Our creation story teaches us that renewal is an essential part of who we are. Each week alternates between workdays and Shabbat, a day devoted to restorative rest. Similarly, the month of Tishri, the seventh month of the Jewish calendar, provides an extended opportunity for reflection and renewal.

Jewish tradition is fundamentally hopeful. The rabbis believed that while humans are imperfect, we are inherently good. They developed the practice of teshuvah, or “return,” to help us address and repair the harm we inevitably cause. This belief underscores the idea that meaning in our lives comes from continuously working to improve ourselves and the world around us. Even if we can’t achieve perfection, we can still make a positive difference.

This year, as we navigate our daily concerns, we also face the profound grief, shock, fear, and confusion stemming from the war in Gaza, rising antisemitism, and the growing threat of authoritarianism. While our time together may not solve these issues, I hope it will provide us with greater clarity and resilience. Coming together during this season reminds us that we are not alone in our personal or communal struggles.

May this season be a time for reconnecting with our better selves and with one another. May it renew our sense of purpose and strengthen our commitment to the values of our Jewish tradition. And may we all develop a deeper appreciation for the precious gift of life.