A Message from Rabbi Rubinstein

January 2009

A malaise driven by economic conditions has fallen over our city.  While the same may be true throughout the country, New York is home and we know it best. I’d like to suggest some reasons for us to be hopeful and to consider that our spirits are lifted from within, as much as by external social forces.

1) 2009 is coming.  Generally I see January 1st as a distant second place on the Best New Years list but I’m willing to grant this secular New Year special status. Obviously Rosh Hashanah heads my New Year’s list, and I spoke about optimism at that time.  However, we need reminders that beginnings can make a difference for us even if it’s just by flipping a page of the calendar. We can hope that 2009 will be a much better year. While 2008 may be the year of the “slide,” let us look forward to 2009 as the year of the “climb.”

2) “-elect” will be removed from Barak Obama’s title. We will have a new president.  Now, here I have a concern. I have studied Messianic movements in religious history and I have noted that there is danger when an overabundance of expectations is invested in a single individual. It seems as though our nation is holding its breath waiting for our new president to move to the White House. Assuredly, there are going to be significant policy and political changes. Amazingly, high marks across the partisan spectrum are being given to the President-elect’s choices for his administration, including members of his economic team. But our problems are not going to be easily solved on the international scene or here at home. So while we hope for a dramatic turn-around, we best temper our expectations with a harsh dose of reality. Change takes time, especially when it tampers with fundamental policies and long-term practices. Let us hope for but not expect too much at the beginning. Having said that, a new administration projects the possibility of change and offers a reason for hope.

3) We care about each other. While all of us are caught up in this economic decline, we share a prevalent concern about other people. At times like this, community is more than an ideological construct. Community is at its best when people are prepared to help each other in tough times. We cannot predict what the members of our congregation may need but we are prepared to do our best to help people emotionally and spiritually. Please call if you would like to speak to a member of our clergy, and we will alert you to other supportive programs for you to consider

4) “Adonoi Li v’lo ira.” (“God is with me and I will not be afraid.”) This is the last line of Adon Olam, which is often sung at the end of services. We don’t know the complete history of this song, which has been in the liturgy at least since the 14th century, but the words indicate that we are not the first generation of Jews to face difficulty and challenge; nor sadly will we be the last. We seek strength from our tradition and from faith. So, for those times when challenges feel too great, it is helpful to remember and say these words to yourself. Our theologies may vary but opening ourselves to strength that comes from belief in something beyond us allows us to move forward with courage and commitment.

So, there are reasons to be hopeful. Let us hope for a good, productive, and joyful 2009.