In case you missed it...
Rabbi Anderson spoke with the Times Union after Rosh Hashanah.
Please click here for the article.
A Message from Rabbi Anderson
God encircled [Israel], watched over them,
Guarded them as the pupil of God’s eye.
- Deuteronomy 32:10
Midrash Tanchuma explains this half-verse of poetry by connecting each clause to the Israelite experience in the wilderness: God “encircled” Israel with clouds of glory; God “watched over” Israel by teaching them Torah; God “guarded them” by giving them a Tabernacle and making them standards (דגלים) for God’s name.
Last week, on Erev Rosh Hashanah, Temple Israel had the unnerving experience of being a standard-bearer for Judaism, when someone called in a bomb threat to our building. Thankfully, we were protected – by God, and also by our own security planning and by our strong community partnerships. We missed out on the last five minutes of the erev Rosh Hashanah service, but we spent the rest of the weekend praying together in a remarkably safe building, with infants and nonagerians and everyone in between.
At our upcoming Yom Kippur services, I hope we can continue to be both safe and welcoming. I find comfort in the idea that God is still protecting us, and I also find comfort in the idea that we are continuing to protect ourselves. Please join us for any or all of our Yom Kippur services, either in person or by livestream, as we move between remembering our losses and committing ourselves to a higher standard in the coming year.
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Wendy Love Anderson
A Message from Cantor Marx
The High Holidays hold an extra special place in my heart as a cantor, especially this year because I get to see so many familiar faces filling the pews of our synagogue. Some people I have not seen in person in a long time. It's like a reunion of souls, and it means the world to me. As I raise my voice in song, I'm not just leading a congregation; I'm embracing a community that's come together to seek meaning, forgiveness, and connection. Singing my heart out, I feel the warmth and unity in the room, and it's incredibly emotional. I love it when I can hear congregational singing, it makes it all worthwhile. I truly enjoy having the choir alongside and adding so much to our services. These melodies and prayers aren't just music; they're a shared experience that binds us all in this beautiful journey of the spirit.