From the Rabbi - January 2000

A Prayer For The New Millennium

My Dear Friends, Happy New Year!

We have entered into a new secular year, a new century and a new millennium. While it is true that, from the perspective of the Jewish calendar, the advent of the year 2000 has no significance, the realities of the passing of the 20th century gives us pause. The past 100 years of human history have been filled with incredible technological, intellectual, psychological and spiritual milestones. We have witnessed the evolution of human society into a technological marvel. We have benefited greatly from that technology - eliminating disease and conquering hunger in many parts of the world. We have opened up remarkable new channels of communication and created works of art that are breathtakingly beautiful in their scope and power. But we have also seen the horror of new technology. We now have the power to destroy and inflict massive cruelty and suffering on humankind and the world itself. The 20th Century has shown us the depth of evil that exists within the human heart.

As Jews, we have suffered terribly during the past century. From pogroms and blood libel, to death camps and organized terror, all too often our brothers and sisters have been victims. And yet, we have also witnessed a spiritual, cultural and national renaissance of our people that rivals any time in the course of Jewish history. As Dickens wrote: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…" The Holocaust and its inexplicable horror gave way to the miracle of the rebirth of Zion.

As we look ahead to the next century, we see that there are both opportunities and pitfalls in our path. Now is a time for reflection and prayer: as a congregation, a community and as a human race. We pray for the peace of Jerusalem. We pray for understanding and reconciliation between all peoples. We pray for moments of transcendence in our lives that will help us appreciate and preserve the beautiful creation that God has bequeathed to us.

May the coming of the year 2000 bring all of us a new perspective on our strengths and limitations. May God bless our congregation, our community and our world with peace. AMEN.

On another note… From January 17-27 I will be in Israel. I will be taking part in a Rabbinic Study Mission through ARZA - the American Reform Zionist Association. As with the last ARZA mission in which I participated, my colleagues and I will be meeting with political, spiritual and educational leaders of the State of Israel. We also will be learning more about the Israeli Reform Movement and learning about ways that we, as American Jews, can help in the building of a progressive Jewish presence in the Jewish State. I look forward to sharing my experiences with all of you upon my return.

B'Shalom,
Rabbi Joseph R. Black

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