The Charlotte Jewish News -September 2002 - Page 14
■ ■
High Holiday Greetings
from
LEBO’S
Barbara & Jerry Levin
Linda & Mark Goldsmith
Rabbi Binyamin & liana Levin
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Properties wish all ef a
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health, happiness, and presperitp.
Commercial Real Estate Development
704-366-1981
Prepare to be
Coming Days
By Rabbi
Jim Bennett,
Temple Beth
El
The smell
of matzo ball
soup ... the
sound of the
shofar ... the
haunting
melody of
Kol Nidre ... the sticky sweetness
of apples and challah dipped in
honey ... Avinu Malkeinu ... the
crowded synagogue ... chopped
liver ... long services ... long ser
mons ... beautiful music ... greet
ings of Shanah Tovah ... family ...
friends. ...
These are among the most
familiar sights and sounds of the
High Holy Days. When we think
of Rosh Hashanah and Yom
Kippur, many of our thoughts turn
to such images. As a new year
begins, we all think of our indi
vidual and collective memories.
This is a time of joy and celebra
tion, of reflection, and a time of
remembering.
The coming days of Rosh
Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the
period in between are known by
many names. Among the most
profound is “The Days of Awe.”
According to our tradition, these
powerful days are called Yamim
HaNoraim, the Awe-filled days.
These dramatic times are to be
inspiring, provocative and life
changing. Every year we look
back and remember. This year is
no exception, for we have a year
of profound memories to share
and upon which to reflect.
How can we possibly make
in Awe: The
of Awe
meaning of the senseless events of
the year that has passed?
Collectively, we ask ourselves
about earth-shattering acts of
global terrorism, war, political
unrest, suicide bombings, grow
ing anti-Semitism and hatred, and
we have no answer. As the first
anniversary of September 11
comes and goes, we remind our
selves to remember, to learn les
sons, to bring some meaning into
that which seems senseless.
Individually, as well, we may
reflect upon profound and deeply
moving events of the year that has
passed. We have regrets, we
mourn our painful losses; we are
disturbed by the changes and
challenges of our lives. In the
midst of our successes and
achievements, we also are pained
to remember the times of difficul
ty, and to seek to make the mean
ingful.
A new year also provides us
with new opportunities. We have
another chance, we can begin
again. While we cannot change
the past, and while we do not
always know how to make sense
of what has already occurred, we
have a chance to try again. We are
allowed to acknowledge our mis
takes, our errors, our failings, and
to dedicate ourselves to doing bet
ter the next time around. One sign
of true repentance is to be pre
sented with the same opportunity
to sin and to choose the right thing
the next time.
Sometimes, it is our own sins
that consume us. At times like
this, it may be the sins of others
which weigh most heavily upon
our souls. For ail these sins, we
L'ShanPi Tova
from
Gari^ and Maxine Sllversteln.
and the at
M ann Travel & Cruises
Mann
Tlnavdi&Qiiises
I Travel
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800-343-6266 for the office nearest you
In Charlotte: Park Road, University Place and the Arboretum
Matthews, Monroe, Davidson, Statesville, Hickory,
Greensboro, High Point and Rock Hill
ask forgiveness.
And then we remember. We
remember the things we hope to
change, and then we remember
the little things that make us
smile, and the little things that
remind us that we are not alone.
We remember the smell of matzo
ball soup, and we think, perhaps,
of our grandmother or mother
cooking the holiday meal. We
remember hearing the sound of
the shofar, wondering just how
long that final blast of Tekiah
Gedolah will last. We remember
listenening to the haunting
melody of Kol Nidre, or tasting
the sticky sweetness of apples and
challah dipped in honey. We recall
the sound of the choir singing
Avinu Malkeinu in the crowded
synagogue. We remember sharing
and hearing greetings of Shanah
Tovah spoken between family and
friends. Shanah Tovah u’metukah.
May it be a good and sweet year,
a year of remembering. O
Do Not
Separate
Yourself
By Rabbi
Murray
Ezring,
Temple
Israel
Since
September
11, we have
been con
fronted with
a new reali
ty. We are vulnerable; we can be
hurt; and there are those who
want to hurt us. We have taken
our security for granted for most
of our lives. Others in the world
are envious of what our
Democratic Republic has been
able to build. Our population is
diverse, and yet, for the most part,
we truly live the principles upon
which this nation was founded:
Freedom and Equality. The
Declaration of Independence
taught that each of us are
endowed with certain inalienable
rights. “Among them are life, lib
erty and the pursuit of happiness.”
On July 4, 1776, 200 copies of
the Declaration of Independence
were printed and sent throughout
the Thirteen Colonies. Of those
200 original documents, only 24
were known to exist. A 25th was
discovered, quite by accident,
after a painting was purchased at
auction. That 25th “Dunlap
Broadside” of the original
Declaration of Independence is
going on tour throughout the
country. The last week of
September, it will be here in
Charlotte. This copy of the
Declaration of Independence will
travel throughout this country to
help remind us all of the values
and concepts for which our fore
fathers fought and risked their
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