Last Shabbat, during the Torah reading, the Sinai Clergy recognized a significant marker of community.

In baseball, hitting for the cycle is a very rare occurrence. One player must hit a single, double, triple, and home run, all in the same game.

Sinai Temple hit a cycle last week. Within one Torah reading, we blessed a new baby, congratulated a wedding couple, learned from a Bar Mitzvah boy, prayed for the healing of those who are ill, and remembered our loved ones.

Yet, there is a marked difference between a baseball cycle and a synagogue cycle. In baseball, it is up to one player to achieve this feat, even if on a team.

In the synagogue, the cycle cannot be achieved alone. It takes community. It takes a minyan to say Amen, Mazal Tov, and “I see you.”

As we welcome the month of Elul, the cycle of life becomes ever more clear.

We do not need to wait until Rosh Hashanah arrives to participate in this beautiful cycle of Jewish community and tradition. Let us start together today.