Rabbi Shapiro's September Bulletin Message

For Your Consideration
Rabbi Mark Dov Shapiro

“To everything…turn, turn, turn….there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.” That’s how I’m feeling as this September rolls around. The larger Springfield Jewish community is witnessing change as synagogues amalgamate and as new leadership arrives. Our own synagogue is also in the midst of change. Cantor Levson has arrived, and he and I have begun to plan for a New Year of worship and exploration. (Look at the bottom of this page where you can see how we are recreating our usual pre-High Holiday Saturday evening event. “Changes” will be our theme as we develop a totally new musical and spiritual format for approaching the great Tishri season of renewal.)

Beyond all the external change, there is also the personal change that comes to the fore as the High Holidays approach. Days grow shorter, work and school schedules resume, and we all realize that we are back to the grind. We’re back to life as usual with its pressures, frustrations, and worries. We’re back to our own shortcomings. Or perhaps not. Perhaps there is change on the horizon for us. It won’t come easily because habit is so strong. But the hope of the New Year is that change isn’t beyond us. Change (even incremental) is possible.

“To everything…turn, turn, turn….there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.”

I look forward to joining you as our New Year begins. Let’s “change” this year. Let’s grow – for the better, for the good, for the sake of life!

Prior Bulletin Messages from the Rabbi are available on this site.