Dear Friends,
Home is where the heart is! It has been so wonderful to be back in Napa these past several weeks, following my sabbatical in Portugal, Spain, Chicago, and Quantico, Virginia. As rewarding and renewing as that time away was, I now feel a strong sense of connection and purpose with all of you at Congregation Beth Shalom, and our community in Napa, as never before.
It is great to be home!
During the month of March, we will celebrate the holiday of Purim together. It is a joyful event during which we tell the story of Esther, Mordechai, and the triumph of the Jewish people in Persia as they thwart and overturn the sinister, genocidal machinations of the wicked Haman. I hope you will all join us on March 6 to mark this ancient observance of Jewish survival and victory.
Interestingly, the Book of Esther is the only biblical book in which the name of God does not appear. While it may seem that the narrative follows a hidden divine plan, the focus of the tale is more on people, on human ingenuity and resilience, on the need and power of community in order to persevere.
We will also be preparing for another, equally joyous holiday, Passover, during this month. I invite you to join me on March 9 and 30 to explore, in an interactive seminar format, the texts and traditions of Pesach, perhaps the most widely-observed and (for many of us) favorite Jewish holiday. I am sure it will deepen your understanding and appreciation of this longstanding festival. Keep your eyes open for more details.
And be sure to sign up for our Beth Shalom communal seder on April 2!
At this dark time of social upheaval, political polarization, geopolitical conflict, and pervasive antisemitism, let’s join together as a community to celebrate our rich and beautiful Jewish traditions—and, in doing so, let us celebrate each other.
As the rabbinic sages teach us, “If I am not for myself, who will be for me?” But they continue: “If I am only for myself, what am I?”
We need each other. We need our spiritual traditions. May they ground and guide us in the months ahead.
B’shalom, Niles
Rabbi Niles Goldstein