Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

A year ago at this time, some thirty of us embarked on a two week journey to Spain, Gibraltar, and Portugal. Our group consisted of Beth Emeth members, members of other synagogues, people from elsewhere in Canada, from the United States, and from South America.

It is hard to believe how life has changed from our journey last year to this November of 2020.

I am grateful that we went last year and not this year. 

I am grateful for familiar and new friends and acquaintances.

I am grateful to my teacher, colleague, tour guide, and friend, Betsalel Steinhart,  and Ramah-Israel.

This past Shabbat, we read how Abram intended to go to Canaan, and succeeded, where his father did not. I am grateful that we fulfilled our intention to visit, see and learn so much in a short period of time.

I will remember contemporary synagogues, progressive and traditionalist, where we met with local residents and/or joined actual services.

I will remember many ancient sites where remnants of former synagogues still stand.

I will remember sites where synagogues once stood generations ago, but which are no longer identified.

I will remember that wherever a synagogue once stood, we stopped to daven a brief service there.

I will remember and be grateful for how smooth and seamless it was to have fresh Kosher food wherever we went.

In this past weekend's Parsha, we recounted the journey of the Jewish historical experience which began 4000 years ago. We continue that journey to this day. Now many of us have a new appreciation for the Sephardic side of our people's journey.

Let us continue to be safe and healthy, as we dream of the next journey into Jewish history and culture.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Howard  Morrison