Chag Pesach Sameach & Happy Spring from our Sholom family to yours! Did you know that April is Volunteer Appreciation Month? We are extremely fortunate at Sholom to have two incrediby dedicated Volunteer Directors – Carol Kvasnik & Jim McDonald – who enrich the lives of our residents, tenants, and families every day.
Thus, the question arises as to why we confess our mistakes in the plural rather than in the singular? If we are supposed to take responsibility for our individual transgressions in the Jewish year that has just concluded, should we not exclaim, “I have erred”, “I have missed the mark”, “I have transgressed”?
Our sages explain that one reason why we confess our mistakes in this way is to remind us that we need to support and encourage one another as we seek to engage in teshuvah, namely, return to the path of wellbeing.
In the Torah portion that was recited on Shabbat Shuvah, the Sabbath of Repentance this past Shabbes, Moses exclaims “Chizku V’imtzu!”, reminding his people as well as Joshua who will soon become the new of Israel, “Be strong and of good courage”.
As we confess our mistakes on Yom Kippur, we have the opportunity to strengthen and support one another as we atone and make amends for times that we missed the mark this past year.
The importance of chizuk, strengthening one another, reminds us of another way in which we bolster one another within our community.
It has been stated that a community is too heavy for anyone to carry alone. No matter how talented, how brilliant and how hard-working an individual may be, he or she simply cannot do it alone.
Within our Sholom community, we give thanks for the genuine teamwork and camaraderie among Sholom staff who truly strengthen and encourage one another as they seek to provide reverential and compassionate care for the elders. Speaking from personal experience, I am genuinely inspired when working alongside other Sholom staff who enthusiastically put themselves out on behalf of our residents and tenants.
In the new Jewish year that has just begun, may Sholom staff continue to be strong and of good courage, supporting, uplifting and inspiring one another to provide ever finer care for the elders in our community.
