As a community, we at Temple Beth Hillel have a lot to be thankful for. We are a small and mighty congregation. We are resilient, and with dedication and creativity we are adapting to difficult times. Thanks to our Ritual Committee, Rabbi Dean, Cantor Shayndel, Wendy Roth, Michelle Husby, and all who participated and attended, our online High Holy Day observances were engaging and deeply meaningful. Thanks to David Zimring, Larry, Heather, and Jennifer Fox, Rabbi Dean, and Cantor Shayndel, our Religious School is providing quality Jewish education online. And we continue to engage in acts of Tikkun Olam, not just for ourselves, but for our surrounding community.
I am concerned, however, that our resilience and might will continue to be tested. Although respectful disagreement is appropriate on many issues, I am sure we can agree on some basic truths. Racism is bad. Anti-Semitism is bad. Nazis are bad. White supremacy is bad. Homophobia and transphobia are bad. Xenophobia is bad. It really is that simple. I don’t understand why some find it difficult to denounce hate. I just did. At times, it feels like we are living in the dystopia of George Orwell’s 1984. Hate mongers have crawled out from under their rocks and are being encouraged. I am concerned about what this means for us as a Jewish community, but I am not scared. Rather I am doubly grateful for our strength. I am confident that the love we have for each other and our neighbors will eventually triumph. I know we will continue to support each other and our community because that is who we are.
I hope to see all of you in our virtual sukkah tonight for our online observance of Erev Shabbat and Sukkot.
From the President – Oct. 1, 2020
October 1, 2020 by tbhrich •
As a community, we at Temple Beth Hillel have a lot to be thankful for. We are a small and mighty congregation. We are resilient, and with dedication and creativity we are adapting to difficult times. Thanks to our Ritual Committee, Rabbi Dean, Cantor Shayndel, Wendy Roth, Michelle Husby, and all who participated and attended, our online High Holy Day observances were engaging and deeply meaningful. Thanks to David Zimring, Larry, Heather, and Jennifer Fox, Rabbi Dean, and Cantor Shayndel, our Religious School is providing quality Jewish education online. And we continue to engage in acts of Tikkun Olam, not just for ourselves, but for our surrounding community.
I am concerned, however, that our resilience and might will continue to be tested. Although respectful disagreement is appropriate on many issues, I am sure we can agree on some basic truths. Racism is bad. Anti-Semitism is bad. Nazis are bad. White supremacy is bad. Homophobia and transphobia are bad. Xenophobia is bad. It really is that simple. I don’t understand why some find it difficult to denounce hate. I just did. At times, it feels like we are living in the dystopia of George Orwell’s 1984. Hate mongers have crawled out from under their rocks and are being encouraged. I am concerned about what this means for us as a Jewish community, but I am not scared. Rather I am doubly grateful for our strength. I am confident that the love we have for each other and our neighbors will eventually triumph. I know we will continue to support each other and our community because that is who we are.
I hope to see all of you in our virtual sukkah tonight for our online observance of Erev Shabbat and Sukkot.
We are Temple Beth Hillel.
If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
If I am not for others, what am I?
And if not now, when? -Rabbi Hillel