Message for the High Holy Days 5786

Message for the High Holy Days ("Yamim Nora-im") from the Shul Rabbi:

With the help from Hashem, Erev Rosh Hashana 5786

This year, like the previous year was a very challenging one for the Jewish community, both in the holy land and in the diaspora.

The harrowing events on Simchat Torah (October 7^th) caused worldwide upheaval, with antisemitism and antizionism coming to the fore as never before.

It is well-known that human beings are creatures of habit, we do not like change.  How are we to respond to this outpouring of unbridled, unchecked and pervasive hatred?

We could ignore everything by preverbally burying our heads in the sand, or we could fight it head on, by going on a march, a vigil or a protest.

Is there another way? 

In the High Holiday prayers, we say the famous phrase: "Tefilla (Prayer), Teshuvah (Penitence) and Tzedakah (Charity) avert evil of the decree.

This is the recipe on how to engender change in our outlook. 

• Prayer (Tefilla) is our relationship with Hashem.  The Jewish community needs our prayers now more than ever before, so please give it a try and say a prayer - even in your own language.  Our Father in Heaven listens to our prayers wherever we may be in our spiritual journey.  
• Penitence (Teshuvah) is our relationship with ourselves.  Every year anew - Hashem gives us another chance to try and improve our ways, so that when look ourselves in the mirror, we see a new, rejuvenated "Me".  Since October 7^thmore people have begun to identify with Judaism. There is a feeling of "we need to do something, we need to strengthen ourselves". 
• Tzedakah (Charity) is our relationship with others; we need to help those who may be in difficult situations, whether they suffer a lack of money, time, or friends - just being there for another person is also a form of charity! 

Despite the difficulties here in the UK, our small community has become stronger.  We have increased our social, cultural and educational programmes. 

I owe a vote of thanks to all those who make it their business to attend the services (Tefilla), those who try to improve (Teshuva) and all who lend a helping hand in the myriad ways that present themself (Tzedaka).

Special thanks to to our team of volunteers for their dedication to help keep the Shul ticking and for the crew who prepare kiddushim on a weekly basis.  I hope more people will join in our activities and step forward to volunteer, even for one hour a month (every little helps).

I wish you all a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year 5786. 

May Hashem accept our heartfelt prayers for this coming year to be one of peace, and that we merit the final redemption, very speedily indeed.

Yours sincerely,

Menasche Scharf

Reverend at Finsbury Park United Synagogue, LONDON, UK

P.S. A special "Thank You" goes to my dear friend and mentor, Rabbi Yitzchok Austin of the Leytonstone and Wanstead Synagogue, for providing me with the material for this New Year message.