Have you ever returned to a familiar place from your childhood and it does not look the same? Everything looked bigger and brighter when we were children. Over the years, our life experiences chisel away the ideal and create the real.
Just look back to last year. Full sanctuaries, face to face, shaking hands, and hugging. This year; empty pews, screen to screen, and no personal touch. Yet, we did it! For the last five days, the clergy at Sinai Temple have received emails and calls, astounded that our community could connect and feel close, with the miracle of technology. Standing in an empty Kohn Chapel, it was music to my ears hearing the booming voices of our Family Minyan through the audio system, tens of families reciting the aliyot over the Torah, congregants sharing intimate stories of finding joy through challenge. Every Rabbi in the Jewish world uttered these words, “I feel your presence even in your absence.”
This week is called Shabbat Shuva, the Shabbat of return. The prophet Hosea tells us sacrifices should be replaced with the words of our lips. These words ring true. Last week and in the week ahead, we will use our words. And those words will be powerful. God willing, they will lead us to tomorrow, where we will in fact return, to a time of embracing, a time of gathering, a time of sacredness for us all.
Gmar Chatimah Tova
