Good morning, friends, family, and community.
Thank you to Rabbi Levy for your leadership, Accompanist Susan Perrera, Violinest Lisa Gukin and Choir for the music and your voices. You created a service that was both spiritually uplifting and deeply moving.
Thank you to Security Team led by Robin Bass & Jeff Coren who have worked so hard to make sure that all is safe and secure outside and inside. Thank you to the High Holiday committee led by Robin Bass & Ed Rodman for coordinating all the logistics of the service. Thank you to Phil Hurowtiz, my Co-President who is my sidekick in the journey of being co-Presidents of the temple and to the Sisterhood who knows how to put on one delicious Break Fast.
As we gather for the High Holy Days, I am filled with a mix of gratitude, hope, and humility. This year, I have been reminded of the fragility and preciousness of life — and of the strength it takes to live fully in the present. As many of you know, back in the summer of 2024 I experienced a life-changing event. I contracted bacterial meningitis that landed me in the hospital for 16 days and then another 3 weeks in rehab. That medical episode taught me that time is a gift we must use wisely. We often think “did we do enough” when we are busy, but in truth, there is always room to be more present, more intentional, more connected to one another.
In reflecting on our traditions, I have come to see the High Holy Days not just as a time for prayer and repentance, but as a call to action, to be the kind of people who make a difference in the world. And that brings me to the question: What is a hero?
A hero is not someone who stands on a stage and declares victory over great odds. I believe a hero is someone who chooses to act — even when it is inconvenient, even when it is hard, even when no one is watching. A hero is the neighbor who checks in on a friend in need, the teacher who stays late after school to help a student, the volunteer who shows up for a cause they believe in, the parent who listens more than they lecture. A hero is the one who forgives, who uplifts, who stands up for justice, and who reminds others that we are all capable of greatness and doing good.
In our own lives, we can be heroes in small ways: by showing kindness, by speaking truth, by standing with those who are marginalized, by working to make our communities safer, more compassionate, and more just. The Book of Life is sealed not only for those who live long, but for those who live well and who live with courage, integrity, kindness and love.
As we gather for the High Holidays, we’re reminded that our synagogue is more than a building — it’s a spiritual home and a force for good, supporting those in need, educating, comforting and celebrating together. None of this happens without your support. If this community has touched your life, please consider strengthening it with a meaningful gift this year and your presence here. We truly need both at this time to be a force of good in this community.
May this new year bring us closer to becoming the heroes we aspire to be — not because we are perfect, but because we are willing to try, to grow, and to serve. May we be sealed in the Book of Life not just for another year, but for a life well lived.
Amen and Shana Tova!
Roni Rodman