January 2023

Dear Sha’arei Shalom friends,

I hope that you had a bright and joyous Chanukah, and some good family and/or fun time over the last week of ’22.  Here’s hoping that 2023 will bring us better times, good health, and sweet blessings.

The end of a year – be it Jewish, or secular, is always a time of reflection for me.  I am always look back to see what lessons I wish to take away from the chapter that is closing, and how I want to use those lessons as I approach the chapter that is opening.

My reflection – what we would call heshbon hanefesh in Hebrew, a term we hear a lot during the month leading up to and during the High Hoy Day season — is on both the personal and broader levels. Reflecting on 2022, I view it as the continuation of many of the challenges of these past few years. Even though there were many rough spots in 2022 for our world, on a personal level I am deeply grateful for my blessings. Our family welcomed two new babies (doubling our grandchild count to 4); and we celebrated the wedding of our third child in November.  A lot to be grateful for – and to use as ballast to balance out the rough edges.

Thinking more broadly, the list of concerns is surely longer than I would wish: the ongoing political and social unrest across our nation; the ongoing challenges of climate and its impact on the lives of so many around our world; the war that Russia launched in February against the Ukraine; the rising numbers of people displaced from homes and family as a result of that war as well as other crises; and the alarming rise in expressions of hate, especially Antisemitism represent just a part of that list of concerns.

I also think about some of our recent experiences as a Sha’arei Shalom community. To be sure, these nearly three years of pandemic have taken a toll on participation and life in general. In just the past few weeks, with the leadership of committed members of our community, we have held a wonderful Chanukah dinner, a community Chanukah party and our annual Chanukah Menorah lighting in Ashland center (which had its own element of adventure as our chanukiah lost power – more about that in a moment.)

It has been heartwarming to see more of our Sha’arei Shalom members in person in the past month, as well as welcome new folks from around our area who came to check us out at the Chanukah party and lighting. How blessed we will be if some of our neighbors opt to join our family, bringing new strength to our community.

For those who may have missed the lighting on the third night of Chanukah, as we arrived the chanukiah was already lit as it is on an automatic timer. As we do each year, we set it back so we could light the newest light together. But the lights would not return.  As we were closing our gathering several folks stepped up with their smartphones and the flashlights so we could create the Chanukah lights despite the electrical challenge.  It was a great moment. As folks began to leave, we suddenly discovered that the Chanukiah was lit up. Yes, the miracle of the Chanukah light lives in our time – and in our community. It was a wonderful moment!

For me, I look at that and see beyond the moment to the year before us – our light as a community still burns, despite the challenges of these nearly three years. However, the potential for our light to burn a bit more brightly is in our hands. Just as several folks stepped with their smartphones so we could see the lights we had come to kindle together; and just as recent events have drawn more participants both from within and beyond our Sha’arei Shalom family; so too will the months and years ahead rest on what we, as a community do to keep our light burning brightly. Each of us can bring a bit more of that light.

Yes, COVID is still with us, and each member of our community is at a different place in terms of their comfort level with public gatherings. I respect that! For those who have begun returning to gatherings outside their homes, I invite – come be with your Sha’arei Shalom family too! We need to feel the embrace and power of community!

On Friday night, January 20^th we will hold our first Tu B’shevat Seder since early 2020! And our leaders are working on other events to bring us together – yes, for Shabbat services and school; but also, to learn, laugh and celebrate together. If you can, please bring your light to increase the light and joy in our Sha’arei Shalom community., And if you know of friends or neighbors who do not have a community and are looking to connect with a Jewish community in our area, invite them to join you to experience the warmth of Sha’arei Shalom.

Both physically and metaphysically, there is still a fair bit of darkness that envelopes us. But shining our light – not only into the seasonal darkness, but also the challenges of our time will lift our spirits and help us do our part to bring more blessing into our world.

May 2023 be a year of good health, joyous gatherings and ever-increasing shalom – for us, our community, our nation, and the world!

Rabbi Eric