26 | SEPTEMBER 2 • 2021 

ROSH HASHANAH
High 
Holiday 
Messages

The JN asked some local rabbis to share
their messages for Rosh Hashanah.

continued on page28

“H 
ope in the LORD. Be strong and 
of good courage. Hope in the 
LORD.
” We recite these words from Psalm 
27 daily during the Season of 
Repentance, and they carry espe-
cially great meaning today. 
 Despite the ongoing pan-
demic, I believe that we have 
reason to hope; justification for 
optimism; and grounds for pro-
claiming that we are “nearly free” 
from the COVID chains that 
bind us.
As recently as July, many of us felt certain 
that the worst of COVID was behind us. Then 
the variants struck. The vaccinated are wearing 
masks again. Our concern for our unvacci-
nated children grows, especially as the start of 
school approaches. The sick fill hospital beds. 
Delta is the primary conversation of every 
phone call and visit. Whereas a month ago, we 
seemingly saw the light at the end of the pan-
demic tunnel, many of us are again struggling. 
Nevertheless, the Bible declares, “Hope in 
the LORD. Be strong and of good courage. 
Hope in the LORD.
” 
Indeed, this year we have reason to hope. 
Studies show that vaccinations are incredibly 
successful at preventing the worst of the virus’ 

symptoms, and Jews nationally are the highest 
vaccinated ethnic group. As such, unlike this 
time last year, many of us now are gathering 
again with family and friends. Grandparents 
are able again to hug and to kiss grandchil-
dren. That is cause for hope.
Additionally, in-person prayer is again an 
option for most synagogues across our area. 
At Congregation Shaarey Zedek, for example, 
because of the size of our synagogue and the 
success of mask-wearing, our sanctuary can 
safely accommodate all who wish to celebrate 
the holidays inside. Moreover, unlike last year, 
synagogues know they can safely utilize their 
campuses for outdoor gatherings, ensuring 
that children and their families can gather, too. 
At CSZ, we are calling our youth and fam-
ily experiences “The Prayground.
” At the 
Prayground, through music, teaching and 
hands-on activities, kids and adults alike 
can feel the joy and excitement of the High 
Holidays in a meaningful and safe outdoor 
environment.
Compared to last year’s High Holidays, this 
is indeed progress! In the face of ongoing pan-
demic and fully aware of the strength of the 
variants, we are nevertheless making signifi-
cant strides. 
No, the pandemic will not disappear in 

the blink of an eye. Too many adults remain 
unvaccinated, and most of our children can-
not yet be vaccinated. Perhaps we should 
even repent for our naivete and impatience in 
thinking that we were closer to the end than 
we are. But progress is being made.
Though slow and non-linear, the pandemic 
is improving. We have reason to hope; justi-
fication for optimism; and grounds for pro-
claiming that we are, as compared to last year, 
“nearly free” from the COVID chains that bind 
us. And by the way, there is healing in hope.
In this New Year, may God bless us with 
gratitude for all who enabled our society to 
make such significant progress against a terri-
ble virus in truly a short amount of time. May 
God bless us with the wisdom to celebrate the 
progress made.May God bless us with patience 
and with the commitment to take steps to pro-
tect lives.
Finally, in this New Year and beyond, may 
God bless us all with health, with joy, and with 
the strength and courage, truly, to trust in God 
and in God’s goodness. “Hope in the LORD. 
Be strong and of good courage. Hope in the 
LORD.
” 

Rabbi Aaron Starr serves Congregation Shaarey Zedek 
in Southfield.

Rabbi 
Aaron Starr

Despite Pandemic, Feeling Hope in the New Year

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