As my first column of the “new year” I wanted to write something that spoke to each and every one of us in a very personal and intimate way and soon realized that would be impossible. Just as “eye witnesses” rarely corroborate one another’s testimony, so too are rabbis’ words and remarks rarely interpreted the exact same way by whoever is listening to or reading them.

Nevertheless, as rabbi, one of my ongoing tasks is to constantly raise the bar of personal spiritual growth expectations every time we connect as rabbi/congregant.

Rosh HaShana will begin on September 8, and among the traditions of eating apples and honey, raisin challah and other sweet things, is also the tradition of making personal resolutions and promises to God to be fulfilled during the upcoming year. I would like to suggest several resolutions that will have an impact, if not upon every temple member, then certainly upon many of you.

One personal resolution that might be considered is that when you have been notified by the temple that the name of a loved one will be read at Shabbat services commemorating his or her yahrzeit, that you should be at services in order to recite Kaddish. Reform Judaism teaches that the obligation to recite Kaddish cannot be delegated to someone else - it rests solely upon the shoulders of the family member who has had the loss. Too many times names of recently departed or for yahrzeit are read aloud, with no family member present at services reciting Kaddish for them.

Reciting Kaddish in their memory is a personal mitzvah no one can do for you. Another personal resolution might be that when a name is called into the office for inclusion on the Mi Sheberach list (prayer for healing), the person who called in the name should attend Shabbat services in order to stand and call that person’s name aloud. If it is your friend or family member who is ill, participating in your temple’s public prayer for healing is the right thing to do.

Singing the Mi Sheberach for their healing is a personal mitzvah no one should do for you. Mi Sheberach and Kaddish are personal prayers also being recited by the congregation, along with the one who has suffered a loss or is concerned about someone who struggling with illness. Without YOU, there is no congregation.

Shoshi, Aliza, Ilana and Todd join me in wishing you and your families a Shana Tova, a good, sweet, healthy and prosperous 5771.

Faithfully,

Norman S. Lipson, D.D.

Kever Avot - Community Memorial Service

A beautiful tradition remembering past generations of loved ones occurs during the High Holy Day period. It is not the Yizkor service on Yom Kippur, but rather, a ceremony called: Kever Avot - paying respect to departed family members by cemetery visitations. The ceremony, including a group recitation of Kaddish, usually is held on the Sunday between Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur. Because it would be impossible to visit all cemeteries in which loved ones may be buried, one central cemetery is chosen by the synagogue enabling participants to gather together, remember those who are no longer with us and recite Kaddish as a community. This year, our Kever Avot ceremony (1/2 hour in length) will held at Menorah Memorial Gardens (Griffin Road and 27th Avenue) on Sunday morning, September 12, at 9 am at the Temple Dor Dorim section of the cemetery.The majority of people prepare themselves for repentance during the 10 days between Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur. But I say that we need to prepare and get ready for teshuva (repentance) - immediately after Neilah.

Rabbi Yisrael of Salant