Rabbi Howard Morrison

Three years ago on Monday March 9, 2020, hundreds of people, young and old, attended Purim evening services at Beth Emeth. One week later, on March 17, 2020, all synagogues and many other institutions were shut down for a long while to come. Over the last two years, Purim as well as much of our lives were not the same. This past Monday, however, March 6, 2023, things looked the way we knew and loved them. Over 200 people attended a youth carnival. Over 400 people attended Megillah reading. Once again, a volunteer-led Purim shpiel followed the evening services. A week ago, on Friday March 3, over 150 people attended our Shabbat Across North America dinner. While we continue to be concerned about post-pandemic health issues, it was great to see our shul lively over the past week. I hope that this is a sign to come. What was especially meaningful was seeing old and young, multi-generational families, participating in communal Jewish activities.

Every time we place the Torah scroll back in the Ark, we recite the words, "renew our days as of old." For many, this expression has us yearn for a nostalgic time when all was good in our lives. I pray that large robust happy gatherings in our shul will be more than a reminder of a nostalgic past. Let us build on the events of the past week. I look forward to seeing more and more of us in shul.

Rabbi Howard Morrison