October 2025 - Many Blessings

As we move from the fullness of the month of Tishrei and our High Holidays, Sukkot and Simchat Torah gatherings -- the days of prayer, harvest, and joyful celebration -- we shift into the quiet month of Cheshvan. We have time and space to breathe and integrate what we have experienced, that is, the stories, the teachings, the holiday meals at home and at the synagogue, and the insights that surfaced in prayer, song and just being together.

We also feel deep gratitude for the return of the hostages, and it seemed appropriate to create a ritual moment to mark this. We finally removed the empty chair from the bima and together we offered this prayer from our daily liturgy: Baruch Ata Adonai, Eloheinu, melech ha’olam, matir asurim. Blessed are You Adonai, Sovereign of the universe, who frees the captive.

We are cautiously optimistic that the bodies of the rest of those taken will be returned, that a ceasefire will hold, and a lasting peace will prevail. We continue to hold both joy and concern simultaneously, as we have so many times in our history. As we settle into a quieter rhythm of a Hebrew month without any Jewish holidays, may we find holiness in the ordinary and notice the bright spots and the many gifts we receive each day.

One very bright spot this weekwill be welcoming my friend Rabbi Laurie Gold to ourFriday Kabbalat Shabbat zoom service, on October 24 at 7pm. She will be speaking about Amulets, which are small objects which are believed to provide protection against harm or to bring good luck, like a hamsa, a Jewish star, and a mezuzah. It’s a fascinating topic and Rabbi Gold is wonderful, so I’m sure you will find her presentation inspiring. I’ll “see” you on zoom this Friday!

B’shalom,
Cantor Rena