Every year on Yom Kippur we have two CAH members speak.

For the first talk, Rabbi Sacks each year invites a member of the Congregation to speak about Am HaYam and how it has affected their life. This year’s personal talk was given by Neal Abramson. Neal Abramson is a long-time CAH member. He has long served as CAH’s ba’al t’ki’ah, our shofar blower. He is currently the Chair of the Ritual Committee and helps with the House Committee.

For the second talk, President Brenda Rich gives the appeal, building on the personal speech by speaking more specifically about our congregation’s ethos and needs and using specific Jewish values. This year throughout the High Holy Days, Rabbi Sacks, Student Rabbi Maayan Lev, and Rabbi Stuart Light all helped us to use our new Mission Statement (see here), approved by our membership this past year as part of our new By-Laws. Brenda, too, reminds us of our mission.

We are grateful for the love, passion, and commitment that Neal and Brenda bring to CAH. We hope you will watch and listen to these appeals to our hearts, whether this will be the first time or whether you are revisiting.

G’mar tov:  welcome to 5783.

Thank you Neal Abramson for the lead in to my appeal speech.

On this most important day, we aim to set aside social status, financial standing, and other wordly standings to focus on repentance and prayer.  We strive to turn away from sin and toward our true and better nature. 

So why am I up here?  I certainly do not have the wisdom to help make Yom Kippur more meaningful to you.  Instead, I am up here to ask you for money which is opportunistic and incompatible with the spirit of Yom Kippur.  And asking you for money conflicts with the meaning of Yom Kippur.

I would love to abolish Yom Kippur appeals – but, sadly, i know that CAH cannot survive without high holy day pledges.

Yes, we are a holy community – but one with financial needs.

Dues, pledges, and fees do a lot more than keep our lights on, our air conditioning running and our interior from deteriorating.  But most importantly they do help to support the soul and spirit that can’t be measured in dollars and cents.

Our mission statement in our new by-laws says it very well.

“We are a progressive, egalitarian, and inclusive congregation.  We strive to create a community in which Judaism feels central and indispensable to us.”

Chesed is a central item in our statement.  Chesed:  extending kindness, hospitality and generosity to others.  We welcome and care for those in our midst.  We treat one another with civility, respect, and kindness.  We are grateful for our blessings, and we are committed to sharing with others within our community.

And, by golly, if we are not doing this – it’s time for 5783 to be the beginning for all of us to start.

We do not have a lavish sanctuary.  But what we do have is Rabbi J. B. Sacks.  I know you all enjoy the extra readings and handouts you gain so much from.  But I hope you understand the enormous amount of time spent in preparing all of this for our knowledge and inspiration.  And I’m not going into the cost of printing everything as there is never a cost to us.  Thanks doesn’t really cover all that is due you, Rabbi.  But that is all we can give you.

The love of money is what we are combating on Yom Kippur.  But the sensible use of money can support spiritual wellness, tolerance, and holiness.  We do work hard to use money the right way. 

With that in mind, if you can make a pledge please do so. 

I realize many in our community face financial hardships that makes a monetary pledge impossible.  And that is another reason why I ask those of you who can to please consider what you can do.

We are here for all.  And all are accepted.

We have tried a new way of giving out pledge cards.  Those who are in the sanctuary should have received an envelope with a pledge card in it with your name noted on it.  If you are able to do so now, just fold down a tab or tabs and hand it to Neil Abramson or Mark Rich.  If you need time to think about making a pledge, take it home and mail it back.  If you did not receive an envelope, Mark Rich has some unmarked ones he can give you.

Those on you tube can mail in a pledge or email me that you are making a pledge.  This appeal will be in the November Migdalor with a copy of the pledge card which you can cut out and mail back.

At the beginning of my appeal, the word nature was mentioned which brought to mind a discussion our rabbi made regarding trees.  Well,  think for a moment of Am HaYam as a tree.  Our roots are barely in the ground.  We need you as our water and fertilizer to make our roots grow deeper so we can be strong and mighty as a giant oak tree and provide shade and comfort

To all.  Help us continue to grow and bloom.  Help us to stand erect, stand tall, and stand proud – like a mighty tree.

May this Yom Kippur and the beginning of 5783 give you spiritual and physical strength, fulfillment of hopes,  desires and priceless human connections that only a holy, open-minded and welcoming community that CAH offers.

Thank you.

G’mar chatimah tovah!

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