“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” – Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

Dear Friends,

As Election Day, November 5th, 2024, nears, Dickens’ words describe how many Americans feel while standing on the threshold of a future we all have to traverse. Whether our candidate wins or loses, the future is coming. We cannot despair and we cannot fail to be our best selves during uncertain times. Underlying the strength of our nation are enduring American values that have preserved our Union through difficult circumstances, in the past. They endured because we persevered through times of foolishness, incredulity, and darkness. Then we emerged to know wisdom, belief, and light.

However the election goes, there will likely be bitter disappointment and unpredictable unrest in our country. We cannot succumb to the worst among us; we must rise to meet the occasion and find the high road where we can all know “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

As you seek the words and the ways to address the days after November 5th, please consider these prayers and words that might soothe bitterness and increase empathy. We might feel like we’re entering a “winter of despair,” but let us come to know a “spring of hope,” together.

Then, on Friday night, begin Shabbat with us and Nefesh Mountain, a soulful, Jewish, Bluegrass musical group. Details are at www.beth-israel.org. Music, prayer, community, and hope, combine to focus us on our duty to self, family, and country.

From Gates of Prayer
(CCAR Press, 1975, p. 275)

When evil darkens our world, give us light.
When despair numbs our souls, give us hope.
When we stumble and fall, lift us up.
When doubt assails us, give us faith.
When nothing seems sure, give us trust.
When ideals fade, give us vision.
When we lose our way, be our Guide.
That we may find serenity in Your presence, and purpose in doing Your will.

Laugh, Laugh at All My Dreams
Shaul Tchernichovsky, 20th century Russian-born Hebrew poet

Laugh, laugh at all my dreams!
What I dream shall yet come true!
Laugh at my belief in man,
At my belief in You.

Freedom still my soul demands,
Unbartered for a calf of gold.
For still I do believe in man,
And in his spirit, strong and bold.

And in the future I still believe
Though it be distant, come it will
When nations shall each other bless,
And peace at last the earth shall fill.

In a letter from George Washington to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island on August 18th, 1790:

“For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support…May the Children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and figtree, and there shall be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy.”

May the days and weeks to come reflect our congregation’s and community’s respect for and duty to America, our home and our future. Rabbi Scott, Rabbi Rheins, and Cantor Feibush join me in wishing you wisdom, faith, light, and hope.

L’Shalom,