As Rosh Hashanah draws near, we enter a sacred moment of introspection and renewal. In the month of Elul, we are called to pause, to review our lives, to make amends, and to ask ourselves how we want to grow and change in the coming year. This process of self-reflection is not just a personal journey; it is an essential contribution to the growth of our entire Jewish community, especially in a time marked by such deep polarization—both internally and externally.
I have been reflecting on a teaching by Rabbi Michael Strassfeld, based on the writings of the philosopher Franz Rosenzweig, about the themes of creation and redemption. Rosh Hashanah, as we know, celebrates the creation of the world. The liturgy proclaims, *Hayom harat olam*, “today the world is born.” This reminds us that the story of the Torah begins not with Abraham or the Jewish people, but with the creation of the entire world. It is a powerful and humbling message—that we are part of something far greater than ourselves. Just as creation began before us, so too will it continue after us. Our personal stories are just one chapter in the ongoing story of humanity.
In these times of division and unrest, this message feels especially poignant. The reminder that all people are created *b’tzelem Elohim*—in the image of the divine—compels us to see the world and each other through the lens of equality and compassion. We are called to repair the world, *tikkun olam*, adding beauty, healing, and hope wherever we can.
This High Holiday season is a time to be truly present for yourself. To show up for yourself and for our Jewish community. It is a time to pray, to breathe, to cry, to lament, and to rest. Each of these acts is vital as we move forward into a new year—both a new Jewish year and a new chapter in your own personal story.
In a world that can feel increasingly fragmented, Rosh Hashanah invites us to step back and ask, “How can I bring redemption into the world?” Whether through acts of kindness, connection, or discovery, each of us has the power to contribute to the ongoing creation. It is not about how much you know, but how much you allow yourself to be known. To be vulnerable and open to others. As Rosenzweig taught, our challenge is not existential loneliness, but the desire to be seen, to be understood, and to be known.
This is a journey we are all on together. As we reflect during these Days of Awe, consider what you are adding to the communities that you are blessed to be part of. What insights, what actions, what growth will you contribute to our shared story in this coming year? Our collective journey, like the unrolling of the Torah scroll, continues from generation to generation, and each of us has a part to play.
Please know that I am here for you—always. Your growth and self-exploration are essential not just to your own journey but to the health and vibrancy of our entire community. As we move into this new year, may we all strive to walk in the ways of peace, connection, and healing.
Wishing you a year of reflection, growth, and peace.
L’shanah tovah tikatevu—may you be inscribed for a good year.
Rabbi Jodie Siff
