Time for Reflection

This time of year not only marks the beginning of a school year for many families, but the beginning of a new year for all Jewish families. The month prior to Rosh Hoshana is Elul, which signals to all of us that it's time to reflect on this past year and what we hope to change for the year ahead and what will stay the same.

This past Tuesday evening, Beth Shalom's "Nourishing Our Roots" program, began with an educational hour, on Zoom, with Gail Foorman teaching about the melodies and tunes that are specific only to Rosh Hoshana and Yom Kippur. It was well attended and many of the choir members were there to hum along to the familiar tunes. It did make me realize how much I will miss hearing the choir this year during services, but this will leave us even more appreciative of them when we return back to the shul next year, I hope!

Please be sure to add these Tuesday night education classes to your calendars because I know you will learn something new!

As long as you're adding dates to your calendar, if you are the parent of a child in 9-12th grades, please add August 30 at 2pm. On this day, your child will have a chance to "Paint in the Parking Lot" with other teens from our shul! It's been a long time since they've been able to connect with each other. Please consider allowing them to engage...at a distance...with masks...for this awesome event!

Wrapping up, I can't help but think about the ways I hope to celebrate the holidays this year. They will be different for sure...just like our seders were different in the Spring. Reflect and get creative! New traditions may blossom from this "new normal"!

All the best!

Wendy Widis; President



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