25 weeks: A New Year's Wish

 Dear Friends,


You all have been companions with me for what next week will be six months since Sue passed away.

Last week you received a message from Sue through me which I think she would have wanted to share if she was alive and was reading these blogs.

I want to share my response as I continue to be blessed with so much support which I could have never imagined that I would receive.

Yesterday, I was privileged to lead services for a congregation in South Carolina and together we made it through a very emotional Rosh Hashanah service.  When the Cantor (musical leader) chanted the Avinu Malkeinu which is a prayer which helps us relate to G-d as both parent and sovereign and is when we ask G-d to inscribe us in the book of life,  the tears were flowing.

However, the most impactful part of those sacred moments while we were chanting the prayer (please see the attachment below which will give a sense of the spirituality of these heartfelt pleas and please search Avinu Malkeinu to learn more about this prayer), was the following:

A very kind student/friend/(maybe even angel) gave me a ceramic rose which was her grandmother's.  She wanted me to have a pink short stem rose which was Sue's favorite, but did not think that one would travel very well.

So, she gave me a small ceramic one that I could hold to remind myself of the love which blossomed for over 50 years and which can still blossom in my heart.  As you know from my previous poste, the pink rose represents the hope that even in death, there can continue to be love, joy, and hope.

This act of kindness will always be etched in my heart as I clutched that rose for dear life.

My hope for all of us in this coming religious new year, whatever religion we may be, is that we will find ways to make love blossom in our hearts and that kindness will be our guide as we internalize Sue's optimistic attitude which was almost always to be willing to give the benefit of the doubt.

I hope that all of us can keep our dreams for a better world alive despite the challenges that sometimes seem insurmountable.  May we find the faith to continue to dream of a better world and act in whatever way we can to make that happen.  May my dream of finding peace in my soul not be an elusive one.

Finally, this weekend, I will be seeing the Sound of Music with some very special friends who have been accompanying me on this journey all the way to South Carolina.

May these words inspire all of us in the year ahead as each of us climbs our own personal mountains.  (See below)

Shanah Yoter Tovah, may it be a better year for all of us.

Rabbi Bruce Aft

Climb ev'ry mountain
Search high and low
Follow ev'ry by-way
Every path you know

Climb ev'ry mountain
Ford ev'ry stream
Follow ev'ry rainbow
'Til you find your dream

A dream that will need
All the love you can give
Every day of your life
For as long as you live

Climb ev'ry mountain
Ford ev'ry stream
Follow ev'ry rainbow
'Til you find your dream

A dream that will need
All the love you can give
Ev'ry day of your life
For as long as you live



BARBRA STREISAND - AVINU MALKEINU

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