From the Rabbi (continued)

In our unique, warm, and vibrant havurah we are privileged to know the incredible goodness and holiness of what it means to be part of a true community. It has been a privilege for me to be both a part of and a leader of this community for over two years, and to witness how together, as Shir Hadash (an entity which is truly greater than the sum of its parts), we celebrate and observe holidays and days of remembrance; we study texts both ancient and modern to give us a window into our vast Jewish tradition; we joyfully embrace and sometimes wrestle with our relationship to Judaism; we help one another celebrate the birth of a new child or grandchild, or an anniversary or a birthday, or mourn the loss of a parent or cope with the demands of caretaking an aging parent; we encourage one another to learn a new skill to help with leading services; we appreciate and celebrate the work of the many artists among us; we provide meals for those of us who are mourning and those who are recovering from illness or injury; we learn from one another, and we share pieces of our journeys. In doing all of this, as a community, we are turning outward to one another and taking responsibility for one another, so that every member feels very much a part of something greater than herself or himself, and so that every member feels embraced as a valued and essential part of our shared endeavor.

As a community, Shir Hadash has been increasingly turning outward to the community beyond us, sharing holidays and learning experiences with the two other Reconstructionist congregations in the Boston area, Hillel Bnai Torah and Dorshei Tzedek, and also with the Worship and Study Minyan at Harvard Hillel, and with the young families who are part of the Sunday School for Jewish Studies. I am excited for the many wonderful opportunities we will have in the coming year to join together with these other communities. I believe that just as when we as individuals turn outward toward others we are better able to look inward and realize the potential of our best selves, so too the experience of joining Shir Hadash with other communities allows us to turn inward and to be become a better and more energized and engaged community.

There is a place for everyone at Shir Hadash. If you are a guest, I hope you will take the opportunity during the coming year to join us for learning or singing or praying or celebrating or hiking or biking or working on a social action project or all of the above! In this season especially, Shir Hadash is turning outward to greet and welcome all who would like to explore what it means to be part of a warm and wonderful Jewish community. Please feel free to speak with me or with any of our members to learn more about us, and feel free to come to as many services and events as you’d like, so that you can get to know us better.

Wishing all of you a meaningful season of “turning” and renewal, and a Shana Tova u’Metuka, a good and sweet year ahead.

B’shalom,

Rabbi Audrey