Dear Friends:
I want to thank everyone who worked so hard to make our Rosh Hashanah services possible. Our office staff, Andi Epstein and Joan Teich, gave their all to make sure everything was ready and that everyone had their tickets and/or Zoom information -- and did so despite what has now become the traditional printer breakdown right before Rosh Hashanah. Thank you to all our readers, ushers, gabbaim, those who helped set up chairs and tech equipment, shofar blowers, those who distributed honors and followed up with honorees, and everyone who helped make these holidays special. It was a privilege and an honor to share the pulpit with Hazzan Kim Komrad, whose beautiful voice and kavvanah as always made things so meaningful.
It was nice to see so many people physically present in the synagogue, and it was particularly nice to see some folks that I have not seen in person for over two years. It was also a pleasure to meet some new folks who recently moved into our area and we hope we will see you again.
On the second morning of Rosh Hashanah I led a discussion of a case study of a controversy that took place in Israel fairly recently. The purpose of the discussion was not to determine who was right or wrong but rather to articulate the particular values and principles at work in the controversy in order to better understand both sides. It was an interesting discussion that could have gone on much longer. The case we discussed can be read here.
As a reminder, I am having drop-in hours on Thursday afternoon from 2 to 4 at the shul. You do not need to make an appointment -- that would negate the whole point of drop-in hours -- but I’d urge you to check and make sure I am there regardless as sometimes there are unavoidable pastoral or other emergencies which might take me away from the building.
As always, if I can do anything for you or you need to talk, please contact me at rabbi@kehilatshalom.org or 301-977-0768 rather than through the synagogue office. I am happy to meet you at the synagogue by appointment. I have been spending more time in the synagogue recently but if you want to speak with me it’s best to make an appointment rather than assuming I will be there when you stop by.
G’mar Chatima Tova,
Rabbi Charles L. Arian