From the Rabbi - September 1999

Dear Friends,

L'shanah Tovah Tikateyvu: May you all have a good year and may you be inscribed for a blessing in the book of life. We say these words every year as a way to express our hope that the meaning and beauty of the Yamim Noraim - the High Holy Days - will have an impact on our lives and our souls. Surely the experience of coming together as a congregation in prayer, song and solidarity is a profoundly powerful experience. Franz Rosensweig, the great Jewish Philosopher and author of The Star of Redemption, was reported to have lived his life as an assimilated Jew who was about to convert to Christianity until he experienced an epiphany at Yom Kippur Services. That one service radically changed his life. Many of you have shared with me how the impact of our High Holy Day services have changed your lives as well.

This past summer, my family and I participated in a variety of experiences that were truly inspirational. For one week I served on the faculty of UAHC Camps Swig and Newman. 12 students from Congregation Albert were campers at Swig and Newman this past summer. There is no doubt in my mind that the experience of going to camp had a profound impact on their lives. In camp, we create an environment where every aspect of life revolves around Jewish values and concepts. Swimming, athletics, the arts, eating, studying and praying all become intertwined in a tapestry of Jewish living that is breathtakingly beautiful. Every one of our students who went to camp returned with a deep sense of love and commitment to Judaism.

In addition to the experiences at Swig and Newman, I also served as a faculty member for the UAHC Adult Study Kallah in Santa Cruz, CA. Six members of Congregation Albert also participated in the Kallah, along with leading artists and scholars from around the country. For 5 days we studied, sang, danced and celebrated Jewish life in the midst of a beautiful Redwood Forest. I hope that next year, many of you will take advantage of this important program offered by our movement.

I am also very excited about the fact that six members of this year's Confirmation class traveled to Israel with NFTY this summer. Their enthusiasm and example will add a tremendous amount to our educational programs as they share their experiences with our younger students. Among the six were Adam Schaer and Maggie Newman - the recipient and runner-up of this year's Elizabeth Selma Cohen memorial prize. I hope that the number of students travelling to Israel and camp will increase every summer so that, eventually summer camp and an Israel Experience will become a natural extension of our curriculum. Throughout the course of the year I will be writing and speaking more on this topic.

May the sound of the Shofar bring to all of you a sense of wonder and awe as we welcome in a New Year. Sue, Elana and Ethan join me in wishing all of you a Shanah Tovah U'Metukah _ a good and sweet New Year.

L'Shalom,
Rabbi Joseph R. Black

Camp Newman

Kallah

Previous Bulletin Page
September 1999 Bulletin Home Page
Next Bulletin Page