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Literally the verse from Ecclesiastes (2:14) reads: “A wise person has eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness.”
The traditional biblical commentators were, perhaps like us, perplexed by the first part of the verse. Rashi (11th century France) explains that the wise person will foresee the results of their actions from the beginning. Ibn Ezra (12th century Spain) interprets it to mean that with open eyes, the wise person makes for a desired goal in the most effective way.
Both interpretations are sound lessons for us. From my perspective, they also provide a roadmap for synagogue communities. It is my belief that synagogues should purposefully strive to be effective in pursuing their mission with deliberate concern for the outcome of stated policies and the manner in which they are enacted.
Central Synagogue began this year primarily worried about the well-being of our members in a difficult financial environment. Our intention was to support families distressed by job loss and decreased income. We focused on making certain that no members were turned away for financial reasons. Furthermore, we established the Career Support Initiative, a program committed to supporting one another through job transitions.
With gratitude to the extraordinary generosity of so many of you, we have been able to do it all and I am very grateful to you.
Now of course we turn to the future since the nature of our synagogue is never to remain content. (We’re Jewish. We have to worry.)
Most immediately the clergy have been working on reframing the Yom Kippur afternoon service. Along with many of you, we believe that while there has been great meaning for those who wish to reflect in front of the Torah on Yom Kippur afternoon, it is not helpful to interrupt the service to do so.
The liturgy we will use this year will invite people to have time in front of the Torah while the service continues. In fact, we decided to reinstitute and reinterpret the Avodah section, an important part of the Yom Kippur afternoon liturgy. This portion includes the account of our people’s past journey from creation to Mount Sinai, from revelation to destruction and back to rebuilding. This is the narrative of a resilient people who believe that our existence is meaningful. It asserts that we were placed into history by God and the truth of the Jewish people’s existence magnifies the extraordinary possibilities of humanity even as we remember the extraordinary cruelty of humanity.
Our aim is to have a complete Yizkor and Neilah service and to end the afternoon liturgy prior to 6:30 pm. We believe that the entire Yom Kippur experience will be further enhanced by these liturgical adjustments and we hope that you will find them meaningful.
We are looking forward to seeing you and your family over the High Holy Days. Please know that while we hope that you can sit together with your entire family, ushers will remind you that seats cannot be saved once services have begun. This is done out of courtesy to those congregants who arrive on time and in an effort to limit disruptions during the actual service. It is always our goal to enhance the worship experience for the entire congregation.
Lastly, Kerry and I will be leaving May 9 for a short sabbatical. I will return to the office at the beginning of August.
I wish you all a wonderful summer filled with joy, health and even some relaxation. It will be joyful for me to see you upon my return at the High Holy Days, if not earlier.
Warmly,
Rabbi Peter J. Rubinstein
