Dear Yavneh Family,

We are approaching a Rosh Hashanah like no other we have experienced in our lifetimes. How are we to understand that a mere three weeks after Rosh Hashanah last year, over a thousand of our brothers and sisters were tortured and murdered by terrorists while another 300 hundred were taken captive with still 100 unaccounted for. מִי יִחְיֶה וּמִי יָמוּת… The mere thought is chilling.

We are still struggling to make sense of the unfathomable, and to compose ourselves to enter this Yamim Noraim season with some sort of perspective. As has been the case for me so often lately, I find solace in the words of Rabbi Sack’s, written years ago and so very relevant to us today.

In his introduction to the Rosh Hashanah machzor, Rabbi Sacks writes…

“Life is not easy. Judaism does not see the world through rose-tinted glasses. The sufferings of our ancestors haunt our prayers. The world we live in is not the world as it ought to be…When Jews went into exile, the Schekina went with them. God is always there…He may hide his face, but he is there. He may be silent, but he is listening to us, hearing us and healing us.”

Rabbi Sacks continues…

“Life may be hard, but it can still be sweet…Jews have never needed wealth to be rich, or power to be strong. To be a Jew is to live for simple things…the sacred bond between parents and children, the gift of community where we help others and others help us…To be a Jew is to give, whether in the form of tzedakah or acts of loving kindness. It is to learn and never stop seeking, to pray and never stop thanking, to do teshuva and never stop growing.”

I often think about what type of world our children will inhabit. How can we leave them with a society that we dream will be better than the one we inherited? How can we infuse them with the confidence needed to make a difference? There are a few areas to draw strength during this time.

I have the unique privilege of spending my days working in Yavneh, surrounded by children with unbridled curiosity and optimism. I see that sacred bond between students and teachers being nurtured and developed daily. That observation alone brings me hope. I also glean tremendous strength from speaking with friends and relatives in Israel. As they suffer in ways that are impossible to comprehend, their faith and courage is staggering and motivating. Finally, we know that giving to others provides agency for us. Giving Tzedakah... acts of kindness. These efforts allow us to feel that we are contributing in some small way to heal our fractured world.

As we enter this period of introspection, our goal and challenge this year is to think beyond ourselves. To consider not only how we can personally improve but how we can contribute to improving society as a whole, in ways both small and large. May Hashem answer our pleas for the new year.

With heartfelt blessings for a year of health, peace, safety and tranquility for all.

Rabbi Jonathan Knapp

Head of School