Dear Friends,
And what a Rosh Hashanah it was.
5782 is off to a great start!
It was wonderful seeing so many of you over Rosh Hashana! The safe, indoor services, as well as the overflowing crowd at ‘Shofar & Tashlich in the Park’ were inspiring.
The Shofar & Tashlich in the park ceremony seemed even more meaningful and special as we all carefully observed the safest way to come together to pray at the Gulf for this occasion.
We prayed for those who couldn’t attend and expressed our dearest hopes that G-d will hear and grant all our wishes and prayers.
It's an honor to be part of this incredible community.
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Yesterday marked marks 20 years since 9/11.
“Where were you?” is a sobering question that has been asked to so many of us in relation to the destruction of the Twin Towers in New York City. With a two-decade milestone upon us, it feels necessary to pause and reflect.
The question, “Where were you?” should not merely be an account of time and place – it is so much more and begs the follow up enquiry: “Where are you?”
The great Chasidic master, Reb Shneur Zalman of Liadi explained how in the story of Creation, when Adam was asked by G‑d, ‘Ayekah’ - Where are you? It could not have just been a geographical question, for G‑d obviously knew where Adam was ‘pinned’ on the map.
Ayekah - explained Reb Shneur Zalman - was G-d asking, “Where are you in your life?” It is a constant, ongoing question - a perpetual call to every human being. What have you accomplished on the path to fulfil your life’s mission?
Twenty years later, September 11th is still such an emotional date. Let’s not merely reminisce and ask, ‘Where were we?’ Rather, let’s reflect two decades later and analyze our individual evolution: Where are we now?
After such a tumultuous year, having just experienced Rosh Hashanah, now is the perfect time to pose the existential question: Where do I want to be?
May these pensive and reflective Days of Awe, between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, inspire us all to search our souls to both conceive and actualize the answer!
Wishing you a meaningful Shabbat Shuva, G’mar Chatima Tova and may you be sealed in the Book of Life!
Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos