As we approach Rosh Hashanah I wanted to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you – even our B’nai Israel friends in distant locations – a very happy Shana Tova!  A New Year filled with sweetness and goodness!

Many of you have commented to me on the recent news that has propelled Gainesville into a national conversation on religious tolerance.  As you may know, I have taken an active and vocal role in our community, along with my colleagues both Jewish and non-Jewish, to insure that the voice of religious respect remain strong and clear in the face of hate.  I have publicly and privately participated in many events in the community and I will continue to speak out to insure that Gainesville is a place of mutual respect and acceptance.

Now, with Rosh Hashanah and the season of repentance upon us, it is imperative that we turn our thoughts away from the concerns that can so easily overtake our lives.  It is time to drop aside those things that divide and turn our focus elsewhere.  Our tradition, in its great wisdom, mandates that at this season of the year we not only look back but look forward, too – to a future of peace and spiritual growth.

The Unetaneh Tokef prayer is undoubtedly the centerpiece of the Rosh Hashanah liturgy.  Its words call to us through the veil of history to consider deeply our actions and their consequences.  Most familiar is the call that “the severe decree is avoided by three things”:

Teshuva, Tefillah, and Tzedaka

Teshuva is from the Hebrew root ‘shuv’ that is often translated as “repentance” or “turning”.  We accomplish teshuva by turning inward – focusing on ourselves and our actions.  It requires us to reach into a very deep place and personally examine our souls; our motivations; our sense of priorities.  It calls us to root out the rationalizations that dangerously mislead us down paths of self-destruction.  Teshuva mandates that we find ways to look inside ourselves.  We spend most of the year focusing away from our actions and deeds and convincing ourselves that we are blameless.  Teshuva reminds us that we carry a heavy sense of responsibility on our shoulders for actions and deeds both that we do and that we fail to do.

Tefillah is from the Hebrew root ‘palal’ and is most often translated as “prayer”.  As noted in Mahzor Lev Shalem  “moments of tefillah can bring insight and affirm primary religious commitments”. Tefillah calls us to turn upward toward God and to recognize that we are not the center of the universe.  Indeed, we recognize in our gaze upward that we are but a small part of the vast universe of God’s creation and we must be ever appreciative of each precious day of our short lives. 

Tzedakah comes from the root ‘tzadak’ and derives from the word “righteousness” or “justice”.  Here we are reminded to turn outward to not only treat others with care and respect but most importantly to give without expectation for reward or personal gain.  We are called to examine our actions and to make sure that our tzedakah is of compassion and love; of generosity of spirit and deed.  Tzedakah calls us to focus on those in need – insuring that we build a better world where our children are afforded an environment and world to flourish and thrive. 

Turning inward, upward and outward are the keys to approaching a Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur with wholeness and sincerity.  It is what allows us to manage what is inevitably a life of challenges and grief; occasional triumph and defeat.  These days demand our full attention to nourish our souls.  The work this spiritual turning does not happen passively.  It is not automatically delivered with the sound of the shofar nor the call of prayer .  The work of spiritual turning only happens when we are prepared to seriously open our hearts to God.

This year, throughout Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, I will be addressing the overarching lessons that the stories of our tradition impart to us.  Our biblical stories bind us together as a people but also have the power to present multiple messages to nourish our souls.  Jewish wisdom has great power to nurture and support us throughout our lives.

I am pleased to welcome so many new faces and members to our community as the B’nai Israel Family grows.  I am also pleased to welcome Cantor Assaf Nagel and family to our community who will bring with them the spirit of Israel.  It has been a delight working with him to plan this year’s services and I know you will enjoy his contribution to our spiritual replenishment.

Finally I am so very gratified that so many of you chose to purchase Mahzor Lev Shalem and to attend the recent class to explain its features and use.  If you did not purchase Lev Shalem please rest assured that you will be able to continue to use the traditional books.  Although English readings will be taken from the new Mahzor, as in years past, there will be supplementary booklets of readings for those who do not have the new prayerbooks. 

L’shana Tova Tikateivu, May you be Inscribed for a Good Year!

Rabbi David Kaiman