Dear Friends,
On behalf of our congregation’s clergy and staff I want to wish you a Shanah Tovah. We are looking forward to seeing you over the Holy Days and wish you each a new year that is full of life’s blessings.
I also want to thank you.
Thank you for being part of this sacred community. We are living in a time when far too many religious organizations look to exclude people based simply upon who they are or who they love. Your support of this congregation helps ensure that TSTI remains committed to recognizing the Divinity that is in each and every person.
Thank you for your patience when entering the building and your understanding that the safety of each member of the TSTI family is of the greatest importance. And thank you for trusting that we, the staff and volunteer leadership, have taken the necessary steps to keep our community safe.
Thank you for masking up during worship. Inclusion is a core value of our TSTI community, and after much discussion, it became clear that masking during the High Holy Days is in keeping with that core value. I have heard from numerous community members that they are attending worship in person ONLY because we have made this decision. Thank you for your partnership in helping us live our communal values even at times when it might be a bit inconvenient.
Thank you in advance for your support of the High Holy Day Appeal. Your generosity makes it possible for us to fulfill our pledge that no one who wants to be part of this sacred community will ever be turned away due to finances.
Thank you for making TSTI the community that it is. This is the 30th time I will stand on our bimah during the Holy Days and it is truly an honor.
Looking forward to seeing you as we hear the sound of the shofar usher in the New Year.
Finally, I want share one last Elul thought that I came across recently.
