By Rabbi Steven Schwartz

In the Kol Nidre prayer that we chant on the eve of our holiest day, Yom Kippur, the Cantor intones the phrase “mi yom kippurim zeh ad yom kippurim ha’bah” - from this Yom Kippur to next Yom Kippur. That phrase gives us a powerful sense of how the High Holy Days serve as an annual marker for us, reminding us that another year has gone by, and at the same time, that a new year is about to begin.

Last year when we gathered together to celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur we had no idea what would happen in the course of the year that was beginning. And now, with perspective, we know we are looking back on one of the most extraordinary years we have ever seen, with financial challenges that none of us could have expected or fully prepared for.

Beth El is lucky in that we weathered the storm as well as, if not better, than most. We were able to do this because of the thoughtful preparation and planning of our officers and board members. Nevertheless, our community was hurting, and we received more requests for help than we ever have before. Ever. If it was help with school tuition; help with membership dues; help with paying for a child to go to camp or to a USY program. We were there.

Our philosophy always has been, and will continue to be, that when a member calls for help we will do everything in our power to answer that call. We simply would not be able to fulfill that mitzvah and mission without our Annual Appeal funds. It is the Annual Appeal that enables us to tell a member that we will be able to give them a place to pray for Yom Tov even if they are unable to pay full dues. It is the Annual Appeal that gives us the ability to say to a family whose primary provider has lost a job “your child will be able to have a Jewish education this year.”

The leadership at Beth El often talks about the challenge of taking a synagogue of over 1700 families and making it feel like a shul. What we mean by that is a place that is warm, caring, connected, accepting, and focused on a sense of the sacred in life. Without the Annual Appeal we would not be able to create the kind of community we have all come to know and love at Beth El Congregation. Please participate in this year’s Annual Appeal. By doing so you will do your part to ensure that community exists not only this year, but for many more years to come.

l’shana tova tikateivu - may we all be inscribed for a good year!