Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

It has been one year since the word Covid became known to us. A lot has happened in twelve months: sickness, death, loneliness and anxiety, as well as virtual connectedness, caring, kindness and empathy. While synagogues were completely shut down a year ago at this time, most shuls now have a little bit of in house prayer and celebration taking place. We hope and pray for the doors to open wider in the coming weeks and months.

In this week's Parsha, we learn that the Tabernacle was set up on the first of Nisan a year after the Exodus. Next Sunday is Rosh Chodesh Nisan. Many of us associate it with two weeks to go until Pesach. In our Parsha, the same date reflected the establishment of a communal house of worship. One waited eagerly for its doors to open up.

What a year it must have been for the Israelites escaping Egyptian bondage and anticipating open doors to its spiritual center.

What a year it has been for us as we remember a complete lockdown and wait to see the doors to our spiritual center open ever more widely.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Howard Morrison