“Moving Forward in Time”

As the secular New Year turns from 2003 to 2004 and we struggle to remember to record this new date on our checks, we see that time is moving forward. The world around us is constantly changing. Some changes happen quickly while others come upon us so slowly that we hardly notice their arrival.

Psychologists rate some of our life changes, whether they be good or bad, as major stressors. The birth of a new child, the death of a loved one, getting married, being diagnosed with an illness, changing a job, or moving homes are among them. In contrast to the gradual changes that occur in our lives, such as aging, these major life stresses often happen quickly. Suddenly we find ourselves in a new place in life -- forever transformed.

In Judaism, time is not linear but cyclical. We experience time through cycles -- the cycles of Torah, the cycles of holidays, and the cycles of life. We never start from nothing, we are always building on what came before us. As we move from one life stage to another, we are strengthened by our past.

Our Temple, too, has gone through a transformation. After ten years of inspiring us personally and through prayer and programs, Rabbi Bennett has returned home to St. Louis. My move from Associate Rabbi to Senior Rabbi, on one hand, seems small as I have only had to move my office, my parking spot, and phone extension. Yet on the other hand, this move reflects a great deal of change. Even so, our cycles of Temple leadership are like the cycles of Judaism. We are not starting from the beginning. Our professional team and lay leaders have been working together for the past many years. As we move forward in the life cycle of Temple Beth El, we build on the foundations and successes of our past.

The changing of our year and the changing of our Temple leadership are great opportunities for reflecting, for learning, and for growing. May all of us work together to build upon the past as we dream and create our lives and Temple of tomorrow.

Judy Schindler
Rabbi