Kol Nidre - Erev Yom Kippur 5769
Rabbi Heid M. Cohen
A Prayer for Financial Struggles
I’I want to take a moment to address recent events in our economy. For many in our congregation, the foundation of financial stability may have been shaken with the events of the past few weeks. There is no answer in the Talmud as to how we face a bear market. Jewish tradition does not say that,‘here is what God proclaims this day the market declines.’ Yet, we seek comfort and we seek support at this time. And yes, if there is one constant stability in our lives at any time of crisis, it is our relationship with God, to whom we turn and ask for emotional support to get through trying life moments. And the other constant is our congregational family.
There are those in our congregation who will be affected greatly by this financial down turn and there will be those who it will not fully affect. However, as one community, as one family, we stand together to care for all. We never say, it’s not my problem.
Therefore, I extend this to our entire Temple Beth Sholom family, if you are affected by this financial crisis and you are in need of support, please, be in touch with me directly. Let me know what it is we as a TBS family can do to help. And if you are fortunate enough to have resources, be it financial, emotional, or even access to helping others find employment, please, also be in touch with me. I have been fortunate to see how we as a community have cared for those in need and then later, they are able to care for the next person. It has always been and will always be our mission to never turn our backs on someone in need. While we may not have all the answers, we can and we must still join together to ensure that all are cared for with compassion.
May we find comfort in our relationship with God and with our community and may God bless us and may we bless one another.
