ROSH HASHANAH
High Holiday Messages The JN asked some local rabbis to share their messages for Rosh Hashanah.
Despite Pandemic, Feeling Hope in the New Year
“H
ope in the LORD. Be strong and of good courage. Hope in the LORD.” We recite these words from Psalm 27 daily during the Season of Repentance, and they carry especially great meaning today. Despite the ongoing pandemic, I believe that we have reason to hope; justification for optimism; and grounds for proRabbi Aaron Starr claiming that we are “nearly free” from the COVID chains that bind us. As recently as July, many of us felt certain that the worst of COVID was behind us. Then the variants struck. The vaccinated are wearing masks again. Our concern for our unvaccinated children grows, especially as the start of school approaches. The sick fill hospital beds. Delta is the primary conversation of every phone call and visit. Whereas a month ago, we seemingly saw the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, many of us are again struggling. Nevertheless, the Bible declares, “Hope in the LORD. Be strong and of good courage. Hope in the LORD.” Indeed, this year we have reason to hope. Studies show that vaccinations are incredibly successful at preventing the worst of the virus’
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symptoms, and Jews nationally are the highest vaccinated ethnic group. As such, unlike this time last year, many of us now are gathering again with family and friends. Grandparents are able again to hug and to kiss grandchildren. That is cause for hope. Additionally, in-person prayer is again an option for most synagogues across our area. At Congregation Shaarey Zedek, for example, because of the size of our synagogue and the success of mask-wearing, our sanctuary can safely accommodate all who wish to celebrate the holidays inside. Moreover, unlike last year, synagogues know they can safely utilize their campuses for outdoor gatherings, ensuring that children and their families can gather, too. At CSZ, we are calling our youth and family experiences “The Prayground.” At the Prayground, through music, teaching and hands-on activities, kids and adults alike can feel the joy and excitement of the High Holidays in a meaningful and safe outdoor environment. Compared to last year’s High Holidays, this is indeed progress! In the face of ongoing pandemic and fully aware of the strength of the variants, we are nevertheless making significant strides. No, the pandemic will not disappear in
the blink of an eye. Too many adults remain unvaccinated, and most of our children cannot yet be vaccinated. Perhaps we should even repent for our naivete and impatience in thinking that we were closer to the end than we are. But progress is being made. Though slow and non-linear, the pandemic is improving. We have reason to hope; justification for optimism; and grounds for proclaiming that we are, as compared to last year, “nearly free” from the COVID chains that bind us. And by the way, there is healing in hope. In this New Year, may God bless us with gratitude for all who enabled our society to make such significant progress against a terrible virus in truly a short amount of time. May God bless us with the wisdom to celebrate the progress made.May God bless us with patience and with the commitment to take steps to protect lives. Finally, in this New Year and beyond, may God bless us all with health, with joy, and with the strength and courage, truly, to trust in God and in God’s goodness. “Hope in the LORD. Be strong and of good courage. Hope in the LORD.” Rabbi Aaron Starr serves Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield. continued on page28
