Turning to a New Year
“Now is the time for turning. The leaves are beginning to turn from green to red and orange. The birds are beginning to turn and are heading once more toward the South. The animals are beginning to turn to storing their food for the winter. For leaves, birds, and animals, turning comes instinctively. But for us turning does not come so easily. It takes and act of will to make us turn. . . .” (Gates of Repentance, p. 372)
As we enter the season of the High Holydays – this our 25th year for Or Chadash, I look forward to seeing all of you in the coming days and weeks as we celebrate our New Year and begin our collective efforts as a Jewish community to renew ourselves for goodness in the days and years ahead. I want to wish all of you a very happy and healthy New Year and express my deepest thanks for all your support and the tremendous support of our wonderful staff and lay leadership over the past year.
As we begin another Jewish year together, I hope that it will be one filled with blessing, purpose and fulfillment for you and your family. In the traditional spirit of repentance and asking for forgiveness during these days: if my words or deeds have been hurtful to any of you, please accept my sorrow and regret. May this New Year bring to all of us the hopes and aspirations we desire for ourselves.
Shana Tova U’mituka – Wishing all of you a good and sweet New Year.
Shalom,
Rabbi Joseph M. Forman