Shabbat Shalom with a Heart Healthy Dose of Torah – Yom Rishon Shel Rosh Hashanah

It’s time for the Jewish High Holidays. It’s time for that “kheshbon hanefesh – our annual gut-check.” It’s time to figure out if we’ve done everything we can do to make the world a better place. Have we built a world of justice and dignity for ourselves and our neighbors? Torah commands us to pursue Justice: to take care of our neighbors, even if we don’t like them. They’re human, no differently than are we. They have passions, as do we. They are part of our world; we have to find a way to come together. That value of building community relationships is Torah’s mission. “Kol ha-olam kulo, gesher tzar me’od – the distance between anyone in this world is a very narrow bridge.” We need to get over our fear of crossing it and engaging each other.

This commitment to building relationships is the mission of Monmouth Reform Temple. This is the synagogue where Torah, where God and community merge; as we seek to make a better world. Join us, of course virtually this year, for the holidays. But also join us 365 days a year. We have a rich calendar with vibrant activities and we make a difference in each other’s lives. May it be a healthy, joyous, and peaceful new year for us all. May we grow past what we think we know into a realm where we want to learn more and be more – with each other.

Shabbat Shalom and Happy New Year!