Rabbi Janine's Messages

Dear Community, 

Rosh Hashanah is known by several names, including "the birthday of the world." In Marge Piercy's poem, "The Birthday of the World" the narrator reveals what they are thinking as we approach the holiest time of the year. 

On the birthday of the world 
I begin to contemplate what 
I have done and left undone, but this year 
not so much rebuilding of my perennially damaged psyche, shoring up eroding friendships, 
digging out stumps of old resentments 
that refuse to rot on their own. No, this year 
I want to call myself to task 
for what I have done and not done
for peace. How much have I dared in opposition? 
How much have I put on the line for freedom? 
For mine and others? 
As these freedoms are pared, sliced and diced, 
where have I spoken out? 
Who have I tried to move? 
In this holy season, I stand self-convicted 
of sloth in a time when lies choke the mind and 
rhetoric bends reason to 
slithering choking pythons. 
Here I stand before the gates opening, 
the fire dazzling my eyes, 
and as I approach what judges me, 
I judge myself. 
Give me weapons of minute destruction. 
Let my words turn into sparks.

Right now we are facing a political climate where the freedoms we have historically taken for granted as Americans are now being "pared, sliced and diced." We must not be afraid to speak out for freedom. We must continue to "dare in opposition" of power which abuses. 

This Rosh Hashanah, I invite our community to consider where we could have said more. I invite us to consider what our "weapons of minute destruction" might be. As Jews we believe that words hold power. One day we will be asked, "What did you do to prevent this?" Silence is a choice we cannot afford to make. 

This 5786, may our words turn into sparks for change and for justice. 

L'Shanah Tova U'Metukah, I wish each and every one of you a happy and sweet New Year full of sparks. 

Rabbi Janine Jankovitz 
she/her