held fundraisers to purchase a Torah, created a board, wrote bylaws, hired student rab-bis and again held fundraisers to collect money to pur-chase land and build a temple.
Our congregation continues to thrive with growing membership and a religious school that is busting out of the classroom space. When we moved into this building a short six years ago, we worried that we might not have enough activities to justify the space. We now have so many activities, our vice president must carefully keep a calendar to ensure we don’t overbook!
These are remarkable accomplishments, but along the way we made mistakes as well. We had student rab-bis who were wonderful and others who were not a good fit. We purchased one property lot, only to find out that it would cost a small fortune to build on a state highway. We disagreed over the style of the building, the chairs, the size of classrooms, and the number of bathroom stalls. You need only attend a board meeting to know just how difficult it can be to get a group of people to agree. I believe the only difference between a temple board and a company board may be the financial rewards (or lack thereof). But I would hope those on our temple board feel the reward of accomplishment in serving our community.
And as a group we have learned and become a stronger community. Next month, we will complete our celebration with a Gala including live Jewish musical entertainment!
The New Year begins with the sound of the Shofar, loud blasts, and new beginnings. It is time to start over again.
The reflection of the past is most productive if it in-cludes commitment to learn from the successes and fail-ures. We vow to be better, to follow God’s command-ments more faithfully.
We conclude our celebrations of 25 years, but re-member we now start the first year of the next 25 years of Congregation Sha’are Shalom. You have heard of the many challenges of the past 25 years, but now there will be new challenges. Yes, in some ways there is much that is already in place; a building, religious school cur-riculum, regular services and Holiday celebrations.
Now we must find the money and energy to continue all those activities as well as define new goals.
These challenges belong to all of us. You will need to find your voice. Our youngest members will become our future leaders. We shall face many new decisions and disagreement. You will need to continue to commit both your time and money if you wish to see our Con-gregation succeed for another 25 years.
I do not know if I will be blessed to be alive in an-other 25 years, but if I am, it would be an honor to be one of 50 members to read a line of Torah.
However, I can assure you that I will NOT be the chairperson of the anniversary committee.
I will be excited to celebrate all the new achieve-ments of this congregation. I wonder what I shall see in 25 years: an expanded building with new classrooms and sanctuary? A full-time Rabbi? An even larger member-ship? Two dishwashers?
More than likely, you all have visions and goals be-yond my imagination. I sure hope so. There is one thing I hope does not change, and that is a membership that is exciting and involved in all aspects of our Jewish life, both religious, educational and social.
When we hear the Shofar’s loud blast today and eat our apples and honey for a sweet year, let us focus on the future of not only ourselves and our families but this entire community; make our commitment to all; and pray that God hears our collective voice.
Shanah Tova!