19 Elul 5785

Dear Friend,

As the High Holidays approach, there’s a special feeling in the air—a gentle shift that reminds us we’re entering one of the most meaningful times on the Jewish calendar. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are just around the corner, and with them, comes a season of reflection, reconnection, and hope.

There’s something truly beautiful about this time of year. The warm days fade away to evenings that are beginning to feel crisp and we naturally start to slow down a little, taking stock of the year that’s passed. 

It’s a chance to pause, think about where we’ve been, and set intentions for where we’d like to go. 

Preparation takes many forms. You can hear the conversations around the halls of the JCC as I come in to work out or go to the gym:

You are going to New York?  Will you pick me up ________?
Where are you going to be for Rosh Hashanah?
Are the kids coming home?  You going to your children's?

Some of us are cooking holiday meals and planning gatherings, while others are thinking more inwardly—reaching out to make amends, reconnecting with old friends, or simply taking a quiet moment to reflect. There’s no one way to get ready, and that’s part of what makes this season so personal and powerful; yet, it is so universal.

In our homes and in our synagogues, whether in Longmeadow, Amherst, Greenfield or anywhere in between, we come together during these holy days not only to pray, but to be inspired, to sing familiar melodies, and to support one another on this journey of renewal. 

It's a time to forgive, to be forgiven, and to remember that each new year brings fresh opportunities to grow and begin again.

So as we prepare to greet the New Year, let’s carry with us a sense of gratitude—for each other and to each other; for the chance to start fresh, and for the traditions that continue to guide and ground us. 

May this season bring sweetness, peace, and meaningful moments for us all.

Shabbat Shalom,

Adam Solender