Rabbis’ Message: September 16, 2025

As we shift closer and closer to our High Holy Day celebrations and commemorations, as we move through Selichot - a ritual that literally translates to “pardon” - I wanted to share this poem by Rabbi Evan Schultz with you:

A letter to 5786.

I just wanted to say I’m sorry.

There’s a lot of pressure on you.

5785 was a hard year.

War. Suffering. Violence.

Hostages. Pain. Hunger.

A lot of folks lost hope.

In each other. In humanity.

We’re coming to you tired.

Weary. Heartbroken. Confused.

Like I said, a lot of pressure.

Can you do anything for us?

We need more than sweetness.

More than apples and honey.

Or tkiyahs and truahs.

We need healing. Pause. Love.

Please help to awaken us.

To find water in the wilderness.

Hope in the human heart.

I know it’s a lot to ask.

But such is my fragile prayer.

Usher us in, to begin anew.

May the coming new year be a good year for us and for all peoples of the Earth. May it be a year of healing and awakening; may it be a year where we find water in the wilderness of this emerging era.

With love and hope, 

Rabbi Lauren