THINKING OF HIGH HOLY DAYS IN JUNE
Dear Congregational Family,
This coming year of 5781 will be an unprecedented one in contemporary Jewish history. Given the current pandemic, many of us are facing new challenges in our lives and in the lives of those who are dear to us. Those challenges are manifested in economic, emotional, mental, and other ways.
As Senior Rabbi of Beth Emeth, I want to state unequivocally that our synagogue and I are here for you. Over the past number of months, we have done our best to connect with you through various forms of social media. We have continued to provide prayer, study, and socialization. We will continue to do so. While adhering to public health guidelines and physical distancing, we have also continued to officiate at graveside funerals, offsite baby namings, bar/bat mitzvahs, and weddings.
While public health guidelines are unclear in regard to High Holy Day services, we are actively considering a variety of approaches to enable all of us to celebrate these sacred occasions in the context of our Beth Emeth community during the weeks leading up to the High Holy Days and on the actual days themselves.
Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda - Hebrew Men of England has been a strong congregation for sixty-five years. Many of us are rooted in multi-generational families that go back to the early days of our synagogue's history. Many of us have joined along the way. For all of us, Beth Emeth has played a special part in our spiritual lives.
What defines our sacred congregation is all of you, the members of our congregational family. During these challenging times, I encourage you to stay affiliated with us. We are a community. We stand together as one through thick and thin. We have weathered difficult storms in the past, and we will weather this pandemic storm as well - together as one.
We at Beth Emeth - our clergy, volunteer leadership, and administrative staff are here BECAUSE of you and are here FOR you.
I wish us all good health. Better days are coming. I look forward to celebrating the new year of 5781 with you.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Howard Morrison
