Dear Friends,
This time of year, everyone is looking for inspiration. We come to Rosh Hashanah hoping that the prayers, the shofar, a stirring sermon, a song—or perhaps just one quiet moment in shul—will awaken something within us and propel us into the new year. But here is a remarkable thought: G-d, so to speak, is looking for inspiration too. Our Sages teach that on Rosh Hashanah G-d says, “Tamlichuni aleichem” — “Crown Me as King over you.” It is an extraordinarily vulnerable expression. G-d is G-d regardless of what we do. Yet He asks us to crown Him. The awakening must come from below. Our sounding of the shofar, our prayers, and above all, our decision to recommit ourselves to Him are what, so to speak, inspire the Divine response and draw forth His kingship for the year ahead. Apparently, everyone needs inspiration. And so, as one year makes way for another, I thought I would share some of what inspires me. First, feedback. This article goes out each week to thousands of readers. I write, send, and then… But every so often someone stops me and says, “That article really spoke to me.” Someone emails to say they forwarded it to a friend. Someone tells me that a thought they read here changed the way they looked at something. One response can provide enough fuel to keep writing for weeks. Never underestimate the power of telling someone that something they did made a difference. I am inspired by the growth of our community — not simply in numbers, but in participation, engagement and support. More people showing up, learning, praying, celebrating, contributing and taking ownership of our shared Jewish future. I am inspired by the dedication of our staff, who invest enormous energy, creativity and heart—often far beyond what anyone sees—to make everything happen. And I am inspired by our volunteers. The person greeting someone at the door with a smile. The person helping in the kitchen. Setting up décor. Making calls.. Sometimes the smallest act communicates the biggest message: This matters to me. This is my community. Perhaps that is the deeper message of Tamlichuni aleichem. Inspiration is not a one-way street. We look upward to Hashem for inspiration, while Hashem, so to speak, looks to us and says: Show Me what matters to you. Show Me what you are prepared to do. Inspire Me. As this year draws to a close, I simply want to say thank you. Thank you for inspiring me. Thank you for inspiring one another. And thank you for inspiring our community to keep reaching higher. May Hashem, in turn, be “inspired” by all of us and inscribe each and every one of us for a year of abundant blessing — a year of health, happiness and nachas; of prosperity, peace and purpose; and above all, a year in which our people and our world finally experience the ultimate blessing of peace and redemption. Kesiva Vachasima Tova — may we all be inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet New Year. Rabbi Ruvi New