From the Rabbi…

Simchat Torah has just brought the High Holiday services of 5768/2007 to a close. I felt profoundly moved by the entire period as we shifted from the profundity and solemnity of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to the unbridled joy of Sukkot and Simchat Torah.

Last year, I commented on the time of the end of the Neilah service and I promised to end the service closer to the hour the fast ended, and I kept my promise. By making a few procedural adjustments, we concluded our service as early as was possible, given that we are not thinking of deleting our beautiful and moving Havdalah service recited just before we blow the shofar. Indeed it was a delight to experience once again, all of the children pressing up against the reading desk, glow stick in hand, with the adults surrounding them as we closed our Yom Kippur service. We have many new members this year and the seats were almost full at times, which is simply wonderful.

We were, of course, all disturbed that Cantor Helmreich was unable to be with us for Yom Kippur, but I am grateful that Cantor JoAnn Rice agreed to step in, with little notice, to lead us so beautifully during Musaf. I am happy to report that Cantor Helmreich is on the road to recovery and I know we all wish him, refuah shleimah, a full recovery.

This year, I would like to comment on two items and then I ask for your feedback about both. I will start by asking you about my sermons. I hope you found the content stimulating and that there was much food for thought, and a good deal of  discussion in your homes. However, it isn't the content that I wish to consult you about - rather I want to ask you your thoughts about their length.

I do not know the exact timing of my sermons - I get various reports from different people, but I do not think I broke 45 minutes. Believe it or not, I have a whole philosophy behind not only the content of my High Holiday sermons, but also their length, at least within a range of time. Certainly that philosophy has much to do with the ratio of sermon to service, and also is related to what I need to say in order to convey the point or points I am trying to make. But mostly, my concern is about your expectations and needs.

In the recent past (past 18 years) I have only heard two rabbis speak on the Holidays when I acted as Cantor while I was a rabbinical student for those years. In the second of those years, as I sat down to rest after davening the entire service the new rabbi approached the reading desk to speak. As I got myself comfortable in my chair, and turned my head to look at the rabbi, he had already finished his sermon and I had to get up again! I exaggerate of course, but his sermon was so short, I felt cheated, and so I wonder. A few people have expressed their view that my Yom Kippur sermon, in particular, was too long. Therefore, I have decided to poll my congregation. I do not want you to feel cheated, neither do I want you to be bored. What are your expectations about the length of a High Holiday sermon. Would you prefer a 20 minute or less talk. Is 45 minutes too long, or too short!? If the majority of you would prefer a much shorter presentation  then next year, I will endeavor to give shorter sermons, so please let me know.

Secondly, I have received comments about the length of the Torah Service as I walk around greeting members. To be honest, on this issue, I am less flexible, yet I would still welcome your feedback. I love walking through the congregation shaking hands with you all. Indeed, it is my goal each year to shake everybody's hand at least once. To my mind, this is the purpose of being in synagogue, that is, to meet and greet one another. I greatly enjoy seeing all of you up close and I hope you enjoy the time speaking with fellow members or your guests - a 7th inning stretch, if you like. It does make the service longer, yet the opportunity to encounter all of you is for me profound. So please let me know how you feel about both of these items. Please e-mail me at rabbicolin5700@sbcglobal.net or drop me a line. I would greatly appreciate it!

Speaking of appreciation, I would like to express my appreciation to all of those who helped ensure that the High Holidays ran so smoothly this year.

Our Torah readers: Melissa Yellen, Jeffrey Shames, Craig Rogoff, Ariel Fein, Sam Zuckerman, Danielle Schwartz, Cheryl Wollner, Rachel Morsches, Lisa Shames, Hope Tenebaum, Josh Volpe, Mark Shames, Penny Volpe, Matt Fodor, Susan Elkodsi and Cantor Joann Rice.

Our Haftarah readers: Susan Elkodsi, Ariel Fein, Manny Lobel and Mark Shames.

Our Shofar blowers: Daniel Lipsitz, Jeff Arron and Sam Green

Our Daveners: Zelik Zacharow, Manny Lobel, Cantor Joann Rice and Cantor William Helmreich

I would like to thank our ushers led so ably by Alan Frankel and our Gabbais Susan Elkodsi, David Elkodsi, Ed Elson, Elliot Rudnick, Idalia Friedson and Henry Davidson.

Also, thank you to Paul Antell for his spirited presentation on behalf of Israel Bonds, and to the President of B'nai Torah, Hal Schwartz for two outstanding and well crafted appeals on behalf of the synagogue.

Let us also not forget, the magical and moving, opening to our Kol Nidre service provided by master - violinist Bernice Friedson, and pianist, Michael Lantowski who were joined this year by Bernice's grandson and student, Ethan Friedson.

As ever, my deepest gratitude to Susan Elkodsi, our Vice-President for Ritual who is the glue that ensures the success of our services, without whom High Holiday services at B'nai torah would be significantly diminished.

And finally, thank you to the members of B'nai Torah, their guests and family who came together to make the High Holiday experience a profound one.

Rabbi Amanda, Yoni, Ellie, Rafi and I wish you all a Shanah Tovah, one filled with joy, happiness and meaning.

Rabbi Colin
(203) 268-6940
rabbi@bnaitorahct.org

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