It’s been a year.

A year of so many ups and plenty of downs for the world around us.

This time last year, I was preparing my soul and my voice to be present for our CNT congregation while feeling the kicks of a soon to be born baby. It was my favorite High Holy Days in so many ways.

Fast forward a few months… While we were experiencing the joy of a newborn, the world became sick with a virus like none other. My role changed overnight… To stay at home Ima… working 60-80 hours a week behind a screen. We lived in fear for our family and our community.

Fast forward a few more months, a pandemic had changed us. My son would know that meeting new people meant not seeing their smile, but instead, to know them by their eyes. New normal was Emmett’s only known normal. We stopped living in fear, and started living cautiously and to the fullest. We cherished the time spent at home and with our inner circle. Plans for limited screen time were squashed by zoom calls in my lap and watching me lead services on TV instead of together in the sanctuary. It was a year of lessons… working harder than ever before, and still learning to settle for less.

Fast forward a few more months… I had dreams of snail mailed postcards for Emmett’s first Rosh Hashannah… but it turns out cantor/principal/mom (during a pandemic) the balancing act is trial and error, and it’s okay to say… dayeinu, next year. (Wrong holiday, same sentiment) We got as far as the photo shoot in the cute outfit, with our pomegranate tree and precious 500 year old baby Torah. It’s been a year. A great year. A hard year. A year like none other. And also… the best year… because Emmett arrived and changed us.

Wishing you and yours the sweetest new year. May it be filled with happiness, health, and love. We know these are trying times, so please know, we are here for you. Services begin tonight at 7PM. Go to lvnertamid.org to join us, light the candles with Emmett and our family, and ring in the new year with prayer and prose. L’shana Tova tikateivu v’techateimu. ❤️✡️🎵🍎