march & april 2018

Rabbi’s message
This is a joyful time of year. We just celebrated Purim, marking our triumph over those who would have destroyed us. In a mere few weeks, Passover will be upon us. On a personal level my wife and I just celebrated the Bar Mitzvahs of two grandsons. Despite the joy of the season, the airwaves and our social media are filled with anger, resentment and bad feeling. Today, instead of thanking G-d for being saved from Haman, we would more likely express our indignation for having been endangered. Instead of praising G-d for the Exodus, we would probably fill ourselves with bitter complaints blaming G-d for the injustice and suffering of slavery. Purim and Passover would be solemn and bitter memorials rather than days of celebration. Instead, we as Jews are asked to focus on gratitude. This is not to deny the pain we may experience. but to not let that obscure the good that we experienced as well. A rabbi suggested an exercise I would like to ask you to try for the upcoming month. Every day, write down something you are grateful for, and on the thirtieth day, read through the list and put them in order of importance. Emphasizing the positive will go a long way towards achieving happiness. Our tradition teaches the same, that happiness is best found not by focusing on our troubles, but by engaging with those around us, by being part of a community and by being thankful to G-d for all the good that that we have experienced. Passover is a time when no Jew should be alone. If you need hospitality for a Seder, let me know. Also, we are having the second Seder at the Shu, l which is a good way to share the Passover experience with the community that we are all part of. Chag Kasher V’sameach a zissen Pesach, Happy sweet and kosher Passover to all.
Rabbi Sussman