Dear Congregants,

It's already September! It has been a busy and interesting summer, filled with Olympic competitions, Presidential Conventions, The Russian invasion of Georgia, inflated gas prices and well-deserved vacations; all has once again sailed by us. The end of summer signals that the High Holidays and another exciting year are just ahead. Here at Kneseth Israel, we are organizing activities, services and events that will hopefully nurture and inspire our Jewish souls. Planning ahead helps the growth and well-being of our congregation. This year make the commitment to bring one new friend or family to any service, class or holiday event. Let's add to our already wonderful extended family.

The philosopher and co-founder of the World Zionist Organization, Max Nordau once said, "Those who have laughed together and cried together are no longer strangers." The same holds true for our own community, where we have shared in each others simchas and tzuris. In this past month, during a moving Tisha B'Av ceremony, we gathered together on the saddest day of the Jewish calendar and chanted the Megillah Lamentations, in a gesture of mourning, lighting candles and sitting on the floor. A few weeks later, we again gathered, but this time in happiness, to celebrate the Bar Mitzvah of my son, Yitzchak Meir. My family's joy was magnified by the opportunity to share the simcha with our KI family.

One of the highlights for me was having my mother, Rebbetzin Gittel Tova Weisblum, who traveled from my hometown of Haifa, to celebrate Meir's Bar Mitzvah. She witnessed a phenomenal congregation who came willingly and selflessly to assist in every aspect of the celebration. From setting up the tables, to the beautiful decorations, to the serving of the food, my mother was really impressed with all the volunteers who participated so that we could enjoy the day. My mother couldn't stop talking about all the love that emanated from the congregation and how warmly she was welcomed. She heard your stories about Annapolis as you opened your hearts to her about your families. She chatted in English, Yiddish and Hebrew and, like a good Jewish mama, donned her apron and began cooking here, too. 

She was surprised that Annapolis had so much to offer in terms of good, healthy Kosher foods as she prepared a whole-wheat challah for Shabbat. She indulged in some of Annapolis' finer stores and salons, like Chicos, where she purchased her Bar Mitzvah outfit and Fleets Feet, to buy comfortable Ecko Sneakers so she could enjoy her tour around the city. Like any good tourist, she bought lots of souvenirs for her grandchildren back in Israel. She also got to marvel at the spectacular breath-taking sights along the harbor at night where she commented that Annapolis reminded her of her own port city of Haifa. 

The Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Chassidic movement, my mother reminded me, once remarked that looking upon water is a blessing. We took her to the Governor's mansion and the Naval Academy. She laughed as skateboarders glided past us and was mesmerized by the diversity of the population that strolled along the walkways. She described Annapolis as a very classy and cultural city. Additionally, my mother was touched that so many of you entrusted her with names and prayers to bring back to Jerusalem's Western Wall, which she will do upon her return flight to Israel. As for me, it was good to see things anew through my mother's eyes. Miriam and I want to thank you all for sharing in our family simcha and for being so kind and hospitable to my mother during her visit.

As we return to the autumn schedule with the High Holidays straight ahead of us, we prepare and purify ourselves for the upcoming 5769 year. We will get a chance to look at our lives through new eyes. It is time to make amends with those we may have slighted, intentionally or unintentionally. Take time to reflect on who we are and what we want to be, how we can improve ourselves, physically, spiritually and emotionally, even financially. That's the beauty of our religion; we have the ability to re-invent ourselves while holding fast to our traditions. We can repair the mistakes of yesterday while setting a course for our own successful futures.

There are programs and events that are in the planning stages for the upcoming year to help steer us in this direction. A lot of people work hard behind the scenes to bring these exciting activities to you and promote a vibrant Jewish life here in Annapolis. We need your continued support to make them successful. Increase your Jewish knowledge. Celebrate your Jewish identity. Take one more Torah class this year. Attend one more event than you did last year. Strengthen a Jewish soul. Bring an unaffiliated Jewish friend to a Shabbat service. Don't be shy. We need you. Join a committee. Have an idea or a talent that you can share? Let's talk about it.

Wishing you and your family a joyous and meaningful New Year.

Shalom,

Rabbi Moshe P. Weisblum