Dear {{first_name}},
In Parshas Emor, we read of the commandments to observe the holidays we know as Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Rosh Hashanah is to take place on the 1st day of the 7th month; it is a day marked by Zichron Teruah, “a commemoration with horn blast, a sacred convocation.” This is a triumphant moment in our year - a time for remembering and celebrating what has preceded us. Yom Kippur, we learn, comes just 10 days later; it is a day on which we are commanded to atone and afflict ourselves.
What strikes me now in re-reading these commandments is that they are separated by the word “Akh” - which in Hebrew means something like “but”, “however”, or “yet”. Though Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur share multiple core characteristics as Yamim Tovim, they are presented as observances in tension with one another. On Rosh Hashanah, we are triumphant and proud; yet on Yom Kippur, we are penitent and anxious.
This juxtaposition of these days feels especially apt at CBAJ this year.
We have much to celebrate - the long-awaited fruition of our kitchen upgrade and renovation project, a truly “lights out” Purim celebration, and a formal extension of Rabbi Ben and Miriam Kean’s time in Albany via a new contract for Rabbi Kean. That’s all on top of our customary excellent slate of Adult Ed, Youth, and general programming events that fill our calendar, and of course our daily, weekly, and holiday services that are always open and free to any and all who wish to attend.
Akh - But - We live in a moment in time when it is hard to feel too celebratory. It has been almost a full year since the Hamas attacks and murders of October 7, and still, we turn our eyes with trepidation on the events in Israel and the surrounding region. We have already been saying Psalm 130 twice daily, after our morning and evening services; from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur, we add it during morning services as well, praying with all our might for peace and justice for Israel and for Jews everywhere.
Akh - Yet - Even in the midst of all that turmoil, there is still more work to be done in Albany. In the coming year, the board and I intend to place a special emphasis on connecting with our members, in ways both large and small. We plan to roll out an online shul Membership Directory that can be used for staying in touch; we want to update our website and social media pages to ensure that you (and the rest of the world!) can quickly and easily see what’s happening at the shul; and we are eager to explore new ideas for events and programs both on and beyond Shabbat and Yom Tov.
To help drive these efforts forward, I invite you to participate in this year’s CBAJ Chai Campaign. As ever, we strive for 100% participation in the campaign. If you have participated in the campaign in prior years, I ask that you consider increasing your contribution by 10% or 20% this year. The campaign is critical to helping us balance our budget each year, and every contribution matters tremendously.
To donate, you can use this link. Or you may call the office (Seanan: 518-489-5819 x 3) with your credit card, or mail a check to our office.
I wish you and your family a Shana Tova Umetukah. May we continue to work together to build our community in a happy and healthy 5785.
Elliot Chester
President, Congregation Beth Abraham-Jacob
