Confession time (I mean its High Holiday time): I am a Swiftie. I actually spent a couple hours this year trying to score tickets to her sold out tour and was utterly bummed when I was unable to get tickets. I don’t listen to a lot of music in the car, I spend most of the time listening to talk radio, books and podcasts, but when I have listened to music this year, I have to admit I always got a bit uplifted when a Taylor Swift song came on the radio. Here’s her biggest one of this year:
I have this thing where I get older but just never wiser Midnights become my afternoons When my depression works the graveyard shift All of the people I've ghosted stand there in the room
I should not be left to my own devices They come with prices and vices I end up in crisis (tale as old as time) I wake up screaming from dreaming One day I'll watch as you're leaving 'Cause you got tired of my scheming (For the last time)
It's me, hi, I'm the problem, it's me At tea time, everybody agrees I'll stare directly at the sun but never in the mirror It must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero
These are just the opening words of the song and I think we can use them for the work we have ahead of us this week. Each year we reach Rosh Hashana and feel a sense of déjà vu because we did the same thing the last year. We often feel we’ve gotten older and yet we haven’t gained any wisdom from our years. Now is the time to learn and grow. When we’re left to our own devices, we often feel like we’re spinning out of control. But the most important message is the basic chorus: It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me. Those very words are liberating and an immense opportunity for growth. We love to deflect and project on others. We love to look outward but fear examining inward. We love to see ourselves in the position of being the good guy and never the bad one. But the reality is we’re called upon to look in the mirror and not merely through a window. We’re called upon to see how we can change and to stop thinking others are the ones needing to change. We need to find our peace and not through the actions of others.
As this year comes to a close, it’s time to do what we’ve always done… welcome a new one. What will make this year unique and different? What will help us to shake the monkey off of our backs? How can we grow and change? It all begins by looking within ourselves. It is written in the Talmud, Sukkah 53a:
(During the Celebration of Sukkot), there were those who said: (men whose entire lives had been spent in righteous living) “Happy for our youth that has not disgraced our old age." These were the righteous. The penitents among them would say, however, "Happy our old age which has atoned for our youth." Both would say, "Happy is the person who has not sinned, but let him who has sinned return to Hashem and He will pardon him."
As we grow up… as we go through the cycle of the year time and again we gain wisdom and vision to be able to see within ourselves. May it be that as we gather we shy away from merely going through the motions of reading and singing the words on the page and instead we find a way to bring them to life with our own actions. It all begins by realizing: “It’s me, hi, I’m the problem it’s me.”
From Carrie, Ayelet, Galit and myself, we wish you a happy and healthy new year. תזכו לשנים רבות
Shofar will be sounded onlyon Rosh Hashana Day 2.
It cannnot be sounded on Shabbat (Day 1).
Tickets for High Holiday services are requiredfor everyone ages 18 and up. Photo ID will be required to pick up tickets at "will call".
Visit orveshalom.org/hhdfor a complete listing of all High Holiday services & programs.
FunRaising Trivia Night Motzei Shabbat, Nov 23rd 7:00p to 9:00p Hosted by Michelle Rich, Debbie Cohen Sobel & Leah Kaplan. Featuring NYC Trivia Host Gabe Rich. An Italian vegetarian dinner will be served. All proceeds to benefit Congregation Or VeShalom.
Community Service Projects Thanksgiving 2024 Sunday, Nov 24th 9:00a to 1:00p OVS is partnering with JF&CS to prepare Thanksgiving meals for people living in group housing and care packages for care givers.
Learn to Chant the Torah Wednesday, Dec 4th 7:00p to 9:00p Learn to chant the Torah with Rabbi Gutierrez. This series begins on Tuesday, November 12 through January. There will be no classes Thanksgiving week or during winter break. RSVP requested. Class is offered free of charge.
Town Brookhaven Holiday Kickoff Thursday, Dec 5th 6:00p to 8:30p Join Rabbi Hearshen, friends & family from OVS and the greater community of Brookhaven for this special event. There will be a Giant Hanukkiah, Dance & Musical Performances, Merchant Specials, Character Meet & Greet, and More. No RSVP necessary. Be sure to stop by the OVS table for some goodies!
Cash Raffle 2024 Sunday, Dec 8th 11:00a to 4:00p Enter to win our 50/50 cash raffle. Winner will be drawn at the end of the Sisterhood Bazaar on Sunday, December 8. You do not have to be present to win.
Hanukkah Bazaar and Food Festival Sunday, Dec 8th 11:00a to 4:00p The OVS Sisterhood Hanukkah Bazaar & Food Festival will feature food, shopping and lots of games and activities for children.
Comedy Night FunRaiser Motzei Shabbat, Dec 14th 7:30p to 10:30p Join us for a fun night of comedy featuring our very own Louis Galanti & Lily Maslia providing opening comedy sets for Atlanta legend Jerry Farber. All proceeds to benefit OVS.
Annual General Membership Meeting Sunday, Dec 15th 10:00a to 11:30a The meeting this year is being offered in person and on Zoom. We need a quorum to vote at the Meeting. Please make every effort to attend.
