January 2021
Dear Ones,
We are entering a new secular year at last. What a year 2020 has been, a year that has called on each of us to respond to a pandemic, racial justice reckoning, lapses of our elected leaders and economic crisis. Meanwhile, in the Jewish world during these last few weeks, we have been finishing the book of Genesis, which we finally conclude this week with the Torah portion Vayechi: "And he lived..." Then we move in the first week of the new year into our book of liberation, Exodus.
Aren't we ready for some life affirmation and some liberation? Luckily this month we will see more and more people being vaccinated and we will have a new president. The daylight is getting more abundant; soon signs of spring will emerge. So things are looking up.
Nevertheless, we will still need to hunker down for many more months with excellent COVID protection practices, including the strong community support that sustains our members. Thank you to all who show up for Shamanu, for services, for learning sessions, for committee and Council meetings. We are holding each other through these difficult times. Your participation means so much to your co-congregants and to me.
With gratitude,
Rabbi Julie
